When I returned to the city of Rigforeshia, well, I had expected this to some extent, but… the commotion was absolutely massive.
It’s no surprise, though, since Lillywood-san, one of the Six Kings, is right next to me. That must be a shocking sight for the elves who revere her like a god.
Looking visibly nervous, the man organizing the event approaches.
[W-Well then, the bag of fruits you collected…]
[Ah, yes.]
As I handed the bag to the man, I think I heard Lilia-sa shout something right after… but honestly, that sounded pretty scary, so I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear it.
While I was lost in that thought, Lillywood-san was speaking to the man facilitating the game.
“Fumu, the all-time record was 210, but… I guess I didn’t even need to help you collect fruits.”
[[[ ! ? ]]]
[W-World King-sama, what does that… mean…?]
“This person, Kaito, had already collected nearly 400 before he even met me.”
[W-What the…!?]
The man takes the bag from me in disbelief, and the other facilitators stare at me like I’m some kind of monster.
The highest score was 210? Huh? That’s odd… I think you’re missing a zero there. I mean, if that’s truly the highest score they’ve ever gotten, I don’t even want to think about it…
Feeling uncomfortable under their stares, I moved my gaze to the tallying, but just as one of the facilitators began to empty the bag…
[…We’re going to need more baskets…]
Apparently, one basket wasn’t enough, and the facilitator, with a stiff expression, continued transferring fruits into the baskets. Eventually, when the number of baskets reached 15, it seemed the contents of the bags were finally emptied.
The man looked at the towering piles of fruit, stared at them for a few moments… and then, without even bothering to count them, he shifted his gaze and shouted loudly.
[Winner, Miyama Kaito!!!]
[Huh?]
Instantly, a loud cheer erupted from the crowd around me.
Winner? Me? Wait, you haven’t even counted them yet… I was thinking around 210 would be the average amount… but… Huh? Isn’t this bad?
[Amazing, that guy’s amazing!]
[What’s with that number, 1000… No, is that closer to 2000?]
[And look at that number of spirits! The other Spirit Mages won’t even come close to that level!]
[Yeah… he must be the apostle of World King-sama… Thank God, for gracing us with your presence.]
Yeah, how should I put it… I might’ve harvested a bit too much.
W-What should I do!? This is already causing a huge stir, and somehow… people started calling me Lillywood-san’s apostle!? I need to calm this down right now… Ah, this is bad, I can feel a crowd of people about to rush toward me…
“Silence!”
[ [ [ [ !? ] ] ] ]
The noise dies down all at once as Lillywood-san commands the crowd of people about to rush towards me with excitement.
She then steps a few paces ahead of me, quietly surveying the people around us before speaking.
“First, we should handle the awarding. If you wish to speak with Kaito-san, please wait until after the festival. When you do, remember to keep things in moderation and avoid causing any trouble… This is a direct order. Is that clear to everyone?”
Her dignified voice echoes through the area, and many of the elves immediately kneel, prostrating themselves with their knees and hands on the ground.
“It’s safe to say that Kaito-san is the winner now, and since the atmosphere is already set… Do you mind if I proceed with the awarding? I’d also like to know the amount of fruits he has acquired.”
[O-O-Of course!]
“Well then, Kaito-san… please come with me.”
After receiving the facilitator’s approval, Lillywood-san gently taps the ground with the wooden staff she’s holding.
At that, a tree begins to grow a short distance away, twisting and shaping itself into a large altar-like structure.
Lillywood-san steps to the center of the wooden altar and calls out to me… Eh? You want me to go over there? While all these people had their eyes on me?
Climbing up the wooden altar and standing in front of Lillywood-san, I was exposed to an attention level that felt like I was about to face a public execution.
I didn’t know what to do, but since the person in front of me was Lillywood-san, one of the Six Kings, and we were in public, I decided to kneel and offer a formal bow.
“Otherworlder Miyama Kaito.”
[Y-Yes!]
“You have communicated with many spirits during the harvest festival and earned their deep and unwavering trust. For this great accomplishment, I commend you.”
[T-Thank you very much.]
The awarding ceremony proceeded smoothly, and I nervously responded to Lillywood-san’s words.
“You have collected a total of 2,321 fruits… This is a result unseen in the past, proving that you are truly beloved by the spirits.”
[………………..]
The majority of those fruits were collected by Lillywood-san herself, so it wasn’t really my effort, but… unfortunately, now’s not the time to mention that.
Lillywood-san continued praising me in her dignified voice, while the people around us applauded and cheered.
“The original winner’s prize is, of course, as stated by the rules… but your achievement isn’t something that can be measured on its own. So, I’d like to offer you a personal reward as well. Tell me, what do you desire?”
