"Oh, heavy. Way too heavy."
"No well, it was more than expected, wasn't it? Even I'm surprised by this."
In my room, once again hugging my knees on the bed, I held my head in my hands at the truth Novem had told me. Honestly, it was beyond what I'd imagined, and I didn't even know what to say.
"The reason she left Ceres alone was because it was convenient for her? What does that even mean? Honestly, all I can think is that she wanted me after Septem's memories and power were taken from me..."
"Well, that's about right. She wrapped it up in pretty polite language, but to put it bluntly, Novem was aware of Ceres and Agrissa all along. She even made a side deal to keep Laiel from being killed. But she turned a blind eye to Laiel's memories and power being taken. No matter how you look at it, that's heavy. Or rather, the previous Novem was heavy too, but goddesses and evil gods—their love sure is something."
I shouted at the Third Generation, who was laughing.
"I'm being serious here!"
Yet the Third Generation was still clearly enjoying herself. If we were talking purely about mental fortitude, wouldn't she be the strongest of all the predecessors?
"Say... Lyle. The facts Novem laid out are certainly unforgivable. But having heard all that, did you come to hate her?"
"I-I don't know. It's just, Novem's values are so different from mine."
"That much is clear."
Even the Third Generation agreed that there was a significant gap between Novem and me. To Novem, my existence was a protected subject—not a romantic one.
But she did love me from the bottom of her heart. According to the Third Generation—
"Not a lover, but family. It was truly a mother's love, you could say. Well, now that I think about it, there were signs. She was soft on you, she accepted your concubine, and she had no interest in being the main wife herself."
Of course, I'd felt a sense of betrayal as well.
"Could it be that, um... the reason Laiel didn't pass his memories on to me..."
"There's no denying the possibility that he was wary of Novem. Well, Laiel was truly outstanding. He casually taught Lyle about Maisel's sword techniques too. There were probably other reasons as well, but he vanished without saying a word."
Novem had been on guard against me regaining my past memories—memories from before I was ten. That was because she wanted me after Septem's influence had been purged.
As I turned things over in my mind and agonized, the Third Generation spoke.
"Laiel, do you like Novem?"
"...Even though she had connections to Ceres, she did protect me. That's a fact. So right now, all I can say is that my feelings are complicated."
Once upon a time, Ceres had stolen my memories and abilities — everything that made me who I was. When Novem learned of this, rather than trying to stop Ceres, she apparently promised that she wouldn't lay a hand on Ceres as long as Ceres didn't kill me.
Ceres and Agrissa were wary of Novem — and rightfully so. Novem had always been extraordinary in many ways.
"You even suggested I build a harem, didn't you? That's because you never saw me as a lover, right? I... honestly, that makes me really sad."
The Third Generation was laughing.
"The one person who's been closest to you this whole time hasn't fallen for you — now that's rich. I'm curious what Laiel-san would say about all this, though."
"...Why are you so attached to the person I've become?"
"Because it's entertaining. There's the usual contrast, too. Personally, my best moment was when I told Eva, 'Fall in love now, fall in love right now.' Man, that was fun."
The Third Generation seemed to be enjoying himself, yet a faint sense of loneliness stirred within me. Until now, even if he kept quiet, someone else would have pushed back against his opinions. But now there was no one. And the way the Third Generation spoke carried a touch of that same loneliness, too.
Was the Third Generation wrestling with his own thoughts about me, as well?
"There are probably a lot of things to consider, but what do you want to do, Laiel? Do you want to cast her aside? Or keep her close?"
I thought for a moment. Then the Third Generation continued.
"Thinking things through is important. But sometimes you should keep things simple. Realistically speaking, if Novem feels like a burden to you... I think it'd be fine to let her go."
At those words, I gave a small laugh.
"You've been telling me for so long to cherish Novem, and now you're saying this?"
The Third Generation went on with a casual, "Yeah, I guess it is a bit late for that."
