314 - 0(Nihil)
The Third Head vanished, and the voices from the orb ceased.
It felt as if a voice might emerge at any moment from the orb embedded in the silver necklace hanging around my neck. I felt that if I spent too much time on tedious paperwork, the fourth generation might chime in with a critique. The Third Head might just call it boring. I wonder what the First Generation would say?
The Second Generation would likely watch over me, seeing me engage in such plain activities, with a look of satisfaction. The Fifth Head would be silent. The Sixth Generation would probably suggest going out to play, and the Seventh Head would likely try to stop them—.
"No good, I can't stay focused."
I stopped my pen and looked up at the ceiling, then placed my left hand over my face. By covering my eyes, I could almost believe they were still hiding somewhere, watching over me.
Many times, I projected my consciousness into the orb.
But the result was always the same. In the empty Room of the Round Table, there was nothing but my chair and the door leading to the room of memories. Aside from seven silver weapons floating in the air, nothing showed any reaction.
Then, Unit One, who had been waiting in the room, saw my state and prepared some tea for me.
When I drank it, I found that the brewing had improved compared to before.
"This is delicious."
Unit One seemed pleased, though her expression remained unchanged. Recently, there had been more adjustments to the Valkyries, and they had been visiting Damian and Old Man Ratata in turns. The first group hasn't returned yet, and I'm curious about what changes have been made this time.
"That is good. Now we can toss that useless maid away at any time."
"...Why do you all get along so poorly?"
The "useless maid" was likely Monica. Currently, she was moving about busily.
It seemed she was sticking her nose into things other than what she had been asked to do, and complaints were apparently reaching Rianne.
Mainly, letters had arrived from craftsmen, sounding as if they were losing their minds, saying things like "A smiling automaton is chasing me!"
"There is only one Master. Therefore, one exclusive maid is sufficient."
"Usually there are several, right? If there's only one, isn't that just a housekeeper?"
Unit One was abnormally harsh toward Monica, perhaps because she had originally been the core of an automaton who was Monica's older sister.
Recently, I had received reports that each of them was developing their own personality, perhaps there are many different types of automatons.
To take an interest in such things at a time like this, surely—.
Thinking that far, I shook my head.
"Well, time to finish this work. I have plans today, after all."
Unit One looked at me.
"A conversation with the vixen, I see. Master, you have terrible taste."
"Do you all have some grudge against Novem? Or rather, why are you hostile toward everyone in every direction?"
Unit One spoke to me while brushing back her blonde twin-tails, which were the same as Monica's, with one arm resting on her hip. She looked exactly like Monica, except her chest was completely flat.
"I do not know the reason, but it is irritating in an automaton way. My core is screaming at me to fight."
"...What do you mean, 'in an automaton way'? Besides, don't fight, it's dangerous. That's an order."
At the word "order," Unit One recoiled. Her twin-tails swayed violently with the movement.
"Hey, what's wrong!"
Unit One slowly raised her upper body and straightened her posture.
"My heart raced at the word 'order.' To put it simply, I was excited. If my expressions showed on the surface, it would be... like my face loosening and drooling."
"Stop reacting to every little thing! And stop using confusing phrasing! Wait, you can actually drool!?"
The performance was no problem, but the automaton's personality was a huge problem.
—Rianne's room.
No. 34, who was always by her side, was not there. The Valkyrie assigned to Rianne was receiving adjustments from Damian.
During that time, no other Valkyrie was dispatched. This was because there were not enough hands to go around. Rianne had accepted this.
There had been talk from the Kingdom of Fanbayle about sending a lady-in-waiting for Rianne. However, while she didn't think her homeland of Fanbayle would try to assassinate her now, Rianne refused.
Rianne stood up from her chair and prepared tea for herself.
In the past, she had been unable to trust those around her and had done various things on her own. Thus, she was used to it.
"It's a hassle when they're here, but it's troublesome when they're not."
As she said this and drank her tea while standing, the room door was flung open with force. Rianne, seeing the intruder who had entered without even knocking, spat out the tea she was drinking.
"You— cough!!"
What the choking Rianne saw was a smiling No. 34. Expressions had been added to the previously expressionless Valkyrie.
"I heard, Rianne-san. That you showed some 'dere' by saying you don't need any maids other than me. I was so happy that I hurried back alone. Oh, but please do not flatter yourself. My Master is only Lariel-sama. Well, Rianne-san is second. No, considering Little Chick-sama, perhaps third?"
Rianne, having caught her breath, wiped her mouth while looking at No. 34.
"Oh dear, you've made such a mess."
"Who do you think is responsible for that! Besides, your expressions are quite human-like. Professor Damian really obsesses over useless things."
Then, No. 34 shook her index finger from side to side and grinned.
"You are mistaken. We used the money we saved daily to propose and implement various improvements."
Rianne was surprised.
"Saved? I shouldn't have paid you that much money?"
No. 34, with a dark smile, made a gesture with her right hand to indicate money.
"The stalls we have in the North, South, and Lufence—some of them are shops managed by us. They are very popular, and we have plans to open branches in the Four-Nation Alliance."
Rianne screamed.
