287 - The Lucky Lyell
In the courtyard of the Lufence Royal Castle, I was speaking with General Broa.
We were in the middle of a meeting to prepare for the challenge of the Beime Labyrinth.
"The Beime Labyrinth at this time? And requesting squad leaders and above... Well, I believe it is necessary. Setting aside Beime's forces, Lariel-sama's army lacks commanders at the company scale."
Standing beside General Broa, who held a bundle of documents, was a knight serving as his adjutant. In contrast, I had the Valkyries standing on either side of me.
"The shortage of commander-class personnel is severe. I want to gather them in a short period of time. I don't care if they are knights or soldiers. I intend to provide rewards and promotions for those who are capable."
At my words, General Broa seemed to understand and ran his left hand through his hair.
"You intend to make them compete, then. I hope it goes well. However, there are many people in this world who think only of pulling others down. You will need to be careful about how you set up the competition."
Hearing General Broa's words, the Third Head spoke to me.
"Right, if you understand that, let us leave this matter to him. He is a man born to lead. Entrust him with various tasks, and Lariel, you should prioritize other work."
The Seventh Head also sounded pleased.
"It is a fine thing to have someone you can entrust with work."
Having conveyed what I wanted, I patted General Broa on the shoulder.
"Then, I'll leave it in your hands, General. I'll leave the details to you."
Then, General Broa shifted his gaze from the documents to me.
"...Eh? Um, there are various other tasks—"
Just then, Novem appeared in the courtyard.
"Lariel-sama, may I have a moment?"
"What is it? You're back a bit early."
General Broa looked as if he wanted to say something, but I approached Novem. Behind Novem was a short girl—Inis-san. While I was thinking that it was a rare combination, Novem told me that she wished to speak in a room where no one else was present.
We moved to an office within the royal castle, and what I heard from Novem was about Inis-san's skill.
From within the Orb, the Third Head spoke in a surprised voice.
"I'm surprised. Information? To think such a convenient skill exists."
The Seventh Head was also surprised, but seemed somewhat excited.
"With this skill... Lariel!"
I understood what the two of them wanted to say. Inis-san's skill—Information—is a skill that provides information and predicts the future based on it. With this skill, there is nothing left for me to fear.
Immediately, I decided to ask about a grave matter requiring urgent attention.
Novem conveyed Inis-san's request to me.
"Inis-san is requesting an improvement in Launo-san's treatment in exchange for her cooperation. Lariel-sama, the appointment of Launo-san as a knight, and a promise regarding future treatment—"
"—Before that, there is something I want to ask."
Novem closed her mouth, and Inis-san sat up straight on the office sofa. She waited with a nervous look, wondering what I was going to say.
The Third Head spoke in a serious voice.
"That's right. There is something we absolutely want to ask at this stage. However, I also want to know the accuracy of the skill."
The Seventh Head was also serious.
"First, let us provide information and conduct a few experiments. Depending on the results, we may have to adjust the period for challenging the labyrinth."
I looked at Inis-san.
"...Actually, I am troubled by women's problems. I want you to investigate how I can resolve them successfully."
Seriously—I asked Inis-san with utmost seriousness.
After a short pause, Inis-san spoke.
"...Eh?"
A vacant voice could be heard from within the Orb as well. The Third Head let out a voice of exasperation.
"Eh~, that? You're asking about that first? Lariel, you're a bit off, aren't you?"
The one who was slightly angry was the Seventh Head.
"Lariel, now is not the time for jokes. Surely there are other things you should be asking."
I was scolded, but if I may say so, women's problems are also an urgent and important issue. An environment where no matter who I touch, only problems seem likely to arise. Strained human relationships. Nothing but anxiety for the future.
Novem looked a bit troubled.
"Lariel-sama, surely such a question is a bit..."
No matter how much she sought cooperation, she was not a partner to whom I should disclose such internal affairs. I knew that, but right now, I wanted to do something about this area as well.
"I'm sorry, but this is also an urgent matter. I'm serious! Baldoor, whom I trusted, knew about women normally. Now, my only comrades are Damian and Maxim-san... and yet, I can't even consult those around me about women's problems!"
Baldoor was exasperated by my relationships with women, or rather, he wondered how I was managing the excessively increased number of women.