[Wha? Huh?]
What a surprise. It seems Lillywood-san is offering me something beyond the winner’s prize, and I freeze up when I hear those words.
To be honest, even though she’s offering a reward out of the blue, it just feels… a bit troublesome.
I’ve already received the Fruit of the World Tree, and I can’t think of anything else I’d want right now. But, at the same time, it might be rude to outright refuse her offer.
I don’t want wealth or fame, and I can’t think of anything in particular that I’d like.
What should I say? There has to be something I can ask for… something to get me through this without causing trouble… Think, think…
After a few moments of silent pondering, an idea finally pops into my head, and I look up at Lillywood-san.
[W-Well then, this might be a bit rude, but I’d like to ask you for one thing…]
“Yes, please, go ahead.”
[Rigforeshia seems to be in quite a mess from the Black Bear attack yesterday. I was wondering if you could do something to help them…]
“………………”
What I had in mind was something related to the city of Rigforeshia.
Yesterday’s Black Bear attack destroyed the city’s protective wall, and the guards are in disarray.
The state of the city is evident from the conditions of Rei-san and the others, both yesterday and today, and I thought it would be great if Lillywood-san could do something to aid them.
This way, no one could feel envious that I was the only one receiving something nice from her, the city would be made safer, and it would also benefit me if I ever find myself visiting in the future.
Hearing my statement, Lillywood-san looks impressed before she kindly smiles at me.
“I understand. I will do as you wish and cast Barrier Magic on the city of Rigforeshia myself. I will also send my people to guard it until the Security Force regroups.”
[Thank you very much.]
Once again, loud cheers erupted around me, and I heard voices praising me from all over the place, which made me feel very embarrassed to say the least.
Once again, loud cheers erupted around me, and I heard voices praising me from every direction, which made me feel incredibly embarrassed, to say the least.
“Well then, I would like to conclude the award ceremony by presenting you with this medal, as a symbol of your victory.”
With these words, Lillywood-san handed me a wooden medal adorned with a beautiful flower pattern, signaling the end of the ceremony.
She then looked at me with a kind expression and spoke.
“You must be tired. Please rest and relax until the main festival this evening.”
[Yes.]
“Everyone, please avoid bothering Kaito-san until the main festival.”
Ah, I see… I didn’t understand why Lillywood-san suddenly took over the awards, but what she said just now cleared things up.
Lillywood-san had realized that I’d be bombarded with questions if she didn’t step in, and while I was the winner, I couldn’t leave without receiving the award.
That’s why she made it easier for me to leave by presenting the award herself right away.
After thanking Lillywood-san for her thoughtfulness and mentioning that we’d talk again when we meet up at the main festival—the banquet-like event held in the evening where everyone gathers—I made my way toward Lilia-san and the others.
As I was leaving, I heard people behind me saying things like “How humble! What a splendid person!” and “A true noble man, worthy of being called a hero,” praises that definitely didn’t fit my standing. So, I decided to just ignore them.
Honestly, though, it’s making me worried about the main festival later on! I really hope it doesn’t turn into something over-the-top…
I hurried out of the plaza and found Lilia-san and the others, running over to them.
Lilia-san greeted me with a beautifully sweet smile… a smile that, for some reason, sent a chill down my spine.
[Kaito-san, welcome back. That was a wonderful statement you made about Rigforeshia.]
[T-Thank you very much.]
Arehh? She’s just praising me normally? Was that shadow I thought I saw behind her earlier just my imagination?
[I’m feeling really proud of you for that… But let’s set that aside for now…]
[…Eh?]
[We need to talk about something very important. Yes, it’s very important. So, how about we have a little chat in private…?]
[Ah, no, ummm… I have some things to do, so…]
[I t ‘ s o k a y , r i g h t ?]
[……Yesshhh!]
Lilia-san had been smiling the entire time she said that.
However, there was something intense hidden behind that smile, something that came across even without her saying a word. Her hands, as delicate as whitebait, had veins pulsing beneath the skin.
Ah, crap, I’m going to die… I’m really going to be killed!?
[Well then, it’s about time we depart.]
(T/N: Lilia-san didn’t just use the usual word for ‘go,’ but one that also meant ‘die.’)
[W-Wait, Lilia-san!? Slow down a little… you’re using too much strength! Wait, my arm hurts!? It’s breaking! It’s breaking!!!]
Dear Mom, Dad—I won the harvest festival. But when I came back—A shura was there.
<Author’s Notes>
Duchess Lilia ascended and turned into a Shura. However, let’s not forget here. There are still two events left (The Fruit of the World Tree and the direct confrontation with the World King)……
To know what happened for the misadventures of the Ashura Duchess Lilia, stay tuned!