Chapter 91: Emma Millstein

Don't underestimate butlers.

Giliath demands your power stones!.

*

"Naoto...", Via uttered, seeing me point my rapier at one of the strongest fellows on Zemuria, the Jaeger King.

"What in Aidios's name are you thinking of doing this!?", Vita said, trying to retort. I could clearly see the worry in her eyes.

"Stay out of this, Vita. You haven't trained in swordsmanship so you wouldn't know what it's like.", I said, replying back to her.

"So this is more a test of skill. You'll lose, you know?", Rutger said as he folded his arms.

"I know I'll lose. But the opportunity presented itself by you guys showing up in this place. Gotta take the chance when I can, right?", I answered, revealing a smile.

Hearing that, Rutger let out a laugh, which eased the tension the others were currently feeling after I declared that.

"Haha! I'm beginning to like you more now, Your Highness. You like to strike while the iron is hot, as they say.", Rutger said. He then looked toward the Behemoth. "Go bring it out.", (A/N: What you think this is a trails game where they pull weapons out of their asses?)

"At once, Boss.", The Behemoth replied, only to go vanish into the resort, likely to one of their rooms. I mean Rutger's weapon is gigantic, so it makes sense not to carry it around twenty-four seven.

"Are you really going to fight Naoto, daddy?", Fie asked, still looking at the two of us in surprise.

"I need to match his expectations, and it's always good to stretch a little.", Rutger said, grinning at Fie.

Hearing that, Sherryl cheered at me.

"You better kick that jaeger's ass, Big Brother!", Sherryl said, being unreserved.

"I do not think there is any chance of that happening.", Tio said with a deadpan expression.

"I think I actually agree with you there, squirt. Aren't you biting off more than you can chew, Naoto?", Van asked me.

"I don't see much of a problem here.", Ennea responded. "If you want to fight, then fight.".

"I didn't think a little prince like yourself would be proficient in the way of the sword much, but guess I was wrong. I'm kinda looking forward to this.", Firebird also mused.

"You think so too, right? And the moment you uttered the name of your Master, Your Highness, I was not expecting that name to be brought up. The Sword Fox...", Rutger uttered softly.

Hearing that drew my eyes toward Rutger again.

"You know my Master, Jaeger King?", I asked with interest.

"Personally, no. Very few knew about him, and about his prowess. But most who have encountered him call him a demon. It is unfortunate I never got a chance to trade blows with the Sword Fox during his prime.", Rutger said. "Some are going to become crazy to know that he had taken on a disciple.", Rutger said, answering me.

"Haha, well thank you for that. And since we already know how the outcome of this match is going to be, why don't we spice things up a little?", I asked Rutger.

"Oh? What are you proposing in this test of skill then, Your Highness?", Rutger asked me.

"If I can land a blow and cause you to draw blood, then it will be counted as my victory.", I proposed. Hearing that caused Rutger to nod this head.

"That does sound interestin'. I won't go easy on ya though. Rest of the squad is watchin' after all, haha!", Rutger responded, acknowledging my request.

"Here you go, Boss.", Behemoth said, towering over us two. He proceeded to hand Rutger a gigantic weapon. It was one of those S class weapons like the one Randy would use, his Berserker. I do wonder if mine was categorized into that tier foe being an heirloom, but I will have to look into that later.

His weapon was essentially a giant switchblade. One big enough to be counted as a glaive but still had the capability of shooting bullets from mid or long range. It's blade could transform at any given moment. It was a very scary weapon among those in Zemuria. The Buster Glaive.

Plus it was as tall as him. Rutger didn't seem to mind that though, considering how effortlessly he lifted this weapon when Behemoth handed his weapon over.

"Now that's it, baby. Why don't we show started?", Rutger said, moving his glaive around, swinging it a bit to make sure it was good. He didn't even break a sweat while doing those swings.

Seeing such an imposing figure now standing before me, Sherryl gulped a bit.

"I do hope Big Brother will be alright. Isn't that a little too big...?", Sherryl said in worry.

"No kiddin'. Even I wouldn't go against that thing.", Van retorted.

"Haha. There is no backing out though now that the Young Master initiated this. He's in for a pretty good ass beating from what I can see.", Lechter responded, now sitting up properly in his long chair to watch.

Hearing that, my eyes twitched a bit, but Lechter was right. In no way will I underestimate Rutger. I mostly want to see where I currently my strength currently lies among those powerhouses.

However, unexpectedly, just as we were going to resume our individual battle stances, we all heard a female-sounding voice reach our ears. One containing a hint of disappointment.

"You're really trying to overstep your bounds here, boy. This is what you've been up to?", A female voice suddenly said, causing all of us to a come to a sudden halt.

