After receiving various warnings from Lillywood-san about the Phantasmal King, we spent some time engaging in lighthearted chatter. The conversation mostly revolved around Isis-san and Kuro.
Just as I had heard, Lillywood-san is a kind and gentle person, and as she spoke softly to me, the conversation naturally became more lively.
“Fufu, Kaito-san, you’re such a pleasant person to be around. I can see why the spirits are so fond of you. It’s truly remarkable to have earned the trust of so many spirits.”
[Ah, no… I think the spirits like me mostly because of Shiro-sa… the God of Creation’s Blessing. A fairy I know mentioned that my magic power feels comforting to her. So it’s not really because of anything I’ve done…]
“No, that’s where you’re mistaken.”
[Eh?]
As Raz-san once told me, the world’s love for me stems from Shiro-san’s Blessing. My magic power seems particularly soothing to fairies and spirits born from nature.
That’s why I’ve been able to receive help from so many of them. However, when I explained that it was purely thanks to Shiro-san’s power and not something I could take pride in, Lillywood-san shook her head gently but firmly.
“It’s true that Shallow Vernal-sama’s blessing plays a significant role. However, it’s not the only reason. Shallow Vernal-sama’s blessing helps those born of nature have a favorable first impression of you. But that alone wouldn’t make the spirits grow emotionally attached to you.”
[Is that so?]
“Yes. It’s your presence, your demeanor, and the warmth of your personality. They’re so genuine and beautiful, which is why so many spirits continue to stay by your side.”
[I-I see…]
It’s thanks to Shiro-san’s Blessing that first impressions of me are good, but she’s saying that making the spirits attached to me is my own achievement.
How should I put this… being praised so straightforwardly is kind of embarrassing.
Still, having a good first impression is undeniably an advantage, and Shiro-san’s Blessing obviously plays a big role in that. But since it’s a compliment, I’ll just accept it without overthinking.
“If it’s Kaito-san, you’ll most likely achieve splendid results in this harvest festival… Ahh.”
[Is something the matter?]
“I’m sorry, it’s just… I just realized we’ve been talking for quite a while. Do you still have enough time?”
[Ahh, err… If I head back now, I think I can just make it.]
Hearing Lillywood-san say that with a slightly flustered expression, I suddenly remembered—I had completely forgotten about the harvest festival.
When I checked my watch, it was already 2:00 in the afternoon. If I didn’t return to Rigforeshia soon, I wouldn’t make it in time.
“I see… then I’ll go with you.”
[Eh? Ehhhhhh!?]
As she murmured this, something unusual happened to Lillywood-san—or rather, to the tree she was connected to.
The tree she was attached to began swaying like waves, and her hands and lower body, which had been buried within the tree, emerged.
The tree then transformed into a single, large staff, which Lillywood-san held in her right hand as she slowly stood up, both feet now firmly on the ground.
What a surprise… She can take on a fully humanoid form.
Lillywood-san, now in a form indistinguishable from a human, turns to me with a gentle smile.
“Well then, shall we go?”
[Ah, yes.]
Walking alongside Lillywood-san, we headed toward Rigforeshia.
As we walked, she glanced around, and with every movement of her gaze, the branches of the surrounding trees suddenly extended, producing a vast number of fruits in an instant.
“Let’s put them directly into your harvest bag.”
[Eh?]
“I can’t let your score drop just because you were talking to me. I’ll have the trees along the road to Rigforeshia help gather as many fruits as possible.”
[Ehhhhhh!?]
Following her instructions, I took out my harvest bag… and, in the blink of an eye, fruits started flying into it with a speed that could rival a machine gun.
It’s like the trees around us are playing some kind of ball-toss game, using my bag as their goal. Just by holding the bag and walking, fruits were collected one after another.
And that’s not all. It looks like over a thousand spirits are pitching in, each bringing their own fruits to contribute.
What is even happening here…? This is… um… hasn’t this turned into something ridiculously over the top? The sheer number of fruits piling into my bag…
I mean, seriously, look at this momentum. I’m pretty sure the amount I’ve collected in just a few moments has already surpassed what took me hours to gather before.
