30/08/1204 07:00
Crossbell City, Crossbell
Agate had just enjoyed a nice breakfast at Long Lao alongside Renne and Tita. Thankfully, he was paranoid enough to not eat the dish offered by Renne because, judging from her disappointed reaction, he was sure it was supposed to be very spicy or bitter. That little devil quickly hid her frown with an angelic smile.
In any case, Renne and Tita were hanging out on the second floor of the guild. He heard some snippets about watching the unveiling from the Times Department Store but wasn't very sure. He'd leave the two alone to go downstairs and look at the board.
"Hmm?" Agate muttered while his eyes laid on the request board.
For the past week, Agate temporarily unofficially joined the Crossbell branch. While his real request was to watch over Renne and Tita as long as they were needed by the Epstein Foundation, the real reason was that Michel needed extra hands and got his service for the potential terrorist attack that Juna unveiled.
In that timeframe, Agate lent a hand to Lynn and the others by doing some requests. Crossbell had more requests than your average Bracer Guild in Liberl, and now, after he was there in the city, he understood the reason.
"Michel, it's unusual to see the board almost empty," Agate remarked to the receptionist. Indeed, because the board in front of him only had two requests up so far.
"Oh? Yes. That's because I held back from posting the non-urgent requests. I wanted you all to savor the tower's unveiling soon. I'll post the other after that," Michel answered with a smile.
"Hooo."
Agate stretched. If it were only urgent requests, he'd leave it to the native Crossbellan's bracers. Not that he didn't want to do it; he was an A-rank, after all. He had to be ready to be deployed anywhere, anytime the situation called for him. However, both requests are simple enough that the B-ranks here could do it alone. He'd rather not deprive them of the chance to ascend the rank.
The door was suddenly opened with some force. That manner of opening the door must be Juna. Maybe he should recommend the construction company who built the guild here because, in one week, Agate saw the door being slammed more times than he ever saw the guild's door in all of Liberl making the same slam sound, and to his surprise, the door didn't break down.
"Morning, everyone!"
"Morning, Juna."
"Yo, Morning."
Juna entered the scene with a big grin on her face. "Is Arios here?"
"He's requested to help guard the incoming VIPs for the conference," Michel answered with an apologetic smile. "He only came here to drop off Shizuku for the day."
Hearing that, Juna just sighed. "Understandable."
"I think Arios is also as disappointed as you for not being able to train you more these past weeks," Michel commented.
"I know," the pink-haired girl nodded before shrugging. "The downside of having someone as famous as Arios as my teacher, I guess. At least he was free yesterday for a while."
Juna talked as if she was feeling nonchalant about the situation, but even someone as insensitive as him could sense that she was disappointed. It was understandable, though. While Agate never really had a formal teacher, he'd like to imagine if he had a formal teacher, he would wanted to spend more time with his teacher learning about everything they could impart to him.
And while Agate wasn't as close to Cassius as Schera or Estelle were, the two often complained under their breath about the Divine Blade. In that sense, Cassius and Arios weren't too different, were they? Both are Divine Blades single parents stuck with raising their daughter to the best of their abilities despite how busy they were. It made listening to Michel's stories about Juna dragging Arios funny because he always imagined it happening to Cassius despite how impossible it was.
"Daaaad! Joshua misses you!" Estelle shouted as she dragged her father from the Rolent Bracer Guild.
Yeah, that was very unlikely, but it was still funny to imagine.
Hmm, wait, wouldn't Estelle be the one missing Cassius, and Joshua did his best to bring Cassius back? But there was no way Joshua would ever be caught dragging Cassius around. So...
Joshua suddenly appeared inside the Rolent Bracer Guild, startling everyone else. "Dad. Estelle's been crying."
Yeah, that was more likely. Maybe he'd ask Joshua later if he ever did that.
"...And I know I'm not important compared to Crossbell's security, but you know, it's the principle of the matter..." Juna played around with the side of her pink hair.
Jeez... Agate sighed. Why did she have to pull that now of all times?
He stood up from his seat and greeted the younger girl. "Hey, Juna."
"Hm?" Juna perked up.
