It was the 23rd day of the Month of Light. With the Six Kings Festival looming tomorrow, we were scheduled to travel to the venue today.
A direct gate connected to the site, allowing for teleportation from designated gates in each realm. As for getting to those gates, we were provided with free transportation via the Wyvern Service arranged by Magnawell-san.
The distance from Lilia-san’s mansion to the gate wasn't actually that far—it was close enough to reach quickly by carriage—but at Lilia-san's strong insistence, we made the trip via the Wyvern Service.
Among the participants we knew, Eden-san was set to arrive at the venue on the day of the event itself. Sieg-san’s parents, Rei-san and Fia-san, were coming from Rigforresia and planned to meet us there.
Aside from the residents of Lilia-san’s mansion, we were joined by Noah-san, Lunamaria-san's mother.
To our surprise, Fafnir-san himself came to pick us up. Although he was a giant dragon boasting a staggering physique, it seemed that once a dragon reached Fafnir-san’s level, they could alter their size to some extent. He had arrived in a form scaled down to fit the mansion’s garden.
"It has been quite a while, Miyama-dono."
"Hello, Fafnir-san. We're in your care today."
"Leave everything to me..."
After exchanging greetings with Fafnir-san for the first time in a while, we departed immediately. That said, the distance was short enough that the flight only lasted a few minutes.
I really didn't think there was any objective need to use the Wyvern Service.
"...I am simply moved. To think that I would be carried by Fafnir-sama, a member of the Dragon Race, a Count-class, and an Ultra-ancient True Dragon..."
Well, Lilia-san looked ecstatic, so I decided to count it as a win.
I had heard that the venue for the Six Kings Festival was an island in the Demon Realm, but the place we arrived at was nothing short of spectacular. It was a city built solely for the purpose of hosting the festival, and it was so massive it rivaled the Royal Capital. Seeing Magnawell-san’s gargantuan body in the distance and realizing the city stretched all the way to that point, I could tell the scale was truly immense.
When we arrived at the massive gate adorned with luxurious decorations, Caraway-san was waiting for us with a soft smile.
"I have been expecting you, Miyama-sama... Once again, I am Caraway, and I will be serving as your guide today."
"Hello, Caraway-san. I'm sorry for the sudden request."
"No, it is an absolute honor... Is everyone in Miyama-sama's party present?"
It felt a bit odd for her to naturally refer to it as "my party." Shouldn't it have been the Ducal House of Albert party or something? I suppose my invitation rank was technically the highest, but the phrasing made me feel a bit restless.
On another note, when she asked if this was everyone, Caraway-san’s long tail curled into the shape of a question mark. Was that an unconscious habit? If so, it was quite charming.
"No, we have two more scheduled to join us... would it be alright if we waited a little longer?"
"Understood. In that case, I shall provide the guidance once those two have joined you."
Caraway-san gave a nod and a smile. It might have been my imagination, but her expression seemed much softer than when we first met.
Dear Mother, Father—the Six Kings Festival finally begins tomorrow. They have clearly poured an incredible amount of effort into this, and since it looks like it will be a festival on a grand scale, I'm really looking forward to it. At any rate, we have arrived at the venue.
Watching Kaito and Caraway exchange peaceful words, Lunamaria muttered under her breath.
"...Just what kind of logic leads to a woman you’ve only met once before showing up at the next meeting with 'the face of a woman in love' radiating a full-throttle 'I love you' aura?"
"...Because it's Kaito-san."
"...Because he's Kaito-senpai."
"The most terrifying thing about Miyama-sama is how easily I can be convinced by that one sentence."
Aoi and Hina answered Lunamaria’s grumbling with exasperated sighs.
Yes, they had all noticed. The gaze Caraway directed at Kaito was feverish—more tellingly, her tail had formed the shape of a heart while she was talking to him.
"...Hmph, to perceive Master's sublimity... that High-ranking Demon has a discerning eye."
"Indeed, all of this is a testament to Master's greatness."
"As expected of... Master."
In contrast to Lunamaria and the others, the three attendants—Anima, Eta, and Theta—nodded with proud expressions.
After casting another exasperated look at the three of them, Lunamaria turned back to her mother.
"...Listen, Mother. You mustn't get too close to Miyama-sama. As you can see, people are captivated by him in an instant..."
"Oh? As I thought, Miyama-san is a wonderful man~"
"Mother... are you even listening to me?"
"Yes, you're saying that Miyama-san is truly wonderful because he is loved by so many women, right?"
"N-No... I-Indeed, there is no room to doubt Miyama-sama's charm as a man, but..."
In this world where polygamy was common, the fact that a man attracted the affection of many women was directly linked to his social value. The idea that a man with many lovers was superior was a very common sentiment, and Lunamaria could not deny the logic.
However, she found it complicated to see her own mother being so favorable toward Kaito, and a conflicted expression clouded her face.
"Isn't it true? My late husband was a kind person, but... having me as his only wife made him 'a bit pathetic,' didn't it?"
"Why are you disparaging Father so casually?! I don't intend to take Father's side either, and I agree that he was a bit pathetic... but please show some respect, Mother!"
"Oh? I still love that man, even now~"
"Th-Then..."
"But when I'm around a wonderful man like Miyama-san, the 'woman' inside me begins to ache."
"You have the 'face of a female in heat' written all over you!?"
Holding a parasol in one hand, Noah’s eyes were filled with a heat no less intense than Caraway's as she gazed rapturously at Kaito with flushed cheeks.
"Ru-chan, Ru-chan."
"...What is it?"
"Between 'licking' and 'sucking'... which do you think Miyama-san prefers?"
"What do you plan to do with that information?! An affair? Are you planning a one-night stand on this trip?! I won't allow it! I absolutely will not allow it!!"
"...Oh? Ah, I see. Forgive me, Ru-chan. Mother wasn't being thoughtful enough."
"...D-Did you finally understand...?"
Seeing Noah smile and clap her hands together cutely, Lunamaria's expression turned to one of relief—only to be shattered a second later.
"You want to 'do it together with Ru-chan,' don't you? I understand. Since it will be your first time, Ru-chan, Mother will teach you everything properly."
"Not even a little bit! Not even a fragment! You haven't understood a single thing!? Lili, Lily!! Help me!!"
"...A-A one-night... s-should I do that too? B-But, something like that is still..."
"And you! Why are you making a face like you're actually considering it!?"
Looking back for help, Lunamaria saw Lilia poking her index fingers together with a bright red face. Realizing she had no allies left, Lunamaria screamed with teary eyes.
However, Lunamaria was making one fundamental mistake. Noah was not talking about sex; she was talking about ways to drink blood. If possible, she wanted to taste Kaito’s blood again during the festival. She was merely wondering whether Kaito would be happier if she licked the blood away or sucked on his finger if he were to cut it.
That said, Lunamaria’s fears were not entirely misplaced. To Noah, drinking Kaito’s blood was a supreme joy, and every time she tasted it, her affection for him skyrocketed. To be honest, her favor was already at a level where she would have happily complied with any sexual request Kaito made.
It seemed Lunamaria’s hardships were set to continue for a long time.