"You don't mind if I take a moment to do this, do you?", I asked, looking back at Klaus. He simply shook his head and smiled.
"Of course not, Your Excellency. Please go ahead. I shall hold onto your emblem. Once you are ready, we will depart to see Master.", Klaus said, and bowed again. Toval didn't expect Klaus to do this, so he did another check and looked at me once more.
"Who did you say you were again?", Toval asked, still doubtful as he asked the same question Laura just did. I disregarded his question and just smiled back.
"Come now.", I said, ignoring Toval's question. Laura just stood by Klaus seeing me urge Toval back into the Bracer Guild. After her initial stupor, Laura went into her thoughts as she saw the two of us head inside the building.
'Did Klaus really just call this guy 'His Excellency'...?', Laura thought to herself. It isn't just anyone who can be addressed by that title. Even her own father isn't called as such. Victor Arseid is not a Duke, only a Viscount.
Klaus only smiled seeing the two of us vanish from sight, likely guessing what Laura was presently thinking. He then shrugged his shoulders. He knew it was not his place to butt in. A moment later, from the inside, the figure standing near the reception desk just blinked his eyes, seeing the door open again so quickly. It seemed to be a man. He couldn't even go through his remaining stack of papers before calling it quits for the day.
"Please don't tell me you forgot about the monster's detail of the request you picked up already, Toval---?", The man tried to ask, only to realize Toval wasn't alone. He spotted a violet-haired boy with him.
"'Fraid not. This guy here wants to use the guild phone.", Toval said, pointing my way. Standing beside Toval allowed me to get a good look at the man behind the receptionist desk. This should be Guild Receptionist Miles, if I recall? I simply saw Miles observing me for a moment.
"A phone call? You realize we're only connected to secure lines, right?", Miles asked me.
"That's the plan. I happen to have an acquaintance at another branch, you see.", I briefly explained, and greeted Miles. Now that I think about where it is in the present timeline, didn't Toval work with Ein for a little while in Alster? That was a big plot point in the Carnelia book series. I wonder if it has taken place already. While it is fiction, it was based on real events.
Sadly, we couldn't even speak before we heard a fourth voice called out, seemingly from within my cloak. Oi, when did you get in there?
"Phew. Is it time to come out again?", Tamamo spoke out, only to see a small head poke out with pointy and bushy ears. From there, Tamamo did a swift motion, and jumped out, landing directly on the reception desk. Miles just stared on in shock as Tamamo stretched out her body. Her six tails drooped downward before me.
"The hell?", Toval cursed, seeing a silvery-white fox now in front of him. Just taking a moment to observe Tamamo's mannerisms. He felt no hostility either, which only made Miles more bewildered.
"This...isn't a monster, is it?", Miles asked, still doubtful. Before I could answer him, I heard Tamamo scoff at Miles.
"Hmph. Don't you dare classify me as the same as those brutes. I am no monster. I am Tama!", Tamamo replied, feeling a hint of anger. At the same time, she yawned, letting her body stretch out even more.
"Fantastic. So you're a talking fox. Not the craziest shit I've seen, but it's up there.", Toval retorted, quickly coming to the conclusion that he didn't want to ask any further about it. He simply shrugged his shoulders, and cast the topic aside. That's one reason I like Toval. His attitude is very easygoing, and he knows when to get serious when it's time to do so. Thanks to that, I'm sure he has a lot of connections both within and outside of the Bracer Guild. On top of Toval's active life as a Bracer, he used to be a smuggler and informant too. He's seen both the good, and the bad.
"That's right, I always forget that you've been in cahoots with the Church before becoming a Bracer here, Toval. I'm sure you've seen things that can't be explained.", Miles said, letting out a sigh while shaking his head. "But it is good to meet you nonetheless...even if you are a fox?"
"Now that's more like it! You're much more sensible than this bumpkin is.", Tamamo replied.
