As evening approached and the sky began to take on a subtle hue of change, Lilia, the head of the Albert family, sat in her office, her gaze fixed on a stack of documents.
Among them was a paper that had been enclosed with the invitation addressed to Kaito earlier that morning, a formal pledge of commitment. The document outlined several entries, including assurances regarding Kaito’s personal safety.
[—Don’t you think it’s too good to be just a coincidence?]
[……Luna……Yes, that’s correct. It’s hard to believe that the demon who helped Kaito-san when he got lost in the city just so happened to be an acquaintance of the Chairman of the Seditch Magic Tool Trading Company, Sei Riverstar, and that Kaito-san would accept the invitation……It really is an astonishing coincidence.]
Upon hearing the monotone voice, Lilia lifted her gaze from the document she had been reviewing and responded calmly. Regarding the morning’s invitation, Kaito had explained that the demon who helped him mentioned having dinner together when they parted ways, though he hadn’t expected it to happen so soon. As it turned out, Kaito’s schedule was conveniently open, and since he seemed interested in attending, Lilia encouraged him to go.
[……The summoning of Heroes has been done nearly a hundred times already. This time, you are in charge of that and only this time, an accidental summoning of multiple people happened, and you, with your strong sense of responsibility, are taking care of them.]
[……]
[And since there were no men’s clothing in the residence, Miyama had to step out, unlike the other otherworlders. Coincidentally, someone who had somehow discovered that an individual other than the Hero had been summoned used Concealment Magic to hide the outing. It was at that moment that a High-ranking Demon happened to pass by and came to Miyama-sama’s rescue.]
[……]
While quietly listening to Lunamaria’s words, Lilia’s expression didn’t change at all. She just quietly stares at Lunamaria’s face as she smiles at the door.
[And for His Majesty, the King’s bad habit appeared again and he didn’t prepare an invitation for Miyama-sama, which coincidentally made Miyama-sama’s schedule on the fourth day of the year free. Then, by coincidence, Miyama-sama received an invitation to a dinner party from the Demon’s acquaintance, who happened to be the chairman of the largest trading company, a person you would be coveting for as someone who just gained her peerage and doesn’t have many connections yet. How convenient, isn’t it? Duchess Albert-sama?]
[……]
[……It’s really too good a scenario for you, isn’t it? My Lady……]
[……]
The dusk light piercing from the window illuminated the face of the mansion’s head. What appeared on her face was a smile that could be called a sneer.
(T/N: keikaku doori)
[—Well, this is probably what the majority will think, right? You’re too pessimistic about every single thing, “Lily”……]
[Luna……]
[You’re too damn serious and a softhearted person, that I don’t think you’re capable of such elaborate plans.]
[I feel like an idiot for a moment there.]
Followed by Lunamaria whose expression broke down into laughter, Lilia also leaked out a smile. The appearance of Lunamaria, who speaks with a nickname that she only calls out when they’re alone, was more like a bad friend than an attendant.
[Lily is too easy to understand. The reason you’ve been in a bad mood all morning is that, while you’ve been trying to protect yourself from the people who want to take advantage of the otherworlders, you don’t like the fact that you’re going to benefit from the plot against Miyama-sama?]
[……I really can’t hide anything from you. Yes, that’s right. I am honestly grateful for having a connection with the Seditch Magic Tool Company. Moreover, it says that the Chairman himself will visit the residence in person at a later date……It’s like I’m using Kaito-san’s friendship to benefit the Albert Duchy……I don’t know if I can assent to that.]
In response to Lunamaria’s words that seem to strike true to her heart, Lilia muttered a heartfelt grumble.
[I don’t know if I should say you’re really inflexible or something……Even though we can just conclude it as good luck……]
[We’ve only known each other for a few days, but Kaito-san, Aoi-san and Hina-san are all very kind to me. They don’t blame me for getting them involved in something like this, but rather, they were even expressing their gratitude. I don’t want people like them to be involved in anything like aristocratic diplomacy.]
