212 - The Road That Continues Forever
The Fourth Generation's skill [Over Speed] has been changed to [Full Drive].
To me, the previous heads of the family were ancestors and excellent people.
There was a time in the past, after being told by my father, when I thought I would follow in their footsteps and revitalize the Walt family.
However, as I interacted with the previous heads recorded in the Orb, I saw their good points. And I saw their bad points as well.
Inside the Orb—the Fourth Generation and I, having stepped deep into the fray, raced toward each other on a single road that continued forever under the falling rain, while raindrops that seemed almost stationary filled the surroundings.
The sight of colliding with the raindrops and watching them burst was a strange spectacle.
We advanced toward each other on the single road, and the Fourth Generation's dagger clashed with my saber.
The scene, where even the sparks seemed to move slowly, filled with more and more clashes between the saber and the dagger.
Within the time created by the Fourth Generation's skill [Full Drive], the Fourth Generation and I scattered sparks violently, neither of us retreating a single step, continuing to swing our weapons.
When I thrust, the Fourth Generation would catch it with the dagger in his left hand and then parry it.
When the Fourth Generation thrust with the dagger in his right hand, I would deflect and parry it using the blade and the hilt of my saber.
The Fourth Generation's movements were slightly faster.
Having removed his glasses, the Fourth Generation had a serious expression.
'Do you intend to face Celes when you cannot even surpass me? Put more of your heart into it, Lariel!'
I shot back.
"I don't need you to tell me!"
I used my skills with the momentum to catch up to... no, to overtake the slightly faster movements of the Fourth Generation. I had to master the skill that the Fourth Generation had created.
I felt the acceleration from the skill increase further. And I noticed the flaw of this skill.
It required considerable concentration, and furthermore, it consumed mana to an unreasonable degree. However, if I stopped using the skill here, there would be no hope of winning against the Fourth Generation.
With the dual-wielded daggers, he used the one in his left hand almost as a shield. However, the dagger in his right hand was targeting my vitals with great dexterity.
As a recorded existence, the Fourth Generation did not have the problem of running out of mana.
My recovery rate was also faster than in the real world, and I could revive immediately even if I suffered a near-fatal wound. But even so, I had my limits.
If this state of deadlock continued, I would be the one at a disadvantage.
(A little more... just a little more!)
While using the Second Generation's skill—Field—I was simultaneously using the First Generation's skill—Limit Burst.
As my senses expanded and my overall abilities improved, I still could not reach the Fourth Generation.
In terms of raw ability, I had surpassed him. But in terms of skill... in the handling of weapons, fighting style, and the effective use of skills, I was inferior.
While numerous sparks and raindrops burst around us, I decided to make my move.
I stepped forward deeply and thrust my saber, but the Fourth Generation leaned his body far back, crossed the daggers in both hands to pinch the saber, and destroyed it just like that.
As fragments of metal slowly scattered around us.
'You were too impatient, Lariel.'
Hearing the Fourth Generation's voice, the corners of my mouth twisted. As I let out a smile, the Fourth Generation hurriedly tried to recover his posture.
However, there was no way I would miss such a golden opportunity.
"It was all according to plan, Fourth Generation."
I threw away the destroyed saber, and a weapon appeared in my hand. It had the hilt of a saber, but the blade was not a saber—it was a katana.
Gripping the appeared katana, I stepped forward even more deeply.
"—Full Burst!"
The third-stage skill left by the First Generation—Full Burst—was a vicious skill that multiplied one's abilities several times over. It used stored mana as a spark to produce an explosive effect.
However, it consumed a vast amount of mana, and it was a skill that could create a situation where one could not move due to mana depletion if the timing was wrong.
While the Fourth Generation's movements felt even slower, I slashed him diagonally with the katana.
Destroying the daggers the Fourth Generation tried to use for defense, a line was carved from his right hip to his left shoulder.
As the blade cut through the Fourth Generation's body, blood slowly spurted out.
Unable to completely kill the momentum of my step, I passed right by the Fourth Generation, and at that moment, the skill's effect wore off.
I gouged the ground, and mud flew. Both the Fourth Generation and I became covered in mud.
Feeling a sudden lethargy in my body, I fell to my knees, but forcing myself to look back, I saw the Fourth Generation, covered in mud and blood, looking at the daggers in both hands.
Then, as the daggers vanished from his hands, he laughed.
Scratching his long blue hair, he took the glasses from his breast pocket and put them on.
As the Fourth Generation looked up at the sky, the rain had stopped unnoticed, and a blue sky with white clouds covered the heavens, and a breeze blew.
Our wounds, which had been covered in mud and blood, closed, the mud vanished, and the weapons disappeared.
As the Fourth Generation turned toward me, he stroked the wound he had received to make it vanish. This was a sight only possible within the Orb.
'In the end, you truly surpassed me, Lariel. No, you surpassed me even as a warrior. Yes, there is nothing left to tell you now. I am satisfied. No, I am more than satisfied.'
