Inside a carriage rattling through the Sinfonia Royal Capital, Akane and Frau sat with stiff, nervous expressions. Following the invitation they had received from Anima, the two were currently on their way to Kaito’s home.
"Chairman, what happened to your usual... eccentric outfit? You’re actually wearing a suit."
"Don’t be an idiot. There’s no way I could wear something meant for a gag to a meeting like this. I’m already terrified as it is. I even brought a gift along, just in case..."
"You’ve certainly outdone yourself again. How many times my annual salary is that thing worth?"
"I made sure to get the most expensive item available through my connections. After all, look who we’re dealing with. If we make even a slight blunder, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Mikumo Trading Company was crushed out of existence."
In the days between receiving the invitation and today, neither of them had felt a moment’s peace. Akane’s extreme nervousness was palpable; she had groomed herself to perfection and was cinched into a formal suit, a stark departure from her usual flashy attire.
"Still, to think he lives in the Kingdom of Sinfonia. Is he a noble, after all?"
"Anyone with a house in the Central District is almost certainly a noble. Judging by everything we’ve seen so far, he must be an incredibly high-ranking one."
"I agree. However, one thing bothers me... A noble who commands at least two Count-class subordinates would normally be famous, yet I’ve never heard of such a person. Of course, it’s not as if I’m intimately familiar with the Sinfonian nobility, but still..."
"True. If we're talking about famous nobles in the capital, the first that come to mind are the Ducal House of Albert, where the Three Flowers of Sinfonia are gathered. But it can’t be the Alberts; they have their own trading company. Hmm, that’s the part that doesn’t sit right. Normally, a high-ranking noble would have countless connections with major guilds. There’s no reason for them to bring a proposal to a company like ours that’s barely even mid-tier."
"Exactly. And even if they did have a reason to do business, why would they go out of their way to invite the Chairman to their private residence? To strengthen ties with us? Someone so powerful they have connections to the Phantasm King?"
They had spent every waking moment since the invitation arrived theorizing about Anima’s master, but they couldn't find an answer that made sense.
While the Mikumo Trading Company had its strengths, it was not a giant in the industry. They felt a lingering sense of dread, unable to fathom why a person who likely possessed power on par with a king would personally invite them to deepen a relationship.
It never once crossed their minds that the host was simply a fellow otherworlder who wanted to chat with someone from home, entirely independent of any business dealings.
After the carriage swayed along for a while longer, it finally came to a halt. When Akane and Frau stepped out, they were left staring at the estate in stunned silence.
"This is bad... this is very bad."
"What a magnificent mansion. He is clearly a noble of significant standing. But wait... are there two identical mansions lined up? There are two separate gates as well."
"Hmm, the gardens are connected, so maybe it's just a specific architectural design? I don’t know much about noble estates... though the left and right gardens look completely different. Also, that gate over there has guards, but this one doesn’t."
"If I recall, they instructed us to get off the carriage and use the gate without any guards."
Unaware that they were looking at two separate residences that were only side-by-side for legal reasons, the two moved toward the unguarded gate, assuming it was just a quirky design.
As they reached the gate, it swung open on its own. A moment later, following a brief shimmering light, Nebula appeared. Standing about a meter tall and floating in the air with hair that looked like a fragment of the starry night sky, she greeted them.
"Welcome. Excuse me, but may I ask for your names?"
"I am Akane Mikumo, Chairman of the Mikumo Trading Company."
"And I am Frau, her secretary and bodyguard."
"Yes! I was told you were coming. I shall guide you, so please come this way."
As the two introduced themselves with visible trepidation, Nebula welcomed them with a bright, cheerful smile. Once they stepped through, the gate closed automatically. Nebula led the way, drifting slowly through the air as the two followed behind her through the garden, whispering to each other in low voices.
"What an exquisite garden. The upkeep is flawless."
"It’s incredible. I’d believe it if someone told me this was a world-famous landmark. But the width of this path... it wasn't built for carriages, was it?"
"That must be why we were told to get off at the gate. C-Chairman, look over there..."
"Hk... A Behemoth and a White Dragon... and what’s that other one?"
"Those rainbow wings... I believe that’s a Rainbow Dragon."
In the distance, they saw Bellfried sprawling on the grass with Rin and Seras relaxing on its back. They were staggered to see three of the world's most legendary monsters acting like household pets.
"Are you for real? A Rainbow Dragon? There are supposed to be only a handful of those in the entire world. And he just... owns one privately? Along with a Behemoth and a White Dragon? Even without the Rainbow Dragon, the maintenance costs alone would be 500 Platinum Coins easy. Just what kind of bottomless wealth are we dealing with?"
"Chairman, I think it’s time we truly braced ourselves."
"Yeah. We cannot afford even a single mistake. This is no joke. One wrong word and we’ll be obliterated in a heartbeat."
The sheer presence of the garden only intensified their anxiety, making their gait stiff and robotic as they walked. Nebula, who was leading them, sensed their state without even having to look back and felt a wave of confusion.
(How strange. They are overcome with intense tension and fear. I thought this was an invitation to 'deepen a friendship with a fellow countryman'... but I get the impression they are laboring under a massive misunderstanding regarding Master. I should mention this to Anima-san when I hand them over.)
Serious-senpai: "And so the misunderstandings continue to pile up... However, since the Absolute One, a literal demon of attentiveness, has noticed something is off, I have a feeling things will actually work out once they finally meet face-to-face."