Though the situation was unexpected, neither Eris nor Cornelia had any right to refuse, so they set off toward Forest Castle with Kaito and the others.
As expected, bringing along all of Eris and Cornelia’s guards would have made the group far too large, so the security detail trailed them from a distance.
In the first place, their group included Lilia, one of the Human Realm's most powerful individuals; Anima and Caraway, who were Count-class high-ranking demons; Eta and Theta, who were Baron-class high-ranking demons; Lunamaria and Sieglinde, who were formidable even without peerage titles; and to top it all off, the Supreme God Fate and a high-ranking deity like Fortune. There was virtually nothing a standard noble guard detail could contribute that this group couldn't handle, making their close proximity redundant.
Thus, there was no issue with them accompanying Kaito’s party individually. The real problem lay in the future. At present, the Arclesia Empire is perceived as having exceptionally strong ties to the God Realm—the land is under Fate’s divine protection, every Supreme God is attending the Founding Anniversary Festival, and the Ripple Tree was recently bestowed upon the Rich Baron House by the God Realm. For a noble of the empire, a connection to the heavens is currently the ultimate symbol of authority.
Naturally, countless nobles are desperate for such a connection. Given the empire's recent political climate, many houses have been making massive donations to temples, hungering for any scrap of involvement with the Gods.
In other words, having a direct link to a deity allows a house to stand head and shoulders above those who are still struggling to gain notice. The impact of the blessing Cornelia received from the God of Luck was, therefore, monumental.
(To be honest, Cornelia-sama’s situation is quite precarious. Depending on how things go, the Hamilton Marquis House may need to intervene on a large scale. However, even within the same faction, meddling too much in another family's internal affairs can cause problems. I can’t exactly dictate Cornelia-sama’s social circle...)
Eris’s mind continued to race even as they walked. The temporary blessing from the God of Luck was significant—so significant, in fact, that Cornelia was in danger of becoming a goose that laid golden eggs in the eyes of others.
Furthermore, while it hadn't been officially announced yet, any sharp-witted noble could guess that Cornelia would eventually take over the Victor Trading Company and become independent from the Sharon Count House.
If her opponents were straightforward enough to only strike once she became independent, it would be simple. But considering those who might try to infiltrate the Victor Trading Company itself, it would be difficult for Eris, as a member of a different house, to provide full protection.
As she fretted, she met Cornelia’s eyes, and for a moment, it felt as though a spark of shared understanding flashed between them.
Technologies like Telepathy or Magic Power Conversation, which allow for dialogue through magic power wavelengths, are advanced skills that many even among the Gods cannot master. Naturally, Eris and Cornelia lacked the magical proficiency to use them.
And yet, Eris and Cornelia were one and the same... fellow sufferers who knew the true meaning of stomach pain. The sheer volume of stress they had endured and the countless doses of stomach medicine they had swallowed formed a bond that allowed for a perfect conversation via eye contact.
Like veteran teammates on a sports field who have shared countless trials, they established a dialogue through their gazes alone.
(...As I thought, the situation is looking grim?)
(Yes. Not that something will happen this very second, but we will need to remain on high alert indefinitely...)
(I am truly sorry to cause so much trouble for you and the Hamilton Marquis House, Eris-sama.)
(No, if anything, I’m glad it happened while I was present to witness it. At least now we have time to plan...)
As the two of them exchanged silent messages through eye contact and subtle gestures, both Eris and Cornelia felt a sudden pull on their attention and shifted their gaze.
There stood Lilia. The moment she turned her eyes toward them, her will was conveyed as clearly as spoken words.
(...Don't let your guard down, you two... Not yet.)
(Not yet? No... surely, after a chance encounter with the God of Fate-sama... there couldn't possibly be anything else?)
Through Kaito, the hearts of those who knew stomach pain were linked, and Lilia’s warning reached the very souls of Eris and Cornelia.
(The location is the problem. We haven't even reached Forest Castle yet... but given Kaito-san’s freakish ability to pull on the strings of fate... there is a very high probability that someone is waiting at the castle.)
It was a warning born of far more experience with Kaito-induced agony than anyone else present, and Eris and Cornelia caught their breath at the sheer weight of her gaze.
This was no time to worry about the distant future. Lilia’s look forced them to refocus on the immediate present.
Of course, even with their focus shifted, not even Lilia could have guessed that waiting at Forest Castle... were the World King and every single one of the Seven Princesses.
Serious-senpai: "Wait, every single executive is there!?"
???: "Well, Lilliwood-san usually avoids these kinds of events. She prefers a frugal and steady lifestyle... but lately, she's had a change of heart and decided she wanted to experience new things. She adjusted her schedule specifically to bring all Seven Princesses along."
Serious-senpai: "...Meaning?"
???: "...Well, it's pretty much all Kaito-san’s fault."