204 - The Marks Plan
...You're saying the new title is unpopular? H-Hey, I want new readers too! I worked so hard to think of a title that would attract new readers!! ...Alright, I'll just make it even longer!
Seventh ~ There are seven ancestors and they're noisy as hell, but they give me skills and various pieces of advice, and though they're mostly useless, I'll have a fun adventure and build a harem ~
With this, new readers and points will come pouring in!
"There are several reasons why people wage wars of convenience."
Inside the Orb.
The Fourth Generation had prepared a blackboard to explain things to me. Since I had only ever experienced genuine wars until now, I couldn't really understand these "convenience" wars—wars fought according to a rulebook.
This was the explanation he gave me—.
"To put it simply, it's for cases where they want to wage war, or feel they must, but they don't actually want the opponent's territory. Well, each land has its own various reasons for continuing to fight."
"...And you're saying we just need to remove those reasons? Both sides seemed quite motivated, though?"
It didn't look like everyone was fighting just for the sake of convenience. In the first place, wouldn't the border regions that become battlefields suffer greatly?
Then, the Third Head spoke to me.
"Well, the reasons differ everywhere, but there are always some. However, since they fight so frequently, it's not for the purpose of population control."
There is a limit to the population a land can support. Land is finite. Even if you pioneer new areas to support more people, a limit will eventually be reached.
When that happens, you have to seize land. However, seizing land also meant increasing the amount of territory that needed to be managed.
"Then what is the goal?"
As I tilted my head, the Fifth Head answered with a look of distaste.
"That's what we're investigating. Well, at a glance, Galleria looks like the easiest place to infiltrate. They're the coordinators for the surrounding lords, you could call them a collection of small nations. Even if you hire someone, the surrounding areas probably won't complain."
I asked anxiously.
"About that... can I actually get a position?"
Perhaps to reassure me, the Seventh Head laughed.
"Rest easy, Lariel. You are young, yet you have a track record. There isn't a lord or nation that wouldn't want you."
In response to the Seventh Head, Mireia-san chimed in from the side.
"Well, people who are too capable are often disliked. There's no particular need for Lariel to take a position himself."
"...Eh?"
As I looked surprised, the Fourth Generation nodded as well.
"Isn't it obvious? It's impossible to serve two nations. If someone did that to me, I'd execute them."
The Fourth Generation wrote the names of Galleria and Lusworth on the blackboard, and then wrote the names of my companions—Novem and the others.
"Let's decide who to place where. In this case, Lariel will handle the support."
"So, since my companions took the positions, it's not as if I'm serving two masters? That feels like a stretch of logic."
The Fifth Head looked uninterested, as usual.
"It's fine. It's not like they'll serve forever. It's to somehow draw the two nations into the alliance of Zain and Rolfis. The smaller surrounding nations can be handled through diplomacy after that."
The Fourth Generation explained the plan to me with great enthusiasm.
"First, we infiltrate one side. We'll make a name for ourselves there... but this time, we won't be active on the battlefield."
Seeing me listen intently, the Fourth Generation looked pleased.
"We'll have them work primarily on internal affairs. We'll disrupt the balance between the two nations. Then, the side that grows anxious will have no choice but to do whatever it takes to break the situation. That's when we send people to the other side."
Listening to the Fourth Generation's explanation, I noted,
"Internal affairs take time. Even if we get in, won't we be tied down for a few years, or maybe nearly ten at the earliest?"
The Fourth Generation shook his head at my opinion.
"We don't have that kind of time. That's why we'll use letters of introduction this time. By using introductions from Zain, Rolfis, and Beim, we'll get in and produce results at an early stage. Well, looking at it, it'll be Galleria."
Apparently, we would improve the internal situation of one side, and then approach the other side once they grew anxious. I wondered if it would work, but we had a trump card.
Mireia-san clapped her hands and stood up from her chair.
"That's wonderful! Just having a group connected to Zain, Rolfis, and Beim cooperate will put the opponent in a predicament. They'll panic. They'll think, 'Are they finally coming to crush us for real!'?"
The Fourth Generation looked very amused.
"Exactly! The more they panic, the bigger the opening. For that, we need information. Based on that information, let's send the most suitable personnel to both nations. If we can't break them from the outside, we'll just break them from the inside."
