Chapter 135: Returning Home

Giliath demands your power stones!

*

Couple hours later.

Express Line, Ymir Branch Line inbound to Roer.

A sole train could be seen going through hilly passes as it drove through tunnel after tunnel through the mountains that acted as the foot of the Eisengard Range.

This sole train had several cabins. Inside the front most cabin were the first class seats. Toward the end of the first cabin, four figures could be seen sitting, enjoying the ride. A plum haired girl currently enjoyed looking out the window. A violet haired boy could be seen sitting across from her.

There was a purple haired girl as well, but she could currently be seen resting in the lap of the violet haired boy. A loving look could be seen in her eyes as she enjoyed the lap of her newfound couple.

The fourth figure next to the plum haired girl was a scarlet haired teen. His eyes still blinked as a look of disbelief could be seen in his eyes as he observed the duo.

"This really is the life, ain't it? It's such a shame we'll be parting soon, but I need to return home for some duties I need to attend to.", Angelica responded, feeling a bit sad as this moment will only last for a brief time. Still, Lechter blinked his eyes seeing Angelica and I start acting like a couple.

"You guys really are an item now, huh? Do you two know how much trouble this will cause if the other nobles find out about this?", Lechter said with a somewhat serious tone. Hearing that, Angelica shifted her head a bit and looked at Lechter, only to reveal a grin.

"Oh I am sure daddy will be happy to learn I started dating a boy, and not a girl.", A playful grin appeared on Angelica's face as she looked toward Lechter.

"That's not really the issue at hand I'm trying to explain here...", Lechter tried to answer back.

"No lunch is free, Lechter.", I suddenly replied, only to squint my eyes a bit at him.

"Pardon?", Lechter asked, blinking his eyes at me.

"You should know what I mean. Father did send you here to make sure I was escorted back to Liberl safely, which I am thankful for, but my words should carry similar weight to his, no?", I began to ask. At the same time, Lechter began to feel some sweat drip down his back. As he felt that, Angelica spoke out to me.

"That's right. You never did talk about your family, Naoto.", Angelica said, wondering.

"Haha, my family...is a bit complicated, to say the least. Mother died giving birth to me, and father is an extremely busy person, mostly away on business trips. Thankfully I have Grandmother and the others back at the castle, so it's not like I'm really alone either. But since we are dating now, it will only be a matter of time where I have to introduce you to him eventually, Angie.", I said, explaining a bit.

"So that was the case huh? Guess they haven't really been around for you much then.", Angelica responded.

"Oh trust me you really don't want to know--?", Only to receive a sudden thwack to the head by Emma.

"Some words sometimes aren't meant to be spoken, Lechter.", Emma responded, only to reveal a light grin over her lips.

"Hey, I was just trying to be honest here. Speaking of which, where do you lay in all of this? That was some pretty crazy stuff back at that island we were at in Calvard. You are far from a normal girl.", Lechter asked as he looked toward Emma. Perhaps it was a plus that Lechter currently doesn't know that Emma was now a Jaeger working alongside me in that field.

"Oh? Gaining interest toward me?", Emma began to ask, only to look back toward me.

"I am also curious. You seem to be Naoto's friend, but if what Lechter says is true, that is not all there is to it, right?", Angelica also asked with interest.

"How much should we say, Naoto?", Emma asked as she still had her eyes on me.

"Hmm, I was thinking about calling those two here, but it probably isn't for the best. I am not sure if they have experience in riding orbal trains, so it could get a little messy. But to put it simply I went to Emma's village for a little bit.", I began to explain.

"You keep bringing that village up, Young Master. And yet I can never seem to find it on any map. Period.", Lechter answered me. Hearing that earned a giggle from Emma.

"Hehe, it is quite a secluded one if I must say. Most humans won't even get to reach it in their lifetime. It's also surrounded by a protective barrier of sorts.", Emma answered a bit.

"Most humans...?", Angelica tried to respond back, but hearing Emma's answer only left Angelica more confused. And at the same time she uttered that, the three suddenly heard a clap of my hands, which distracted their current train of thoughts.

