85 - Memories of the Fourth Head
In the room I entered with the Third Head, I am viewing memories.
I was able to learn why the usually aloof Third Head was so active on the battlefield.
Leading fewer than fifty soldiers in a charge, the Third Head activates a skill.
Around them are thousands of soldiers following the Third Head—or rather, following a knight dressed to stand out.
The Third Head and his group had blended in among them.
"This is..."
As I watched the scene, the Fourth Head was looking at the ground.
'Did you even create shadows?'
At that, the Third Head puffed out his chest proudly.
'That's right. This is my skill... the final form, [Dream]. It's a skill that shows illusions so realistic they seem like reality. As for its killing power... you might think it has none?'
Looking at the Third Head's face as he said that, I swallowed hard.
"...I once read in a book that if you press a piece of plain iron against a blindfolded person, you can make them feel a burn."
The Third Head nodded.
'Well, that's an extreme example. In reality, it's not guaranteed to work. Besides...'
The Lemrant soldiers fighting were beginning to realize it was an illusion.
'Hey, these things are illusions!'
'Someone used a skill somewhere!'
'Where are the wounded! What happened to the skill users!'
As soon as the enemy knights and soldiers realized it was an illusion, they began to reorganize their formation.
Amidst this, the Third Head spotted the enemy commander-in-chief and drew his sword.
He leaped from his horse and swung his sword down.
The Third Head beside me explained the scene.
'The First Head's skill, the Second Head's skill... I inherited them all. Through oral tradition. It was too scary to write them down. But that became a disadvantage. The opponent was strong. I couldn't do it in one blow.'
The commander-in-chief, knocked from his horse by the Third Head's strike, screamed.
'Cowardly tricks! You Banseime cowards!'
'I won't deny it, but I still can't afford to lose!'
Cutting down the elites swarming around him, the Third Head fought the commander-in-chief.
He created illusions of himself around the area, using them to confuse and fight the enemy.
I looked around and noticed something strange.
"The Lemrant soldiers are..."
The Third Head spoke.
'They're fighting among themselves, right? This is also thanks to the skill [Control].'
The Fourth Head pressed a hand to his face.
'That really is ruthless.'
The Third Head muttered, "It couldn't be helped."
'If I hadn't used it, we would have lost. I didn't want to... but the battlefield was close to my territory. If the enemy had pushed forward with that momentum, everything would have been trampled.'
That was what Banseime had done back then.
(So the story about fighting for justice was a lie.)
As I felt a sense of helplessness, the surrounding situation changed.
Allies were being cut down one after another.
The numbers were different from the start. Moreover, the Third Head, who had lost his composure, could no longer create illusions.
Then, as the enemy commander-in-chief swung down a battleaxe, the Third Head's right arm flew through the air.
But—.
"No, an illusion?"
The Third Head had a serious expression.
'That's one way to use it.'
Then, the Third Head's sword pierced deep into the chest of the enemy commander-in-chief.
The surrounding hostility focused on the Third Head.
Perhaps his magic had run dry, as the Third Head was staggering.
At this rate, he would simply be cut down.
The Lemrant army, having lost their commander-in-chief, began to fall into chaos.
It was then.
'Young Master!'
Several blood-stained soldiers rushed to the Third Head, leading horses. They forcibly pulled the Third Head onto a horse.
'Please leave!'
'...Yeah.'
With a hollow expression, the Third Head squeezed out his last bit of strength to confuse the enemy with illusions. Magic rained down on the illusions, and arrows pierced through them.
And the soldiers who let the Third Head escape—.
"Why... unlike the time of the Second Head..."
They were dying with smiles on their faces.
The Third Head spoke.
'Lariel, they didn't die for me. They died for the territory I govern, for their own hometowns. Individually, they likely had their own reasons, but helping me was the best way to benefit the territory.'
Just as I thought this was a cold opinion, the Banseime army surrounding the area began to encircle the Lemrant army.
Watching this sight, the Third Head clenched his fist. He gripped it tightly with all his might.
He still seemed unable to accept it.
(That's why he hated it so much...)
From the front, the main camp, having reorganized, launched a charge centered on cavalry.
As magic struck the Lemrant soldiers, their formation broke, and they seemed unable to move properly.
They were surrounded just like that, and the Lemrant army suffered a devastating blow.
Then the scene changed, and it was the Walt family's camp.