"Did I seriously just get reprimanded by a talking fox?", Toval uttered, still in disbelief. And yet, before the two could even react further, I ignored the ongoing conversation and proceeded directly behind the counter where the orbal phone was. It took a second to realize what I just did before Miles's eyes turned wide-eyed.
"H-Hey! I didn't say it was okay for you to use it yet!", Miles exclaimed, immediately recovering from his surprise earlier. By then, I was already at the point. I simply raised my finger at him and let the phone do its thing. It didn't take long for the phone to dial, and ring. I wanted to call another branch, which was only available to use here at the Bracer Guild, at least while on a secured line.
With Miles still next to me, I saw him raise his eyebrows the moment a familiar voice spoke out. The orbal phone was over my ear by now, but it was still loud enough to hear the voice.
"This is the Grancel Branch line, Elnan speaking.", Elnan's voice spoke out into my ear. Miles became surprised again once the voice came through.
'That's Elnan's voice...', Miles thought. His initial surprise soon turned into a serious gaze. The boy before him was acquainted with Elnan?
"Yo, Elnan. It's been a hot minute, hasn't it?" I said into the orbal phone. It didn't even take a second before I heard the line on the other end go dead for a good moment. I wasn't there to see the reaction, obviously. I'm now in Legram, but it would definitely have been nice to see it. I then heard a hurried sound, acting as if they were trying to recollect himself.
"...This isn't who I think it is, is it?", Elnan paused for a moment, before deciding to ask.
"What do you think?", I shot back. A grin appeared on my face while I heard a long-stretched sigh from the other end. Sure enough, Elnan was able to confirm it was me.
"I know a message hasn't been released out into the public, but Her Majesty managed to notify us at the Bracer Guild ahead of time. Do you realize how big a mess you stirred up?", Elnan questioned. "And why are you calling from another Branch, Your Highness!?"
'Did Elnan just address this boy as 'Your Highness?', Miles thought to himself.
"That is exactly why I am reaching out to you, Elnan. Schera should be around, yeah?", I decided to ask while ignoring Elnan's complaint.
"Hah...", Elnan replied, letting out even a bigger sigh this time. I acted like nothing happened that took place a week ago. At the very least, it does look like something has taken place after I "vanished" from St. Ursula. Perhaps the Bracer Guild was doing damage control so the rest of the public wouldn't learn that Liberl's Crown Prince was out on another adventure in Erebonia.
It didn't take long for me to hear a second voice, who grabbed the orbal phone from Elnan. I could immediately recognize it was Scherazard.
"Is that really you, Naoto?", Schera's voice came through, asking me with a hint of doubt.
'Oi oi, ain't that up-and-coming Bracer back in Liberl, the Silver Streak?', Toval thought, not looking to interrupt me.
"It sure is. I do apologize for what I have previously caused, Schera. I had wanted to reach out to you once I was able. And well, here we are.", I said, scratching my cheek a little. I heard Scherazard giggle.
"Hehe. I wouldn't exactly call it chaotic. Nothing managed to spread around this time. All thanks to an advance notice Her Majesty sent. It has gone unnoticed to the general public. They don't know you're gone again, wherever that is.", Scherazard responded.
"That's good to hear, at least. Aside from reaching out to you all, I want to say it now, do not try to find me. Both Grandmother and the rest back at Grancel Castle know that I'm here. They've all gone their separate ways. I'm sure word has reached you already that Angie is looking to take the Bracer Exam in the next year or two.", I spoke, smiling.
'Someone related to this boy is going to attempt the Bracer Exam soon?', Miles thought, musing at the fact. He wondered who this 'Angie' was.
"It sure has. That girl has been showing up at the branch here more frequently. Didn't expect her to be an expert in Taito, she's quite similar to Zin.", Scherazard said, praising Angelica. "And even if you say don't find you, you know we can trace this call, right?"
"Which is exactly why I do not need to worry about it. You'll know my physical location. I plan to stay here for a while. Don't stress too much about it, alright? Same goes for Elnan.", I responded.
