345 - Final Chapter: Epilogue (Part 2)
I will post my own thoughts on Seventh in the activity report tomorrow. I will also post character introductions and settings separately, as requested. I plan to post the collection of side stories and interludes there as well.
――The New Capital.
The foundation work was finished, and the representatives of each nation――the representatives of the participating union nations――were gathered as winter passed and spring was about to arrive.
The development plan for the New Capital was still only halfway complete. However, since it could no longer be postponed, the representatives were gathered, and Lariel was to formally ascend the throne and declare the founding of the Empire.
Governance had already begun. The direct territories of the Banseime Royal Family. Additionally, the territories of the lords Lariel had crushed. Plus, Lufence and Beime. Just because Lariel was busy did not mean those lands could go ungoverned.
From the moment the Kingdom of Vanseim was overthrown, Lariel had already been in a position of responsibility. He was simply declaring it formally.
The castle located in the center of the New Capital was complete, it was a new design compared to the common fortress cities of the world. The castle, supported by vermilion pillars, was tall and vast. The materials used for the pillars to support such weight were things like the horns of Legend Dragons. Red horns were used, and the red-stained pillars supported the massive castle.
The representatives of each nation gathered in the great hall gasped, not only at its size but at its magnificence. It was not built simply as a castle for fighting, but the technical prowess required to prepare something of this scale――and considering other factors like national power, it would be difficult to oppose them.
He had succeeded in making them think that.
Standing in the hall as the representative of the Beime merchants was Fidel Trace. Since his daughter had entered Lariel's inner palace as a concubine, he had been invited here.
The ceremony had not yet begun, and for now, the representatives of each nation were talking. The air was not exactly tense, but it wasn't peaceful either. They were waiting for the ceremony to start in such a place.
Because those around him believed he had supported Lariel since he was unknown, he was permitted to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the representatives of each nation despite being a merchant.
(Guild executives. And the representatives of each nation――everyone is exhausted, so they don't seem to intend to pick a fight with that brat. Well, in a situation where princesses and queens of surrounding nations have become concubines, it would be foolish to fight recklessly. No, wait! Knowing that brat, there's a possibility he's waiting for some idiot to explode! He's the kind of guy who got his hands on Vera through dirty means. He must be thinking of something dirty.)
While Fidel thought such things without changing his expression, those around him believed he had offered up his daughter because he had continued to support Lariel.
He was thought to be that cooperative with Lariel. That, too, infuriated Fidel.
(How frustrating! To be thought of as having offered up Vera, and the fact that I can't even say it out loud is frustrating! I'll get back at him. I'll harass that brat!)
He was excellent as a merchant, but Fidel became useless when it came to his daughter. He was thinking that he wished the ceremony would just start and end quickly――.
――In the room where preparations for the ceremony were being made, the women, starting with Novem, were tidying their attire with the help of the Valkyries.
They could not participate in simple clothes, so they wore luxurious, decorated dresses tailored for this day. However, it was a battlefield.
Novem sat in a chair, having her hair styled. Beside her sat Miranda.
"I have made many mistakes in my time, but the biggest mistake among them was adding you as one of Lariel-sama's concubines. I still regret it even now."
As Novem emitted a tense atmosphere, Miranda was tending to her nails in front of the mirror.
"You're right. I should have just abandoned you back then. I regret saving an idiot who was making a fuss all by herself, shouting things like 'I'm gonna die~'."
Seeing the two of them laughing together, the one acting timid was Shannon. She was wearing a dress, but it had become disheveled because she had been moving around. The Valkyries were tidying her clothes.
"Uwa, scary. I didn't think conflict between women could be this ugly."
Near Shannon was Eliza in her underwear. Dress corrections were being carried out in great haste by Monica's hand.
"True. I can't participate in this either."
"I don't care about that, so please put this on. I'm busy. I have to go to that chicken coward and help him tidy up his appearance. I'm sure he's shivering in loneliness."
Shannon looked at Monica in exasperation.
"Isn't he probably in no position for that right now, checking his speech and such? Besides, lately, he gets really surprised when I get close to him."
Eliza nodded as well. When she received the dress from Monica, the Valkyries gathered around Eliza to help her put it on.
"It was the same for me. Maybe he developed some kind of trauma? Ah, the size is perfect."
Then, there was a sound of something falling. It was Ludmila and Glacia. A problem had arisen regarding the dresses. Both were in their underwear.
"Why are we wearing the same color! I'm using the deep purple. You change to a different dress!"
"I want a subdued color too! You're the one who should change!"
Watching the two of them argue, Eva, who was half-naked from the waist up, looked on in exasperation. With her pink-blonde hair, her important parts were covered.
