As Flarebel Needsveld and Aquaria Eingana entered the cafe and approached Kaito, Cornelia gazed into the distance with hollow eyes, her mind a whirlwind of panic.
...I’ve heard of the Flapping of a Giant Dragon, she thought. I’ve heard of it, but... I never imagined we’d run into people who literally fit that description. There’s no mistake. It’s Lady Needsveld and Lady Eingana of the Four Great Magic Dragons... W-What am I supposed to do?
It was only natural for her to be overwhelmed. The gap in status between Cornelia, merely the eldest daughter of a Count House, and the Executives of the Six Kings was astronomical. As the subordinate party, she couldn't even dream of initiating a greeting or offering a casual word of her own accord.
Furthermore, following the Friendship Treaty, the Dragon King Magnawell had provided humankind with the techniques to command wyverns—the very foundation of the modern Wyvern Service. This had revolutionized logistics in the Human Realm, and as a result, many merchants still revered him as a god of commerce. For the Sharon Count House, which operated a major trading company, he was an indispensable figure.
To incur the displeasure of the Dragon King Faction was essentially a death sentence for a merchant. Finding herself face-to-face with two of that faction’s top brass, Cornelia was understandably paralyzed by tension.
However, since she lacked the standing to act first, she was forced to wait for Kaito and the others to set the pace.
"What a coincidence, seeing you here," Needsveld said with a smile as she approached.
"Indeed. It is a most welcome surprise to find my Comrade in this city," Needsveld continued. "Hm? My apologies. I didn't realize you had company. I hope I haven't interrupted anything."
"N-Not at all! Please, don't worry about it," Cornelia stammered.
Needsveld had offered the brief apology after spotting Cornelia, who had been partially hidden behind Kaito. Since the comment was directed at her, Cornelia managed to offer a concise reply while her spine straightened from the sheer pressure of the moment.
"I don't believe I recognize her from the birthday party," Eingana noted, her curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar face. "Miyama Kaito-san, who might this lady be?"
In that instant, Cornelia’s tension reached its peak.
K-Kaito-sama... please. I beg of you, have mercy, she prayed internally. I know there are a few ways he could handle this. Please, just call me a 'friend' or something simple! If you do that, then maybe... please...
Cornelia was currently at a social watershed. Furthermore, it was a moment where she had no agency; everything depended entirely on Kaito's words.
If Kaito simply introduced her as a friend, Cornelia could offer a polite bow and then wait quietly without interfering in their conversation. However, the situation would change drastically depending on his response. Cornelia prayed for a safe, unremarkable introduction, but like so many victims of Kaito-induced stomach pain before her, her wish went unfulfilled.
"Ah, since we've met like this, let me introduce you," Kaito said pleasantly. "This is Cornelia-san. She's a friend of mine and the eldest daughter of the Sharon Count House."
Her prayer went unheard. By introducing her this way, Kaito was indirectly using his own immense standing as a guarantee of her character, effectively granting her the right to formally greet Needsveld and Eingana.
Moreover, by specifically adding "eldest daughter of the Sharon Count House," he had essentially invited her to state her family name. Kaito, of course, hadn't thought that deeply about the political weight of his words, but the impact was absolute.
"It is an honor to meet the Great Heavenly Dragon and the Sea Dragon," Cornelia said, bowing deeply. "I am Cornelia Sharon, eldest daughter of the Sharon Count House of the Arclesia Empire."
"Hm. As a friend of my Comrade, I cannot be discourteous myself," Needsveld replied with dignity. "I am Flarebel Needsveld, an Executive of the Dragon King’s Subordinates and one of the Four Great Magic Dragons. You may call me Needsveld, the name given to me by Magnawell-sama. I look forward to our acquaintance, Lady Cornelia."
"And I am Aquaria Eingana, also an Executive of the Dragon King’s Subordinates and one of the Four Great Magic Dragons," Eingana added. "Like Needsveld, please refer to me as Eingana. I hope today's meeting leads to a fruitful relationship."
"T-The honor is mine!"
Cornelia was internally shuddering. She had heard stories from Eris, but the reality was staggering. To have two Executives of the Six Kings respond so warmly to a first meeting—and even hint at future interactions—was an unprecedented level of favor.
I heard about this from Lady Eris... but is it really this extreme? she wondered. Just for being Kaito-sama's friend? His influence is truly terrifying...
In truth, being Kaito's friend was a powerful credential. Kaito had a keen eye for character, but more importantly, anyone with a twisted personality or malicious intent toward him was swiftly removed by Alice or the other high-ranking deities. Thus, the mere fact that one maintained a friendship with him was definitive proof that they were a person of integrity.
Cornelia felt a sharp, persistent ache in her stomach. She was currently receiving the VIP treatment from two of the Four Great Magic Dragons in a crowded cafe, and the sheer social pressure was agonizing. She had no way of knowing that a direct encounter with two of the Six Kings themselves was still looming in her immediate future.
Serious-senpai: "Oh, right. Since Alice or the other crazy Gods just delete anyone evil or greedy, being Kaito's friend really is proof of being a good person..."