Chapter 217: Esmelas Garden

Giliath demands your power stones! Let's try to get over 500!

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"Well now, this wasn't a sight I was expecting to see here tonight.", A woman's voice echoed through a rather breathtaking chamber of sorts. A constant sound of running water could be seen and heard pouring down from further above, eventually criss-crossing into different sizes of water channels that spread beneath the elevated platforms. This place was equivalent to a hanging garden. Even several planted shrubs and trees could be seen. Thanks to the water's reflection, it casted an aquatic blue aura around the entire room.

This was Esmelas Garden, one of the most enchanting rooms inside of Valflame Palace. It likely cost millions of mira to make it, but the end result was phenomenal. It was the best place to host guests for events, such as dancing or socializing parties. It was also the coming of the new year, and with the full wide panel window stretching across one side of Esmelas Garden, snow could currently be seen gently falling down, sometimes pelting the glass panes along the way. It was not windy, so it made for a gentle and serene view.

"I could say the same to you. I didn't think the Demon of Thors would partake in such grandiose events like these. And here I thought you were gone for good. What have you been up to these last few years? You've caused quite a ruse in Thors, but you suddenly vanished, acting as if nothing had happened.", A second, stern voice said, calling out to the first voice. The first voice belonged to that of a woman's while the second belonged to that of a man's voice.

"Likewise. Considering the heritage you belong to, why am I not surprised to see House Albarea here tonight? Are you sure you are okay to be here though? I thought you were fighting amongst yourselves to give a damn of what happens elsewhere.", The woman said, revealing a playful grin as she walked up to a blonde haired man, holding a wine glass as she did.

"Oh that is merely some petty squabble, nothing more than an idiotic father trying to discipline his child. It is nothing new. At the very least, he permitted the two of us to partake in the dance tonight. Honestly, I could care less of what he thinks though. I am merely here to enjoy the coming of the new year, much is likely a similar line of thought the other participants are currently thinking as well.", The man said. Of course this man was Rufus Albarea, the older son of House Albarea. The two weren't alone either, a much younger version of Rufus could be seen next to him, currently staring at the silvery-white haired beauty standing before him.

"The Demon of Thors...I've heard that name once or twice back at the mansion. Is this someone you know, Brother?", The third boy asked, appearing to be much younger than Rufus. This was Rufus's younger brother, Jusis.

"Well, in fact I do believe this is our first time meeting each other in person, is it not?", Rufus asked, seeing the woman in front of him. She was of course Aurelia, the last invited guest in this dance tonight.

"I do believe it is, Lord Rufus. While we are part of two different provinces, your standing is still higher of mine, so I do apologize if my words come across as rude to you.", Aurelia said, revealing a smile as she observed the

"Haha, your personality befits a person like you, direct to the point. I have not personally made a visit to the Le Guin estate, but perhaps I should put it on my calendar to do so. I am quite curious, however, you seem to have fallen off the face of the map in the last few years. The Le Guin family has been silent.", Rufus mused, wondering what Aurelia was up to since she had been seen last in Liberl to observe the queen's celebration together with Naoto. Ever since then, Aurelia departed from the country, but she hadn't been seen since.

Hearing that question, Aurelia smiled as she took a sip of her wine.

"Oh, nothing important really. I've just been in a rather secluded village. You'd be surprised with what our country has to offer, Lord Rufus. I doubt you'd be able to find this village, even if you gave it a try.", Aurelia explained.

"Oh? A village of unknown origin? Was it so far out of place to where the means of communication was difficult to perform?", Rufus asked with interest.

"Hehe, you are just as keen as the rumors say, Lord Rufus. That is a simple way of putting it, but yes. Only certain means of communication are allowed in that village, so I've been pretty out of sight, to say the least. I've had some free time on my hands lately, and with the coming of the next century, I'd figure it'd be an opportune time to celebrate.", Aurelia said, answering Rufus.

As to the village Aurelia was referring to, it was none other than Eryn Village.

During the signing of the Emperor ten years ago, Aurelia spent time inside Valflame Palace together with Naoto. The elder of Eryn Village, Roselia. At the time, she was Naoto's master in studying magic, but Roselia gave a chance to Aurelia, and succeeded in unlocking mana cores for both Naoto and Aurelia.