"Since Arios isn't here, how about you train with me?"
There it was. One of Agate Crossner's weaknesses that started ever since he was acquainted with Tita Russell. He couldn't stand seeing girls feeling down and wanted to cheer them up. Seeing Juna being like that, Agate couldn't just stay silent.
"Huh, really?!" Juna gasped, her body buzzing in excitement.
"Yeah. I'm not a teacher, but I can at least be your sparring partner," he answered with a scratch to his head.
"Great! Let's goooooooo!" Juna grabbed his arm and dragged him away to the exit.
"Wait- Juna, I- Michel! Tell Tita I'm with Juna!"
Juna quickly dragged him to Eastern Crossbell Highway, specifically, the small cape left of the highway. So this was what Arios felt when Juna dragged him to see his daughter...
Once they were on the cape, Juna spread her arms. "This is where I usually trained with Arios. How is it?"
Agate looked around. It was a very spacious area, with some trees to rest against the hot sunshine. He felt a cool breeze passing by.
"Not bad," he smirked. "So, wanna go down now?" '
Juna shook her head. "Umm... I think it'd be better if I do some katas first. And I kind of want to have your opinion as another sword user."
Agate raised his eyebrow? "If you're everything like Anelace is, our styles are very different. You still want my opinion?"
"Of course!" Juna disagreed with his assessment. "Even if our styles are fundamentally different, there is merit in listening to a more experienced swordsman. Maybe I'll remember your words when I face someone using a similar style like you, for example."
That sounded very unlikely, but it was an acceptable answer, anyway. Agate nodded. "Sure. Let's see you go through some practices."
And so Juna grabbed her wooden sword and went into a stance. However, instead of moving, she was spinning around, dancing to a silent tune that only she could hear, with some flower petals floating around her. Then, eyes sharp, Juna moved.
"Second Form: Gale!"
If his eyes weren't accustomed to high-level combat courtesy of seeing combat monsters like that bastard Loewe, Direwolf, and Renne, Agate might have missed Juna's form flickering around, making snapping sounds several times before coming back to the same place she was standing before.
"So that was Gale, huh? That's the move that got Arios the name Divine Blade of Wind, right?" Agate started after Juna didn't move since she finished her second form.
"Yesh..." Juna said while panting. "It's the first move Arios taught me. How was it?"
"Not bad, but not good enough. Your moves aren't telegraphed, so I didn't know where you would go, but I think you're slow, especially in the last burst. I expected you to arrive at wherever it was half a second faster than you arrived," Agate gave his opinion. The snapping sound he heard when Juna was flickering around was her slashing her sword. But the gap between the sound itself was inconsistent. After he heard the first and second slash, Agate sensed that Juna was almost late for the third and fourth slash before the tempo was off on the fifth slash.
Juna winced. "Ouch, yeah, I struggled to keep the speed for multiple slashes. Still, nothing that more training couldn't solve. Anything else?"
"Hmm... what was the twirl you did before Gale? Cause I remember Anelace also doing that before." Agate remembered Juna's spin, which appeared to be a dance to him.
"That's a self-strengthening technique from the First Form, Petal Dance. If I didn't use it first, my slash would not be strong enough for Gale," Juna answered before asking something back. "Anelace is my senior in Eight Leaves, right? Arios kind of didn't talk about anyone else except Cassius Bright since he's so famous."
"Yes. She also uses Eight Leaves One Blade, like you. I'm not that familiar with it, though; we're from a different branch in Liberl and rarely meet except for extenuating circumstances like last year."
"Huh... I wonder if I'll meet any of my seniors someday," Juna muttered before shaking her head. "In any case, I'm ready now."
"Good." Agate unsheathed his gigantic sword and went into his favorite stance, holding the sword with both hands while his left foot was in the front.
In front of him, Juna also prepared herself to attack. "Here I go! Sixth Form: Arc Slash!"
Agate didn't expect Juna to start with a compressed air projectile. Thankfully, he knew how to handle this from facing Anelace. He put forward the flat side of his sword as a shield to prevent the slash from reaching him.
"Huh?!" Juna exclaimed in surprise. Agate quickly moved while she was stunned.