Damian sought quality over quantity and could not understand my troubles.
As for Maxim-san—whenever I approached Adele-san, he would guard her. I was in a state where I wasn't even trusted.
Inis-san, while exasperated, spoke.
"Um, were you listening to Novem-san? My future predictions become less accurate if I don't have a certain amount of information. I can't answer if you just suddenly ask."
I put on a smile.
"It's fine. I'll provide the information. Ask me anything."
Inis-san looked back and forth between Novem's face and mine. Novem let out a sigh and left the office.
"It would be difficult to talk with me here, so I will step outside."
Once Novem left the room, I told Inis-san the necessary information.
With this... I will no longer have to worry about women's problems!
"I thought it would be something like that."
Sitting on the office sofa, I repeatedly asked questions to Inis-san, who was using her skill. However, it was not the feeling of expectation I had earlier.
It was a negative... a negative feeling.
Because, as a result of providing information to Inis-san and activating the skill—the answer obtained was.
"There is no way for this to end peacefully."
Conversely, it turned into searching for negative solutions, such as how to reduce the damage.
"...What happens if I make Ludmila-san the First Wife?"
Inis-san began to glow faintly in the room and spoke in a slightly calm tone.
"Around the time the First Wife is decided, the Fanbayle camp will likely voice strong objections. Rianne Fanbayle will also begin maneuvering both openly and covertly. Cartaphus is the largest power after Banseime, but once Fanbayle recovers its territory as promised after the war, it will no longer be an insurmountable national power. Resistance will be fierce, and it is highly likely that two major factions will emerge."
I sat on the sofa hugging my knees. I let out a sigh, and then—.
"Then, who should I make the First Wife for things to go well?"
Inis-san's answer was.
"To put it bluntly, problems will arise no matter who you choose. Conversely, those you must not choose are the three demi-humans: Eva, Mei, and Monica. There is the issue of succession, but those three do not desire that position."
Setting aside Eva and Mei, my expression became subtle when Monica's name was mentioned.
"Well, those three are certainly no good. Then, what about Aria or Clara?"
"...If you lay the groundwork, they would likely be accepted as the First Wife. However, there is a high possibility they would clearly become someone's puppet. While Aria Rockwood and Clara Bloomer can support Lyell Wolt as individuals, I predict problems will arise as the Imperial Consorts of the Empire."
I recalled the faces of the two.
"Well, probing each other's intentions and that sort of thing is probably a bit too much for them. But because they don't have that kind of hidden agenda, it's actually better."
The Third Head sounded a bit disappointed.
"That's true. Clara-chan is better off supporting Lariel from the background. Sigh, the sight of her reading books with Lariel in a large library would have been so fitting."
The Seventh Head spoke.
"The problem is that we cannot choose Ludmila or Rianne. In that case, wouldn't we need a puppet, or rather a figurehead Imperial Consort, while keeping the factions in check? Or, if there were a third faction."
Miranda's face came to mind.
"Then, Miranda!"
"She would likely be able to suppress the two major factions while fully demonstrating her ability as the Imperial Consort. ...However."
"However?"
It had been going well until then, but from here, Inis-san brought me crashing down.
"To strengthen her own faction, it is highly likely she would increase the number of concubines. She would likely draw either Glacia Galleria or Eliza Lusworth into her faction, but it wouldn't stop there."
"Eh? She can't draw both in? They used to be on good terms, didn't they?"
Glacia and Eliza were friends who exchanged letters. And yet, now their relationship was indeed becoming subtle.
"...It would be difficult to incorporate both into the same faction. Conversely, if one of them becomes the Imperial Consort, there is a possibility the other would start their own faction."
The Third Head's voice came from the Orb.
"It's becoming a mess."
"Why is it turning out like this? Isn't there a more peaceful way?"
Inis-san spoke to me flatly.
"Everyone possesses a certain level of ability. They have the talent to achieve various things if they get serious. Let me put it another way. Why did you think it would end peacefully?"
I ignored Inis-san's question and moved to the next one.
"Then what about Vera!"
She's a merchant's daughter, but she has a kind side. Isn't this unexpectedly a good idea? While I was thinking so...
