Chapter 6
It's been one year and six months since the final battle with Delphine. In that time, the Exile had traveled three times between Prester and the mother planet. Little by little with each journey, the newly settled people had sent information back to those still on Prester of the climate and the environment of the land. There were other nations that had returned to the mother planet earlier than they had, and there were even some nations who, left behind on the planet during the age of calamity, have survived and tenaciously endured that entire time.
"Admittedly, the information brings a mix of 'relief' and 'anxiety' at the same time." Nestor Messina, one of Sophia's most trusted aides summarized the widespread feelings of the people for her. Nestor had once been the commander of the Disith's invasion forces in their war against Anatoray. He had the courage put his feelings of hostility aside for the sake of his country and allied with Anatoray to fight against the Guild.
"The Exile's fourth voyage is fast approaching. We must wipe away this feeling of 'anxiety' now, before that dangerous infection spreads like a 'rumor'," spoke Grail Danmark, the cool-headed, pragmatic man who had been promoted to aide following the death of Mad-Thane.
I let duke Mad-Thane die, and caused so much additional sorrow.
... Sophia did not wish for the people to harbor such negative feelings. "I shall speak to the people. Since they are going to return to the mother planet, I shall not hide either the positive or the negative news from them," she said, as she stared out one of the castle windows.
"The letter ... I was glad I was able to deliver it," Alvis said as she sat in the pilot seat.
"Holly was able to convey her feelings in it," Lavie said with a smile, as she checked the liquid claudia gauge pressure from behind Al. They took some time to get the hang of it, but eventually Al and Lavie could fly as if they had flown together for years as pilot and navi. On the way to Norkia, they stopped by the Mad-Thane mansion in Minagith, and Holly's mother had embraced them in tears.
"Lavie, I see Norkia!"
"...yeah."
Beyond the sea of clouds, the nostalgic Norkia came into view. They wondered if they'd find Claus there ... in the small house surrounded by waterways and stone buildings.
"Let's hurry, Al!"
"Roger!" She pulled the throttle lever.
In a grassy area on the outskirts of Norkia, a stage had been set up among the hills. Wires extended from all sides of the stage to large screens set up around the area,; ones that had been removed from Guild ships.
"Tomorrow morning, the many people who will gathered here shall cover the green of the land." Nestor said.
"What about the guards? The stage is surrounded by slopes, there will be no place to hide if there is an emergency," Grail asked without even turning toward Vincent.
"You need not worry. I, Vincent Alzey would protect the princess, even at the cost of my own life." He bowed his head to the two of them, and walked away. "... I will not allow harm to come to her." Vincent muttered while gazing at the stage.
They found pieces of meat dishes and dried up pie, as well as traces of a vanship being worked on.
The bulletproof plate was removed ... what exactly did you install in its place?
Lavie looked worried.
"Claus, you were here," Alvis said as she picked up a blanket that laid on the floor. With an audible clack, a familiar pendant fell out of the blanket as she moved to hug it close to her.
"Claus..."
The hope that they held slightly weakened.
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