162 - Liel's Party
After passing through Rohlfis and returning to Zain, a victory party was held for us.
It was to celebrate the victory with Selva and Rohlfis. Beyond that, it was also a party to celebrate the fact that there was finally a prospect of an end to the series of work-hell that had continued since the recapture of Zain.
In the hall within the temple, many participants were eating in a buffet style while music played.
However, as for me—.
"Holy Knight-dono, is it true that you have stepped down from the position of Commander?"
"Is the next Commander, Noi-dono, truly that reliable?"
"Holy Knight-sama, who is your true choice? Aura-sama, or Selma-sama? Personally, I would like to support Selma-sama."
—I was being bombarded with questions.
While saying harmless things with a smile, I felt like sighing as I looked at the people gathering around me.
But I endured it.
From within the orb, the Seventh Generation gave me advice.
"Liel, do not let your guard down. Your opponents may be trying to size you up at this very moment. Well, many are merely curious and useless, but there are some among them who are helpful."
Looking around, there were young men talking to Miranda and Aria.
They seemed to be merchants. Others, knights, were talking to Clara, Shannon, and May.
Monica stood quietly diagonally behind me, feeling as though she were invisible to those around us. If she could do that, I wish she would do it normally.
However, looking around, no one was talking to Novem and Eva.
Eva is an elf and suffers discrimination as a demi-human. The only reason she was invited here was because I insisted she was my companion.
But it was Novem who concerned me.
(I thought someone would talk to him.)
Thinking this, once the conversation wound down and people began to drift away, I walked toward Novem and the others.
Bringing the glass in my hand to my lips, I took a small sip to quench my thirst. Continuing the conversations and forcing a smile had been exhausting.
"Novem, Eva, are you enjoying yourselves?"
As I called out, the two standing near a pillar in the hall looked at me. They were wearing the provided dresses, and both looked different from their usual atmosphere.
Eva showed me the plate in her hand.
"The food is delicious, but it's a bit... lacking? The variety is much better in the things Monica makes."
This was a party held in haste after the recapture. Lack of preparation was inevitable.
Monica said to Eva,
"Normally, my cooking skills are meant to make that chicken bastard's body unable to survive without me. Well, since I'm being praised, I'll gladly do it."
Covering her mouth with her right hand, Monica laughed.
Eva, exasperated, placed her plate on a nearby table.
"Same as always. Still, I'm surprised so many people gathered. Besides the priests, there are knights, and merchants, I think? There are various other people gathered too."
Novem, holding a glass of drink, explained to Eva.
"There are envoys from other countries as well. Also, people related to the Guild, and perhaps adventurers acting as their guards? They've been looking at Liel-sama for a while now."
Feeling glances flickering toward me, I decided to head in that direction. If they were Guild officials, I wanted to at least meet and greet them.
Besides, there were many people aiming to talk to me.
It wouldn't be good to spend too much time talking only with my companions.
The Third Generation spoke.
"I've only experienced these kinds of parties a few times, so I don't really know, but is Liel a popular person?"
The Seventh Generation explained to the Third.
"He's the star of the show this time. Whether the Saint who recaptured Zain, or the former Saint and the High Priest, can even compare to Liel..."
The Fifth Generation sounded bored.
"Well, based on his actions alone, he's a hero. In fact, rumors that he recaptured Zain with a hundred men must be spreading... there'll be plenty of curious people."
Envoys from other countries, knights, Guild officials, and merchants—.
(Sigh, I wonder if someone will say they'll provide financial support.)
I thought that was perhaps wishing for too much, but I wanted to settle the money problem quickly. I managed to make a big name for myself this time.
But at the same time, I ran out of money. I have to find a way to earn some.
(Earning it steadily... Ah, come to think of it, once I return, I'll be taking dispatch-type requests for a while, so the income won't be that great.)
Success rewards.
I had decided not to accept them this time. Because both Zain and Rohlfis were scraping by.
No, Rohlfis might be doing well, but Zain had just been fighting internally. After that, they had sent troops for Rohlfis and hadn't gained any significant profit.
Demanding a reward from them now felt a bit reluctant.
And it would be a problem if Zain fell into financial distress.
(I have to do something.)
Thinking this, I greeted the Guild officials with a smile.
—Damian, having come to Beim, stood before the rumored haunted mansion.
Searching for the mansion Liel had purchased, he had arrived in front of the entrance leading a conspicuous group.
Behind him stood three maids with the same appearance and the same clothing.
Conversely, the two knights who were Alette's subordinates looked more out of place. Because they had seen something rare, onlookers were gathering around.
Damian and the maids were conspicuous, but even more conspicuous was the large golem behind them.
No, rather than a golem, it was an improved model of a porter.
