321 - Bonds
――In the tent near the Mobile Fortress, Shannon had been summoned again today.
The Valkyries acting as guards stood by Shannon's sides in their armor, while Shannon dealt with her father, Ralph.
"Listen, Shannon. This is an important conversation. You don't seem to understand, but our power is absolutely—"
Listening to the same content as yesterday, Shannon interrupted Ralph's explanation midway.
"...I told you I don't understand those things, so I'm passing."
The reason Shannon was dealing with Ralph was that if she refused, Ralph would try to contact Lariel. The current Lariel was busy coordinating meetings and opinions, and Shannon wanted to lighten his burden even slightly.
At the same time, she thought that if her older sister, Miranda, had refused, she should refuse as well.
"You have a great handicap. I am telling you that I will do something about it. Just obey in silence."
Shannon did not like her father very much. Not only because of how he behaved at their family home, but because she knew she was looking at something somewhat pitiful.
Shannon's eyes could see magic. She couldn't see with her physical eyes, but she could generally tell by the flow of magic. No, she could see better than humans who could see normally.
She read that the flow of her father's magic was terribly panicked.
As Miranda said, he was likely being told to hurry by the nobles he had gathered. Ralph was also desperate to put himself in a superior position. He seemed to be thinking of his daughter, but that appeared to be secondary.
"Even if the Alliance Leader obtains a country, what will happen if there are no civil officials? It's not just about knowledge. Experience is necessary. You probably don't understand, but it's not as simple as being able to do paperwork. That kind of accumulated knowledge and experience that cannot be fully conveyed—"
In short, he was saying that since they couldn't do it, they should appoint his group.
From Shannon's perspective, it was too late. They should have joined up sooner. If Adele or Rianne, who were screaming in Beime or Lufence, heard this, they would probably click their tongues.
"That's why I'm telling you I don't understand, even if you say such things!"
When Shannon interrupted Ralph's talk by pretending not to understand, Ralph slammed his fist down on the table between them.
"Hie!"
When Shannon flinched, Ralph seemed to decide to press his advantage. He appeared intent on continuing his forceful tone until Shannon nodded.
"You are not in a position to be forgiven if you keep acting spoiled like that! Despite being in a responsible position, you won't even listen to the conversation. That is why we are saying we will support you. We will supplement the parts you lack. Only by doing so—"
However, Shannon did not remain silent.
"But since Big Sister refused, you came to me—hie!"
When Shannon spoke, Ralph slammed his fist down again. Ralph must also be desperate. To Shannon, it looked as if Ralph was trying to somehow preserve the Sarkrai family while regaining their former glory.
However, Shannon was not the only one in the tent.
"...It seems that is all for today. Shannon-san, let us return now. We need to clear this area as it will be used for the next meeting."
When the Valkyrie said this, Ralph stopped her.
"The conversation is not over yet. Besides, this is a matter between parent and child!"
Then, the two Valkyries deployed the binders on their backs to intimidate Ralph. Weapons had appeared from those binders.
"We have already permitted numerous meetings on the grounds of being parent and child. Also, since you seem to think this is effective, I will give you a warning. If you continue negotiations that feel like threats, we will respond with a corresponding attitude."
Told this, Ralph made a face as if he had chewed on a bitter bug, and then he left the tent just like that.
Then, Shannon looked down.
The Valkyries looked at Shannon.
"At the stage where he showed such an attitude, you should have told us to eliminate him. At the very least, Miranda-san would absolutely never forgive it."
"Because others will misunderstand and think we accept it if they show a similarly forceful attitude. Well, he must be that desperate... but he is not suited to be a negotiator. He is exposing his lack of ability."
Shannon remembered what Miranda had said.
"Big Sister said he was forceful because he was a vassal of the Banseime royal family. Being too humble is bad, but since she now thinks an arrogant attitude is just normal, he can't keep up when the situation changes... so she said she doesn't need him."
The words of her older sister, Miranda, who would even cut off her own family.
Then, the Valkyrie said while retracting the binder.
"I have heard the circumstances. However, in this case—the ones who were discarded first were you sisters. It is wrong to try and pick them up later just because there is a use for them."
