Chapter 279: Trust

As always, Giliath demands your power stones!

*****

"Looks like things just took an interesting turn, hasn't it? You of all of us present should know what this is.", Aurelia uttered. Her eyes landed on Roselia. Roselia's eyes were presently two vertical slits, looking straight at my hand as if she was trying to discern what had just happened. If one

"Umu. I could say the same thing to you.", Roselia retorted back, and glanced her eyes at Aurelia. Back during the initial trial of the Vermillion Trials, Roselia unlocked Aurelia's mana core. It wasn't just me or the witches who could use magic, Aurelia was now capable of using magic, and her primary element from the looks of it was Lightning. No doubt will this cause her current techniques to shoot through the roof and become much more destructive. As Roselia conversed with Aurelia, Princess Alfin's eyes lit up. She too was able to see the brief lightning get emitted from my hand.

"Big Brother, what you did just now, is it what I think it is?", Princess Alfin asked with a curious look. As for Zin's group, however, they just looked confused.

"Seems there is plenty that I still don't know. But what I do know is that it's rude to pry into other people's business. I say that, but I can't help but be curious as to what you just did,  Your Highness.", Zin also responded with growing interest. As Zin said that, Kilika's eyes curved upward into two crescent moons, and giggled while speaking to him.

"Fufu, why spoil the fun now, Zin? I'm sure all of our answers will be answered. I mean, that is why we came to Heimdallr, isn't it? I'm taking some personal time to see what's going down here.", Kilika responded.

"Yeah. Especially since you were just promoted to branch manager back in Zeiss. Just who did you get as your backup?", Zin wondered. Kilika likely met up with Zin along the way, I doubt Zin went all the way to Zeiss to grab Kilika in coming here. I too am curious who it was Kilika managed to bring in to look over the Zeiss branch.

"Oh it's no one special, just the Heavy Blade.", Kilika responded. Hearing that name caused me to pause. Poor Agate. Guess he is now stuck doing manager duties in looking after the Zeiss branch with Kilika now being here. It does make sense though, thinking about it. Back when I saw Agate with Cassius, he did tell me he was going to venture off to western Liberl. I'm guessing that's where he wound up.

What I wanted to know is, has Agate met Tita yet? I'm sure by now he did.

Moreover, it's not like Agate is alone now either. Back during the Hundred Days War, I did a little spin on it while keeping things under cover, and successfully managed to save Agate's younger sister Misha with Tamamo's help. Ravennue Village, which was their hometown, did unfortunately get destroyed, incinerated by artillery fire and set blaze since it was one of the last towns right next to the border that led into Erebonia. Erebonia paid heavy remunerations to Liberl to make sure the reconstruction process went smoothly. Agate and Misha's home was lost during it, so I am not sure if that place is still their home.

If it went like it did in the original Trailsverse, Agate would have been consumed by rage, only to form the Raven gang in Ruan during these last few years. Since he could now focus on his Bracer work, he has no reason to stay in Ruan, so it's possible Agate could have brought Misha over to Zeiss. Especially since he will be there for the next one to two months since Kilika is here now.

A bit unfortunate, but looking at the bright side, Agate remaining in Zeiss should let him encounter Tita, if he hasn't yet already. The games heavily pushed their relationship once cold steel hit, and I don't plan to disturb that.

"The Heavy Blade huh? Isn't he a senior Bracer now?", I decided to ask.

"Sure is. The Heavy Blade may be a bit rough around the edges, but the work he does is quite impeccable. He can analyze things on the fly, and can make proper judgement. He's been receiving praise from our headquarters in Leman lately. He might even be in position to become an A-Rank Bracer soon. He's in a similar spot to Purple Lightning. I am curious to see who will become an A-Rank first. Whoever it is, they'll be known to be the youngest one to do so.", Zin said, folding his arms over as he said that.

"Aren't you A-Rank, Zin?", I continued to ask with interest. I wasn't sure of Zin's exact rank either. I know he spearheaded the DG Cult extermination alongside Cassius. Cassius ended up becoming Liberl's first S-Rank Bracer because of that, but I think Zin turned any promotions down. To confirm that, I saw Zin shake his head.

"Nah, I'm still a B-Rank. I could become an A-Rank, but with how much I've been roaming lately, I don't see that being feasible.", Zin said, denying me.

"I think it's time for you to get yourself promoted, Zin. I know you were training that disciple of yours, but that's over now, isn't it?", Kilika asked with interest.

"True. I've got more time on my hands now. It is something coming from you, Kilika. Maybe I'll go see how things are in the Erebonia branches. I haven't done too many tasks lately.", Zin said, wondering what to do after hearing Kilika say that.

"Well, there is time on your hands now, Zin. What I plan to do won't happen for another month at the very earliest, if you feel like you want to try and get yourself promoted into an A-Rank during that time, I'm all for it.", I said, with a nod of my head.

"Heh, just don't let Purple Lightning one up you, Zin. Her fame has been spreading around a lot lately. There's nothin' wrong with hittin' on a gal like that now, is there?", Walter said. The sensation in his hand was starting to return. Yet the moment Walter said that, Kilika smacked him on the head again, causing me to laugh.