"But sadly that will be enough for now.", I replied, ending their thoughts. "Going back to what I was mentioning earlier, you'll be the one who will keep those nobles in check to make sure the fact that Angie and I have started dating is to be kept secret. Alright, Lechter~?", I continued to say with a playful grin.

"Ugh, you just had to return to that, didn't you, Young Master...", Lechter groaned, feeling the cold sweat return to his back. "But wouldn't that be more up Rufus's alley?", Lechter couldn't help but ask.

"That may very well be the case, but like I said Lechter, no lunch is free. Haha!", I replied, letting out a laugh.

"You guys know Sir Rufus too?", Angelica asked as she blinked her eyes.

"I'd call us acquaintances, at least, but yes.", I said with a nod of my head.

However, right after I said that, we suddenly heard the intercom go off as a voice resounded over our cabin.

"We will soon be approaching our first stop on this express line, Roer, in less than twenty minutes. Please be ready with your luggage for departure once we have reached the station. I repeat, we will soon be arriving...", The intercom's voice said as it reached our ears, causing us to blink.

"Haha, I guess we have been talking for a bit. Looks like Roer won't be much longer.", I began to say. "You know, Elise did give me a basket of strawberries as a sort of congratulatory gift for us before we said our goodbyes back in Ymir. Ymir is quite renowned for 'em too. Are you guys up for eating 'em before we arrive at the station?", I suggested to the three. Hearing that Angelica's eyes beamed as she sat back up into her own seat.

"Now you're talking.", Angelica happily said.

"That does sound nice.", Emma also said with a nod.

"Can't disagree there.", Lechter also said.

With everyone in agreement, I decided to bring out the strawberries that Elise gave me for us to share during our remaining time, and they were quite delicious to eat. Before we knew it, the train left its last tunnel, only to reveal Roer in the distance, one of the largest industrial cities in Erebonia. It was home to Reinford Group after all, one of the largest companies to exist to date.

We soon saw the train approach the station, and entered it. It came to a halt, only to have the doors open up, revealing the station from the inside. We received a notice that the train would depart again in ten minutes. Emma and Lechter decided to stay on, while Angelica and I got off for the moment since we had a few minutes to spare.

"You'll stay in touch, won't you?", I asked Angelica as she approached a couple of maids, along with a butler who seemed to be waiting for her arrival. Hearing that, Angelica turned around and looked at me.

"Of course I will. I do hope you'll give my regards to Her Highness as well. This trip was short, but I had a lot of fun.", Angelica replied, revealing a smile. After she said that, the train started to honk its horn.

"Haha, that I can do.", I replied in acknowledgement. "Oh, and don't forget to look after Sherryl once Zin decides to drop her at your place. I doubt we'll be gone for long, but you never know.", I said, causing Angelica to nod her head.

"Of course. There's still some time until that happens, right?", Angelica asked.

"Right. I plan to take it easy for a bit.", I said, answering her.

"Good. And when time permits, I'll come visit your place.", Angelica responded, causing me to nod. We both waved at each other, and I saw Angelica retreat further into the station along with the couple of maids and the one butler that seemed to be waiting for her arrival. They gave us a bow as the four of them left.

Angelica and I decided to keep our new relationship a secret in most public areas, only to reveal itself in front of friends and family. We don't want other nobles finding out about it quite just yet, since it can a hidden card we can play against the other houses.

As such Angelica already gave me a kiss goodbye while we were still inside the cabin. It seemed she had interest in coming to the castle at some point so at least I'll be able to introduce her to Kloe in person.

As for us three, the moment I entered the cabin again, I saw Lechter snoozing without a care for the world, which caused a wry smile to appear on Emma's face seeing my return. With the gears turning inside the train, it soon departed from Roer, with our destination of Heimdallr Airport. Emma and I decided to pass time with light conversation and observing the scenery outside the window as the train moved along its tracks.

It was finally time to return home again.