306 - Truth
"I-It's heavy. It's too heavy."
"Yeah~, it was more than I imagined. Even I'm surprised by this."
Once again in my room, hugging my knees on the bed, I held my head in my hands at the truth I had heard from Novem. To be honest, it was beyond my imagination, and I didn't know what to say.
"What do you mean by 'it was convenient for her' as the reason for leaving Celes alone? Honestly, it sounds like she just wanted me, stripped of Septem's memories and power..."
"Well, that's exactly it. She was phrasing it quite delicately, but to put it bluntly, Novem-chan noticed Celes and Agrissa. Moreover, she even made a backroom deal to ensure Lariel wasn't killed. However, she turned a blind eye to Lariel's memories and power being stolen. No matter how you look at it, that's heavy. Or rather, the previous Novem-chan was heavy too, but goddesses and evil gods really do have heavy love, don't they?"
I shouted at the Third, who was laughing.
"I'm being serious here!"
However, the Third still seemed to be enjoying himself. In terms of mental fortitude alone, isn't this man the strongest of all the generations?
"...Hey, Lariel. The facts Novem-chan told you are certainly unforgivable. But after hearing them, did Lariel come to hate Novem-chan?"
"I-I don't know. How should I put it... Novem's values are just too different from mine."
"I can understand that."
To the extent that even the Third agreed, there was a gap between Novem and me. To Novem, my existence was an object of protection. Not an object of romantic love.
However, it was also a fact that she loved me from the bottom of her heart. According to the Third—.
"Not a lover, but family. It was exactly a mother's love. Well, looking back now, it did feel that way. She was sweet to Lariel, and she accepted concubines while having no interest in being the primary wife herself."
Naturally, I also felt a sense of betrayal.
"Could it be... the reason Lariel didn't pass the memories to me was..."
"The possibility that he was wary of Novem-chan cannot be denied. Well, Lariel-kun was truly excellent. He subtly taught Lariel the trajectory of Myzel-kun's sword. There were likely other reasons, but he disappeared without saying a word."
Novem had been wary of my past memories—the memories before the age of ten—returning. That was because she wanted me as an existence stripped of Septem's influence.
As I thought about various things and agonized, the Third spoke.
"Lariel, do you like Novem-chan?"
"...Even if she has a connection to Celes, it's a fact that she protected me. So, for now, all I can say is that it's complicated."
Once, Celes had stolen memories and abilities from my existence. When Novem learned of this, instead of stopping it, she seemingly promised not to interfere as long as my existence wasn't killed.
A Novem that Celes and Agrissa were wary of—certainly, Novem had many aspects that were off the charts until now.
"The reason you encouraged me to have a harem was also because you didn't think of me as a lover, right? Man, that's just really sad."
The Third was laughing.
"It's almost funny that the person closest to Lariel here hasn't fallen for him. I wonder what Lariel-san would have said about that."
"...Why do you like my grown-up self so much?"
"Because it's interesting. There's a gap from how you usually are. For me, the 'Fall for him now, fall for him right now' he told Eva-chan was the best. Man, that was fun."
The Third seemed to be enjoying himself, but a certain feeling of loneliness welled up within me. Until now, even if I stayed silent, someone would have countered the Third's opinions. But now, there was no one. And the Third's way of speaking was also somewhat lonely.
Perhaps the Third was also thinking about various things regarding me.
"There are many things, but what does Lariel want to do? Do you want to cast her aside? Or keep her by your side?"
I thought for a while. Then, the Third spoke.
"Thinking about various things is important. But there are times when things should be thought of more simply. Practically speaking, if Lariel feels Novem-chan is a burden... I think it's fine to cast her aside."
At those words from the Third, I laughed a little.
"After telling me to cherish Novem so much all this time, you're saying that now?"
The Third said things like, "That's true. It is a bit late," while continuing.
"Well, Lariel is more important now. It's not that I specifically want you to cast her aside. It's just that there's a priority to things. As for me, I understand that feeling of having been betrayed."
My feelings.
"...I wonder if Novem will look at me? Not as a male of the Walt family, but as the existence that is me."
The Third spoke in a gentle voice.
"That depends on Lariel. Do your best."
—Ships from various countries were arriving at the port of South Banseime.
Dignitaries from Fanbayle were participating, arriving by sharing a ship from Cartaphus.
There was a reason why Ludmilla, as the representative of Cartaphus, had come to Banseime in person.
Besides Cartaphus, ships from Jampea, Galleria, and Lusworth had also arrived at the port.
"It's become the last one, hasn't it."
To Ludmilla, who muttered this on the deck, the Valkyrie who had come along replied flatly.
"Given the distance, it cannot be helped."
Ludmilla smiled.
"Now then, you really will support me, won't you?"
The Valkyrie nodded and gave Ludmilla information.
"From our side as well, there are great merits if Ludmilla-san conceives the Master's child. You will let us take care of it, right?"
Ludmilla laughed.
"Do as you like. If I can get your cooperation with that, it's a cheap price. However, regarding education, we will go with the Cartaphus style. I want my firstborn to actively aim for the next imperial throne. The throne of Cartaphus is second... though it's fine if the second child inherits the royal throne."
Ludmilla looked at the Valkyrie who had offered cooperation and rested her longsword on her shoulder. She was naturally surprised when the cooperation was suddenly offered, but seeing the Valkyrie's performance, she had wanted to keep her close no matter what.
The fact that she swore absolute loyalty only to Lariel meant, conversely, that there was a high possibility she wouldn't be hostile as long as Lariel wasn't betrayed.
However, there was a problem.
"So, exactly how many Valkyries will support me?"
Valkyrie... [Number Nineteen] raised one arm and folded her thumb.
"Including myself, four units support Ludmilla-san."
