—Inside the Jewel.
Miranda was blown away and sent rolling across the ground where the round table had expanded into an arena.
She quickly broke her fall and got back on her feet, only to find Mireia pointing her gun at her with an expressionless face, already pulling the trigger.
She leaned back to dodge the bullet, then lashed her threads around Mireia's arm and flung her forcefully into the wall. But Mireia used the knife fixed to her gun to sever Miranda's threads, then planted her feet against the wall while still in her dress and launched herself forward.
She pulled her guns from her billowing sleeves, fired a volley at Miranda, and tossed the spent pistols aside. Each single-shot pistol had a blade attached, allowing for close-quarters combat as well.
Miranda tried to weave through the gunfire, but a shot pierced her thigh and she collapsed on the spot.
Shannon, who had been cowering in fear, spotted an opening and tried to use her Mystic Eyes—but Mireia swung the gun barrel toward her—.
"Hic!"
—that was all she managed before looking away. Mireia fired a bullet at Shannon's feet, and Shannon toppled backward, landing hard on her rear.
Miranda, having healed her wound and risen to her feet, conjured a Golem with magic.
A doll of packed earth materialized and stood between Miranda and Mireia. Mireia walked forward while loading fresh rounds into her gun, heading straight for the massive Golem that towered over three meters tall.
"Tch!"
The Golem looked overwhelmingly advantageous, but Miranda considered it little more than a stalling tactic at best.
From Miranda's vantage point, she saw the giant Golem's back as it swung its fist down at Mireia. An instant later, the Golem was torn to shreds and crumbled back into earth.
Standing beyond the collapsed remains was Mireia, dual pistols in hand. The sight of her grinning made a bead of sweat run down Miranda's cheek.
"...This is honestly impossible."
Her opponent was her own ancestor, and she'd heard she was connected to House Walt, but this was beyond anything she could have imagined.
To the stunned Miranda, Mireia spoke.
*'What's with the look? Treating a person like a monster. How rude.'*
After holstering her gun, Mireia tucked her hair back and surveyed the surroundings. Seeing Shannon still sitting on the ground, she let out a sigh.
"Shannon. Your eyes are capable of at least this much. Honestly, you're always fixated on interfering with people's minds. Spend some time observing the flow of magic power and figuring out where to strike to make your opponent crumble."
Miranda wiped the sweat from her face as Shannon looked like she was about to burst into tears.
"I can't do that! I can't see that much in a situation like that!"
Seeing Shannon's eyes brimming with tears as she shook her head, Mireia's shoulders slumped. For some time now, Miranda and Shannon had been entering the Jewel to receive Mireia's instruction. Yet of the successive heads of House Walt who were supposedly inside the Jewel, not a single one had shown their face.
Even so, Mireia was the only one who actively engaged with Miranda and Shannon.
"Shannon really is hopelessly adorable, isn't she."
Shaking her head in exasperation, Mireia walked over to Shannon and offered her a hand to help her up. She then brushed the dirt off Shannon's clothes. Since it would disappear on its own if left alone, Miranda thought it was a pointless gesture.
"Shannon, you need to try a little harder. Fighting on your own is tough enough as it is."
As Miranda grumbled, Mireia covered her mouth with her hand.
"If you can't even take me down, I'm worried about your future, Miranda. You need to truly understand what it means to become a woman of House Walt. Among the wives and daughters of generations past, there are many who were stronger than me."
Hearing this, Miranda felt a headache coming on. She didn't think of herself as weak, but this was a harsh reminder that there was always someone stronger. It felt as though she'd been shown just how extraordinary House Walt really was.
"You're saying I'm not worthy as I am now?"
At Miranda's words, Mireia wore an amused expression.
"Whether you're worthy or not... the one who'll make that decision in the end is Lail, Miranda."
Mireia beckoned the two closer and began to speak in a gentle tone.
"I have high hopes for you two—that you'll support Lail. But at the same time, I want you both to be happy. Miranda, who resembles me, and Shannon, who inherited my eyes. My adorable descendants."
Mireia pulled the two of them into an embrace as she spoke. Miranda felt a little embarrassed, and when she glanced at Shannon, the girl was timidly clutching Mireia's clothes before hugging her.
Shannon barely remembered her mother, and Miranda could see her own mother's shadow in Mireia.