I wonder why... I felt sorry for the two nations that had been targeted by the Fourth Generation.
Just then, as if remembering something, Mireia-san spoke.
"Oh right. Lariel, shall we go visit Raiel-kun for the first time in a while? He might be feeling lonely."
I looked at Mireia-san with dead eyes.
"...That guy, lonely? More like, I don't really want to talk to him."
"Don't be selfish. Come on, let's go."
With Mireia-san pulling my hand, I was led to the room of my memories.
"I was so lonely, Mireia-saaaaan!!"
As soon as we entered the room of memories, Raiel lunged toward Mireia-san.
He happened to be in a position to dive straight into her chest, and his hands were moving obscenely. He had the appearance of a child, but I think this is definitely out of bounds.
"Oh, my apologies."
With a crisp snap sound, Mireia-san shot Raiel down with a knife-hand strike. Raiel, twitching on the floor, wobbled to his feet.
"...Y-you didn't have to be so shy. Following Novem, I shall grant you the title of 'Iron Wall'."
"Well, I'm happy. Now then, you'll tell me all sorts of things today, won't you?"
This was the space where I had once lived.
Raiel prepared chairs for me and Mireia-san, and then sat himself down on the bed.
"Now, what should we talk about... I told you before to give me back my body, but you won't, right?"
"The idea of giving it back to you is impossible, not to mention we're different people now. I'm not okay with ceasing to be me."
Hearing my words, Raiel said, "How cruel." However, he looked a little happy.
"Well, if that's how you can beat Celes, then isn't it fine?"
Those words, that confidence—. I asked Raiel.
"Could you actually beat Celes?"
It was a bit frustrating to ask this, but I couldn't help it. Mireia-san looked at me as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she said nothing.
Raiel replied with full confidence.
"I wouldn't lose. But I couldn't win either. At present, that's the best I can do. After all, Celes took everything she could steal from me. Well, since I was the first genius and Kirin prodigy since the start of the Walt family, it can't be helped that I was envied."
Given Raiel's ambiguous response, I regretted asking a serious question.
Mireia-san was also giggling.
I let out a sigh.
"So, will you give me back my memories?"
Raiel smiled defiantly.
"I wonder. Besides, I don't think it has anything to do with you, who won't give me back my body?"
As I tried to stand up from the chair, Raiel closed the distance in an instant and touched my forehead with his index finger.
"You'd better stop if you're thinking of fighting me. After all, even if it was stolen, I know exactly how to move this body. You can't beat me."
Even if he wasn't on Celes's level, I didn't feel like I could win against the existence before me. When I made a frustrated expression, Raiel went over to Mireia-san...
"Mireia-san... hold me."
"No. Come back when you have a more innocent heart."
"I'm just honest about my sexual desires, I do have an innocent heart. So hold me! I want to use those breasts as a pillow!"
Thinking this guy is the absolute worst, I asked my next question.
"What do I have to do for you to return the memories you sealed away?"
Raiel turned back to me.
"...Memories, huh. Well, if I am to return them, shall we have a contest?"
"A contest?"
"It's impossible for you and me to fight. It wouldn't even be a contest. So... shall we invite your lovers into the Orb? All of them. We'll have the contest there. I'll keep the contents of the contest a secret. If you don't do this, I will absolutely not hand over the memories, and if there's an opening, I'll take your body."
I thought,
"Why is there a need to introduce everyone to an erotic brat like you... You!"
Before I knew it, Raiel had moved onto the bed and was striking a pose.
"It's obvious! It's because I want to feel those breasts and butts! Now, hand over your lovers for the sake of your memories!"
I responded immediately.
"Like hell I'd hand them over, you idiot!"
The rebuilt house had become a reasonably large home.
Next to it, a porter's hut had been built, looking like a giant version of a doghouse. Monica's affection for porters is a little scary.
At the location where I decided to establish my base, a large porter had arrived, fully loaded with Valkyries.
Launo-san stepped down from the large porter with a tired expression.
"You're working me too hard. What's with giving me a job the moment I get back? Besides, the difficulty is way too high."
With an unkempt beard and messy hair, it was only natural for Launo-san to complain.