"They never get tired of this, do they?"
Then, Clara, who had finished her preparations and was wearing her dress, was reading a book. In response to Eva's comment.
"That's true. Rather, why don't you put on your dress quickly? Although we haven't participated yet, the representatives of each nation have already arrived in the great hall, haven't they?"
Eva brushed back her hair.
"I don't know. Besides, my dress is being altered. I wish it were flashier..."
In another place, May and Marina looked uncomfortable.
"These clothes are hard to move in. And they're hot."
"Why am I here..."
Having taken a liking to the First Generation's wife, Marina had ended up becoming a concubine. Near Marina, even Marianne was standing.
"I'm the one who wants to ask. Why am I here... I was summoned by the Trace Company, and then the guild executives just told me 'congratulations' and that was it."
Then, Selma, wearing clothes that clearly showed the lines of her body, was happily clasping her hands.
"Isn't it great? ...To be able to get married while you still have no sense of crisis. If I hadn't slid in here, I probably would have never married in my entire life."
However, the last part sounded desperate. Watching Selma was Aura, the Saintess of Zain.
"I think that if Selma-sama is getting married, she doesn't need to be in this place?"
However, Selma put her hand to her cheek.
"Ah, that's not allowed. Because, as far as Zain is concerned, Aura is the official Saintess. Since it's hereditary, Aura's children are important too. Gastone was happy, saying that Zain is now secure."
It was a group with various problems, but the one watching them was Vera. An unusually large number of Valkyries were surrounding Vera.
"If you don't want to, refuse properly. I mean, Father... he said he'd proceed in a direction of not increasing the number, so what does he intend to do by increasing them this much? I mean, why am I surrounded by these girls?"
Even though she had finished putting on her dress, Vera was surrounded by Valkyries. Similarly surrounded were Novem, Miranda, and Aria.
As for Aria, the Valkyries were carefully putting the dress on her. Aria had a troubled look on her face.
"Wa-wait! Why are you fussing so much? I mean, it's a bit loose around the stomach. I should have it tightened more――"
"You must not."
"Rejected."
Answered instantly by the Valkyries, Aria's shoulders slumped. Her usual flipped-out hair was styled straight today. Perhaps because she wasn't used to it, Aria was restless, and the Valkyries accompanied her while complaining.
"Look, don't walk with such wide strides."
"Don't make sudden movements!"
Rianne, who had Valkyrie Unit 71 by her side, was watching this. It seemed she noticed something, and she asked Unit 71.
"Hey, by any chance, those four are――"
"Correct. Rianne-san, I believe it would be best to hurry."
Rianne sat in a chair, spreading her folding fan to hide her mouth.
"How unexpected. I thought it wouldn't be strange for Novem and Miranda to attack, but Aria and Vera too? I'll be a bit more proactive as well."
――No one around her asked, "Proactive with what?"
"Ah, I got cream on it."
"Shannon, change quickly. And Eliza, stop eating."
Shannon, who had stained her dress by spilling sweets, was scolded by Miranda. Incidentally, Eliza, who had been eating sweets with her, was also scolded.
Novem said to Aria.
"Aria-san, can't you just sit still and calm down?"
"But... I just can't settle down. I've wanted to try wearing a dress, but for some reason, it's embarrassing."
May and Marina said.
"Haa, I want to eat meat."
"I agree. Someone, bring some meat."
Vera looked at the two of them.
"Of course you can't. You won't be able to eat much until the ceremony is over today. Listen, it'll be the same at the evening party."
When the two of them made truly surprised faces, the other members――the concubines pushed upon them from various nations, who couldn't speak in the face of this intense group――...
"You, don't screw with me!"
Erhart, who usually wore a tank top, was in my room in formal attire. He was complaining to me while crying, but hearing the reason, I was the one who was surprised.
"How should I know! I just heard about it! Even for me, it'll be troublesome if the number increases any further! It's already troublesome! I'm scared! Everyone... everyone... is scary. If Aria didn't comfort me, I..."
As I held back from almost crying, Erhart began to panic. He probably has the same experience as me, or knows that this will no longer be someone else's problem. As I thought, it was the right decision to increase my comrades.
Because I wanted friends who could share these feelings, I had pushed various things onto Erhart. Women, honor, and such.
However, I can understand why Erhart is angry. I never imagined that on the actual day, Marianne-san would be pushed into being my concubine.
That bastard Fidel, the reason he smiled at me was Marianne-san. I thought things were proceeding in a direction to refuse, but to think I'd end up taking a concubine from the guild as well.
"S-sorry. But even so, why Marianne-san!"
