305 - Dumping It All
The night after Lariel learned of Celes's atrocities.
I showed my face in the Round Table room within the jewel and spoke with the Third Head, who was sitting at the table.
『Now then, shall we summarize the information so far? Novem-chan is an evil god, and we—the Walt family—who were watched over by such an evil god, have the blood of Septem in us. On this side, she's called a goddess, but in reality, it's the blood of a monster known as the beauty who brought down a nation, Agrissa. Furthermore, Novem-chan follows Lariel, not Celes. Moreover, Novem-chan carries the blood of Novem, and Octo-san is also concerned about her. My, my, it's quite a mess, isn't it?』
The Third Head didn't seem to take the information obtained from the jewel entirely at face value.
『And this time, we've found out that humanity once perished and that there's a facility of that sort on the moon. It's a bit disappointing that there are no rabbits, but I'll give up on that for now.』
Is that something he really needs to worry about?
He said he was a romantic, but when the Third Head says it, it sounds fake.
『Well, I'm sure Novem-chan has various ideas regarding peace. The humans of old? I wouldn't want them to commit the same mistakes as humanity. Therefore, they mustn't aim for peace... how wonderful!』
「Is that okay!?」
As I stood up from my chair in surprise, the Third Head gave a silly grin.
『I mean, it's not exactly a bad opinion. The ancients failed in the past. So, it's important not to repeat the same mistakes. Oh, I'm not saying it's bad for Lariel to aim for peace, either.』
「Then what on earth should I do? I have to talk things over with Novem...」
Then, the Third Head looked at me with a gentle smile.
『In times like these... dump it on the next generation! Let's leave it as a challenge for Lariel's children and grandchildren. It's fine! I'm sure someone will solve it. No problem at all.』
I stared at the Third Head, my mouth hanging open.
Then, I caught my breath and screamed.
「You're the worst! I mean, it has to be solved!」
The Third Head tilted his head.
『Huh? Why?』
Asked by the Third Head, I struggled to answer.
「I mean, because... if it's not solved, the next generation will be in trouble.」
The Third Head crossed his arms while looking at me.
『Lariel... you idiot.』
I was a bit surprised to be called an idiot by the Third Head. Isn't dumping everything on the next generation the absolute worst thing to do?
However, the Third Head's answer was this.
『I simply executed the development plan the Second Head prepared for me, and after that, I didn't get very involved in the affairs of the territory. But you see, not everything is like that. There were things that were natural during the Second Head's era. However, in my era, the situation had changed significantly. Because wars continued almost every year, the price of lumber skyrocketed. There were times when it was difficult to buy food from the outside. Conversely, there were times when we could sell food at high prices.』
According to the Third Head, the situation of that era did not fit the plan prepared by the Second Head. In such cases, it seemed the Third Head had changed the policy.
『As long as Lariel is active, there's no problem. But the next generation will have the opinions of the next generation. The possibility that Lariel's current way of thinking won't fit that era... no, it's a certainty. In such times, Lariel doesn't need to worry about every little thing. What Lariel should worry about is preparing a successor who can be trusted even in such situations.』
The Third Head had a serious expression. Then, he began to speak about the problem of Novem.
『To be honest, the peace Lariel desires is the same. The peace desired in that era might change. It's also bad to decide everything rigidly. And the problem of Novem-chan is beyond our capabilities. For the current Lariel, the important thing is to obtain the continent. No, to defeat Celes. And to ensure his own safety and take responsibility. He can become the Emperor. He can aim for any kind of governance. But you see, there are things the current Lariel can do and things he cannot.』
If I were to unify the continent, I have declared that I will become the Emperor, so I would put that into action.
At that time, I would have far too little free time. It would already be impossible to move as I pleased, as I did during my adventurer days.
The Third Head predicted that if I unified the continent, I would be fully occupied with establishing a method of governance or entrusting it to the next generation. In reality, that would likely be the case.
