While Kaito and Noin were savoring Alice’s culinary creations, the crowd gathered in front of the Kingdom of Sinfonia’s church had begun to disperse.
One of Alice’s clones had delivered the news that the incident with Fia-sensei was finally resolved, and the people who had been waiting there were visibly relieved.
"Umu, so he pulled it off, did he? Hmm... as I thought, that boy is quite to my liking. Say, Lady Lilia... could I take him back to the Hydra Kingdom with me?"
"Absolutely not."
"Such a swift refusal! Hmph, a pity. Well, no matter. It’s not my style to force things. By the way, Lady Lilia... you’ve grown considerably stronger since we last met, haven't you?"
"Is that so? Hearing that from Your Majesty Laguna actually makes me feel like it might be true."
Judging that the situation had settled, Laguna struck up a conversation with her old acquaintance, and Lilia replied with a wry smile.
The two had once crossed blades in the past. It was precisely because a powerhouse like Laguna—someone far beyond her own level—existed that a genius like Lilia had been able to continue her training without ever succumbing to conceit.
"There is no need for modesty. My, my, the youth truly grow at a frightening pace. At this rate, you’ll be stripping the title of the Strongest in the Human Realm away from me before I know it."
"It is Your Majesty Laguna who is being modest. As I am now, I am still no match for you. If luck were on my side and I managed to force a draw, I would consider that a spectacular achievement."
"Hohoho! Well then, shall we have a go at it right now?"
"I wouldn't mind, but... Your Majesty, what about your duties?"
"Ugh... T-That is..."
Seeing how much Lilia had matured since their last duel, Laguna’s warrior blood began to boil, and she impulsively suggested a spar. However, Lilia’s retort was delivered in a perfectly calm, pointed tone.
"...You snuck out in secret again, didn't you? Aren't your subordinates desperately searching for you right about now?"
"Mu, mumu... I want to abdicate the throne as soon as possible, but... Guhh... Sigh, I suppose I should head back. If I stay too late, I’ll just have to endure more of those persistent, nagging lectures."
Exactly as Lilia had suspected, Laguna had slipped out of the Royal Castle without a word. While it was a common occurrence... no, because it was such a common occurrence, she knew exactly what kind of scolding awaited her.
Laguna’s shoulders slumped in disappointment as she let out a heavy sigh. She hoisted her Great Spear back onto her shoulder and walked away with a casual wave of her hand.
After watching her depart, Lilia turned to Lunamaria and Sieglinde, who were waiting nearby.
"Shall we head home as well?"
"Yes... However, um, Milady? What exactly happened this time? I understood that Fia-sensei was the center of it, but the details are still a bit fuzzy."
"To tell you the truth, I don't know the specifics either. Well, we can ask Kaito-san when he returns."
"Hmm, I wonder. Given the situation, the lineup of people who gathered... and the fact that Kaito-san was involved... could this be another incident that will make Lili faint?"
"Please don't say such ominous things, Sieg. It’ll be fine. Kaito-san has already met the Six Kings and the Supreme Gods. He even briefly introduced himself to the Goddess of Calamity today, and he’s made an acquaintance of His Majesty Laguna through this mess. Surely there couldn't possibly be anything else outrageous left to happen."
Lilia responded to Sieglinde’s anxiety with words that sounded like she was trying to convince herself, her smile appearing slightly forced.
"...Perhaps a Demon King who actually survived the war was targeting Fia-sensei? Something like that?"
"Fufufu, it would certainly be a crisis if a Demon King were still alive. But if that were the case, there would be no reason for us to have fought Zex-sama and the others. It’s likely something related to the Underworld King, right?"
"Ah, that seems like the most plausible explanation."
Lilia laughed off Lunamaria’s remark—which was actually a staggering near-miss—and called out to Anima and the rest of her attendants as they made their way back to the mansion.
All the while, she remained blissfully unaware that Sieglinde’s ominous premonition would soon become a reality.
After Lilia’s party and the other Demons had departed, Zex and Shia, the two remaining figures, exchanged a few words.
"...Still, Miyama-dono is truly a remarkable individual. To have secured so many allies, including yourself..."
"I'm not exactly that guy's ally. If anything, I hate him."
"Oh? Is that so? You seemed to be helping him quite enthusiastically for someone who feels that way."
"...Ridiculous. That human bowed his head and begged for my help, so I simply decided to cooperate."
"And does that not imply that you think fondly of Miyama-dono?"
When Shia insisted she hated Kaito, Zex pressed her, suggesting that her willingness to answer his plea was proof of her affection.
Shia let out a long, weary sigh. She turned her back to Zex and spoke as she began to walk away.
"...Great Sage of the Undead. Let me tell you something."
"And what might that be?"
"Emotions aren't simple arithmetic. The opposite of 'love' isn't 'hate.' In this world, there are far more complicated feelings, like 'hating but loving' or 'loving but hating.'"
"...Hmm. Then, what is Miyama-dono to you?"
At Zex’s question, Shia paused for a moment. Without turning around, a faint smile played across her lips as she murmured her answer.
"...Well, for now, I’d say he’s barely at a passing grade. If there’s a next time... I suppose I wouldn't mind lending him a hand again."
"Ho, is that so? In other words, despite your protests, you actually like him quite a bit?"
"...How on earth did you listen to what I just said and reach that conclusion?"
"No, no matter how I heard it, it sounded like you were giving Miyama-dono a glowing evaluation... Ah, I see!"
"...What?"
Shia’s tone shifted to one of clear irritation, but Zex remained perfectly aloof. He suddenly clapped his hands together as if a lightbulb had gone off.
"...It’s that. This must be that rumored 'Tsundere' thing."
"...Huh? No. What are you talking about, you..."
"The type who claims to hate someone, but in truth... that’s the one, isn't it?"
"How could that possibly be it?! I told you, I hate that guy—"
"But you love him too, don't you?"
"Wha—!?"
Her composed demeanor vanished in an instant. The mask of the Head of the High-ranking Gods was stripped away as Shia frantically tried to deny Zex’s words.
Zex, however, only laughed with sheer delight and continued to prod her.
"My, my, Miyama-dono is a lucky man indeed. To have even the Goddess of Calamity in love with him..."
"S-S-Shut up! I told you you’re wrong! Die! You Rotten Skeleton!!"
"O-Oh?! H-Hey, wait a minute!?"
Her face flushed a deep crimson as Shia suddenly manifested her Great Scythe. She spun on her heel and lunged toward Zex.
She was determined to deliver a swift, violent judgment upon the lich who lacked even a shred of delicacy.