"Haha, we'll try not to. You just created a lot more paperwork for a certain receptionist here.", Scherazard said, laughing this time. As she said that, I glanced my eyes back toward Miles and his working area. A similar stack of papers could be seen.
Well, I said what I wanted to say.
"Thanks. I'll catch you around, Silver Streak. Since you're still on the line, send Elnan my regards.", I said, smiling.
"Will do.", Scherazard said. "And knowing your location, you aren't the only one there, right?"
I nodded my head, and looked at Miles again.
"For you.", I said, and tossed the phone his way. The earlier surprise he once had on his face was now gone. He was quite interested now with how the conversation was going. He placed the orbal phone over his ear and spoke.
"Is this really the Silver Streak?", Miles asked. It didn't take long for Scherazard's voice to come through again.
"Well well, now this isn't a voice I haven't heard in a while. Is that you, Miles?", Schera asked. "And knowing that it's you on the other end, I can pretty much take a guess where His Royal Highness is, even without tapping into the secure line."
"Is this boy really related to Liberl's Royal Family?", Miles asked, still doubtful.
"Which is exactly why you'll make it your utmost priority to ensure His Royal Highness's safety while he's there with you, 'kay? If you come across an unexpected expense, you can send the bill to us. We'll get it handled.", Scherazard's teasing voice said.
"H-Hey!", Miles exclaimed. "You can't just suddenly pile this on me!"
But before Miles could do anything else, he heard the line go dead. Seeing him alone now, Miles sighed. A nervous sweat appeared on his forehead. He imagined just how much work was suddenly sent his way. As this happened, I laughed.
"Haha. I must say, that went rather smoothly. For now, it looks like I'll be in your care.", I said, grinning at Miles. Toval just looked confused again.
"I didn't think you were acquainted with the Silver Streak, but is this about you bein' some kind of prince?", Toval asked, still confused.
"Hah...", Miles said, and sighed again. "That's because His Royal Highness here is Liberl's Crown Prince. He...has a habit of sneaking out. Apparently, out of country too."
"W-What...?", Toval replied. This time he was visibly shocked.
As Toval took a moment, I looked back down on the desk, and swooped downard, picking up Tamamo into my chest.
"Oh...", Tamamo happily uttered. She snuggled against me, and her six tails started to lightly thump. Miles, on the other hand, had a different expression. He seemed much more tired now.
"I can already feel this is going to turn into a headache...", Miles uttered. And yet, after hearing that exchange, a determined look appeared in his eyes. This time, he looked at Toval, not me. "But that isn't the important part. Toval, starting now, you are being reassigned. While you can tackle monsters and continue your training on your own time, you are to escort His Royal Highness until further notice. Do I make myself clear?"
All of a sudden Toval received a giant task, all thanks to me. Hearing this caused me to grin again.
"Guess we'll be working with each other for the time being. A pleasure, Toval. Or should I call you Tobi?", I said, smiling. If I recall correctly, that's the alias he used to put on during the Carnelia series.
"You've got to be shitting me...", Toval cursed, letting his shoulders slump downward. "Also, remind me not to underestimate you. Are you really a prince?"
"Haha. That's for you to discover on your own. I've more plans to settle right now.", I said, looking at Toval now. Guess I got myself a new escort for the time being. I think Toval and I will become good friends. "Shall we?"
I didn't even wait for Toval before I began to make way for the Guild's exit.
"I don't even have a choice in the matter, do I?", Toval shot back, and sighed.
"Nope~"
"Please don't do anything too rash during your stay here in Legram, Your Royal Highness. I don't want to drown in paperwork.", Miles pleaded.
"Haha. No promises. Catch ya around, Miles.", I replied, and walked out of the Bracer Guild, along with Toval Randonneur.
Thankfully, this exchange didn't take all day, and we soon spotted Laura and Klaus still residing beside Legram's entrance. I explained what went down, and Klaus accepted it. For now, Toval will be accompanying me.
It was time to meet a certain Radiant Blademaster.