It was the tenth day of the Month of Earth. I'd asked Lilia-san for a moment of her time that morning and was currently in her office.
"So, Kaito-san? What did you want to discuss?"
"Well... um..."
The reason I’d come to report to Lilia-san was to tell her that I was now in a relationship with both Kuro and Isis-san. Since it was a private matter, I wasn’t exactly obligated to tell her, but I thought it was better to explain things properly before she found out later and suffered a heart attack from the shock.
As Lilia-san tilted her head curiously, I laid it all out for her in order: that I was now dating Kuro, and that while the cultural differences between my old world and this one had initially troubled me, I’d decided to adapt and was now dating Isis-san as well.
"...And so, that’s how things stand."
"..."
"...Um, Lilia-san?"
"............"
"Milady?"
".................."
Having heard me out, Lilia-san went rigid. She simply stared straight ahead in total silence.
Lunamaria-san and I tilted our heads and called out to her, but she didn't offer so much as a blink in response.
"She appears to have fainted," Lunamaria-san noted.
"I... I’m sorry."
This was a new pattern. It seemed she’d managed to pass out with her eyes wide open. It was a surprisingly skillful feat, but I felt terrible about it.
After some time had passed and she recovered, Lilia-san clutched her head with a dazed expression. In her other hand, she held a small bottle. She rattled out several tablets and swallowed them before finally speaking.
"I... I thought this might happen eventually, but..."
"Milady, you really shouldn't take so much stomach medicine at once," Lunamaria-san cautioned.
"I can't face this without it! Not this!"
"Well, I suppose I can understand the sentiment..."
Lilia-san shouted in anguish, but she seemed to have anticipated the possibility of me becoming involved with Kuro and the others, so she didn't actually get angry with me. However, she looked like she was trembling with sheer terror, her face pale.
"This is outrageous... Truly, if some foolish noble or the like were to even think of being disrespectful to Kaito-san... the entire country would be wiped off the map. My brother... my brother... and, also, my brother..."
"E-Err, well..."
Actually, Ryze-san had given me some very encouraging advice, and I was quite grateful to him for it. However, seeing Lilia-san’s loathing expression, I was reminded of Lunamaria-san’s previous comment about how the King tended to act like a total idiot whenever he was around his sister.
"Well, keeping that sort of thing in check is my job, I suppose. For now, I should just offer you my sincere blessings. Kaito-san, congratulations."
"A-Ah, thank you very much."
Despite clutching her head in distress, Lilia-san was a kind person at heart. She immediately shifted her expression and offered me a gentle, congratulatory smile.
Lunamaria-san then took a step forward and gave a respectful bow.
"As expected, Miyama-sama is a truly remarkable man. I, Lunamaria, am as happy as if this were my own good news."
"Um, thank you."
"Luna, what’s your actual motive?" Lilia-san asked.
"I am incredibly happy that the Underworld King-sama will likely be visiting us much more frequently now."
"I thought as much."
Lunamaria-san was as consistent as ever. Regardless, my report was complete. I thanked Lilia-san once more and left the room.
"By the way, Milady, you look rather pleased, don't you?"
"Eh? Wh-What makes you say that?"
A moment after Kaito had departed, Lunamaria murmured her observation, causing Lilia to turn around in a fluster.
"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking that if Miyama-sama is going to adapt to the common sense of this world... then there might just be a chance for you too, Milady."
"Wh-Wh-What are you talking about?! I-I don’t particularly...!"
"Come to think of it, I happened to learn that Milady purchased some 'men's clothing' the other day."
"Wh-Wh-Why do you know about that?!"
At Lunamaria’s follow-up, Lilia’s face turned such a deep shade of crimson it looked like it might actually let out a popping sound. Just as the maid had said, Lilia had secretly gone into the city alone a short while ago to buy men’s clothes—specifically, a rather expensive formal suit. It was the kind of outfit that wouldn't look out of place even at a royal evening party.
"I-I-It’s not for that! I-It was meant as a thank-you for all the help he gives us every day...!"
"Ah, so you really do intend to give it to Miyama-sama."
"..................!"
"My, my. Milady has truly become a maiden in love. It’s quite adorable."
"Lunaaa!"
After reporting to Lilia-san, I decided to head into the city to run a few errands. I wasn't looking for anything in particular—just some snacks to keep in my room. I decided to wander aimlessly and see what caught my eye.
I figured I might stop by Alice’s general store as well. Alice was usually following me around as a guard, so I’d wondered what happened to the shop while she was away. Apparently, she was capable of creating clones, and one of those clones was currently handling the shopkeeping duties. Though, considering almost no customers ever went there, it probably wasn't a very demanding job.
While mulling this over, I turned off the main thoroughfare and entered a side street. It wasn't quite a back alley, but there was very little foot traffic. Suddenly, something caught my attention.
