94 - The Mad Capital
A large crowd had gathered in the plaza before the royal palace of the royal capital, Central.
The residents around me and the people of Vanseim who had come from afar for this day all had sparkling eyes.
No one found it suspicious that I was wearing a robe with the hood pulled up.
Beside me, Riane removed her hood, lightly shaking her pink hair to reveal her face.
"Ridiculous. There is no point in trying to be incognito."
As I took off my hood, Novem did the same.
Only Monica remained in her usual maid outfit.
I checked the surroundings with a skill, but no one directed any hostility toward us. Or rather, no one was even paying attention to us.
"Still, was it really alright for Her Highness the Princess to come to a place like this?"
At my question, Riane scoffed.
"Don't you long to be a witness to history? I want to be able to tell future generations... that I was there, at that place, at that time. That the sunset of Vanseim began here."
I looked at the palace balcony.
We had lined up since early morning, but there were still quite a few people ahead of us.
Nearby, troupes of street performers and singers were showcasing their arts to earn money.
Stalls were lined up, making it feel just like a festival.
"...Novem, what happened with Aria and the others?"
When I asked, Novem shook her head.
"I still haven't been able to have a conversation with them. Given what I've done, I believe it's only natural."
"I see."
I didn't look at Novem's face.
Pieces I gathered for my own sake.
That is what Aria and the others are.
The fact that they can resist Celes means they won't be charmed and betray me.
I felt that treating them as pieces was cruel, but it certainly wasn't a pleasant feeling to see comrades who had shared joys and sorrows follow Celes.
"Did you also think I would challenge Celes?"
The people around us were eagerly awaiting Celes's appearance and seemed to have no interest in us.
Novem spoke to me.
"I was not certain that you would challenge her. However, considering the future, I thought it would be better to have people by your side who possess the quality of not betraying Lord Liel."
It probably wouldn't have mattered how things turned out.
Whether I challenged Celes or tried to flee, Novem was intent on proceeding with the preparations.
Monica informed us.
"There is movement within the palace. They are coming out."
Just as Monica, who could see further than we could, said, the balcony doors opened and knights emerged.
Behind them were high officials, the King, the Queen, and the Crown Prince, Rufus Vanseim.
His red, curly hair was cut short, and he wore white clothes and numerous ornaments studded with gold, silver, and jewels, likely prepared for today.
Appearing while holding the Crown Prince's hand was Celes, wearing a white dress decorated even more lavishly than the Crown Prince's.
The cheers from the surroundings were in response to Celes's appearance.
(So incredibly noisy.)
Seeing Celes wave her hand, some people even began to faint.
She likely intended to wave for a while until the cheers settled down. Celes had a gentle expression and truly seemed beautiful.
(Though the inside is horrific.)
She had brought her rapier, purposefully kept in a scabbard that made it look like a staff.
When I looked at Riane standing beside me...
"She looks truly happy..."
She was looking at the Crown Prince with an expressionless face.
Then, I looked at the parents standing near Celes.
They looked very happy.
Voices echoed from within the jewel orb.
The Third spoke irritably.
'A Crown Prince who looks exactly like that piece of trash... This must be a revelation from the Goddess telling me to go all out without hesitation.'
Indeed, though from a distance, he resembled the King who had appeared in The Third's memories.
The Fourth seemed to be looking at the attire.
'Too gaudy. Such bad taste... I bet they'll spend a fortune on the wedding. What a waste.'
The Fifth spoke while listening to the cheers.
'Will they really be this enthusiastic? Even though they might go to war with Fanbayle. They'll probably be hit with an emergency tax. A wedding, a succession, and a war... I don't think they'll be laughing for long.'
It is common to raise taxes or implement emergency collections by providing some justification.
The same likely applied to the royal capital, Central.
The Sixth was looking at my father, Maizel, who stood by Celes.
'To think the fastidious Maizel would become like this.'
My father had hated The Sixth's dark image.
He hated how The Sixth had sent bribes for promotions and moved according to the royal palace's whims. Above all, the fact that The Sixth had many wars with other Vanseim nobles and lords seemed to be a reason for his hatred.
The Sixth, hated by his grandson, looked a bit sad.
