238 - Chapter 13: Epilogue
――The East Branch of the Guild.
There, a notice regarding personnel transfers had been posted.
The labyrinth that appeared in Southern Beime had been designated as a managed labyrinth. The reasons were that materials frequently used could be obtained there, and because it was easy to conquer, materials that could not be obtained from the labyrinths managed by Beime were available.
Only one staff member's name was written on the personnel transfer notice. And they were recruiting volunteers.
Marianne was slightly surprised to see her own name written there.
As she looked, Tanya called out to her from behind.
"It has been a while, Marianne. Do you have a moment? ...Please do not be on guard. I am no longer in a position to lay a hand on you."
Marianne turned around and instinctively braced herself. Tanya, smiling with a hint of self-derision, invited her to an unused meeting room on the second floor.
When the two entered the meeting room, preparations for the early morning orientation for newcomers had not yet been made.
Marianne looked at Tanya and spoke.
"What do you mean, you are no longer in a position to lay a hand on me—"
Before she could finish, Tanya crossed her arms and perched herself on the table.
"It is Lyell-kun. He brought the mask of the Sweeper he recovered following yesterday's notification from the Guild. He said he saved you because you were attacked. If I were to lay a hand on you again, I would likely be repelled in the same manner."
Lyell producing the mask in front of the Guild executives was not merely to provoke them. He had demonstrated that sending Sweepers was meaningless.
And the conclusion the Guild reached was to dispatch staff in order to establish a branch in Southern Beime. The person whose name came up for that dispatch was Marianne.
She was close with Lyell and his companions, and the Guild disliked having her within their inner circle. However, since they could not punish her, they decided to send her away.
For Marianne, it was for the sake of helping Erhart and the others. She had trained many parties, but Erhart and his group were her favorites, perhaps because they were endearing.
"I will not refuse the trip to the South. Now, you have business with me, don't you?"
Tanya nodded and got to the point.
"The other branches do not have the leeway to send adventurers to the South. The North Branch, which deals with maritime transport, is far too different in its operations, and as for the West Branch, one first-class party was completely wiped out, and another has decided to transfer from Beime to the South. It seems the Queen of Cartaphus told them to take on the trip to the South. She really went through with it."
The South Branch. Since it specialized in mercenaries, it could not send adventurers. Furthermore, many mercenary groups had already left Beime.
The only one remaining was the East Branch, which had suffered the least damage.
"Erhart-kun and his group will be sent to the South. They are too close to Lyell-kun. ...I believe you will be the one organizing the Guild over there."
The scale of the labyrinth was not large. Tanya told Marianne that even if they were to manage it from now on, the scale would be small.
"The Guild will provide about two more staff members. Please hire the rest locally. Well, it is effectively a sentence of exile. Beime has no interest in the South. As for the management of magic stones and materials, it seems the merchants will also be migrating, so please discuss it with them."
Hearing this, Marianne felt a slight doubt. It felt as if Beime were splitting in two.
(Merchants centered around the Trace Family. Then Guild staff... adventurers. It is as if the necessary parts were cleanly carved out of Beime... No way!)
Marianne felt that a miniature Beime was about to be born in the South.
"Tanya, could it be..."
Marianne tried to confirm her anxiety with Tanya. Tanya spoke without changing her expression.
"We were played. When I looked into it, many craftsmen are also migrating via the merchants. A truly small Beime has been completed. Lyell-kun... I do not want to believe he predicted this far."
Marianne also did not believe that Lyell acted haphazardly.
She felt that he had sucked the funds out of Beime, and stolen the sensible merchants, craftsmen—and the know-how of the adventurers and the Guild—from Beime.
Feeling as if they had been dancing in the palm of his hand, the two of them felt a sense of dread toward Lyell—.
――Rauno had come to the base for the labyrinth conquest in Southern Beime.
When conquering a labyrinth, a base is established, and in Beime, it was natural for it to be at a level where a small town is formed.