Still, Erhart could not forgive his first love becoming a concubine. However, Maxim-san, who was in the same room, tilted his head. Damian did the same.
"Why? That Marianne-dono didn't have a partner to begin with, did she? Besides, I hear quite a few women have feelings for you."
"And your confession was rejected, right? Then, I don't think it's a problem you should be involved in."
Faced with the two of them making such cutting remarks, Erhart collapsed to his knees.
"Erhartttttt!"
"I... I was no good. Even so, I wanted Marianne-san to be happy... damn itttttt!!"
Then, Baldoor sighed while looking at us.
"What are you four doing? More importantly, Maxim-dono, has there been any progress between you and Adele-dono? I heard the confession was successful?"
Then, a blushing Maxim-san rubbed under his nose with his finger.
"You idiot. It was successful. But we aren't in a relationship beyond kissing. See, I want to enjoy newlywed life 'just the two of us' more."
Was that a jab at me, or a jab at me, Erhart, and Baldoor? Damian said while drinking tea.
"I'm envious. My laboratory will be completed soon, so I can concentrate on creating the ideal woman."
Erhart looked at us.
"...You guys are definitely weird. Haven't your screws just flown out of your heads?"
Looking at Erhart, I thought that today I was dressed in a relatively presentable way.
"...You've got some nerve. Fine. For the heartbroken Free Knight Erhart, I, the one who appointed you a Free Knight, will introduce you to a woman. How about Princess Anneliese? She's a cute person."
Then, Erhart stood up and pointed at me. Baldoor was saying things like "That's disrespectful," but he's a precious existence who complains to me. I'll leave him as he is. Otherwise, it's no fun to tease and play with him.
"Don't screw with me! Do you have any idea how much I've suffered because of this fluffy position as a Free Knight! Just the other day, I was requested to slay a dragon, and it was a real nuisance!"
Hearing this, it seemed he had defeated a Land Dragon. Wonderful. I thought he had talent, but as expected of Erhart.
"In response to that work, I'll give you an award this time. Enjoy your harem in your fluffy position."
At my smile, Erhart pressed his head with both hands. When we first met, this guy couldn't see reality, but when he finally did, he had obtained the harem he desired.
I want to tell him, "I'm glad your wish came true."
"How can I handle so many people in such a fluffy position! At this rate, I'm really going to be attacked! I feel like I'm going to be attacked!"
...I wish he wouldn't say that to me, the one who was attacked. I almost wanted to say, "Just get attacked and come to this side." Damn, I never thought my healing slot would end up being a tank-top guy or my wife's father.
I started getting annoyed, so I'll tease that bastard Fidel.
Then, Baldoor checked the time with his pocket watch. It seemed the time was approaching.
"Lord Lariel――no, Your Majesty. It is almost time."
I took a light deep breath and switched my consciousness.
"Understood. I'm going to the hall."
Maxim-san and Damian stood up, and Erhart followed while complaining, "The atmosphere changed too much." The five of us went around to the back of the hall, where Launo-san, who was guarding, was standing.
"Preparations are complete, Your Majesty."
He didn't have stubble, and his clothes were tidy today. Nodding at the words of my vassal, I headed for the hall.
A position overlooking the lined-up representatives of each nation and the representatives of organizations.
At the back of the hall, a high place was prepared, and there were stairs. At the top, a throne was placed. It was luxuriously made to show dignity.
When I appeared, the waiting orchestra began to play. In a solemn atmosphere, everyone bowed their heads, and I climbed the stairs to sit on the throne.
One step. One step――and on the stairs leading to that throne, a red carpet was laid.
I saw the throne sitting atop a pile of corpses.
The red carpet looked like blood.
I, climbing to such a place, must be a great villain. From the world's perspective, it wouldn't be strange for it to look like I used Celes to bring down the Kingdom of Vanseim.
I simply settled a mess caused by another member of the Walt family, being a member of the Walt family myself.
Normally, it might be cool to leave after everything is finished, like a hero.
But I couldn't do that.
There was a promise.
And I cannot run away from the responsibility of those I have killed.
I killed many to climb this high.
There is such a thing as minimum responsibility.
I climbed to the top and saw the chair. The throne. Walking there and turning around to sit, I ended up overlooking everyone.
I will probably dedicate the rest of my life to governance. I think to myself that I really made such a decision.
I felt like I was about to be crushed by the heavy responsibility, but I felt that the successive heads were watching from somewhere. If that's the case, I cannot do anything embarrassing.
After sitting and telling everyone to raise their faces, I formally declared my ascension to the imperial throne. At the same time, I declared the unification of the continent. Most countries have acknowledged coming under the Empire's rule. Besides, the entire continent was exhausted.
