A Gamer Into Trails

That made sense. I didn't think I'd hear the name of one of the final dungeons popping in such a place, but the Realm of the Great Shadow. A place that defied all logic. It even had many areas sealed off that you couldn't venture beyond unless you struck it with a certain type of weapon. And at the end of it was where a portion of the Great One's shadow lay sealed. So I guess this is the norm for the Trials eh? There's seven of them so I thought they would be given some form of variety. Perhaps it does in the dungeon floors itself.

Different monsters. Different elements. And so on. If the Azure Trials mostly consisted of the Water Element, then maybe the Vermillion Trials will mostly be consistent with the Fire Element? Then again, this is Crow that is tackling the Azure Trials. He wasn't me. Nor is influenced by the Gamer System. My Gamer System can influence the surroundings to make things different, such as powering up or weakening monsters. Who says it couldn't react in a more intense manner, such as changing a dungeon's layout entirely?

It can turn real spots into Dungeons, so I don't see why it can't do that either. I just have this sinking feeling that the Vermillion Trials are not going to behave like the rest of them. Will it truly consist of six floors to conquer that will lead me into the Realm of the Great Shadow, just like where Crow is now?

I don't know, but it will be something I will find out in a month's time. We still have to wait for the city evacuation to take place. That's going to be a fun job for a certain someone. I stole a glance at Lechter.

Father will likely give some order to the Ironbloods during this time and no doubt will he be impacted by it. I know he's trying to finish his remaining two years at Jenis, and yet I couldn't help but feel guilty, knowing that his life will become even more busy. But I surely don't want this to lead into an international incident, knowing what will spawn from this.

The Azure Trials doesn't give spawn to anything, while Valimar just has the Old Schoolhouse phenomenon, which was much less grand compared to the Vermillion Trials. The Infernal Castle...

All hell is going to break loose soon, and I'm all here for it. I want that Divine Knight, and I won't back down until I get it.

Thinking that made me giddy, which Tio immediately noticed.

"You're not thinking of wanting to do something again, are you, Naoto?", Tio uttered. She could see me from a mile again, haha!

"Heh. It's nothing too serious. I'm just in a similar position to what Vita is presently going through. I do thank you for sending us an update, Vita, like Master just said. I hope to hear good things soon.", I replied.

[Ding! Vita's Favorability has risen to 50%.]

[Ding! Crow's Favorability has risen to 75%.]

'Uhh...', I inwardly uttered to myself, not expecting to hear two notifications sound off inside my head during this conversation. I mean, I know I had unlocked Favorability with Vita and Crow when they paid a visit in Grancel Castle, but nothing happened since then. Vita was a weird one. I considered her out of my league, but we're close enough thanks to my position with Emma. Vita's Favorability doesn't react similarly to Emma, who wants to stay by my side.

Vita likely reacted to the fact that I wanted to hear good results from Crow's Azure Trials. That meant I was interested in it. Well, I am. I too have the Vermillion Trials to worry about, so we are both fellow trial-goers.

"I will. I won't keep wasting your time any longer. It pains me but we will not be able to meet for a while. That goes for you too, Naoto.", Vita said to me.

"I understand. Stay safe in there.", I said with a serious look in my eyes. I wasn't lying. The Realm of the Great Shadow was a final dungeon for a reason. There were many dangerous phantoms and spirits in there, unseen to the normal world. The place behaved very similarly to the land of Phantasma, which was sealed inside the Aureole until it broke free, revealing the Recluse Cube Artifact. Danger lurked around every corner of that place. It had several mini bosses too.

But if Vita is placing that much promise in Crow, then I'll trust him too. He walked away with Ordine in the games, so I'm sure he'll display the strength needed. I'm just curious to see where this will lead, considering its happening a year earlier than its intended time.

Vita concluded her Phantasmagoria Incantation, and the Phantasmal Mirror began to dissipate. The Heiyue Office returned to normal. I say normal, but we all saw Roselia suddenly stand up from her place on the couch. Most of the first floor was a place used to greet guests, and was pretty wide. Further in the back where we were, it had a large table which surrounded some couches. Cao even had his legs propped up against the table, signaling that he was in a pleasant mood. How cute, considering he's, you know, a bonafide snake and all that.

"I think it's time for me to depart. I was anticipating Vita to call me to see how she is progressing, and she's properly doing her job. I have no reason to be here any longer. Both the pup and I don't know how things will progress from here on, but don't let that waiver that determination of yours, boy. You'll partake in the trials, and Emma will be with you as your supporter.", Roselia said to me.

"I understand. Where will you go then, Master?", I questioned, wanting to find out where Roselia will go from here.

"Isn't that obvious? Back to Eryn, of course. There are certain things left there that require monitoring. You of all people should know what I'm talking about.", Roselia said with a stern look.

"Of course. I will leave the village to you then. We'll be heading back to Heimdallr tonight. Take care, Master.", I replied with a serious nod. She's talking about the couple of souls we currently have preserved.

"Umu.", Roselia said, only to manifest her Crimson Roselia staff into existence, causing Cao to raise his eyes again.

"That looks like it's the real deal. Are you really one of those Witches stated in legend?", Cao mused.

"Take this sight as you see fit, brat. Just know I am much older than you, so you can consider me your Elder. I am far too lazy to consider doing such, but I could wipe the Cao Family from the face of the earth if you provoke me enough. I'm sure the other families that hold Calvard's underground would love to see the Cao Family wiped out.", Roselia said.

Hearing that, Cao let out a bellow.

"Hahaha! It was wrong for me to mistake you as a child earlier. You sure know how to bear your fangs with such a blatant threat. But you have a reason for it. I doubt I could even subdue you right now with my guards, so I see no reason to go against someone of your caliber. Witches really are interesting figures, aren't they?", Cao mused.

"Take it as you will. I'll be taking my leave then.", Roselia said, raising her staff. She was engulfed in a blue glow, and suddenly warped herself out of Cao's office.

"She really did vanish from our very sight. Not even our eastern arts could achieve this...", One of Cao's guards uttered.

"Eh, you get used to it after seeing it a few times. She ain't the only one who can.", Lechter retorted, not being surprised anymore by the fact that Roselia can Teleport. He knows that I can Teleport too.

"Heh. You sure keep bringing me surprises one after another, don't you, Your Highness? I do very much think we can both benefit from your continued cooperation. I am much interested in hearing the tale of the Divine Knights from your perspective. I did not think this legend would still be seeing the light of day.", Cao continued to say.

"Yeah. We did get a little interrupted there, but our flight isn't for another couple hours. We can spend some time reviewing some matters. It was nice to see Vita again. And as you can see, there are Witches.", I replied, donning a more serious look.

And just like that, our conversation with the infamous Cao Lee continued, and we began to talk about various topics, including the tale of the Divine Knights. I am not surprised that Cao himself knew of such legends. He is rooted deep in Calvard, so it isn't surprising that he knows more obscure tales. Crossbell is a wealth of knowledge too, considering it's being influenced by many different cultures that surround it.

"So where would you like to start again, Cao?", I decided to ask the man himself.