[I don’t think Miyama-sam would want to be embroiled with a noble’s troubles, wouldn’t he?]
[Even so, I don’t like it. As I thought, I’m not cut out to be a noble.]
[I agree.]
[Why in the world are you agreeing with that part!?]
[Lily has always been a musclehead. You always act before you think, so you could just leave complicated thoughts behind.]
[Who’s a musclehead!? I dare you to say that again!!]
Watching Lilia slump over her desk with her head in her hands, Lunamaria chuckled, clearly amused, as she teased her.
A faint smile crept back onto Lilia’s face, finding comfort in her old friend’s casual banter, so different from the formal tone of an attendant speaking to her master.
[……Well, you may be right. It’s not in my nature to think about things that have already happened. I should apologize to Kaito-san again……and I guess some words of gratitude for that.]
[Instead, if you could create a fait accompli after saying your gratitude, wouldn’t that eliminate any guilt?]
[……You always find ways to screw around.]
[Fufufu, don’t you think it’s a good balance? Your seriousness paired with my playful teasing.]
[……Hahhhh……Feels like I’m always the one stuck doing all the hard work, though.]
After briefly laughing, Lunamaria turns her back to Lilia and heads for the door. Just before leaving though, she looks back at Lilia and speaks with a smile on her face.
[Kusunoki-sama and Yuzuki-sama’s preparations will be over soon, so it’s about time for us to leave……My Lady.]
[……Thank you, Luna.]
To be honest, I thought I would be questioned in various ways, but Lilia-san readily allowed me to attend the dinner party. The invitation I received was so impressive that it made my stomach churn.
Either way, she originally arranged for me to attend an evening party, and before I knew it, there were formal wear for me and dresses for Kusunoki-san and Yuzuki-san too.
Dressed in the shiny formal wear that I’ve only seen in the movies back in my previous world, I got a call that the people who were coming to pick me up had arrived. After giving a quick hello to Lilia-san and the others, I headed to the main gate.
When I reached the main gate, I immediately saw a huge carriage tied to four black horses. What’s that? That horse is really big……but it’s also got something that looks like a horn. Is it a unicorn? A black unicorn?
[You must be Miyama Kaito-sama.]
[Ah, yes.]
In front of the carriage was a man who looked like he was a nobleman’s servant, who bowed deeply to me before asking me a question. I was a little intimidated by his aura, but when I told him I wanted to attend the dinner party, the man opened the carriage door and I got in.
[……How spacious……]
From the outside, I could tell the carriage was massive, but stepping inside left me genuinely stunned. The interior was incredibly spacious, giving off an atmosphere of luxury that felt fit for a celebrity. To top it off, I was the only passenger, which left me unsure of where exactly I should sit.
I felt awkward sitting in the middle, so I sat down near the window and a man handed me something that looked like a bag.
[The Chairman asked me to give you this.]
[Thank you very much.]
[No, we’ll be leaving shortly, so please ask any questions you may have.]
[Ah, yes.]
I didn’t catch his name, but he climbed into the driver’s seat, and soon the carriage began to move.
In the meantime, I decided to check the bag I’d just been given. As if it were the most natural thing, letters suddenly appeared floating in the air.
“Dear Kaito-kun, we’re having a barbecue, so I brought some comfortable clothes for you to wear. The inside of the carriage can’t be seen from the outside, so please get changed.”
Ah, I get it now…… She did say it was a barbecue from the start, so wearing formal attire was a mistake on my part. For something like this, casual clothes make a lot more sense.
Honestly, I’d been expecting to go somewhere even more extravagant and dazzling than the royal palace, so I felt a bit relieved as I changed into the clothes provided for me. They were simple, a black shirt and trousers, but they felt incredibly lightweight and easy to move in, especially compared to the formal outfit I had been wearing earlier.
After a while of watching the scenery from the remarkably stable carriage, we passed through a grand gate. About 20 minutes later, the carriage came to a stop, and the man promptly stepped down to open the door for me.
[We have arrived. Please be careful of your steps.]
