167 - Trident
The guest room where I was staying.
There, I had been lying in bed, exhausted since morning. I think my face was pale. Even moving was painful, and I felt sick.
A bucket was placed nearby, and Novem was nursing me in the room.
"Lariel-sama, are you alright? Would you like some water?"
Physical illness before growth.
I am particularly susceptible to it, and at the same time, I was suffering from seasickness. Since last night, I had been vomiting repeatedly, causing trouble for Novem and Monica.
Shannon came to the room to check on me.
"Ugh, this is pretty bad..."
Shannon looked at my weakened state with a delighted expression. Behind her stood Monica, who had brought in the laundry.
"You little brat. This is right before the chicken coward's fever time. Please be quiet."
Monica was looking down at Shannon with a displeased expression, but when I turned my gaze toward her, she smiled—.
"Chicken coward, I've washed the sheets and your clothes are perfect! Now, let's change. You mustn't welcome fever time in clothes drenched in night sweat."
She urged me to change, looking truly happy. Novem also stood up with a wry smile and reached out a hand to help me up.
Too bothered to even take the hand, I said...
"Just leave me alone. And, I absolutely will not fail this time. Listen, absolutely! I've failed four times already. The fifth time... from the fifth time onward, I won't fail anymore."
As I pulled the blanket over my head, Shannon laughed.
"Impossible. Absolutely impossible. Go ahead and make a fool of yourself again."
Then, Novem hugged me and slowly helped me sit up. Seeing my likely terrible face, she sat me down with a smile and began to undress me.
"You'll feel refreshed once you wipe your body. Now, Lariel-sama."
Watching Novem's devoted nursing, a voice echoed from the Orb. It was the voice of the Fourth Head.
『In these sorts of things, you haven't grown at all from the start, have you? It reminds me of the early days. You'd have your head washed at an inn, and you just took it for granted that things would be done for you because you lacked tact.』
The one offering support was the Seventh Head.
『Physical illness until growth. It can't be helped for now. However, compared to the early days, Lariel has grown considerably.』
The Fifth Head's voice was slightly lower than usual.
『...Though it's become quite a lot lonelier than the early days.』
The Third Head was aloof as always.
『But Lariel's surroundings are lively, so isn't that fine? Look, we aren't actually supposed to be here. We should consider ourselves lucky just to be able to watch Lariel's growth.』
They seemed to be saying something nice, but I couldn't help but feel malice in the part about "growth."
(Are they talking about the "Lariel-san" the previous heads mentioned? Damn it, the reason I can't take things at face value is absolutely because of these people!)
I think my personality has become quite bad since leaving home.
—Aria spoke to Miranda, who was reading a book in the room.
Clara had also gotten quite used to the ship, but since reading made her feel unwell, she was currently outside breathing the air.
Aria had finished her daily training on the deck and returned to the room with a towel over her shoulder.
"Where's Shannon?"
Miranda replied without taking her eyes off the book, sitting on the bed and turning a page.
"She's with Lariel. I bet she's just dying of curiosity, isn't she?"
Aria also blushed slightly and put her hand to her face to hide her embarrassment.
"Yeah, he's been in that state for a few days. He'll probably be high-tension once he gets up."
Miranda spoke to Aria while reading.
"In a sense, he's the strongest. Since he doesn't feel shame or embarrassment at all, that's probably the only time he exerts his abilities to the fullest. He hasn't entered combat yet, but I wonder which is stronger, that version or the usual Lariel."
Aria hung the towel on the bed rail and took off her clothes. After removing the clothes that clung to her from sweat, she reached into her bag to look for a change of clothes.
"Since there are many failures after growth, isn't the basic rule to avoid combat?"
"...That's true, but I'm curious. Actually, aren't you curious about how much Lariel's seriousness is?"
Aria wiped her body, changed, and sat on the bed.
"Seriousness? Is he still holding back?"
Miranda, having finished her book, closed it and placed it on the bed.
"No, that's not it. I mean what would happen if he used his skills with full power. Lariel has eight skills. Even if they're only support-type, isn't that number staggering? Since he inherited the blue Orb through the generations and there are no overlaps in skills, it's even more amazing."
When Aria tilted her head, not understanding the meaning, Miranda explained with a sigh.
"Listen. Normally, when it comes to skills, easy-to-understand skills like physical reinforcement are more likely to manifest. But if you already have them from the start, different skills are more likely to manifest, right?"
Aria nodded.
"I think I get it. My red Orb also has a physical reinforcement skill. Though, I don't know how it differs from Lariel's skills."
The same reinforcement-type skills.
The red Orb manifests reinforcement for vanguard-type skills.
