341 - End and Beginning
Silver twin blades and a silver Great Scythe clash.
Sparks fly, and as they face each other, both were drenched in sweat. The composed smile had vanished from Novem, and her emotions were now laid bare.
Her tone grew rough. The usual Novem, who always seemed so poised, was nowhere to be found. Tears spilled from her eyes, drop by drop.
"I've always had so many memories. That I don't exist. That I'm just a replacement for someone... and yet, now... how much do you think it hurts me to say such things now!"
Supporting Novem's Great Scythe with my wakizashi and cutting shallowly with my katana, my silver weapons certainly cut what I wanted to cut, and didn't leave a single scratch on what I didn't want to harm.
In contrast to my battered state, Novem was still pristine. Neither her clothes nor her skin were dirty in the slightest. She was merely sweating a bit and shedding tears.
I, on the other hand, was stained with blood and sweat, sticky with sand and dust. However, the situation was in my favor.
"If you think that, then it means you do exist! Say it... tell me your feelings properly! They're not getting through. Your voice isn't reaching me! Do you hate me? Or do you love me! You love me, don't you! Say you love me!"
If she says she hates me here, I'll be depressed—no, I can't! Don't get weak. If I get weak, everything will crumble at once.
Novem gripped the Great Scythe with both hands, her movements slower than before. Still, it was a speed that would generally be considered incredibly fast. She was certainly weaker than before. No, the power of the Evil God or Goddess was being stripped away, and she was returning to being Novem.
I parried Novem's slash with the katana in my right hand. But Novem thrust the handle part into my stomach.
The impact forced my mouth open.
"Kuha!"
The air was forced out of me, and I was blown away. As I rolled over the rubble—it hurt terribly. Forcing myself to stand up, I saw Novem there, swinging her Great Scythe high. She had a look of desperate intensity on her face.
"If I hated you... if I hated you, I wouldn't have... wouldn't have devoted myself so much! I loved you. Not the Lariel-sama of before. The current Lariel-sama! I loved how you work so hard. But there was nothing I could do... and yet, you say such things now! Before, you wouldn't even look at me!"
I dodged the blow Novem swung down, and the Great Scythe pierced the ground. I regained my posture and readied my twin blades.
"When was that!"
"When I used to visit the Walt family estate! You wouldn't even look at me! But even so... I thought I could be useful. I thought that! And yet, now!"
Was it around the time my engagement to Novem was decided? Back then, I was treated coldly and betrayed by those around me, and I had come to hate people. Still, I just wanted my parents to look at me.
...Wait a minute.
"You! You're responsible too! Are you going to forget that you made a deal with Celes and just blame me! Thanks to that, I almost became distrustful of people! No, I did become distrustful! Take responsibility!"
"—!"
As Novem's movements faltered, I laughed. When I smirked, Novem's expression turned to one of realization. But it was too late.
"That opening—I'll take it!"
I swung the twin blades down crosswise from diagonally above, cutting Novem deeply. As Novem's face distorted in frustration, I was punched away by Novem's left fist.
Floating in the air, I intentionally let go of my twin blades. Novem approached me while I was airborne and readied her Great Scythe right in front of me.
"I loved you. That's why it was painful. And yet, you—Lariel-sama looked so happy. I told myself that one day I would be gone—that's why I gathered so many!"
She must be talking about the harem. What does she mean by "painful" when she's the one who gathered them on her own? I don't think I'm in the wrong. Novem was the one who gathered them. Though it's true I actively spoke to women along the way.
Just before the blow fell, I warped to the position of the katana. As I gripped the hilt, I noticed there was less noise than before. I could use skills as much as I wanted.
"You're the one who gathered them! Don't make it sound like I'm the only one at fault!"
Novem turned around in mid-air and threw the Great Scythe at me. I immediately warped again, this time to the position of the wakizashi, which was further away.
"Then... will you throw everyone else away and look only at me? I absolutely hate the idea of other people being there. I hated it... but I endured it and gathered them. So that Lariel-sama wouldn't be lonely when I'm gone one day!"
"You went too far, you idiot! And besides, I'm not throwing anyone away now! —They're all my women! I'm not giving them to anyone!"
"Aaaaaaaah!!"
Watching Novem go berserk, I created illusions around me. It was easier than before. As Novem attacked the illusions with her bare hands, I threw the wakizashi and pierced her.
Novem raised her right hand, and the Great Scythe returned to her hand. What a convenient staff.
I spoke, sounding like I was making excuses.
"If I threw them out now, people would doubt my humanity! How could I do such a thing!"
...As I said it, the question occurred to me, isn't it already too late? No, don't get weak! It's okay. It's still okay!