"What are you doing on your own! If you can earn money, cooperate more with me! I'm in a dire financial situation over here!"
From the perspective of Rianne, who also handled the finances, she wished she had known about the Valkyries' unexpected talent sooner.
However, No. 34 replied.
"This is side-work during break time, so I refuse. If you absolutely wish to order me, please get permission from Master. I want to be of help to Rianne-san, but I cannot yield on this. Oh, please ask him to give me a strict order."
Rianne, nursing a headache, rubbed the bridge of her nose with her fingertips. Then, she noticed No. 34's hair.
"...It's just long today. You used to tie the ends before."
No. 34 looked at her own hair.
"It tore during transit. I bought it with my small allowance to create some individuality, so I'm in shock... well, I have plenty of gold coins now, though."
Rianne felt irritated, but she untied the string she had been using to tie her own hair. The sturdy string, dyed pink, was what she used to tie her hair when working.
"It's hard to tell you apart, so use this. It's something you won't find around here. It's sturdy, so it will last a long time."
No. 34 received the string.
"...D-don't think you can lure me with something like that! But, I-I'll take it."
Rianne tilted her head, seeing No. 34 suddenly speak in a cute voice and fidget.
"...What are you trying to do? No, what are you trying to say?"
No. 34 looked disappointed.
"Tch, I thought of a line to say since I can finally show expressions, but it didn't get through at all."
Saying that, she sat down and felt depressed—.
Night.
On the balcony of the Lufence Royal Castle, I had arranged to speak with Novem.
When I arrived, Novem was already there.
Since it was summer, it felt cool once I stepped outside. I saw that Novem had prepared ice in several places so that we could stay cool.
Encouraging myself with a voice in my heart, I approached Novem, feeling a bit nervous.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Novem was smiling.
"No, I arrived slightly earlier than the appointed time."
Looking at Novem, I worried about how to start. However, I felt I should tell her, so I spoke without a preamble.
"The successive heads within the orb have all vanished. No, they entrusted their skills to me and fulfilled their roles."
Novem's eyes widened slightly at my words.
Then, with a disappointed expression.
"Is that so. That is a shame. I wanted to meet them, even if only once."
She seemed truly disappointed. Then, Novem spoke with a hint of self-derision.
"As expected, the successive heads also find me creepy."
At those words, I strongly denied it. Rather than encouraging Novem, I wanted to say that the successive heads hadn't met her with such feelings.
"That's not it! It's not that they didn't meet you. It was that you shouldn't meet anyone... and, they all asked me to look after you."
Novem responded immediately.
"That is a lie. Since Lord Fredricks, the Foxuz family has served like vassals. Lord Fines and Lord Broad should not have found that strange. They must have thought of me as nothing more than the daughter of a subordinate vassal."
It was true that they thought so at first. From the Fifth Head onwards, they viewed Novem as a daughter of the Foxuz family. However, it was different for the first through fourth.
"When the First Generation learned about you, he was very flustered. Also, the fact that you sold off your dowry for my sake seemed to affect them all. They told me to take responsibility."
Novem smiled slightly at the nostalgic memories of Darion.
"There were such things, weren't there. However, if Lariel-sama feels a financial burden, please stop. I receive a reasonable reward, and I have enough money to buy back dozens of dowries."
That's not what I meant. I tried to say so, but I felt a clear line drawn between Novem and me.
What Novem was looking at was "Lariel" as a member of the Walt family. Not me as an individual.
"I also have the memories of the successive heads. They were all wonderful people. I wanted to speak with them once."
They certainly were wonderful people.
"Many of them were shy. Also, they misjudged the timing. After I met Celes, I actually restrained myself because I thought I'd be suspected instead. They said it was a failure. Perhaps I should have confessed from the start. But in the end, they probably wouldn't have tried to meet."
For the most part, it was only because my second-stage skill manifested that I became able to meet them. Before that, it might have been taken as mere delusions.
Novem is a reincarnation of an evil god? Knowing that she inherited memories changed the way I responded.
"They have surprisingly many useless traits, too. You know that, right?"
Then, there was a slight change in Novem's reaction.
"That is not the case. They are all wonderful people. Lord Meizel was also, originally, a very kind and strong person—"
I felt a slight sense of incongruity. Novem's tone was becoming stronger.
"Is that so? The First Generation was crude, and the Second Generation was too serious, or rather... plain? I feel like he worried about that himself. The Third Head was scheming—"
When I said that much, Novem took a step forward and looked up at my face. In her eyes, a fair amount of anger was visible.
"Lord Basil cleared dangerous forests and united the surroundings almost entirely on his own, he was a wonderful person! Lord Crassel was a person who endured and worked hard through any hardship. Lord Slay was a noble person who threw away his life to fight for everyone! Even for Lariel-sama, insults are unacceptable!"
I wonder why, but Novem's opinion was correct. It was correct, but there was a part of me that couldn't accept it.
"No, but the fourth was a miser whose hobby was counting gold coins in the vault. The Fifth Head made mistakes in family relationships and sought healing from animals. The Sixth Generation was a delinquent who ran away from home, and the Seventh Head—Grandfather was a pervert?"
