280 - Chapter 15: Epilogue
――A room in the East Branch of the Beime Guild.
Adele Belgi was looking at the desks lined up in a large, organized room.
Five Valkyries had been provided in light equipment, and there were also guild employees, mid-level merchants who had not fled, and their subordinates.
Maxim had departed to fight the remaining forces of Banseime, leaving Adele in a situation where she had no allies.
It was Monica who thrust the merciless reality upon Adele.
"The Alliance Leader will now enter the former neighboring country that has been incorporated into eastern Banseime. Therefore, I intend to leave the management of Beime to you all."
Adele looked out the window. Beime was in ruins. The residents of Beime were evacuating. Furthermore, there were various detailed problems... she was being forced to take them all on.
Adele raised her hand to speak.
"What is it, Adele-sama?"
Adele felt irritated inside at Monica, who called her "Adele-sama" with such affectation.
"I have a question. Are you leaving the management of Beime, in this state of devastation, solely to us?"
Monica nodded expressionlessly.
"Yes. That is an affirmative. Exactly so. After all, the main force will enter eastern Banseime—or rather, Lufence, the former neighboring country, as it is easier to say. I intend to begin full-scale preparations there. Oh, it will be fine. Maxim-dono will remain in Beime."
Adele understood that Lariel and the others would enter Lufence, which General Broa had ruled, and prepare there to oppose Banseime.
However, Adele spoke.
"...I feel like we lack the manpower?"
Monica smiled.
"Everyone lacks manpower. Well, I have gathered cooperative personnel, so please do your best with the rest. I have high expectations for your administrative skills, Adele-sama."
As Monica gave her a thumbs-up and a smile, Adele ruffled her hair in frustration.
"At least leave Rianne-san or Novem-san behind! There is no way I can manage Beime by myself!"
Monica shook her head with a smile. Then, returning to an expressionless face...
"Maintain the status quo. Make the minimum goals the reconstruction and the management of the labyrinth. From now on, the interests of Beime will be divided into two—North Banseime and South Banseime. We will also seize a significant portion of the guild's interests, so please do your best as the acting Alliance Leader."
Seizing the guild's interests. That was important for Lariel. Furthermore, by dividing Beime into North and South, there was also the purpose of weakening the merchants' power while inciting a sense of rivalry to further erode their strength.
The devastated North Banseime. The developing but small-scale South Banseime.
The birth of the two Beimes.
However, from Adele's perspective, it was as if she had been dumped with a mountain of busy work.
"...Is it possible to refuse?"
Monica replied expressionlessly.
"You think it is? Rest assured. Not everyone is moving to Lufence immediately. There is still work to be done, such as incorporating prisoners into the army. However, Rianne-sama has already moved to Lufence."
While not the same type as Adele, Rianne was also a type who was relatively skilled at desk work. She possessed the ability to act as the manager of South Banseime while Lariel and the others were away.
But if Rianne had already moved to Lufence, then Adele was the only talent left.
They could not borrow personnel from the four-nation alliance. Zain and Rolfis were busy as their territories had increased, and Galleria and Lusworth had always lacked personnel on the administrative side. It was also difficult for Cartaphus and Jampea, and at this point, the shortage of rear-guard personnel was beginning to become serious.
Adele looked down and uttered a single phrase—.
"I will resent you... Lariel-san."
――The place where the Trace Family estate once stood was in tatters.
Whether it had been used by some noble, the furnishings had been looted, and traces of combat remained. Vera and Fidel, who had entered the estate, were surrounded by subordinates who had followed them to South Banseime.
"...Fidel-sama, there are burn marks, and this estate is already..."
As one of the subordinates muttered regretfully, Fidel said, "I see," and looked at the estate nostalgically. Vera could only watch her father.
Then, the sound of someone knocking on the broken estate door was heard, and everyone turned around. There stood a Valkyrie with black hair and red eyes—wearing a maid outfit.
Behind her stood a slightly haggard Gina and Roland—the former subordinates who had cast them out, standing with their heads lowered.
"Gina..."
When Vera called her name, Gina looked up.
