309 - Confession
"Novem... I like you! I love you. I've told you before, but I want you to stay by my side."
How many times had I made this grand decision to confess now?
I had confessed to Novem once before in Darion, but at that time, she had masterfully brushed it aside. I don't think she hates me, but still, the current situation is not what I had envisioned.
The room where Novem was under house arrest.
Novem tilted her head slightly.
"What is the matter, Lariel-sama? I will continue to be by your side. Besides, I love you."
If written down, my confession would surely seem successful.
However, the love Novem spoke of was—.
"Does that mean you love me as an individual? Put aside everything about the Walt family. No, please, put it aside. The Goddess, the Evil God, the predecessors—none of that matters. I want to hear your answer, Novem."
At my pleading request, Novem looked troubled. Then, she let slip words that could be called her true feelings.
"From the moment I was born, I had many memories. Novem—and the memories of the successive generations, including those of the previous Novem, who was particularly exceptional. I may be a different entity that inherited those memories. But at this point, as for myself..."
In other words—Novem had no self, and the reason she loved me was simply because she was an entity that had inherited the memories of "Novem."
The story that I had saved Novem during her childhood was likely true. In fact, that Raiel certainly would have saved her.
However, to Novem, such a thing was trivial.
After all, Novem chose me over Raiel. Having lost her memories, she desired me—the one without Septem's abilities—and cast aside the Raiel who had saved her.
"Are you okay with that?! I... I hate it!"
As I said this while looking down—Novem spoke to me.
"...With the current Lariel-sama, there is no meaning in clinging to my existence. Initially, it was necessary to marry in order to leave behind Lariel-sama's children. However, the current Lariel-sama is supported by many women. If you do not care for my existence, there is no need to force me to stay by your side."
I looked at Novem.
"That's not what I mean! It's not about that..."
To Novem, it was unacceptable for me, a direct descendant of the Walt family, to disappear. That was likely due to the memories of the previous Novem.
In other words, she prioritized the survival of the Walt family over me as an individual.
"Lariel-sama, I am aware that my existence deviates from common sense. Therefore... please stop obsessing over it. Now is a critical time. Let us speak after everything has been settled."
When Novem interrupted me, my shoulders slumped.
South Banseime.
In my own room in the mansion prepared there, I gazed vacantly out the window.
From the jewel hanging around my neck, a teasing voice could be heard.
'I never imagined you'd actually get rejected. She does love you, but from a much broader perspective than as an individual. Perhaps the reason she encouraged a harem was because she didn't want to mix her own blood.'
With all the resistance I could muster, I spoke to the Third Head.
"I-I haven't been rejected yet—"
'No, you were. I suspect that once everything is over, Novem-chan will decide her role is finished and leave Lariel's side with a sense of satisfaction. That was the atmosphere, and she'll probably think about monitoring the peace Lariel aims for in the future.'
I slumped down on the spot in depression. The Third Head laughed at me.
'Novem-chan's love is about watching over you, isn't it? She has too many memories, so her individuality—or rather, her sense of self—is vague. While saying she likes Lariel, the reason she forced a harem was likely so she could leave when Lariel became independent. And yet, because Lariel decided to fight Celes, she decided to watch over him until then.'
The first time I thought Novem's behavior was strange was when she treated Aria as a candidate for my bride. She cooperated in recovering Aria's red orb and seemed to advance things on her own. No, she actually did.
"Am I hated?"
The Third Head replied instead.
'No, I think you are loved. It's just that her love is slightly different from what the general public calls love. Well, it might be close to something like a mother's love.'
"...What should I have done? I'd hate it even if I died if Novem were with another man."
If Novem inherited memories and watched over me and my children—my descendants—she would likely have her own clan like the previous Novem. In other words, she would marry another man.
The Third Head laughed.
'Lariel, the other girls would be appalled if you told them that. Besides, Lariel, who built a harem, has no right to say such a thing.'
