Only a handful of individuals currently knew that Kaito intended to open a stall at the Arclesia Empire's Founding Anniversary Festival.
Naturally, various nations and organizations possessed their own intelligence networks and were obsessed with gathering information on Kaito. However, because he was supported by Alice—the undisputed master of information warfare—even the most elite intelligence agencies had failed to secure any concrete details. At best, they possessed vague rumors suggesting the possibility of his participation, leaving them with no choice but to watch and wait for further developments.
There were, however, those who had obtained this information much earlier through entirely different means.
"...Shallow Vernal-sama? I beg your pardon, what did you just say?"
"I was asking if there would be any problem with me attending the Founding Anniversary Festival as well."
"I-I mean, well, it would... it would cause a worldwide uproar..."
"And why is that relevant?"
"I-It isn't, technically... Of course, Shallow Vernal-sama's will takes precedence over all else."
Within the God Realm Sanctuary, Chronoa, one of the three Supreme Gods, felt the color drain from her face. It was practically unheard of for Shallow Vernal, the God of the World, to visit the Human Realm for any occasion other than the Hero Festival. For her to attend a single nation's founding celebration was, quite frankly, a cataclysmic event.
The mere thought was enough to make Chronoa feel as though a gaping hole were being bored through her abdomen, let alone her stomach.
"...U-Um, may I ask why you have suddenly taken an interest in this festival?"
"I heard Kaito-san is opening a shop, so that is my objective. I have no interest in the Founding Anniversary Festival itself. I shall leave the official matters to you and the others."
"I see. In other words, Shallow Vernal-sama only intends to visit Miyama's stall and has no intention of appearing at the official state ceremonies..."
"Precisely."
Chronoa cursed the fact that her divine nature made it impossible for her to lose consciousness. Sadly, Shallow Vernal was the literal absolute existence of this world. No one could voice an objection to her whims—and when those whims involved Kaito, no one but Kaito himself had any hope of stopping her.
Just as Chronoa was firmly resolving to contact Kaito immediately and beg him to persuade Shallow Vernal to reconsider, salvation arrived from an unexpected quarter.
Space itself fractured, and Eden stepped through the shimmering void in a flash of light.
"Shallow Vernal! Grant me permission to participate in the Arclesia Empire's Founding Anniversary Festival. My beloved child is opening a stall; as his mother, it is my duty to be there."
"...Stop this nonsense at once. Allowing a being of your immense power to descend upon a single nation's festival would cause utter chaos. I cannot condone actions that would invite such disorder into the world."
"..."
Though these words came from the very Creator God who had been ready to invite that exact chaos only moments before, Chronoa remained silent, standing perfectly upright with her eyes closed. She was a statue of nothingness. She heard nothing. She saw nothing. She had no objections to Shallow Vernal’s logic.
She maintained her stoic facade, desperately telling herself that this was the hallmark of the Creator—a resolute and noble attitude that refused to overlook potential world instability.
"Besides, I believe I made a significant concession during the previous festival in the Kingdom of Sinfonia. Is it not a bit much to demand even more so soon?"
"Guh... When you put it that way... But do you not also wish to go in person, given that it is our beloved child's stall?"
"Of course I feel that way. However, if one truly cares for Kaito-san, one must consider the trouble such an action would cause him. It is simply out of the question."
"..."
Chronoa heard nothing. She absolutely heard nothing. She had no memory of anything that had happened since entering the Sanctuary, and her stomach didn't hurt in the slightest. She was merely a bystander who happened to be present, and since she couldn't possibly intervene in a conversation between the Gods of World Creation, she simply waited in silence.
"...T-To think of our beloved child so much... I see. If you frame it as a matter of true maternal devotion, I have no rebuttal. I shall abandon my plans to participate this time."
"Yes, that is for the best."
Having reluctantly backed down, Eden apologized for her intrusion and vanished. A heavy silence filled the room before Shallow Vernal spoke again.
"If I recall correctly, Fate has bestowed her Divine Protection upon the Arclesia Empire. That being the case, it is acceptable to view it as a nation with significant ties to the God Realm."
"Yes! That is correct!"
"Then I shall permit the Supreme Gods, including yourself, to attend the festival as official guests. I will not be going myself, but since Kaito-san is opening a stall there, I wish to show the Empire a certain degree of consideration."
"Understood."
Chronoa bowed her head deeply. Truly, Shallow Vernal was the perfect God of the World. By sending the three Supreme Gods, she maintained a sense of balance with the Kingdom of Sinfonia's festival—which the Six Kings had attended—while simultaneously honoring the Arclesia Empire. Furthermore, by making the Supreme Gods' attendance the focus of public attention, she was providing subtle cover for Kaito's stall so that his association with the Leader of the Winged Race wouldn't cause a scene.
Clutching her aching stomach, Chronoa left the Sanctuary, insisting to herself that Shallow Vernal definitely hadn't looked even slightly dissatisfied or pouty. All the while, she resolved to ask Kaito later to visit Shallow Vernal and offer her some comfort.