Inside the clouds on the outskirts of Heimdallr.
Onboard the Glorious. Noon.
Some time had passed since the girls departed Heimdallr, leaving Naoto's group behind altogether. They didn't know whether Naoto came out on top, nor did that really matter to them. To the girls, they had something else in mind. Their thoughts were wandering toward Lake Valleria, where the Sealed Area lurked beneath it.
Still, Renne couldn't help but continue hugging Ennea. Similar to Naoto, Renne saw Ennea as her family. Seeing this, Ennea reached her hand forward and patted Renne's head while introducing herself to Musse. Ennea welcomed Renne with a warm smile.
"It really is nice to see you again, Ennea.", Renne said with a genuine smile on her face.
"Likewise, Renne. I heard you spent some time with other Enforcers before returning here. I did not think you would suddenly decide to enroll at St. Astraia in the capital.", Ennea responded.
Unlike Emma and Fie who had changed out of their temporary outfits, Renne was still dressed in her St. Astraia uniform as was Musse. Renne had considered changing out of her uniform, but decided to play the part so it could be a surprise to the rest aboard the Glorious. Apart from Campanella, that is. He knew, considering he was the one who saw Renne off alongside Zin. Knowing that, Renne parted from her hug, and did a twirl of her skirt. Seeing Renne do a little performance, Ennea smiled again and continued speaking.
"Did Naoto put you up to this, Renne?", Ennea decided to ask.
Thanks to Naoto's meddling in the timeline, many characters have been interacting with one another in such ways that shouldn't be happening. This meeting, for example, is one such interaction. Let alone Musse, not even Emma and Fie should be aboard the Glorious. And here they are. Not only did it happen once for those two, but twice now. Emma shouldn't even have wandered out of Eryn Village for another three to four years when she went to enroll at Thors Military Academy. As to whether this will change things down the line, as the saying goes, only the Goddess Aidios has the answer to that!
Still, all Ennea did was wait for Renne to answer while observing the olive green-haired girl who decided to accompany them. As for Campanella, he stayed silent, musing to himself at this interesting exchange.
"Nope. It was at my request. Naoto had nothing to do with the decision I made.", Renne said, and shook her head. "The only task Ouroboros asked of me was to investigate that tower. Now that business is concluded, and seeing that I have nothing to do for this next year or two, I decided to change the pace a little, and see what it's like living the slow life."
"So you made this decision yourself. I'm sure Naoto is happy to hear that.", Ennea said, smiling at Renne.
"Uh-huh. You should've been there, Ennea. I just came back from talking with him earlier in the morning.", Renne happily replied. "Shame you missed out on that dance, it was quite fun."
"Or so I've heard. Sadly, I couldn't make it. Still, it is good that you have decided on what to do on your own. We can let Naoto do his thing without our presence. With that line of thinking, it is why I have come back onto the Glorious.", Ennea said, explaining her end. "Both Grancel and Naoto's current position are secured.", Ennea continued, only to look at Emma next. "And it looks like you have been quite busy since you said your goodbyes back at the castle. Thank you for putting up with our dear Duvalie for this last year~"
"Oh please. Emma is very capable of handling her own in battle. She is able to keep up with me, and I'm Duvalie the Swift.", A girl's voice said, calling out to them. As that happened the door to the deck hissed open, and it didn't take for her to spot Emma and the rest. Of course, this girl was Duvalie. It has not been long since Duvalie was picked up by the Steel Maiden, but by now the Stahlritter has successfully formed. They still have many years ahead. "While it is nice to see you again on board the Glorious, might I remind you we are not a daycare? You really shouldn't have brought a stray kitten here."
Carrying an arrogant tone, Duvalie just scoffed at Musse. The hairs on Musse's back stood on end, screaming of danger. Unlike Emma, who typically keeps her senses within, Duvalie is a proud, upstanding girl. The full knight display with her sword and shield backed that image up. Musse could easily tell Duvalie was someone not to be trifled with, even if she was just some odd years older. She was the same age as Ennea.