Especially the Kingdom of Vanseim――the exhaustion in the central part of the continent is great, but still, the Empire showed its military power through war.
It should be fine for a while. After that, I just have to do my best with internal affairs and diplomacy. Well, it'll be better than fighting a war.
Even now, I occasionally wonder if a hero of the gods wouldn't appear. If they did, I wouldn't have thought to do something myself. Besides, there was no one. There was no human who would move.
Even if there were, I wonder if they could have opposed Celes...
That's why I decided to do it.
As the ceremony progressed, I played the role of the ideal emperor. I remembered the successive heads.
The First Generation would probably take an attitude of "Hmm" even if he heard the word emperor.
The Second Generation might also make a slightly troubled face.
The Third Head would probably find it amusing that his descendant is an emperor.
The Fourth Generation would probably be noisy about governance methods and money.
The Fifth Head... wouldn't say much, but he'd probably say something like "Don't overdo it."
The Sixth Generation, let's see. He'd surely worry about the number of wives.
The Seventh Head might cry with joy.
The Eighth Generation――what words would Father say to me? I have few memories from before the age of ten, and memories after that are only of him taking a cold attitude. He apologized at the end, but I didn't know what to say.
It was intense. I think it was a very intense two years. I was kicked out of the house and became an adventurer. I became an adventurer without a goal, met Aria, and then Miranda and the others...
Reuniting with Celes might have been the true beginning. From the moment I was defeated in the snowing Central and saw Celes ruling the capital dyed in madness――I truly had a purpose.
That's why I'm here now.
Sitting arrogantly in a place like this.
It's just as Mireia-san said. I was sitting on the throne, having piled up a mountain of corpses.
As the ceremony progressed, the representatives of each nation voiced their loyalty to me.
"We enter under the rule of the Empire and swear loyalty to His Imperial Majesty the Emperor."
Everyone knelt at the words of the representative.
It's thrilling to think about how many of them are aiming for my neck in their hearts. Even knowing that it will eventually decline, I wonder how long it will last. A continent exhausted in just a few years.
It would be fine if peace lasted for a little while.
I will dedicate the rest of my life. It might be a small price, but even if only for a moment.
"I am pleased by that loyalty. Although I am young, I will strive to be a good sovereign for everyone. I hope you will continue to support me and the Empire."
Saying I don't even think such things――that's a lie, but I can at least say, "At least you guys work harder."
After all, I, who had eyes like a dead fish, was pushed to the point of deciding to unify the continent. If those around me had worked harder, I could have cooperated as a single soldier or adventurer.
Well, it's probably too late now.
Someday, I will surely pass this position to the next generation. And I'll end up pushing various things onto them. Thinking that makes me feel sorry. At the very least, I have to tidy up what I can do.
I'm also anxious about whether I'll be able to entrust something to someone like everyone else someday.
Still, I'll move forward one step at a time.
Walking, walking, and when I stop, I want to be an existence that can push the back of the next generation――someone.
Like those seven.
Like the successive heads who supported and guided me.
――The birth of the Empire that reunified the continent, which had been divided for three hundred years.
The peak of its long rule was around a hundred years after its founding. From there, it experienced changes in the era and numerous disturbances, and it ruled the continent for five hundred years.
However, it could not escape the flow of prosperity and decline, and due to the flow of the times, the Empire collapsed. After that, the arrival of the Warring States period came, and it took considerable time until the continent was reunified again――.
――On the blackboard of the classroom, the history of the continent during the Imperial era was written.
In such a classroom, a boy receiving a lesson had a silver pendant hanging from his neck. A blue Orb was embedded in it, and it was quite old.
The teacher, who lightly tapped the blackboard with his fist in front of the teacher's desk, said.
"Well, the history around here is like a prologue to the Warring States period that comes next. The history from here on is more popular. But it's interesting to know about the Empire of this era. There are cases where heroes who clashed were actually descendants of the first emperor. However, many people claimed to be descendants of the first emperor to show their own legitimacy. That's why there are many Walt-types. There are some in this classroom too, right?"
The gaze of the class gathered on the boy, and they giggled. Because the boy was timid, he looked down.
Then, the history teacher began to speak proudly. It seemed he liked history, had researched it independently, and had his own thoughts.
"However, this first emperor calling himself the Divine Emperor is truly suspicious. Moreover, in the country that became the trigger for continental rule, the first emperor's younger sister had actually married in. The teacher thinks it was a Walt family match-pump. After all, when you research it, it's extremely suspicious. He was kicked out of the house and was doing something like what we'd call a hunter today."