I stabbed the blade again into the approaching Novem. I pulled out the wakizashi that had been piercing Novem, kicked the Great Scythe away, and leaped back to create distance.
Novem stood there, her Great Scythe hanging limply, looking down.
"...I am actually a hateful woman. I want to monopolize Lariel-sama. When I see you kissing other women... the other Novems inside me say, 'This connects the possibility.' But I say, 'I've had enough'... My will is drowned out by the many Novems, and I just watch with a smile. I hate it. It's hell. So... please just listen to me. Please kill me. If not... I will... kill Lariel-sama... and the other women."
Scary! A shiver ran down my spine! B-but... killing Novem is out of the question. I don't want to be killed, and I can't stand the thought of my other companions being killed.
"I refuse everything. I told you... I'm selfish."
Hearing my answer, Novem slowly raised the Great Scythe. Magic gathered there. The density of that magic. I could tell it was being compressed, increasing its power.
"Then... please... die with me!"
I didn't realize Novem's possessiveness was this strong.
Looking at the scale of the magic, it seemed like it would blow everything around away. As I readied my twin blades, wondering whether to enter a defensive posture or use warp—
"How pathetic."
A woman's voice came from behind. The nostalgic voice sounded somewhat different from before. She looked at Novem instead of me and spread her arms.
"Aren't you a typical useless woman! Before love, you're a failure as a bride."
There stood my mother—Mother Claire. When she looked at me, she smiled a bit sadly.
And then, clearing his throat, he made his appearance.
"H-hem. Well... let's put aside the matters between women. Lariel, it's been a long time."
It was my father. As the two of them stepped in front of me, Novem had a complex expression. Novem declared.
"Meizel-sama... Claire-sama."
As Novem released her magic, Mother deployed a shield in front of her. No, a shield was deployed that surrounded Novem. Only the area around Novem was blown away.
"...I suppose I no longer have the right to say this. Novem, you currently have no qualification to be Lariel's bride. And let me say this much. I am the one who gave birth to Lariel! Even if I was a failure as a mother, that fact does not change! I have no intention of yielding!"
The shield was deactivated, and Novem emerged from the smoke. She dropped the Great Scythe and slumped down on the spot.
Father looked at Novem with a slightly sad face.
"I am grateful that you supported Lariel. Therefore, do not say such sad things. I know I'm in no position to say this... but please, do not make Lariel suffer any more. I beg you."
Hearing Father's words, Novem shed tears drop by drop onto the rubble. Her will to fight was greatly diminished. I looked at Novem and—
"Listen, Novem. I—"
Then, a woman's voice rang out. It was a boisterous voice that seemed like it would carry forever.
"Shut up, you brats! What the hell do you all want in the end!"
I turned around to see a woman carrying a naginata, holding hands with a small child—the boy Dewey I had seen in the memories of the Second Generation. The blade of the naginata looked large and thick. It was definitely not something to be handled with one arm.
Dewey waved at me. I waved back slightly. Then, the female powerhouse glared at me and pointed the tip of the naginata toward me.
"And you! Are you also a man of the Walt family! Look at Basil! Look at Basil! That guy is an idiot, so he doesn't understand complicated things!"
Behind the female powerhouse, the First Generation was muttering discontentedly.
"I just like simple methods, I'm not an idiot..."
And then, the female powerhouse said to me.
"I've always been bold. And I've always made things clear! The world isn't just made of platitudes! Be clear! Do you love that brat over there? Which number of 'love' is that? If you're going to keep many women, set a hierarchy! If you say you love everyone equally..."
Behind the female powerhouse, I could see the Fifth Generation. In a low voice.
"In the first place, I thought there were conditions like loving everyone equally in a harem... well, whatever. If I say something clumsy, I'll probably end up suffering too."
Don't give up. Do something about this female powerhouse. Remember when we came out of the Orb. Where did those reliable former heads of the family go? Are you guys for real!
The Fourth Generation, pushing up his glasses, smiled slightly.
"Well, you brought this on yourself. I'm glad I only had one bride."
It's no use, he's the usual Fourth Generation. He's useless except for financial matters. The Second Generation, looking at me, shook his head.
"Give up. Mother is just like this. But she's surprisingly kind. Though she's terrifying when she's terrifying."
Show that kindness now! If there's any kindness in this female powerhouse, it's only in the fact that she's holding hands with her grandson with her left hand.
The female powerhouse swung the naginata down to the ground. The Sixth Generation, surrounded by three women in the back, had a pale face.
"So. Hierarchy is important, right?"
"Tell him. That I'm number one."
"Come on, just tell us your honest feelings."