"Long ago, when I was still a child... my eyes couldn't see. A physical deficiency is an enormous burden for a noble. A failure, an embarrassment... my siblings said as much. Among our retainers, there were those who despised me. They said that House Walt suffered simply because I existed."
Mireia continued speaking to the two of them.
"But you know, my eldest brother was kind. He was clumsy, and he resented the way House Walt operated, always defying Father. That may have been why he treated me the way he did, but he cherished me deeply. And Father treated me the same as my other brothers and sisters. He wouldn't accept 'I can't see' as an excuse. People said he was cold, but being treated normally meant the world to me. There are so many fragile people in this family. Weak and lonely. Those are the kinds of people who end up shouldering House Walt... so support them."
Mireia turned her smile toward Miranda and Shannon. And with that smile—
"Oh, and one more thing. The men of House Walt roll around quite nicely in the palm of a woman's hand."
Shannon was left speechless.
"...I thought this was going to be a nice story up until that point."
She looked thoroughly disappointed. As expected, Mireia was still Mireia. Miranda confirmed that once again.
But Mireia went on.
"Hm? That look on your face says you're exasperated. Really, this is why you youngsters... Listen. I'm about to teach you something very important. You could call it the secret art of making the men of House Walt roll nicely in the palm of your hand."
Miranda reacted slightly, lifting her face.
"The secret art?"
Shannon looked at Miranda.
"Sister... you don't have to bite on that so eagerly."
Mireia pulled the two of them into an embrace once more and whispered into their ears—
"It's like this—"
South Baim.
Among the loaded wagons, Porter—a hunk of metal—stood out as an oddity.
It was early morning. Around them, the Valkyries were briskly making preparations, working efficiently. They were getting ready to depart.
In the midst of it all, I held the list I had received from Novem.
"Lord Laiel, everything is prepared. For the direction of Redant Fortress, Adele and Maxim will enter Baim with the Valkyries they've already completed. We, on the other hand, will enter another country by sea and head toward Baim from there."
I nodded and looked at Porter.
As cargo was being loaded and preparations were finalized, Monica was conducting the final check. Clara was right beside her, similarly inspecting the luggage.
While going over the list.
"Aria and Clara, I understand. Having Monica reassigned to my side would be helpful too. But why is Shannon here as well? We're heading to Fonbeau via Cartas and Banseim."
With the Fourth Generation's Skill—Speed—our travel distance was vast. And since we didn't have much time, we needed to quickly secure Fonbeau's cooperation.
However, the members assigned to me were Aria, Clara, Monica, and Shannon.
Aria, I understood. She was a valuable combat asset.
Clara was necessary for operating the Porter.
As for Monica—she had insisted on coming along, and it ended up being approved.
But I was wondering—couldn't Shannon simply stay behind as a guard?
Novem turned her gaze toward Shannon, who was sitting atop a wooden crate with her legs dangling. She was watching the Valkyries bustling about, since Shannon would only be in the way if she tried to help.
"Shannon herself requested it. Miranda approved it as well. On our side, we'll have me, Miranda, Eva, May, and we're also bringing Marina along."
I felt a bit uneasy about leaving South Baim unattended, but Fidel had already arrived and taken command.
Guild staff from Baim had begun their work, and the adventurers were already collecting Magic Stones and materials from the Dungeon.
Novem continued.
"...Rauno and Innis have also relocated to South Baim. Apparently, Rauno will be heading to Cartas together with Lord Laiel. I've already explained everything to Vera, so all that's left is for her to board. It'll be a sea voyage for the first time in a while."
When she said "first time in a while," she meant a sea voyage with Vera. I averted my gaze at Novem's words.
"That was just a joke. Really, just a joke to get a rise out of you..."
Novem giggled.
"Fidel was actually looking forward to it, it seems. When he later found out it was a joke, he apparently made a very complicated face. But... if it really were a firstborn child, that would be somewhat troublesome. If it were a boy, there's the possibility of him being the heir, and the position of legitimate successor to the Trace family. Considering the Trace family's standing, ideally the firstborn should be from the main wife. Thinking about the future, the ones who would be excluded from consideration would be Eva, May, and Clara, wouldn't they? Noble bloodlines are more readily accepted for succession."
