Returning to Rigforresia went about as well as I’d expected—which is to say, it was utter chaos.
That was only natural. Lilliwood-san, one of the Six Kings, was standing right beside me. To the Elves who worshipped her like a goddess, the sight of us together must have been perspective-shattering.
Looking incredibly high-strung, the male moderator approached us.
"S-S-So then, if you would... the bags containing your harvest..."
"Ah, yes."
As I handed over my bags, I could have sworn I heard Lilia-san screaming in the distance. I was too terrified to look, so I decided to play it safe and pretend I hadn’t heard a thing.
While I was stuck in my own head, Lilliwood-san spoke to the moderator.
『Hmm. If the high score is only 210, it seems my assistance wasn't even necessary.』
"""!?"""
"W-World King-sama, what could you possibly mean...?"
『By the time I encountered Kaito-san, he had already gathered nearly 400 fruits on his own.』
"W-What...?"
The man took the bags from me in a state of pure shock. The other staff members nearby began staring at me as if they were looking at some kind of freakish monster.
A high score of 210? Wait... was there a zero missing? If that really was the best anyone had ever done, I really didn't want to think about what was going to happen once they finished counting mine.
Squirming under their uncomfortable gazes, I looked over to see one of the staff members pulling fruit from my bag.
"...Bring another basket..."
Apparently, one basket wasn't going to cut it. The moderator's face twitched as he moved the fruit, filling basket after basket, until the bag was finally empty at the fifteenth one.
The man stared at the mountain of fruit for a moment in stunned silence. Then, without even bothering to finish the count, he turned to the crowd and shouted at the top of his lungs.
"The winner is Miyama Kaito!!"
"Huh?"
In that instant, a thunderous roar of cheers erupted from the crowd.
Winner? Me? Wait, they hadn't even counted them all yet. If 210 was a normal score, then what I had brought back... Uh oh. This was bad, wasn't it?
"Incredible! Look at that guy!"
"Look at that haul! There has to be a thousand... no, two thousand in there!"
"And look at all those Spirits! He's on a completely different level than any other Spirit Mage!"
"Ohh... He truly is an Apostle sent by the World King-sama... Praise be, praise be!"
Yeah, I definitely overdid it.
What was I supposed to do now? The commotion was reaching a fever pitch. Some people were actually starting to worship me as Lilliwood-san's "Apostle of God." This was spiraling out of control. It felt like a physical wave of people was about to surge toward me.
『Be silent!』
""""!?""""
Lilliwood-san’s command cut through the excitement like a knife. Silence fell over the rowdy crowd instantly. It was a terrifying display of her authority.
She stepped slightly in front of me, quietly surveying the crowd before she spoke.
『First, we shall proceed with the Award Ceremony. Those who wish to speak with Kaito-san may do so during the Main Festival later tonight. Even then, you must maintain your decorum and ensure you do not cause him trouble... Consider this a direct order. Is that understood?』
At the sound of her dignified, resonant voice, the Elves prostrated themselves, pressing their hands and knees to the ground.
『Kaito-san's victory is a certainty, and given the atmosphere... would you mind if I conducted the Award Ceremony myself? I am already aware of the exact number of fruits he obtained.』
"O-O-O-Of course!"
『Then, Kaito-san... over here.』
Having secured the moderator's frantic consent, Lilliwood-san lightly tapped her wooden staff against the ground.
Trees sprouted from the earth a short distance away, twisting and groaning as they knit themselves together into a massive altar. Lilliwood-san moved to the center and gestured for me to follow. I had to go up there? In front of everyone?
Feeling like I was walking toward a public execution, I climbed the wooden altar and stood before her. Not knowing the proper protocol for facing one of the Six Kings in public, I decided to drop to one knee in a formal bow.
『Otherworlder, Miyama Kaito.』
"Y-Yes!"
『During this Harvest Festival, you communed with many Spirits and earned their profound trust. I commend you for this magnificent achievement.』
"Th-Thank you very much."
The ceremony had taken on a life of its own. I gave my responses through a haze of extreme nerves.
