303 - Their Respective Peaces
"Novem was angry, wasn't she?"
"Honestly, when she gets that angry, it makes me go 'Eek!' I mean, that attitude of Novem-chan's... Hmm, does she have some history with the previous Novem-san, or is it because of the memories of the past Novems? Well, there's no way for me to know from this side."
The relationship between the Goddesses and Evil Gods remained ambiguous, and it was hard to say I truly understood it. However, it was a fact that Septem and Celes feared Novem.
And that Novem had become distraught when I said I aimed for peace.
"...I guess there are people who hate peace. But I never imagined Novem would hate it to that extent."
I was lying on the bed in my room, staring up at the ceiling. The ceiling of the canopied bed had intricate carvings, and I traced the lines with my gaze.
"Weapon merchants and the like hate peace, after all. They need people to be moderately worn down so they'll buy their products. But Novem-chan isn't a merchant. Besides, that 'slow death' part is what bothers me."
What Novem had said was that what awaits beyond peace is a slow death.
"A slow death, huh? Is that a bad thing? Isn't it far healthier than dying in battle or being caught in the crossfire?"
"I agree with that opinion. Even I wanted to grow old normally and draw my last breath in a bed. Why on earth should one have to die in battle?"
As I was talking seriously with the Third Head, I heard the sound of frantic footsteps. Only one voice could be heard making a commotion.
"W-wait! I—"
When the footsteps stopped beyond the door, I used a skill to confirm who it was. Apparently, three Valkyries had come carrying Clara. The Valkyrie guarding the door opened the door to my room.
"Now, this is your chance. I even bribed the guards for this moment."
"Clara-san, we have high expectations for you."
"As long as you can conceive Little Chick-sama's child, please rest assured that we will take care of the rest."
As they said that and closed the door, I heard the sound of it being locked from the outside.
Clara was sitting on the floor in her sleepwear, clutching a large book. Her glasses were crooked, and her hair was disheveled.
The Third Head sounded a bit excited.
"Ho, the time has finally come for Lariel to know women. If it's Clara-chan, I welcome it wholeheartedly."
The Third Head, who had encouraged me to have a harem, had only recently begun to regret it after realizing that nothing but romantic disasters awaited me. I was annoyed, but there was no point in taking it out on Clara.
I got out of bed and approached Clara.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes. I am fine. I mean, do they really have to go this far? Those automatons have absolutely no consideration for my feelings, my preparation, or anything else."
As Clara stood up, she tidied her navy-blue hair with her fingers. She straightened her glasses and let out a sigh.
"...Well, want to sit? I can prepare some tea."
When I moved to prepare tea using the tools in the room, Clara thanked me.
"Thank you very much."
Then, as we sat facing each other across a low table, Clara opened her book and began to read.
I spoke to her.
"Hey... what do you think peace is, Clara?"
Clara stopped turning the page and looked up at me.
"My peace? It is being able to live a life where my reading is not interrupted and I have no trouble finding food."
The Third Head agreed vehemently with Clara's definitive answer.
"Yes! That's it! I wanted to lead a life like that too!"
Ignoring the Third Head's voice, I asked Clara.
"...Today, Novem became distraught over the matter of peace. Is peace a bad thing?"
Clara returned her gaze to the page and answered my question while flipping it.
"I feel very happy when I can obtain new knowledge from books. However, I know there are people who do not feel that way. Aria-san, who dislikes reading. And Shannon-chan cannot read books even if she wants to. As a result, the peace I speak of would be boring to those two. Since I do not know what kind of peace Novem-san's version of peace refers to, I do not know what to say."
Even if one uses the word "peace," it is very difficult. If a peaceful state refers to a state where there is no fighting, then in the worst case—being supported under someone's control, or even being in a state of slavery, would be the same peace.
Clara said to me.
"I have heard that the business of merchants is almost the same as war. Some say they are not trading lives... but it is also a fact that many people end lives with money."
What kind of state should be called peace?
Should I define it in detail?
The Third Head seemed to sense what I was thinking.
"Lariel, are you thinking of defining it more precisely? If so, you'd better stop. The world changes. There are things that cannot be handled by laws defined too precisely. In the first place, peace is close to an illusion, just as Novem-chan said."