Most appeared confused while Vita and I became surprised hearing this voice. Tamamo, who was still in Vita's embrace started to wag her three tails happily.

"T-This voice, no...", Vita began to say doubtfully.

At this time, all of our eyes were drawn to a magic circle appearing out of the blue on the sand nearby. It wasn't just one figure who appeared either. It was two this time.

One figure was still the same golden-yellow long haired girl who's hair always touches the ground no matter where she goes. But the second figure was starting to approach the first figure's height. She was an eight year old girl with beautiful plum hair. Despite still being young, her chest was already starting to swell by a considerable amount.

We saw this girl look back and forth for a bit, seeing unfamiliar people in front of her. But the moment she rested her eyes on me, a look of relief appeared in her eyes before she rushed at me.

"Oh Naoto, thank Aidios you're alright!", The plum haired girl said in relief, only to give a big hug, ignoring the fact I had my rapier in hand still.

"Emma...?", I said in surprise, seeing Emma suddenly give me a hug. I could feel a soft sensation and a feeling of warmth. Perhaps even a hint of lavender?

"Grandmother...", Vita replied in shock, seeing Roselia appear before us along with Emma. This surprised me too, right when Rutger and I were about to have our fun no less.

"Kyuuu~", Tamamo happily said seeing Roselia appear on Nemeth Island with Emma in tow. Tamamo jumped off and ran toward her, only to climb on Roselia's shoulder next.

"Well would you look at you. Looks like that training has paid off. And is that a third tail I spy?", Roselia asked, seeing Tamamo's third tail.

"Kyuu.", Tamamo replied as if she answered Roselia.

"Just how...?", Vita began to ask seeing Roselia and Emma. Her eyes immediately rested on Emma's and more worry appeared. "And why is Emma out of the village, Grandmother? You know she isn't ready yet!", Vita said, starting to berate her.

Roselia flinched which caused me to chuckle a bit.

"Wellll...The moment I even uttered a word about you two being on the outside, Emma came storming my way saying she didn't want to be left out again. So...I made an exception.", Roselia explained, shrugging her shoulders a bit.

"So you're saying you lost to a child, Master?", I also retorted.

Hearing me say that, Emma's cheeks blushed a bit in embarrassment.

"H-Hey! Do you know how worried I was, Naoto? Big Sister's words weren't enough, I needed to know!", Emma responded.

"Haha, sorry, sorry. But it is good to see you again, Emma. You look even more beautiful now.", I responded, trying to ease her worry.

"Hmph, flattery will get you nowhere.", Emma retorted me, only to feel many figures start looking at her again, which caused Emma to tense up a bit.

"Which brings me to my next point. Rutger and I were gonna do something.", I said to Emma and Roselia.

It wasn't until then Emma saw that there was a rather large group around us, which caused her to blink for a moment before she backed away from me.

Sherryl saw Emma, and became quiet as she instinctively compared Emma's swelling chest to her own, which was basically a flat board right now, but didn't say anything.

"New threat detected.", Tio retorted, picking up Sherryl's reaction.

"Shut it.", Sherryl retorted back at Tio, and became quiet again.

Seeing Emma calm again, Roselia continued to speak.

"Well I won't stop you kids from doing your own thing but I'm mostly here to retrieve Tama. And to let you know the spell is ready, Naoto.", Roselia explained the reason why she came, which caused me to smile while Vita became confused again.

"Spell? What spell, Grandmother?", Vita tried to ask.

"One you needn't worry over yourself for now. Oh and do look after Emma okay? Once this spell is over I'll be entering a secluded period again to recover."

"Really, Grandmother? You'll let me stay with Naoto and Big Sister?", Emma asked.

"Only for a little bit. It's the least I can do after all. But there one last thing before I leave. It looks the the two of you were about to start a duel, but you're nowhere near strong enough to fight this brat. So I figured I would reward you. Consider it a gift for not having your first drink yet.", Roselia continued to say, which brought a smile to Emma's face.

"Did this little girl just call the Boss a brat?", The Killing Bear retorted with a snort.

"Who is this, daddy?, Fie also wondered.

"I dunno. And can it while you can, Killing Bear. The vibes I'm feelin' from her even makes me seem powerless. She'd kill you in ten times....no, maybe a hundred times over in a second flat?", Rutger started to guess, which brought most of Zephyr's jaegers to a shudder.

"Well how astute of you to notice, Jaeger brat. But I am basically from the village Naoto had spent time in with Emma and Vita here, and taught him a thing or two", Roselia said.

"Guess that's why His Highness calls you his Master then. This is one pretty interestin' village I'll tell you that.", Rutger said, only to stab his glaive into the stand to prop it up. He started to wait after hearing Roselia say that.

"Good. Come on now, Naoto.", Roselia beckoned to me.