Chapter 41: Declaration (II)

Prince Eugent revealed the names of his newborn twin children as Cedric Reise Arnor and Alfin Reise Arnor.

Giliath turned a bit serious hearing that before continuing to speak.

"As much as I would like to celebrate for this joyous occasion, it is neither the time nor place to do so. Besides, If you truly want to do your declaration now Your Highness, we still require the presences of the Four Great Houses. Isn't that right, Speaker Carl?", Giliath asked, shifting his eyes to the Diet Speaker, Carl Regnitz. Carl could only push his glasses up a bit before answering him.

"That's right. We already have the Imperial Family present. I could be accounted for as a member of the Imperial Diet, while we have the five leading commanders of the Imperial Army, and the Four Great Houses are set to arrive any moment now. But there is still one major issue for the rite of announcing the next Emperor, Your Highness.", Carl responded, a bit worried as he looked at Prince Eugent.

Hearing that, Prince Eugent turned solemn, letting out a sigh. He proceeded to place his arms on his knees before speaking.

"It's the recognition of the Septian Church, isn't it?", Prince Eugent asked in worry.

"Yes. Through the annals of our history, regardless of it being the nation of our own, our friends, or our enemies, our actions are recorded. Whether it leads a society to ruin, or it advances onto an era of prosperity, the Septian Church has stood by us since the beginning. Without us receiving the approval of the Septian Church, I fear your attempt today will be for naught, Your Highness.", Giliath explained to Prince Eugent.

Hearing Giliath explained what he already knew, Prince Eugent's eyes turned weird.

"General Giliath...what exactly did you do this time?", Prince Eugent asked, a bit hesitant.

"Aren't you curious to where departed two years ago?", Giliath asked, revealing a grin. A look of surprise reached Prince Eugent's eyes.

"So that's where your departure ties in...I did receive a report saying you left the country, but I personally refrained seeking the details of it.", Prince Eugent responded, causing Carl to turn wide eyed.

"You dared to leave the country two years ago, General Giliath?", Carl also responded in worry.

"Haha, that I did, Speaker Carl. To Liberl no less.", Giliath responded with a smile, shifting his eyes again to Carl.

"...!", Carl tried to respond, but shock overcame him. "How could you step into Liberl now of all times when tensions are at its peak? War could break out any minute.", Carl responded in shock. Giliath calmly shook his head to ease his worry.

"Rest assured, I did not venture into Liberl bearing our name of the Imperial Army. It was for a family matter.", Giliath answered Carl, reassuring him.

"Even so...", Carl tried to retort back, only to blink at Giliath for a moment. "Wait, why did you need to even enter Liberl for a family matter? I thought you had no ties there.", Carl asked, unsure.

"Unfortunately, even as a General, I am unauthorized to reveal that. It is a nation-level secret.", Giliath replied with a sigh, shrugging his shoulders a bit.

"General Giliath speaks the truth, Speaker Carl. This piece of information is currently set at such a level.", Prince Eugent also said, confirming Giliath's words. "Even I shouldn't speak of it, as my status as crown prince.", Prince Eugent continued to say.

"I see...", Speaker Carl started to say. "Then I won't ask about it any longer. But what does that have to do with the recognition of the Septian Church?", Carl began to wonder.

However at this time, a loud engine-like noise started to tear through the skies above Heimdallr, causing not only the people in the orbal car to come to a sudden halt, but even those outside of the barricade to become wide eyed. Even I became surprised hearing this noise.

All of our eyes shifted toward the sky, only to see an incoming shadow approaching at a fast speed. Upon a closer look, it appeared to be an orbal aircraft of sorts, one that was pure white. It was in the shape of an arrowhead, having two propulsion engines parallel to each other. Above the engines was an observation deck. Overall, its design was very sleek.

"No way...", I uttered softly, seeing this incoming orbal aircraft. Roselia chuckled seeing me like this.

"Did your head go daft, boy? You know the prince is speeding up his plans, right?", Roselia asked me.

