This Gamer System of mine is seriously throwing me another function? Servants...
Sure enough, I had a quick look at my Status Window, and saw the new page there. My heart almost stopped the moment I saw what was on it.
[Servant List]
Sherryl Sky - Lv75
Ennea - Lv75
Randolph Orlando - Lv???
Am...I seeing this right? Sherryl and Ennea I get, but Randy's on this list too. I didn't play kind when the Red Constellation attacked the Osborne Villa. That was when I had my first life-and-death battle. In the end, it came to a draw. I didn't want to kill Randy then due to how pivotal he became to the SSS. And Randy didn't take any final blow on me. The Red Ogre even announced it as a draw. No winner was declared that fateful night. What they didn't know was that I had taken an extra step to ensure my own safety at the time.
Before it had turned into Child of the Progenitor, True Dhampir had triggered then. It ensnared Randy. No one could detect it. It went into the shadows this entire time, and didn't resurface.
Until now, that is. Randy being a Servant. It is forced, yes. I do not plan to make Randy do something he shouldn't do. I do not like to be that type of person. Only when my hand is forced, do I plan to act. Besides, it shows Randy's Level as unknown. It looks like he's been a busy bee, grinding his Level, haha! I do know this is the time he is set to succeed his father, the War God, AKA Baldur Orlando. This takes place in S1203. There's still around three-and-a-half years until that. In a way, it's reminiscent of the fight I had with Randy, but the War God and the Jaeger King both lose their lives after this clash.
The War God would then move into the beyond, while the Jaeger King "reincarnates" and becomes an Immortal, taking on one of the Divine Knights to take part in the latter half of Cold Steel's plot.
Honestly, Randy could become a very good rival, just like how I'm currently sizing up Crow to become one in the near future. He doesn't know that I had done this, and I'm going to let it stay that way. Randy has his own path to tread.
Still, I'll see where this Servant Lists goes. Will it expand in the future? I'm not sure. Perhaps I'll even obtain additional functions related to Servant List. We'll see.
For the time being, that wasn't the only thing I received from drinking Ennea's blood. I had received not one, but two Crafts! I was very interested in what they did, so I had a look at each one. This is also the first time I believe that I'm getting a Combination Craft. You see, this is another beauty of the Trailsverse. I'm sad that it ended with Zero/Azure, but you have access to Crafts that can be shared between two people. Combination Crafts. To think I'd get my first one!
[Combination Craft: Blazing Tempest]
Requirement: Ennea
Damage: 4S
Range: ALL
EP Cost: 30,000.
Cooldown: N/A
Ennea bends the winds themselves and locks all enemies with a distorted current. Shooting out rapidly, her arrows split and multiply in rapid succession. Naoto then dashes through the incoming storm, and ignites his blade into a blazing arc. Graceful and elegant. The two attacks strike in perfect synchronization, only to leave behind a blazing inferno around the battlefield, engulfing all targets in its wake. From there, a violent tempest whips outward, and leaves behind nothing but destruction.
Effect: Combines Naoto's and Ennea's DEX. If DEX > DEX of Target(s), deals Critical Hit onto all targets.
Effect: Cannot be dodged or avoided.
[Crimson Wings]
Type: Support
Range: Self
EP Cost: 10,000
Cooldown: N/A
Gamer Naoto unleashes bloody, crimson wings from his back at the cost of his own EP. Once formed, they become an extension of Gamer Naoto's body, and are susceptible to taking damage.
Effect: Grants Gamer Naoto the ability to fly. Duration: Infinite.
Did...I really just gained the ability to fly!?
My heart began to thump in excitement. I dropped everything right then and there, and activated this Craft.
[Ding! Gamer Naoto has used Craft: Crimson Wings. EP: 93,500/103,500.]
Wooosh!
"Eh?", Ennea asked, still feeling giddy from the sensation that lingered on her neck. She was in immediate view of me, and she couldn't even do anything else until she saw two large, dark-red wings spread open from my back. Even Ines was shocked once again. I paid the two no mind, and suddenly crouched down. Jump!
But this was no normal jump. These wings moved in a way as if it was always a part of me. They flapped, and continued flapping until I was in the sky. I made sure to keep my pace steady with the cloaked airship. I didn't want to give my position away. Ennea and Ines realized my position, I was no longer in front of them. I was now above them!
"Hahaha!", My voice suddenly yelled out, feeling free. I could now be seen swerving around the airship, matching the airship's speed. Two large, crimson wings could now be seen sticking out of my back, and were constantly aflutter. I could accelerate or slow down with ease. Seeing that I have received an ability to fly, I went ahead and tried it out right away.