The Seventh spoke.
'...Stupid son. Even Claire has become Celes's puppet.'
Having realized the true power of the monster Celes, The Seventh could no longer unilaterally blame the father or mother.
Even if they weren't together twenty-four hours a day, as family, they had more opportunities to interact with Celes than others.
As I watched the two of them watching over Celes happily, The Third spoke to me.
'Liel, you understand, right? That fighting means...'
Before The Third could finish, I gripped the jewel orb to show my affirmation.
As the surroundings regained their composure, the King's voice could be heard.
It were words formally announcing the engagement to Celes.
Then, the Crown Prince stepped forward before the people to give a greeting.
It was a safe, unremarkable greeting, but Riane, who was listening, looked down.
Since she was shedding tears, I put my hand around her back to support her so she wouldn't collapse in tears.
Then, it was Celes's turn.
Her voice was clear and likely reached far.
"My people. Rejoice."
It was an arrogant way of speaking, but the surroundings erupted in cheers.
"On this day, Vanseim has become mine. Now, rejoice, nobles!"
The robed nobility lined up in the palace garden, the knights, and the lords gathered from various regions all clapped in unison.
Around Celes, the King, the Queen, the Crown Prince, and even the ministers were clapping.
"This is madness."
Even if it was madness, everyone seemed to take it as natural.
To the point where even I began to wonder if I was the abnormal one.
"From here on, Vanseim shall develop even further! However..."
Celes took on a slightly sad expression.
But when she looked up, she smiled—
"There are nobles within the country who defy me! There are still those in Vanseim who will not obey! That is simply unforgivable!"
As Celes spread her arms, the people also raised voices of anger—
—directed at the nobles who did not obey Celes.
"Now, let us prepare for war. When Vanseim is dyed entirely in my colors... I shall become your Queen."
Applause, cheers, and voices of weeping joy—
I spoke while gripping the jewel orb.
"First... this certainly is abnormal."
A beauty that topples nations.
Agrissa, who in hindsight was said to have had reasons and was only one factor.
But looking at Celes, I could understand.
If such an existence existed in the past, then monsters certainly existed, and they would likely continue to appear one after another.
I burned the image of the Vanseim I must face into my eyes.
Then, Celes, noticing me, waved her hand.
Around me, some people began to weep with emotion.
Monica spoke.
"...I cannot understand this."
I laughed.
"I can't understand you either. But with this, I have no more regrets."
The Fifth spoke to me.
'You can still turn back. Stopping those people now means—'
I rolled the jewel orb with my fingertip to show my denial.
Then, I directed a smile toward Celes, who was looking this way.
"Wait right there. I will definitely stop you."
Amidst the mad cheers, I swore it in my heart.
The major announcement in the plaza was the engagement between the Crown Prince and Celes.
There was absolutely no apology to Fanbayle, and the knights, soldiers, and servants ordered to wait at the mansion were openly expressing their anger.
Inside such a mansion.
In the room I was given, I received a visit from an unexpected person.
No, rather than unexpected—
"Are you sane? This isn't a game, you know."
The one who brought a silver plate was the singer, Eva.
She brushed back her light pink hair, looking dignified.
"Of course! You're going to challenge that princess Celes, right? This will surely become a heroic tale. I will watch, hear, and remember it by Liel's side. Someday, I'll turn it into a song and spread it throughout the world. With my name attached, of course."
Eva, who had registered as an adventurer, presented her guild card to me.
She must have poured all her recent earnings into becoming an adventurer.
Registration costs money.
Normally, it is deducted from earnings after registration.
While feeling nostalgic for the time I registered as an adventurer, I looked at Eva's face.
Then, Eva spoke.
"Besides, Liel said it, didn't he... 'Pass down my heroic tale'."
Thinking about it now, wouldn't it have been better to say 'sing it' rather than 'pass it down'?
I felt like holding my head in my hands, remembering trivial things and my embarrassing past.
Novem confirmed with Eva.
"Are you sure? It will be a dangerous journey."
"I'm fine. I've traveled before and lived while moving around. I know how to fight, too."
Indeed, she would be far more reliable than some mediocre adventurers.