"Prepare yourself!" Of course, Agate didn't intend to attack her exactly. This was a spar and doubled as a lesson for Juna. He swung his sword but aimed above Juna's top hair.
Before his sword reached her, Juna crouched down and dashed away to safety.
"Whew. That was scary!"
"You need to react better. You were frozen for a moment," Agate grinned. "If it was anyone else and this a serious fight, your head would already be gone."
Juna scratched her head with a sheepish laugh. "Sorry, I'm just surprised that you blocked my Arc Slash with your sword."
Agate laughed. "I faced Anelace in a spar before, so I already know about how to face Eight Leaves' projectile attack."
Juna's eyes turned starry! "My senior used Arc Slash!?"
"Err, not exactly," Agate answered hesitantly. "It is a projectile attack, but if I recall correctly, its name isn't. Maybe some variations?"
"I'll ask Arios about it later!"
"Yeah, let's continue."
The two then continued clashing swords against each other.
30/08/1204 09:00
Crossbell City, Crossbell
"Crossbell, we're back!" With vigor, one Estelle Bright shouted to the world as she stepped off from the airship transporting them from Liberl. "Maan, I can't believe I said this, but now that we're here again, I kind of miss Crossbell. Don't you think so, Joshua?"
Following behind her, Joshua Bright sighed. "Please don't shout, Estelle. You're bothering other people."
Both Joshua and Estelle's shoulders were patted by someone else from behind. "Now, now. Don't be too much of a killjoy, Joshua. Estelle's just happy. And this is my first time coming to Crossbell, too. So I'm as excited as Estelle."
Scherazard Harvey finished with a wink.
The three of them were the reinforcement that the Bracer Guild's Headquarters sent to help Crossbell with the Trade Conference. Estelle and Joshua were chosen because they had experience with Crossbell, and Scherazard was appointed as their leader since she was A-rank and was familiar with the two. Some other bracers, like Anelace, wanted to join, but they had their duties in Liberl.
"I understand how Estelle feels. This is the place where we met again with Renne. But... maybe don't be too loud in a public place?" Joshua pointed out to their surroundings, which had people staring at them.
Estelle blinked before she realized what Joshua meant. "Ehehe... Sorry!" she laughed sheepishly.
"Speaking of Renne, I heard she's already here?" Scherazard asked as the three of them went to the checkout gate.
"Yes. She's requested by the guild to help with some research in collaboration with the Epstein Foundation," Joshua answered.
"Tita is also here since the project apparently involves Orbal engineering. I don't remember much of the talk," Estelle continued.
Scherazard sighed, mind coming to a conclusion. "Of course, Agate will also be here since Tita is here. So that's why I haven't seen that man in the past few days."
"Yup. Anyway, let's go to the guild!"
After following all of the regulations to check out of the airport, the three Bracers from Liberl finally exit the airport.
"Nnngh! I still hate those stuffy lines and waiting game in Crossbell airports," Estelle complained to the other two. "Why can't it be easy like in Liberl? You don't have to wait long if you're flying from Rolent to Ruan."
"That's because this is an international flight," Joshua said matter-of-factly. "Not to mention people are flocking here at this time because of the Orchis Tower unveiling."
The tower unveiling pulled a lot of people who were interested in Crossbell, increasing tourism's earnings. The Crossbellan government knew what they were doing.
"Speaking of the tower, it is the tallest man-made building in Western Zemuria, right? I didn't really keep up with the news from abroad." Scherazard asked for confirmation.
"It should be. I don't know how many floors it has exactly, but even from the airship, it was noticeable that it stood the tallest amidst the other high-rise buildings in Crossbell," Joshua answered.
"It looks imposing, but at the same time, I feel like I'm glad that Liberl doesn't really have buildings that high. Don't you think so, too?"
"Yeah, all these big city hustle bustle isn't really for me," Scherazard agreed with Estelle. "And I just stepped foot in this place for a short time. It might change if Crossbell has a good bar, though. Speaking of, do you have any recommendations?"
"Of course..." Joshua sighed at the remarks coming from their sister figure.
