Chapter 97: Zephyr

Giliath demands your power stones!

*

"Campanella the Fool...?", Emma uttered softly, seeing this new figure arrive. He arrived in a very similar fashion to how witches move around, so that even left her more confused.

"It's a pleasure to meet you all. As well as you, members of Zephyr. I'm sure this won't be the last time we meet. Especially where His Highness's interests currently lay.", Campanella said, introducing himself to us after his eyes glanced back my way.

Rutger raised one of his eyebrows after hearing Campanella address me like that.

"You know this guy, Your Highness?", Rutger asked curiously.

"You could say that. Though before this we have yet to meet in person.", I said, explaining a bit.

At this time, those around me suddenly heard Vita raise her voice a bit, which even caused Roselia to look at her.

"You...", Vita began to say, only to have a mark of anger appear on her forehead. Surprisingly to us, Vita actually started to walk toward Campanella.

"Didn't I tell you under no circumstance were you to show yourself, Campanella!?", Vita said in anger as she approached him.

"Whoopsie.", Campanella simply responded while shrugging his shoulders.

"Big Sister?", Emma questioned.

"Vita, you...", Roselia also tried to ask as Vita was now beside Campanella.

"Haha! Didn't think your little disciple would be acquainted with someone like me, now did you?", Campanella retorted with a grin.

"What's the meaning of this, Vita?", Roselia tried to ask, only to see Vita dodge her eyes.

"This isn't gonna turn into some family drama now is it?", Rutger said, raising one of his hands.

"Oh no. I will gladly refrain from that happening. If only a certain someone didn't decide to bug their nose into my business.", Campanella said, shrugging his shoulders as he looked back at Roselia.

"Hmph.", Roselia said, letting out a snort.

"Is anyone able to follow along with what's happening anymore?", Van tried to ask as he started to see the situation start getting out of hand.

"I would like to know that, too.", Tio said.

"Beats me.", Lechter said, shrugging his shoulders as well.

"Do I need to add another to our guest list?", Rufus couldn't help but ask, which immediately caused anger to appear in Sherryl's eyes.

"That's the first thing that came to your mind!?", Sherryl retorted Rufus. This caused a round of laughter from my group.

Still, this was heading nowhere, fast. I do know some turbulence would happen the moment Roselia learns that Vita would join Ouroboros. It has officially yet to happen but there is one key difference here. Roselia has my memories, so of course she knows Vita will end up joining Ouroboros one day. But I am not sure if Roselia knew that Vita was already acquainted with them like I was.

I couldn't help but feel a hint of anger as well. I quickly approached Campanella, which surprised everyone once again. I even dragged him away for a bit.

"Naoto...", Emma uttered softly, seeing me do this. Ignoring Emma, my eyes twitched a bit before I whispered into Campanella's ear.

"What the hell are you doing here, Campanella?", I whispered. Hearing that caused him to smile for some reason.

"Didn't I tell you, Your Highness? I am acting as an observer. But if you must know, we have already uncovered what is really happening behind this place. But you already know that, don't know?", Campanella asked back.

"You mean about Paradise?", I whispered back in a more serious tone.

"Bingo.", Campanella answered in a similarly serious tone.

"You're telling me Ouroboros is already ready to move out and strike?", I continued to ask.

"That's right. Are you suggesting you want to be a part of this, Your Highness?", Campanella asked back with interest in his eyes.

"How could I not? But this won't do.", I said, silently nodding my head at Campanella.

"What won't do, Your Highness?", Campanella asked with interest.

"Is it possible to tell Ouroboros to hold off for another three to six months? That is, if they want a more interesting encounter.", I asked Campanella, hinting at Renne's appearance without telling him. Renne was set to appear sometime next year in Paradise, but it never gave an exact timeframe. Hopefully she would appear earlier in the year next year.

"A more interesting encounter, is it?", Campanella said, musing to himself. "I most certainly can relay that to the Grandmaster. I do not know if she will approve it though.", Campanella continued to say as he shrugged his shoulders a bit.

"Haha, just knowing that is enough for me. But you did make a timely appearance here. I was actually interested in seeking you out when I had the chance during my stay here.", I continued to say.

"Oh? I guess you'll be staying on this island for a while then. What more could you have for me, Your Highness?", Campanella asked.

Besides progressing Renne's story on its proper path and ensuring Emma's mother remains alive after her battle with the Black Alberich, there was one more key event to happen in the very near future that would coincide with the DG Cult Extermination. To which was also on my mind. As much as I would like to get more acquainted with a certain pole staff wielder, it was still necessary to prompt the story in that direction.

"It is time for the Faceless to pay what's owed.", I said, leaning in toward Campanella's ear, whispering that into his ear. Even Campanella's eyes turned wide in surprise for a brief moment, before a smile bloomed on his face.

"To think you would use that so soon. Sadly, I regret to say now isn't the time to relay such information, as the Faceless isn't here. You can relay it to me later. You'll be staying here for some time, right, Your Highness?", Campanella asked.

