Unbeknownst to us, another scene could be seen taking place beyond the outskirts of Crossbell City while Emma and I began to recount our events to Grandmother and Kloe.
Further to the north of Crossbell City, a large, gated workshop could be seen smack dab in the middle of nowhere. One could find this place if they ventured off to the right path after leaving a beautiful waterfall passage, which connected Crossbell City to the eventual Mainz Village. A place that offered a plethora of different elemental Septium mined throughout the years. It was one of Crossbell City's primary resource facilities. Here at this weird-looking studio, on the other hand, acted out of place. Unless one held a purpose here, they would be greeted with silence.
After all, this studio belonged to one of the most famous doll makers in all of Zemuria.
The Rosenberg Studio.
Its Meister, who went by the name Joerg Rosenberg, did not take on requests willy-nilly. He only took on whatever tickled his fancy. Most of the time, he would coop up inside this studio, tinkering away at whatever he wanted to. On top of that, only those who were given special requests could even enter this place.
That is...unless one is already acquainted with Joerg.
On the outside, the Rosenberg Studio handcrafted exquisite dolls that were off the charts as to how fancy and realistic they are. Each one produced here appeared human-like, and were sold off either on black market auctions, or auctions that targeted the high-class system. Nobles all around the continent would participate in them, with each one fetching millions and millions of Mira. With the introduction of the Orbal Revolution, Rosenberg Studio has even begun to produce products like self-moving automatons. Only for his personal use for the time being.
Still, this place held away secrets that weren't quite...known to the public.
Rosenberg Studio was hailed as one of the Thirteen Factories, one that cooperated in full secrecy with Ouroboros.
Presently, one particular event could be seen taking place deep within the Rosenberg Studio, which was a complex, high-tech labyrinth. If one didn't know where they were looking for here, it was easy to get lost with no way out.
Within a single room...
Various types of equipment could be seen scattered around, which contained large empty canisters. Toward the room's door off to the left, a single, upholstered chair, which had several orbal monitors currently placed around it further up. This setup appeared quite modern, even though equipment like orbal monitors or orbal laptops were still new. Not many have started circulating the marketplace yet, but it was a full-blown setup here. A certain, freckled boy would be jealous if he saw this...
A young, purple-haired girl with a deadly-looking scythe placed nearby could currently be seen sitting in this chair, happily typing away at the setup before her. She currently wore a frilly purple-white dress. Her hair was of a similar shade to a particular violet-haired boy's, but her hair was more vibrant.
Many moving images could be seen covering different areas. One monitor displayed a giant white castle with little specks on it. Those black specks were people who moved out and about.
On another monitor, it displayed a black-haired boy and an ash-blonde haired man going into a cave, ready and armed. The black-haired boy was equipped with two daggers at his waist, while the man had an otherworldly-looking sword.
Despite such ongoing scenes, the violet-haired girl let out a giggle, maneuvering the orbal tech before her with ease.
"Hehehe. The Professor's Astral Code is working like a charm. I can't believe we can already observe like this from so far away.", The girl happily said to herself while humming a soft tune. Matching her typing was her eyes, which darted around the screens.
After looking at the image with the dark-looking cave on it, the girl's eyes wandered back to the white castle. She saw a violet-haired boy dressed in regal clothing standing in front of it with its castle doors wide open. Several people could be seen beside him.
"It looks like Naoto has safely returned from his trip. I am glad nothing out of the ordinary happened.", The girl happily said. She then looked back toward the other screen. "And Joshua and Loewe are still clearing out the lodges of those bastards. Not many remain. I'm sure those cops will be pleased we've been assisting that Extermination from the shadows. It's what we're good at."
As the girl continued to type away while observing the ongoing scenes before her, she soon heard the sound of a door hissing open not too far away. An aged man walked in, who had a decent-sized white beard.
"Oya? And here I thought you would have made your return to Liberl already, Renne. Didn't you want to surprise the Crown Prince with how far you have progressed?", The man said while he rubbed his beard. He was carrying a couple of shopping bags, likely having finished some grocery shopping. But if one had a close look, they weren't groceries. They were parts of various electrical equipment he lacked in his studio. A smile bloomed on the girl's lips seeing the man arrive.
"Well if it isn't the Meister. I see you've accomplished what you wanted to buy in the city. It's rare to see you go outside of your comfort zone. You're always cooped up in here.", The girl replied, who was named Renne. That's right, this girl was the very same girl Naoto had rescued on Nemeth Island, joining the group of escaped children who fled with him while he was off the radar.
