Chapter 118: Reunion

I pretty much had a hell week at work. Not speaking in terms of bad, just extremely busy. But we are back :)

As far as Emma goes, she is now Naoto's supporter, so where he goes, Emma goes, if he does Jaeger work, so will she. That means she is like Rean's trial watcher, except Naoto's now. As far as who Rean will have when he undergoes Valimar's trials, I do not know yet, it may just be Celine.

Do look forward to the Vermillion Trials too. I won't say much but it will help Naoto develop a bond with Arianrhod.

Giliath demands your power stones!

*

"The RMP huh?", President Rocksmith said as he was the first to reply since the rest of us still still had surprise in our eyes seeing the middle aged man and icy blue haired woman beside him arriving in our drawing room. Of course everyone would look at who he was.

This man was currently standing at the peak of one of the most dominant forces in Zemuria, The Erebonian Empire. The only ones who this person this man could bend a knee to right now was pretty much the royal family.

All government affairs passed through him, for he was the Blood and Iron Chancellor, Chancellor Giliath Osborne.

And also the one who is my father.

It has been a full six years since we were last under a simple room like this.

A feeling of nostalgia started to suddenly swelled up within me. So much had happened since we had seen each other last from the time spent in our villa, leading up to the Hundred Days War, and till now...

And this feeling didn't go unnoticed. The plum haired girl beside me still donning her Zephyr Jaeger armor blinked my way.

"Naoto? Are you alright?", Emma uttered softly as the rest still observed Giliath and Claire still chatting away with the others. Since the plan to launch a diversion and air strike was squared away, Giliath was taking this time to talk about supporting matters. Of course it didn't dissuade Cassius and the others to reject his ideas.

Hearing Emma ask that, I looked over my shoulder and saw Emma with a look of worry in her eyes. I smiled responding to her.

"it's alright. You remember him. Don't you?", I asked softly, calmly observing my father as well. As I asked that, Emma gently nodded her head.

"Yes. It is quite faint but Grandmother did bring me to your home a few times to play. Back then he was quite stern. But now...", Emma began to say, only to see Giliath. Giliath in turn felt this gaze, only to see Emma looking at him. It took Giliath a moment to realize, but the moment he saw the plum haired girl beside me look back at him, a smile bloomed on his face. Seeing this smile caused Claire to blink for a moment, as she probably hadn't seen him do this much since she entered the ranks of the Iron Bloods.

The talking between the several different groups in this room also came to a halt as their eyes saw Giliath calmly approach me and Emma.

"Well now, I wasn't expecting to see such a person here. And you must be Your Highness, Liberl's new Crown Prince. It truly brings me great joy to see you amongst our ranks once again, ever since you were declared missing six years ago.", Giliath said, only to look at Emma briefly, before shifting his eyes back toward me.

"Haha, well I can say a lot has happened. But it is a relief to be by Grandmother's side again.", I replied to Giliath, pretending not to know him. Well I mean, Cassius might have suspicion, but everyone else in this present room besides Emma and I have no idea Giliath's relation to me presently. But I didn't want to put on a weak front to the others, so seeing me stand firmly in Giliath's presence, I could feel the eyes of the others look our way.

"Hoho, you are still but a child, Your Highness. Getting used to such a stature cannot happen in such a short amount of time. But it truly is a wonder to see our individual countries stand up together like this. We currently have a common goal we are striving for, wouldn't you agree, Your Excellency?", President Rocksmith said, only to approach our side as well.

"Indeed. In times of peril or strife, many great minds tend to band together to form miracles. One such thought is our meeting now, allowing everyone here to have a chance of conversing. I am quite curious that Crossbell was the decided as the chosen site.", Giliath said, nodding his head.

"Well, Crossbell is a crossroad for not only your empire, Your Excellency, but for Calvard and Liberl too. It also has many police forces to our disposal. I am sure Crossbell's CPD was in quick agreement to let this happen.", Cassius said, explaining a bit.

"Don't forget about the CGF too. We are in as much agreement as you detectives are.", Sonia said, pushing her glasses up a bit.