Some time had passed since the war.
The Third Head, lying down, was battered from arrows and magic.
Nobles and kings entered the tent one by one, offering their thanks to the Third Head, who could barely respond.
The Third Head looked at his own state.
'I just want to rest. Honestly...'
He looked exasperated.
The Fourth Head was looking at the entrance of the tent.
Then, as the Third Head's final moment approached...
'Father!'
The Fourth Head, in his teens, entered the tent.
'...Marks... sorry. I'm really... sorry... take this...'
As he received the blue orb handed over by the Third Head, the Fourth Head, breathing heavily, gripped it while weeping. Then, the Third Head stopped moving.
The surrounding scenery dyed itself gray, and the Third Head spoke.
'I didn't die for that kid's sake. To protect my territory, I executed the best plan to win the war by sacrificing others. I knew no one else could have done it. I was the only one capable of a deceptive strike.'
To the Third Head speaking jokingly, the Fourth Head looked as if he wanted to say something.
The Third Head spoke.
'Well, that's the end of my story. Do you understand that it wasn't something pretty? And, what I wanted to protect was... sigh, whatever. You've understood enough.'
With that, we returned to the room with the round table.
Only the Fourth Head and I were in the room.
The Third Head seemed to be shut away in his room.
The Fourth Head took off his glasses and wiped them.
'...Lariel, while we're at it, you should view my memories too.'
I couldn't refuse.
"Yes."
The scene I saw upon entering the Fourth Head's room was a young Fourth Head receiving a report that the Third Head was in danger.
There, a mud-covered, staggering knight was speaking about the Third Head's charge.
The one speaking while weeping was a young knight who had been punched by the Third Head.
'Lord Slay charged into the enemy camp... the difference in numbers was hopeless... I am sorry! I am truly sorry!'
The one who dismissed the continuing weeping knight was a woman in her thirties.
She must have been the Third Head's wife.
'Let him rest. That man is really... Marks, steel yourself. Depending on the state of the war, the enemy might come here as well.'
'M-Mother?'
The Fourth Head, unable to comprehend the situation, spoke in bewilderment.
'It's a lie, right? Because Father always came back. While complaining, he'd say he worked a lifetime's worth so I should do my best from now on... always...'
Then, the next messenger arrived.
The knight rushed into the manor and took off his armor.
'The Banseime army has won! While Lord Slay held back the enemy and bought time, our allies reorganized their formation!'
The Third Head's wife asked.
'What happened to him?'
Then, the knight—.
'He was able to return, but his injuries are severe... he only told me to go and inform you.'
Then, the wife spoke to the Fourth Head.
'Marks, take some attendants and go to him immediately.'
As told, the Fourth Head began preparations, surrounded by those around him.
The scene changed, and the Fourth Head was riding a horse, galloping with several knights.
As I watched the young Fourth Head showing his impatience.
'That was the moment. When my skill manifested. I just wanted to arrive quickly. I wanted to see my father. As I thought that, the skill manifested.'
The Fourth Head, arriving earlier than planned, rushed to the Third Head.
After finishing that scene, the Fourth Head changed the surrounding scenery.
It was a road that stretched on forever.
'Because the battlefield was close. It's a truly troublesome story. It's ridiculous that I felt gratitude toward the culprit.'
"U-Um..."
The Fourth Head adjusted the position of his glasses with his index finger. The glasses glinted.
'Shall I teach you the next skill? I think Lariel can handle it by now.'
"Y-Yes!"
I ended up being taught a skill by the Fourth Head.
However, it wasn't a difficult explanation.
'Well, simply put, after increasing movement speed, it's just a matter of dropping the opponent's speed.'
As the Fourth Head said that, he demonstrated by using the skill.
Then, my legs suddenly felt heavy.
It was as if I were in water—no, I felt an even greater resistance.
'The skill [Up-Down]. Both increasing and decreasing speed are at my whim. We drop the enemy's speed and increase our own. It's simple, but the gap opens up significantly.'
It didn't have the flashiness of the Third Head's skill, but this skill was still amazing.
In a group battle, if used simultaneously with the Second Head's skill, it was a skill that could instantly grant an advantage.
"That's amazing."
'...Not as much as the Third Head, though.'
Then, I asked what I wanted to know.
"Um, about the Third Head and the oral tradition of skills..."
