308 - The Round Table
――Amidst the bustle of South Banseime, a slight, prickly sense of tension had begun to emerge.
This was because representatives from various countries had arrived, and knights and soldiers were keeping a sharp eye out for security, increasing their numbers in the streets.
In the midst of this situation in South Banseime, Eliza Lusworth was in trouble.
"...I'm lost."
The crowds were thick. Additionally, Eliza, who was rarely allowed outside and always had guards or someone by her side when she did, had visited South Banseime before, but the pace of development had been so fast that it looked like an entirely different city.
"This place wasn't here before."
Eliza looked as if she were about to cry, but she did not shed any tears. She hovered about in a troubled manner, but in appearance, she was a beauty with long light-blue hair, though she was tall. Normally, her features were so beautiful that they gave the surrounding people an overly cold impression.
However, she was currently wearing feminine clothing—a pants style, with a frilled top. Having lightly decided to leave her guards behind and walk through the city, Eliza was now hovering about in that attire, having become lost.
Then.
"What are you doing?"
Shannon, clutching sweets and other things in both arms, was standing behind Eliza.
"...I've been flanked."
Then, Eliza sat down on the spot, lamenting that she had been flanked by a small girl like Shannon.
"How rude. I mean, you're Eliza, aren't you?"
Eliza crouched down and looked at Shannon.
"You... are you Shannon? If I recall, you were Miranda's younger sister."
Their relationship was subtle, and they had few opportunities to speak like this. Both were candidates for Lariel's bride, and from Eliza's perspective, Shannon was also a rival.
Shannon took one of the sweets from her arms and began to eat it.
"That's unladylike."
At Eliza's words, Shannon looked exasperated.
"You're so noisy. My sweets are restricted at the mansion. Once I get my allowance, I need to go outside to relieve stress."
Watching Shannon eat the sweets with such gusto, Eliza's stomach growled. Hurriedly pressing her hand against her stomach, Eliza's white skin flushed red with embarrassment.
"What? Are you hungry? I guess it can't be helped. I'll bestow some of my sweets upon you."
Eliza felt irritated by Shannon's condescending attitude. However, the sweets Shannon held looked delicious.
No, wait, me! I am still the representative of Lusworth. To be bestowed upon by such a little girl...
What Shannon was holding toward Eliza were sweets popular even in South Banseime.
"Oh, you don't want any? These are popular sweets in South Banseime, they sell out by morning, so you can't buy any more today."
Incidentally, the ones selling them were the Valkyries, who never forgot to make a little extra money. Each faction had opened shops to provide sweets and food to raise funds. Since they were originally automatons—and specifically made to serve humans—their skill was quite impressive.
The sweet aroma tickled Eliza's nostrils.
As Eliza began to reach out, Shannon pulled the sweets back.
With a smirk.
"Come on, say you want them properly."
"You really are a nasty person."
When Eliza said that, Shannon looked away.
"Why should I need to be kind to my sister's enemy? Besides, I'm being quite kind. I'm giving you popular sweets, after all."
Then, Eliza stood up.
"Are you familiar with this area? Did you not follow Lufence?"
Were you left behind by Lariel? Being phrased that way, Shannon suddenly shouted loudly.
"Hah!? There's no way I'd be left behind! I'm actually doing work, you know. That guy is a useless human without me."
"I-is that so? I'm not usually by his side, so I don't know about those matters."
Being yelled at by Shannon, Eliza became depressed. Seeing Eliza like that, Shannon let out a sigh.
"It can't be helped. Follow me. If you hate being bestowed upon, I'll introduce you to some delicious shops. Though I only specialize in sweets."
Incidentally, everything else was the specialty of May and Marina. Having eaten almost every dish from the stalls and shops, the two of them were famous figures in South Banseime.
"Is it alright? We're enemies, right?"
When Eliza said that, Shannon smiled defiantly.
"Hmph, I'll be your friend just for now."
She said such a thing, her cheeks flushing slightly. Eliza also looked happy.
"I-is that so!"
Eliza, who rejoiced at the word "friend," had once been treated as a decorative queen. Because of that, she was poor at socializing. She had also developed a subtle relationship with Glacia and was starving for the word "friend."
"I'll teach you how to enjoy this city. First, we'll get some food. Then we'll go shopping at the Trace family's shop. If you use Lariel's name, they'll happily make it free."