"Look, right now you're what matters most to me, Laiel. It's not that I want you to cast her aside. It's just that things have their priorities. And honestly, I do understand how betrayed you feel."
My feelings.
"...Will Novem look at me? Not as a son of House Walt, but as me — as the person I truly am?"
The Third Generation spoke in a gentle voice.
" That depends on you, Laiel. Do your best. "
At the port of South Baim, ships from various countries were arriving.
Dignitaries from Fonbeau were among those participating, and they had arrived aboard the Cartaphus vessel.
There was a reason Ludmilla had come to Baim in person as Cartaphus's representative.
Beyond Cartaphus, ships from Jampire, Galleria, Rusworth, and others had also arrived at the port.
"We ended up being the last ones, huh."
As Ludmilla murmured that on the deck, the Valkyrie who had accompanied her spoke in an even tone.
"Given the distance, it can't be helped."
Ludmilla smiled.
"So, you really will support me, won't you?"
The Valkyrie nodded, then provided Ludmilla with some information.
"From our perspective as well, there are considerable benefits if Lady Ludmilla were to bear the Master's child. You'll allow us to look after you, won't you?"
Ludmilla laughed.
"Do as you please. If that's what it takes to secure your cooperation, it's a bargain. However, when it comes to education, we'll be doing it the Cartaphus way. I intend for my firstborn to actively pursue the next imperial throne. The Cartaphus crown would be secondary... but it would be fine for my second child to inherit that one."
Ludmilla slung her longsword over her shoulder while regarding the Valkyrie who had offered her support. She had been genuinely startled when the Valkyrie suddenly proposed an alliance, but after seeing what a Valkyrie was capable of, she simply couldn't resist keeping one close.
The fact that the Valkyrie had sworn absolute loyalty to Laiel alone also meant, conversely, that as long as Laiel never betrayed her, there was a high probability she would never become hostile.
However, there was still a problem.
"So, exactly how many Valkyries will be supporting me?"
The Valkyrie — Number Nineteen — raised one arm and folded down her thumb.
"Including myself, four of us are supporting Lady Ludmilla."
Ludmilla touched her chin with her left hand as she studied the Valkyrie's four raised fingers.
"Is that few? Or a lot? Which is it?"
"It's an unpopular solo run. After all, the remaining three are also betting on the long shot. That said, we don't really have much to do with the throne or succession or anything like that. In short… as long as we can look after the hatchling, we're fine with anyone. And if we stay by Lady Ludmilla's side, there would be fewer competitors, I thought."
Ludmilla's cheeks twitched at Number Nineteen's blunt candor. Just then, preparations to disembark were complete, and Ludmilla stepped off the ship.
Number Nineteen followed, carrying luggage, and waiting for them on the dock was a man with brown skin and pink hair, dressed a bit warmly.
It was Jules of Janpea.
"Yo, Your Majesty the Queen of Cartafus. I'm Jules Passoir, King of Janpea. Glad I got the chance to say hello."
Jules greeted her with a smile, but Ludmilla narrowed her eyes ever so slightly, thinking he looked like quite the frivolous man at first glance.
"I'm Ludmilla Cartafus. Pleased to meet you. That said, it's warm enough here — why all the heavy clothing?"
Jules scratched his head with a wry smile.
"Back in my homeland this time of year, it's even hotter. Feels like it got suddenly cold. Besides, you're one to talk."
He eyed Ludmilla, who was dressed entirely in black with not an inch of bare skin showing below the neck, looking exasperated.
"I have a lot of unsightly scars from the battlefield. It's consideration for those around me. Otherwise, I'd strip it all off."
Jules had the air of a playboy about him.
"Nice! I love a woman's bare skin! But hey, I'm not stupid. I won't make a move on the Alliance Leader's woman."
When Ludmilla started walking, Jules fell into step beside her.
"…So, what exactly do you want?"
After a stretch of silence, Ludmilla spoke up first, addressing Jules. His expression turned serious.
