Had a busy work month but I continued writing during it. Enjoy a mass release!
*
"Cough, cough...", I suddenly said, parting ways from Ennea. She kept a smile on her lips. I'd love to hear what she has done over the time we have not seen each other. Perhaps we'll have some time now to catch up. Not right away, obviously.
After all, not only are both Enforcer No. 0 and Ennea present, there is a new Enforcer I have yet to meet, and at the same time, an Anguis!
"Oh where are our manners? I do apologize for not having introduced ourselves earlier, Your Highness.", The woman said, remaining graceful. "You may call me Enforcer No. III, the Golden Butterfly. It would seem our Ennea has been under your care for quite some time."
After Enforcer No. III introduced herself to me, she jabbed the man beside him with her elbow.
"Right. Right.", The man said, motioning his arms upward, acting like he didn't care. "The name's Elroy Harwood. Unlike the Fool here, I am the Fourth Anguis of Ouroboros. As Isselee has mentioned, thank you for looking after one of our members. We've been...straggling, to say the least of it. A little organization that I left to fend for itself has begun to run rampant."
"Fantastic.", I replied, sighing again. "Let me guess. With what Campanella showed me, it's involving the new group you formed recently. The Gardens."
"You're quick on the uptake.", Harwood replied, smirking at me.
After that, I simply shook my head.
"Anyways, it is nice to meet you all, regardless of wanting to be a part of Ouroboros or not. It is well into the night now, but we still have some time to spare before calling it quits for the day. The least I can show you is some hospitality. I'm sure those inside won't mind.", I said.
"A nice and quiet evening, huh? I am not against it.", Campanella said. "I will need to hear your answer before the day passes, however."
"Sounds fun to me. That princess of yours must be inside, yeah?", Harwood asked.
"Darling, that's Her Highness to you. If you show any improper manners on such a fine evening, I will throw you out with the fishes.", The Golden Butterfly said. "Oh and by the way, calling me Golden Butterfly constantly is such a hassle. You can just call me Isselee like everyone else does, Your Highness."
"Yeah yeah, I hear you.", Harwood simply replied.
"This is all fine, considering I have now returned back to Master's side, but aren't we forgetting a little something?", Ennea suddenly said to everyone.
"Wait, don't tell me, there's more!?", I exclaimed after hearing Ennea say that. She smiled back at me.
"It's not like I sat by and did nothing, Master. I've new companions, and equally hold someone in high regard. You may come now, Ines.", Ennea stated.
Ines...? Ah.
"I take it this boy is the one you are now serving, Ennea.", The voice of another girl said, only to have yet a fourth magic circle appear on the veranda. It's getting quite cramped now...
This girl also seemed to be around Ennea's age. She was quite tall, and rather built. Her hair was long too. She was the image of a walking tank.
"Indeed he is, Ines. This is Master, my one and only savior. If it weren't for him, I likely would have rotted away in those caves. Given the attitude of my previous caretaker and all. You're way too lazy to jump into the thick of things. Oathbreaker.", Ennea continued, looking back at the unkempt man beside us.
"Oh you know me so well, Ennea. It truly touches me that you can remember my quirks, despite how long it has been since we've last seen each other. Just a tad shame you were stolen away from me. My heart is wounded~", Harwood replied, and grinned. "And just for the record, you being snagged away by the Cult has only recently come to my attention you see. I've been quite...preoccupied."
"Uh-huh. Apparently with some kind of revolt your other "children" are causing?", I retorted, squinting my eyes at Harwood.
"I'd like to call it a squabble. But it is enough to garner the attention of the Grandmaster. We can talk further inside.", Harwood said, shrugging his shoulders.
"We really are heading inside?", Ines asked, still doubtful. "Oh, and as Ennea has said, I am Ines, Your Highness. I've heard quite a tall tale about you from her. I am not sure how much she has told you already, but we are now part of what's called the Stahlritter. There is one more member currently a part of it, but unlike us, she is unfortunately away at the moment."
"The Stahlritter, is it? Nonetheless, a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for looking after Ennea during my absence.", I replied with a smile. Seeing me do this, Ines just looked back.