『The total number of fruits you gathered is "2,321." This is a record unparalleled in the history of this festival, and proof that you are truly loved by the Spirits.』
"..."
Technically, Lilliwood-san gathered the vast majority of those, so it wasn't exactly my own achievement. Unfortunately, the atmosphere was far too heavy for me to point that out. Lilliwood-san continued to praise me in her regal voice while the crowd broke into rhythmic applause.
『The standard Winner's Prize is yours, naturally... but your merit cannot be measured by that alone. Therefore, I wish to grant you a reward from myself as well. Tell me what you desire.』
"Huh? What?"
I completely froze. To be offered a reward on top of the prize... I didn't know what to do.
I had already received a Fruit of the World Tree from her earlier. I couldn't think of anything else I needed, and it would be incredibly rude to turn down a direct offer from her. I didn't want money or fame, and I couldn't think of any physical objects I lacked.
Was there anything? Anything safe that would let me get through this? Think... I had to think...
After a long moment of silence, an idea struck me. I looked up at Lilliwood-san.
"Th-Then, I hope this isn't out of line, but I have a request..."
『Yes, go ahead.』
"Rigforresia is in a state of chaos because of that Black Bear attack yesterday. If possible, I’d like you to do something to help the city recover..."
『...』
That was the only thing I could think of. The city’s defenses were ruined, and the Security Force was exhausted. I’d seen how hard Rei-san and the others were working. Helping the city seemed like a good cause.
Plus, this way, no one could be jealous of me for getting a personal gift from the World King. Improving the city's safety would also be a plus for me if I ever came back to visit.
Lilliwood-san looked impressed for a moment before her expression softened into a gentle smile.
『I understand. In accordance with your wish, I shall personally place a Barrier Magic over the city of Rigforresia. Furthermore, I will dispatch my kin to assist the Security Force with their reorganization.』
"Thank you very much!"
Another massive cheer went up. People were shouting my name and singing my praises. It was beyond embarrassing.
『Now then, I shall conclude this ceremony by presenting you with this medal, the mark of your victory.』
Lilliwood-san handed me a beautiful Flower-shaped Medal. As soon as I took it, the ceremony was over. She gave me a kind look before speaking one last time.
『You must be exhausted. Please rest until the Main Festival tonight.』
"Yes, ma'am."
『And to the rest of you—strive not to trouble Kaito-san until the festivities begin.』
Ah, I see. I finally realized why she’d rushed to do the ceremony herself. She knew that if things had kept going, I would have been swarmed by the crowd. But as the winner, I couldn't just leave without being honored. She had hurried through the formalities specifically so I could escape.
Grateful for her thoughtfulness, I promised to see her again at the banquet tonight and made a break for Lilia-san and the others.
As I hurried away, I heard people behind me shouting things like, "How humble!" and "He's a true hero!" I did my best to ignore them. Honestly, I was already dreading the Main Festival. I just hoped it wouldn't turn into another disaster.
I hurried out of the plaza and ran toward Lilia-san's group.
When I reached them, Lilia-san greeted me with a perfectly polished smile—the kind of smile that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
"Welcome back, Kaito-san. That was a truly selfless statement you made regarding Rigforresia."
"A-Ah, thank you."
Wait, she was actually praising me? Was the terrifying aura I’d sensed earlier just my imagination?
"It makes me quite proud... but, let's put that aside for a moment."
"...Eh?"
"I have something important we need to discuss. Very important. So, why don't we go somewhere and talk, just the two of us...?"
"Ah, no, well... I have, uh, things I need to do..."
"Is that so?"
"...Y-Yes, ma'am."
Lilia-san didn't stop smiling. But it was the kind of smile that brooked no argument, and I could see the veins bulging on her otherwise delicate, pale hands.
I was dead. She was going to kill me.
"Then, let us 'depart'."
"W-Wait, Lilia-san!? A little slower... You’re too strong! Ow, my hand! It’s going to break! It’s going to breeeaaak!"
Dear Mother, Father—I won the Harvest Festival. But when I got back, the Asura was waiting for me.