236 Chapter 234: Testa-Rossa

Giliath demands your power stones!

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"Haha, it did take a while, but yes. I've finally come to see you, Testa-Rossa.", I responded, letting out a laugh.

"Did...this knight just talk? Just learning about that artificial being from earlier was crazy enough. I didn't think the knights of legend could speak...", Claire uttered in amazement. 

"It is not known to many, since most of our history books don't detail it outright. The Divine Knights having the ability to speak is one of the pieces of information that is currently locked away in our records.", Emperor Eugent mused seeing Testa-Rossa speak before him.

"You are well informed, child of man. It brings me joy to see Emperor Dreichels' lineage lives to this day.", Testa-Rossa answered.

"You have my thanks as well, Miss Witch. I am grateful to see My Awakener here before me.", Testa-Rossa continued to say, causing Emma to blink at him.

"Oh it is no trouble. I am only here thanks to Naoto bringing me to this place. Still, it is nice to meet you. Grandmother often told us of these tales back in the village when I was younger. And now, I am here to do my part.", Emma said, revealing a smile.

"Is that so? It would seem the Elder of the Kin of Fire has been well during my absence.", Testa Rossa responded. His voice remained faint, acting as if he didn't have much life in him presently. It was a surprise to me that he even managed to turn on, despite being in this sealed state. Perhaps he had just enough energy to do so, since Duke Cayenne isn't present to act as a catalyst for his corruption. I'm sure being bound by the Infernal Castle wasn't pleasant. The end result of Testa-Rossa becoming corrupted is the Vermillion Apocalypse that Rean and and Class VII fought against. Yet if I complete the Vermillion Trials, will that still come to pass?

As that was swirling around in my thoughts we all heard the sound of a female's voice strike our ears, which caused the group to get distracted by the ongoing conversation with Testa-Rossa.

"Aww, did you miss me that much during the last couple centuries after Dreichels sealed you away, you big lug?", A voice said, which sounded very familiar to me, as well as Emma. The two of us could only look upward. The space above in the air distorted for a brief moment, only to flash a white light after. A figure then revealed themselves. A person I haven't seen since I became Liberl's Crown Princes. Emma was likewise surprised to see this person. She had the appearance of a child, but her long, blonde hair that waved around her told us otherwise. It was very long, flowing well past her small body.

"Grandmother!", Emma yelled out in surprise, not expecting to see Roselia suddenly teleport all the way down here. Considering her magical prowess though, it was definitely enough for her to achieve such a thing. I guess she's recovered enough mana by now after finishing the preparations to cast that forbidden spell.

"I was much more foolhardy back then. I have used this fleeting time too cool my circuitry. It was a shame my previous pilot did not know how to operate me since I got defeated by the Ashen Knight. Their incompetence gave birth to this Infernal Castle. For that, on their behalf, I do apologize, descendant of Emperor Dreichels.", Testa-Rossa said, drawing Emperor Eugent's attention his way.

"It has been almost two hundred and fifty years since the War of the Lions ended. If you have any past grudges, I am thankful for you to tell me, but I do not deserve such thanks. Our past was quite drenched in blood, but getting a chance to talk to you like this does ease the mind, if I must say so myself. You can be at ease, knight. Our capital has been in a period of peace since that war ended.", Emperor Eugent said, thankful as he continued to listen to Testa-Rossa's voice.

"Umu. I can back the Emperor's words on this one, Testa-Rossa. Your sacrifices weren't for nothing.", Roselia said, greeting us with her sudden arrival. I have not seen Master for quite some time, but it looks like she is still the same as ever. I saw Master turn her head toward the Chancellor before continuing to speak. "And you seem well yourself, Chancellor.", Roselia said, greeting father. As for these two, they haven't seen each other since Roselia came to our villa and made me her disciple.

"Likewise, Witch. The scenery may have changed, but you are still the same as I've met in the past. It is nice to see the Elder of the Hexen Clan in good health.", Giliath greeted Roselia. If anything, father's demeanor has changed greatly. He was much more fatherly back then, but now he has taken the role of the Chancellor. His shoulders bear a much greater burden now thanks to his responsibilities as Erebonia's Chancellor.

"The Elder of the Witches...You never told me you were acquainted with such a figure, Chancellor.", Emperor Eugent said, raising his eyes as he looked his way.

"Mostly for protection, Your Majesty. His Highness got acquainted with the Elder during that time.", Giliath explained a bit, but not revealing too much. Still, father's answer caused me to nod my head.

"Yes. It has been a while, Master. It's always a pleasure for when you make your appearance.", I said with a smile, welcoming Roselia, who gently floated down from the air, not landing far beside us.

"Seems you did a bit of growing up since I last saw you, brat.", Roselia responded as she looked at me. I was on the cusp of turning fourteen years old but was already over five feet tall. In retrospect, Emma was still shorter than me, and so was Princess Alfin. No doubt in the next couple of years, my body's height is going to soar. I having a feeling I haven't stopped growing in that department. Mother was a tad short, but father was quite a tall man, easily able to tower over most people he comes across. Rean wasn't the tallest out of the cast, but he was up there, reaching almost 6 feet tall during the later cold steel games. It was likely I would continue to grow beyond six feet tall at this rate. 

"Haha, and you're still the same as ever, Master. What brings you underneath Heimdallr, of all places? Probably wondering what we were up to down here?", I said, taking a good guess as to why she arrived here.

"For part of it, anyways. I didn't think you'd come back to Heimdallr so soon, Naoto. It looks like you are finally taking interest in completing this knight's trial.", Roselia retorted, causing me to scratch my cheek.

"I feel better if I'm over-prepared for it than not being ready.", I retorted back, causing Roselia to let out a small harrumph. 

