The Six Kings Festival guidebook I received from Alice was so thick I felt like calling it a dictionary; its sheer weight spoke volumes about the staggering scale of the event. Fortunately, everyone in our group possessed a Magic Box, so we were able to store the massive books away without any trouble.
Since causing a scene in front of the gate would only be a nuisance to others, we decided it was time to move inside.
"The invitations will be verified over there," Caraway-san explained. "Companions, please follow behind the invitation holder as you pass through."
We headed toward the area where the gatekeepers were stationed. It looked like they had a significant number of staff handling the checks, so the line moved quickly. My turn came almost immediately. I retrieved my invitation from my Magic Box and presented it to the gatekeeper.
"Yes, let's see... Huh? Black Rank?! Th-This plain-looking guy?!"
"……"
Well, he wasn't wrong, but still...
The moment the gatekeeper let those words slip by reflex, I heard a sharp shink from behind me, like the sound of claws being sharpened. Without a doubt, that was Anima.
I started to turn around to stop her, but before I could, a roar echoed through the air. The gatekeeper was sent tumbling into the distance, and in the spot where he had been standing just a second ago, Pandora-san now stood.
"……Remove that trash from invitation duty. Have him clean the outer walls or something."
"Y-Yes, ma'am!"
Pandora-san barked the order at another nearby gatekeeper in a chilling voice, then began muttering to herself.
"……This is why I was against letting the War King's subordinates handle the gates. Even if we had to maintain appearances... I should have forced my own subordinates onto Miyama-sama's detail. For a mere ill-mannered beast to act so insolently toward Miyama-sama... Should I mince him a hundred times? No, I'll crush him. No, perhaps poison? ……I'll make him drink so much agonizing poison he'll wish he could die but find himself unable. I'll chop off all his fingers. To appease Miyama-sama's anger, even if just a little, perhaps a public execution is in order?"
"……"
……She was terrifying.
The way she stood there muttering curses in a low voice made her look like she was literally casting a hex on the world. Her appearance only added to the ominous aura.
"……Alright, alright. Kaito-san is getting creeped out... House!"
"Eh? Oh, wait—"
Before I could even find my voice, Alice—acting as a sort of guardian—dragged Pandora-san away.
She was a different kind of scary compared to Eden-san. If it were Eden-san, she would probably have erased him from existence in a single, merciless stroke. Pandora-san, on the other hand, felt like the type to make someone suffer slowly... She was definitely someone you never wanted to anger.
"……Please accept my deepest apologies for that grave insolence, Miyama-sama."
"Huh? Oh, no…… wait?"
As I watched Pandora-san being hauled off, I realized someone I didn't recognize was standing near me.
She was a beauty with long, crimson hair like a blazing fire, tied into a thick braid that hung down her back like a scorpion's tail. Her black, upturned eyes were sharp enough to cut. Standing roughly as tall as Chronoa-san, she projected a piercing, disciplined atmosphere. She bowed deeply toward me.
"I apologize on behalf of Megiddo-sama for my subordinate's lack of discipline."
"N-No, I really don't mind, so... um, please don't... do anything too terrible to him."
"I am grateful for your magnanimous words."
"Y-Yes... Er."
She seemed to be one of Megiddo-san's subordinates, but I didn't recognize her. She certainly hadn't been at the previous banquet.
Just as I was wondering who she was, I heard Eta and Theta gasp from behind me.
"……Ah, Agni-sama……"
"Hm? You two... Ah, the twins from Bacchus's unit. I heard you were serving Miyama-sama now."
"Y-Yes!"
"Th-That's right!"
The woman named Agni spoke to them, and Eta and Theta snapped to attention, their backs as straight as boards from clear nervousness.
"Hmm. Your magic power is more refined than before. Good. Continue to devote yourselves to your duties."
""Yes!""
……Yeah, I was completely lost.
Agni-san seemed to notice my confusion. She bowed her head slightly once more before speaking.