"If you say so, Your Highness. Kilika, let's ditch this guy and go back to the guild branch. I wanted to see how Sherryl did, but it sounds like she lost against you?", Zin asked me.

"Yeah. I was surprised to see Sherryl develop a technique unique to her, and that's why her body was so hot earlier. Took all the stamina out of her at the end of it. Seems she can only use it for ten minutes or so.", I said, nodding my head.

"So that's what it was. Such a shame I wasn't able to see it. But maybe there will be more than one chance.", Zin replied.

"No point in loiterin' around here any longer. Time to ditch these losers and go hit up another casino.", Walter continued to say, only to take out another cigarette. As he did that, my eyes wandered back to Walter.

"Say Walter, before you go, to make up for what I just did you to, have this.", I suddenly said, drawing Walter's gaze back to me.

"Ya got somethin' for me kid?", Walter asked with growing interest. After he said that, I rummaged around into my pockets and activated my Inventory, taking out a fancy-looking pitch-black obsidian bank card. My own personal visa that is tied to Liberl's royal family. It had its insignia on it, making it official. I changed it to a more modern look. If I still had that gold design that I gave to Princess Alfin to use during her stay at Grandmother's birthday celebration, that would have made it an easier target to get it stolen.

After taking out my bank card, I tossed it Walter's way. He caught it and a surprised look appeared in his eyes, even letting his eyebrows raise up beyond his shaded glasses.

"You shittin' me, kid? Seriously? Isn't this your personal bank note?", Walter asked me.

"Wait, what?", Zin suddenly retorted. He saw the fancy slick card, he too saw Liberl's royal insignia on it. "You realize what you are doing here, right, Your Highness?", Zin asked with a serious tone.

"Of course I do. I took it out of your guys' busy schedule to come all the way here in Erebonia. Any expenses you guys have during your stay here, I can cover it. I would give one to Aurelia, but Erebonia is her home, you don't have any issue with that, do you, Aurelia?", I asked, shifting my eyes toward her. She gently shook her head.

"I don't. It is surprising to see you do this though, Naoto. My expenses are currently handled by the Le Guin estate. I know the guild branches have their limitations with how much money Bracers can spend. This is mostly to act as a contingency, right?", Aurelia said, musing to herself as she did.

"Pretty much. Just one condition though, Walter. Any earnings you get, you'll have to split them 50-50 with me.", I said with a playful grin.

"Heh, I can get behind that. They say actions speak louder than words. If you're trustin' me with this, I won't let you down, kid. 'Sides, I don't want an earful from The Fool either.", Walter said, putting my bank card into his pocket. Walter was insanely strong, so I wouldn't have to worry about it getting taken.

[Ding! Due to placing Gamer Naoto's trust in Walter, Walter's Favorability has been increased to 30%. His eyes are currently showing anticipation, and has a gambling mood. He thinks he can hit it big.]

A sudden notification sounded off inside my head, making me raise my eyes a bit. This could very well be a double-edged sword. It's a risk I'm willing to take, but I'm still a kid, so I can't legally gamble yet. Walter can. Now that he has a large source of money to spend, I feel things might shift in his favor. Moreover, if by doing this further increases Walter's favorability toward me, I could potentially see another blessing come my way. Considering it's someone of Walter's caliber, I was very curious to see what it would be. Yet, as I thought that, I heard another couple notifications sound off inside my mind, which caught me off-guard.

[Ding! Things have taken an unexpected turn. Zin didn't think Gamer Naoto would place his trust into his rival, Walter. While the two are normally not on speaking terms due to Walter killing their Master, Zin still considers Walter to be his rival. The two are essentially both ends of a coin. Without one, the other would lose their path. By showing an equal amount of trust given to Walter, Zin has now shown an interest in Gamer Naoto.]

[Ding! Zin's Favorability has been unlocked.]

[Ding! Due to Sherryl's relationship to Gamer Naoto, Zin's Favorability has risen to 50%.]

[Ding! Seeing Gamer Naoto's interest in both Zin and Walter, Kilika's interest in Gamer Naoto has risen. Wanting to find out what it is that Gamer Naoto is doing, she became determined to be by their side here in Erebonia. With Kilika's growing interest in Gamer Naoto, Kilika's Favorability has been unlocked.]

[Ding! Due to seeing Gamer Naoto placing their trust in Walter, Kilika's Favorability has risen to 30%.]

[Walter's Favorability: 30%]

[Zin's Favorability: 50%]

[Kilika's Favorability 30%]

Feeling somewhat at a loss for words, I became blasted with a few notifications. It wasn't just one, but all of a sudden, the three's Favorability has been unlocked...

Anticipation appeared in my eyes while I took a moment to regain my composure. Things were starting to shape up, weren't they?

*****

Current Favorability:

[Zin: 50%]

[Walter: 30%]

[Kilika: 30%]

[Sharon: 25%]

[Alisa: 25%]

[Kurt: 75%]

[Laura: 50%]

[Mueller: 50%]

[Fie: 50%]

I don't think I mentioned Mueller's Favorability during my previous chapters, if it wasn't, it happened off screen. Fie's also was off-screen, as it happened by the time Naoto went to North Ambria posing as a Captain of Zephyr under his other moniker, Phoenix.