336 - The True One
――At the vanguard of Cartaphus's charge into the army of dead soldiers, the Fourth Generation led the way.
"We'll be at Central soon. Now then, it would be a pity to make my wife work too hard. Since such weapons have been prepared, I'd like to give them a try."
Holding daggers in both hands, with another dagger moving in a circle on his back, blade facing outward. The Fourth Generation lightly tossed the daggers in his hands upward, regripping them as they fell.
"Full Drive—"
He whispered.
The Fourth Generation's figure vanished from the spot, and in the next instant, the army of dead soldiers was cut down one after another, blown away, and daggers were thrust into their heads in rapid succession.
A path seemed to be created instantly where the Fourth Generation had passed, and the Fourth Generation's forces and Cartaphus's forces entered a charging posture, aiming for that path.
The Fourth Generation's wife spoke.
"Come on, the signal."
"I-I know. Charge!"
Urged on, Ludmila gave the order, and an army of over a hundred thousand charged after the Fourth Generation had cut a path. Positioned at the very front were the Fourth Generation's forces.
Evading the strikes of the attacking skeleton soldiers, the Fourth Generation cut them down one by one with minimal movement.
His movements were truly light.
Watching those movements, the Fourth Generation's wife raised her right hand and snapped her fingers. In the sky, far from the Fourth Generation, two magic circles appeared, and fire magic rained down from them.
"Look, we've approached Central. You're going to set up a camp, right? Prepare!"
Standing beside Ludmila, the Fourth Generation's wife gave instructions. Ludmila hated it—the lack of familiarity, the feeling of being watched, and the sense that she was being tested.
"I know!"
"Don't talk back! Do you really think you can become a woman of the Walt family like that?"
Ludmila was irritated by the appearance of her nagging mother-in-law. However, the woman possessed genuine strength, and this was not the time for infighting.
The Fourth Generation's wife knew this as well, and was enjoying herself by nagging Ludmila persistently.
"Still, he really is Marks. So reliable," the Fourth Generation's wife said, watching the Fourth Generation cut down skeleton soldiers at the front line, occasionally vanishing to blow away surrounding enemies—.
――Lariel's main army. In a location positioned to the side of it, the former Banseime civil officials who had merely participated were taking up weapons and fighting the skeleton soldiers.
However, they refused to leave the fence and were hesitant, looking for a way to flee.
They had held swords before and could perform the basics. However, their bodies had grown slack from years of sedentary work, and because they were being threatened, they were lacking.
Mireia sighed as she watched them.
"Haa... how useless."
Firing the pistols in both hands, the bullets cleanly blew away the weak points of the skeleton soldiers—their heads.
For Mireia, who knew where the weaknesses were, it was a trivial matter. Stepping out from the fence and surrounded by skeleton soldiers, she defeated the enemies one after another.
She threw away the guns she had fired and slashed those who approached with the knives attached to the barrels. Since she was wearing a dress, her skirt fluttered softly. It was as if she were dancing.
At times, she kicked the heads of the skeleton soldiers away.
"I wonder if they can't try a little harder?"
Saying so, Mireia turned her gaze toward her grandson, Ralph, who was inside the fence. However, while Ralph also held a weapon, he was only slightly better than the others.
He might be strong at desk work, meetings, and behind-the-scenes maneuvering, but he could not be called competent in a direct battle.
Then, Miranda and Shannon, who had received treatment behind the fence, emerged.
"We are late. We can go anytime."
"Me too!"
Shannon, riding a feline beast golem created by Miranda, also answered Mireia with her back straight.
Mireia smiled and blew away a skeleton soldier's head with her pistol. The bullet then pierced and blew away the head of a second one behind it.
"Oh, you could have rested a bit longer, you know? But I'm happy to see you're motivated. ...While you're at it, take a good look at the strength of the opponent you tried to utilize."
Mireia glared at the surroundings. Ralph and the others turned their gaze toward Miranda.
The heroine Mireia had married into the House Sarkrai, and that blood passed to Miranda. The Magic Eye was inherited by Shannon.
Those who undoubtedly inherited Mireia's blood most strongly were these two. Miranda produced threads from both hands. Threads created from magic materialized and wound around the golem Shannon was riding.
"Wireframe,"
Miranda whispered, and the golem gradually grew larger. It changed shape into an armored warrior with the head of a lion, and Miranda climbed onto its shoulder. It was more complete than the golem she had shown when fighting Novem before.
