After quite a while, Lilia-san came back to life, and after we moved to Rei-san’s house, we listened to them talk about the main festival happening that evening.
[The main festival is, simply put, a big party. There’s all the food and drinks you can handle, and everyone gives thanks for a good harvest. With the World King-sama present this year, though, it’s probably going to be even bigger than usual.]
[I see, so we’ll just relax and enjoy the food.]
[……Well, Lilia-chan and the others might relax, but I doubt that’s the case for you, Miyama-kun.]
[Eh?]
The main festival is described as a grand feast, but in the end, it seems to just be a gathering where everyone enjoys food and casual conversation, exactly like how busy festivals usually go. But for some reason, Rei-san was looking at me with a strange expression.
[Miyama-kun is the winner of the harvest festival. After the greetings at the main festival, “you’ll spend the night in the Spirits’ Forest.”]
[…That’s the first I’ve heard of this…]
[My bad. I didn’t expect any of you to win until what happened yesterday…]
[…Spend the night in the Spirits’ Forest? Where will I sleep?]
[…There’s a shrine there.]
[A shrine!?]
Apparently, the winner of the harvest festival is expected to spend the night in the Spirits’ Forest every year.
I heard that being allowed to stay there is a great honor for spirit mages. To me, though, it felt more like being dumped in the forest for the night after a quick meal.
Moreover, I’d have to sleep in a shrine… No matter how I look at it, that’s not exactly a place designed for sleeping. Of course, there won’t be any futons or anything like that, so I’m guessing it’ll be more like sleeping outdoors.
[Ummm, that doesn’t sound too safe…]
[It’s alright. The spirits will protect the winner of the harvest festival while they stay, and with the World King-sama present this year, there’s no chance of any mishaps.]
[…Is that so…]
How did this even happen?
It’s supposed to be a happy moment, celebrating that I won, but… how did we end up in a penalty game like this?
[Luna, please make sure a blanket is ready for him.]
[I respectfully obey.]
[Miyama-san, please do your best.]
[Senpai, fighting!]
Apparently, it’s already been decided that I’ll be going camping.
After thanking everyone for their kind words of support with a stiff smile, I let out a big sigh.
It’s pointless to think any further about camping… or rather, whenever I do think about it, all I picture is how cold it looks, or something bad happening. So, I decide to stop thinking about it.
As we chatted for a while, the sound of the doorbell interrupted us, signaling a visitor.
[Oya? Who could it be?]
Muttering that, Rei-san stood up, went to the door, and opened it. Upon seeing the visitor, Rei-san froze, as though the strength had drained from his legs.
“Excuse my intrusion.”
[Wha!? W-W-W-World King-sama!?]
To our surprise, it was Lillywood-san, and of course, Rei-san and I were stunned.
Lillywood-san looked at the both of us, then gave a small smile before bowing her head.
“I apologize for my sudden visit.”
[N-N-No! You don’t have to apologize! World King-sama is always welcome, even in our humble home.]
“Once the main festival begins, I’ll be busy with other matters, so I thought I’d stop by and greet the noble who’s been taking care of Kaito-san.”
[ ! ? ]
Hearing Lillywood-san speak so calmly, Lilia-san jolted and straightened her back.
Perhaps noticing the movement, Lillywood-san shifted her gaze to Lilia-san before addressing her.
“Oya? Aren’t you… ‘Princess Lilianne?’”
[Yesh! Ah, no, I now go by Lilia Albert.]
“Is that so? I’ve seen you a few times at the royal palace, but this must be the first time we’ve spoken like this, right? As you may know, I’m Lillywood Yggdrasil. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
[Y-Y-Y-Yes. S-Same here!]
Lilia-san was understandably tense after being spoken to by Lillywood-san.
It was the same for Kuro, but the reason Lilia-san, the Duchess, was so nervous was that her conversation partner was one of the Six Kings, someone you’d be lucky to even meet once in your life.
To be honest, I’ve met three of them in just a little over a month, so I don’t really have the impression that they’re all that hard to meet. But that’s just my perspective—Lilia-san’s reaction is the normal one in this case.
[……Lunamaria-san, when she mentioned Lilianne?]
[It was My Lady before she received her peerage. Lilianne Lia Symphonia… That’s what she was called when she was a princess. When she became a duchess, she changed her name to Lilia Albert.]
[I see.]
Lilia-san used to be called Lilianne, and it seems she changed her name when she left the royal palace and received her peerage.
She had mentioned before that she had no intention of succeeding the throne, so changing her name to something that no longer reflects her royal background might be her way of signaling that she’s fully committed to her new path.
“Duchess Lilia, it’s a pleasure to meet you like this. I apologize for barging in without prior notice.”
[I-It’s alright! I-I’m totally fine with it!]
“Thank you very much. I had the pleasure of meeting Kaito-san, and I really like his personality. I’d like to keep in touch with him, and of course, that includes you too, Duchess Lilia.”
[Y-Y-Y-Yes! T-Thank you, i-it’s my honor!]
Lillywood-san spoke politely and gently, but her attempt to act modestly only seemed to overwhelm Lilia-san, who was already completely flustered as she awkwardly thanked her.
[……Lunamaria-san, is Lilia-san always like this when she’s flustered?]
[She used to be really stubborn and rigid. She’s not very good at handling sudden situations. Well, she only used to get this flustered about once a year.]
[I see.]
It seems Lilia-san’s uncontrollable temper is just part of her personality.
Also, it seems she doesn’t usually get flustered…
But the fact that I’ve seen Lilia-san like this so many times in just one month means she’s been caught in a string of unexpected situations. Well, how should I put it… Lilia-san, I’m really sorry.
“I would like to visit Duchess Lilia’s mansion again at a later date, if that’s alright with you?”
[Y-Yes! O-Of course, you’re always welcome!]
“Thank you very much. I will be in your care, Duchess Lilia. Once again, I apologize for this sudden visit.”
Bowing deeply, Lillywood-san said.
That gesture reflected Lillywood-san’s gentle nature, but for Lilia-san, who could only interpret it as “One of the Six Kings bowing to her,” it seemed that she had finally reached her breaking point.
[Hyaahhh!? Ahhh, awawawa, World King-sama, p-please raise your head. P-P-Please don’t lower your head to someone… awawawa… Kyuuu~]
“!? “
[My Lady!?]
It was as if steam was about to come out of her ears… Reaching her critical limit, right on the edge of complete confusion, Lilia-san’s eyes rolled up and she collapsed right then and there. Lunamaria-san rushed to her side in a panic.
[My Lady! Get a hold of yourself!]
“What’s the matter!? If she’s not feeling well… In that case, here’s a ‘Fruit of the World Tree’…”
[World King-sama!? Please excuse my rudeness! But are you trying to deal the ‘finishing blow’!?]
“Eh? Ehhh!?”
Seeing Lilia-san suddenly faint, Lillywood-san looked flustered and tried to pull out a Fruit of the World Tree, but Lunamaria-san desperately stopped her.
In this situation, if Lilia-san were to eat something like the Fruit of the World Tree… it would only be the finishing blow to her mind.
Well, I’m sure Lillywood-san meant well, but…
Dear Mom, Dad—Lillywood-san came to visit us and exchanged greetings with Lilia-san. Still, I guess I can say I expected this conclusion—As I thought, Lilia-san fainted.
<Author’s Notes>
Kaito’s Pro-Attack
Lilia Faints ↓ Lilia’s Imperial Wrath
Kaito Faints
I see, it really is balanced in all things……
T/N: 6/15