"It is as you guys say.", Arios also said in agreement with a nod of his head, only to have Dudley and Sergei nod too.

"With that said. It is now 12:00 hours. Senior Detective Sergei, Commander Sonia, take this time to gather any last minute supplies and mobilize your corresponding forces. President Rocksmith, wait for Commander Sonia's signal to launch our air strike. We will route these bastards before nighttime.".

"Then we of the Septian Church and Bracer Guild will wait for the command to strike at the heart of their bases, Commander Bright.", A woman's voice said, only to belong to Ein and Zin standing beside her. That's right even the Septian Church played a part in the DG Cult raid, along with the help of the Bracer Guild. Seeing it was now time to take action, it looked like Zin was part of it too. It was nice to see him again. I will definitely have to chat with him later to see Sherryl's progress these last five months.

"Understood.", Cassius responded. With that said, he delivered his orders to the rest in this room,, which promptly caused them to leave. I saw Guy leave with Arios while Dudley left with Sergei and Sonia. President Rocksmith left shortly after with Ein and the couple of Bracer Guild members in tow.

"Don't forget to to answer President Rocksmith' signal too, Emma. I am sure we have a bit of time though before the attack actually begins.", I said, looking back at Emma.

"Got it.", Emma said, nodding her head in acknowledgement.

After saying that, we saw Giliath turn a bit, only to walk toward Cassius, which drew his interest, as well as ours. Claire decided to watch on in silence.

"It looks like Operation Pest Control is now underway, Commander Bright. I will do my part, and assist in providing ground troops in tandem with the Septian Church, Bracer Guild and police officers. Before that though, would it be alright if I take a moment of His Highness's time?", Giliath asked, which caused me to blink at him.

"His Highness isn't planning on entering the frontlines, as am I, so I don't see a problem there. Is that alright with you, Your Highness?", Cassius asked, only to look my way.

"Yes. I don't mind if we use a separate room either.", I answered, nodding my head.

"Are you sure? Do you need me to assign a couple guards at your post?", Cassius asked with slight worry in his eyes.

"Nah. It's like His Excellency said, We are all gathered here for a reason in mind. If trouble was to befall me, then it would be a blatant declaration of war on Crossbell.", I replied, revealing a light smile.

"Fair enough.", Cassius said, only to shrug his shoulders a bit while Giliath let out a laugh.

"Haha. Well said, Your Highness. We can move into the room to the left of this one. Oh, and you can bring your little witch apprentice with you. You can come too, Claire.", Giliath said, only to look back at us. Emma blinked at Giliath for a moment while surprise appeared in Claire's eyes.

"You want me to come, Your Excellency?", Claire said as she blinked her eyes.

"Of course, since you will be involved in this certain matter. Both Rufus and Lechter have already, so now it is your turn, Claire.", Giliath said, looking at the icy blue haired woman who had surprise in her eyes.

"Understood, Your Excellency.", Claire simply responded, despite not knowing what Giliath was trying to say. As for me, I simply smiled. Giliath had Lechter and Rufus accompany me during my stay in Nemeth Island, so I bet he already is anticipating that I'm planning to head off somewhere while the DG Cult raid happens, huh?

Well, it's not like Giliath is wrong. So I'm guessing Giliath is going to make Claire tag along with Emma and I? I'm not against it, at least. I enjoy Claire as a character, and she is quite a beautiful woman at that. She also is quite the sharpshooter with her orbal pistol. Not only that, she developed the power of enhanced cognition. She essentially has the ability to connect the lines in mere moments to reveal the big picture. Such a powerful deduction ability is what any detective aspires, but not many know her true strength. Giliath found her first before anyone else could.

"Well, if any problem arises, I will be sure to notify you, Your Highness. Please do be careful.", Cassius said, reminding me.

"Of course. If you'll excuse us then, Commander Bright.", I said, giving him a light bow. We soon left Cassius alone in the drawing room. As Cassius saw a retreating figure of a brown haired man, an icy blue haired woman, a violet haired boy and a plum haired girl, he slowly uttered to himself.