'Ah, I had heard what kind of skills existed, but the Third Head passed away before he could tell me... so the applications of the First, Second, and Third Heads' skills weren't passed down to the Walt family. But they were effective. I didn't struggle much after that.'
Thinking about it, it was lucky that I was being taught these skills.
Skills that should have been lost were revived, and I was able to learn the memories of that time.
It all started then.
It probably began when I heard the voice at Zel's house.
After the Fourth Head finished explaining how to use the skill, he spoke to me.
'Lariel, I want you to take back the territory. Because I have an attachment to it.'
"...That is..."
As I looked hesitant to answer, the Fourth Head continued.
'For now, this is fine. The Third Head seems intent on letting Lariel do as he pleases. The Fifth Head will likely be the same. However, I, the Sixth Head, and the Seventh Head want you to inherit the territory.'
I am someone who was cast out.
As I thought that, the Fourth Head spoke.
'However, I also agree with some parts of the Third Head's memories. You can do as you like, but make sure you become capable of protecting the important things.'
"...Yes."
Then, the Fourth Head smiled.
'I see. Well, with Novem-chan and the others, it'll be tough.'
"That's not my choice! ...Sigh, never mind."
As I sulked, the Fourth Head laughed.
I also found it funny and started laughing.
Morning.
When I woke up, I felt a slight fatigue.
Recalling the memories of the Third and Fourth Heads I saw last night, I couldn't help but think about it.
It wasn't a battle like a heroic tale.
The Third Head fought to protect what he wanted to protect, and the Fourth Head manifested his skill to make it in time for his father's end.
I sat up and stretched, then looked outside.
The morning sun was dazzling; I got out of bed and opened the window.
Central was noisy, and I could hear various voices and the sounds of daily life.
"Now, what should I do today?"
I was preparing for the trip to Beime, but there were no particular problems.
I was also gathering information, but there was nothing especially dangerous.
What concerned me was Central, the royal capital.
According to Miranda and Shannon, there was a sense of incongruity unlike before.
I couldn't tell, but the two who had lived there probably felt something.
(Aria hasn't said anything in particular... come to think of it, I believe she said she was going shopping today.)
Remembering that Aria was going shopping, I got dressed and thought about going to help her.
Novem was organizing luggage, and Clara was out visiting bookstores again today.
As for Monica, she was staying and working at the rental warehouse to modify the porter.
"I should go see her too."
While worrying if she had gone berserk, I smiled.
(Things I want to protect, huh...)
—The highway near the royal capital.
There, Walt family soldiers were providing food to a ragged group of people.
They were providing food for the group that had followed behind them.
The reason they were in such a state was that they had suffered many casualties from a monster attack.
There were many injured, and above all, some had lost most of their belongings.
There were even merchants with pale faces.
Walking among that group was Celes, wearing a white, fluffy coat.
With a smile that matched her warm attire, she was waving to those around her.
"Thank you for your help."
"She's like a goddess."
"We are truly grateful."
The people around her were voicing their gratitude, believing she had gone out of her way to come to them.
Celes was in a great mood.
Walking behind her was a knight in an even better mood than Celes.
It was Alfred.
At his waist was the dagger that had been Celes's reward.
Celes thought.
(They're thanking me without even knowing who let the monsters attack... how truly amusing. I feel great after doing something good.)
Being thanked, being worshipped—Celes was in high spirits.
She had asked her parents to have monsters attack the group following them.
Then, when the Walt family knights and soldiers subjugated the monsters, she was thanked.
Celes held back her urge to laugh and stroked the hilt of the rapier hanging at her waist.
No, she was stroking the yellow orb part.
As Celes continued to spread her smiles in a good mood, Alfred spoke to her.
"Celes-sama, it is time."
"Already?"
As Celes tilted her head, the sound of people swallowing hard could be heard around her.
When Alfred cast a murderous glare at the surroundings, Celes laughed.
"You mustn't, Alfred. From now on, the people of Banseime are my people as well."
Returning his expression to a serious one, Alfred spoke.
"As expected of the merciful Celes-sama. Now, the two of them are waiting."
Celes looked slightly exasperated.
"Honestly. Father and Mother are quite a handful."
Alfred said.
"It is a critical time. Besides, we are all looking forward to seeing Celes-sama's splendid appearance in the royal capital."
Stroking the yellow orb, Celes smiled—.
"That's true. After all... it's the day Banseime becomes mine."