When I first heard the prophecy that the family would face destruction, I didn't believe it. But Anelli moved exactly as Lilia had prophesied, and acted exactly as prophesied.
If left alone, it seemed certain that what awaited at the end would indeed be the destruction Lilia had spoken of.
Lilia said that Duke Roam was like a father to her. That this felt like family, and she liked it. She couldn't bear to watch the Roam family head down a wicked path.
Anelli's terminal condition was regrettable, but what crime had the family members committed? She couldn't bear to see everyone sacrificed for the stubbornness of someone soon to die.
The life of a terminal daughter versus the entire family.
From the beginning, these were choices of different weight. Especially when there was even an adopted daughter with prophetic abilities who could take the terminal daughter's place.
Bang!
"There is no doubt about Lilia's actions."
At the sudden voice, Duke Roam and Frijsian turned their heads simultaneously. The one who had entered through the study door was the Duchess of Roam.
"Everything Lilia said became reality. At that time, we had no choice but to believe her."
"Mother……"
"The past cannot be undone. You know that 'what if' assumptions and futile regrets are all useless emotional waste. Right now……"
The Duchess, clutching her dress hem, gazed at her husband.
"Let's just think about bringing Anelli back. Sir Arin may have botched things on his own, but if we meet her again and explain why we made those choices, she'll understand. She's a smart child."
Frijsian, who had been standing motionless, took a deep breath and nodded.
"You're right, Mother, Father."
Dwelling on the past is meaningless. They would solve the problems before their eyes, and as they always had, choose for the best future.
"I'll assign someone to Sir Samuel again. This time I'll find someone more capable."
Duke Roam gestured his understanding. Just as Frijsian was about to say something more, the study door opened again and Lilia, dressed in outing clothes, entered.
"Oh my, everyone is gathered here!"
Lilia brightened and strode into the study.
"I happened to have a matter I wanted to ask Father and older sister about! I just can't decide on the curtains to decorate the banquet hall. I want to find something everyone would like."
At her chattering figure, Frijsian quickly placated her.
"That's something you can discuss with Mother, Lilia."
"It's not just my and Mother's banquet, but one praying for our family's well-being. It would be more meaningful if we gathered everyone's opinions to prepare."
Frijsian forced a smile and glanced at Duke Roam. The Duchess, who had perhaps already argued with Lilia over this matter once, kept her mouth shut with a weary face.
"Let's talk later and go out for now. It seems the two of you have something to discuss."
"Ah, yes."
"Lilia."
Lilia, who had been turning to follow Frijsian, startled at the cold call and looked back. The Duke, hands clasped behind his back, was staring fixedly at Lilia.
"Even Frijsian must obtain permission before entering the lord's study. As long as you bear the Roam name, never forget your manners anywhere."
As if she hadn't expected to be reprimanded, Lilia's eyes went wide.
"……Yes, Father. I'm sorry."
Lilia, working her lips, dropped her shoulders and answered sullenly.
Frijsian, reading the atmosphere, quickly led Lilia out of the study.
Once the firmly closed study door was confirmed, Duke Roam turned to the Duchess.
"Weren't you at the imperial palace with Lilia for the Harvest Festival?"
"Lilia was finding it overwhelming, so we came out early today."
"Overwhelmed?"
The Duchess said nothing more and closed her mouth. That alone was sufficient answer, and the Duke swallowed a groan as he turned his gaze out the window.
It was a relentlessly clear day.
* * *
"On a day like this, we should go boating! My goodness, look at that sunlight. It's so warm and beautiful!"
It was warm to the point of being hot. I think I need to buy clothes first. Every time I camp, I have to endure the night air, so I only wore thick, practical clothes, but right now they're too uncomfortable.
"Did you know that at each region's Harvest Festival, they make festival foods using local specialties? That's exactly why I have to visit every regional festival!"
Even without that, the food smells wafting from all directions were too strong. Even accounting for my heightened sense of smell, this was too much. Far from stimulating my appetite, my stomach was churning.
"Ah, look at that festival costume! I can't take off my helmet, but couldn't I change my armor color? Bright pink or yellow would go well with the festival atmosphere, I think."
If you wear pink or yellow armor, you'll definitely attract attention.
I could only smile at the sight of Palides chattering away while constantly clutching her cheeks.
At first I responded once or twice, but now I couldn't even muster the energy to play along.
Palides, who usually prided herself on a sensitive and delicate nature, was now thoroughly excited at the festival street.
