267 Chapter 265: Glorious (III)

As always, Giliath demands your power stones!

*****

Renne currently had an expectant look in her eyes as she observed the beautiful blue-indigo haired girl, who was much taller than the present group before her. They had not seen each other in a while, and during this time apart, Ennea went through an explosive growth in both bust and height. Out of the girls currently present in Ouroboros, she might even be the bustiest.

No longer was she the hidden, cloaked frail assassin girl she used to be during her time spent in the caves with Naoto, Ennea had blossomed into a young woman, who was currently turning eighteen this year, and was four years older than Naoto. She was taller than a foot or two to the other girls present before her. Renne had to shift her head up a bit to look at Ennea with those eyes of hers.

And on top of that, Ennea was presently serving Naoto as her master, and acting as one of his lovers. It wouldn't be so farfetch'd to say that Ennea jumped the gun and was the first girl to enter a relationship with Naoto. However, that torch rightfully belonged to Angelica Rogner, the sole daughter of one of the Great Houses.

Presently, Naoto was in a relationship with four girls, and potentially soon to be five. The first two belonged to Angelica and Ennea respectively, and he was officially engaged to Princess Klaudia and Princess Alfin. Emma, who was one the girls present in this group, also expressed her desire to him, but hasn't made it official yet. There were other girls who liked Naoto as well, and some who had presented a letter of engagement as such, one woman in particular who was also present in Heimdallr, Aurelia le Guin. Those two, however, had additional requirements to meet.

As to whether those requirements would be met in this coming month or two before the land descends into chaos as Campanella stated, that remains to be seen. After all, the requirement for Naoto to win Aurelia's heart and hand in marriage was to be triumphant in a duel against her. Considering Aurelia was said to be the strongest swordswoman in the games, that in itself was a challenge of the highest caliber.

That aside, however, Ennea couldn't help but turn toward Campanella, who currently observed the group of girls before him with an aloof look in his eyes, but also one that had a hint of scorn, acting as he didn't care much of the present. It also contained a hint of interest and playfulness after Musse formally introduced herself as the only daughter of another one of the Great Houses. She was equivalent to Angelica Rogner in that manner, being the daughter of the Cayenne Duchy.

Seeing Campanella remain silent as Renne asked that question, Ennea decided to speak to Campanella, which drew his interest.

"Say, Fool, should I go with Renne here, would you have enough back up to what is going to happen here in place of my absence?", Ennea decided to ask, which caused Campanella to turn toward Ennea.

"Well, we are a bit short-staffed at the moment. The Grandmaster is still having the Blazing Demon currently watching over the kid as she continues to explore the Thirteen Factories, which might I add has become quite comical. It really is a hoot seeing the Professor try to please her during her stay. At least he is continuing his research.", Campanella explained, doing a motion of his hand as a playful smile appeared over his lips.

"So that's what he's been up to lately...", Ennea uttered, since she hadn't encountered the fiery blue haired man for quite some time. Ennea then looked at Campanella again. "What about the other Enforcers?", Ennea decided to ask.

"No. II is currently occupied with the towers and is working with that Colonel, and we are ready to advance the next stage there once No. XV here finishes the scouting of the Primal Ground. No. VI decided to remain behind and assist No. II. No. III has been lurking in Calvard doing Adios knows what, but she has been in contact with No. VIII. I am a bit reluctant to leave matters to No. VIII's hands since he stated he would remain here in Heimdallr though.", Campanella said, shrugging his shoulders.

"Aha, it sounds like you are in a bit of a pickle then, Fool. Also, is that love in the air I smell?", A sudden voice called out to the group. Shortly after, the girls and Campanella heard a soft whirring noise, followed by a rather colorful red-purple aura appearing beside them on the deck of the gigantic airship. In the next moment or two, their eyes saw air begin to distort, as if it was fading in and out almost like an illusion. What appeared before them was a man, donned in a white cape, hidden behind a mask. This person was also an Enforcer much like Renne here, and held the position No. X.

"Bleublanc.", Renne responded, greeting the new arrival on the Glorious.

Musse just stared with a wide look in her eyes. She had not much interaction with magic-like phenomena before, so seeing the Phantom Thief arrive out of nowhere caused her to become surprised, yet at the same time, interested, wondering how such a thing had just happened.

"So you were lurking around Erebonia too huh?", Ennea also asked, seeing the Phantom Thief now beside her.

"For the time being. I can't help but marvel at the wondrous landscape. The endless rolling cloud-like snow drifting about will soon be painted a crimson red. How is that not the perfect image to have someone of my being admire its beauty?", The Phantom Thief said, doing a slight bow at the group.

"So you say. You do realize by coming here, you inadvertently volunteered yourself to stay here, yes?", Renne responded, clapping her hands seeing the Phantom Thief arrive.

"That is the plan, yes. I've some spare time on my hands as of late. Rotting away in a jail cell is simply boring. I feel there is a better use of my time.", The Phantom Thief responded, shrugging his shoulders to Renne's words.

"I couldn't care less where you were. You seem to have a habit of getting locked up though. I'm surprised you didn't stay behind with No. VI. But then again, don't you have some roots here?", Campanella mused to himself.

"Ahaha, in order to properly steal something and admire its beauty, it must reside in the palm of my hands. Security for the most part really does seem to be lacking no matter where I end up. But it is as you say, Fool, I've always had a bit of interest in meeting His Highness. Not as the Phantom Thief, but that of the noble, Bleublanc. We are both nobles, in a way, after all. Hohoho.", The Phantom Thief answered. All of a sudden, he reached for his mask, and suddenly took it off, revealing a rather pretty and handsome face. One would easily tell that he was of a noble background.

"Oh? Now that is a rarity. You rarely take that mask of yours off.", Renne mused, seeing Bleublanc's face out in the open.

"Are you really a noble like me?", Musse couldn't help but ask with interest.

"Only in name, I'm afraid. I am but a simple wanderer, wandering hopelessly in an endless search of admiration. But if you really want to know my dear kitten, I used to have a family name. They have long since perished.", Bleublanc said, introducing himself as Bleublanc this time, and not the Phantom Thief. After introducing himself, he turned toward Campanella and revealed a playful grin over his lips.

"But might I add, are you starting a daycare here or something, Fool? Any more young, stray kittens and you'll be forced to look after them yourself, hoho!", Bleublanc responded with a crude joke, causing Campanella to shrug his shoulders.

"Not my problem. I am here as an observer. I take it there's your answer though, Ennea?", Campanella asked her.

"It sure does. Looks like I'll be joining you guys after all, Renne.", Ennea happily responded. "I think His Highness will be in safe hands with two enforcers staying in Heimdallr during my absence.", Ennea continued to say.

"Excellent. I hadn't any plans to stay long. It looks like our party has been formed, so we'll be taking our leave shortly.", Renne said, nodding her head in response.

"If I may, where are we heading to anyways, Renne?", Musse couldn't help but ask, missing the vital point during this conversation. All Renne did was reveal a playful smirk hearing Musse ask that.

"You probably don't know what a Primal Ground is either, so I'll explain that along the way. We'll be flying out of Erebonia, and heading right into the depths of Lake Valleria.", Renne happily responded, clapping her hands together.

"W-Wha?", Musse gulped, not expecting to hear such an answer.