"We're still underage. We didn't go to any such place here before," Estelle pointed out.
"But I heard the drinking age in Crossbell is eighteen! You guys are no fun!" Scherazard playfully leaned on Estelle's back.
"Get off me, Schera!" Estelle shooed her sisterly figure away. "If you want to ask for a recommendation, just ask Michel later."
They entered the Central Square. The bustling center of Crossbell was a new sight for Scherazard but a familiar sight for both Estelle and Joshua since they had been here a few months ago. The Bell of Crossbell was still a unique landmark that the two had never seen anywhere else.
"That's one huge bell," Scherazard commented with a hum.
"Yeah... that's also my reaction," Estelle nodded in agreement.
"I remember you being more fired up than Schera is just now, Estelle," Joshua poked fun.
"W-Well, that was..."
"Ah! It's Estelle!"
A voice suddenly interrupted their conversation. When the three looked, it was a little girl who greeted them with a smile. Scherazard took a few steps back, letting Estelle take the rein.
"Mimi!" Estelle kneeled and patted her head. "How you've been!"
"Ehehe! I'm good! How about you, Estelle?"
"I'm fine, too. A little busy in Liberl, but who isn't? Anyway, it was great seeing you again, Mimi. Joshua and I will be here for a few days. But now we have to go to the guild."
"Right! The Junior SSS won't believe me when I say you're back!" Mimi declared proudly.
Estelle and Joshua looked at each other before she turned back to Mimi. "Junior SSS?"
"Yeah! That's what Anri, Ryu, and Momo called themselves! They love the SSS and want to be like them in the future. Whenever we played, it's always SSS this, SSS that," Mimi said with a huff. "They should join the Bracer Guild instead, like you and Juna!"
"Awww~" Estelle hugged the girl, rubbing her cheeks on hers. "Thank you, Mimi. That's so sweet! So you want to be a Bracer?"
"Yeah! You and Juna are so cool! I want to be like you in the future!" Mimi then glanced at Joshua. "Well, maybe not as clumsy, but you're still cool!"
That statement drew a laugh from both Estelle and Joshua. "Yeah, best not to be fully like Estelle, Mimi. Just take her good points."
"Hey!"
"Anyway, like Estelle said, we need to go. Talk to you later, okay, Mimi?" Joshua patted both Mimi and Estelle's heads, to the brunette girl's embarrassment.
"Mhm. See you later, Estelle, Joshua, nice beautiful lady!" Mimi waved as the three left her and went to East Street, where the Bracer Guild is located.
"You were here for a few months looking for Renne, right? It's so like you to integrate yourself with the people," Scherazard commented after they were far from the little girl.
"Well, Bracers are close with civilians. Not to mention, when we first arrived here, the people relied on Bracers more than the local police," Joshua explained to Scherazard, the newcomer.
"Yeah, the two of us were a little overwhelmed at first since there were only five active Bracers in the city before we came. All sevens of us had to do all the requests," Estelle sighed, remembering the tiring but fulfilling days of being under the Crossbell branch.
"But towards the end of our stay here, I believe that the SSS has acquired enough trust from the populace. That's why Mimi said her friends are idolizing the SSS," Joshua continued.
"SSS?" Scherazard asked, a little confused.
"Umm. What does SSS stand for again, Joshua? I forgot. But they're a branch of the local police that handles civilian matters like us Bracers. They're worthy rivals!" Estelle nodded to herself.
"It's Special Support Section..." Of course, Estelle would forget about it. "And yes, Estelle's correct. In any case, we're here."
The three stopped in front of the guild's door.
"Say, Joshua..." Estelle started. "Wanna enter like Juna?"
"No."
"Come on~" Estelle whined.
Scherazard hummed. "Enter like Juna? How?" Estelle had talked about her and Joshua's time in Crossbell, so she had heard about Juna Crawford, the girl who helped them reunite with Renne. But this was her first time hearing about Juna having her own entrance.
Estelle grinned mischievously. "Like this!" she quickly slammed the door open.
"We're back!"
"Welcome back, Jun- Ah! Estelle!"
