Meanwhile, as Naoto enjoyed some company inside his bath with his servant slash girlfriend who finally arrived back home after being away for quite some time, Ennea, a different scene could be seen taking place around the same time.
At an undisclosed location inside Western Erebonia...
A vast, dense forest could be seen that stretched onward for miles and miles, seemingly without end. It was packed with trees, making it very easy to get lost in. What's more, a type of certain, magical place rested deep within.
This was the Isthmia Great Forest. The only time this area becomes playable is during the latter half of Cold Steel's story, during Cold Steel III and IV. Not only did it provide a safe haven to those blissfully unaware of what existed within the forests' depths, it also acted as a prime training ground, contrary to the Languedoc Canyon the Jaeger Corp, Zephyr, often likes to use as one of their own training grounds to bolster their members.
Inside Isthmia Great Forest, two figures could be seen amongst its sea of trees. This layout also was similar to Languedoc Canyon, as there were several overarching paths. If one doesn't look closely where they walk, they could easily fall down. From such a height, it would lead to their untimely death. This place wasn't a park to stroll around in. That also meant the monsters here were powerful too. With Isthmia Great Forest resting atop a giant Spirit Vein, even Crytpids are known to make an appearance here every so often. Most of the time, they're handled by Witches who want practical experience, but not this time.
Despite this place being a maze of trees and dangerous paths, that didn't seem to bother the two figures a single bit. One of them appeared to be dressed in silver-plated armor who had braided brown hair. It was a girl who had just turned sixteen this year. She presently wielded a large one-handed sword, and a silver-plated shield in her other hand. The shield itself had a blue gem embedded in its center.
Next to this girl was a plum-haired girl, who had likewise, turned twelve this year. Contrary to her last appearance, a look of resolution could be seen in the girl's eyes. This passage of time wasn't so easy on her breasts either. They had gone up in size. Even with that, the girl moved around with ease, positioning herself behind the first figure who was equivalent to a knight. She, unlike the other girl, wielded a staff. A large orbal sniper rifle that was much larger than her own figure also was being carried around effortlessly on her back.
These two girls weren't alone either. A small black cat with a blue ribbon tied on its tail could be seen lurking around next to them, sensing any danger that might befall the two girls. A moment passed in silence like this, and the hairs on the cat's back shot upward. It looks like this trio wasn't alone.
All of a sudden, several ring-shaped monsters appeared before them. Most of their bodies were kept underground, but they had the appearance of purple-skinned worms. One wouldn't think of encountering these particular worms here inside Isthmia Great Forest of all places, but perhaps it was the work of the active Spirit Vein. On the outside, if one attacks these worms one by one, they don't pose much of a threat. But once they get targeted collectively as a group, that's when these worms show how fierce they can be. For they are the almighty Abyss Worms. A Trails classic.
Testing the waters, the two girls did strike more than one at a time, but this wasn't the games. Using their speed, they swiftly dodged the powerful quakes that rattled the ground around them. The knightly girl even managed to jump onto a nearby tree, avoiding the attack altogether. As for the black cat, it was off to the side, and spoke out in English. That's right, this cat knew how to speak the human language.
"Now's your chance, Emma, Duvalie! These worms are now in their cooldown. Launch an attack before they send out another wave. I'm not sure if we can dodge them so easily next time!", The cat said, only to suddenly have a blue magic-like glow appear on her body. Even as a cat, it was casting arts. Who else could this cat be but Celine?
"Hmph. We don't need another chance. These worms are as good as dead.", The silver-plated girl responded with a snort. Following that, a streak of purple lightning began to encompass her sword. This girl is Duvalie, the very same person that Ennea mentioned as being part of the Stahlritter!
"Yes. I do feel victory is at hand. One more round isn't needed.", The plum-haired girl said. Of course, she was Emma Millstein. A year ago, she parted ways from Naoto all thanks to the resolve she had reached on her own. She wanted to continue training, without Naoto's influence from the Gamer System. Before Emma realized it, an entire year had passed by in a blink of an eye.
But it was clear Emma no longer seemed to be alone on her journey. By some twist of fate, she matched up with Duvalie of all people. After Emma said that, she raised her staff up high. A blue, magic circle appeared around her feet. If one had a close look at these Abyss Worms, the battle was actually already underway. Each one had taken quite a bit of damage shortly after they arrived.
Following Emma's attack, Duvalie suddenly vanished. She dashed straight ahead like lightning, and appeared right into the heart of the Abyss Worms.