"I didn't build a harem because I wanted to! Fine, if it's come to this, I'll just use the Third Head's strange tactics or devious ideas to somehow—"
'—What do you take me for?'
Hearing the Third Head's exasperated voice, I steadied my breathing and covered my face with both hands.
"I'm sorry. I was confused."
'Well, it's fine. However, I think it's impossible to manipulate Novem-chan with my skill. Besides, my skill has strict limitations. Illusions probably wouldn't work. It wasn't that powerful a skill to begin with.'
The Third Head's skill was certainly cowardly. It interfered with the opponent's mind. He could interfere with multiple opponents and make them kill each other. In the end, he showed them illusions—.
However, breaking through them was not difficult. If there was a mentally strong person, they could easily break through. Unless one was accustomed to handling skills, it was impossible to manipulate an opponent with a skill.
"...I know there's no meaning in having her stay by my side if I manipulate her with a skill. I just want to know Novem's personal feelings."
'And if you find out she doesn't feel anything for Lariel, will Lariel step back?'
I felt like crying. Then, the Third Head spoke in an exasperated voice.
'Lariel, sorry, but this is a problem Lariel himself must solve. Sorry, but it's not a problem I can help with.'
Even the Third Head is at a loss; what on earth should I do? Finally, the Third Head muttered.
'Well, I don't think you're hated.'
Having said that, he fell silent.
—The meeting being held in South Banseime.
Due to adjustments with various factions, the meeting had been going on for several days.
Situational awareness, confirmation of strategies, and adjustment of opinions—there were many things that had to be done. No one would be convinced by simply saying, "It's a global crisis, so cooperate in silence."
Would they think, "If only we had taken action then," when the world was on the brink of destruction? Anyway, such days continued.
Days of meetings from morning until evening, followed by regular work.
Baldoor, who was considered close to Lariel, was also moving busily with security and other tasks.
However, those approaching Baldoor were the knights of the Walt family.
During a break, knights visited Baldoor's room. Baldoor was acquainted with them, and some were older than him.
Told that they had something to discuss, Baldoor let them into the room, and they made a proposal that troubled him.
"...You want us to surround Lariel-sama, you say? Given the situation, I can only say it would be difficult."
Two knights had come to the room. Both were acquainted with Baldoor; one was older, and one was younger. A senior and a junior had visited Baldoor representing the other knights.
The senior knight, straightening his back, spoke.
"I know. I won't say we've forgotten what we've done. No one will believe us even if we say we were manipulated. However, if Lariel-sama is the rightful successor of the Walt family, he should keep us by his side."
The knight who was Baldoor's junior leaned forward slightly.
"I know we're not in a position to speak strongly. That's why we're relying on you, Baldoor-dono. Since you are closest to Lariel-sama's confidants."
Baldoor, crossing his arms and looking down, considered the two opinions.
(It's not a bad idea. Lariel-sama's way of fighting is that of the Walt family. If he reorganizes around the Walt family's forces, which are ingrained even in his body, Lariel-sama could obtain an elite force immediately.)
However, from an emotional standpoint, he was opposed.
The soldiers of Banseime felt they had no place. Moreover, those who had fought with Lariel from the beginning were the soldiers of the Four-Nation Alliance and Beime.
And the soldiers of Beime resented Banseime.
The senior knight spoke.
"We are prepared to throw away our lives. Otherwise, we will not be satisfied. However, considering the current situation, our conclusion is that we cannot entrust this to anyone else."
The junior knight pleaded with Baldoor.
"Efficiency should be prioritized over emotions. Time is limited. At the earliest, we will invade Banseime in autumn when the harvest ends."
Six to seven months. It was necessary to organize the army within that period.
Even saying "organize," it wasn't just a matter of gathering numbers. They had to make them capable of fighting under the command of such a force.
