After Lilliwood-san finished her warnings regarding the Phantasm King, we spent some time in idle conversation.
The talk centered mostly on Isis-san and Kuro. As I’d heard, Lilliwood-san was a calm, gentle soul, and our conversation flowed naturally as she spoke to me with such kindness.
"Fufu, you are quite a pleasant person, Kaito-san. I can certainly see why the spirits have taken such a liking to you. To win the trust of so many spirits is truly a wonderful thing."
"Ah, no... the reason the spirits like me is probably because of Shiro-san—the Creator God-sama's blessing. A fairy acquaintance of mine told me that my magic power feels comfortable to them. So, it's not really my own doing..."
"No, that is not correct."
"Eh?"
Just as Raz-san had mentioned, Shiro-san's blessing meant I was "loved by the world," making my magic power extremely soothing to the fairies and spirits born of nature.
Because of that, I explained to Lilliwood-san that the spirits helping me was ultimately due to Shiro-san’s power and wasn't something I could boast about as my own achievement. In response, Lilliwood-san shook her head quietly but firmly.
"It is true that much of it is likely due to Shallow Vernal-sama's blessing. However, it is certainly not that alone. Shallow Vernal-sama's blessing is, so to speak, a way to ensure a good first impression when interacting with spirits. That alone would not make them grow this attached to you."
"Is that how it works?"
"Yes. It is because the aura you emanate and your own character are so pure and beautiful that so many spirits follow you."
"I... I see..."
The blessing was responsible for the favorable first impression, but the fact that the spirits actually liked me was apparently my own achievement. Being praised so directly made me feel a bit bashful.
Besides, having a good first impression is a massive advantage in itself, so I still felt Shiro-san’s blessing played the biggest role. Still, since she had gone out of her way to say it, I decided to accept her words graciously.
"If it is you, Kaito-san, I am sure you will achieve a wonderful result in today's Harvest Festival as well... Ah."
"What's wrong?"
"My apologies, how careless of me... I ended up talking for far too long. Are you alright for time?"
"Ah, u-um... if I head back now, I should just barely make it."
Hearing Lilliwood-san speak with a slightly flustered tone, I suddenly remembered the Harvest Festival, which I had completely forgotten about. Checking my watch, it was already past 2:00 PM. If I didn't get back to Rigforresia soon, I wouldn't make the deadline.
"I see... In that case, I shall go with you."
"Eh? E-Ehhh!?"
As she murmured those words, a change rippled through Lilliwood-san's body—or rather, her very presence. The tree she was integrated with began to sway as if undulating, and her buried hands and lower body emerged from the trunk. The tree then transformed into a single large staff, which Lilliwood-san gripped in her right hand as she stood on the ground with both feet.
I was stunned. I didn't know she could take a fully human form. Now standing at my height and looking like a normal person, Lilliwood-san turned toward me with a smile.
"Well then, let us go."
"Ah, yes."
I fell into step beside her as we began the trek back toward Rigforresia. As she walked, Lilliwood-san scanned the forest. Wherever her gaze fell, branches simultaneously extended from the surrounding trees, and an immense number of fruits ripened upon them instantly.
"Place your harvesting bag directly beneath them."
"Eh?"
"I cannot allow your results to suffer because you were occupied with me. I shall ask the trees along the path to Rigforresia for their cooperation and gather as many fruits as possible."
"Ehhhhh!?"
Following her instructions, I held out my harvesting bag—and fruits began hammering into it with a speed that was almost like a machine gun. It looked like the surrounding trees were playing a frantic game of ball-toss, with my bag as the only target. Just by walking, the bag was filling up at an impossible rate.
Furthermore, the more than 1,000 spirits were also pitching in, flying back and forth to deposit fruits in succession.
I couldn't help but worry. This was going to turn into something crazy. The sheer volume of fruits was staggering; it looked like I had already exceeded the amount I’d spent hours collecting earlier in just a few minutes.
Dear Mother, Father—I became a bit friendly with Lilliwood-san, and she ended up helping me gather fruits on the way back to Rigforresia... but this... it looks like it’s going to be an incredible result.
In the square at the entrance of Rigforresia, the tallying for the Harvest Festival was reaching its conclusion.
Aoi and Hina had returned a bit earlier and met up with Lilia’s group, who had just finished handing over security duties to the regular security force.
"Aoi-chan, Hina-chan, you both were amazing! To exceed sixty fruits on your first attempt is a truly wonderful result," Sylphia praised them warmly.
"Thank you very much," Aoi said.
"Ehehe, harvesting was fun!" Hina added.
Aoi had gathered 62 fruits and Hina 61. In a festival where the average was around 50, these were excellent scores. Reijihart and Lilia also commended the two for their efforts before turning their attention toward the center of the square.
Currently, the moderator was tallying the results for the previous year's winner, the Spirit Mage. The eyes of the entire crowd were focused there. A short time later, when the score was posted, cheers erupted all at once.
"T-Two hundred and ten..." Sylphia whispered in shock.
"Incredible," Reijihart agreed. "They broke the all-time record by twenty-four..."
Crossing the 200-fruit mark was a historic feat, and the crowd showered the winner with thunderous applause.
However, all of that was nothing more than a prelude.
While the excitement from the new record was still peaking, a panicked shout suddenly rang out.
"W-What is that!?"
"Spirits? What an incredible number... is this a disaster or something!?"
Hearing the commotion, Lilia and the others looked toward the forest. From the distance, over 1,000 spirits were swarming toward the city. Sylphia’s jaw dropped, and Lilia, seemingly realizing who was leading them, clutched her head in her hands.
The shock didn't end there.
"I-I-It's the World King-sama!?"
"The World King-sama!? She was attending the Treasure Tree Festival!?"
"Someone is walking right beside her! A human!"
As Lilliwood's figure became clear, a massive roar of disbelief went through the crowd. All eyes turned to Kaito, who was casually walking alongside one of the Six Kings.
Watching the scene unfold, Lilia's face drained of all color, turning a ghostly, bone white. She turned to Lunamaria beside her.
"...Luna, that's Kaito-san, isn't it?"
"Y-Yes, without a doubt."
"...Why is he coming back with the World King-sama?"
"W-Who knows..."
To Lilia, who looked as if she were seconds away from a total blackout, Lunamaria could only reply with a strained, twitching expression. Within Lilia's line of sight, the event moderator scrambled toward Lilliwood in a panic and dropped to one knee.
"W-World King-sama! W-Why are you in a place like this...?"
"Why, you ask? I am a spirit as well, after all. I do not believe that cooperating with a participant violates any of the regulations, does it?"
"H-H-Hyih!? T-T-That is, of course... not at all!"
The moderator nodded frantically, looking pitiably overwhelmed by her presence. While the rest of the crowd stood frozen in awe, Lilia spoke again.
"...Luna, what do you think?"
"Even if you ask me..."
"...This is that, isn't it? It's that thing where he's suddenly become friends with her, right?"
"Y-Yes..."
"...And it's that thing where, after this, the World King-sama is going to come over here with Kaito-san, isn't she?"
"P-Probably..."
Lilia’s expression was as devoid of emotion as a ceramic mask. As Lunamaria answered while breaking into a cold sweat, Lilia slowly clutched her head with both hands.
"...Why is it that Kaito-san... the moment I take my eyes off him..."
"M-Milady. Please, stay with us."
"...I-I've... had enough..."
"Enough?"
"I've had enough of this alreadyyyy!? Kaito-san, you idiotttttt!!"
The scream of the poor, suffering noblewoman echoed across the entire city of Rigforresia.