"Forgive me. I have yet to introduce myself. My name is Agni. I was granted the alias 'Hellfire' and the position as Head of the Five War Generals by Megiddo-sama. I am the one responsible for overseeing his subordinates. It would be an honor if you would keep my name in some small corner of your memory."
"Um, I'm Kaito Miyama. P-Pleased to meet you."
Agni-san introduced herself in a crisp, clear tone while dropping to one knee in a knightly salute.
If she was the Head of the Five War Generals, that meant she was the highest-ranking member of Megiddo-san's entire forces. Another incredible person had appeared out of nowhere...
W-Where was Lilia-san? Had she already gone inside? Yeah, I'd have to explain this to her later... I absolutely had to. My life depended on it.
"As for today's insult, I shall offer a formal apology at a later time. Unfortunately, my duties are currently pressing, so we must discuss the details later."
"O-Of course."
"Now, if you will excuse me. Eta, Theta, was it?"
""Yes!""
"Risk your lives to remain Miyama-sama's shield and sword. You were once subordinates of Megiddo-sama. Never forget that any pathetic behavior on your part will tarnish his name."
""YES!!""
After addressing the twins with sharp eyes and an intimidating voice, Agni-san bowed to me one last time and vanished.
She felt like a military commander. She had been polite to me because I was an acquaintance of Megiddo-san, but seeing Eta and Theta's reaction, I gathered she was normally a very strict and fearsome individual.
Still... just getting through the gate caused a massive stir. Am I... actually cursed?
"……I see. So that's what happened... and you met Agni-sama, the Head of the Five War Generals……"
"……Yes."
"……I'm done. I can't do this. I look away for one second and this happens……"
"Milady, please, stay with us……"
After Agni-san left, I finished the invitation check and entered the gate properly. When I caught up with Lilia-san and the others and explained the situation, she buried her face in her hands and collapsed into a crouch. I was truly, deeply sorry.
"Miyama-sama is a Black Rank guest—the most important of invitees," Caraway-san noted. "If an insult occurs, it's only natural for someone of high status to come forward and apologize."
"……Personally, I'd prefer things were a bit more low-key."
I let out a sigh and slumped my shoulders at Caraway-san's words. I had already attracted a huge amount of attention right at the start. I just wanted to make it to our accommodation peacefully...
Please, I hope no more commotions happen from here on out. I'm begging you, God.
(Should I intervene?)
No, you're fine. If you move, it'll cause an even bigger scene than this, so please, absolutely do not do anything strange.
(I understand.)
Alright, I managed to seal off one potential disaster... I hope. I really hope I did... though it felt unlikely.
Still, surely nothing else could happen just walking from here to the tower.
"Heeeeey! Kaito-kuuuun!"
"……"
Could I not have had just five minutes of peace?! Why was the Underworld King running toward me with a massive smile and waving her arms?!
Wait, the crowd was starting to buzz—what about her recognition inhibition magic?! Since this was a festival hosted by the Six Kings... was she not using it?!
Dear Mother, Father—I've finally made it into the Six Kings Festival venue, but it seems I am truly beloved by trouble. First, I ran into Agni-san, the Head of the Five War Generals, at the gate. And now, Kuro is charging toward me with a beaming smile. It really is just one trouble after another.
Scary Protectors' Deliberation
Death King: "Death penalty." Phantasm King: "Death penalty." Head of the Phantasm King's Subordinates: "Death penalty." God of Fate: "Death penalty." Underworld King: "Forehead flick (Strong)." Creator God: "Forehead flick (Medium Spicy)." Earth God: "Atomic Disintegration (Physical)." Protagonist: "Requesting amnesty."
Death King: "90% Death." Phantasm King: "Mental Destruction." Head of the Phantasm King's Subordinates: "Torture." God of Fate: "Torture." Underworld King: "Forehead flick (Weak)." Creator God: "Forehead flick (No Wasabi)." Earth God: "Atomic Disintegration (Physical), Resurrected Later."