Under the blue sky, we stood facing each other on the single road.
Then, the door of memories appeared behind me. It was the door to the Fourth Generation's room.
"I'm glad you're satisfied. It looks like I'll be able to avoid getting a lecture at the end."
When I spoke lightheartedly to act tough, the Fourth Generation laughed. I also made a smile, though I didn't know if it was working well.
'...To tell the truth, part of me wants to keep watching over you. You still have unreliable parts, and above all... I got a bit too involved. I've grown fond of you. But it's better to stop here. It's not good to keep interfering forever.'
"It's not like... you couldn't have given me advice for a while longer."
At my true feelings, the Fourth Generation shook his head.
'Lariel is fully capable of standing on his own. I believe so, which is why I am at peace. I've taught you what I had to teach, and since Novem-chan and the others are with you, I trust they will supplement whatever you lack.'
The Fourth Generation was inside the room of memories. While looking at the sight of the single road that his heart had carved.
'...Life is similar to a road. At first, you walk with your family, then you walk alone, and then you walk with your own family. In the end, you see your children off and that's it. Yes, normally, I would have finished by seeing Fredricks off a long time ago. But being able to see Lariel off like this, I now consider it a stroke of luck.'
I also looked at the road with the Fourth Generation. The road that continued forever had neither a visible end nor a beginning.
"...Finally, um, if there's anything else."
At my mumbling voice, the Fourth Generation crossed his arms and thought for a moment. Then, with a smile, he gave me one last piece of advice.
'Lariel, if you aim to be an emperor, remember this. Governance and domination are different. And governance means that you yourself are a part of the country. Even if you bring the continent under your hand, you must not forget that it is a borrowed thing that will one day be passed from Lariel to Lariel's child, and then to the grandchildren. It's the same as what I said earlier.'
The Fourth Generation looked at me with a relieved expression.
'...If Lariel becomes an emperor, there will be lives that are trampled upon unreasonably. You will be resented, you will be hated. Are you prepared to become such an existence? Even if you become an emperor, if you act as a governor, the rewards you receive are few. Even if you obtain it, that position may be empty. Even if you can no longer obtain ordinary happiness—'
"—Even if that happens. I will do it."
The Fourth Generation nodded. Then, he gave me the final piece of advice.
'Now, this is the last thing I can teach you. Listen carefully, as a way of reviewing.'
As the Fourth Generation spread his arms, golden fields spread around the single road. A scene unfolded where farmers worked with their families and rejoiced in the harvest.
'What is necessary in war is numbers. And quality also plays a part. However, what is necessary to gather those is daily internal affairs. The daily accumulation simply manifests as a result in war. Internal affairs and diplomacy are the same as war. War is only one of the means. But if that is the only choice, you must prepare the conditions for victory. Lariel, gather the conditions to win. And do not forget what happens after you win. Do not become a dead hero. Become a surviving great villain.'
Telling me to become a villain, the Fourth Generation waved to me.
'I suppose that's about it. Well then, as much as I hate to see you go, it is time to say goodbye. Lariel, I have high expectations for you.'
"Thank you for everything. Fourth Generation... sama."
I bowed my head. The Fourth Generation seemed intent on seeing me off with a smile.
I started to open my mouth, but I kept it shut, turned around, and began walking toward the door.
While feeling like turning back many times, I slowly headed toward the door. Then, as I touched the door handle and opened the door, I looked back.
There, many people were waving to me.
In addition to the Fourth Generation—Marks, beside him was a petite woman holding the Fourth Generation's hand and waving toward me. They seemed to be on good terms, as their bodies were leaning into each other.
And around them, vassals I had seen in the Fourth Generation's memories, as well as people who seemed to be the head of the Foxuz family and their associates, were waving.
Just as I was about to widen my eyes, the scene began to glow dazzlingly, and before I knew it, I had lost consciousness.
—Miranda brought two towel blankets to Lariel's room and first draped one over Reold.
Next, she covered Lariel with a towel blanket, but the Orb seemed to be glowing more than when she had seen it before leaving the room.
The blue light was increasing.
Then, Miranda looked at Lariel's face. He was shedding tears, and she wiped those tears away with her fingertips.
"You're crying quite sadly."
Miranda helped Lariel's body up, and she herself sat on the sofa and gave Lariel a lap pillow. Perhaps because he was very tired, there was no sign of Lariel waking up.
As she comforted Lariel by stroking his hair, Lariel moved his body as if to cling to Miranda's lap.
"Today is special. It's a reward for working hard."
Miranda gently stroked Lariel. Lariel was one year younger than her, but he was a genius who could play the country like a toy. Miranda also felt a sense of happiness in being able to have such a Lariel depend on her.
It made her happy that Lariel, who was a genius, relied on her. However, because there were so many rivals around him, the frequency was low.
"Honestly, increasing the number of women around him more and more... sigh, I have to work hard too."