"It is nice to see you again, Duvalie. Is Teacher in?", Emma decided to ask.
"My Lord is out on business for a while, I am afraid. It is just us here. Ines is off on her own in one of the training rooms below. If you're going to be here for a while, you are free to use it.", Duvalie said, looking at Emma, and disregarded the rest.
"Sheesh. You're no room for comfort, are you?", Renne responded, and shrugged her shoulders.
"What happens here is none of my business so whatever is going on, I want no part in it. I just came out to say hello to Emma, and that's it. You're free to do as you want, Ennea. I will not be joining you.", Duvalie said and harrumphed, before she turned around and began to retreat back inside.
"Thank you for the offer, but I am afraid I have prior commitments.", Emma said, which made Duvalie pause halfway inside the door, only to glance once last time at Emma.
"Suit yourself. Whatever happens, I'm not responsible.", Duvalie said, and exited the deck as quickly as she came. Campanella simply shrugged his shoulders, but didn't stop her.
"Some of you really are an unruly bunch, aren't you?", Campanella asked with that iconic grin of his.
"Takes one to know one, Fool.", Renne retorted, and looked back at Musse. "Anyway, sorry about that. As you can see, it isn't just us who are on this airship. There's many of us Enforcers and other strong individuals who are part of this "unruly" group as the Fool said. You likely won't meet them, since we're in transit. Perhaps once we finish our business beneath Lake Valleria."
It was only then that Musse took this time to let out a sigh or relief.
"I felt like I was staring at death's door...", Musse murmured, feeling amazed by such a crowd. Ouroboros, that is. Everyone is strong in their own right. Even Renne, who is the same age as her but has a wildly different background. No one is to be underestimated here by any means. All Musse could do was look back at Ennea, and stare at the large and powerful-looking bow on her back. "You truly are someone His Royal Highness knows?"
"I am. Like I said, I act as Naoto's shadow. It probably won't be good for you to stay aboard the Glorious too much, and I am saying that for your own good, Musse. If you do, your current worldview will get shattered into tiny pieces. It isn't just me who is protecting him. But at the same time, it puts a very big target on his back. That's partly why the Glorious is here in the first place. Isn't that right?", Ennea responded, and glanced at Campanella.
"In a manner of speaking, yes. However, His Royal Highness is not our primary target for being here in Western Erebonia. Like I said, we are here to see the results of the Azure Abyss. His Royal Highness being in the capital just happened to be happenstance.", Campanella nodded. "Still, you do make a point. There are a growing number of nobles who don't see him in a favorable light. That little spat at the party was a little over the top for my liking.", Campanella said, and smirked.
"Of course you'd be the one to say that.", Renne replied, and shrugged her shoulders. "Nonetheless, what happened at the dance last night made it much worse for Naoto. He made so many new enemies.", Renne continued, and sighed. "Especially after that outrageous engagement declaration."
"Oh I know what you mean~", Musse said, finding the energy to speak again, and returned to her usual self. Seeing Musse act like this, Ennea spoke next.
"Are you by chance acquainted with Naoto, Musse, was it?", Ennea decided to ask. She hadn't seen Musse before today.
"Not directly. While we did have a meal at His Imperial Majesty's dining room to celebrate the engagement, I am quite curious how this will play out. Two major powers will join hands. What would that imply?", Musse responded, drawing everyone's interest to her.
"At least you seem to be aware of the bigger picture.", Campanella said. "Are you sure you are just a Noble?"
"Teehee, I sure am.", Musse giggled. "And I must say, thank you for showing me some grace and bringing me on board. It was due to my selfishness. I do not know who it is who is in charge here, but I hope I won't be a bother. It is ever so nice to meet you all.", Musse said, also doing a curtsy of her skirt to introduce herself. "What I said earlier is only half-truth. In actuality, I am the sole daughter of one of the Great Houses here in Erebonia. You all may call me Mildine Juzelith de Cayenne. I did not think I would have the pleasure to meet all of your acquaintances like this. And to have an orbal airship of this magnitude. Fascinating."