Joshua sighed as Estelle ran inside to greet Michel. Meanwhile, Scherazard was gaping because, judging from the reaction inside, the slammed door seemed to really be a unique entrance for this Juna.
"Michel! Good to see you again!"
"Sorry for the loud entrance, Michel. Estelle couldn't resist doing a Juna," Joshua sighed at his girlfriend's antics.
"It's okay. The door was already reinforced a long time ago. It won't get destroyed even if you attack it with your Crafts," Michel responded with a smile before turning to behind him. "Ah, I see a certain Silver Streak behind you. Good Morning, and nice to meet you, Miss Silver Streak. I'm Michel, the receptionist of the Crossbell branch of Bracer Guild."
"Nice to meet you too, Michel. Scherazard Harvey is here as the team leader of the reinforcement. We're in your care for the foreseeable future," Scherazard winked.
"By the way, Estelle. Renne, Tita, and Shizuku are on the second floor," Michel pointed to the stairs.
"Kyaaa! Really?! That's like, cuteness overload!" Without wasting any more seconds, Estelle quickly ran towards the stairs.
"Forgive Estelle, Michel," Joshua let out a forced laugh.
"No, it's fine. I know Estelle won't really like the briefing we'll do later in the afternoon for tomorrow, so I'm coaxing her with those three first as we wait for the Calvardian team."
Scherazard shook her head. Even the receptionist here had already known of her habits, huh...
"Speaking of, you're expecting Juna? I remember you mistaking Estelle for her," Joshua pointed out.
"Not really, but she's out there training with Agate."
"Agate? That guy? Training a girl?" Scherazard asked in disbelief. After all, she knew Agate. "Impossible!"
"Was Arios too busy to train with Juna again?" Joshua asked, taking a shot in the dark.
"Unfortunately," Michel responded with a nod.
"Juna..." That girl always dragged Arios whenever Shizuku wanted him, but when she wanted to have time with him, she didn't do anything. "She can be selfish for someone else, but not for herself..."
Scherazard stayed silent, not familiar enough to interrupt the conversation about Juna. From what she understood, Juna was very much like Estelle. To think she'd also have a connection with a Divine Blade in Arios MacLaine, what were the chances?
"Yes, if there's one thing that girl needs to have, it's more regard to her own self," Michel also sighed.
While his jest about Estelle and Juna having the exact same personality was just a jest, there existed a fundamental difference between the two: Estelle had him to curb (and sometimes poke fun) any of her negative traits. Who did Juna have? It should've been Arios' duty as her master, but Arios was a borderline S-rank Bracer and a single father to a disabled daughter. In other words, Arios was busy. At the same time, while Juna was close with the guild members and the SSS, she existed at the peripherals of both circles.
"In any case, Zin's team should arrive soon. When they arrived, let's talk about the situation for tomorrow," Michel diverted the conversation.
"Yeah, we haven't heard the details from you guys yet. How come the HQ got involved at all in this matter?" Scherazard inquired the receptionist. "Even Aina won't tell me anything. It feels like you guys behind the tables are having some secrets."
Michel let out a small laugh. "It's not like we're hiding things from you. It's just that everything started from a... sensitive matter that we don't want to broadcast openly. You'll be brought in with Zin's team later. Joshua and Estelle should've already known since they've been here before."
Joshua narrowed his eyes. He and Estelle should have already known? He didn't remember anything from the last time they were here. Unless it was about Juna's sharp mind? The SSS trusted Juna so much they followed her words back in the Sun Fort.
"You know about it?" Scherazard turned to him.
"It's possible. A lot of things happened when we were here." He still wasn't sure about it, so he didn't confirm anything.
"In any case, you guys can drop off your baggage above. We still have enough free beds for three people. Hmm, but then Zin's team wouldn't get any beds..."
"Don't worry, Michel. Estelle and I will look for an inn," Joshua offered a solution.
"Aha~, don't do it without protection, okay? You guys are still young," Scherazard winked, jumping at the opportunity to tease Estelle and him.
Joshua blinked before he realized the implication of what he just said. "N-No, we will get a place with two beds!" His cheeks reddened in embarrassment. "In the first place, you guys don't know how fussy Estelle is when she's sleeping. I wouldn't want to be in the same bed as her."