"Everything has been taken from us. The ships were caught in a capsizing... I was betrayed by my subordinates, and they took the ships with them. Laugh if you want to! That is why you were looking for us, isn't it!"
"Gina, stop it!"
As Roland held Gina back, Fidel looked at the two of them. The subordinates behind them could not look Fidel in the face. Perhaps they were ashamed.
Vera spoke to Gina and the others.
"...I thought I wanted to see you if you were still alive. I am glad you are safe."
Lariel's objectives—and the environment surrounding Beime, and Banseime's declaration of war. Vera had thought that, in the worst case, Gina and the others might have died. She felt relieved that they were alive.
Fidel felt the same. However, Fidel spoke.
"How pathetic. Thinking that I was cast out by people like you makes me feel miserable."
Gina and Roland shuddered. After a while of silence, Gina spoke while looking down.
"...We will accept any punishment. But please, accept the people who served us into South Banseime. I beg you, Father."
Toward his daughter who bowed her head, Fidel maintained a cold attitude.
"You cast me out, and now you ask me to accept you? Your credibility is zero. After betraying me once, you wish to serve me again..."
Vera looked down, watching Fidel's attitude. Truthfully, she wanted to help them. However, Vera and the others, who had only just started their business in South Banseime, found it difficult to take on any more manpower.
At the same time, in South Banseime, a deep-seated sense of rivalry had been born from the feeling of having been cast out of Beime.
Accepting merchants from Beime, the side that had cast them out, was impossible for the current South Banseime.
"Several ships from great merchant houses that abandoned Beime came to South Banseime, but I turned them all away. That is South Banseime's answer. Do you understand? South Banseime will not accept you. That is the fact."
As Fidel began to walk, everyone followed him. Vera stopped beside Gina and Roland. Fidel did the same.
However, the subordinates moved ahead.
Fidel—.
"...I have several large favors owed to that brat. I have negotiated and made it so that you are permitted to do business in North Banseime. I will also have a certain amount of money prepared. The stolen ships have been secured in South Banseime. Since they will be used for transporting supplies, receive them at the port in three days. This is the best I can do right now. Roland, take care of Gina."
――Saying that, he walked away. Originally, he had wanted to help, but there was the surrounding environment and the emotions of his current subordinates. Furthermore, it had been decided that the merchants representing the hostile Beime would be crushed for the sake of Lariel's plan.
Gina looked up.
"...Father."
Vera also began to walk.
"He pushed himself quite a bit. From here on, manage things yourselves."
Using the favors he had accumulated with Lariel until now, Fidel made it so that Gina and the others were permitted to do business in North Banseime. That was the best he could do—.
The top floor of an inn in Beime.
Inside a luxurious room, I was wrapped in a blanket. Outside the window, it had become dark, and the day was coming to an end. It was a darkness that made it hard to believe this was the Beime that used to be bright even at night. The stars were clearly visible, but my mood was the worst.
"...It's not my fault."
Then, from inside the Orb, the laughter of the Third Head could be heard.
『Man, it was a bumper crop again this time. I never imagined you'd take the previous Saintess home right after she collapsed.』
The Seventh Head was the same. Laughing in the same way.
『As for me, I am quite satisfied to have heard Lariel's grand goal of working hard for the sake of the world. Or rather, is it raieru-san's goal?』
These guys... they're enjoying teasing me.
Then, a knock was heard at the door. Shuddering, I spoke.
"Y-yes?"
"Excuse me. Lariel-sama, I have brought today's report. It seems you can receive various reports from Monica-san, but there are other detailed matters."
The person who entered the room was Novem. I felt relieved that I didn't have to worry about being teased, but thinking that Novem had also seen my grown-up form made me feel awkward. I had shown it many times, but with each time, the past I wanted to bury increased.
"S-sorry. I wanted to be alone for a while... Ah, I'll go outside starting tomorrow."
Novem was smiling.
"It would be a help if you did. Lariel-sama is the Alliance Leader, after all. Just seeing your figure makes a difference. Also, Rianne-san has headed for Lufence. I've attached guards, but even if she trains soldiers there, it will be to a minimum. It's already winter, after all. I expect they won't be able to move for a while."