By creating a framework with the produced wires and passing the wires through the earth, the movements had become smoother. Furthermore, it was now capable of becoming even larger.
This feat was possible because Shannon was supporting the delicate flow of magic. Shannon was helping diligently.
As the created golem roared, arms sprang from its back. The hands growing from its back held various weapons.
"My, wonderful. That is truly fitting for someone becoming a woman of the Walt family. You must be able to do at least this much."
Mireia, saying this as if it were natural, leaped onto the lion warrior. She said things like "the view from high up is lovely," but as a possessor of Magic Eyes, she shouldn't be able to see the scenery.
Just as Miranda was about to speak—.
"I can see it. After all, I have the support of the jewel. Yes, it's a very fresh feeling. Well, seeing Central, where I lived for many years, collapsing is quite—ah, I'm not sad at all."
Though she seemed sad at first, Mireia seemed fine even seeing the collapsing Central. Rather...
"Now, let's overrun them. Overrun!"
Shannon, seeing the joyful Mireia, said...
"...The Walt family is strange."
Miranda seemed to agree. Looking at the battlefield where magic and skill-like attacks were occurring all around, she nodded.
"You're right. They're much more intense than we are. No wonder Novem was at a loss for words. Well... since Lariel seems to be helping, we'll lend a hand too. If we let them win and escape like this, we'll never win for the rest of our lives."
If a death by separation occurred here, it would leave a lifelong wound inside Lariel, and Novem would become the harem-like winner. Miranda was wary of that.
"We have to settle this properly."
As Miranda's face became serious, Mireia said with excitement...
"That's the spirit, Miranda. That's a woman of the Walt family!"
Shannon looked at her fathers looking up from the ground. They had blank expressions with their mouths open.
"...As I thought, that's normal, right? The Walt family is crazy. I'm starting to feel like it's absolutely impossible for me."
To the saying Shannon, Mireia said...
"It's okay! Everyone said that and got used to it immediately!"
She conveyed information that was not particularly welcome—.
While confirming that the surface was in a flashy battle, I slashed at Agrissa.
I was definitely dealing damage, but as expected, it wasn't enough for a finishing blow.
The fact that Novem had been absorbed by Agrissa and had her head exposed to the outside was also a problem. It was clearly the weakest point, but Agrissa was guarding it with Novem.
She's subtly annoying. I think she has a bad personality.
"Agrissa, you—have a bad personality."
When I said that, Eva, while clinging to the Porter, shouted...
"You just noticed now?! Of course she's bad!"
I used Shuffle to exchange positions with the Valkyries, appeared directly above the Porter, and landed as is.
"It's not good to make assumptions about everything. Perhaps—though the probability is quite slim—she's actually a good person. Well, since Novem is more important, I'll slash her even if she is a good person."
As I said that, Aria appeared on the Porter's left hand, out of breath.
"Y-you... do something about this already. We're wounding her, but I don't feel like we can win at all?"
Agrissa regenerated wounds immediately. Turning both hands toward us, over several thousand spheres of light appeared around us. Each was a high-density mass of magic.
"Noisy flies, buzzing about. I'll end this now."
Agrissa opened one eye slightly wider, and a vein popped on her forehead.
"I heard that getting angry makes it easier for wrinkles to form."
When I gave that advice, Agrissa got even angrier.
"Try and deal with this number if you can! —And regret your insults toward me!"
Thousands of lights attacked. Certainly, they couldn't be handled with Warp. I brought the Valkyries back nearby and...
"Then, in exchange for you—Shuffle."
"What!"
Agrissa received the thousands of attacks she had created. As expected, she protected her chest where Novem was. The attacks hit Agrissa one after another, and explosions occurred, enveloping her in smoke.
I felt a bit relieved.
"It really is there. Good. If it had been the lower abdomen or the butt area, I thought it wouldn't look good visually. I'd be troubled if that were the weak point. I'd have no choice but to make Aria charge."
"I'd hate that too!"
As a man, it would look obscene. I thought it would be barely safe if Aria did it, but Aria hated the idea intensely.
"It can't be helped. Then, if it comes to that, I'll—"
Clara said in a relatively serious voice...
"Please move away from that topic, Lariel-san!"
Since she said that, I had no choice but to shut my mouth. Well, I think that if I do it, no matter how obscene it is, it will reach the level of art, so it should be fine.