"Actually, I have a younger sister. Half-sister, and she resents me. But this is a good opportunity, and I'd like to send a woman to the Alliance Leader as well. She's stubborn too, but she'll work hard for the sake of the country. And there's no issue with her age, either."
Ludmilla was amused at being presented with such a story.
"Oh? The fact that you're telling me this — are you just trying to provoke me, or is it something else—"
Jules smiled.
"Naturally, I'd like to cooperate. Kartafus doesn't share a border with us, and there's no conflict at sea either. It seems the Alliance Leader intends to place a nation or a lord under Baim to manage things. We don't want our rights threatened. Your Majesty Ludmilla wouldn't want that either, I imagine? That said, Kartafus offered Your Majesty herself to the Alliance Leader. And Jampere was quite late to the cooperation as well."
Once Ludmilla understood what Jules was driving at—
"So in exchange for not pushing a concubine onto me, that sister of yours joins my faction?"
"That's right. For our part, we can't very well have the sister's child ascending to the throne. We'd prefer she serves under someone. There's been all sorts of trouble within the family, and she bears a grudge against me."
From Jampere's perspective, they wanted to provide a concubine to Lyle. However, they couldn't have that child ascending to the throne either. After all, Jules's resentful sister might very well do something to him.
"…I'll keep the offer on the table."
When Ludmilla said that, Jules rejoiced.
"Wonderful. That way, when it's time to drink with the Alliance Leader, promoting my sister shouldn't make things ugly between us. I'm counting on you, Your Majesty."
Ludmilla and Jules shook hands with smiles on their faces—.
—In a room in South Baim.
"…Tch!"
In Lianne's room, Valkyrie No. 34 clicked her tongue.
Lianne, the room's owner, was startled by the sudden tongue-click from the Valkyrie. She had already been worn out by No. 34, who had been bustling about everywhere, declaring she would throw her support behind Lianne.
"…What is it this time?"
No. 34 offered an "I beg your pardon" even as she—
"A Kartafus ship has arrived at port. That pink-haired bastard from Jampere seems to have gotten close to Ludmilla."
Lianne let out a sigh.
"That's really convenient. The freshness of the information is almost unbelievable."
The reason everyone had gathered at South Baim was to coordinate the large-scale Baim invasion. That was why the key figures had assembled at South Baim rather than North Baim, which was still mid-recovery.
"The problem is that Jampere is also trying to offer women to the Master. Something about folding them into Ludmilla's faction. Doesn't that put you at a disadvantage, Lianne?"
"...It's not about being at a factional disadvantage, is it?"
The Valkyries' priority was Lail, and secondarily, Lail's children. Apparently, some Valkyries were making a fuss that if the women went to Ludmilla's faction, their odds of getting to attend to Lail would literally double.
"We've already got defectors on our side. No matter what, we need you to work hard and produce a little chick for us, Lianne!"
It may have sounded like a joke, but the Valkyries were dead serious. And that was precisely what made it so terrible.
Lianne said, exasperated.
"Under any interpretation, the women among us can't be deployed on the battlefield. That leaves candidates like me or Shannon, but... A princess from Jampere? Lail wouldn't accept any more, but if they press the matter hard, it'll be troublesome."
No. 34 said matter-of-factly.
"As usual, please crush it with some scheme or another."
Lianne looked at No. 34.
"...What kind of person do you think I am? Let me be clear—I'm not going to crush anything. What's with that look?!"
No. 34 shrugged and shook her head.
"Disappointing. I thought surely someone like you would push past the other women and claim the position of first wife."
Lianne shouted.
"We're not fighting over that at a time like this! Don't make fun of me. Besides, if I were going to do it, I'd wait until everything is over. I'm already doing the groundwork for that much."
No. 34 applauded without expression.
"As expected of Lianne. Keep it up and give us that first little chick soon!"
"...You automatons really are faithful to your desires, aren't you?"
While Lyle was still dithering, those around him had also begun to move —.