However, the zoning was organized, and the efficiency was such that it seemed as if a town had been planned there from the start.
With the petite Inis by his side, Rauno walked through the town, matching Inis's pace.
"It is a lonely place. When you talk about a labyrinth conquest base, it is usually more crowded, with singers and prostitutes soliciting customers. It is not interesting without that cluttered feeling."
Walking through the town, the smell of food wafted from the stalls, and in the taverns, adventurers who had returned from the labyrinth drank and made noise regardless of whether it was morning or noon.
It was a common sight for prostitutes to solicit customers and for adventurers to be led by their noses. That was completely absent here.
Inis, who was holding Rauno's hand, spoke.
"What was your hometown like?"
Rauno scratched his head with his right hand.
"...My former boss was not there. It seems he had retired. It was not the current Her Majesty's reign, but the era of the previous King. There were few people left who remembered me."
Rauno, who had done the dirty work, had essentially been kicked out of Cartaphus. And he had grown to hate his work.
He possessed a skill that allowed him to infiltrate anywhere. Therefore, he was forced into work unbecoming of a knight and was looked down upon by those around him.
The reason he had still carried out the work was to swear loyalty to the country. But the words the previous King said to such a Rauno were—.
'A disgrace to the knights of Cartaphus.'
――They were.
"That Queen seems different from the stiff previous one... but still, I wonder."
Inis gripped Rauno's hand tightly.
"Rauno-san, you want to return to being a knight, don't you?"
Rauno gave a bitter smile.
"Do I look like that? No, if you say so, then I suppose I do. Maybe I do. Maybe I want to be recognized as a knight. I thought I had just been in a phase of having naive ideals."
Rauno realized, through Inis's words, that he still had naive ideals within him.
"So, Inis—did you gather the information?"
At Rauno's serious voice, Inis nodded.
"And the result?"
Inis spoke in a low voice, audible only to Rauno.
"Lyell-san intends to use Beime. In the end, Lyell-san has been exiled, and in the eyes of the world, he is treated as having lost. However, he has embedded himself in the Four-Nation Alliance, Cartaphus... everything. I believe he has escaped from Beime in a convenient manner."
"Escaped from what? Celes of Banseime?"
Inis shook her head.
"Various things. If he had remained in Beime as a hero, Lyell-san would have been unable to move freely. From now on, it is better to be light on his feet. Lyell-san seemed to dislike receiving full support from Beime. And the one who split Beime in two was—"
At that point, someone called out to Rauno and Inis.
It was Novem, who had been shopping.
"Inis-san, and Rauno-san as well. So you have come here."
Being called from behind, Rauno answered with a nonchalant attitude.
"Yeah, that is right. I can earn more over here where I have regular customers. You will use me again, right? I want to set up an office, so I wonder if there are any vacant properties around here?"
The reason he came to the South was to follow Lyell. It was not because he was a client. It was because Inis predicted that Beime would perish.
Novem brought her left hand to her mouth and began to giggle.
"That would be helpful. I will have some prepared immediately. If you have any requests, I will send someone, so please tell them at that time. Well then."
As Novem moved away from the two, Inis gripped Rauno's hand tightly. When Rauno looked at Inis, she looked a little frightened.
"What is it?"
"...Probably, but Novem-san was watching us."
Inis seemed to be wary of Novem.
"To that extent? I did not get that atmosphere—"
Inis spoke.
"That person will do anything for Lyell-san. She is that kind of person. Besides, she is scary. Looking at her, it is almost as if... sorry, please forget it."
Rauno scratched his head and led Inis toward the inn—.
――Roland entered the developing port on a ship of the Trace Family.
It was to meet Reold, the next Duke of Galleria, who was taking command there.
When he was shown to Reold's room in the most magnificent building prepared at the port, Roland took out the documents that had been unilaterally notified to him.
Since he was not outside, Reold was doing paperwork in rough attire, consisting of a shirt and trousers.
