"…Of course, I know you didn't mean any harm, Kaito-san. But how many times has this been now? Kuromueina-sama, the Creator God-sama, the Death King-sama, the World King-sama… even if we set Chronoa-sama aside, that’s already four!"
"…Yes."
"I’ve reached my mental limit in so many ways that I think I should be allowed to scold you at least once!"
"Y-You’re absolutely right."
Lilia-san stood before me with a look of pure anguish—on the verge of tears, really—while I sat in a formal seiza position with my head bowed.
The subject of her lecture was, of course, Lilliwood-san. It seemed that involving a third member of the Six Kings was finally the last straw for Lilia-san’s patience.
Even so, she seemed to understand that I hadn't done this on purpose. She wasn't blindly shouting at me; it was more like she had transitioned into a full-blown venting session.
"…Well, it’s not like you were trying to hide it this time, and fortunately, since it’s the World King-sama, it shouldn't turn into a total disaster. So, let's leave it at that."
"T-Thank you very much."
It seemed the lecture—or rather, the venting—was finally over. Lilia-san let out a long, heavy sigh, her stiff expression finally softening.
I felt truly sorry for pushing her to this point. I realized that the people I’d become acquainted with were so extraordinary that they could drive someone as kind as Lilia-san to such desperation.
I was truly, deeply sorry… however… if I could offer just one tiny complaint… Lilia-san, I would have been much happier if you’d reached that conclusion thirty minutes earlier.
My legs were so numb I couldn’t feel them anymore.
Finally released from Lilia-san’s wrath, I limped back to join the others.
Everyone seemed to have agreed to ignore the "Lilia incident" for the time being, welcoming me back quite normally.
"Miyama-sama… please, take this."
"Lunamaria-san? What’s this envelope?"
As soon as I sat down, a strangely high-spirited Lunamaria-san handed me an envelope. I took it, tilting my head in confusion as I looked inside—it was stuffed with a significant amount of money.
"Hehe, Miyama-sama certainly made me a fortune today. I can't stop smiling! Think of that as a small token of my appreciation."
"I-I see…"
Apparently, Lunamaria-san had bet her entire previous month's salary on me and won big. She wore a heavenly smile, her face practically glowing with delight.
Honestly, this no-good maid… she really ought to take a page out of Ein-san’s book.
I gave Lunamaria-san a noncommittal response and shifted my gaze. I saw Fia-san slumped in a chair, her head hanging low.
"Um, what happened to Fia-san?"
"Miyama-kun… please, just leave her be. Right now, Fia is questioning her entire existence."
"Huh?"
"…Two thousand… two thousand is… that number… monster…"
With a hollow, burned-out expression, Fia-san muttered that I was a monster. Bewildered by her despondent state, I tried to offer some comfort.
"…A-Ah, no, that was all Lilliwood-san’s power. I didn't really do—"
"Then… how many did you gather before you met the World King-sama?"
"…A bit over three hundred."
"…Please make me your disciple."
"Why?!"
Her spirit was clearly broken. Fia-san suddenly dropped into a dogeza and started spouting nonsense.
Rei-san and I eventually managed to coax her out of it, and after a while, she finally raised her head and returned to her seat.
Yeah, I definitely overdid it. I really should have asked what a normal Harvest Festival score looked like beforehand.
"Well, Kaito-san really does nothing but surprise us… Surely, there isn't anything else left, right?"
"…Ah, no, actually…"
"…There’s more…?"
Lilia-san took a sip of the black tea Lunamaria-san had brewed, speaking with a look of profound exhaustion. At her words, I pictured the item inside my Magic Box.
I had obtained the Fruit of the World Tree, and it wasn't hard to imagine the chaos that would erupt if I produced it. However, if I kept it hidden now, the fallout later would be even worse—mostly for Lilia-san’s sanity.
After a moment of thought, I decided it was better to get it over with. I pulled the Fruit of the World Tree out of my Magic Box and placed it on the table.
"What is this?"
"It’s so beautiful."
The fruit looked like a piece of transparent crystal. Kusunoki-san and Yuzuki-san tilted their heads, looking at it with wonder. Lilia-san and Lunamaria-san were doing the same.
Ah, that’s right. Lilia-san mentioned she had never seen a real one before.
"M-Miyama-kun?! Is this… no way?!"
Rei-san seemed to have realized what it was. He looked at me with an expression of pure disbelief.
"Yes… it’s a Fruit of the World Tree. Lilliwood-san gave it to me."
"「「「「「「「?!」」」」」」」"
At my words, every face in the room turned white with shock.
It made sense. The Fruit of the World Tree almost never appeared on the market. People had been losing their minds just hearing it would be a prize for the Hunting Competition, so seeing the actual thing was bound to cause a reaction.
Everyone stared at the fruit in silence for a long moment, and then… all expression vanished from Lilia-san’s face.
"…"
"Um, Milady?"
Lilia-san stood up blankly, walked to the far corner of the room, and sat down on the floor, hugging her knees.
"Milady?!"
"…Why… why… I searched for years and couldn't find a single one… and you just bring it back like you picked up a snack on your way home…"
"Milady, please pull yourself together!"
"Waaah… Waaaaahhhhh! I hate you, Kaito-san! I hate youuuuuu!"
She started bawling.
It was apparently too much of a shock that I had casually obtained the Fruit of the World Tree after she had spent years searching for it. Lilia-san was sobbing like a heartbroken child.
Feeling a terrible sense of guilt, I picked up the fruit and held it out toward Sieg-san.
"Sieg-san, please take this…"
"?!"
"I know you said yesterday that you don’t intend to heal your scar, but you might have a change of heart someday. Please, keep it for when that time comes."
"……!?!?"
Looking at the fruit I was offering, Sieg-san shook her head vigorously.
I’d expected this, but she was clearly hesitating to accept such an absurdly expensive item. However, I really wanted her to have it, so I decided to be a little forceful.
I quickly took her hand and pressed the Fruit of the World Tree into her palm.
"If you never use it, that’s fine too. I just wanted to do something for you, Sieg-san, because you’re always taking care of me."
"~~!?!?"
She looked completely flustered. Her face turned bright red as I held her hand, but once she realized I wasn't going to take it back, she eventually accepted the gift.
Sieg-san cradled the fruit carefully in both hands. After a moment, she stored it in her Magic Box and pulled out her pen and paper.
『Thank you so much, Kaito-san.』
"Ah, no, I was worried I was overstepping… but I just thought it would be better for you to have the option."
『That’s true. For now, I still don't have an answer on whether I'll use it… but I will treasure it.』
"Yes. I think it’s best for you to do whatever you feel is right, Sieg-san."
『You are… truly…』
Sieg-san stopped writing and put down her pen. Suddenly, she reached out and pulled me into a hug—wait, what?
"Whoa?! Sieg-san?!"
"…"
Sieg-san, who was nearly the same height as me, held me in a silent embrace for a few moments. Just before she pulled away, she leaned close and whispered into my ear.
—Thank you.
It might have been my imagination, but I thought I heard her voice, and I felt something soft brush against my earlobe.
Dear Mother, Father—I gave the Fruit of the World Tree to Sieg-san. She doesn't have an answer yet on whether she’ll use it, but I think I was able to help her just a little bit.