Dear Mom, Dad—I got to know Lillywood-san a bit better today, and she helped me gather fruits on the way back to Rigforeshia, but… with the sheer volume going into my bag—I think it turned out to be a tremendous result.
At the plaza near the entrance of Rigforeshia, preparations were underway for tallying the scores of the harvest festival, which was nearing its end.
Aoi and Hina had returned slightly ahead of the others, joining Lilia and her group, who had handed over guard duty to the regular Security Force. With everyone gathered, the tally of their scores was successfully completed.
[Aoi-chan and Hina-chan are amazing! Scoring over 60 on your first day is pretty impressive!]
[Thank you.]
[Ehehe, I had so much fun harvesting.]
Aoi had collected 62 fruits, while Hina had gathered 61—a remarkable performance in a festival where the average haul was around 50. Sylphia warmly praised the two of them, her congratulations flowing generously.
Rejnhardt, Lilia, and the others offered their own words of encouragement before turning their attention to the center of the square.
Currently, the tallying of the previous year’s winner, the Spirit Mage, was underway, and the gathered crowd’s gazes were fixed intently on the results.
Moments later, the announcement was made, and the crowd erupted into cheers.
[2-210 points…]
[Incredible! She broke the all-time record by 24 points…]
Sylphia, clearly astonished, voiced her amazement, and Rejnhardt echoed her sentiments. Praises poured in from the onlookers, celebrating her remarkable achievement—a feat destined to go down in history as she had gathered over 200 pieces.
However, this triumphant moment was only the prelude.
The excitement over the highest score ever recorded had barely settled when a panicked shout rang out.
[W-What the heck is that!?]
[S-Spirits? W-What’s with those numbers… Could this be a herald to an impending disaster?]
Following the commotion, Lilia and the others shifted their gazes. What they saw left them speechless. Over a thousand spirits were advancing toward the city of Rigforeshia from the distance.
Sylphia’s jaw dropped at the sight, while Lilia clutched her head, seemingly already guessing who was responsible for this surreal phenomenon.
Yet, the shock didn’t end there.
[I-I-It’s World King-sama!?]
[World King-sama!? She came for the Sacred Tree Festival!?]
[I-It looks like she’s walking with a human!]
Lillywood became visible to them, causing a great buzz around the area, and they gave strange looks at Kaito who was walking alongside her.
Amidst this scene, Lilia—her face drained of all color, now as white as a sheet—turned to Lunamaria beside her.
[…Luna, that’s Kaito-san, right?]
[Y-Yes, you’re not mistaken.]
[…Why is he walking with World King-sama?]
[I-I don’t know…]
Lilia’s expression, pale as though she’d seen a ghost, looked as if she was about to faint at any moment. Beside her, Lunamaria stiffly replied, equally unsettled.
Meanwhile, the facilitator of the tournament noticed Lillywood’s presence. Rushing over with a panicked expression, he knelt before her on one knee.
[W-World King-sama! W-Why have you come…]
“Why? I’m a spirit too, am I not? I don’t see any issue with me participating under the rules to cooperate with him.”
[Y-Yes!? Yes, of course, absolutely…]
Hearing Lillywood’s words, the man repeatedly nodded, looking so horrified that it almost felt pitiful.
The people around him froze in place, and Lilia spoke again.
[…Luna, what do you think?]
[Even if you ask me that…]
[…It’s the same thing as before, right? He somehow got involved with someone outrageous again, right?]
[Y-Yes…]
[…Right? So, after all this chaos, Kaito-san will be walking toward me with World King-sama, won’t he?]
[T-That’s probably what’ll happen…]
As Lilia muttered, her face emotionless like a mask, Lunamaria replied, her neck drenched in cold sweat. Meanwhile, Lilia slowly cradled her head in her hands.
[…Why is Kaito-san… I only took my eyes off him for a few hours…]
[M-My lady, please stay composed.]
[…N-No…]
[No?]
[No mooooore!!! Kaito-san, you idioooootttttt!!!]
In the city of Rigforeshia, the sorrowful cries of troubled people echoed.