"Hmph, doesn't matter to me either way, since Emma here will be your guide during it. Still, you just had to go start stirring up trouble, haven't you? After tonight, no doubt will you and this little princess over here will be the talk of the time to come. Didn't think you'd had the guts to have two countries join hand in hand like this, Chancellor.", Roselia scoffed as she looked back at father. He only wore a grin on his face, acting triumphant. Giliath simply responded by shrugging his shoulders a bit, remaining aloof at Roselia's remark. Yet we were suddenly interrupted again by Testa-Rossa's voice, which appeared to be more faded now than the earlier vigor he had just shown. 

"It would seem there is still some turmoil to come, then. I do wish I could converse like this with you all, but my remaining energy is soon to get depleted. I must conserve it. This seal has also been corrupting my body from the inside out, so I do not know for how much longer I can stay conscious like this. Heed well, My Awakener. I am looking forward to you completing my trial.", Testa-Rossa suddenly said, which distracted us for the time being.

"Testa-Rossa...", I uttered. In the next moment or two, we all saw Testa-Rossa's eyes go dim again, entering a dormant state once more. "He really did use up a lot of energy to converse like this, huh?", Roselia uttered, revealing a small frown, only to look my way next. "You best take his heed to heart, Naoto. The trial awaits you.", Roselia said, in a more serious tone.

"I know. We just got done conversing about it with His Majesty and His Excellency. We plan to issue a city-wide evacuation for those who are in the closest proximity Dreichels Plaza. I do not know what is going to happen after we initiate the rite, but I do not want any harm to befall the citizens due to our negligence.", I responded with a serious look in my eyes. Seeing me respond like this, Roselia smiled.

"It's as Prince Naoto said. We'll take the necessary precautions, so you can be at ease, Miss Witch. I would love to chat some more, but we've been down here for long enough. Plus it's getting late into the night as we speak. I'm sure Alfin here is getting pretty tired.", Emperor Eugent asked, seeing that his daughter was still with us. Out of our present group, she was still the youngest. I could definitely see tiredness in her eyes, despite all the ongoing excitement.

"Yeah. It really has been a long day.", Princess Alfin said, nodding her head.

"I don't mind us going back up, but I can't help but recall what you mentioned earlier, Grandmother. You mentioned that seeing Naoto was only part of why you came. What was that other part--?", Emma tried to say, only for another voice to interrupt our conversation.

"Well hello there, Grandmother dearest. How nice of you to drop by.", A rather feminine voice spoke out, as if it was directly speaking to us. Before we could do anything, we all saw a phantom image begin to distort into the space above, revealing a rather beautiful woman, even in the shape of a phantom image. It seems this girl was using her magic to do an astral projection of sorts, seeing her body phase in and out of existence like this. Seeing this, I knew this girl was in another place. "And it is so nice to see you again as well, my cute little sister.", The girl responded. Well, calling her a girl wouldn't be appropriate anymore. She was a very beautiful woman now with long silky hair, currently sporting an azure colored one piece dress.

"Vita!", Emma exclaimed, only to rush forward a few steps to look up at her. "Just what in Aidios's name have you been doing lately!?", Emma shouted, obviously worried.

"Another witch, I presume?", Emperor Eugent mused, seeing Vita's arrival. "Aren't you supposed to be that uprising opera singer everyone head's over heals for?", Emperor Eugent asked, looking at Roselia and Vita.

'Quick on the uptake, I see. That's only me at my day job. Yet seeing you all in this place, it would seem stuff has happened during my absence, enough to the point where I needn't hide any longer.", Vita replied, sporting a playful grin over her lips.

"Do you need another spanking, you brat?", Roselia scoffed, seeing Vita's arrival. A small frown appeared over her lips. Hearing Roselia suddenly say this, a blank look appeared in Vita's eyes for a brief moment, causing her to shudder. It would seem Roselia really did have a go at Vita back after our events on Nemeth Island. I could inwardly shake my head. 

"Hehe, surely you jest, Grandmother. You being here is because of me, isn't it? I figured it would best for me to give you all this warning in person, instead of letting Grandmother do it.", Vita retorted, ignoring Roselia's remark.

"A warning? Just where exactly are you, Vita?", Emma said, revealing a frown.

"Definitely not with you all, no doubt about that. You just stick to your current position you've been given, alright, Emma? Continue to act as Naoto's guide. I've been rather preoccupied as of late, but take my appearance tonight as a warning. The Azure Awakener has already begun tackling the Azure Trials. I am currently inside them, acting as his guide.", Vita declared. But before any of us could respond, Vita quickly vanished, and her phantom image vanished along with her.

Seeing Vita gone, we all saw Roselia gently shake her head as a disappointed look in her eyes.

"At least that stupid disciple of mine is taking her role seriously, so perhaps I'll forgo a round of spanking this time around.", Roselia uttered, causing me to look at her. I wanted to laugh at that, but I remained quiet. Roselia then looked toward Emma again.

"Vita is right on one thing though, I too have places to be, so continue watching after Naoto, alright, Emma?", Roselia asked.

"I will.", Emma responded, smiling as she nodded her head after she regained her composure from seeing Vita again. Roselia smiled at Emma, and did a wave of her large staff. Casting a spell, her body suddenly vanished from sight again, leaving us behind.

Claire just watched on in amazement but sparkles appeared in Princess Alfin's eyes seeing Roselia's magic staff.

"Magic really does exist, so cool!", Princess Alfin exclaimed in excitement. Yet all of this didn't earn a single reaction from Testa-Rossa, so it was safe to assume he was slumbering again. Seeing his daughter behave this, Emperor Eugent only shook his head, unable to accept how easygoing his daughter tends to be.