This chapter starts the Magic Knight segment of the first Volume. I have decided to rewrite it entirely. New Party Members. More fluid stats. Look forward to it!
*
"...Wait, you all can see this screen?", I asked, gulping in some air. I shifted my head upward, showing an equally surprised look as the rest of them did. Aurelia was the one who had the most interest. She had seen something she had never seen before yet again. Well, perhaps not in this fashion.
"Gamer Naoto is referring to you, yes? This screen, whatever this is, it is clear as day to me. Is it not inviting us to a challenge? Aurelia questioned, taking a moment to observe what was written on it. Hearing that, Prince Olivert couldn't help but break the tension with a laugh. Of course he would.
"Haha! That does seem to be the case here. I am quite interested in what this "Dungeon" business is, but I digress. No matter how it looks, it's issuing a challenge to us. Or to you in particular, Naoto. And with it referring to a Party, it is an extending an invitation to us. You sure love challenges don't you, Lady Aurelia?", Prince Olivert questioned with a laugh. He glanced his eyes at Aurelia, only to see her roll her eyes in response.
"As if you're one to talk, Your Highness. And you can drop those formalities with me. Just call me Aurelia. You're a Prince now, remember? And not just any prince. You're Erebonia's newest Crown Prince while I'm merely the daughter of a Count. Your status against mine is as night and day now.", Aurelia replied, keeping her eyes serious this time. She then glanced my way. "And you too, Naoto. Given your...circumstances and all.", Aurelia continued, quick to realize there's others in the room now apart from us.
"Circumstances?", Mueller asked, shifting his body back toward us.
"You can disregard that part, Mueller. I will remain true to my words here. The reason these dolls appeared out of the blue and why Dreichels Plaza looks like a dead zone were both triggered by me. Due to...extenuating circumstances, I cannot give you the full details.", I said, drawing everyone's gazes back to me. Mueller just had confusion in his eyes while he heard that.
"Hah?", Mueller questioned, showing doubt in his eyes. All Prince Olivert did here was smile at Mueller.
"It is as the boy says, Mueller. The reason, I do not know. But he is indeed the trigger for all of this. I do not think any harm has come about the palace, but I am quite interested as to what is happening outside. But can we even call it outside? If what is written on this screen is true, it has turned into a "dungeon".", Prince Olivert mused, shifting his eyes back toward the stillness beyond the window. Not a single movement could be seen.
"I seriously doubt a sole child is responsible for all of this.", Mueller responded, revealing a frown on his lips. It was then we all heard steady footsteps reach our ears. The door swung open with a cautious tone. Following that, a deep voice reached our ears.
"What you all see is the truth. There is nothing out of place. Quite the contrary. All of what you see is happening for a reason.", Giliath's voice called out to us, only to be greeted by his figure arriving in the doorway. He wasn't alone either. Other figures could be seen beside him.
"General Osborne?", Mueller asked, not expecting to see his arrival here in my room. But to my surprise, he wasn't alone. The moment we all realized who it was who arrived beside Father, we stood up, showing respectful gazes.
"Your Majesty.", I said, greeting the man.
"You can be at ease.", Emperor Eugent said, greeting us as he arrived. "I still find it surprising that your child is the one behind all of this, General.", Emperor Eugent said, still showing a look of shock in his eyes. It wasn't just him who arrived. His wife, Empress Priscilla, also stood nearby. Prince Olivert remained respectful, as did we.
"So you've come, Lord Father. Mother.", Prince Olivert said, greeting his parents with a smile. Empress Priscilla smiled back while Emperor Eugent returned the greeting with a nod of his head. Once the exchange was over, Father turned to the side and looked at Emperor Eugent, dropping a sudden question that shifted the ongoing conversation.
"Tell me, Your Majesty. You are familiar with the Divine Knights, yes?", Giliath suddenly asked, which changed the topic.