They certainly had wonderful aspects, but Novem wasn't looking at the other parts. No, even if she inherited memories, perhaps the successive heads hadn't shown those parts. They were too idealized, and I couldn't accept it.
"Please correct yourself! Lord Marks truly worked hard to make the territory prosperous! Lord Fredricks worked hard on his own amidst the surrounding circumstances. Lord Fines did indeed run away from home! However, he gained more experience and became a splendid head! As for Lord Broad, he was a magnificent person that even Banseime relied upon! Please correct yourself! ...I beg of you."
—Somehow, I understood the reason I couldn't accept it. I hated Novem's statements, which suggested she understood them by looking at only one side.
That is to say, because she wasn't seeing the other sides of the successive heads. It felt like she wouldn't accept their useless parts, and I hated that.
The First Generation was certainly crude. But he was the first person to acknowledge me. He was a pure person.
The Second Generation was certainly plain. But he was truly a worrier—a serious person.
The Third Head was scheming. But he was also decisive and brave.
The fourth was a miser. That was because he knew through hardship that money is needed for governance.
The Fifth Head made mistakes in family relationships. But he was the person who was most hurt. He was a kind person.
The Sixth Generation was a delinquent. But he had the power to act and was a strong person who could lead everyone.
The Seventh Head was—a pervert. But he was a person who lived strongly while being nearly crushed by the achievements of his predecessors.
"You're only looking at the surface, not the inside. Is it not allowed? Is it unacceptable to have useless parts? There was no such thing as a perfect person in the Walt family!"
Novem grabbed both of my arms. She gripped them tightly, with a strength that didn't seem to come from a woman's slender arms.
"What do you mean by useless parts? I acknowledge them! But to make fun of them so much—why in such a way!"
"The useless parts and the good parts—I've seen them all. I've heard them all. I've been taught them all. That's why I respect them, including everything. In truth, none of them liked fighting."
—Or so I want to believe.
"They were kind, and they had things they wanted to do. Despite that, because the surrounding situation wasn't like that, they fought—and protected!"
Novem looked at me.
"No one said they wanted battle maniacs. What I want to say is how wonderful the people of the Walt family are, who struggle and never give up regardless of the situation—"
I grabbed Novem's hands.
"I said I aim for peace. But I don't even know what that looks like. Still, they told me that if I said so, it was okay to aim for it."
Novem looked at my face in surprise. Then, her face became sad.
She slowly moved away from me and wiped her tears.
"...Is that so. Even so, I..."
I said to Novem.
"Hey, what about your own feelings? Not Novem the goddess or the evil god. Not the previous Novem. Aren't your own feelings clear?"
Novem slowly left the balcony.
"Novem!"
"I will take my leave for today. I have an early start tomorrow."
—Novem walked through the night corridor without any lights.
"...I must protect them. The Walt family is what I sought... I must protect Lariel-sama."
As she muttered that, a vast amount of memories—no, records—from until now were recalled. The previous Novem, who decided to watch over the Walt family. The parting with Septem and the others, which became the catalyst for her being called an evil god.
Amidst that, Novem remembered the back of a certain woman.
The woman was wearing a white coat.
Her long hair was pink-blonde, and both her hands were thrust into the pockets of the white coat.
'Novem, I won't deny you all. But you know, I won't deny Septem and the others either. So, put away those dangerous things.'
Was she pointing a weapon? Novem could not remember the ambiguous parts.
Now, noise was mixed in, and she could not recall it perfectly. However, the conversation played back, and Novem remembered it.
'Septem thinks people are weak. He's convinced of it. But you and Octo think people are too strong.'
"What answer did I give back then—"
The woman in the white coat looked at Novem.
'Hey, I understand it's frustrating to be called a goddess and such. You can't forgive Septem for trying to act the part, right? But you know, we can't watch over humans forever.'
At the woman's words, Novem cried out.
"Shut up. Shut up!"
'I'm a failure with no great power. I don't have the power to create something like you all do. I can only live in a world like this. My body will break down much sooner than yours.'
Despite having given up, the woman was cheerful.
"I—I have to see it through to the end. I'm not wrong. Because Septem—because Septem will betray—"
The woman smiled.
'I think I'll try becoming an elf, like the ones you created. I, who could only watch, intend to pass this on so that such failures aren't repeated.'
Failure. Yes, they had failed. Humanity had failed.
"That's why we were born, damn it!!"
Screaming, Novem shed tears and sat down on the spot, her side-tail fluttering wildly.
"It's too late for an individual. I must watch over them. I must watch over them until the end—"
Then, the woman told Novem with a smile.
'Novem, I love songs. I love stories. I'm sure if I'm reborn... I'll sing a song.'
Then, perhaps hearing the commotion, someone rushed over.
"Novem, what's wrong? Did something happen? Are you crying?"
The one worrying was Eva. Pink-blonde hair, and the pointed ears characteristic of an elf. And she had the likeness of the woman in the white coat.
"...Nihil, why even you..."
The figures of Eva and Nihil overlapped.
Novem collapsed in the corridor.
"Hey, Novem!"
Eva continued to call out to Novem—.