The teacher, who started chatting away, seemed to have researched various things, as he was speaking proudly. The first emperor had bad habits with women, and moreover, he didn't make it in time to rescue the commercial city that had supported him.
He displayed various other pieces of knowledge and stated his own interpretations. Then, after prefacing it as a conclusion.
"The first emperor wasn't some Divine Emperor, he just had the disposition of a parasite. The more you research, the more fake it seems. You know Shannon, who's popular in movies and dramas? The cause of the muddy life in the inner palace was the first emperor, and the teacher thinks he was the lowest of the low. The Free Knight Erhart, who was active in the same era, is more of a hero."
The teacher said with a smile. Then, the gaze gathered on the boy who was a Walt-type, and the delinquent students pointed and laughed.
When the bell rang to signal the end of the lesson, the teacher looked at the clock and began to organize his tools.
"Erase the blackboard. Now, the day monitor."
When the student who was the day monitor said "Stand, bow," everyone stood up and bowed their heads. After the teacher left the classroom, the boy sat in his chair.
Since the current lesson was the last one, he was stuffing his textbooks and notebooks into his bag until the homeroom teacher arrived.
Then, several delinquents came to the boy.
"Hey, your family is the lowest."
"Lowest! Lowest!"
He was teased like that, but the boy silently looked down. He endured until the homeroom teacher arrived, and then, when school ended, he hurried out of the school as if escaping.
He didn't want to be at school. Because...
After confirming that no one was around, the boy said.
"Um, please don't make too much noise. I've been very tired lately..."
Then, Lariel's voice could be heard from the Orb――from the Orb that had regained its brilliance.
'I'm gonna blow that teacher away! What's this about being the lowest! What's this about a parasite disposition! The inner palace getting muddy wasn't my fault!'
Then, a rough voice was heard. The First Generation.
'Hmm, being an emperor is tough. But the ninth generation is the emperor, huh. I don't really feel it.'
The records were reset, and the group had no memories of Lariel. However, from the boy's perspective, it was troublesome when the eight of them made a fuss because his magic decreased.
"Um, be quiet..."
The Second Generation's voice was heard.
'Even so, that teacher is unforgivable. To say such things to our direct descendant... wait, that's harassment, right?'
The Third Head spoke while laughing, but seemed angry. The statement was scary.
'Should we do it? Murder is punished heavily as a crime, but socially, it seems easy to crush him. Let's make it so he can never stand up again.'
The Fourth Generation looked displeased. It wasn't that they disliked getting revenge.
'Doing such a thing would be a risk for us as well. In this case, should we report to the school anonymously? Or the organization that manages it. ...With evidence, of course.'
The Fifth Head was a person of few words, but.
'...Let's make it clear to those bad-looking brats who is superior. I hate those kinds of brats the most. First, I'll investigate their families.'
The Sixth Generation was laughing. The boy said in a thin voice.
"Q-quiet..."
'Fuhahaha, if I just strengthen him a bit with a skill and let him speak with his fists, they'll understand immediately. Therefore, I'll teach you how to fight. First, aim for the eyes!'
The Seventh Head let out an exasperated voice.
'We could crush him without doing such things. Well, it's true that I don't like that teacher. Let's make him cry and regret making fun of the Walt family!'
Lariel agreed with the words of his grandfather, the Seventh Head.
'I'm not ending this while being told whatever those kinds of brats want! I'm... I'm not in the wrong! I'll provoke him. I'll keep provoking him just like Fidel did, so just you wait! ...Well, you're the one who'll do the fighting. Do your best. We won't hesitate to cooperate. Well, our cooperation will just be speaking up or teaching you how to use skills.'
The successive heads told the boy to do his best to get revenge. The boy, who inherited the Orb where these successive heads were recorded, hung his head.
The boy muttered as he walked ploddingly. The voices he had started to hear from the day he inherited the blue jewel.
He never imagined that they were actually his ancestors.
"I hate these ancestors already. Monica-san, what should I do?"
The boy, muttering the name of Monica, the family servant, had teary eyes.
Cheerful laughter could be heard from inside the Orb, and the boy felt sympathy for the teacher and his classmates.
'This is starting to get funnnnn!!'
The voices that only the boy could hear were cheerful today as well――.
Octo (；・∀・) "..." Octo (・∀・；) "...Eh!?" Octo ( ・∀・;) "...No way, a complete gun-through (T/N: total omission/ignore)."
Octo (；・∀・) "I'll believe that it will appear in the book version and promote it. The first volume of Seventh will be released by Hero Bunko on December 28, 2015. ...W-will I have a part?"
Little Chick-sama ヽ(´ー｀)ノ "The end♪ Please look forward to the book version, as well as the side stories and interludes."