Such a Miranda directed a gentle smile and tone toward Lariel—.
In the office of Glacia-san, the Acting Duke of Galleria, I had visited with the compiled reports.
Glacia-san had also been moving busily lately, subjugating traitorous lords and maintaining public order in the seized territories.
When she returned, normal duties awaited her, and she was spending her days as busily as I was.
"Here are the documents you requested."
When I handed over the documents with a smile, Glacia-san received them with a tired expression.
"...Sorry. I feel bad for making you act as Reold's substitute. So, where is Reold?"
It had been arranged that the one processing the documents was not me, but Reold-kun. In reality, he was helping me, and I was teaching him my way of processing documents.
In a little while, he will surely be able to process them normally.
"He seemed tired, so I'm letting him sleep. He'll be inspecting the local area tomorrow, so please assign Miranda and Clara to support him."
Glacia-san had a troubled expression.
"It's tough to have two people pulled away."
For Galleria, which had very serious problems in terms of internal affairs, the two who could excel in such areas seemed to be precious existences.
However, I couldn't keep them in service forever, so I wanted to get them into a state where they could hand over their duties quickly.
"Wouldn't it be better to have vassals who can handle paperwork? That kind of work is also important."
Glacia-san seemed to be thinking about it, but she said it wasn't working out. She sat back deeply in her chair, crossed her legs, and read my report.
"If I could do that, I wouldn't be struggling. Hiring vassals also costs money. The territory has expanded, but from now on, the maintenance of the port and flood control will cost money, and the current vassals intend to prioritize hiring military officers."
It might be the nature of the country, but to me, who had heard various things from the Fourth Generation, it seemed unbalanced.
"...Shall we place such vassals around Reold-sama? For a while, Reold-sama will likely be the center of internal affairs."
Then, as if remembering something, Glacia-san spoke.
"There would be backlash to that... Right. Regarding the letter I received from Elsa previously, we reached the conclusion that avoiding war is difficult for both sides. It seems the other traitorous lords felt the danger to themselves and want to achieve merit in the next war. Lusworth seems to be in a similar situation. Usually, they don't move in the rear and only get enthusiastic during looting, but this time they seem to be enthusiastic from the start."
I had the evidence of betrayal, and preparations for processing it were already underway. While the movements of each lord looked comical, I put my hand to my chin.
"...Then, wouldn't it be fine for the Archducal family to follow a policy of not moving much? Let the traitorous lords do their best, and we can just watch from a height. Right. Shall we also let Reold-sama complete his first battle?"
Given the nature of the country, Reold-kun, who had not yet completed his first battle, would be looked down upon.
If he experienced his first battle in any form, things would be easier in the future.
Glacia-san looked apologetic.
"T-that's true. Reold is at an age where he should experience his first battle. Yes, I'll arrange it immediately. I'll have Elsa be careful... Sorry, I'll write a letter immediately, so could you deliver it?"
Looking at Glacia-san, who became serious when it came to Reold-kun, I nodded with a smile.
"That's fine. I'll have them move with that policy as well. Also, regarding Reold-kun's armaments."
Glacia-san started panicking again. The preparations weren't ready. There was already less than a month until the next war.
I wanted to tell her not to go to war in such a state, but since there's an element of camaraderie, I suppose it's like this.
"I-I'll prepare them immediately... No, it's no use. Even if I order armaments now, they won't make it in time."
They are the armaments of the next Archduke. If they are too plain, he will be looked down upon.
I made a proposal to Glacia-san.
"I'll ask a merchant acquaintance. He's a famous merchant in Beim, so he'll provide items as expected. He employs skilled craftsmen, so it should be fine."
Glacia-san looked at me.
"Sorry. I'm always relying on you. Normally, it would be problematic to have Lariel-dono, who is an adventurer, do this much for us..."
Well, since I entered by taking advantage of her weaknesses, I feel sorry myself even if she feels sorry.
Then, Glacia-san—.
"Come to think of it, your atmosphere is a bit different from a few days ago. No, I don't mean different in a bad way..."
—Looking at me, she said that I seemed different from my previous atmosphere. I tilted my head.
"Do I? Well... a lot has happened, so it might be because of that. Right, changing the subject, what would you like as a souvenir this time? I'm returning to Beim, so I'll buy something on the way."
Glacia-san looked a bit embarrassed.
"N-no, it's bad to receive them so frequently. I still have the perfume I received before."
Since she waved both hands and said she didn't need any because she felt bad, I decided to bring some sweets as a gift.
I'll bring some souvenirs for Elsa-san as well. Since Novem and Aria are there, I'll probably need separate gifts for them too.
"I understand. I'll bring some sweets then."
"No, I said..."
Turning away from the embarrassed Glacia-san, I left the office.
Third Head (´・ω・) "...It's become lonely again."
Third Head (´・ω・｀) "Should we replenish someone?"
Raiel-kun |ω・｀)ノ "I'm here too..."