Rather, am I not already art? A completed piece of art like a sculpture that wouldn't be seen with obscene eyes even if I exposed my naked body. Yes, perhaps I am a living work of art—.
"Come back! Stop indulging in your delusions and come back, Lariel!"
Told by Aria, I stopped my train of thought.
"Alright, once I establish the empire, I'll decorate the capital with a sculpture or bronze statue of my naked body. It'll surely be wonderful! Ahahaha—"
As I laughed loudly, an eerie voice reached me. It was Agrissa.
As the explosions subsided and the smoke cleared, Agrissa's appearance was truly pitiful. There were parts where bone was visible through the flesh.
"—Liiieeeellll"
Deep wrinkles were carved between her brows, but they were immediately repaired. As expected, she had released attacks while ensuring her own safety.
What a bad-personality person.
I sighed.
"Haa, good grief... I guess I have to go with my trump card now."
"I don't care about trump cards, just do something quickly! It's cold! It's so cold!"
I couldn't tell if Eva was shaking because she was afraid of heights or because she was cold. I looked toward Novem.
Her head hung limply, and everything below her collarbone was absorbed by Agrissa.
"Well, what I have to do is simple. After all, waking a sleeping beauty is always the job of a prince on a white horse. Well, I'm a future emperor, so it's slightly different."
Well, I'm neither a prince nor an imperial prince. However, since my very existence is special, there's no problem. Rather, I think I'm an existence with more rarity value than an imperial prince or a prince. Eventually, an emperor—what a premium sound that has.
"My premium feel as the next emperor is incredible."
As I said that, Monica, who was floating beside the Porter, said...
"...Premium, is it. Well, it means 'bonus,' though. As expected, you chicken coward."
"Yes, my existence is special, and a title like emperor is merely a bonus! Therefore, I shall go wake the sleeping princess—or rather, my sleeping lover."
"...Do as you please."
I heard Clara's exasperated voice. It must be jealousy. I'll follow up with her later. Because I'm a man who doesn't forget to follow up.
However, my skill that connects through a deep kiss...
I really think I'm a man who's got it. A chosen man is indeed different.
Thinking so, I kicked the Porter and flew into the sky, reaching out to Monica. Monica grabbed my hand and headed straight for Novem.
"I wanted to monopolize the sleeping beauty's kiss. Since it's my first important memory."
As Monica grumbled, Agrissa turned both hands toward us to launch an attack. I laughed and said...
"It's the most effective method. Connect with Novem and awaken her consciousness."
"Oh, you actually thought it through. I thought you just wanted to kiss."
Naturally, the conclusion was reached considering both.
Several masses of magic were fired from Agrissa, and we moved through them. Monica dodged, and when she couldn't, she released light from her wings to intercept the magic attacks.
Because of the rapid movements, Monica carried me and flew through the sky. Diving, ascending, and adding rotations—it was truly enjoyable.
"A mere automaton!!"
Seeing through Agrissa's irritation, I subtly warped attacks to hit Agrissa. The Valkyries were also attacking Agrissa in small increments, so Agrissa's irritation must have reached its peak.
I laughed.
"Now, what's wrong? I'm right here, —Agrissa-chan."
When I said it teasingly, Agrissa seemed to have reached the limit of her patience, and thorn-like things sprouted from all over her body.
"Enough! Without leaving even dust—disappear."
A powerful magic appeared and was released toward us. Its size was enough to swallow me, Monica, and the Porter and Valkyries behind us. We were swallowed by that single strike released toward the sky.
"If you move away from your allies, you won't be able to warp freely—"
From above the triumphant Agrissa, I was released by Monica and approached.
"Sorry. That was an illusion. Despite creating the skill, you fell for the Third Head's skill. Cute, Agrissa-chan."
I descended as is and came before Agrissa's eyes. As my reflection appeared in those giant pupils, I swung my blade in a horizontal line. Then, a red line appeared horizontally, slashing Agrissa's eye. Blood and sludge-like liquid sprayed out.
Agrissa covered her face with both hands.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!"
As Agrissa suffered, I landed near Novem and reached for Novem's chin. Lifting her chin to make it easier to kiss, I overlapped our lips. When a line was constructed between us...
"—Novem, you."
Novem slowly opened her eyes. Her purple pupils glowed faintly. Then, she looked at me and smiled.
"As expected, Lariel-sama. To push Agrissa—Septem—this far. Indeed, you are the gentleman I scouted."
It was a gentle voice.
However, as the line with Novem connected, I gasped at the information flowing from her.