From the perspective of the Third Head, who was the head of the family during an era of repeated wars, peace must have been an unattainable dream.
Then, Clara turned her gaze toward me.
"...I do not necessarily deny Lariel-san's dream. I am satisfied as long as I can live an ordinary daily life rather than fighting. If you're going to do it, why not try asking various people?"
Tilting my head, I looked at Clara. She averted her gaze, hiding something from me.
"Clara, are you hiding something?"
"...No, well. If it becomes known that I am alone with Lariel-san like this, the delicate balance will collapse. Furthermore, if Novem-san, who usually handles the adjustments, is currently non-functional, it will become a terrifying situation."
The sound of clapping was heard from within the Orb. The Third Head sounded delighted.
"It's a romantic disaster!"
In contrast to the joyful Third Head, I couldn't laugh at all.
The next day.
I found Vera and Fidel-san visiting the Lufence Royal Castle, invited them for tea, and asked them about peace.
Fidel-san spoke while elegantly sipping his tea.
"Hmm. Peace for me, eh? Let's see. First, Vera and Gina will have children. Two or three boys and girls each. Then, their husbands will die, and the two daughters and grandchildren will rely on me. A wonderful future!"
Wasn't he indirectly telling me to die? Vera silenced Fidel-san by stepping on his foot with her heel.
"V-Vera... Father wasn't exactly telling this brat to die."
Looking exasperated, Vera shook her head.
"It's practically the same thing. I mean, don't say such things even as a joke. If you say it again, I'll absolutely never let you meet your grandchildren."
With a frustrated expression, Fidel-san glared at me.
"...I wish all of my daughter's husbands would just disappear."
He didn't tell me to die, but it seemed his desire for me to vanish remained unchanged. The Third Head looked at Fidel-san while laughing.
"Nice. Fidel-kun is as soothing as ever. Now, shall we ask about Vera-chan's peace as well?"
Vera took a sip of tea and looked at me.
"My peace, huh... maybe when pirates don't appear and cargo is delivered safely? Honestly, when you talk about the entire continent like Lariel does, I don't really get it. Peace in an economic sense is a bit different. Beime was typical of that."
I remembered that Beime's peace was built upon the blood shed on the battlefields of other countries. Indeed, that also felt wrong.
Fidel-san, who usually did nothing but joke, looked at me.
"You're a brat fond of idle fantasies. There are people in this world who can do nothing but war. People who cannot hold a decent job... Brat, you were born into a lord's house, so you should understand."
The Third Head told me.
"They do exist. People who simply cannot fit into the frames prepared by others. That's not always a good thing. There were certainly people who killed and stole, and didn't understand why that was bad."
Vera touched her black hair with her fingertips, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"Well, I think it would be nice if I had a husband, children... and a slightly noisy old man, and if peaceful days continued like that."
Fidel-san looked at Vera.
"...Vera, am I really that noisy?"
"Peace? ...Honestly, I've gathered plenty of material, so I'll be fine even if nothing happens for a few decades."
In the garden of the royal castle, a stage had been prepared. Elves were practicing performances and plays there, and soldiers would occasionally come to watch.
In such a place, Eva had her pink-blonde hair in a ponytail and had taken off her jacket, wearing revealing clothes.
I was used to it, but since she was sweating, she looked more provocative than usual.
"No, I feel like you're actually wishing for war?"
When I said that, Eva laughed through her nose.
"Hah! Even when I was traveling with my clan, we were sometimes attacked by bandits. Besides, if there aren't big battles or stimulation, my income decreases!"
What a realistic opinion. For Eva, fighting was a means of putting food on the table. As I looked troubled, Eva brushed back her hair.
"To be honest, you realize things after traveling. Old hero songs are certainly popular. Elderly people are happy when they hear stories from their own era. But children and the younger generation want to hear about the wars happening now. Then they think, 'Maybe I can too, someday.' They rejoice at the birth of a new hero."
I slumped my shoulders.
"Then is what I'm doing unnecessary?"
"Not really? Why not? It helps us if travel becomes safer and money flows better. However, if there's too little stimulation, the people of the territory will starve for topics of conversation. Look, the execution of criminals is a form of entertainment in a sense. It's even in ancient songs. It says an ancient king told his people that he only needed to provide food and entertainment, and so he made warriors fight life-or-death battles every day and let the people watch."