Unlike the other people inside the group, Naoto had tasked Renne to grow within Ouroboros in hopes to join the seats of the Enforcers. Before Renne realized it, time passed by. Along the way, she had come across several interesting individuals. This old man is one of them. It's rare for anyone to get acquainted with Zemuria's renown doll maker.
"Hmph. You say that, but you're the one who has been cooped up here all day. It's nice to get some fresh air every once in a while. Especially you, Renne. You're still a young brat.", The man said, scoffing.
"Now that's where you're wrong, Meister. I have the freedom to leave this place whenever I so please. I have become Ouroboros's newest Enforcer, after all. Besides, Liberl is now in a state of peace. It might present us with an opportunity to strike soon.", Renna happily replied.
The man shook his head with a defeated sigh after hearing that.
"I took one look off of you and those snakes went ahead and turned you into an Enforcer. Those bastards sure are something.", The man said, and sighed. Renne giggled again.
"Hehe, I had to. That so-called Crown Prince you brought up just so happened to task me with that mission. I can't wait to deliver the news to Naoto!", Renne exclaimed. "And now, we'll even be able to spend more time together."
After Renne said that, she finished her typing. The monitors still displayed the ongoing events as Renne walked away from the chair. A smile still hung on her lips, looking at the man.
"And I can't wait to show Naoto the new friend I've made! I'm sure our other friends will be shocked to see him too.", Renne giggled. After Renne said that, she walked past the man, and made her way toward the other end of the large room the two were in.
This area of the room was a stark contrast to the other side. It was almost as if it were a hangar. Seeing Renne walk past him, the man looked on. A weird gaze appeared in his eyes.
"Your other friends...", The man uttered. "I take it those are the other escaped children who successfully fled with you and His Highness. I still can't fathom why Liberl's Crown Prince would do such a thing, and willingly. Why am I under the impression that the actions he took feel intentional?"
"That's because they were?", Renne replied. She tilted her head a bit, appearing confused. She then turned around to look at the man. "I mean, it wasn't exactly obvious, but Naoto went into those lodges knowing what he wanted to do. I could have very well died then, but that didn't happen. It let me meet a ton of new friends instead!"
"You're...telling me His Highness willingly went into those lodges? Is he right in the head?", The man asked, and frowned.
"Uh-huh. That's because Naoto knew what he was doing! Only an idiot would go inside such a place where only death awaits you. And well, this is the result you see, Meister. All's well that ends well, right?", Renne happily asked.
"That's putting it lightly...One wrong move and you could have ended down a very different path, Renne. And those friends of yours. What were their names again?", The man asked.
"There's Ennea, Van, Sherryl, Tio, and Quatre!", Renne answered. "And me, of course. You can't leave out the best part."
"Oh! And how can I forget? It's not just them, but you too, Pater-Mater!", Renne happily continued.
Around the hangar, Renne saw a long catwalk further up in the room, allowing enough room to walk on it. This hangar wasn't empty either. A large, humanoid doll of sorts could be seen standing behind it soaring up tens of feet tall. Many large cables are currently attached to it, feeding it lots of orbal energy. In its current state, it seemed as if it was already operational. Another smile bloomed on Renne's face as she arrived in front of this giant doll. It was fully armored too.
"Isn't this just great, Pater-Mater? You'll be able to meet Naoto soon.", Renne continued. A look of excitement appeared in her eyes as the giant doll stood motionlessly before her.
For a normal reaction, one wouldn't expect anything to happen. But that wasn't the case here. In the next moment, the eyes of the giant doll suddenly lit up, and released a low-pitched hum. It was as if the giant doll acknowledged Renne's words. Renne's eyes lit up again seeing Pater-Mater react like this, the giant doll's name.
"Oh dear. You went ahead and already gave this doll a name while I wasn't looking. The name Pater-Mater doesn't sound half-bad.", The man replied.
"Right? I did have another name in mind, but I chose Pater-Mater in the end. I don't care that it was the Professor who was the one who made him. Pater-Mater is the one who chose me out of all those other kids.", Renna answered. "You're still putting on the finishing touches, right, Meister?"
"For the time being. While Pater-Mater might be operational, his specs are not yet aligned with what I have planned. I should be done before the end of the year.", The man replied. That's right, this man is none other than the famous doll maker known throughout the continent. Joerg Rosenberg, the owner of this studio.
It was then the door near them hissed open a second time, only to reveal a third voice.
"Haha, isn't this some good news?", A third voice said. Upon entering the room, this person seemed to be even older than Joerg. He went by the moniker The Professor, and was none other than one of the Anguis of Ouroboros. The sixth Anguis, to be exact. Seeing Pater-Mater react to Renne as easily as breathing air, the man's eyes sparkled like he was going out on a field trip.