Thanks to that, I changed my original plan of just making identification and returning quickly.
We had to stay in this city for four days anyway, so I thought we might as well enjoy the festival. Since I brought all four Dullahans, my life wouldn't be in danger even in the worst case.
During Harvest Festival season, I was always busy just with banquet and event preparation and attendance, with no energy left to enjoy the street scenes.
Honestly, I had no interest either.
'No matter how splendidly decorated, it can't match a noble's banquet, and it's neither elegant nor clean.'
But listening to Palides's exclamations in the lively scenery, I thought this wasn't so bad either.
"Since we're out, shall we go look for a sword for you, Palides?"
Changing armor color would be difficult, but getting a proper sword as a memento seemed fine.
The sword Palides was currently carrying was an ordinary one grabbed hastily to complete the set when purchasing the armor.
Palides said this was sufficient, but it would be better to replace it when there was room to do so.
In truth, among those who could remain in the city without returning to their original forms and serve as my guard, only Palides could do so.
"I need to buy some clothes too, so let's browse the shops."
"Oh, please grant me the honor of choosing the Commander's festival costume!"
[Pull yourself together, Palides. We're wanderers. Festival costumes?]
"Nadav, a dull and foolish man like you doesn't understand a woman's sensibilities."
That seemed more like a matter of individual personality differences than gender.
Before I could convey my opinion, Zigor, who had been sitting on Nadav's head, chimed in.
[That's right! Nadav has no thoughts! You need to wear comfortable clothes to eat lots of delicious things!]
If eating is the goal, comfortable everyday clothes would be better than festival costumes. Festival costumes tend to cinch the waist.
[But if the Commander in a festival costume is so beautiful, unsavory characters will approach. Can you handle blocking them all by yourself, Palides?]
Tristan interjected with nonsensical talk.
Wait. Why are they assuming I'm going to buy a festival costume?
"Seventh Knight Palides, I will protect the beautiful Commander in her festival costume, even at the cost of my life!"
Don't suddenly make that kind of pledge in the middle of the street……
[Twelfth Knight Zigor! I can protect the Commander too!]
[Why don't you recover your body first? Can you even use those wings?]
[Tristan! To insult me, let's fight!]
I realized anew.
Dekin's subspace magic tool is essential. I must receive it. Otherwise, my eardrums might burst someday.
Meanwhile, their conversation continued without end.
Climb was a large city, but the streets were simply laid out, so navigating wasn't difficult.
Of course, due to the festival, temporary stalls had increased, and some streets were temporarily closed due to miscellaneous decorations and structures.
However, it wasn't complex enough to get lost. Carrying a city map and walking around was no trouble at all.
"Commander, it suits you so well……"
"That's already the tenth time you've said that."
I had given in to the Dullahans' nagging and bought and put on a reasonably plain-looking dress.
Proper festival costumes were imbued with meaning in each color and crafted stitch by stitch by artisans' hands, but what I wore was a mass-produced dress that tourists might throw on for the mood.
Still, it looked nice enough, and after so long without wearing such a bright dress, it was a nice change of pace and pleasant.
"My goodness, have I only said it ten times?"
[Strive harder to praise the Commander's beauty, Palides.]
"Tristan, you should use that tongue of yours too. Not just when you're flattering."
[That's defamation against bumblebees! Apologize immediately!]
Why does their conversation fall apart in less than a minute?
Though sighs escaped me, it didn't feel burdensome. Traveling with the Dullahans gave me such comfortable moments.
As she had boasted earlier, Palides immediately dealt with any lecherous thugs who appeared.
Without even drawing her sword, she subdued them by just twisting their arms. Large men were helpless before Palides, routinely getting beaten.
Petty criminals like pickpockets were either hit by Tristan's venom or trampled by Nadav's legs.
When Zigor suspected a suspicious mage approaching, he would scream loudly to alert the Dullahans.
Truly perfect. At this level, couldn't I concede my eardrums?
"Ah, Commander!"
Palides, who had been busy bickering with the Dullahans, suddenly discovered something and let out an excited shriek.
"Eek, there's a lake in the city!"
Oh, we've already arrived at the city center.
Judging by the area marked on the map, it looked quite large, but seeing it in person, it was larger than expected.
In the center was an artificially created island, decorated with colorful lights for the festival. Small rowboats could be seen floating around the artificial island.
"If the beautiful Commander were to board one of those rowboats, it would be like a painting……!"
"Just say you want to go boating."
"I want to go boating……."