"...Just where did you pick this boy up, Your Excellency? I still remember it, even though it was eleven years ago. Every time I try to ask Her Majesty, she won't say much...", Cassius uttered, seeing the four retreat into the main hallway of the CPD's first division building.

As for us, it didn't take us long to arrive at the room to the left of the drawing room. Sliding the door closed, it was now just us four. Seeing the windows still closed on the opposite side, I decided to walk up to one of the drapes, and brought the window into view, only to let the sunlight peer in. With that, the view of Crossbell's Harbor District came into view as well. It was bustling with people, going about their business, as well as seafaring. Unfortunately, the Mishelam Resort did not exist at this time.

"It really has been six years, hasn't it?", I asked, only to turn around and look back at father. Another smile bloomed on his face as he nodded his head.

"Indeed it has. You've grown up splendidly, even through my absence. Her Majesty was ever so bold to declare your presence as the Crown Prince, haha!", Giliath responded, letting out a laugh.

"I guess some things don't change after all. Father.", I said, letting out a sigh as I shrugged my shoulders a bit. Yet the moment I spoke that, Claire came to a sudden halt, only for her eyes to turn wide in shock. Seeing Claire behave like this, Giliath look down at her.

"What. Didn't Rufus and Lechter mention this to you, Claire?", Giliath retorted seeing Claire in shock.

"No. They didn't!", Claire retorted back. "Are you telling me Liberl's Crown Prince is your son, Your Excellency!?", Claire asked.

"In the flesh. Due to some...circumstances, this is the first time we have been able to reunite like this, even if it was a bit unconventional.", Giliath responded Claire. "Alas, I do wish it was back at our home, but it is unfortunate it is no longer there.", Giliath continued to say as he shook is head.

"It truly is a shame. But from that event, I have come across many new friends and family.", I responded, revealing a smile.

"Is that so? I do wish we have more time on our hands, so hopefully you'll tell me of the stories you have then, Naoto.", Giliath said, nodding his head.

"Of course, Father.", I happily responded. After saying that, Giliath took this time and spoke out to Emma who was beside Claire.

"And it looks like I have you to thank as well, miss witch. You can give my regard to that clan leader.", Giliath said.

"Oh, it is no trouble, Your Excellency. I enjoy being at Naoto's side. I've already come to learn many things during my travels outside of the village.", Emma responded with a smile. After saying that, she drew Claire's attention as she observed Emma a bit.

"Now that I think about it you may appear to be a Jaeger, but that's not all to it, is there. Emma, was it?", Claire asked doubtfully.

"Hehe, I suppose a greeting is in place then. It's nice to meet you, Claire. I am currently supporting His Highness in place of Grandmother, and currently plan to be his supporter during the trials of the Vermillion Knight. As His Excellency called it, I am in fact, a witch. Or as I see it, still a witch in training. You may call me Emma Millstein.", Emma said, introducing herself to Claire. The moment Emma finished introduction, Claire blinked at Emma.

"Come again? Did you just call yourself a witch?", Claire asked.

"She sure did. The presence of magic is really clouded in truth, isn't it? It is so perceivable yet not many can see it. Quite perplexing if I must say so.", Giliath said, nodding his head. "Even I still have a hard time trying to perceive the concept of magic.", Giliath continued to say.

"It is true. Magic is all around us but one needs both insight and training to adapt to using it. Our village is specialized in such a thing.", Emma responded happily after hearing Giliath say that.

"And you expect me to believe this nonsense, Your Excellency? I'm already having a hard time accepting the fact that Liberl's Crown Prince is your son.", Claire said, feeling a bit exhausted now as she shook her head.

"It is as the witch says, Claire. Just take this time to learn and absorb. After all, you'll be supporting them in the Vermillion Trials. So it's best you get used to being with His Highness now. Haha!", Giliath responded with a laugh, only to cause Claire to come to a sudden halt.

"...Come again?", Claire asked. She now felt an urge to inwardly cry a bit.