I saw Kuro and the others off to their preparations for the opening ceremony and lingered for a bit before deciding to head out myself.
The ceremony was being held in the plaza right outside the Central Tower, so getting there was a simple matter of exiting through the first floor.
I had originally intended to meet up with Lilia-san’s group beforehand, but it seemed that even with the invitation-only restriction, a massive crowd had gathered. Lilia-san had sent a Hummingbird message explaining that meeting up before the ceremony would be difficult, so she suggested we coordinate a meeting spot afterward. Thus, I resigned myself to watching the opening ceremony alone.
After traveling via a teleportation circle and stepping outside the Central Tower... a staggering sight unfolded before me.
The sheer volume of participants was incredible. There were giants standing several meters tall as well as tiny folk from the Fairy Race. The bustle far exceeded the crowd at the temple I had visited for my blessing.
Then again, this festival was making use of this entire, impossibly vast city. It made sense that the crowd would look like this when everyone converged on a single spot.
However, looking closer, I noticed that the area immediately surrounding the Central Tower was relatively sparse. Wait—could it be that the spot where I was standing was actually off-limits?
...I should probably move.
Realizing I was standing in a space that everyone else was pointedly avoiding, I started toward the crowd further away. Right then, I heard a familiar voice.
"Kaito-san!"
"Eh? Lilia-san?"
I turned to see Lilia-san approaching, waving her hand slightly.
"Oh? I thought meeting up was going to be difficult..."
"Well, about that. It turns out the viewing positions for the opening ceremony are determined by the rank of your invitation."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. This area near the Central Tower is reserved for those with Gold Rank invitations or higher. It seems that companions or anyone with a lower rank can’t step past the line marked by those flags."
According to the details Lilia-san gave me after we joined up, the giant plaza itself was under a kind of barrier that restricted access based on one's invitation.
I see. That explained why it was so quiet near the tower.
"So, I left things to Luna and Sieg and came to find you."
"I appreciate it. To be honest, I was starting to feel a little anxious without anyone I knew nearby..."
It was a relief to have Lilia-san with me, and I felt some of the tension leave my shoulders. Just as I opened my mouth to thank her properly, another voice called out.
"...Hm? That young man over there is..."
"Huh?"
I shifted my gaze toward the voice and saw a woman of the Mermaid Race with marine-blue hair. It was His Majesty Laguna, the one who had helped me with Fia-sensei’s situation a while back.
"Oh! I knew it! Lady Lilia and Kaito!"
"Your Majesty Laguna."
"Ah, Lady Lilia. It’s been a while since that business. I thought so back then, too, but your skills have certainly sharpened, haven't they? At this rate, if I’m not careful, you might just snatch the title of Strongest in the Human Realm right out from under me."
"No, no, I am still quite inexperienced. I’m no match for you yet, Your Majesty."
Upon spotting us, Laguna approached with a delighted grin and exchanged a few words with Lilia-san.
...Wait, did I ever tell her my name? Well, I’d become famous for plenty of things against my will lately, so I suppose it wasn't surprising that she knew me.
In any case, since we had run into each other, I should properly thank her for her help before.
"Um, Your Majesty Laguna. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Kaito Miyama. Thank you very much for your help the other day."
"Hmm? What’s this? Don't worry about that! Given 'the kind of relationship we have,' I’d be happy to help you anytime. Besides, drop the formal speech. Just 'Laguna' is fine—no titles needed."
"...Eh?"
Wait, Laguna’s reaction was a bit strange, wasn’t it? This was supposed to be our first real meeting, yet she was acting incredibly familiar. It was as if she were talking to someone she’d known for ages.
Lilia-san’s eyes narrowed slightly at Laguna’s words. I hurriedly shook my head at her. Seriously, I wasn't hiding anything! I didn't have a clue what she was talking about either!
I tried to convey that through frantic gestures, and Lilia-san seemed to get the message. She tilted her head in confusion.
"...Um, Your Majesty Laguna? Do you already know Kaito-san?"
"Oh, indeed. We fought strong enemies together... we’re comrades-in-arms, you could say! I thought he was a fine man back then, but after that recent incident, I’ve taken even more of a liking to him! Tell me, Kaito. Like 'I said before,' why don't you come be my husband?"
"...What? Uh, wait, please wait a minute! Laguna-sa... I mean, Your Majesty... the first time we met was during that incident with Fia-sensei, right?"
"...Hm? O-Oh, that’s right!"
I truly couldn't follow what she was saying, and when I hurriedly asked for clarification, Laguna looked puzzled for a second. Then, she clapped her hands together as if a lightbulb had gone off.
"That’s right! My apologies, my apologies. I suppose I don't look the same, do I? It’s me! The old man you went fishing with in the Hydra Kingdom!"
"...What?"
"Haha, I completely forgot I was in a different form!"
"Whaaaat?! You were that old man from back then?!"
"Indeed!"
The old man I’d spent almost every morning with during my stay in the Hydra Kingdom, chatting while we fished. He’d had such an air of authority that I’d assumed he was a high-ranking assemblyman... but it had actually been Laguna in disguise.
Ah, I see... so "fighting strong enemies together" meant the fish.
"...Kaito-san. Where exactly am I supposed to point these feelings of mine? I know you weren't lying to me, but... in the end, you’d already met her... You’ve already completed your collection of the Summits of the Three Worlds... Kaito-san, you're terrifying."
"N-No, well... I’m really sorry."
Dear Mother, Father—Yeah. As it turned out, Lilia-san’s fears had been spot on. I wasn't exactly the one at fault this time, but still—somehow—I feel like I should apologize.