"Hoooh, so you don't want to be in the same bed as me, huh?" Estelle's voice came as she descended. On her back, she was carrying Shizuku while Renne and Tita followed behind her. "Fine! Let's rent two rooms! See who's the one caving in first."
"Oh my, oh my, someone's in trouble~," Renne joined in, with a sing-song voice, even.
"Ehehe. Don't take it to heart, Estelle. Agate always told me that men always say stupid things, so please forgive Joshua?"
Your words didn't help anyone, Tita.
"Hmph, no way! Not until he asked for forgiveness!" Estelle crossed her arms and threw her face away.
Joshua sighed. "Please forgive me, Estelle..."
Estelle didn't reply. She just put Shizuku down on the ground gently before crossing her arms once more.
"I'll treat you to ice cream later."
The frown on her face quickly transformed into excitement. "That's better!"
"Geez... you two are being flirty so early in the morning. Please have mercy on me," Scherazard patted Joshua and Estelle's heads while lamenting her situation.
"Speak for yourself. Besides, didn't you come here mainly because of a certain-"
"Aaaah, I don't know what you are talking about!" The silver-haired woman quickly moved to shut Renne's mouth up. "I was asked by Aina, you know. Nothing more."
"Ah, right!" Estelle shouted in realization before she smugly smiled at Scherazard. "So it's because of that guy, huh?"
"Oh my, what is this? A love story for our Silver Streak?" Michel joined in on the fun.
"Geez... it's not like that, okay?!"
And now Scherazard sounded like how Estelle was usually. Joshua let out a small laugh.
"Oh yeah, speaking of... Shizuku, this is sort of my senior in being a Bracer and someone I consider my big sister, Schera," Estelle guided Shizuku towards Scherazard, intending to introduce them to each other. "Schera, this is Shizuku MacLaine, Arios' daughter."
"Is that so? Nice to meet you, Shizuku. I'm Scherazard Harvey, an A-rank Bracer. However, I'm still less experienced than your father."
"Nice to meet you, Miss Scherazard. I hope you take good care of my father," Shizuku bowed.
"What are you talking about? That should be my line! I'm still nothing compared to the Arios MacLaine," Scherazard softly patted her on the shoulder. "Oh, and just call me Schera, okay? Everyone does so."
After that, they settled for casual talks when the door suddenly opened with a bam.
"We're back!"
One Juna Crawford entered the guild with her usual entrance. Behind her was Agate. So they really trained together...
Joshua shared Scherazard's disbelief when Michel talked about Agate training with Juna. But to see it with his own eyes...
"Welcome back, Juna. Look who's here," Michel greeted and gestured at the Liberl's team.
Juna gasped.
"Estelle!" / "Juna!"
The pink-haired girl and the brown-haired girl ran towards each other, arms outstretched. However, before the two met, Juna raised her hand, stopping herself and Estelle in their tracks.
"Stop, stop! I just remember that I'm all sweaty after training, so..." Juna looked away in embarrassment.
"Oh, is that all? You should be proud of that instead of being embarrassed. That's proof of your progress!" Estelle quickly hugged Juna after she dismissed her concern. Juna responded with her own hug, and before long, the two jumped happily in the air, legs flailing in excitement.
"I miss you so much!"
"Me too!"
As the two were lost in the happiness of their reunion, Scherazard elbowed Agate. "It's unlike you to help someone train."
"Shut it, Scherazard. I just did it on a whim. It doesn't mean anything, got it?" Agate grumbled, to Scherazard's delight.
"Aww, be careful Tita, Juna's about to steal your man," Renne squeezed Tita's shoulder in comfort.
"R-Renne!"
"Still, now I understand when you guys said Juna is very much like Estelle," Scherazard remarked when observing the two passionate girls still jumping in each other's hug.
"You guys should've bash their heads together to see if their personalities would swap," Agate suggested out of nowhere. "Seriously, I've been here for almost a week, and it feels like Estelle's with me. Just... no Joshua, so she's even worse."