『I can't even imagine it. Even with a civilization capable of reaching the moon, the ancients perished. Lariel will likely have his hands full too. So, Lariel, focus on what you can do. It's okay to entrust it.』
Being told that, I felt a little more at ease.
「Is it really okay to entrust it?」
『Yes. Do what you can, and if that's still not enough, you have to entrust it. You can't solve it. And you can't leave it alone. Therefore, you must entrust it.』
I looked at the Third Head and nodded. Then, the Third Head suddenly burst out laughing.
『Well, I dumped every single troublesome thing on Marks—the Fourth Head. Though he died in battle. Besides, from the perspective of young people, outdated opinions are just noisy. Even I thought the stubborn Second Head was a nuisance of the elderly.』
「...Why do you have to bring it down like that after coming this far? You were telling such a great story until just now!」
The Third Head laughed.
『It's the truth. People get stubborn as they age. No, I understand. That was fine for the Second Head's era, and in fact, it was correct. But in my era, he would say opinions that were outdated and simply wouldn't pass. I just ignored him and went ahead on my own.』
I remembered the Second Head, who I had struggled with. It was true that he had a tendency to over-meddle, and the Third Head might have suffered in that regard.
『That's why, once you entrust something, don't interfere. Well, there might be times when you have to. In those cases, it's case-by-case. And you know...』
The Third Head put his hand on his chin and looked down slightly.
『Honestly, even hearing that the ancients were wiped out, my reaction is just "So?" Because, until we catch up to the ancients, we have Professor Damian and Monica-chan for a few decades? Those two are honest with their own desires, and if Lariel tells Monica-chan to exercise self-restraint, she'll happily do so. As for Professor Damian, if he can create his ideal woman, he'll definitely have no interest in anything else once the technology is passed on. Great, that settles the technological innovation.』
While I was wondering if that was really okay, the Third Head looked amused.
『Besides, humans will kill each other even if they stay silent. They'll do it even if told not to, and peace won't be realized so easily. First, let's prioritize winning against Celes. Then, governance. It'll be busy. It might not even end in Lariel's era. There's a lot to do. Things that seem beyond your capacity... dump them on the next generation.』
I wonder... it was certainly as the Third Head said, but there was a part of me that couldn't accept it. Even though what he was saying was correct, he said it in a way that left nothing to the imagination.
Then, the Third Head smiled slightly.
『However, there was a harvest this time. Novem-chan was so distraught that she spoke her own opinion. Why don't you have a talk with Novem-chan, Lariel?』
Novem's room.
I had the Valkyries in front of the door step back, and then I knocked.
After a while, I heard Novem's reply and entered the room.
Novem had changed into loungewear and was sitting in the room. It didn't feel like she had been doing anything in particular.
When I entered the room, she stood up to prepare tea.
「Novem, I—」
「Lariel-sama, would it be alright if I told you a story from the past?」
Novem interrupted my question, prepared the tea, and sat on the sofa. I sat on the opposite side across the low table and looked at Novem.
「Long ago—a very long time ago. Septem and I differed in opinion, and I—Novem—and Octo...」
「Novem, stop.」
「Lariel-sama?」
I decided to tell Novem what needed to be said.
「Honestly, with evil gods and goddesses, there have been too many large-scale stories lately, and it's troubling. I will defeat Celes and unify the continent. I don't know if I'll make it to unification. I might entrust it to the next generation. So, for now, let's set the matter of peace aside.」
The Third Head's voice could be heard from within the jewel.
『That's right. But he didn't say he wouldn't aim for it!』
Novem looked surprised, but she looked down slightly.
「...Lariel-sama, I...」
「However,」
I interrupted Novem's statement and questioned her. It was an important matter.
「I want to know your true feelings. Tell me. No more secrets.」
Novem looked at my expression, and as if having made up her mind, she opened her mouth.
It was a fact that far exceeded my imagination.
—Baldoa had come to South Banseime from Rufens Royal Castle.