The Sixth Generation, making his large body small, let his gaze wander. Nearby, Mireia-san was looking at the surrounding wives with cold eyes.
"N-now. This is Lariel's problem right now."
He threw the conversation back to me. No, he pushed it back. As expected, the Sixth Generation is also useless in matters of women. Mireia-san is also useless because she's playing the cat because the Sixth Generation is nearby.
Before I knew it, the Seventh Generation and Grandma Zenoa also appeared. Both were waving.
"Lariel, rejoice! I've obtained a very large dragon! Also, Meizel... come here, I'm going to punch you once."
"Lariel, you've grown so much! Grandma is so happy. I've hunted a dragon as a souvenir. It's a luxurious gold one! Also, Meizel and Claire... come here and sit in seiza."
...It's wrong. Both of them, right now, such things don't matter. Souvenirs don't matter... wait, was that Legend Dragon treated as a souvenir?
My parents silently went to the grandparents. I could only watch them go. The two of them looked back at me a few times, but... sorry, I can't help you now.
Because the female powerhouse is glaring at me!
Then, the Third Generation, scratching his head, looked at me. Nearby was a dignified woman. She must be the Third Generation's wife. She looked at me with an exasperated face.
The Third Generation thought for a moment, and then spoke.
"Haa, Lariel... honestly, the current fight was interesting. I didn't think it would build up to this much at the end. Not Lariel-san, but the true Best Lariel was... Lariel himself!"
The Third Generation gave me a thumbs-up and a smile. As I felt a bad omen, the Fourth Generation said enthusiastically.
"As I think, the Best Lariel is 'Marvelous', I suppose. Thinking back, that word represents everything about Lariel."
The Fifth Generation countered.
"No, that's no good. That was the Best Lariel based on the situation. Lariel, shirtless, looking up at the sky and spreading his arms in the middle of the glaring women... 'Marvelous' alone doesn't convey it. I think 'The man loved by the Goddesses' is a safe bet that anyone can understand."
Don't have a serious discussion about this. I'm not in the mood for this. The Sixth Generation also took the opportunity.
"Then I'll go with 'Kissing the Sleeping Beauty'!"
The Seventh Generation, having punched Father away, had a refreshed expression.
"'Fantastic' was also the best. Lariel laughing while blowing away the symbol of Beime was cool. Well, there weren't enough explosives."
The Second Generation, looking around.
"I don't know much, so I can't decide."
No, don't look so disappointed. The First Generation, looking at me with an exasperated expression, was concerned about his wife, the female powerhouse.
"You, what on earth are you doing. Just hurry up and do something about Novem-chan. She's crying, you know."
I looked at Novem. Around me, my companions were gathering. Aria, Miranda, Shannon, Clara, Monica, Eva, Mei, Glacia, Eliza, Ludmila—and the Valkyries.
Everyone was here. Then, the female powerhouse said to me.
"Since everyone's here, it's not 'everyone' if you say that, so it's impressive. Well, you're aiming to be Emperor. You can probably handle this many. Now, then, let's hear the answer."
I was being watched by everyone. It had become a flow where I had to confess my feelings in front of everyone.
In addition to the smirking former heads of the family, the former wives. ...Wait? Why do I have to confess in a place like this? In a quieter place—.
"...Hey, hurry up."
The female powerhouse glared at me. The boy Dewey also looked at me.
"Lariel, do your best."
Yes, he cheered me on. I wonder, it feels wrong to confess in front of such an innocent boy. Since such an innocent boy is my older brother, the Third Generation is...
"No~, I'm glad everyone's here so we could decide the Best Lariel. I had a feeling this would happen."
This guy! ...Sigh, I'll just accept my fate.
I let go of the silver weapons. Then, as if their role was finished, they returned to the Orb. The Orb hanging from my neck was losing its light.
"Novem. I can't throw everyone else away. I don't want to."
Novem looked down. The women around me were listening to my words with serious faces. I wonder, I really want to run away. But I can't.
"But, you're the one who has been by my side ever since I was kicked out of the estate. I love you. I thought that living quietly with you wouldn't be bad."
Novem raised her face slightly.
"I am a troublesome woman. I've lost most of the power of the past Novems."
I stepped closer to Novem.
"That doesn't matter. Honestly, more than the past or the future, the current reality is heavy! If you're not here, I'll crumble! Is that okay! The me that you love so much will crumble! I'm already at my limit carrying everyone's burdens in the current situation! I've long since passed my limit! So, something happened in the past, or the future is this way... it's impossible! Even if you expect so much from me, there's not that much I can do!"
Novem shook her head.
"I don't want to. ...I hate the idea! Lariel-sama crumbling... I hate it."