"This was an emergency. So, how was it beyond the Redant Fortress... in Banseime?"
At my question, Launo-san sighed.
"Banseime officially governs the former neighboring country. The one who entered was a general dispatched from Central called Bloah Cadell. Apparently, he didn't bring Central's elites, but scraped together soldiers from the provinces... but it seems he's governing safely enough."
A Central general had been sent to a place far from Central, the capital of Banseime. Normally, this would mean—.
"Was he demoted? But if he's governing safely, we can't let our guard down."
The Seventh Head was cautious.
I wondered if it was something to worry about that much, but Launo-san also said something ambiguous.
"I don't know if he's capable. You could just say he was tossed to the provinces, but I don't want to believe a man who became a general is incompetent. I feel sorry for his subordinates."
Since some personal feeling was involved, I wondered if something had happened to Launo-san in the past.
"So he won't be moving for a while?"
"He can't move, rather. Monster damage has increased, so he's governing the territory while dealing with that. I thought he'd rely on Beim, but it feels like he's keeping his distance. I'd like to investigate more, but the client is changing the policy."
He spoke sarcastically, but currently, this was the priority.
I wanted to bring both Galleria and Lusworth to our side no matter what.
"I apologize for asking the impossible. I want to wrap this up as quickly as possible."
Launo-san looked at me.
"Well, I'll take care of customers who pay well. Also, I'll tell you this as a service."
"What is it?"
"Some of the people in Beim who were disadvantaged by you have started moving. The Tres Family is also watching quietly, so there might be movement soon. You're the older brother of the next Queen who's running wild in Banseime, right? The higher-ups in Beim might just cut you loose."
I remained silent upon hearing that.
The reason I remained silent was—.
"Oh, things are starting to look good. It depends on how Beim moves, but since Fidel-kun is also watching quietly, I guess the provocation worked?"
"We've got the money and equipment ready, so I'm filled with gratitude that they've gone this far for us!"
"Well, they'll probably just cut him loose. Before that, how much can we squeeze out of them... anyway, as long as this isn't the worst-case scenario, it's according to our plan."
"The Death Merchant and the Guild should experience some pain for once. Though, it would be nice if Beim survived."
"Ah, why don't we just prepare a new city? Let's crush the current Beim for the sake of the future. We have to shave off their territory and restrict their city functions."
—Because the inside of the Orb was having too much fun. These people are the worst because they're acting while knowing they'll be kicked out.
From the start, for us—no, for the successive heads of the family, the worst-case scenario regarding the relationship with Beim was "Beim providing full support for me."
Apparently, having that happen was a huge problem for the previous heads. The situation where they accurately recognized the threat of Celes and cooperated with me with all their might was what they hated most.
If I were supported with all their might, I wouldn't be able to take a strong stance against Beim even if I won. And if I did, I'd have to be prepared for significant resentment, so they said.
Therefore, the current situation was according to the previous heads' plan.
The Third Head spoke.
"Now, putting the Beim matter on hold for a while, it's Galleria and Lusworth. If we can bring these two nations to our side, we'll have a scale where we can move an army of tens of thousands. It's not enough to fight Banseime, but it's important that Lariel has an army he can use."
I doubted whether they would truly cooperate when fighting Banseime, but I'm sure these people are thinking of a way to make them participate.
While I felt they were reliable, I wondered if it was okay to keep relying on them like this.
"What's wrong?"
Launo-san looked worriedly at me as I remained silent.
I gave a wry smile.
"It's fine. Well, I'll manage even if I'm kicked out."
Then, Launo-san scratched his head.
"...I guess so."
That was his reply.
Third Head (´∀｀) "The pattern we hated the most was..."
Fourth Generation (-@∀@) "...that Beim would provide full support!"
Fifth Head ( ゜д゜) "If that happened..."
Seventh Head (・д・) "...it would have become a real problem. There was a possibility Lariel would become a puppet."
Mireia ヽ(*´∀｀)ノ "That's why we tearfully provoked the surroundings lol It couldn't be helped lol"
Raiel |∀・).。oO(...I mustn't be fooled. They were enjoying it. They enjoyed it as much as I enjoy sexually harassing Mireia-san)
Lariel (； ・`ω・´) "You're all the absolute worst!"