[…Of course, I know that Kaito-san doesn’t have any bad intentions. But how many times have you done this already? Kuromueina-sama, God of Creation-sama, Death King-sama, and now World King-sama… Even if we leave Chronois-sama out of it, that’s already four times.]
[…Yes.]
[I’m at my wit’s end here, so can’t I at least scold Kaito-san just this once!?]
[I-I understand, it’s as you say.]
In front of Lilia-san, who stood with a sad expression on her face… or rather, half in tears already, I sat in seiza with my head bowed.
Our conversation, of course, was about Lillywood-san, and since she’s the third of the Six Kings, it seems Lilia-san’s patience had finally reached its limit.
But even so, I can’t tell if it’s because she understands that I didn’t do it on purpose, so she’s not shouting at me… it feels more like she’s just venting her complaints.
[…Well, it’s not like Kaito-san was hiding anything this time, and fortunately, the World King-sama wasn’t as troublesome as the others. So let’s just leave it here.]
[T-Thank you.]
It seems that the sermon—or rather, the complaints—are finally over as Lilia-san lets out a deep sigh, her tense expression melting away.
I do feel really bad for having pushed Lilia-san to this point, and I know the people I’ve gotten involved with are so outrageous that even the kind Lilia-san looks like she’s facing a crisis.
No, I’m really sorry… but… if I could complain about just one thing, just one thing… Lilia-san, I would have been so much happier if you’d reached that conclusion… 30 minutes earlier.
My legs are already numb, and I can’t feel them anymore…
Finally free from Lilia-san’s anger, I went back to meet up with everyone. They seemed to have agreed to avoid mentioning what had just happened with Lilia-san, greeting me in a perfectly normal way.
[Miyama-sama… Over here.]
[Lunamaria-san? What’s this envelope?]
As soon as I returned, Lunamaria-san, looking somewhat pleased, handed me an envelope. When I took it and peeked inside, I found quite a bit of money.
[Well~~ I’ve earned quite a bit from Miyama-sama. I’m in a state where I just can’t stop smiling. So, this is just a little token of my appreciation.]
[H-Huh… ?]
Apparently, Lunamaria-san had bet all of her last month’s salary on me and won big, which explained the angelic smile plastered on her face.
Seriously, this useless maid… If the dirt under Ein-san’s nails were boiled and she drank it, would it even help her get any better?
But anyway, after responding to Lunamaria-san and turning my attention elsewhere, I noticed Fia-san sitting in a chair, looking completely defeated.
[Ummm, what’s wrong with Fia-san?]
[Miyama-kun… Please leave her be for now. Right now, Fia is facing the twilight phase of her life.]
[Huh?]
[…2000… To have acquired 2000… A monster…]
With an expression that somehow looked like she was burnt out, Fia-san muttered that I’m a monster. Confused by the sorrow on her face, I tried calling out to her, hoping to comfort her.
[…Ah, no, I only got that much thanks to Lillywood-san’s power, and I didn’t acquire that much.]
[Then… how many did you collect before you met World King-sama?]
[…300-something.]
[…Please accept me as your disciple.]
[Why!?]
It seems her mind is quite fragile, because for some reason, Fia-san suddenly dropped into a dogeza and started saying incomprehensible things.
Rei-san and I tried to console her while she was in that state… After a while, she finally looked up and returned to her usual posture.
Yeah, I might have gone a bit too far in various ways.
I should have asked them more carefully beforehand about the scores from the previous harvest festivals.
[Well, Kaito-san really keeps surprising me in so many ways… As expected, that’s the last one, right?]
[…Ah, no, that’s…]
[…Do you still have… ?]
Taking a sip of the tea Lunamaria-san had brewed for me, I heard Lilia-san’s words about being sincerely tired of the surprises. It made me think about what was in my Magic Box.
Now that I have the Fruit of the World Tree in my possession… It’s easy to imagine what the situation would be like if I were to pull it out here.
However, that doesn’t mean I’m going to hide it now… It’s just that I’m worried about the consequences, especially from Lilia-san…
I think for a moment, then, instead of putting it off, I take the Fruit of the World Tree out of the Magic Box and place it on the table.