"Well, since he exposed his lack of ability and various other things, his entry as a vassal is rejected. In the worst case, the Sarkrai family will survive as long as you two are around. As a result, the name will remain. There is no problem at all."
"...You guys are plenty terrible too."
Looking at the Valkyries, Shannon felt a bit more at ease—.
"Fidel-san is still more endearing."
Looking at Ralph-san leaving the tent from the window of a room in the Mobile Fortress, I thought that.
Monica was in the room, reporting on the situation inside the tent. Miranda, who was similarly concerned about the situation inside the tent, was also here.
"I think that man is something, but he certainly is a kind father to his daughters. Though he's too strict with others. But, he'd certainly lose."
Miranda shrugged, comparing Fidel-san to her own father.
"...I can prepare a slot or so. Why not help him without overdoing it?"
When I said that, Miranda shook her head.
"Rejected. They are the kind of people who will suck you dry to the marrow if you show a single opening. They lived amidst the filth of the royal palace. It's troublesome when that kind of know-how is brought in. Besides, you're not planning to inherit the way things were done in Banseime, right?"
I have no intention of inheriting the governance method of Banseime. Or rather, I can't inherit it.
"I'll have Adele-san do her best as the center for a while. She's been working hard in Beime and has gained experience. It'll work out somehow."
Hearing that, Monica looked happy.
"If she heard this, she would be so happy she'd cry and protest. Well, she tried to carry a chicken coward. It's only natural she does at least that much."
Then, there was a knock on the door. When I permitted entry, Glacia appeared.
"A letter from Darion has arrived. It seems he intends to defect to our side."
I nodded.
"I see. Well, that's how it'll go. I was worried because it's close. Also, what happened with that matter?"
Glacia handed me a letter from Launo. Upon receiving it and checking the contents, it seemed it had succeeded.
"Yeah, that solves one worry."
――Darion.
The story goes back a few days.
It is a town near Central where Lariel and the others once became adventurers.
It was close, but perhaps it wasn't very conspicuous, as Celes hadn't shown interest. It wasn't too large, but it was a relatively important town for Central.
Launo, who had come to such a town, visited Bentlar Robenia, who ruled Darion.
And a large man with brown skin and a shaved red head had also been summoned to the place.
"I came because I was summoned by the Lord, and then..."
The one with the troubled expression was Hawkins, who had been a receptionist at the Adventurer's Guild. Now, he was an executive at the Adventurer's Guild in Darion.
He had ability to begin with, but being from an adventurer background, he was a man well-versed in the circumstances of adventurers. In Darion, he had begun to be trusted enough to assist the Guild Master.
Launo was laughing beside Bentlar.
"Sorry. Well, you can just think of it as being liked by the Alliance Leader. The Alliance Leader highly evaluates your ability."
Hawkins closed his eyes while confirming the contents of the letter.
"It's deeply moving. Lariel-kun and the others, who became adventurers in Darion... no, he is the Alliance Leader of the Allied Forces now. But of all people, why me?"
The content of the letter was that the Adventurer's Guild would be placed under the country's management. At the same time, Hawkins had been chosen as an executive of that organization.
It was based on an evaluation of his personality and ability, but Lariel's personal evaluation also played a large part.
Rodonia also had a complex expression. He was a small, good-natured-looking lord, but one must not be fooled by appearances.
Even so, he was a fine lord.
"I agree with placing the Adventurer's Guild under management. However, it's painful for Darion to have precious talent poached."
Rodonia said this while looking at Launo. Launo reached for a cup of tea and refrained from answering.
Hawkins rubbed the corners of his eyes with his fingertips.
"Is it possible to give an answer that I would like to think about it?"
Launo nodded.
"Of course it's possible. Well, I'll say it's a great opportunity. Also, I will make requests to the Adventurer's Guild. Securing magic stones and buying necessary materials. Sorry, but there's a limit to the funds, so I don't think we can pay satisfactorily."
Hearing Launo's proposal, Rodonia said.
"Accept this. According to information, the scale of the Allied Forces exceeds five hundred thousand. You should cooperate even if it's at a loss."
Launo covered his face with his right hand.
"That's actually the case, but I'll be blunt."
Rodonia was laughing.