"...This boy's a dangerous one alright.", Ines uttered, and looked back at Ennea. "I fear the day Duvalie meets you. She should stay far away."
Duvalie, eh? The classic tsundere I hate all of you, but you just misunderstand me type of character. She's strong in her own right too. Duvalie the Swift, the last member of the Stahlritter. Seeing Ennea still calling me Master, it looks like I still hold one over the Steel Maiden. Score~
"Duvalie?", I decided to ask. Ennea giggled hearing this.
"Teehee. I can agree with you on that one, Ines. Duvalie's heart would go pitter-pat in no time flat should she meet Master.", Ennea said, giggling. "She's our newest sister of the Stahlritter. We work under another one of the Anguis, the Steel Maiden. But while that be the case, you needn't worry, Master. My heart is yours~"
Hearing Ennea say that in a teasing tone, I sighed again.
"Putting what Ennea said just now aside, I take it you two will be accompanying me with whatever Campanella and the Oathbreaker want to relay to me.", I said.
"Who knows. It will all depend on what you decide on, Your Highness.", Campanella replied.
"What the Fool said. Still, I don't think I ever recall telling you my actual title. You've done your homework on me.", Harwood said, smirking again.
"Take it as you will.", I said. "Anyway, we can't remain outside like this, let alone on our veranda no less. Come on in. Both Kloe and Angie know about you already, albeit the ties with Ouroboros...aren't all that familiar. Just don't wreck the place.", I continued, glancing back at the Fourth Anguis. His official title is The Oathbreaker. Amongst everyone, he's the least person you should trust. But at the same time, you can trust him completely. He will do whatever he wants, up until he decides the moment he wants to "break" said promise with you. AKA, breaking the oath. A snake through and through if I've seen one.
"Oh dear me. Why must you assume I always crash parties? I know how to go with the flow~", Harwood replied, grinning again.
"Hahaha!", Campanella replied, enjoying the spectacle. "After you, Your Highness."
At the same time, we all heard a knock from behind us. Sliding the window open slightly, Kloe popped her head out.
"Naoto, you've been out there for a while. Is everything alright---?", Kloe tried to ask, only to become shocked seeing several people beside me. Her eyes then fell upon the bluish, indigo-haired girl beside me. "...Ennea?"
Hearing that, Ennea smiled again.
"So you do remember me, Your Highness. I feel like it has been ages since we've last met.", Ennea happily said.
Kloe blinked her eyes, not expecting to encounter Ennea like this, let alone the rest of the people beside her. "I could almost say the same thing to you! Who are all these people, Naoto?", Kloe continued, looking back at me.
"Pardon me, Your Highness.", Harwood said, being the first to act. After finishing his cigar, he placed his hands inside his overcoat, and casually strutted inside. He ignored us outright. Go figure.
"Haha.", I replied, laughing. "It's a long story. They're...friends. And also some of Ennea's acquaintances. You remember Campanella back on that gigantic airship who was next to me at the time, right?"
"It is an honor.", Campanella said, grinning as he bowed at Kloe.
"...You really do know some weird people, Naoto. But yes, I do recall such a thing. If they're acquainted with you and Ennea, then they are welcome to come inside. Even if it's for just a little while. The night isn't over.". Kloe said.
"Then let us head inside. Do not tarry long, Ines. And I do apologize for darling's behavior just now. That's already his first strike of this fine evening.", The Golden Butterfly said, smiling at Kloe.
Nonetheless, on such a random evening, I had no idea several members of Ouroboros would suddenly pay us a visit in our own backyard. Even a couple members of the Stahlritter are accompanying them, Ennea included. At the very least, it sounds like Ennea is here to stay for good now. Which means I might get to have a little fun with some teasing later on~
I knew I couldn't do that now, however. Ouroboros has a mission for me. It was about time to find out what it is. It involves The Gardens. And I knew a couple characters in Trails who come from it. You even get to play as a couple of them in Reverie. How are they doing now with the whole timeline being early, I wonder?