When Roland entered the room, Reold had tea prepared so he could take a break.
When the servant brought the tea, Reold finished his work and attended to Roland. However, his attitude was rude.
While thinking that he was being underestimated, Roland began to speak politely.
"I have come regarding the letter that reached Beime. The Acting Duke said that the decision-making power lay with you, so I could not speak with him, which is why I have come directly. Please tell me, why did you unilaterally decide to terminate the transaction with the Trace Family? You have not forgotten how much support we have provided, have you?"
Reold looked at Roland, put the cup to his lips, and drank a little tea. Then, removing the cup from his lips, he held the cup with both hands.
"...I am adhering to the contents of the contract. Did we contract with Southern Beime? It was with the Trace Family, a merchant house represented by Lord Fidel, not the usurped Trace Family. In other words, we do not recognize you."
Reold, who looked a bit tired, had ink stains on his shirt sleeves, perhaps because the paperwork had been continuous. His hands were also slightly dirty.
There were dark circles under his eyes.
"It has been officially decided that the Trace Family will be succeeded in Beime. With this, I cannot talk back even if I am told that the contract was broken."
Reold replied flatly.
"Whether Beime recognized it or not... such things do not matter. The Four-Nation Alliance plans to formally protest to Beime. Beime, which exiled Lyell-dono—my brother-in-law—on what was practically a false accusation, cannot be trusted. Above all, you, who exiled a relative and usurped the house, cannot be trusted."
As Roland stood up from the sofa, he spoke with a surprised expression.
"Do you think you can afford to make an enemy of Beime? It is true that it has become the Four-Nation Alliance and I hear various cooperative relationships have been formed, but still, from Beime every year—"
"――Yes, we were purchasing goods every year. Well, it was mainly weaponry, but also magic stones and such. However, the situation is different now. The number of wars has decreased sharply. What is needed is not weaponry, but things that enrich life. A certain amount of weaponry is necessary, but we can produce that here as well. Do you know? Because you drove out several merchant houses, craftsmen who lost their place to go have flowed into the Four-Nation Alliance. Lyell-dono told us to welcome them warmly, and we have responded to the request of Lyell-dono, our benefactor."
Roland looked down.
He wanted to regret that he had lowered the credibility of the Trace Family because of himself. However, by the time Roland learned of Gina's plan, he could not turn back.
And for Roland, who grew up in Beime, it was unimaginable that he could survive while being glared at by the Beime Merchant Council.
"...Are you saying the right to use the port will not be granted to us?"
Reold spoke.
"I have no intention of granting it. The Four-Nation Alliance supports Southern Beime. Future transactions will center around that area."
To those words, Roland responded.
"It seems you are underestimating the power of Beime. How many years do you think it will take for a small port town in the South to function? Do you think you can get by without trading in the meantime?"
Reold spoke.
"The ones underestimating are you. Certainly, Beime is one of the leading large cities on the continent. I believe there is nothing that cannot be obtained in that city. However, you should know that by looking down on those around you like that, dissatisfaction has also gathered."
Roland looked at Reold's gaze and flinched slightly. He had mostly worked within Beime and had few opportunities to work outside the country.
And he gasped at the gaze directed at him for the first time since going outside.
Reold immediately returned his expression to normal and spoke to Roland.
"Please go home. We have no need to follow Beime's decisions, nor do we intend to."
As Roland left the room, he worried about how to explain this at the next merchant council. On the condition that the port rights be handed over to Beime, Roland was recognized as the head of the Trace Family.
If that disappeared, there was no telling what would be said.
Roland decided to return quickly and devise a countermeasure with Gina—.
――In the territory that had become the front-line base for Beime, Broa let out a sigh.
What had been sent from Banseime was, no matter how you looked at it, an eerie box. It was certain that a part of a merchant's body was inside, and a letter declaring war by delivering it to Beime was also included.
When he confirmed the letter in his office, it was written to prepare for the invasion of Beime.
The knight who served as his adjutant looked at Broa and spoke.