"Well, I have to say at least this much. The Adventurer's Guild is an independent organization. ...On our part, we cannot afford to be glared at by the Alliance Leader."
The Adventurer's Guild is not the same organization. It is an organization that manages magic stones and cooperates with others. Since it's just a separate organization cooperating, depending on the case, they might act on their own judgment.
It was naturally not an impossible story that the Adventurer's Guild of Darion might oppose Lariel against Rodonia's will.
However, there was an executive who understood the circumstances.
"Naturally, I will immediately begin preparations to cooperate. To cooperate with Central at this late stage..."
Launo looked at Hawkins.
"It's precious if you can make such a judgment. In fact, in several territories, the Adventurer's Guilds were gathering mercenaries and sending them to Central. I wonder what they were thinking."
Because they were independent organizations, not all guilds had competent leaders. There were many guilds that could not read the trends of the times.
Hawkins was also well-versed in those circumstances.
"...From the perspective of mercenary groups within Banseime, there is no profit in joining the Allied Forces now. Besides, there has never been a war of this scale before. They probably think the rewards are better on the Banseime side, which is at a disadvantage."
If they're about to lose, they can just run.
They can just run away before fighting—Hawkins said there were many such people, like untrustworthy bandits.
When the talk turned to bandits, Rodonia crossed his arms.
"...Bandit subjugation. To think that the Alliance Leader, who played the part of a foolish noble son, would return leading such a massive army."
Launo put his hand to his chin; his stubble was prickly, but he had an interested look on his face.
"He did bandit subjugation in Darion, didn't he. Let's hear the detailed story of that time. He did subjugate the bandits, but there were many strange points in the detailed content."
At the happy-looking Launo, Rodonia and Hawkins looked at each other. And then, they told the detailed story of how Lariel played the part of a foolish noble son—.
In the tent near the Mobile Fortress, I was surprised.
I never thought I would meet them here.
"It's been a long time. Clark-san, and Norma-san."
Norma-san, who had been the captain during the Griffon subjugation. And Clark-san, who had been the vice-captain, had come to visit me. Normally, I wouldn't have met them, but upon hearing their names, I decided to meet them.
Clark-san had now handed over the headship to his son in the knight rank house. However, this time he had come to join the Allied Forces, bringing his son and the village youth.
"It has been a long time. Though it is late, I have come to express my intention to participate in the war."
Unlike in eastern Banseime, near Central, acceptance was proceeding even if one didn't make their colors clear. As expected, one cannot tell someone to betray when Banseime is behind them.
There is no way we can rescue them, and it would be tyrannical to demand it.
"As for Norma-san, is it just Norma-san and a few participants?"
Despite having a larger settlement than Clark-san, Norma-san had fewer participants.
She seemed more tired than before.
"...It would be dangerous if I let my younger brother participate and something happened. But even if I ask for participation, the notables are reluctant."
Clark-san averted his gaze from Norma-san. Then, he spoke to me.
"Um, I taught them the advice I received, but there are many things that cannot be done after already entering the territory. It seems the governance is not going well."
Previously, I had conveyed the advice of the successive heads—the Third Head—to Clark-san. That likely went well, but for Norma-san, it seemed to go the opposite way.
Norma-san's eyes welled up.
"The people I brought along have almost no motivation. Their equipment is just clubs and shield-like things made of wood. I have no choice but to seek help now."
She seemed to be struggling.
"Well, there are also weapons we've seized, so I'll give some from there. Considering the numbers, the front line will be tough."
"T-thank you. Um, if possible, after the war is over, to the court nobles—"
To Norma-san's wish, I replied with a smile.
"That depends on the time. Well, I won't force you."
Then, Clark-san looked relieved.
"That helps. Most of them have almost no experience with full-scale war, so it's as if I just brought them along."
There were many lords who hesitated to participate because their scale was small. It's troublesome where to place them even if they come, but I'm also troubled if they don't show their colors.
If it becomes known that I accepted the two of them, there will probably be different reactions again. Norma-san said while dropping her shoulders.
"If I knew I'd rise in the world this much, I would have flattered more."
Clark-san was exasperated.
"I honestly respect that side of the former captain. But I think it's better to stay silent for now."
Thinking that they hadn't changed, I also gave a wry smile.