A large-scale porter capable of carrying many loads was following from behind. It was larger than the porter Liel had completed. However, the main body was smaller than a porter.
The box it was pulling behind was very large.
It had many wheels, and the residents of Beim, finding it curious, were pointing and talking.
"Oh, there's a perfectly good building. It looks like a warehouse. Let's take that one."
The short Damian, holding a large metal staff in his right hand and adjusting his glasses with his left, muttered as he looked at the large warehouse in the mansion's garden.
The maids spoke.
"As expected of Master. A statement that doesn't consider the opponent's convenience at all. But that is exactly our Master!"
"Well, we can just negotiate with that piece of junk called a Special Unit and take it. If that doesn't work, we'll just beat them to a pulp with our coordinated play..."
"My arms are itching!"
Damian turned back to the three maids.
"Why are you fighting? If I say I'll rent the warehouse to make the golems I was requested to build, they'll lend it to me, right? Don't do anything unnecessary."
At that, the maids became depressed.
The knights who were Alette's subordinates tried to comfort them, but—.
"We were scolded. In other words, it means we are not insignificant opponents to Master!"
"We've taken another step forward."
"Let's keep going like this and make him unable to survive without us."
While Damian was waiting in front of the entrance, a pair appeared.
They were wearing robes, and one had a physique that clearly identified him as a warrior. As he stepped forward as if to protect a petite girl, the maids lined up in front of Damian.
Removing her hood and revealing long, wavy light-blue hair, the girl greeted Damian and his group before asking.
"Hello. Also, excuse me, but is this indeed the residence of Liel Walt-dono?"
When the opponent mentioned Liel's name, Damian had the maids step back.
"Oh, a guest of Liel? I'm a guest too... no, since I'm moving in, maybe a companion? Well, something like that. So, what is your business? If it's not urgent, you can have the turn. I'm busy over here."
Whether angered by Damian's attitude or not, the man standing beside the girl—Adele—said to Damian.
"Isn't that way of speaking rude? I don't know who you are, but we have come on important business. We cannot simply yield."
Then, Damian looked from the toes to the top of the head of the man—Maxim.
"You're quite well-prepared. Could it be that you're boasting about your skill? I heard on the way here that Liel has become famous. Let's see... what was it?"
Damian, turning to the maids, had forgotten Liel's epithet. To Damian, who immediately forgets things he isn't interested in, Maid Number Two replied.
"The Holy Knight, Master."
"Right, that's it! Since he has such an epithet, did you come to test your skills? Or... is it related to the younger sister?"
When Damian said that, Maxim leveled the spear in his hand, which was wrapped in cloth. Stripping the cloth from the master-crafted spear, Maxim made Adele step back.
The maids stood in front of Damian again, each holding a different weapon.
"Maxim, stop! That person has nothing to do with it!"
"B-But!"
The girl, who had made the wary Maxim step back, apologized to Damian.
"I am sorry. My... r-retainer has been so rude."
Maxim still seemed unsatisfied, but Damian looked at Adele and nodded, putting a hand to his chin.
"Oh, so you think I'm not related to the younger sister?"
"...The people related to her have a different atmosphere. Or rather, did you provoke us on purpose?"
At Adele's words, Damian looked at Maxim.
"No, I was just curious if you'd take the bait. You seemed quite nervous. Anyway, the younger sister again... was it Ceres?"
Damian had seen through the fact that the two were nervous. And when he mentioned Ceres's name, the two became overtly wary.
Damian directed a smile at the two.
"Oh, what a coincidence. I'm visiting Liel regarding Ceres as well. Though in my case, I've run away from that Ceres."
Adele calmed the wary Maxim.
"I imagine so. I have heard that there is no one who appears before her and does not become captivated. Many become fanatical. You would not take such an attitude."
Then, the entrance to the mansion opened, and a blonde girl wearing a maid outfit came out.
Looking at the people outside, she made an overtly disgusted face.
"Fighting in front of someone else's house, you certainly have nerve. This is why mass-produced models are no good."
Behind her, Liel came out in casual clothes.
He looked surprised to see Damian and the others.
Damian raised his hand.
"Hey, Liel. Actually, I ran away. I also have a request for that automaton, so could you lend me the warehouse in the garden? I have nowhere to live."
Damian directed a smile toward Liel.
And Adele and Maxim were nervous looking at Liel.
Liel, drawing everyone's gaze, said one thing.
"I just got back, why again... anyway, come in. I'll listen to you. Or rather, what is that large object behind you?"
When Liel turned his gaze behind Damian and the others, Damian replied.
"It's a large-scale porter. It's convenient for carrying luggage. Though it costs a lot of money to make, and it's impossible for an ordinary human to move. Now then, shall we start unpacking immediately?"