"I know that part, but I wasn't expecting this aircraft to show up. Not this soon...", I said, shrugging my shoulders a bit.

"You know, for a historical change to occur, their presence is required. The Septian Church.", Roselia said, looking my way.

"There was that part, wasn't there...But how?", I couldn't help but wonder myself.

Roselia stayed quiet after I asked that, so I could only watch on as the incoming aircraft approached us. It was none other than a Merkabah aircraft coming out way.

As for Giliath, he revealed another smile while he looked toward Prince Eugent.

"Why don't we step outside to go greet the Septian Church, Your Highness?", Giliath asked with a smile.

"Very well. There is nothing more I can do at this point.", Prince Eugent said, only to go along with Giliath. He proceeded to stand up. Giliath, Carl, Prince Olivert and Mueller proceeded to step outside of the orbal car. The moment these four exited, they were blinded by many flashes of the orbal cameras pointed at them from beyond the barricade.

Meanwhile, as for a certain spiky green haired man, he could only lament as his fingers rapidly pressed the camera he was holding.

"I definitely picked a bad time to come to Erebonia...Why does it feel a big change is about to come? And what is with that aircraft? Isn't this a restricted zone for flying?", Nial questioned himself. However his thoughts were immediately interrupted by one of the reporters nearby, acting in a fervor.

"Nial, get your act together. The Crown Prince is coming out of the car...?", A nearby reporter said, only to get caught off guard seeing Prince Eugent appear shortly after Giliath exited the car. However the crowd burst into an uproar, not at by Prince Eugent's appearance, but by the golden haired twelve year old child shortly after him, who was dressed very similarly to Prince Eugent.

"T-That person just looks like a miniature version of the Crown Prince! Who is he?", One of the civilians exclaimed.

"Hmph, you don't even know that? That's the Crown Prince's son! He has returned to our capital as well!", Another civilian retorted.

"And that ship in the sky...It could only belong to the Septian Church. Don't tell me...", A third civilian wondered the possibility of the people continuing to gather.

Seeing the crowd react, Prince Olivert waved his hand a bit, only to get bombarded by several flashes of light. He chuckled, but continued walking, in my my direction no less.

"Looks like you're receiving plenty of attention, Your Highness.", I said, revealing a smile.

"It is great to receive such a warm welcome, since this is my first time returning to Heimdallr since I was born. But I could say the same to you, Naoto.", Prince Olivert said. He then proceeded to point his finger into the sky, only to point at the incoming Merkabah.

As he did that, the crowd reacted once again, seeing Prince Olivert stand next to me. They blinked for a good moment before asking about the small boy who was with him. I even had some flashes of light directed my way, but I ignored them. I only followed Prince Olivert's finger as he pointed at the Merkabah. It wasn't too far away now, almost arriving at Dreichels Plaza, but its speed wasn't stopping. Seeing this, I blinked.

"Wait, why does it feel like this aircraft is coming my way...?", I couldn't help but utter.

"Haha, that does seem to be the case, doesn't it? Perhaps someone you know may be on board?", Prince Olivert retorted with a tease.

"...", I didn't say anything, only to watch the Merkabah arrive at Dreichels Plaza. Sure enough, it didn't stop at the eastern side, and proceeded to stop in the air after arriving on the left side, aka directly to my left. Before long, the Merkabah started its descent. It stopped creating noise the moment it touched down.

Everyone became quiet, only to see the entrance of the observation deck open up with a loud clink, following a hissing noise. After that, several figures started to reveal themselves, causing me to become surprised yet again. A couple of them I was was already familiar with, but there were a couple of smaller figures, appearing more of that of young children. One of them was a spiky white-green haired boy wearing a squire's training outfit...

*

Having Prince Eugent declare he's the next emperor is the finale of Vol 1, along with a timeskip and a certain scene afterward. The start of the Hundred Days War will begin soon.

You didn't think Naoto would meet Kevin, did you?

Don't forget to drop those power stones!