I helped Novem stand up.
"We set out on a journey together. And we've come this far."
"...Yes."
I slowly hugged her. Resting my chin on Novem's shoulder, I hugged Novem tightly.
"Let's live the present together. I want to live with you. I want to be with you. Stay by my side."
"............Yes."
To the sobbing Novem, I said.
"You are my number one. Not an Evil God or a Goddess. Not the previous Novems. The current you. Novem... I love you. Please stay by my side forever!"
As I said this, the area became silent. I couldn't look at the faces of the women around me because they were scary. But Novem wrapped her arms around my back and gripped my clothes. Shedding tears, letting out sobs, while crying.
"Yes. I will stay by your side forever. Please... keep me by your side, Lariel-sama."
As we hugged each other, cheers and whistles echoed from the surroundings. Surprised, I looked around to see that the soldiers summoned by the former heads of the family had joined with my main force, who were allies.
...Please spare me from confessing in front of dozens of thousands of people. If I had known, I'd have chosen cooler lines!
—In Central, where the fight had ended, the former heads' wives were cooking Legend Dragons and Land Dragon subspecies.
The First's wife and the Second's wife were glaring at each other.
"Hey, what's this? It has no taste?"
"It's a taste that only delicate people can understand. You're crude, so you probably don't understand it, do you?"
The two of them were smiling, but with veins popping on their foreheads, glaring at each other.
Around them, preparations for the banquet were proceeding busily, and Novem and others were helping.
As Shannon stole a piece of fried Land Dragon, Miranda dropped a fist on her.
"...It hurts."
As the teary-eyed Shannon held her head with both hands, Miranda looked exasperated.
And then, she looked around. Lariel, surrounded by the former heads and other prominent figures, was appealing something intensely with gestures.
Everyone around him was laughing.
To such a Miranda, Vera came bringing luggage.
"Hey, where should I take this luggage?"
The injured Mei was sitting on top of the brought luggage, and Marina was drinking alcohol with Mei.
"This alcohol is delicious!"
"Right! But man, what a mountain of rubble. They really blew it all away."
Mei was delighted by the alcohol, and Marina was looking around.
"Just leave the spices, and distribute the alcohol. I wonder how long they'll stay?"
The one who reacted to Miranda's mutter was Claire. Being the youngest among the former wives, she was treated poorly. She had a white cloth wrapped around her head and was wearing an apron.
"Oh? Sarcasm? Is that sarcasm? Court nobles are truly hateful, aren't they? Their mouths just keep moving."
Miranda's forehead had veins popping. She had been like this for a while. Claire was happy to be reunited with Lariel, but she was irritated by the reality that Lariel had multiple women.
"Well, it's better than a parent who abandoned their child."
At Miranda's words, Claire grit her teeth. She was probably frustrated because she couldn't talk back. Seeing Miranda triumphant, Vera quickly retreated from the spot.
Shannon also quietly escaped, accompanying Vera.
As Claire looked frustrated, Zenoa, who had a sense of style, came.
"Oh, the preparations aren't progressing. Slacking? Hey, are you slacking? This is why nominal count houses are troublesome. You were helped by the Walt family despite being half-hearted, and yet you slack off on the work."
Claire glared at Zenoa in frustration.
"...History is all they have. They're just proud, that's why they lost when they rebelled."
"How cruel. I'm so hurt. I'll go get Lariel to comfort me. Oh, rather, I must go comfort the poor Lariel who was abandoned by his parents."
"I am very sorry!"
Miranda, watching the interaction between Zenoa and Claire, thought.
(These hateful customs are passed down like this, huh. I have to be careful too.)
Then, Miranda turned her gaze toward Novem, who was silently preparing.
She was performing the tasks flawlessly, without saying a word.
So perfectly that Claire couldn't even complain, and to the point where Miranda looked for faults in Novem.
"Novem, you're lucky. No one's picking on you."
Then, Novem turned her face toward Miranda. And then, she said with a smile.
"That's because Miranda-san has a face that looks arrogant. In front of Lariel-sama, you make a cute face, and you get angry. It's suspicious, you know."
...Miranda was speechless at Novem's words. And then, as if to continue, Novem said.
"Also, this is a clear fact, but I'll say it again."
"...What?"
Miranda glared at Novem. Novem, with a composed smile.
"I am Lariel-sama's number one. You all get along and fight over the second-place chair."
Miranda also smiled along with Novem.
"Don't think your spot is secure forever. I'll steal it anytime. Enjoy your first-place position as much as you can. Because it's only for now."
As if they were women—having a bright conversation, the two of them were sparking sparks—.