The blue Orb manifests reinforcement for support-type skills.
However, even if there are small differences, they are the same reinforcement-type skills. Miranda raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.
"There's no way I, who am not an expert, could explain it. There must be subtle differences. More importantly, I've been tasked with taking care of Lariel in rotation with Novem at night. I'm going to sleep now, so don't wake me."
Miranda placed the book on the small desk in the room, lay down, covered herself with a blanket, and closed her eyes.
Aria said...
"Eh, I didn't hear about that... wait, she's already asleep!"
Looking at Miranda, who had fallen asleep instantly, Aria wondered how to spend the rest of her time—.
—Beim, Lariel's mansion.
In the large mansion, Maxim was swinging a spear in the garden, polishing his techniques.
Automaton Unit Two was tending to the lawn, and only the two of them were visible in the vast estate.
As Maxim, who was repeating basic movements, wiped his sweat and took a break, a scream echoed from the mansion.
It was Adele.
"What is the meaning of this!!?"
"Lady Adele!!"
Maxim threw aside his towel, grabbed his spear, and leaped into the mansion, heading straight for Adele's room.
Automaton Unit Two collected Maxim's towel and muttered a word.
"If this were the Master's, I would store it... sigh, shall I return to work?"
Maxim, leaping into Adele's room, shouted upon seeing Adele slumped over the desk.
"Are you alright, My Lady!"
Then, Adele slowly raised her face and sought Maxim's help with teary eyes.
"I am not alright. What is this mountain of documents? Why are documents from Zain and Rolfis arriving at Lariel-san's mansion in Beim!"
Maxim looked at the mountain of documents.
"...Since he is a hero who was active in both countries, I wonder if such documents exist? Do they?"
Then, Adele slapped the desk several times with her palm.
"There's no way! Why are reports coming here! Why are proposals coming! What on earth did that man do! Moreover, this document from Princess Rolfis-denka... isn't it a love letter! What is this! What did you do, Lariel-san!"
Maxim looked down regretfully.
"I am sorry, My Lady. I cannot be of help..."
Adele sighed.
"Then, could I ask for a refill of my drink, Maxim? They say they're coming to collect them this evening, so I have to finish them by then."
He took the cup from the exhausted Adele. Maxim tucked the spear under his arm and held the cup carefully as he left the room.
"I shall prepare it immediately!"
Automaton Unit One, who was cleaning, cautioned Maxim as he ran down the hallway.
"You must not run in the hallway."
—.
—Around the time the ship's journey reached its sixth day.
Lariel was still bedridden.
Now, even speaking seemed to be painful, and no matter who spoke to him, he only responded with things like "ah" or "uh."
Vera, who had stepped out because the ship was about to enter dangerous waters, stopped by Lariel's room and confirmed that he remained in a terrible state.
The captain asked Vera about the condition of Lariel and the others, who were her guards.
"My Lady, how are the adventurers? A few of them seem to be moving around fine, but the crew were worried because the man hasn't shown his face."
Rather than worry, they were doubting whether he would actually be useful.
Vera spoke truthfully about what she had seen.
"He's no good before growth. The timing is just too bad. You know, those people with no luck. I thought any first-class adventurer would have that kind of luck to some extent, but it seems they are different."
The captain pulled his hat down low and gave a wry smile.
"That's something... well, we can be at ease since we have you here, My Lady."
Vera's expression stiffened slightly, but she immediately smiled.
"The rumor about the Goddess of Fortune? Stop that. I'm troubled because men won't come near me."
The captain laughed loudly.
"The men just lack an eye for beauty. You're a fine woman, My Lady, so they'll swarm you eventually, whether you like it or not."
Vera made a light comment like "I hope so," but internally, she didn't feel good.
(The only men who approach are those after money. Besides, how am I supposed to meet someone while out at sea? Honestly...)
Vera remembered a servant boy who was close with her younger sister. They were the same age, a boy who had worked as a low-level servant in the mansion—he was Vera's first love.
She was still hung up on him, but after she went out to sea on a ship, he had started dating her sister.
The relationship between the sisters was not bad, and Vera had told her sister that she supported them.
(...He called my sister by her name, but he always treated me as 'My Lady' no matter where. There was no chance from the start, but honestly, it hurts.)
She knew that the red parasol, a gift from the boy, had been bought with money her sister provided.
Thinking that she had made her sister worry, Vera felt miserable.
(If Father approves, he'll be the successor. If that happens, will I be bound to the ship from now on...)
The relationship between her sister and the boy was still not recognized. However, Vera thought it was only a matter of time. The servant boy was talented and had a serious personality.
