Noin had invited her friend Hapty to join her at the White God Festival, and together they had eventually crossed paths with Fors. Fors had been rescued by Kaito’s party after getting lost and had been traveling with Noin’s group ever since.
Three of the four members who had once journeyed together as the First Hero Party had made their way to the Middle Level after exploring a good portion of the Lower Level.
"I never expected to run into Fia (Fake) here," Hapty remarked. "The world is a small place. Also, this taiyaki is delicious."
"No, no, she didn't look like her at all!" Noin countered. "The hair color was the only similarity. And as for the taiyaki, it has to be red bean paste. I personally refuse to acknowledge custard as a valid filling."
"Well, I suppose misidentification is possible if you only see her from behind," Fors added. "But Danish taiyaki, hmm... I wonder why this is called 'Danish' dough in the first place? I heard a previous Hero-role gave it that name, but is it based on a person’s name or a location from the Otherworld? Personally, I find the custard version rather to my liking."
The three continued their walk in a friendly atmosphere, each offering their own take on the snacks. Noin was currently sporting orange hair styled in a side ponytail—a hair-color-changing spell she had learned from Fors after the Six Kings Festival. Thanks to this, she could enjoy the festival openly without being recognized.
"Noin, why don't you just use Recognition Inhibition magic?" Hapty asked. "If you used that, you wouldn't even need a disguise, right?"
"I’m just not very good at specialized magic like Recognition Inhibition or Information Concealment," Noin admitted. "I can use it, but it requires a lot of focus; if I don't keep a tight grip on the spell, it tends to unravel."
In response to Hapty's question, Noin simply explained that she struggled with that particular branch of magic.
As for Hapty, she had spent most of her traveling days wearing a hood, so very few people outside her circle of companions actually knew what she looked like. Even the statues erected in her honor depicted her with her hood up.
Fors, meanwhile, had shrunken in size and no longer resembled her statues, so neither of them needed to bother with Recognition Inhibition magic either.
Chatting idly, the three eventually reached the Middle Level's Great Plaza, the heart of the White God Festival.
As the main venue, the plaza was filled with dignitaries and guests. On the central stage, members of the God race were putting on various performances, including theatrical plays.
"Look, they're performing a play."
"Ah, that’s probably the Creation Story the Gods often perform at the Hero Festival."
"Oh, is that the one about how Shallow Vernal-sama created the Three Worlds, and then the three Supreme Gods and the High-ranking Gods established the foundations and laws to create the world as it is today?" Noin asked. "I haven't attended many Hero Festivals, so I only know what my family has told me."
Noin nodded as she listened to Fors’s explanation. The Hero Festival was the one event Noin wanted to attend least; she had only participated a handful of times in her life. More accurately, she had a strong desire to stay away from Friendly City Hikari itself, which naturally meant she distanced herself from the Hero Festival as well.
"I heard that version was written specifically for the stage, though," Hapty noted. "The story I heard is that Shallow Vernal-sama actually created everything alone and simply left the management to the Gods afterward."
"I’ve heard that as well," Fors said. "But as long as it’s entertaining, I suppose it serves its purpose. More importantly, where is Laguna?"
The three had come to the plaza specifically to meet Laguna, the final member of their Hero Party. They scanned the area, but there was no sign of her. She wasn't even in the VIP section where the kings of the Human Realm were seated.
They had sent word via Hummingbird that they were coming, so if she wasn't in the VIP seats, she had likely stepped away to find them. However, finding the petite Laguna in such a massive crowd was proving to be a challenge.
"Hmm... should I try calling out to her?" Hapty suggested.
"Calling out to her? Wait a moment," Fors cautioned. "She is quite popular, both as a king and as an individual. If you call her carelessly, it’ll cause an uproar."
"Don't worry, I won't use her name."
With a mischievous, slightly wicked grin, Hapty took a deep breath and shouted at the top of her lungs.
"Heeey! Little noja-loli! Where are you? Where’s that fake old hag who acts like a senior citizen even though she’s actually the second youngest of the four of us and barely any older than Noin?"
Just as Hapty finished her playful shout, she ducked instinctively. A split second later, a spearhead whistled through the exact spot where her face had been.
"..."
"Yo! Long time no see, right?"
"Indeed, it has been a long time, Hapty. I am glad to see thou art alive... because now, I can kill thee with my own hands!"
"Whoa, she is absolutely livid!"
"Thou... How dare thou say the very things I am sensitive about!"
Hapty turned around to find Laguna standing there, her expression twisted in pure fury.
In terms of age, the four members of the Hero Party were ranked from oldest to youngest as follows: Hapty, Fors, Laguna, and finally Noin. Even if one didn't account for the fact that Hapty was a Demon, Laguna was certainly not the eldest, especially with Fors in the group.
"Sensitive? But you say it yourself!" Hapty teased. "I know all about it. You're always telling Kaito and the others how 'old' you are, aren't you? Considering Kaito’s social circle, you’re clearly on the younger side!"
"Gnuuuuu... Th-there is a certain context to these things! I only played the part of an elder because I was in disguise when we first met! In truth, I haven't said such things to Kaito much since then!"
"Acting like a senior at only eleven hundred years old... pfft."
"Die, Hapty!"
"Whoops!"
Noin and Fors watched with wry smiles as Laguna, her face flushed red with shame and anger, swung her spear at Hapty, who dodged with a taunting smirk.
"It’s a nostalgic sight, isn't it?"
"Yes," Fors agreed. "Hapty teases and Laguna loses her temper. I’ve seen this pattern so many times it’s almost exhausting... but it really does bring back memories. Though, despite her claim that she wouldn't use her name, they’ve still managed to draw a massive amount of attention. It’s a fresh reminder that Hapty is a troublemaker through and through."
"I have to agree."
Serious-senpai: "The fact that someone over a thousand years old is considered 'young' here."
???: "Well, most of Kaito-san's acquaintances are in the thousands or tens of thousands, if not older. In that context, she really is quite young."