"Monica!"
"Got it!"
Leaping away from Novem, I climbed onto Monica's back in mid-air. Then, the awakened Novem took a slow, deep breath.
Eva, clinging to the Porter, shouted at me...
"Hey! Why aren't you saving her!"
I immediately gave instructions to Clara.
"Clara, use the Porter's arms! Have the Valkyries recover Aria and Eva!"
As the Valkyries grabbed Eva and Aria and moved away from the Porter, the Porter extended its large hands toward Agrissa's body.
Agrissa was holding her eyes, but as Novem sighed...
"How long are you going to play? To be flustered by this much—that's why you all are useless."
As Novem's eyes narrowed, Agrissa suddenly began to move.
"M-my body is—"
Agrissa's hand grabbed the Porter's extended hand. While they were gripping each other, I shouted to Clara.
"Do it!"
Clara used the weapons installed in the Porter's arms. As the Porter's arms were severed, the Valkyries retreated the torso part.
Novem laughed as she watched the scene.
"You've prepared quite a lot. Seeing Lariel-sama tinker with the Porter was very enjoyable to watch. It's heartwarming."
Novem smiled—.
In the next instant, the stakes installed in the Porter's arms were fired. The arms exploded with the installed gunpowder, blowing away Agrissa's arms.
Just as Agrissa opened her mouth to scream, something like a mask suddenly emerged from her body and blocked her mouth.
As Agrissa struggled, Novem slowly stood up, exposing her naked body as if stepping out of a bath. In her hand, she gripped a magic tool.
Novem thrust the magic tool, which was a staff, into the suffering Agrissa who had lost her arms.
Aria, seeing the scene, said...
"What, did Novem maybe get absorbed—"
I said to Aria and those around me...
"No. Novem—she let herself be absorbed by Agrissa on purpose. From the start, she intended to let Agrissa deliver the finishing blow to herself as well."
Ultimately, Novem would wake up and restrain Agrissa. She intended to let us concentrate our fire and vanish along with her.
By doing so, Novem believed I would become even stronger—she thought. Not in power. By overcoming Novem's death, she intended to guide me to become mentally stronger—and to become a magnificent emperor.
"—Since she couldn't win with Agrissa, Novem changed her strategy."
Her hair tie came off, and her long hair was released, swaying in the wind. As if responding to my words, Novem said...
"Yes. It is beyond my imagination. Lariel-sama is always like that. You have continued to betray my expectations. That made me very happy. You are different from the fragile ones who discarded their bodies and escaped into dreams. You are a True Human, enough to be fit to rule this Earth. My plan—is hereby complete. The only regrettable thing is that I cannot watch what comes next."
Releasing the staff she had thrust into Agrissa, Novem folded her hands in front of her chest. It almost looked as if she were praying.
"Ah, wonderful. Octo, our plan has succeeded. We were even able to dispose of the traitor Septem. —Nihil, Unus, Duo, Tres, Quattuor, Quinque, Sex... the descendants of all seven goddesses have gathered under Lariel-sama. Lariel-sama, you are indeed fit to be the ruler of this planet. Now, I shall personally verify Lariel-sama's strength. Don't worry—I'll go easy on you. However, I will not stop until you kill me. For by killing me, Lariel-sama will be completed."
Novem's eyes—were serious. She was hopelessly crazy. Damn it! Why do I always do this at times like this!
Aria and the others saw my frustrated face.
"Lariel, Novem is saying such things—"
"Hmm? Ah, she's saying something. Honestly, the content doesn't matter. I love Novem too. I'm ready to accept her. She's a bit far gone, but she's always welcome! Well, there's a problem..."
My problem.
That was—.
"...It seems time is up. I wanted to convey more of my love, but it seems time has run out."
Aria and the others tilted their heads. Then, Clara said...
"Is that the skill's usage time—"
"No. That part is fine... but somehow, my tension has dropped. Honestly, I wonder how I was able to fight Agrissa like that. Am I actually amazing?"
A feeling like I was rapidly cooling down, and a feeling of my face gradually heating up. Looking back at my previous self calmly, I started to feel embarrassed.
"...I can't take it anymore. I want to forget everything. I'm glad I'm in the sky. If I were on the ground, I wouldn't be able to show my face to everyone... Aaaaa!! I messed up!!"
I remembered. I had remembered.
I—am connected to everyone via Line.
With the people I summoned... yes, and with the successive heads of the family.