Although things had gotten off to a hectic start, the audience with the Goddess of Time finally resumed in earnest.
A transparent, opulent table that looked as if it were carved from crystal was prepared for us. As we sat down at the Goddess’s invitation, tea was immediately served.
"Please, Kaito-sama, Lilia-sama."
"Thank you."
"Eh? Oh? Ah... thank you very much."
It was her signature speed. Having seen it before, I wasn't surprised, but Lilia-san was predictably bewildered. There was something almost heartwarming about the sight. Acht and the others probably felt the same way when they watched me during the barbecue.
"……Hey, you…… What is this……?"
As I was lost in thought, the Goddess of Time spoke with a voice thick with suppressed rage. I looked over and saw it. In front of her sat a mug—no, a container the size of a pitcher—filled to the brim with a white liquid.
It looked like milk, but the size was absurd. It was clearly a deliberate act of harassment.
"Is there a problem? I went to the trouble of preparing a beverage for you…… though I have grave doubts as to whether it will have any effect on your flat chest."
"……I’m going to crush you."
"If you think you are capable, please, be my guest……"
They were starting another fight! Just how badly did these two get along!?
"……"
"……"
"Um, excuse me…… We won't be able to talk if you keep this up, so could you please leave it at that?"
"……That’s incredible, Kaito-san. How can you cut into that atmosphere like it’s nothing……?"
I couldn't stand the thought of them brawling again, so I spoke up to restrain them. Realizing the situation, they both broke their glaring contest and took their seats.
Lilia-san looked at me with eyes full of what seemed like admiration. I worried that I was setting expectations too high in some weird direction again, but for now, we had to move the conversation along.
"Quite right. My apologies. Now then, once more—I thank you for responding to my sudden invitation. Lilia Albert, Miyama Kaito."
"N-No, it is a supreme honor to have the opportunity to speak with the Goddess of Time-sama."
"There is no need to be so stiff. I am the one who summoned you; you are guests, so to speak. You may relax."
"Y-Yes!?"
Despite her haughty tone, the Goddess of Time’s voice didn't sound harsh; it was actually somewhat calm. Well, except for when she was talking to Ein-san.
In contrast, Lilia-san was visibly petrified. Her back was rod-straight and her shoulders were trembling. It was a lot like how she acted when she first met Kuro.
"In any case, most of the questions I had for you have already been resolved."
"“Eh?”"
"The reason I called out to you previously was because I felt an extraordinary pressure emanating from you, Miyama."
"Pressure……?"
"Indeed. An aura that might, perhaps, even surpass my own. As for its true identity, I understood the moment 'she' arrived. I see, a Fragment of the Underworld King's Magic Power…… That certainly explains the pressure."
It seemed the Goddess of Time’s interest in me stemmed from her sensing Kuro’s magic power during our previous encounter.
But what did she mean by a fragment of Kuro’s magic? The first thing I thought of was the necklace with the magic crystal she gave me, but I had left that with Lilia-san for a while. It was only returned after Kuro visited the mansion. I shouldn't have had it on me at the time of our first meeting.
"She hasn't changed, has she? Still wandering aimlessly all over the world, it seems."
"Well, that is simply Chrome-sama's nature."
"……Heh, true enough."
They were likely thinking of Kuro, the very embodiment of a free spirit. Not just me and Lilia-san, but even Ein-san and the Goddess of Time let out small, wry smiles. The tension in the room softened slightly.
The Goddess of Time then proceeded to ask Lilia-san several things about the Hero Summoning, and they discussed how this specific irregularity had occurred.
"As expected, the cause was an override caused by a massive amount of Residual Magic Power accumulating in a magic circle that has been used for a thousand years. Very well, there should be no issue. As we originally estimated, we will perform the necessary adjustments on our end. Your return home can be carried out without a problem."
"I see. That is a great relief."
I had become completely lost in the conversation halfway through, but it seemed Lilia-san and the Goddess of Time had reached a satisfying conclusion. Both looked relieved.
Then, they began what sounded like a detailed technical meeting. Terms I didn't recognize started flying back and forth, with Ein-san occasionally chiming in with a pointed remark.
I was completely excluded. I had no idea what they were talking about and felt entirely left behind.
It was exactly like that feeling in school when you're in a group study session and everyone else is getting excited about a topic you don't understand. The sense of isolation was staggering.
Even if I wanted to join in, I lacked the knowledge. I didn't have the slightest clue what "magic power efficiency in the magic circle" even meant.
I wish someone would explain it to me.
(The summoning magic circle absorbs magic power from the atmosphere over time, but since this involves returning multiple people at once, it is necessary to replenish it from external sources. They are currently discussing the efficiency of those methods.)
Oh, I see—wait, wait, wait. What was that? Why did a voice just answer the question I asked in my head?
Had I reached such a peak of loneliness that I'd awakened to a new power!?
No, wait... that voice sounded very familiar.
(Do people from otherworlds truly awaken to new abilities through sheer loneliness?)
If that were the case, every loner in the world would be a superhero.
Yeah, I definitely recognized that voice. This unique, completely monotone way of speaking…… Could it be Shiro-san?
(That is correct.)
I knew it. But why was she naturally talking directly into my brain? Can she really do that?
(I can.)
You really can do anything, can't you…… Well, setting that aside, it's been a little while. Hello, Shiro-san. Thank you for the incredibly expensive tea the other day.
(I am glad to see you are well, Kaito-san. Looking at your back as it drifted with sorrow reminded me of the word 'loner' you taught me previously.)
Why did you have to add that unnecessary observation!? And why are you talking to me right now?
(Well, you were supposed to be the main guest today, yet before you knew it, you were unable to keep up with the conversation and were reduced to drinking tea and nodding occasionally. I thought if you were bored, we might have a chat.)
This Goddess was gouging my heart out the moment we reunited! I didn't want to hear such a blunt objective analysis of my situation……
W-Well, regardless, if Shiro-san is going to explain things to me, I might be able to follow this incomprehensible conversation at lea—
(You mentioned you would be participating in a festival. At this time of year, it would likely be the festival of the Elf Race.)
Yeah, I knew it. I already knew all too well from our last talk that Shiro-san is free-spirited in a completely different way than Kuro is.
Feeling the conversation go off the rails at Mach speed, I resigned myself to my fate and continued my mental dialogue with Shiro-san.
Dear Mother, Father—It was true that I was struggling to follow the conversation, but as I thought—Shiro-san was the same as ever.