Up ahead, a small woman was crouching near the edge of the road. I couldn't see her face from behind, but she looked like she was in a bad way. I hurried over and called out to her.
"Um, excuse me? Are you all right?"
"Oh... Yes... My apologies. I'm just a little anemic..."
The woman turned around, revealing herself to be a beautiful girl with long, light blue hair the color of a spring sky. Her jade eyes and pale, almost sickly skin were striking. Between her elegant dress and her silky hair, she looked like she might be the daughter of a noble family. Her features were refined, but she was deathly pale.
"Anemia?! Um... what should I do? Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Thank you for your concern... but I was just heading toward the clinic, so I'll be fine."
"No, but... can you even walk?"
"...It seems I might struggle with that."
She wasn't fine at all. But what was I supposed to do? I’d never suffered from anemia, and I didn’t have any medical knowledge. Should I move her with teleportation magic? No, it would be better to get her to a clinic than take her back to the mansion.
For a second, I considered calling Alice, but she was technically one of the Six Kings. If she suddenly appeared in front of an ill person in her Phantasm King guise, the shock might actually kill them. Still, I couldn't just leave her here.
"Is the clinic far?"
"No... it’s quite close."
"Alright."
"Eh?"
Hearing that it wasn't far, I stepped around in front of her and crouched down.
"I’m sorry, I can’t think of any other way. You might not like the idea of a stranger doing this, but I’m going to carry you to the clinic."
"No, I couldn't possibly! I can't trouble someone I've only just met..."
"I’m sorry, but it’s just not in my nature to ignore this. I’m going to help you even if I have to force the issue."
"...You are a very kind person. I'm sorry... and I will gratefully accept your offer."
Offering to carry a girl on my back might have been a bit forward, but I couldn't think of a better solution, and if I wasted time deliberating, her condition might worsen. She said it was just anemia, but it could have been something more serious. We needed to get her treated immediately.
Perhaps my sincerity reached her, because she gave me her thanks and climbed onto my back. Wow—she was light. She looked slender, but she felt practically weightless. Even with my lack of physical strength, carrying her was easy.
"I really... I don't know how to thank you. Um... am I too heavy?"
"Not at all. You're light as a feather. Just tell me where the clinic is. I don't know the area, so I'll need you to guide me."
"Yes... turn right at the corner up ahead..."
She really was unwell; her voice was weak and airy. I quickened my pace and followed her directions. After a few minutes of walking, we reached our destination.
"Is this the place?"
"Yes..."
"It looks more like a church than a clinic."
"Yes... the sensei is also the priest of this church."
The building looked exactly like a church. I’d asked just to make sure I hadn't taken a wrong turn, but it seemed we were in the right place. Then again, in RPGs, priests were usually the healers, and in a world where magic was common, it made sense for a priest to be a doctor.
In any case, there was no time to think about it. I needed to get her inside.
I opened the church doors while still carrying her, and a scene of almost divine beauty unfolded before me. Crosses were displayed across every inch of the walls, illuminated by the light filtering through the stained glass. The room was filled with a soft glow that reminded me of a starry sky.
At the front, before the altar, I saw a woman dressed in ritual robes of deep indigo with gold embroidery. She was kneeling in prayer. Surrounded by the light, she looked as beautiful as a classical painting.
Hearing the door open, the woman ceased her prayer and stood up. She turned to face us.
Her dark gray hair had very long sideburns that reached her waist, fastened with silver ornaments. Her hair at the back was concealed by a veil the same color as her robes. She had the dignified air of a high-ranking sister, and her deep amber eyes only added to her mysterious, ethereal aura.
I caught my breath at her beauty. The woman offered a gentle, enchanting smile and began walking toward us with a slow, graceful gait.
"Welcome. What seems to be the—Gwah!?"
"Huh?"
Halfway through her walk, she stepped on the hem of her long robes and slammed face-first into the floor with incredible force.
...Um, what was I supposed to say to that? I felt like I’d just witnessed something I was never meant to see. All that mysterious, divine atmosphere had been shattered in an instant.
More importantly, she’d hit her face really hard. Was she okay?
Even as the question crossed my mind, the priestess sat up, clutching her face with both hands.
"My face... it hirths..."
"Are you all right?"
"Y-Yeah. Sorry, that was embarrassing... So, what brings you here today—wait, Noah-san?"
"It’s been a while, Fia-sensei," the girl on my back replied with a look of relief.
Dear Mother, Father—While walking through the city, I found a woman who was feeling unwell, and one thing led to another until I was carrying her to a clinic. You really never know what’s going to happen in life. Just by going for a stroll, I’ve had yet another new encounter.
Serious-senpai: "You said there was only one heroine! You liar! Why are you picking up two more girls before the sugar from the last one has even finished melting in your mouth?!"
(In truth, Noah’s existence had been hinted at for some time.)