"General, I understand you are not keen on this, but we must obey the orders of the royal palace."
Facing the serious knight, Broa sat deep in his chair, holding documents with one hand.
"It is impossible. Impossible. An invasion of Beime... I have no intention of losing, but how much military force and supplies do you think are necessary? On top of a troublesome fortress having been built, in the end, we have to attack the large city of Beime. An army of one hundred thousand to two hundred thousand is necessary. For us to prepare that alone? It is impossible. Now, we have no choice but to beg for help."
Broa could not judge whether it was good or bad that the Beime merchants had not returned alive.
(Well, rather than returning with their hearts stolen, this might have been a better result for this merchant. Rather than lurking in Beime and betraying allies and family.)
The merchant who had gone to meet Celes full of confidence had returned in a transformed state. The plump body was now only enough to fit into a box that could be held with one hand.
The knight looked worried.
"If you ignore the orders, you might be punished."
Broa let out a sigh.
"I know. But as a practical matter, we are allocating people to the governance of the surrounding areas, so we are short-handed. We have no choice but to explain the current situation and seek help."
The knight looked at Broa.
"Could you not take it down, General? You said before that there was no need to fear Beime that much."
Hearing the knight's words, Broa corrected him.
"You, please remember the details a bit better. Otherwise, it sounds like I am saying Beime is not a big deal."
"Is that not the case?"
"It is not. The premise is 'if we go to war.' Besides, Beime does not think about expanding its territory, so they will not attack from their side. Well, they might do enough to provoke and cause a war. Other than that, they are skilled at underhanded methods, like infiltrating through commercial relations or using honey traps. They are stronger enemies in peacetime. But if we fight, we can certainly win."
Saying so, Broa showed a certain document to the knight.
It was a mercenary group that Broa had hired to supplement the lacking manpower. Even seeing it, the knight seemed unable to understand.
"What is this?"
"...A mercenary group of adventurers who were originally affiliated with the Beime Guild's South Branch. It seems they were in charge of defending important parts during the defense of Beime. The scale is large, and the quality is not bad. But you see, they are mercenaries."
If hired, they will side with anyone. And it could be said that they knew Beime inside and out. They also knew how much wealth was in Beime, making it an easy place for them to fight.
"The capital of merchants and adventurers... it is going to be destroyed."
As Broa said this, he prepared a letter addressed to the royal palace in the center. It was a letter explaining the current situation and requesting reinforcements—.
Inside the Jewel.
Coming out of my room of memories, I was talking with the successive heads of the family.
'I think stockings are also good, other than garters.'
Hearing this, the Third Generation looked between me and Lyell with a serious expression.
'I see... was Lyell a foot fetishist? I prefer buttocks, though.'
I said to such a Third Generation.
"Please do not talk about your sexual preferences. Are you not ashamed?"
The Third Generation laughed.
'Even though I am already dead? Besides, these things are important. Because knowing oneself is important. It is fine, a foot fetishist.'
"Do not decide that I am a foot fetishist!"
When I shouted, the Seventh Generation followed up.
'That is right! Considering Lyell's gaze until now, the conclusion has already been reached that he likes large breasts. He glances at large breasts many times, so there is no mistake. If you call such a Lyell a foot fetishist, Lyell will get angry, Third Generation.'
Only now did I realize they had been observing my perspective through the Jewel, and becoming embarrassed, I slumped down on the spot.
Lyell, without paying attention to me, spoke.
'I also like Vera-chan's breasts, which are almost non-existent but there a little. I want to rub my face against the thighs visible between the skirt and the socks!'
"You really are a disgusting fellow."
As I said that, the Fifth Generation looked at me.
'Lyell, right now you look as if you are complaining to a mirror. Accept it. That is also important.'
I did not want to admit that such an erotic brat was myself. As I shook my head thinking so, Mireia-san gently placed her hand on my shoulder.
Sticking out her thumb.