"L-Lariel is amazing."
Fidel was having things purchased in Lariel's name and making them buy in large quantities, but Shannon did not know that.
The two of them continued to play around in the city of South Banseime, and by the time they returned, Eliza was scolded by her guard knights, and Shannon was scolded by Lariel, who had received the bill for the shopping.
It was reported—or perhaps not—that both of them were seen being made to sit in seiza in their rooms...
The grand conference room prepared in South Banseime.
Surrounding the prepared round table were the representatives of various countries. Amidst them, I, sitting in a luxurious chair to demonstrate authority, tried not to let my expression crumble.
In the conference room, an explanation was being given regarding how dangerous Banseime was. From the Banseime royal family's cancellation of the engagement to the Fanbayle royal family, to Celes's numerous abnormal actions.
And when the hell occurring within Banseime was conveyed, the representatives of the various countries seemed to accept it, though they remained suspicious.
Honestly, no one was participating in the alliance out of a sense of justice. In eastern Banseime, there were many lords who had chosen to follow me after the Walt family's defeat.
There were many countries and lords who offered cooperation, seeing that the flow of the era was moving in this direction.
Furthermore, Fanbayle's goal was the recovery of the territories they had lost, on top of the trauma carved into them by the Sixth and Seventh Generations.
Then, a representative from a country adjacent to Cartaphus that did not border Banseime spoke.
"This is terrible. Indeed, something must be done about Banseime. However, Lord Alliance Leader... what exactly will be the reward for those of us who participate?"
Then, representing the Four-Nation Alliance, Aura-san spoke.
"In the face of such a threat, you seek a reward? It is obvious that if we do not strike them down, it will become a crisis for the entire continent."
Aura-san defending me was not... for my sake. It was to show that the Four-Nation Alliance, and Zain, had a voice.
In reality, in order for me to stand up, Zain had provided considerable cooperation. She was seeking the return for that.
"...A mere small nation."
As an ominous atmosphere spread through the conference room, the Third Head spoke from within the orb in an excited voice.
『Nice. It really feels like a ragtag bunch, which is great. It's a good thing the majority of the Walt family's soldiers joined our side. It sets an example for those around us. Conversely, if there were fewer, the major nations wouldn't be able to invade Banseime with their full strength.』
Aura-san spoke.
"Let us pretend we did not hear those words. However, if you wish to leave the alliance at this moment, would it not be better to say so?"
It was a statement made knowing the opponent could not do so, but it was admittedly too much provocation.
Others added in.
"I wonder about the attitude of those who show up late and only worry about the reward."
"Have you forgotten that without our cooperation, you wouldn't be able to fight properly?"
"After all your fence-sitting until now."
As such complaints erupted one after another, I listened in silence. From within the orb, I could hear the Third Head's advice.
『Lariel, in a place like this, there's no point in giving the best answer. People cannot accept it honestly depending on their mood. In times like this, let them vent their frustrations, and then make a proposal once they're tired. Conferences are a battle of endurance, too.』
This was a conference to bridge the gaps in positions and perceptions. A certain amount of arguing was only natural.
Then, a middle-aged man stood up.
He was the representative of a country further west than Fanbayle.
"Excuse me. What has been the topic of discussion until now is how Banseime is committing atrocities, and that it is only a matter of time before that spreads to the entire continent. However, I say this with hesitation... but I have profound doubts as to whether the Lord Alliance Leader, who hails from the Walt family, is truly suitable as the leader."
The middle-aged man with a groomed beard apparently held the position of Crown Prince. While listening and thinking it was a reasonable question, the Crown Prince continued.
"This is an allied army of this scale. It will surely carve its name into history. That the commander-in-chief, the Lord Alliance Leader, is an associate of the enemy Banseime—I cannot be the only one who finds this unacceptable."
Amidst the buzzing of the conference room, I listened to the talk in silence.
Then, Glacia-san crossed her arms and glared at the Crown Prince.
"What are you trying to say?"
The Crown Prince shrugged.
"Seducing women to expand one's influence. I see, that is indeed one method. He is similar to Celes Walt, who was introduced here as atrocious. As expected, they are like siblings. ...I believe it is necessary to re-elect the leader at this time?"
The Third Head was laughing. Amidst the buzzing of the surroundings, voices of agreement could be heard from those for whom this was more convenient.