The fact that she approached Celes and wasn't charmed was also important.
"...If you join the party, you'll have to adjust your schedule from now on. You might not be able to sing whenever you want."
"I can collect songs and stories while traveling, and see the main heroic tale up close! I can endure that much. I'm betting my life on this, so I'd actually appreciate it if you'd be strict with me."
Novem gave a wry smile.
"Lord Liel, in terms of the House Walt family precepts, I believe she is a sufficient pass. I will not oppose it either."
(...I don't really care about the family precepts anymore.)
The reason the family precepts were created was that The First, after failing at his first love, started saying he didn't want to marry.
He didn't want to marry, but since he became the lord, those around him wouldn't accept that.
So, he declared the family precepts for taking a wife on the spot. That place was a banquet.
An excuse thought up while drinking alcohol had been strictly observed for over two hundred years.
(Does everything feel weighty just because it has history...?)
From the perspective of the successive heads, these precepts were nothing but a nuisance.
Novem was the one trying to follow them dutifully.
"Eh? What? There are family precepts? I want to hear about them!"
To the delighted Eva, I told her I'd tell her someday and took one of the two guild cards.
When there was a knock on the door, Monica opened it.
"Oh, isn't this Aria-san. Did you come to say goodbye?"
"Why do you provoke everyone, including me? Yo, have you decided?"
I asked Aria, but Aria silently slammed her guild card onto the table and left the room.
Among us, who were stunned, Novem muttered.
"Aria-san is participating as well."
Then, next, Clara came into the room.
"...What happened to Aria-san?"
I decided to explain simply.
"No, she just left silently. I think she's participating... What about you, Clara?"
Then, Clara also handed her guild card to me.
"...Is it alright?"
"I've thought about various things, but Alamsars is in Vanseim. There are still many books there that I haven't read."
I wondered if she was participating for such a reason, but I accepted the guild card.
"I might not get a chance to act. Or I might not make it in time."
At my words, Clara spoke.
"I believe it's better than doing nothing."
Saying so, she left the room.
Then, timing it with Clara's departure, Miranda entered the room bringing Shannon.
She sighed, seeing the guild cards placed on the table and Eva inside the room.
"Are we the last? Or rather, you... you were eavesdropping, weren't you?"
When told that, Eva stuck out her tongue.
"Sorry. But it sounded really interesting. Besides, I've already received permission. I passed that 'family precept' thing too!"
Shannon looked exasperated at the chest-puffing Eva.
"That's a family precept for taking a wife, you know. I mean, my feelings aren't being considered at all... Hey, this is cruel, isn't it?"
When Shannon sought help from me, Miranda spoke with a smile.
"If you can escape from Celes on your own, then do so. It seems you're hated, so I'm sure she'll welcome you very warmly."
"Hie!" Shannon said as she placed her guild card on the table.
Miranda also placed her guild card on the table, but she didn't even look at Novem.
"...If you're participating, discord between party members would be problematic."
To my words, Miranda replied.
"I'll do my job properly. If it's an order, I'll get along."
I shook my head.
"Don't cause any trouble."
"I'll do my best. Come on, Shannon, let's go."
"I get it, so stop pulling my hair!"
After the two left, Novem smiled.
"Everyone is participating, then."
I was a bit exasperated.
"Yeah. This is unexpected."
Then, Monica spoke with a 'good grief' feeling.
"One more person has increased, though. Good grief, I'll have to recalculate the food procurement and go shopping."
Despite saying 'good grief', it probably wasn't my imagination that she looked happy.
Eva spoke.
"Hey, what is this 'family precept for taking a wife'? Um, I have no intention of marrying. Hey!"
To the panicked Eva, Novem said.
"It's alright. We have time, so if we get to know each other slowly—"
"Hey, don't go expanding a harem. Being comrades is enough!"
I warned Novem, who was proceeding with harem expansion.
The Fourth, seeing the flow of events so far, spoke.
'Everyone's participating, huh. That's good, Liel.'
At The Fourth's words, I looked down and gave a wry smile.
(No, really... I thought it would be inevitable if we disbanded. Well, I am happy, though.)
However, considering the future, I couldn't just be happy.