I mean, who wouldn't in this scenario? It didn't take me long to get the hang of it either. If one looked closely, I had activated a thin barrier around my person. This blocks the wind from getting in my way, and so I wouldn't get blasted away. Thanks to that, the cloak I was wearing had its fluttering reduced considerably. While I was enjoying this newfound freedom, Ennea, back on the deck, quickly shook her shock aside, and watched on with a worried look in her eyes.
"Master, if you fall behind us, we won't come back for you!", Ennea exclaimed. Screeech!
As if a car had come to a sudden halt, my body stopped its movement. I smiled after, and laughed.
"Heh. Falling behind?", I responded, chuckling. Ennea just watched on, not expecting me to say that. Before she could say anything, I swerved underneath the airship, and re-appeared on the opposite side. Plop. With a quick loop, I had arrived back on deck, right beside Ines.
But I didn't land on the floor. I had remained midair. With a sudden flip of my body, my legs swung upward while my head pointed downward. I was now upside down, but still remained in the same position. It was as if I was now ignoring the wind altogether.
While Ines remained shocked, I inched my way toward Ennea. Her cloak came into view. Reaching my hand out, I parted some of her cloak, which revealed her clothes underneath. I positioned myself in a certain way that allowed me to catch a glimpse of a certain something.
"Blue, eh? Nice selection.", I said, and grinned.
Realizing what I had done, Ennea's cheeks turned red.
"M-Master...", Ennea uttered, blushing. "Is now really the time to do that?"
"Hahah!", I replied, and laughed louder this time. "I'm just showing what I can do. I can move around as I please. I don't think I will be "falling behind" anytime soon."
In response to that, I swiftly moved around again, landing upright this time.
The faint blue barrier around me continuously sparkled. It was then Ines regained her composure, only to see me off to the side. I was near the railing of the airship now. Seeing me completely still, Ines just looked at me. It looks like Ines was too shocked to realize that I had snuck a peek at Ennea's panties.
"...This is this Magic thing again, isn't it", Ines asked.
"Bingo~", I responded. "While these wings are considered a Craft, I'm applying Magic to my whole body to reduce the wind resistance around me. Because of that, I have a much easier time moving around. As long as I have Mana, I should be fine. We're not too far away from Roer now either, right?"
"Yes. We will be approaching Roer soon. I have requested the pilot to do a drop off on the Reinford Building. And that is the correct choice of words. ON. Not at. We'll be arriving on the building's rooftop. It'll give us a good vantage point, since it is the tallest building in all of Roer. Kreuger will likely be inside. With those eyes of yours, Master, spotting those incoming assassins will be easy.", Ennea said after she had regained her composure. She had recovered much of it, but a faint hint of red still appeared on her cheeks.
Was Ennea expecting more?
I quickly shook that thought aside. I smiled and laughed.
"Haha. That is true, Ennea. The eyes I possess can scope out the entire city. We needn't waste time searching every nook and cranny. It's almost a cheat code during times like this. This will be my first time meeting Kreuger too. She wasn't around when I was aboard the Glorious.", I said, proceeding to land back onto the deck. After that, I folded my arms.
Still, flying was a new sensation, to say the least. I didn't think I'd be able to fly through the clouds. It was like nothing was there.
Just like that, more time had passed by. I did a second test flight, keeping my distance square with Ouroboros's airship. Ennea came out again, and called out for me.
"Master, we'll be landing soon!", Ennea shouted.
"Got it.", I replied. My wings flapped rapidly. In one swoop, I landed on the deck. The crimson wings retracted back into my back.
The best part? It doesn't ruin my outfit! They just appear and vanish without creating any holes or tearing through the fabric. How cool is that?
Woooosh!
The airship tore through the clouds, and began its descent. It didn't take long for us to re-enter a safe zone. The land beneath us steadily came into view.
Leaning over the edge, I saw a huge industrious city slowly come into view. I've visited this place once, and passed through it on multiple occasions. The city's architecture is grand, and is on par with Zeiss, if not even more complex. I even saw its double-sided escalator. Such is the wonder of the modern age. Man, I'm glad I wasn't brought into a medieval-type world. The lack of technology would have been unbearable!
It was then I turned on Vermillion Eyes. A third color appeared inside my eyes. It was already a deep crimson and golden color. A mixture of red soon appeared. The entirety of Roer converged into a minimap.
[Ding! Gamer Naoto has activated Vermillion Eyes. You may now consume additional EP to peer into the future, and can discern truths from lies.]