[What’s this?]
[It’s beautiful.]
Kusunoki-san and Yuzuki-san tilt their heads in curiosity, staring at the Fruit of the World Tree, which looks like a transparent crystal.
But they aren’t the only ones—Lilia-san and Lunamaria-san also tilt their heads when they see it.
Ah, now that I think about it, Lilia-san had mentioned she’d never seen the real thing before…
[Mi-Miyama-kun!? Don’t tell me… this is!?]
It seems Rei-san has figured it out, his face frozen in disbelief, as if he can’t believe he’s seeing it.
[Yes… This is the Fruit of the World Tree. I received it from Lillywood-san.]
[ [ [ [ [ [ [ !? ] ] ] ] ] ] ]
At my words, everyone’s faces are filled with astonishment.
It’s no surprise. The Fruit of the World Tree is rarely seen in public, and just hearing that it was going to be a prize at the hunting tournament was enough to surprise them. So, it’s only natural they would react like this when the real thing appears before them.
Everyone stares at the Fruit of the World Tree for a while, but then… Lilia-san’s expression fades.
[………………]
[Ummm, My Lady?]
Lilia-san stands up with a blank expression, walks to the corner of the room… and sits down, hugging her knees to her chest.
[My Lady!?]
[……Why… Why… After years of searching, I couldn’t even get my hands on it… So why the heck, after just being out for a few hours, as if you just stepped out to buy it, did you get your hands on it so quickly…?]
[My Lady, please, calm down!]
[Uuuhhhh… Uwwaaaahhhh! Geez, Kaito-san, I hate yooooouuuuu!!!]
……She started crying.
It seems that it was a huge shock for her when I effortlessly obtained the Fruit of the World Tree—something she had been desperately searching for years but couldn’t find. Lilia-san broke down, crying like a child.
As I watched her, emotions started to well up inside me, but I took the Fruit of the World Tree in my hand and extended it toward Sieg-san.
[Sieg-san, here…]
[ ! ? ]
[I heard from Sieg-san yesterday that you don’t plan to heal that wound, but maybe someday you’ll change your mind… and you can use it then.]
[……!?!?]
Sieg-san stared at the Fruit of the World Tree I was offering her and immediately shook her head vigorously.
I had somewhat predicted this—Sieg-san probably didn’t want to accept something so precious.
But for me, I really wanted Sieg-san to have it, so I decided to press the matter a little.
Quickly grabbing her hand, I placed the Fruit of the World Tree in her palm.
[Even if you don’t plan to use it, that’s fine. I just… wanted to do something for you, Sieg-san, who’s always been such a big help to me…]
[ ~ ~ ! ? ! ? ]
Is she really that flustered? When I grabbed her hand, Sieg-san’s face turned red, and a bewildered expression appeared on her face. But she could still tell I wasn’t going to back down. After a short pause, she accepted the Fruit of the World Tree.
Sieg-san held the Fruit of the World Tree with both hands as if it were something precious. After a moment, she carefully placed it in her Magic Box, then took out a piece of paper and a pen.
“Thank you very much, Kaito-san.”
[Ah, no, I didn’t mean to be intrusive… but I think it’s better if you have more options.]
“Yes, I suppose. Right now, I still haven’t decided whether I’ll use it or not, but… I’ll take good care of it.”
[Yes, I think it’s best for you to do what you want, Sieg-san.]
“You… really are…”
Sieg-san put down her pen and paper after writing that much and quickly reached out to me, pulling me into a hug—Eh?
[Wait!? Sieg-san!?]
[………………..]
Sieg-san, who’s almost as tall as I am, held me for a few moments before pulling back and bringing her mouth close to my ear.
—Thank you.
Maybe it was my imagination, but when I heard that voice, I felt something soft brush against my earlobe.
Dear Mom, Dad—I gave the Fruit of the World Tree to Sieg-san. She still doesn’t know whether she’ll use it or not, but for just a moment—I think I helped Sieg-san.
<Author’s Notes>
As Lilia…… cried. Kaito…… flirted.
I think Lilia can be forgiven even if she punches Kaito a couple of times.
T/N: 5/15