After a thirty-minute flight courtesy of Fafnir-san, the cityscape of Rigforresia finally came into view.
Only a few months had passed since my last visit, yet it felt strangely nostalgic. I suppose the Treasure Tree Festival had left a profound mark on my memory.
Truly, so much had happened during that first trip. I had met Sieg-san’s parents, Reijihart-san and Sylphia-san. I had learned about the pasts of Lilia-san, Lunamaria-san, and Sieg-san... and then, amidst the chaos of a Black Bear attack, I had experienced combat for the very first time in my life.
It was strange to think that those same Black Bears had since changed their forms and become my precious, adorable attendants. You really never can tell where life will take you.
And while I hadn't been able to witness the battle where Isis-san swept away the swarms of attacking bears, I wonder if that was the turning point—the moment I started truly appreciating the affection of someone who cared for me as deeply as Isis-san did.
Then there were the Spirits at the Harvest Festival, and my meeting with the World King, Lilliwood-san... The Treasure Tree Festival really had been an eventful time.
Come to think of it, was it after the festival ended that Sieg-san began treating me to her home cooking? Her dishes always had a gentle, comforting flavor that suited my tastes perfectly. To be honest, I’d come to look forward to them in secret.
"...Um? Is something the matter?"
"No, I was just thinking that even though it was quite recent... it feels like it's been a very long time."
"That is true. Both you and I have changed quite a bit since the day we arrived for the festival, Kaito-san."
"Wait, I’ve changed?"
"...Yes. You have become much more reliable than before."
"A-Ah, thank you."
I felt a bit embarrassed hearing such earnest praise accompanied by a gentle smile. Flustered, I hurriedly shifted my gaze back to the scenery outside the window.
To be honest, I had wondered how we would disembark, given that Fafnir-san's body easily exceeded a hundred meters in length. Remarkably, Fafnir-san used magic to detach only the carriage portion, lowering it slowly until it touched down right in front of the entrance to Rigforresia.
I was incredibly relieved. If we had been dropped off in the middle of the city—descending from the sky in a luxurious carriage—I would have been too embarrassed to show my face in public.
With those thoughts in mind, Sieg-san and I stepped out of the carriage. After I offered my thanks, Fafnir-san bowed respectfully and took to the skies once more.
We watched the majestic beating of his wings for a moment before turning toward the city. The wooden walls surrounding Rigforresia were much larger than I remembered, having been reinforced until they looked like a proper wooden fortress.
Standing before what appeared to be the main entrance was a gatekeeper clad in heavy armor.
"!? If it isn't Miyama-sama!"
"...Huh?"
"It is an honor to meet you."
"Um, do you know who I am?"
The woman, a sharp-featured gatekeeper, quickly dropped to one knee and lowered her head the moment she saw me. What was going on? I didn't recognize her at all... and judging by her ears, she wasn't an Elf. Who was she?
"We are the Kin of the World King-sama."
"Oh, I see..."
"Yes. We have been commanded by the World King-sama to receive Miyama-sama with the utmost courtesy should you arrive."
"..."
Wait, this felt familiar. I’d seen a development exactly like this just a short while ago.
"The World King-sama stated that she owes Miyama-sama a debt of gratitude that words cannot express. We have been told that your words, Miyama-sama, are to take priority over all else."
"I-I see..."
"...Kaito-san, don't you think you could rule the world at this point? Shall we start a country?"
"We will not."
It seemed the Six Kings were all deeply grateful to me for what happened with Kuro, and they had strictly ordered their subordinates to treat me with the highest level of reverence.
It was certainly something to be thankful for, but it was also incredibly nerve-wracking.
Between Magnawell-san, Lilliwood-san, and Alice—who had ordered her subordinates to show me absolute obedience long ago—I really didn't know what to do with myself.
I was already feeling exhausted and we had only just arrived. We managed to make our way into the city, but then Sieg-san and I both paused, tilting our heads in confusion.
"...That's strange. Rei-san and Fia-san were supposed to come meet us."
"They were. I made sure to tell them our arrival time via Hummingbird..."
When our flight with Fafnir-san was finalized, I had messaged Rei-san and Fia-san. They had replied saying they would be waiting for us just inside the gates, but they were nowhere to be seen.
I figured they might be running late because we arrived a bit early, but just as Sieg-san and I were about to wait for them, I heard familiar voices.
"W-W-What should we do!? we haven't rehearsed the entrance yet!"
"Kuh, we're too early... What now? Fia, maybe we should stick with the Split Cross..."
"No, we did that one last time! It has to be the Side Sway!"
"But the Side Sway isn't flashy enough! To really surprise Miyama-kun... we have to use the Ultimate Scream!"
"N-No, Rei! We haven't successfully pulled that one off even once!!"
...To be honest, I was currently overwhelmed by an unprecedented sense of awkwardness.
When you see a couple who are significantly older than you hiding in the shadow of a building, dead serious about how to stage their "grand entrance," it's hard to know what face to make.
Sieg-san had clearly spotted her parents as well; she turned bright red with embarrassment, her shoulders trembling.
"If we fear failure, we will never progress! I want to be a challenger forever!"
"...Rei, you're wonderful."
"Fia, will you stay by my side?"
"Yes, of course! Let's do this together!!"
"...In that case, I'll send you both to the Underworld together."
""...Eh?""
As the unsightly display—this farce—continued, Sieg-san’s patience finally snapped. She called out to them while slowly clenching her fists.
Rei-san and Fia-san turned toward us with movements so stiff they practically creaked. Their faces went pale the moment they saw Sieg-san.
"S-Sieg!? When did you get here!?"
"...I tried to stay quiet and watch, but you just kept shaming the family in front of Kaito-san... and after I asked you so nicely to be serious for once..."
"C-Calm down, Sieg-chan!? The opening hook is everything!"
"T-T-That's right, Sieg! Your father and I are striving to be adults who never lose their pure hearts! We are children at heart, forever!"
"...Are those your final words?"
""Wait, hold on—Gyaaaaaah!?""
Then, Sieg-san transformed into a demon of carnage and set upon them. Miserable screams echoed throughout the city of Rigforresia.
"...Those two have quite a lot of potential. They'd really shine if someone polished them."
"Nobody needs to polish them..."
"Oh, that's right! Kaito-san! If you're looking for a souvenir for Alice-chan, I highly recommend the local Fruit Sticks!"
"Souvenir? You're right here, aren't you?"
While watching Rei-san and Fia-san get beaten to a pulp by Sieg-san, Alice had appeared out of thin air to speak to me in her usual tone. I gave her an exasperated look.
"Well, you see, I lost a bit of cash the other day, and actually, not even one round—Hah!? Oh, crap!?"
"...You. Come here. We need to talk."
"Wait, what!? K-Kaito-san!? Wait, that was—Ginyaaaa!? Ow! Ow ow ow! Not the ears! Anything but the ears!!"
It seemed I had found something to occupy my time as well.
For now, until that family quarrel—or rather, Sieg-san's one-sided execution—finished up, I decided to spend some time beating some sense into this idiot's character.
Dear Mother, Father—I've arrived in the nostalgic city of Rigforresia, and I was immediately met with a mentally draining situation. But, well, how should I put it... Rei-san and Fia-san haven't changed a bit.