"Vera Tres is a merchant's daughter. Even if she is not conscious of it, in an environment where there is a tendency to value the noble blood inherited on the continent, it would be a bad move. I predict she would shoulder such hardships herself and eventually be worn down to nothing. If that happens, her father, Fidel Tres, would use every means to seek revenge—"
"I'm sorry. That's no good. Yeah, being worn down to nothing is not good."
I can't stand the idea of someone enduring and hiding their hardships, shouldering them alone. Inis-san continued.
"Regardless of whether it is good or bad, if the Imperial Consort is a merchant's daughter, the power of Beime, which we worked so hard to diminish, will increase. An expansion of the merchants' power across the entire continent—along with that, a decline in the status of knights and an increase in mercenaries is predicted. Even if continental conquest is achieved, the glory of the Empire would likely vanish within a few generations."
Inis-san started saying that the power of money would increase and the knights would become poor. Because of that, the lords would reduce their military—relying on mercenaries, and public security would deteriorate.
The Seventh Head spoke with all his might.
"...Lariel, stop it with Vera. It seems it would be worse than the current situation. Well, even if she herself is decent, those greedy merchants would use Vera's name to do as they please."
Precisely because she is decent, what a terrible future. For Vera's sake, the result was that the position of First Wife was out of the question.
The Third Head spoke.
"In that case, the only one left is Shannon-chan. No~, surely not that girl."
"...Then, how about Shannon, who seems the most hopeless?"
Then, Inis-san spoke.
"Shannon Sarkrai? If she becomes the Imperial Consort, her older sister, Miranda Sarkrai, will provide support. If she hides the handicap of being blind, she has enough ability to manage as the Imperial Consort. It is predicted that those with Magic Eyes... both Ludmilla Cartaphus and Rianne Fanbayle would be cautious, and the factional struggle would be a quiet one."
The Seventh Head spoke.
"What! Isn't that the best reaction so far!"
The Third Head also sounded surprised.
"Unexpected. To think that uselessly cute girl was actually capable..."
Finally, I asked.
"Then, what about Novem?"
However, to this question, Inis-san said.
"...The amount of information is too small to make a prediction. At this stage, I cannot even predict. However."
—However.
"—At this stage, it is highly likely that both Lyell Wolt and Novem Foxuz will end up unhappy."
That is what she told me.
A few days later.
Arriving in Beime, where reconstruction was progressing, I led an army of five thousand. I left Baldoor for the defense of Lufence, and others, including Novem, Aria, and Miranda, remained behind.
Even if something happened, we would not be defeated immediately.
The surrounding rubble had been removed, and places not in use were still untouched. The inner walls that were once used now contained all of North Banseime.
Beime, which had become significantly smaller, no longer had its former bustle. However, as they began to move for reconstruction and results became visible, smiles were returning to the people's faces.
In front of buildings that were safe, soup kitchens were being run, and meals were being provided to refugees and people with no place to live.
As we entered Beime, we were kept at a distance by the residents of Beime.
General Broa, on horseback, ran his hair in an awkward manner.
"Good grief, we've certainly been resented."
I remained expressionless.
"Well, it's the first time for Beime. From the perspective of outsiders, it's quite infuriating."
In particular, the dissatisfaction of the Four-Nation Alliance was great. Zain and Rolfis had suffered great damage because of Beime.
For those who had the experience of being provoked by Beime and then ravaged by mercenary groups, it seemed like a deserved retribution.
"The aftermath lingers. If we're unlucky, they might declare independence once the prospects for reconstruction are set."
I answered General Broa's anxiety.
"Beime is a commercial city. I will recognize a certain amount of rights. However, only to a certain extent. I will prepare someone else to manage the surrounding lands."
At my words, General Broa rubbed his chin.
"...Split Beime in two and secure the surroundings. With this, Beime will only be able to obtain food by buying it. When did you think of such a thing? No, since when had you been thinking about it?"
I laughed slightly. The successive heads of the family within the Orb had been wary of Beime's financial power and authority immediately upon arriving in Beime. So to speak, I had been thinking about stripping away their financial power since the moment I came to Beime.
Because I laughed slightly, General Broa seemed to realize and did not continue his questioning. However, toward me...
"You are a scary person."
I could only say one thing.
"I'm still just getting started."