'It is alright, Lyell. I had Miranda buy things other than garters. That girl has a good body, just like me.'
Before I could deny it, the Seventh Generation opened his mouth.
'Hahaha, though the breast size is not similar. Aunt was of a subtle size—Ow!'
Quickly taking out a gun that could fire only one shot from her fluttering sleeve, Mireia-san shot the Seventh Generation.
Because it was inside the Jewel, it ended with just being painful. In reality, it would be a very outrageous sight.
'Broad-kun, did I teach you that it was okay to say such things to a woman? Honestly, you have not changed since the old days.'
I was interested in the Seventh Generation's past, but to divert the topic, I spoke of Beime.
"More importantly, with this, I have split Beime in two as planned. Even if one is crushed, a spare is created... but am I really going on a journey just like this?"
It had been decided that before Banseime made a move, I would enter Banseime via the Four-Nation Alliance and then Cartaphus, and from there, aim for Fanbayle.
The Third Generation sat at the round table, shrugging his shoulders.
'It cannot be helped. We absolutely need the power of Fanbayle and the surrounding countries. If you take the letters from the Four-Nation Alliance and Cartaphus, the persuasiveness will increase, so it will be fine. Well, the problem is that Fanbayle hates the Walt Family intensely.'
The Seventh Generation had revived and was clearing his throat, ignoring the Third Generation's gaze. The Kingdom of Fanbayle—a country that had fought Banseime many times and had been decisively defeated by the Walt Family twice, losing territory.
Now, they only possessed about two-thirds of the territory they had in their prime. The one who shaved off one-third was the Walt Family.
Moreover, the Seventh Generation was heavily involved. When the invading forces of Fanbayle were rejoicing in victory, he beat them to a pulp and drove them back. He also seized territory as a bonus.
In the Kingdom of Fanbayle, when people spoke of the Walt Family, they were nothing other than the enemy.
Amidst this, the Fifth Generation stood up from his chair.
He was looking at the silver weapons floating above the round table.
The First Generation's greatsword.
The Second Generation's bow.
The Fourth Generation's dagger.
The Sixth Generation's halberd.
Four silver shining weapons were floating, and the Fifth Generation spoke after taking a light deep breath.
'...Lyell, before your journey, I will teach you my final skill. Map, Dimension. And the last is [Real Map]. You can confirm the surrounding terrain three-dimensionally, and moreover, you can read even detailed movements. It is a skill that allows you to move the perspective to the place you want to see. Well, it is convenient for traveling, so it is just right.'
When the Fifth Generation spoke with a determined expression, I felt a bit sad, thinking that the Fifth Generation was finally entrusting a skill to me.
A person who loved animals, had many children but was cold toward them, and left a great problem for the Walt Family.
He was far removed from the image I had heard, and seemed to be a person who lacked motivation. He was on the smaller side even within the Walt Family, but he was also the person the giant Sixth Generation could not defeat until the end.
"...I understand. I will move to the Fifth Generation's room of memories."
Saying so, I stood up. The Third Generation looked down, and the Seventh Generation looked at me and the Fifth Generation with a serious face. And yet—.
'...Why are you proceeding with the conversation on your own? I should tell you, as the guide, my decision-making power within the Jewel is higher than that of Father, you know? I will not permit you to disappear so arbitrarily.'
When I turned back to Mireia-san, Lyell also had both hands clasped behind his head.
'Right. I think we should properly convey things to Lyell.'
The Fifth Generation pointed at Mireia-san and the others.
'You lot! What are you saying! Already, there is nothing more I can convey to Lyell—'
Then, Mireia-san straightened her posture with a serious expression and faced the Fifth Generation.
'There is. There is, is there not, Father? Lyell should know what Father has endured. Facts that Lyell, who aims to be Emperor, must know... and, in order for Lyell to know you, the Fifth Generation Father, I do not permit the inheritance of the skill.'
The inheritance of the Fifth Generation's skill was blocked by Mireia-san—.