"Oooh! This Gordias-class Archaism is built at last! It's everything I imagined it to be! Excellent work, Joerg.", The Professor happily said.
"Hmph. You're the last person on this continent I want to receive thanks from. Just so we're clear, I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing this for Renne. All you snakes are good at doing is feeding my bank account for the next decade. Thanks to that, I can solely focus on my work.", Joerg replied, and scoffed.
"Welcome back, Professor. You just missed it. Pater-Mater reacted to me!", Renne said, smiling at the man. "I can't wait to take him out for a spin."
Hearing that, the Professor paused and looked at the violet-haired girl before him. He cupped his chin with one of his hands.
"Pater-Mater? I take it that's the name you gave this Archaism. And to think it's already reacting to you. As expected of my genius. Hahaha!", The Professor laughed. "And here I was worried. It has not shown much of a sign since you ran its initial tests. This is the best news I've heard all year!"
Despite The Professor saying that, anger appeared in Renne's eyes.
"Pater-Mater is not an "It", Professor. Pater-Mater is a "He!".", Renne exclaimed back, angry. "He's the second-most important person to me now. Joshua and Loewe are still important to me, but they don't hold a candle to Pater-Mater."
"Only you would call an Archaism a person, Renne...", Joerg uttered, and sighed after he heard that.
"Ahh...", The Professor said, acting as if a light bulb lit up inside his head. "I think I know who you are referring to, No. XV. That so-called savior of yours. Liberl's Crown Prince? He's been on Ouroboros's radar as of late. The Grandmaster left him the fourth seat of the Enforcers, but it looks like he has not officially joined our organization yet."
"Oh I'm sure Naoto will join us in due time. He's quite free now.", Renne happily replied.
"Is that right?", The Professor mused, wondering if that truly was going to be the case or not. "Oh, but where are my manners? I wasn't the only one who came here on such a fine day. Why don't you come in now?"
"Eh?", Renne asked, surprised to hear that.
"Someone is crazy enough to follow the likes of you?", Joerg also asked with his eyebrows raised. "You aren't forcing them, are you?"
"Oh please, Joerg. This person came here completely by their own will! Show some respect, will you? We are in no position to bicker.", The Professor responded. His response caused even more confusion in Joerg's eyes.
"This is the one, I take it?", A fourth voice called out, striking their ears. Before the three could say anything else, they saw a green-haired girl walk into the room, who seemed to be around Renne's age. But that was far from being the case. For one, this girl is none other than a homunculus who has been alive in secrecy for roughly five-hundred years.
Just like making an appearance in North Ambria earlier in the year, this girl somehow arrived at Rosenberg Studio, alongside The Professor. She is KeA, the Zero Child. Her intentions still remain unclear.
"It is. I apologize for getting wrapped up in the moment, Lady KeA. What you see before you is a technological wonder! Behold, the latest entry in the Gordias-class series of Archaisms. Courtesy of yours truly. With a little bit of help.", The Professor explained, seeing KeA arrive beside him.
"Who is this?", Renne asked, observing the green-haired girl before her. All the girl did was smile back. As for Joerg, on the other hand, his expression turned serious.
"It is ever so nice to meet you, Renne. With The Professor's guidance, I have been shown the state of the Thirteen Factories. This is our latest stop.", KeA said, introducing herself.
"It sure is. The Meister here is one of Zemuria's top-notch engineers, and is one of our collaborators. He assisted in The Gordias-class Project you see before you. I think the two of you will be able to get along quite nicely.", The Professor responded.
Meister Joerg didn't immediately respond. The seriousness in his eyes soon shifted to anger. He slowly approached The Professor, and tightly gripped onto the hems of his lab coat. In this burst of anger, he even raised The Professor off the ground.
"What in Gehenna's name did you do this time, Novartis!? I do not feel any form of life from her!", Joerg exclaimed in anger.
"Me? I did nothing, Meister. On the contrary. Lady KeA here is the epitome of life itself! A lowly being like you wouldn't even begin to understand her machinations.", The Professor replied, scoffing at him. "Still, I suppose it is right to let you revel in this newfound knowledge, even to a plebian like you. Listen well...", The Professor continued, and began to explain KeA's situation.
Renne simply watched on with a curious look in her eyes. She had no idea she would encounter such a girl here, in Rosenberg Studio no less. At the same time, Naoto didn't know that a hidden current began to flow. KeA seems to be awake and moving around Zemuria, when she is supposed to be fast asleep inside The Cradle back in the Sun Fort...