"Yeah, she's worse than Estelle. Our beloved Estelle at least rarely thinks. Juna thinks all the time, and that makes it harder for me to tease her," Renne agreed wisely.
After the two energetic girls spent their energies jumping around, they finally stopped and released themselves. "Whew. Thanks for that, Estelle."
"Don't worry, we girls should stick together."
Juna gasped. "Ah, right. There's still some time before the unveiling, so I need to go somewhere else. See you later, guys!"
She quickly ran towards the exit.
"Was she always like that?" Scherazard asked.
"Yes, that's our Juna," Michel replied with a laugh. "Full of energy no matter what."
"I see..."
"Anyway, let's get you guys settled as we wait for the Calvardian team."
Scherazard then went to the second floor to claim a free bed while Estelle and Joshua went to look for an inn.
30/08/1204 09:30
Celdic, Erebonia
"All passengers disembarking here in Celdic, please exit the platform via the bridge! I repeat, do not approach the rope barriers on platform 1! Passengers wishing to travel on the Transcontinental Railroad, please wait on platform 2!"
Group A had just got off the train at Celdic Station when they heard the announcement. To go to the Garrelia Fortress, they had to transit to Celdic and wait for the next train.
"What's going on here?" Jusis questioned when they disembarked from the train.
"All this security feels kind of ominous."
"It seems the Railway Military Police is guarding the opposite platform," Emma observed.
"Yeah. I wonder if-"
"Heehee. Well, isn't this quite the coincidence?" A voice cut them off. When Rean turned, Captain Claire approached them.
"Oooh, it's Claire! Did you come to see me?" Millium ran towards her fellow Ironblood.
"Just a coincidence, I'm afraid. Eisengraf will be passing through here soon, so this station's operating under heightened security," the Icy Maiden elaborated to Class VII. "Especially since..."
"Right. The ILF attack," Millium nodded in agreement.
"What? Millium, when did you hear about that?" Claire inquired.
"Well, our group might have talked with the informant Lechter wants," Millium grinned at the older woman.
Claire frowned. "Have you talked to Lechter about it? He's been trying to profile the informant that tipped him about the possible attack at the Garellia Fortress."
"Of course!" Millium gave a thumb.
Rean frowned. As he thought, Millium had blabbed about the SSS's Informant to the Intelligence Division. Thank Aidios Rean had warned the SSS's Informant about them.
30/08/1204 09:30
Crossbell City, Crossbell.
Juna greeted everyone on her way to the hospital. She hadn't visited them in a while and wanted to let everyone know that now she had an Enigma as a point of contact.
As she entered Central Square and turned towards Station Street, somebody called out to her. "Yo, SSS's Informant."
Juna stopped.
Nobody outside of the people inside the guild a few days ago should know about the alias she used to mask her identity when talking with the Erebonian's Class VII.
If somebody was calling out to her using that specific alias...
"Listen, you're hiding from the Erebonian Intelligence Division, am I correct? Then please forgive us, but you might be compromised. One of our class members is affiliated with the Intelligence Division, and she might have told her superior that you had predicted something would happen in Garrelia Fortress."
When she turned towards the voice, a red-haired man in a black formal suit lazily waved his arm.
She gasped.
"Nice to finally meet you."
Lechter Arundel of the Erebonian Intelligence Division greeted her with a grin.
A/N: Can't believe it's already 50 chapters long... I think this is officially my longest fic by chapter count and total fic length. Of course it has to be Trails of all fandom that I sunk so much time writing for. Very fitting. Anyway, when I reread the previous chapters, it's already been a year since the first reveal of the ILF attack by Juna back in chapter 34. Do you think the pace is too slow? Or is it still enjoyable?
Anyway, this chapter is technically a filler. I thought when I wrote the last chapter I could've just go straight to the unveiling, but it turned out that I made a miscalculation and edited the last chapter, but then I had to fill the time before the unveiling, so I thought why not write the Liberl team coming? Can't do that with the Calvard team since I don't know anyone except Zin so might as well. ...I didn't think it'd end up with a confrontation. Seriously, it only came when I wrote the Class VII section and think of the butterfly for the conversation. So here we are. What a precarious position you found yourself in, Juna.