"Storm Brand!", Duvalie exclaimed, initiating one of her Crafts. She brandished her sword, and rapidly swung it around, striking each worm consecutively. Doing it this way prevents the Abyss Worms from unleashing their nasty earthquakes. With each hit landing, sparks flew out around them. Bzzzt. Each one surprisingly received the Paralyze Status Effect. This was one beauty of the Trailsverse. It had many Status Effects one could apply!
With the Abyss Worms now paralyzed, they were unable to move from their current positions. On top of that, this Status Effect halts their current action, so they couldn't even strike back at Duvalie and Emma. It was now Emma decided to launch her attack. It wasn't a magic spell this time. It was an Art!
"Aerial!", Emma exclaimed, unleashing her own Combat Orbment. That's right, Emma now has a Generation III Combat Orbment. Not only did Naoto have one customized for Kloe as part of last year's birthday celebration, he also had one handcrafted for Emma. She's going to be assisting him in the Vermillion Trials to come, so while she has been improving her magic and her own foundations, she has also learned how to use Arts. Emma is now much similar to Naoto in that regard, being able to use different combat styles.
Naoto's dominant elements are Fire and Water, while also dabbling in a little bit of Space. Emma is primarily dominant in Mirage, while also dabbling in Fire. She knows how to play mind games a lot with her enemies, even going as far as casting illusion-type Spells, so Emma being used to the Mirage element makes sense. That doesn't mean people aren't tied to elements they can't use. Just about anyone can cast any sort of Art, as long as one meets the requirement for it.
The initial glow changed to green, and a huge whirlwind suddenly whipped up from the ground around the Abyss Worms. Kush kush kush kush!
Each blast of Aerial struck the Abyss Worms. Not only was it an AoE Art, it inflicted several hits in succession. While the Abyss Worms were stuck in the middle of an attack, the cat, who was several steps behind Emma and Duvalie, suddenly shouted as well. It was Celine, of course. On top of being able to cast incantations and assist Emma, she also knows how to cast Arts. Unlike Emma's element however, Celine is primarily Fire.
"Nice strike, Emma! I'm about to launch mine next. Avoid the blast zone, Duvalie!", Celine shouted. The glow around her began to turn a fiery-red.
"Already on it.", Duvalie shouted. After ending her Storm Brand, she got out of the way of Emma's Aerial. She was now a safe distance away, allowing Celine to strike.
"Flare Butterfly!", Celine exclaimed. She, likewise, also has a Generation III Combat Orbment now. The fiery-red swirls condensed into tiny little butterflies. Each one shot out at the Abyss Worms. The wind continued to whip around them. With the fiery butterflies joining, it turned into a literal inferno. BOOOOM!
A large inferno erupted before them, inflicting major damage. Two Arts were successfully cast in succession. Now that Duvalie was outside of the attack radius, she grinned, seeing the Abyss Worms getting burnt to a crisp while at the same time, unable to move. The leaves around them also got whipped up, which only fanned the flames. After the initial explosion, the fiery butterflies began to detonate one by one. Boom! Boom! Boom!
Just with this force alone, the Abyss Worms stood no chance against this Party. All that remained for them was death. The Abyss Worms soon fell, and vanished back into the abyss. This wasn't a turn-based game. Unleashing combo attacks did wonders here.
"Heh. Now that's what I call a job well done. I didn't think you two could keep up with me. Your foundations are solid, Emma.", Duvalie said, revealing a rare smile. She normally had a serious look on her face most of the time. Seeing no more hostile monsters nearby, Emma nodded, and arrived beside Duvalie.
"Thank you for the praise, Duvalie. It's been nice being able to fight alongside you like this.", Emma said, smiling at Duvalie while accepting her praise. Enough time passed, allowing Emma to catch her breath.
"There is no need to thank me. We're both doing this to grow stronger. If anything, you should thank that Master of yours. I did not anticipate for her to be an acquaintance of My Lord's.", Duvalie said, containing a hint of pride in her voice.
"Hehe. I guess in a way, we are more alike than you might think.", Emma happily replied. "Still, while there is no imminent threat, we should rest our stamina while we can. We're quite deep in this forest now. It's riddled with monsters. We might even come across a Cryptid. Those worms were just icing on the cake.", Emma continued.
"You're right, Emma. Still, you did cast that Art well. Good job you two.", Celine said, casually walking up to the two. "And you don't know what may lurk further within. It could very well be what Emma said. Plus, we don't have those prince's eyes. We're on our own.", Celine continued.