Vera had been attracted to that as well.
(Sigh, maybe I should have talked to them properly... when I return, maybe the three of us can talk...)
As she was lost in thought, a voice came from one of the metal tubes on the bridge. It was connected to the lookout tower.
『I-I saw something! And, the sky suddenly clouded over—』
The captain shouted at the panicking crewman to give accurate information.
Vera looked outside from the bridge window and then leaped out of the bridge to the exterior.
"What's going on? There was no wind... and, this..."
The surroundings had been clear until a moment ago. Birds had been flying around the ship, but now they were nowhere to be seen. A swirling rain cloud was spreading, and as the rain began to fall, Vera brushed back her black hair and looked ahead.
As she grabbed a nearby railing, the ship began to shake violently.
A crewman followed Vera and told her to return.
"My Lady, get inside quickly! You'll get wet!"
Vera was looking straight in the direction of the ship's course. Then, she pointed her hand at the crewman and immediately gave instructions.
"Turn back immediately! Whether it's port or starboard, change course right now!"
But the captain pushed past the crewman and appeared.
"My Lady! The rudder isn't responding! It's as if we're being sucked in, we're being pulled forward!"
Vera looked straight ahead regretfully.
There, a huge monster emerging from the sea surface—no, the Trident Sea Serpent, known as the God of the Sea, was looking at them.
It had three heads, and on the central head, something like a trident—metal-like things that were neither claws nor fangs extended sharply from the sides of its jaw.
Though the other heads didn't have them, she noticed that six red eyes from the three-pronged head were watching them.
There was nothing but despair. It was many times larger than the Vera Trace, and it was a monster that sailors believed was nearly impossible to survive once seen. A monster, an existence called the God of the Sea, was looking at them as prey.
Slightly below where the neck split into three, a large fin was visible. It floated on the sea surface, seemingly waiting for them to come.
On the deck, the crew members had collapsed, holding their heads.
The captain also looked at the Trident Sea Serpent and pulled his hat down low.
"...Please get off the ship, My Lady. If it's a boat, it might still let us go."
Vera looked slowly at the captain.
"There's no way we can escape. This ship is being pulled in too."
Looking at the sea surface swirling slowly around the Trident Sea Serpent, Vera slammed her fist onto the railing.
"...What 'Goddess of Fortune'. In a place like this."
Vera thought she would never see her family again, but she still wondered if she could escape this situation.
Then, she shook her head.
(What am I thinking! If we sink in this situation, I'll really be at the bottom of the sea... the bottom of the sea? No way, could that have been a prophetic dream?)
Vera snapped back to reality and looked up, gritting her teeth regretfully.
"...Prepare for combat. Bring out the cannons. We can't just let some 'God of the Sea' have its way with us!"
But the crew members had expressions of despair.
"But, My Lady... the opponent is a god."
"It's terrifying. Pointing guns at the God of the Sea."
"There's no way we can defeat the God of the Sea with cannons..."
The captain also seemed to have given up. After all, the opponent was that overwhelming. The central head looked as if it were wearing a crown. A golden crown and golden sharp blades extending from the sides of its mouth.
Combined with the mouth, it looked like a three-pronged spear.
Lightning fell from the rain clouds, and a pale blue light illuminated the black shadow of the Trident Sea Serpent. The blue scales reflected the seven-colored light beautifully, and it seemed to be waiting for its prey to arrive.
Vera raised her voice once more.
"Prepare for combat! I won't let us be defeated like this! This is a state-of-the-art ship!"
But one of the crew members said...
"...Even so, against the God of the Sea."
In despair, the other crew members also refused to move. Once more, Vera slammed her fist against the railing.
As the rain began to fall heavily, Vera glared at the Trident Sea Serpent waiting before her—and then she noticed.
The figure of a blue-haired boy walking across the deck.
The boy, who should have been asleep due to feeling sick, was heading toward the bow of the ship, ignoring the crew members who were sitting down in a daze.
Receiving the rain, he still aimed for the front on the swaying ship and looked at the enemy—.
"Perfect!! Splendid, that massive body, that masculinity, that divinity!! You are an opponent worthy of me!"
Hearing that delighted voice, Vera leaned forward.
"That guy, what is he doing in a place like—"
Lariel spread both arms wide in the rain and shouted at the top of his lungs.
"Worthy as the first opponent for my growth anniversary. You... become the fodder for my fund-raising!! Fuhaha, fuhahaha... cough! I drank a bit of seawater. The spray is terrible."
Facing the giant enemy, Lariel laughed loudly, but as the ship hit a wave and seawater sprayed up, he swallowed some and began to cough—.