I looked out the window.
"True. It doesn't snow, but the cold becomes severe. We have to somehow rebuild the surrounding villages and disperse the residents even a little."
Too many people had gathered, and the rate at which supplies were decreasing was staggering. Even though we had taken them back from Banseime, the fact that it was less than expected was also a problem.
Novem sat on the bed.
"According to Rianne-san, she will gather those who support Lariel-sama in Lufence. At that time, she will weed out spies to some extent, but she says perfection will be difficult."
"I'll handle that when I head over. I have a skill for that."
Novem looked happy.
"Fines-sama's skill, then."
That's what she said. I was surprised she knew, but thinking about it, it's Novem. It wouldn't be strange for her to know, and the Foxuz family would naturally have materials on the Walt family. There's no point in worrying about it.
Then, Novem's expression became serious.
"Also, I was told by Baldoor-dono that marriage to the Princess of Rolfis is not permitted. Baldoor-dono is an important vassal who will support Lariel-sama in the future."
"...Novem, you're pretty harsh too. Doesn't that imply that the Princess of Rolfis is quite terrible? Well, our statuses probably don't match, so it would be impossible anyway."
When I said that, Novem chuckled. I followed suit, and the two of us chatted.
――Inside the Orb.
Watching Lariel talk happily with Novem, the Third Head seemed somewhat relieved. Five silver weapons floated in The Room of the Round Table, and there was a silence that made the previous noisiness seem like a lie.
『As for Lariel, I was worried about various things, but I think it'll work out. It might have been good that his consciousness shifted toward raieru-san.』
The Seventh Head also nodded.
『No matter the reason, guilt will emerge. Having killed that many people, he will likely carry a corresponding burden. Well, he has Novem and the others, so it should be fine, right? Though that Novem feels a bit suspicious.』
The Third Head laughed, covering their mouth with their hand.
『Isn't it fine? It's a bit heavy, but that's also love. Love. Well, if Lariel can make Novem-chan look his way in the true sense, there might be no problem.』
The Seventh Head looked worried.
『If he can do that, most of the problems will be solved. Well, a big problem still remains.』
The big problem—that was Celes.
To fight Celes, the successive heads of the family had granted Lariel wisdom—and skills. They had prepared to win shrewdly and certainly.
If there was a problem, it was what happened after, even if they could win the war. It would be a problem if Celes were to escape.
Surrounding him with people who were charmed was meaningless. Ultimately, Lariel had no choice but to fight Celes. He was gathering members for that purpose, but even the successive heads did not know what the win rate was.
And there was a problem they were aware of.
『The eastern region is now wide open. Others have great powers on their borders. ...Do you think she'll come out?』
To the Third Head's question, the Seventh Head nodded with a serious expression.
『She will come. The well-trained forces of the Walt family will certainly move. As early as soon after winter passes. However, it depends on the situation.』
The Third Head also put a hand to their chin and looked up at the ceiling.
『Even if a rebellion occurs within the country, if the scale is small, they will prioritize Lariel. There will likely be lords and nobles of Banseime who will side with Lariel... but having hostages in Central is troublesome.』
And there was something that concerned the Third Head even more. Looking at the Seventh Head.
『Now then, let me ask. Seventh Head—no, Broad, can you watch the battle between Lariel and Meizel-kun?』
The fact that the Walt family would move indicated that Meizel—the Eighth Head and current head of the Walt family—would move. Or he might send a proxy, but it wouldn't change the fact that they would fight the Walt family's army.
『From my perspective, the eras are too different. Honestly, since Baldoor-kun is cooperating, I don't have much lingering attachment. But what about the Seventh Head? It's not necessarily just traitors like the Barden family.』
The Seventh Head looked down.
『...Indeed, it might be painful to watch. However, if the Walt family is to fall like this, it might be better for Lariel to deliver the finishing blow.』
The Third Head also looked down.
『That might be the best way, but emotionally, well. But...』
The Seventh Head also looked at the ceiling.
『...We have finally come this far.』
The preparations to fight Celes were heading toward the final stage—.