"Divine Knights...", Emperor Eugent uttered. "I was afraid it would come to this. Is our country about to go through another bout of turmoil? Is it already challenging my newfound authority?", Emperor Eugent continued, sighing with an exacerbated look. He couldn't help but shift his eyes toward me. I was still near the window. I no longer touched it, considering it would prompt the Gamer Notifications again. A glint of light streaked across Emperor Eugent's eyes, acting as if he had realized something.
"Are you suggesting the boy is capable of influencing the Divine Knight that was sealed underneath our palace by my ancestors? That shouldn't be possible, unless...", Emperor Eugent began to say. Giliath simply smiled back at him, like he had waited for this to happen.
"Do not forget, Your Majesty. Naoto here is now Duke of the fallen Phoenix House. Some were even bound by blood, as thin it might have been. It is enough to stir the Vermillion Apocalypse to awaken. It is not yet time. What you see here is merely the prelude of what is to come.", Giliath declared. His voice was quite imposing. He sure likes to do this, doesn't he? It is why he is such a popular villain in the games. But Father is no normal villain. He could have chosen to live a normal life. He quite literally chose the role so others didn't have to. Such determination...I hope I can be like that in the future. Father sure is setting the bar high, isn't he?
"What?", Mueller responded, now in full-blown shock this time. He took another glance at me, but I paid him no mind. He was there for the declaration that took place earlier in Dreichel's Plaza. The abolishment of the Four Great Houses, only to get formed into the Five Great Houses. But that was the only thing that took place. Knowing who the Phoenix House truly was, I learned their background during the conversation I had with the previous Emperor. Mueller wasn't present then, so of course he'd be shocked here.
"Bound by blood...", Emperor Eugent responded. His face revealed a frown. "I guess records really do not lie. What was said is true. However small it is, you have Arnor blood running through your veins. The same blood we share.", Emperor Eugent stated.
"W-WHAT!?", Mueller responded a second time. This time he yelled. He was by far the one who was most shocked here.
"Which is why what is being spoken here will not leave this room. I do hope you all understand. There is a precious line that must remain stable. Considering where it is you hail from, Your Highness.", Empress Priscilla added, causing the room to turn still for a moment. She glanced at me this time, addressing me with "Your Highness", and not "Your Excellency", implying that she knows my identity as Liberl's would-be Prince. We did speak quite a bit with the previous Emperor and both she and Emperor Eugent were present, so it's not a surprise she knows this.
But in response to that, Mueller's mind began to fizzle out. Aurelia simply raised her eyes once more, looking my way.
"I think I'm beginning to see the bigger picture. Your actions earlier now have justification.", Aurelia said while looking at me. From earlier, she was likely the actions we took with Roselia. That meant the Mana Core. And if Aurelia was referring to that, she might be referring to the two elements I've acquired. Fire and Water. Fire implies the Arnor blood, while Water implies the Auslese blood. I only have Water Sphere as a spell, I'll need to see if I can create a basic Fire Sphere later. I likely can, seeing what's presently happening.
Still, my eyes remained serious while observing Erebonia's Imperial Family before me. Apart from the newborn twins Cedric and Alfin that I had the joy of greeting earlier, they were all present in this room. A look of determination appeared in my eyes while I nodded my head at everyone. I already had my own confirmation of the Arnor blood thanks to Testa-Rossa residing inside my soul.
"Mother is no longer with me, but Valflame Palace reacted to me nonetheless. That alone is enough confirmation to dissuade any remaining doubts you all might have.", I responded. Hearing this, I earned a smile from Prince Olivert.
"You really are related to the Imperial Family? Impossible.", Mueller stated, still in full disbelief mode. He didn't want to acknowledge my words, but reality presented itself!
But to my surprise yet again, I heard a few notifications sound off inside my head. Things sure are progressing nicely!
[Ding! Due to the acknowledgement of Gamer Naoto's background, Prince Olivert's Favorability has risen to 75%. Mueller's Favorability has risen to 50%. Emperor Eugent's Favorability has risen to 50%. Empress Priscilla's Favorability has risen to 50%.]