After spending a while animatedly discussing the Harmonic Symphony, our conversation shifted toward the invitation I had received.
"According to what I've heard," Lilia-san began, "the event serves as a rare gathering for Executives who otherwise seldom meet. To help deepen those bonds, a special tea party is held after the festival, strictly for the World King’s subordinates and a handful of specially invited guests."
"It's definitely real," Sieg-san added. "Apparently, the High Elder receives an invitation every single time as the representative of the Elves."
"Ah, Falce-san is deeply connected to Lilliwood-san’s faction, after all."
That made perfect sense. It wasn't surprising in the least that someone like Falce-san would be on the guest list.
"Yes, though it seems she only attends when other Elves from Rigforresia are invited along with her. Otherwise, she tends to decline."
"Is there some kind of reason for that?"
"No, most likely... it’s because she can’t actually reach the venue on her own..."
"Ah..."
Now that she mentioned it, the woman was so directionally challenged she could get lost for days just trying to reach a Teleportation Gate near her own home.
"Apparently my mother attended once, though it was before I was born," Sieg-san continued.
"Fia-san did?"
"Yes. She said she and Regina-san were invited together as exceptional Spirit Mages."
"Regina-san?"
"Um, she’s the current Head Spirit Mage of the Elves. She was also the runner-up at the Harvest Festival where you won the championship, Kaito-san."
"Oh, right..."
I remembered her now. During the evening festivities of the Treasure Tree Festival, some Elf woman had randomly approached me and begged me to take her on as a disciple. So she was the Head Spirit Mage...
"According to my mother, it isn't like those stiff, formal tea parties hosted by nobles. It’s more of a lively gathering where everyone brings their own tea and snacks to share while deepening their friendships. The scale is massive, of course, but the atmosphere isn't formal at all."
"I see. That’s a relief."
Scanning the letter from Lilliwood-san again while Sieg-san talked, I saw that it did indeed specify that guests were free to bring their own refreshments. In that case, I’d bring some tea brewed from the leaves Nebula had grown. Unfortunately, I lacked the skill to brew a perfect cup myself, so I'd likely have Illness-san prepare a pot beforehand and carry it in my Magic Box.
Come to think of it, I’d heard Jutia-san was a serious tea lover herself, so there was a good chance she’d want some leaves for herself, much like Ein-san had. I’d already been planning to thank her for everything she’d done for Sieg-san, so I’d have to ask Nebula to prepare an extra tin for me to give away.
As I mulled over the logistics, Luna-san suddenly clapped her hands as an idea struck her.
"Since Kusunoki-sama and Yuzuki-sama seem interested, and Milady’s schedule is relatively clear during that period, why don't we all attend the Harmonic Symphony as a group?"
"Oh, that’s a wonderful idea! It sounds like so much fun!" Hina-chan exclaimed.
"Hina-chan and I haven't even been to Yugfressia before, so I’m really looking forward to it," Aoi-san added.
It was a solid plan. I was curious about the festival myself, and experiencing it together sounded like a blast.
"Indeed, I’ve been thinking that I’d like to participate at least once eventually... This might be a good opportunity," Lilia-san agreed.
With her endorsement, our group trip to the Harmonic Symphony was as good as decided. Since the tea party would take place after the public festival ended, there was no need to worry about the schedules clashing.
"As an Elf, I’ve always admired the Seven Princesses," Sieg-san admitted, a hopeful glint in her eyes. "It would make me so happy if I actually got the chance to speak with them."
"I understand the sentiment, Sieg, but the venue is an entire city. Even if you were to run into the Seven Princesses while they’re busy, it would be imposs—" Lilia-san stopped mid-sentence, her gaze drifting toward me. Her expression shifted to one of weary resignation. "Ah, no... I take that back. Knowing you, it will probably work out somehow, won't it?"
That felt a bit uncalled for. Still, I certainly wanted to make my lover’s wish come true. I briefly considered how to make it happen, only to realize... wait, I already had all the Seven Princesses in my Hummingbird contacts. I could reach out to them whenever I wanted.
Yeah, just as Lilia-san suspected, even if the festival was packed, I could easily arrange a meeting if I put my mind to it.
Serious-senpai: "Even without an appointment, I have a strange amount of faith that he’ll just 'accidentally' stumble into them at the venue."
???: "He most certainly will. In fact, there’s a high probability he’ll bump into half a dozen other Six Kings' Executives who just happened to be passing through."