[Ah, yes.]
[The venue is just down the road at the river’s edge. If you’d like, I can keep your clothes here for you to change into later.]
[I’d like that.]
[Yes. Then, I’ll pick you up again when you’re ready to leave.]
I bowed deeply once more, thanking the man as he took my change of clothes. Following his gesture, I looked in the direction he pointed. The open area by the river, where the barbecue was set up, came into view, and I made my way toward it.
[Ah, Kaito-kun. Over here!]
As I walked a bit further, Kuro appeared in front of me, waving her hand widely, dressed in her usual black coat.
Standing next to her was a petite woman in a maid’s uniform, about 150 cm tall. She bowed deeply as I approached.
[Let’s have lots of fun today~]
[Y-Yeah……Or rather, you sent me an outrageous invitation……Thanks to that, the people on our side have been really nervous.]
[Ahaha, sorry, sorry. But, it’s alright. As I said yesterday, I’m only inviting my close friends here today, so you can relax. Ah, let me introduce you. This child here is Ein.]
[It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miyama Kaito-sama. My name is Ein.]
Her platinum hair was slightly longer around the sideburns but shorter in other areas. The petite woman in the maid’s uniform was immaculate, not a single wrinkle to be seen. Ein-san deeply bowed her head as she greeted me.
I wasn’t sure what to think. Should I describe her as having an extraordinary aura, or perhaps a very calm presence? She’s a maid, much like Lunamaria-san, but there’s something different about the way Ein-san carries herself.
[Now then, since Kaito-kun’s here……Ein~ get ready to go.]
[I respectfully obey.]
[Eh? Ehhhhhh!?]
When Kuro announced with a leisurely smile, Ein-san bowed……and immediately afterwards, a wire mesh that seemed to be for barbecue, outdoor tables and chairs, which were not there a moment ago, suddenly appeared in front of us. What the heck’s that? Is that Magic?
I’m surprised at the scene as if I’m watching a magic trick, but Kuro doesn’t seem particularly concerned about it and just turned her bright smile towards me.
[Since this was decided so suddenly, I’ve asked the other children to get some ingredients for us……But I’m sure they’ll be back soon, so I’ll introduce you to them.]
[Ah, yeah……]
I tried to calm my surprise and nodded at Kuro’s words, but then I heard footsteps growing louder with each step. When I turned around, I froze.
What in the world is that? My eyes must be playing tricks on me…… A knight clad in full black armor was walking toward me, carrying what looked like a winged lizard about 5 meters long…… A dragon? Is that really a dragon?
[Kuromu-sama, would three flying dragons be enough?]
[Unnn. I think that should be enough.]
[!?]
Three!? Did he just say three flying dragons? ……Wait, it’s true. He’s dragging two of them behind him, along with the one he’s carrying. No, no!? Hold on a second, my brain can’t keep up with this!
The sudden appearance of a fantasy-like dragon sends my mind into total overload, causing it to freeze. And then, from another direction, I spot a massive green blob, or rather, a bundle of vegetables, floating toward us.
[Kuromu-sama, I brought the vegetables.]
[Thank you.]
[!?!?]
I turned toward the childish voice I heard and saw a girl about 50 cm beneath the floating vegetables. Huh? A fairy!? A fairy just appeared now!?
[Oiii, Kuromu-sama. I brought the fish.]
[Ah, nice timing.]
[!?!?!?]
The one that appeared this time is really big! A giant!? No no, wait a moment!? I’m begging you, just wait a moment! My brain can’t keep up at all!
[Are these all the condiments we need?]
[Ah, that’s right.]
[!?!?!?!?]
A full-length skeleton in a gorgeous outfit is flying in the air!? What the heck is with this situation!? A young Demon girl, a maid, a full-body armored knight, a fairy, a giant, and a skeleton!? That’s a whole lot of fantasy-esque beings gathering here, don’t you think!?
Dear Mother, Father—I went to a party to eat barbecue. And now I learned—that I should have expected it, the absurd demon’s friends would be absurd as well.