"A Noble of the Great Houses...", Ennea said, only to take another look at Musse. "You're in the same spot as Angie then."
Now that wasn't something for Musse to hear so unexpectedly.
"You know of Lady Rogner, Miss Ennea?", Musse asked.
"Know of her? She's the other girl Naoto is currently seeing.", Ennea said. Just that alone made Musse's eyes turn wide in a mixture of absolute terror and shock.
"H-H-His Royal Highness is seeing Lady Rogner!?", Musse exclaimed, even though she had just introduced herself as the only heir to the Cayenne Duchy who was worthy of taking over when the time was right.
"Oh. You didn't know about that.", Renne said. "I figured you would have. That's a surprise."
"Still, you really have picked up a stray cat this time, haven't you, Angel of Slaughter? We really shouldn't go parading that we currently have one of the Nobles of the Great Houses on deck.", Campanella mused.
"I am not one to judge, Fool. Musse came here on her own accord. I just followed suit.", Renne replied. "Besides, we'll only be here for a short while. Once we're in Liberl, we'll get out of your way."
"Hahaha.", Campanella laughed. "Nonetheless, you have piqued my interest to bring such a character into a primal ground."
"Primal ground?", Musse questioned, not familiar with that term.
"I'll explain that along the way, Musse. Is Ennea the only one who is going to accompany us? You did call this a personnel change.", Renne questioned.
If Ennea joined Renne's current party, that would round off the formation quite nicely. There's REnne, who acts as a mid-ranged attacker but can also support with arts. Even though it is still S1200, most people aboard the Glorious have Combat Arts to work with one way or another. It is the Generation III model currently. Generation IV would be rolling out around the time Trails in the Sky begins. Only a couple years away at most.
Then there is Emma, who can bolster the party's offensive and defensive capabilities with Magic, and attack from afar with her S-Weapon. The very same weapon that earned her moniker, the Ghost Tracer. From there is Fie, who can be their close-range attacker who can dodge attacks with ease with her twin gunswords. Musse also has an orbal rifle, albeit not on the same level as Emma. She can be the one who has the freedom to move around, depending on the situation. Lastly is Ennea, who is a great backline attacker. She can strike her targets from afar with her bow, and can even petrify Monsters, amongst other status effects, which would allow the party to strike their enemies at the right moment.
Seeing Ennea willing to join, Campanella nodded his head.
"That's right. Most Enforcers are currently out and about, I'm afraid. Apart from the Bladelord. The Blazing Demon is still on guard duty to protect the Zero Child before she returns to slumber. It won't be long now for that.", Campanella explained. "And well, the Black Fang is still underway on his five-year mission to gather intelligence for us on our target."
"Joshua?", Renne questioned. Her eyes lit up hearing that. "That's right. He has a new name now, doesn't he? It won't be long until he comes crawling back to us."
"Joshua. Joshua Bright.", Campanella replied with a wide smirk on his face.
As Campanella said that, Musse turned toward Ennea and whispered.
"Is this something I should know?", Musse asked in a soft voice.
"Eh, take it as you see it. It's possible we'll meet Joshua once we land in Liberl, but he has an assigned task that he cannot turn down, so it is as they say. Still, there's a lot of us in Ouroboros. And it will be up to you to get acquainted with them, should you decide to remain in Naoto's circle after this.", Ennea whispered back. "For the time being, we'll be working with each other, so do look after me."
"Understood.", Musse whispered back with a slight nod. That was the only thing she really could do at this point in time. Her new surroundings were quite overwhelming, and she didn't want to step out of place!
With that said, Ennea had officially decided to join Renne's party for the time being. Where will this go?