After Aurelia's parting from the group, she found herself studying at Thors Military Academy, further progressing her studies in the way of the sword, and not so much in magic. At the time she was in the care of the Vander School, and only later would she be accepted by the Arseid School, being a swordsman under the care of two dojos at the same time.

While Aurelia found herself studying at Thors, the Hundred Days War struck, and she found herself strained. Her father ended up passing away, and the school made an exception, allowing Aurelia to graduate in a single year. She could only continue her sword training after being part of the military.

Naoto followed a very similar path to how Aurelia trained, except he did it differently. He studied magic alongside Emma in her village before his home was raided by the Jaegers. He then went off the map and used his magic to invade the cult from within. He also studied the sword under the Sword Fox's guidance before the raid while Aurelia started to wander the continent after graduating Thors.

It wasn't until the Queen's recent birthday celebration where the two met up again. After that, Naoto eventually made the decision to retrain his foundations, and continue the way of the sword in Erebonia.

As for Aurelia, she had grown proficient enough in her training to where she found herself stagnant. She found herself finding a different point of view to study from, eventually making the decision to improve her magic that she had unlocked, and found herself training in Eryn Village, with Roselia's help. Roselia had some free time on her hands as she was only tasked to get her forbidden spell ready, and found it a surprise to see Aurelia come knocking at her doorstep.

And quite literally too.

Thanks to having developed a sense for magic already, the moment Aurelia found herself in Isthmia Great Forest, she quickly discovered it was surrounded by a great barrier. Aurelia took it upon herself as a challenge to try and break it, but the moment it was about to break, Roselia quickly put a stop to it, only to bring Aurelia inside.

A couple years passed since then, and Aurelia found herself engrossed at the mystery of magic. During that time, she was able to quickly master one element over the others, and that was Wind, with Lightning being its supplement. She had yet to test magic in battle, and hadn't found a good opponent to test it on. She did have interest in paying a visut at the dojos she once studied at, and wanted to duel their masters again once she had the time.

At the time, however, Aurelia did not know that Naoto was currently attending such dojos, much like how she herself once did. During the last year when Emma was training as well with Duvalie and Fie, Aurelia had already departed Eryn Village, so the two didn't cross paths.

Yet Aurelia found herself invited to celebrate the coming of the new year at Valflame Palace. She did not know she would come across both Naoto and Emma, but she had received word that she might. Right now, it was only a waiting game. Among the nobles like herself though, she was not expecting to meet both Albarea brothers here tonight, so Aurelia took it upon herself to make an introduction.

"I see. Well, it would probably be best to have this sort of conversation at a later date. It is a time of celebration, so we must play our part and enjoy tonight's dance. May I be so bold as to ask you to be your first dance tonight, Countess Le Guin?", Rufus suddenly asked, causing Aurelia to stare at him for a good moment.

Aurelia's gaze remained calm, and a smile crept over her lips, not expecting Rufus to ask that of her. She couldn't help but let out a laugh as she responded.

"Haha, I do not mind being your partner for tonight's dance Lord Rufus, but you do know that I am currently engaged, yes?", Aurelia asked with a smile over her lips.

"Oh? This is news to me. I didn't see you one to be taken already.", Lord Rufus responded, musing to himself as he observed Aurelia.

"Why, it is none other than that boy over there, to be exact.", Aurelia suddenly said. The moment Aurelia said that, the other nobles who were chatting with each other with the Emperor and the Chancellor at the first spot in the back suddenly entered a fervor as many sounds of shuffling feet could now be heard.

"Look, Erebonia's treasure has arrived!", One of the nobles shouted excitedly, seeing a golden blonde haired girl in a very fancy crimson dress.

"I've heard rumors, but Her Highness is really such a gorgeous girl, despite still being so young. That dress suits her.", Another noble said in a more calm voice.

"But who are those with Her Highness? It seems some guests were invited apart from us tonight. I'm particularly curious as to who that violet haired boy is next to her.", A third noble said with interest in their voice, only to look onward at the back entrance to where the Emperor and Chancellor were. A group of girls and boys arrived on the scene with Princess Alfin and Naoto being at the forefront of it.

Seeing this group arrive, Aurelia smiled as her gaze particularly landed on Naoto's figure in the distance. Rufus traced Aurelia's gaze, only to spot Naoto and his friends. As for Jusis, he was surprised as other nobles were, not expecting this group to arrive.

"So that's how it is, eh?", Rufus said, musing to himself as he saw this new group arrive for the dance tonight.