"But this is exactly what I want. I've gotten stronger, and I will continue to grow stronger. I don't like relying on someone else if I know I can tackle it on my own.", Emma said, eyes looking firm.
"Well put. Take hold of that strength. We'll need it, and we're making good progress.", Duvalie said. The three knew they were in a small respite, so they took to a nearby tree, and decided to rest.
As the three began to rest, a different scene could be seen taking place further in the distance. The girls were not alone, as one expected them to be. Toward a sole tree that towered over others, which provided a good vantage point of the entire forest, a knight clad in full-plated armor could be seen, standing atop one of its branches. It was hard to tell whether they were male or female, as they hid their face away behind a helmet. But with the slenderness of their body, and their lush, golden hair that flowed downward their back, one could easily assume this was a woman. They displayed no emotion in their eyes as they observed the girls from afar.
"So you really were here, Lianne.", A second voice called out, only to have a red magic circle appear beside the armored knight. This time, a golden-blonde haired girl appeared, staff in hand. The very same staff wielder who is known for wielding the Crimson Staff. Who else could this be but Roselia?
"How many times do I need to tell you that I no longer go by, Rose?", The knight responded. Sure enough, it was a woman's voice. For she is none other than Arianrhod, who has crossed paths with Naoto more than once. She has even broken through new heights of her strength. A feat she didn't would be possible, considering she's already been at her peak for decades. Courtesy of the Gamer system.
"Hmph. Even so, you can't suddenly change the past. You'll always be Lianne to me, no matter how much time passes.", Roselia grinned, looking at the knight, who was as still as water. "And I dare say, when has it been since we last crossed paths like this?"
"If you ignore what happened a decade ago, then our last encounter would have been during the War of the Lions. It has indeed been quite some time. Rose.", Arianrhod answered.
"And you seem to have not changed a day. But I can say about the same for me in that regard. We're both "Immortal", in that sense.", Roselia said, and sighed.
"I will leave that up to your imagination.", Arianrhod simply said.
"Haha! It looks like you even benefited from my disciple. You're stronger.", Roselia said, complimenting Arianrhod's newfound strength. "And it looks like your newest disciple is holding up well. To think the once famed Lance Maiden would once again take up honor, and create a new Order. What's it called this time?"
"They are the Stahlritter. Duvalie is not the only member. Times have changed, Rose. I am simply doing what must be done. It will be up to my children to prove their worth. Disregarding the actions of His Highness, your other disciple shows much resolution in her eyes. What she has accomplished thus far is by no means simple. It does make you ponder how she arrived at that.", Arianrhod responded.
"I would actually like to know that answer myself. I wasn't around when Naoto assisted you either. Something about breaking your limits?", Roselia asked with interest.
"Indeed. It was an experience, to say the least. Being able to influence the world around us as if His Highness was a walking Spirit Vein isn't power to be underestimated. From what I could understand, it seems to happen randomly.", Arianrhod responded.
"Is that right?", Roselia said, smiling at Arianrhod. 'If only you knew the full scope of what Naoto can do, and where he came from...', Roselia thought to herself, before quickly shaking that thought away. Only Roselia knew of Naoto's true existence. Being a reincarnator from a different world. And that is what places Naoto in a different light to Arianrhod. Arianrhod is classified as a reincarnator, but within the same world. She was revived, and became the Steel Maiden. Naoto, on the other hand, completely shifted from world to world. He is much more of a 'Reincarnator' than Arianrhod is.
After Roselia shook that thought aside, she spoke again.
"Anyway, I merely came here to check up on Emma's training. It's been progressing well. She might even finish early, allowing me to pick Emma up for the boy to start his trial. Or perhaps I won't even need to intervene, allowing Emma to wander back to Liberl on her own.", Roselia said. "I can't be here long."
"Must you go so soon?", Arianrhod decided to ask.
"Unfortunately.", Roselia said, sighing. "There's....a rather complex incantation that I'm putting the final touches on for the boy's request. It will be used soon, so I need to stay inside the village until the incantation is finished."
"I see. Well, you know how to reach me. It was nice to see you again, Rose. No matter how much time passes, we both are cursed in such a way that we have to deal with it.", Arianrhod replied.
"Haha. Well put. I'll see you around, Lianne.", Roselia said, smiling. She then vanished from the tree branch as quickly as she had arrived here.
"I am no longer Lianne though...", Arianrhod uttered to herself, seeing that she was alone now, and sighed. "Still, consider this your favor paid, Your Highness. Your friend will be ready for the Vermillion Trials.", Arianrhod continued. Underneath her helmet, a faint smile appeared on her lips.