Novem was smiling. Her tone was gentle. And yet, the fact that I felt like I was being grilled from every angle was probably my own fault.
To stir Fidel up, Vera had staged a fake pregnancy. As a result, Aria—who happened to be in the same place at the time—ended up kissing me and forging a bond, and from there it somehow reached Monica's ears.
Looking back, Monica had prepared baby goods, and the whole arrangement ended with me surrounded by the women.
It was just bad luck. Galleria, Rusworth, and Cartaphus were there, not to mention Gracia, Eliza, and Ludmilla, all seated at the same table.
"I'm sorry. Please, enough. I don't want to remember any of what happened back then."
When I apologized to Novem, she did the same.
"I'm sorry as well. I suppose I was a little jealous. It does concern Lord Rael's decision, and I will abide by it. Still, I would appreciate it if you at least heard out what I have to say."
Pushing that day's events—which neither of us wanted to recall—back into the past, I accepted Novem's apology while watching the preparations continue.
"...I'd like to wrap things up before Baim gets flooded with Banseim's forces."
Ever since Banseim had declared war on Baim, the territory had been in a state of frantic activity.
I stored Porter away using the Seventh Generation's Skill, Box, then boarded the Velatrace—the Trace family's ship—alongside Aria, Clara, Monica, Shannon, and Rauno.
At the port, our companions had gathered to see us off.
Novem, Miranda, Eva, May. Also there to see us off was Marina, who had been spending her time with May.
Fidel, jacket off and down to his shirt, came striding onto the ship.
On the deck, Vera spoke with him.
"I'm heading out now, Dad."
"...Yeah. Be careful out there. I'm not worried about you specifically, but this time that hexing bastard is tagging along. If your virtue's ever at risk, don't hesitate to pull the trigger."
He seemed to be at least partially serious about that. With that look in his eyes, Fidel was directing genuine hostility toward me.
Vera sighed, exasperated.
"Seriously. Give it a rest already. I have no intention of looking at any man other than Rael. If Rael were to disappear... I wouldn't get to see my adorable grandchild's face. And heaven knows if I'd even be allowed to visit Gina's baby."
Fidel was clutching his head.
"Damn it! Joking about grandchildren, that's way too much... Every last one of them keeps taking my daughter away from me! I hate every man who's laid a hand on my daughter! They should just leave the grandchild behind and disappear!"
Watching Fidel agonize, the Third Generation was laughing inside the Jewel.
"Fidel-kun is in great form again today."
The Seventh Generation looked equally satisfied.
"Quite the character, that one. The more you rile him up, the more brilliantly he shines."
When Fidel descended from the ship, he shot me a glare. Once he'd gotten off and the gangplank was removed, Vera came to my side.
"Rael, we'll be heading to Galleria and Rusworth from here. We'll continue on to Kartafus, but from Kartafus it's overland, right? Do you have everything you need?"
To Vera's concerned question, I replied.
"No worries. Clara and Monica already checked for me. And if anything's missing, I can buy it along the way."
I might no longer be an adventurer, but the Guilds in each region still purchase Monster materials.
If a fight with Monsters can't be avoided, I could take them down, collect the materials, and sell them for funds.
Monica said to Vera.
"I, Monica, am with him, so there's no need to worry. Though I thought I'd be looking after this liar's little chick..."
Vera gave a wry smile. Monica had apparently been quite happy when she heard I was going to have a child.
Aria, exasperated, spoke up.
"You knew Rael was a virgin, didn't you? Then how could you possibly mistake that for him having a child? Seriously, something's wrong with you."
At Aria's words, Monica flailed her twin tails about.
"That Chicken ran away during the battle at Galleria and Rusworth, didn't he? He might actually be surprisingly capable, you know!"
Aria's gaze pierced straight through me.
"...Do you really think I'm that resourceful?"
At that, Aria nodded in understanding.
"Yeah, that makes sense. I mean, you're Laiel after all — that's definitely not happening. You're a virgin, after all."
I was laughed at by Aria and couldn't quite accept it, when Clara muttered softly.
"Miss Aria is a virgin too, though."
As the atmosphere turned awkward, Clara pulled a book from the luggage and started reading on her own.
Shannon gazed out as the ship began to move.
"...This party composition is pretty concerning, you know."
She remarked, or something to that effect.