The Third Head also spoke to me.
"What Eva-chan says is also correct. The people will starve for entertainment."
While I wore an indescribable expression, Eva smiled at me.
"Well, I hope that someday I won't have to travel. I haven't forgotten your promise to build a special theater just for me."
I nodded and answered Eva, who was applying pressure with a smile.
"...Peace? Sorry, I can't understand it."
"Leave that kind of thing to the smart boys. Though, I'm against it."
The ones devouring meat on the bone were Mei and Marina-san, who were roasting today's prey in the royal castle's courtyard. From their perspective, it seemed they couldn't understand what I was saying.
Marina-san resumed eating.
Then, Mei tore off a piece of meat with gusto and wiped the grease around her mouth with her fingertips.
"I mean, for the wild, every day is basically a battle. The prey doesn't exactly think, 'I want to be eaten.' You chase them, they run away, but if you don't eat, you'll die. 'Peace' is a word for humans who can eat their fill."
"O-oh."
The Third Head was impressed by Mei's words.
"Since she's close to the wild, her words are unadorned."
Mei looked at the meat Marina had eaten.
"That was my meat!"
"It's your fault for being slow! Besides, I helped with the hunt, so give it up!"
Mei, who was a Kirin, and Marina-san, who was a human—both looked like nothing more than wild children.
"Peace? Heh, how stupid... That's obvious, isn't it? A world where you can eat your fill of pudding."
Shannon was laughing at me, but she was currently being forced to sit in seiza on the floor of the dining hall. The one forcing her was Miranda.
"Shannon, considering your current situation, you're in no position to laugh at Lariel."
Miranda, who was eating, flicked a single empty plate with her fingertip. Shannon hung her head.
"My legs are numb. I hate this! But I ate it because I thought there was some left! Even today, Monica told me it was expected to be left over!"
What do you mean, "told me"! Did this girl really put her hands on the pudding again without learning her lesson?
"You really don't learn. Well, I'll have a meal too and eat pudding right in front of you—"
Then, Miranda spoke to me.
"Lariel, this child ate three puddings. There are none left for me or Lariel."
I crouched in front of Shannon and pinched her cheek.
"W-h-a-t... are you doing, huh?"
"I-hee! I'm sowwy!"
After letting go of the teary-eyed Shannon, I turned my gaze toward Miranda. When I looked at her, Miranda understood what I wanted to ask.
"Peace, huh. If you'll let me say, it's frustrating, but I agree with Novem. It's the same as an illusion. Beime was peaceful, but the surrounding countries were squeezed for money and turned into battlefields, and it was miserable, wasn't it? But Beime was peaceful. If that's what Lariel aims for, I won't complain."
Miranda finished her meal and reached for a drink. Then, she pulled back her chair, crossed her legs, and looked at me.
"Lariel, you know, right? That there's a limit to the number of people who can survive on the continent."
I looked at Miranda.
"That's, well..."
Any territory has a limit to the number of people it can support. Food isn't infinite, and sometimes it's necessary to reduce the population during a famine.
"It's not like everyone can eat their fill as Shannon says. Well, maybe it could be managed if we tried various farming methods. Even so, if the population keeps increasing, we'll have to reduce it somewhere, right? Is Lariel's peace a world where everyone starves equally?"
"That's not it!"
Miranda nodded, as if she understood.
"Well, you said it was a matter of hundreds or thousands of years, so you can just leave those fine details to the people of that era. I mean, there's no need to take responsibility for it."
That was true. It was true, but... Then, Miranda looked a bit puzzled.
"But Novem's words are bothering me. That what awaits beyond peace is a slow death... that's a story for the distant future. What is she thinking, to consider something so far ahead? Especially now, when it's a struggle because the population has decreased."
The number of people who had already become victims might have exceeded a million. No, it probably had. In a continent driven mad by Celes, that much damage had been caused by Celes in just two years.
It seemed like I wouldn't have to think about reducing the population for a while.
...As I was thinking about that, Shannon spoke.
"I've lost feeling in my legs. Big sister, please forgive me already."
She was crying and begging Miranda for forgiveness.