[Ding! Gamer Naoto has opened his minimap.]
[Ding! Assigned Color Indicators:
Blue: Ally
Green: Neutral
Yellow: Parties of Interest
Red: Enemy
Purple: Strong Enemy
Black: Cryptids]
Before I could react, the minimap expanded, encompassing all of Roer. Many green dots appeared on it that I didn't care about. The local Bracer Guild had yellow dots. Further beyond to the north was the Rogner Estate. One blue dot could be seen inside its mansion, while several yellow dots patrolled about, likely the local Provincial Army. I am not sure if they will be alerted during this moment. As for that sole blue ally, it was of course, Marquis Rogner. While Angelica and I met him during our last visit, he changed sides, and became our ally. We'll see where this goes, but I'm expecting him to back out of that deal. Especially once the Civil War breaks out.
More yellow dots appeared inside the Reinford Group. Excluding the Bracer Guild and the Rogner Estate, this was the place I was interested in.
The Reinford Group. One of the largest manufacturers inside not only Erebonia, but the entire continent. They spearhead several known machines and appliances we know today, and that includes Orbments. If Liberl has the ZCF, then Erebonia has the Reinford Group. Likewise, Calvard has what is called the Verne Company. All three compete with each other trying to get the latest tech from the Epstein Foundation, or do their own research into their respective fields. And it isn't surprising, but each company is backed by one of the three famous disciples of Professor Epstein.
Professor Russell, Professor Schmidt and Professor Hamilton. This place is under Professor Schmidt's sphere of influence. That isn't why I am here tonight, though.
Unbeknownst to everyone, a night raid will soon take place. One they are not prepared for.
And that's where we step in~
So I disregarded all of the dots that didn't pertain to the Reinford Group. I zoomed in on the large building. It was as if it was a medieval castle. How ironic, considering we're already in the "modern" times when it comes to technology. Some people have weird tastes, I guess. After zooming in a ways, it was then I spotted them.
Several red dots. Cloaked figures, which were currently en route on one of Roer's byroads. But they weren't moving in. We're still early. They were moving toward the opposite way. Into the mountains of Ymir, likely spending some time to regroup before they launch their attack.
That meant we still had time.
I spent a moment observing one of the cloaked figures in particular.
It was the only purple dot on my entire map. This person seemed much more skilled than the other cloaked figures beside the person. It seemed to be a man. The strangest part? He was wearing a mask around his eyes, like a blindfold. He also had a gigantic powerful-looking broadsword equipped on his back
It was then the situation turned weird. This man rested against one of the trees, acting nonchalant. He had brown, messy hair, which was styled similarly to Crow's. This man started to look around, almost like he was trying to look for something. His head then shifted upward, and slowly shifted it toward us.
Just that alone sent a cold shiver down my spine. The man cracked a smile, and waved his hand, acting as if he had directly seen us, despite our position still being in the airspace above.
"How is it down below, Master? Have you spotted the assassins?", Ennea's voice called out to me, appearing beside me.
"You're not going to believe me, but the One of Swords spotted us. He knows our position. We've been compromised.", I stated.
"W-What!?", Ines called out, appearing shocked. Even she couldn't see anyone that far out into the mountains.
So that's how you're going to play, Ace Rayne? If you want the fight to come to you, I'll gladly accept!
In response to that, I saw the One of Swords raise his hand, giving a signal to his fellow assassins. In the next moment, they dispersed, and headed into the shadows. Unexpectedly, I heard a Gamer Notification follow suit, which made my gaze turn serious.
[Ding! A new Emergency Quest has been issued to Gamer Naoto!]
[Ding! A new Quest is now available: Rescue The Reinford Group's Heiress, Alisa Reinford!]
[Rescue The Reinford Group's Heiress, Alisa Reinford!]
Alisa Reinford, the Reinford Group's Heiress and sole daughter to the entire enterprise, has been targeted for unknown reasons, likely as a result of the past of one of her current subordinates, Sharon, AKA Kreuger. You must protect Alisa Reinford in the allotted time to complete this Quest.
Task 1: Protect Alisa Reinford (0/1).
Task 2: Protect Maid Sharon (0/1).
Task 3: Kill the Garden of Sword assassins (0/30).
Task 4: Drive back or kill the One of Swords (0/1).
Reward:
1 Master Quartz Box (Selectable. Range: Azure to Reverie.)
5 Levels
Favorability unlocked with Alisa Reinford and Sharon.
Duration: Until Dawn.
I don't recall this ever happening...