He had visited as part of his work, but upon entering South Banseime and hearing that Lariel and Novem had quarreled, he had a headache.
The ones who had invited such a Baldoa to drink were Maxim and Damian. Not at a tavern, but Damian's three automatons were bringing alcohol and food into the room.
As Baldoa held his head in his hands, Maxim spoke while drinking.
「Lariel-dono fought with Novem-dono? That's tough.」
If you called it an outsider's perspective, it was, but he seemed uninterested. Baldoa grew indignant at that attitude.
「It's not "that's tough"! Do you understand! How important this moment is! Beyond the issue of who will maintain Lariel-sama's harem, I'm worried that someone will start moving and cause a fratricidal conflict! And yet, the gun-related supplies I requested aren't finished... I can't go back like this.」
Damian spoke while eating the food served as appetizers.
「Old man Latata is busy too. I heard the other craftsmen can't keep up with the work. Even so, Baldoa has it rough. Or rather, you're quite admirable for being so devoted despite being pushed the leftovers by Lariel. I'd go crazy.」
「...She is my wife, for the record, so could you stop treating her as leftovers? Her personality is a bit problematic, but she's a good person.」
Maxim spoke in a similar manner to Damian.
「If it were me, I'd riot the moment the marriage was pushed on me. Baldoa is doing well.」
「So please stop talking as if she's a dud. She's actually quite cute.」
The two of them looked at Baldoa.
「No way. The woman completed in my head is the best.」
「I don't care about anyone other than Adele-sama.」
The drunks burst out laughing. Baldoa looked at the two of them.
(Why are these people, who are famous weirdos, so kind to me? I mean, no matter how you look at it, they should be important figures. They need to be more composed.)
While harboring feelings of disbelief toward the two who were being friendly, Baldoa had come to consult about Lariel.
「Maxim-dono, Professor Damian, what are you talking about? Please be more composed. Normally, one or two marriages—」
「I refuse! I have pledged this life to Adele-sama. I will compromise on anything else, but there are things I absolutely cannot yield!」
A red-faced Maxim stood up from his chair and refused with a resolute attitude. Baldoa covered his face with his hand.
「Then please just marry Adele-dono or whatever. I'm receiving requests to ask for engagement talks on my end.」
Then, Maxim suddenly sat back in his chair, his face turning bright red.
「That... well, I'm fine with it, but there's the problem of what Adele-sama thinks. Besides, I'm a former retainer, and Lady Adele is an existence beyond my reach. I find that to be a good thing, actually.」
(What a pain this guy is. Why are there so many people like this around Lariel-sama?)
As Baldoa cursed in his heart, Damian drank alcohol diluted by an automaton.
「Well, it doesn't really matter if Lariel fights with one of his lovers. With that many, there must be a spare.」
At Damian's words, a nearby automaton writhed its body.
「Ah, what a dry way of putting it. But that is the charm of my master.」
Baldoa looked at the automaton.
(...Monica-dono is the same, but automatons are definitely weird somewhere. Damn it, why does no one notice this crisis?)
As Baldoa continued to drink, Maxim spoke as if remembering something.
「Hm! Come to think of it, we were betting on who would get pregnant first. Since the strongest candidates were Ludmilla-dono or Rianne-dono, I had bet on Novem-dono!」
Damian also remembered.
「That's right! I bet the small amount of money I earned too! No... Nom? I thought she was a sure thing, so I invested everything there! It'll be a problem if they fight.」
Baldoa slammed the table with both hands and stood up from his chair.
「What are you betting on! I won't tell you to crack down on it, but please don't lead the way in betting! Right now, things are complicated with who belongs to which faction! We're in a situation where just making a strange move can lead to being labeled as part of a certain faction!」
Maxim grabbed Baldoa's shoulder and made him sit in the chair. Once Baldoa reluctantly sat, Maxim spoke.
「Rest easy. I'll side with whoever Adele-sama follows.」
「I can't rest easy at all!」
As Baldoa screamed, the automatons brought refills—.