Looking at the Valkyrie's four fingers, Ludmilla touched her chin with her left hand.
"Is that few? Or many? Which is it?"
"It's a state of unpopular solo-running. After all, the remaining three are aiming for a dark horse. Though, the imperial throne or successors don't really matter much to us. In short... anyone is fine as long as they can take care of Little Chick-sama. I thought that if I stayed by Ludmilla-san's side, there would be fewer competitors."
At Nineteen's bluntness, Ludmilla's cheek twitched. Then, as preparations for disembarking were completed, Ludmilla stepped off the ship.
As Nineteen accompanied her while carrying luggage, a man with brown skin and pink hair, dressed in slightly heavy clothing, was waiting for them.
It was Joule Passworth of Jampea.
"Hello, Queen of Cartaphus. I am the King of Jampea, Joule Passworth. I'm glad we could greet each other."
Joule greeted her with a smile, but Ludmilla narrowed her eyes slightly, thinking he looked like a frivolous man.
"Nice to meet you, I am Ludmilla Cartaphus. Even so, you're dressed quite heavily despite it being this warm."
Told this, Joule gave a wry smile.
"At this time of year, it's even hotter in my home country. It feels like it's suddenly become cold. Besides, I don't think you're in a position to talk."
Joule looked exasperatedly at Ludmilla, who was unified in black from head to toe, exposing no bare skin below her neck.
"I have many wounds from the battlefield and it's unsightly. It's for the consideration of those around me. Otherwise, I'd want to strip them off."
Joule spoke with the air of a playboy.
"I like that. I love a woman's bare skin! However, I'm not an idiot. I won't lay a hand on the Hegemon's women."
As Ludmilla began to walk, Joule began to walk as well.
"...So, what exactly is your business?"
After a while of silence, Ludmilla brought it up to Joule. Then, Joule spoke with a serious expression.
"Actually, I have a younger sister. She's a half-sister and resents me. But since this is a great opportunity, I also want to send a woman to the Hegemon. She's stubborn, but she'll work for the sake of the country. Her age is not a problem either."
Hearing this, Ludmilla laughed.
"Hoh, the fact that you're telling this to me means it's either just a provocation or—"
Joule smiled.
"Of course, I want to cooperate. Cartaphus is a country that doesn't share a border and has no conflicts at sea. It seems the Hegemon intends to place a country or a lord in Banseime to manage it. From our side, we don't want our rights threatened. That's true for you as well, Queen Ludmilla, right? However, Cartaphus offered the Queen herself to the Hegemon. Jampea's cooperation came quite a bit later."
Once Ludmilla understood what Joule wanted to say...
"In exchange for pushing me in, that sister will join my faction?"
"That's right. From our side, it would be troublesome if the sister's child took the imperial throne. I want her to be under someone. Various things happened within the family, so she resents me."
For Jampea, he wanted to provide a concubine for Lariel. However, it would be troublesome if that child took the imperial throne. Because there was no guarantee that the sister who held a grudge against Joule wouldn't do something to him.
"...I'll bring it up."
When Ludmilla said that, Joule was delighted.
"Great. With this, it seems there won't be any unpleasantness over promoting my sister during the drinking party with the Hegemon. I'm counting on you, Queen."
Ludmilla shook hands with Joule with a smile—.
—A room in South Banseime.
"...Tch!"
In Rianne's room, Valkyrie Number Thirty-Four clicked her tongue.
Rianne, the owner of the room, was surprised by the sudden clicking of the tongue. Rianne had been overwhelmed by Thirty-Four, who had said she would support her and was moving around in various ways.
"...What is it this time?"
Thirty-Four said, "My apologies," while continuing.
"The ship from Cartaphus has arrived at the port. It seems that pink-headed fellow from Jampea has approached Ludmilla-san."
Rianne let out a sigh.
"You really are convenient. The freshness of the information is unbelievable."
The reason they were gathering in South Banseime was to discuss a large-scale invasion of Banseime. Therefore, the main members were gathered in South Banseime rather than North Banseime, which was in the middle of reconstruction.
"The problem is that Jampea is also trying to offer a woman to the Master. By incorporating her into Ludmilla-san's faction. This will put Rianne-san at a disadvantage, will it not?"
"...It's not that I'm at a disadvantage in terms of factions, is it?"
The standard for the Valkyries was Lariel, and secondarily Lariel's children. Apparently, there were Valkyries making a fuss that if they joined Ludmilla's faction, the probability of being able to take care of them would simply double.
"Traitors have already started appearing from our side. No matter what, Rianne-san must work hard to give birth to Little Chick-sama!"
It sounded like a joke, but the Valkyries were serious. Because they were serious, it was in bad taste.
Rianne, exasperated, spoke.
"No matter how you look at it, it's impossible for the women's group to go to the battlefield in terms of combat power. In that case, Shannon-san or I become candidates... but a princess of Jampea. Lariel wouldn't be able to accept any more, but it would be troublesome if the other party strongly requested it."
Thirty-Four said nonchalantly.
"Please just crush it with schemes as you usually do."
Rianne looked at Thirty-Four.
"...What kind of eyes are you looking at me with? Let me tell you, I won't crush her. What is with that look!"
Thirty-Four shrugged and shook her head.
"How disappointing. I thought that if it were Rianne-san, you would push aside the other women and take the seat of the primary wife."
Rianne shouted.
"I'm not going to fight at a time like this! Please don't make a fool of me. Besides, if I'm going to do it, it'll be after everything is over. I'm at least doing the preliminary preparations for that."
Thirty-Four clapped expressionlessly.
"As expected of Rianne-san. In that vein, please produce the first Little Chick-sama quickly!"
"...You automatons really are faithful to your desires."
While Lariel was moping, those around him had also begun to move—.