『He's hitting where it hurts. Now, I wonder how Lariel will respond?』
The reason the Third Head was enjoying this was that he knew there was no answer to the question: who else could stop Celes?
I kept my back straight.
"...The number of soldiers planned to invade Banseime is currently one hundred and fifty thousand. This will likely increase as time passes."
The lords of Banseime visiting in search of Lufence, and the dissatisfied citizens who drifted in. They were expected to increase further.
The Crown Prince's eyebrows twitched.
"And what of it? In terms of military strength, the maximum number of Cartaphus is—"
Ludmilla spoke.
"Even Cartaphus cannot put out that much in mobilization. However, are you saying you can put out more strength than that? It's not just about military strength. Have you secured means of communication with each army? What is the strategy? What is the grasp of each country's situation? If there is anyone here who can do better than the Lord Alliance Leader, why not step forward?"
Then, a heavyweight who was the representative of Fanbayle said one word.
"This is why frontier nations are like this. The scale is already different from your homeland, which can put out thirty thousand at most."
For a long time, the continent had been divided, and they only held small-scale perspectives. When speaking on a continental scale, problems arise that cannot be solved by military strength alone.
Then, Jule of Jampea clapped his hands.
"The result is already clear. Is it not enough that you've understood that? Well, for a man, it is a good thing to aim for the top. However, Jampea supports the Lord Alliance Leader."
When the major figures nodded and expressed their support for me, the other participants fell silent.
The Third Head looked interested.
『Well, it's impossible to tell them to suddenly have a continental-scale perspective. Even I would tilt my head. Lariel has various convenient skills and automatons, so he's at an advantage at times like this.』
The existence of Monica and the other automatons was one thing, but the skills left by the previous heads gave me the advantage. For an individual, red orbs like Aria's or vanguard-type skills are useful.
For a unit or a slightly larger scale, it would be the rear-guard type.
However, when it comes to commanding a large army, support-type skills were exceptionally superior.
To think that the blue orb the First Generation bought because it was cheap would become something of this magnitude... the world is full of strange things.
I scanned the participants, and seeing there were no further opinions.
"Then, let us continue the meeting. You are all busy people, after all."
However, all that was decided in the subsequent meeting was that they were too busy to move at this time of year.
According to the Third Head.
『Well, from spring to autumn is normally busy. If the military strength consists of the peasantry, they can't be moved easily.』
So it seems.
――Miranda's private room.
A frozen Miranda was looking at Eliza, who had visited the room through Shannon's introduction. Miranda looked at the blushing Eliza and Shannon, who was puffing out her chest with an attitude as if to say, "How's that?"
"...Eh? Friends?"
Shannon patted her chest with her hand.
"Yes! Eliza and I are friends."
Eliza also said bashfully.
"We talked about various things after coming here, and we became friends when we were made to sit in seiza."
Miranda nodded a few times with a strained smile.
"I-I see."
(...I thought she was a problematic person from the start, but this is completely unexpected. To think Shannon would do this here.)
While Miranda was looking at Eliza, Shannon said to Eliza.
"I've introduced you properly to my sister, so now we can be at ease. Now, Eliza, we're going to the dining hall. Today's dessert is small jellies, so I want to roll them around in my mouth."
"A-ah. I want to roll them around too."
She usually had a cold-hearted image, but looking at her like this, Eliza was just as hopeless as Shannon. Miranda looked at Eliza calmly... and a dark smile appeared.
Immediately switching to a gentle-looking smile.
"If you're Shannon's friend, then you're my friend. Let's get along, Eliza."
Then, Eliza looked happy.
"I-is that so! Let's get along!"
Unlike the situation where they fought over Glacia and Lariel, Eliza looked happy. Originally, Miranda and Shannon were similar to Glacia. However, the situation was different, and Eliza was starving for friends and had voluntarily—she was nothing more than prey caught in a spider's web.
Miranda took Eliza's hand.
"Now, let's have a meal. After that, it's bath time. Oh, why don't we sleep in the same room? It's a pajama party."
"Pajama party! I've heard of that!"
Eliza looked delighted.
(Lusworth... I thought they were hopeless, but they really are. I have to tighten the circle around Eliza more. Because her guard is so low, she's being stolen by me.)
And so, Eliza was incorporated into Miranda's faction――.