Luck and misfortune might seem like opposites, but they often walk hand in hand. In one sense, a stroke of good fortune; in another, an absolute calamity... This was the only way to describe Cornelia’s current mental state.
Cornelia was practically at her breaking point. Lacking the mental toughness of someone like Eris, the torrent of outrageous events had placed a staggered burden on her soul. She was on the verge of reaching her total capacity.
Had there been even one more slight nudge, Cornelia likely would have collapsed and surrendered to unconsciousness. But it didn't happen.
To begin with, the current conversation had a built-in time limit: the start of the orchestra's performance.
"Magnawell-sama, I apologize for the interruption, but it is nearly time. We should probably head inside..."
"Oh, quite right. It would be a total failure if we talked so long that we missed the start of the music."
Because Eingana had spoken up to suggest they enter, the conversation was cut short. Whether she had been saved from a collapse or denied the sweet release of fainting was a matter of perspective, but for the moment, Cornelia was simply relieved the talk had reached a stopping point.
"Oh, that reminds me. Kaito, where are your seats? I'm sitting next to you."
"Eh? No, aren't they reserved?"
"Yeah! That’s why I’m going to find your seat and 'negotiate' with the person next to you to swap."
"...Negotiate?"
Kaito’s face was a mask of disbelief at words that were clearly a command disguised as a request. Watching him, Cornelia’s mind raced.
(I’m in the seat right next to Kaito-sama. If I swap, it would be the most peaceful solution... No, wait. If I do that, I’ll be sitting in Megiddo-sama’s original spot... which means I’d be right next to Magnawell-sama? My heart literally wouldn't survive that...)
Since the risk of switching with Megiddo was far too great, Cornelia decided to stay silent. She resolved only to move if Megiddo specifically demanded it of her.
However, Megiddo had no intention of asking her to move. As far as he was concerned, Cornelia was on a date with Kaito. He didn't want to play the third wheel, so he planned to take the seat on the opposite side of the pair.
"So, where is it? If it's a corner seat, I'll just sit behind you..."
"Um, these are the ones."
"Hm? Oh, what do you know! They're right next to mine! That saves me the trouble!"
As Megiddo nodded happily, Kaito suddenly remembered Alice, the girl who had sold him the tickets. Knowing her, she had undoubtedly arranged these specific seats with this exact scenario in mind. He finally understood the meaning behind that mischievous grin she had given him.
If they hadn't bumped into Nizbel and Eingana at the cafe, he would have had no warning until he sat down right next to Megiddo and Magnawell. It certainly would have been a shock. With those thoughts in his head, Kaito led Cornelia and the others into the concert hall.
Watching the group from a distance, Anne pulled out a Hummingbird and placed an emergency call to the Sharon Count House.
Back in the office of the Sharon Count House, the current head, Count Sharon, was working on trading company business with his aide—Anne’s husband.
"The Lord Trading Company has been moving aggressively lately... If we aren't careful, we might see a massive shift in the economy."
"True. Rumor has it they're even looking to trade with the Hamilton Marquis House... Hm? Excuse me, my wife is calling via Hummingbird..."
"She should be acting as Cornelia’s guard today. Is it an emergency?"
Anne was an elite maid and held the Count’s absolute trust. She was not the type to make personal calls during business hours. The fact that she was reaching out now, rather than waiting to report after work, suggested the matter was urgent.
"...Um, Lady Cornelia has... What? Huh?"
"What is it?"
"Ah, well, that is... Lady Cornelia encountered the War King, the Dragon King, the Heavenly Dragon, and the Sea Dragon. After being introduced by Miyama Kaito-sama, she was permitted to introduce herself and exchange formal greetings on behalf of the family."
"...Wait. Hold on. My brain is currently refusing to understand this... W-Wha-What do you mean!? Cornelia was supposed to be guiding Miyama Kaito-sama to the Victor Trading Company... How does that result in the War King and the Dragon King showing up!?"
"I-I don't know. I expect a detailed report will follow shortly, but..."
"F-For now, cancel every appointment on my schedule! We may need to take drastic action depending on the details!"
The Count couldn't even begin to fathom the logic that led to his daughter meeting two of the Six Kings and two of their top executives just by guiding a guest to a shop.
As cold sweat pooled at the small of his back, Count Sharon recalled something. Just a few hours prior, a meeting at the Hamilton Marquis House had been abruptly canceled. He remembered the looks of profound pity Marquis Hamilton and Eris had given Baron and Baroness Rich. Now, he was trembling with the realization that he was in the exact same position.
Serious-senpai: "Oh, right. Since Anne didn't enter the hall, she actually had the chance to send out the report immediately..."