And the Four-Nation Alliance had no experience moving a force of that scale. Even if trained, many of the Beime soldiers were weak. Baldoor was troubled by the fact that the environments of Banseime and Beime were too different, and he felt a certain softness in their consciousness.
"...I will make the proposal to Lariel-sama myself. However, there is no guarantee that Lariel-sama will accept the proposal."
The senior knight nodded.
"That is fine. We will follow Lariel-sama's judgment."
Seeing off the two knights as they left the room, Baldoor sat in his chair and looked up at the ceiling—.
Night.
While walking through the mansion for a change of pace, a voice reached my ears.
In the dark corridor, light leaked from a slightly open door. The voices coming from there belonged to Clara and Eva. They were raising their voices and arguing inside.
"Not unusual, or perhaps it is."
Clara and Eva generally got along poorly. Or rather, they often clashed. Additionally, Clara got along poorly with Adele-san.
From the jewel, the Third Head spoke thoughtfully.
'Clara-chan is usually quiet, but she really fights with people she doesn't get along with.'
Clara usually considered the balance of the party and didn't assert her own opinion much. However, she asserted herself often regarding things she liked or knowledge-related matters.
Peeking through the gap in the door, I saw pieces of paper with writing dancing in the air.
Clara threw the paper she was holding at Eva.
"Stop joking around! Writing nothing but nonsense and turning it into a song is the absolute worst!"
Then, Eva collected the thrown paper while speaking.
"You're just writing long-winded things that don't matter! It's not fun unless it's more interesting to read! Customers won't come if it's like this!"
"I don't care about customers! Please don't defile the historical value!"
Listening to the conversation, it seemed the two had shown each other the records they had compiled so far.
If they were going to fight, they should have just not shown them to each other, but as expected—there was a clash of opinions and they were quarreling.
Clara sought historical value.
Eva sought value as a song or story.
While Clara wrote in detail, Eva deleted unnecessary parts of the story and exaggerated the parts that would heighten the excitement.
"Are these two actually getting along in reverse?"
'Maybe a rivalry? Isn't it more heartwarming than a scene of carnage?'
Then, Eva noticed me peeking.
"You've come at a good time. Lariel, you be the judge."
Clara turned around, adjusting the position of her glasses.
"Very well. We shall have Lariel-san judge. Now, please come into the room. Before that... shall we gather the materials?"
Clara and Eva gathered the materials scattered in the room.
When I entered the room, I was forced to read the materials of the two.
"Stop joking! Why write such detailed things! Besides, the part about being depressed over Novem is a recent thing!"
Having finished reading, I gave my opinion to Clara. Clara pushed up her glasses with her index finger, making them glint.
"I worked hard."
"Work hard on something else!"
Then, Eva pointed at Clara and laughed.
"See? I was right after all!"
"What about you! Why do I have a hundred wives! I don't have that many! In fact, they're not increasing anymore!"
Eva looked away while speaking.
"B-But... that way, people will be surprised when I sing. Fifteen is kind of mediocre."
"Eh? Fifteen?"
I counted with my fingers.
"Novem, Aria, Miranda, Shannon, Clara, Monica, Eva, Mei, Glacia, Eliza, Vera, Ludmila, Rianne... that's thirteen."
Eva shook her head.
"Selma-san and Aura-san are there too. Besides, they'll increase anyway. Honestly, for a rich man, it wouldn't be strange to have fifteen concubines. But when you hear a nice round number like a hundred, you go, 'Whoa!!'"
While surprised that even those two were counted, I screamed from the bottom of my heart.
"Stop joking! I won't accept that! Besides, why exaggerate it that much!"
The Third Head laughed.
'It's normal to exaggerate things like this. Besides, Lariel, you've spread various exaggerated stories all over the place. Just give up.'
That... I absolutely cannot accept. Covering my face with both hands, I spoke.
"Things are already messy with the Novem matter, so why one thing after another..."
As it was, I was comforted by Clara and Eva.