"That's right. We can meet up later to talk about it.", I responded, nodding my head at him.

"Just what in Aidios's name are you two whispering about?", Vita said, unable to take it any longer as she was also beside us. We talked low enough to where she couldn't hear this conversation though.

"Haha, all will be revealed soon enough, miss witch. But unfortunately it looks like my time is up.", Campanella said, only to withdraw from his current position position. After backing away, Campanella gave a slight bow before everyone.

"I do apologize for dropping on your parade here, but I'm afraid I'm quite a busy fellow right now. This is all the time I have to spare for now. Ta-ta.", Campanella suddenly announced, only to snap his fingers. The moment he did, Campanella's figure started to become more and more illusory again, slowly fading out of existence.

Vita stared in shock for a moment, but she quickly snapped out of it.

"H-Hey! I'm not done with you yet--!?", Vita tried to respond and rushed at Campanella.

Unfortunately for Vita, Campanella's figure vanished just as quickly as he arrived here. The main question though was did he completely vanish, or is he using his ability to hide away undetected? I do have my Vermillion Eyes turned off right now, so I wouldn't know for sure until I activated them.

Vita ended up collapsing onto the sand to where Campanella once stood. As much as I wanted to laugh at the sight of this, I slightly turned my head, only to see Roselia sporting a serious look in her eyes.

She began to release this hidden pressure, which caused those who were weaker to shudder a bit. Even the Jaeger King looked on with interest.

"Oh?", Rutger said, watching Roselia. Roselia ignored him and calmly walked toward Vita.

"G-Grandmother?", Vita said, gulping a bit with seeing how serious Roselia was currently behaving right now.

"You unruly brat. It seems you have already stepped outside of what you were allowed to do.", Roselia retorted Vita with a hint of anger.

"...", Vita tried to muster up a response, but thanks to feeling Roselia's pressure, she couldn't find any words to answer back.

Before we could do anything, Roselia extended her arm out, and actually took a firm hold of Vita's hair. She didn't stop there either. Roselia started to drag Vita away, back to where Roselia first arrived here.

"H-Hey! Not the hair!", Vita tried to retort, but couldn't break free from Roselia's grasp. Ignoring her pleading, Roselia turned our way again.

"It looks like this brat needs to go through more remedial classes. I'll take Vita off your hands, Naoto. Emma, be a dear and look after him, okay?", Roselia said, only to brandish her staff.

"Y-Yes!", Emma immediately responded happily after hearing that.

"Leaving already?" I also said, only to have a look at Vita one more time. "You brought this upon yourself, you know.", I retorted Vita while Roselia started a spell.

"I've not much time and this troublemaker can help me. I'll let you know the results of the spell. Farewell for now.", Roselia said, answering me. Hearing this, Vita blinked her eyes.

"Spell? What spell--?", Vita tried to ask, only to see her vanish along with Roselia.

"Kyuuu!", Tamamo also responded happily at me, waving one of her paws. Just like that the three of them vanished.

Our surrounding returned to normal for the most part, except for a somewhat bloodied beach.

"Looks like I'll be in your care, Emma.", I said, smiling back at her.

Hearing that, I heard Sherryl click her tongue for a brief moment but stayed silent. Emma nodded at me with a smile too.

"Yeah. But I'm pretty exhausted now. That was pretty tiring.", Emma said, revealing a tired look.

"Haha, I might say that for the rest of us too.", Rutger said, seeing Fie with a tired look now as well.

"Guess it's back to drinking for me then.", Killing Bear said, becoming relaxed.

"I might join you in that.", Rufus also said.

The moment Rufus said that, Lechter spat out a cold breath of air.

"Where the hell did that come from, Rufus? I didn't take you to be that type.", Lechter retorted.

"I like to enjoy a good drink every now and then. I've only started getting used to it.", Rufus continued to say. He was already eighteen or so wasn't he?

"Heh. Maybe I misjudged you. Let's see if you can keep up with me.", Killing Bear said, revealing a grin.

"Sigh. Boys will be boys...", Firebird said, shrugging her shoulders.

"I wouldn't mind going for one myself.", Rutger also chimed in. "What about you, Your Highness?", Rutger asked me.

"Well it's obvious me and a few others are still way too young to drink so we'll probably go back to our rooms shortly. But before that, I do have one more matter to talk about. It's not too complicated either. If anything it can be seen as my reward for winning our duel.", I started to say, drawing Rutger's attention.

"Oh? What would that be?", Rutger asked, turning my way.

As he did, I felt his presence tower over mine. I took this time to take in a deep breath, making my eyes turn serious. Seeing my eyes, Rutger now had his attention on me, as did the others.

"I won't beat around the bush and come at you straight, Jaeger King. I, Naoto von Auslese, am hereby requesting to join Zephyr.", I suddenly declared.