To the self-paced Damian, Liel said,
"Just talk to me first. I'll lend you the warehouse!"
That is what he said—.
It was the day after returning to the mansion.
Damian and the others had visited my mansion.
Listening to the story in the reception room, it seemed they had come all the way to Beim to escape from Ceres, who planned to visit Alamsars.
And I looked at the girl sitting next to Damian. The large-framed man stood behind her as if to protect her.
Monica was facing the three maids, her eyes glowing red.
(I can just leave these ones alone.)
Thinking that, I decided to listen to the story from the girl who called herself Adele.
"What business does a member of the Belki family of Vanseim have with me?"
At first, when I heard the story, I thought she was related to Ceres, but it seemed she was not.
When I tried to hear the detailed story, Adele looked at me.
"Darion, Alamsars, Central, and Beim... I have heard various rumors. Liel Walt-dono, please let me ask one thing. To you, who is Ceres Walt?"
I instinctively gripped the orb.
Then, the Seventh Generation's voice spoke.
"Hmm, has the small seed sown in Darion finally sprouted here?"
The Fifth Generation as well.
"It sprouted in a good way. She doesn't look like she's deceiving us, but..."
I checked with my skill, and Adele and Maxim displayed a yellow close to red. In other words, they were wavering.
I looked at Adele.
"I think she is an enemy that must be defeated."
Then, the reactions of Adele and Maxim fixed to yellow. The Sixth Generation's skill, Search, is truly convenient.
Then, Adele, looking relieved, stated her business.
"Liel-dono, could you please take this Adele Belki as a companion?"
I looked at Adele and Maxim.
Both of them nodded.
Maxim said,
"It is my duty as a knight to protect Lady Adele. If she serves you, I shall also obey your orders."
I returned my gaze to Adele.
"...My family, the Belki family, became strange after making contact with Ceres Walt. They participated in civil wars and repeated wars recklessly. I felt as if I were in a dream. My parents, who met Ceres, were supposed to have been opposed to the civil war originally."
I remembered the words the First Generation had said.
(A monster... Ceres, you are...)
Adele looked down and shook her head, then raised her face again.
"Having fled my home, I judged that meeting Ceres would be dangerous. And while traveling, I heard rumors of you. Of the things Liel-dono, who was cast out of his home, has done in various places."
I suddenly felt embarrassed.
(...She's heard a lot of things, huh.)
Then, the Fourth Generation spoke.
"Liel, you don't have to be embarrassed. I made you do those things at the start because I thought a time like this would come."
In my heart, I thought,
(...Even if the Fourth Generation says so...)
I couldn't quite accept it.
Adele continued.
"In Central, you hunted Griffons and fought with Ceres. After that, you drifted here... to Beim. It wasn't to run away, was it?"
To Adele, who gazed at me with serious eyes, I nodded. She had come all this way searching for me. I should respond seriously.
"I judged that I couldn't win as I am. That's why I decided to build up my strength here. If judged as good or bad, it's probably bad, but... I intend to win."
Then, Adele stood up and gave a beautiful bow.
"It is not reckless. That alone gives me peace of mind. Please use this Adele Belki as you wish. Though, what I can do is mostly paperwork and such."
And Maxim also knelt before me.
"If Lady Adele serves you, you are my master as well. I entrust this life to you."
From within the orb, the Seventh Generation's voice spoke. It was loud.
"Paperwork? Internal affairs... Belki! The Belki family! I remember now. The Belki family is skilled in internal affairs! Liel, the opponent is a prestigious lordly noble of Vanseim! A family that has produced Prime Ministers! ...Though they weren't very impressive in my era."
The last part made me a bit uneasy, but I decided to welcome the two.
"I understand. I'll have you cooperate."
Then, Damian, who had been drinking tea, also looked up.
"...That sounds interesting. Then, I'll participate too."
"Eh?"
When I was surprised, Damian tilted his head.
"Why are you surprised?"
"No, because..."
"Liel will probably manage somehow, and if it doesn't work, you can just run away, right? Besides, you don't intend to fight Ceres alone, do you? Listening to the story, I feel that Liel is going to do something big."
I thought he wouldn't speak up about things he wasn't interested in, but it seemed Damian had been thinking about various things too. However, I was convinced after hearing his next words.
"If I ride the winning horse, he'll probably provide a laboratory and funds."
I gave a wry smile.
Maxim, clearing his throat, asked me.
"So, then. What should we do?"
While slightly averting my gaze from everyone present...
"...Fundraising,"
I muttered.
Adele, with a wry smile,
"W-Well... realistically, money is necessary, after all,"
she said, following up for me. However, Maxim was exasperated, and Damian looked disappointed. It seemed he had intended to have me provide research funds.