In the Demon Realm metropolis of Yugfressia, Lilliwood sat within her castle at the foot of the central World Tree, reviewing her schedule while sipping water provided by Camellia.
As one of the Six Kings with particularly deep ties to the Human Realm, Lilliwood often found herself participating in its various festivities. To be more precise, it was the myriad quirks of her peers that ensured most diplomatic duties fell squarely on her shoulders.
Isis’s Magic Power of Death remained a constant obstacle, Megiddo was far too dangerous without a handler to act as a personality restraint, Magnawell’s sheer scale made his attendance a logistical nightmare, and Shaltier rarely bothered to step onto the public stage at all. Among the rest of the Six Kings, only Kuromueina involved herself in Human Realm affairs with anything approaching Lilliwood’s frequency.
"So, you will also be attending the Arclesia Empire Founding Anniversary Festival this year?" Camellia asked.
『Yes. Considering our recent involvement with the Kingdom of Sinfonia, there is a risk that people might assume Sinfonia enjoys an exclusive friendship with the Six Kings. To maintain the global power balance, it is prudent that I attend. Magnawell plans to join via a Split Body as well, so our combined presence should maintain proper diplomatic decorum.』
"I see. Well, the Founding Festival of the Kingdom of Sinfonia was a special case; normally, it is unheard of for all the Six Kings to attend a single event."
『That is true. If anything, we were fortunate that the Gods were quiet then. Had the Supreme Gods or even Shallow Vernal-sama appeared, it would have been a major incident.』
Given the power balance between the three nations of the Human Realm, Lilliwood intended to attend the Founding Anniversary Festivals of both the Arclesia Empire and the Hydra Kingdom.
Magnawell would participate in the Arclesia Empire’s event, and Megiddo was invited to the Hydra Kingdom every year. Her judgment was that as long as two of the Six Kings were present for each, appearances could be maintained to a satisfactory degree.
However, Lilliwood’s assumptions were shattered in an instant by the words of a subordinate who came rushing into her office.
"Lilliwood-sama! It’s a disaster!" the messenger cried.
『Whatever is the matter? Has Megiddo gone on another rampage?』
"No, but according to reports—though they are still unconfirmed—all three of the Supreme Gods will be attending the Arclesia Empire Founding Anniversary Festival!"
『..................What?』
Lilliwood stared blankly at her subordinate. Her reaction was only natural; the Supreme Gods typically kept even more distance from the Human Realm than the Six Kings did. In fact, the Gods in general rarely involved themselves with humanity.
While they had become slightly more approachable since the White God Festival, and their interactions with the Human Realm and Demon Realm had increased, the prospect of all three Supreme Gods attending a national anniversary was utterly unprecedented.
"Has the reason been determined?"
"No, the information is conflicting, so the details are still murky... however, this is a bulletin from a highly reliable source."
『...』
After hearing the subordinate’s report, Lilliwood lapsed into silence for a long moment before finally speaking.
『...Gather all available information on the stall applicants. I want to know about the registrants and their collaborators—every single one of them.』
"The stall applicants, my lady?"
『Yes. If all the Supreme Gods are moving, then Shallow Vernal-sama is undoubtedly pulling the strings. They would never attend such an event together unless she commanded it. And if Shallow Vernal-sama is moving, the catalyst is invariably Kaito-san.』
Naturally, Lilliwood kept a close watch on information regarding Kaito, the World’s Singularity, but she had received no word that he would be opening a stall in the Arclesia Empire.
『...Kaito-san likely isn't running the stall himself. Someone else must be registered as the representative. If there is anyone scheduled to open a stall who wouldn't normally be expected at a Founding Anniversary Festival, investigate them thoroughly.』
"Understood. At once!"
The reason Lilliwood had remained in the dark was entirely due to Amel. When Amel had applied for her stall, she hadn't mentioned Kaito’s name, choosing instead to refer to him as her "Sworn Friend." To anyone unfamiliar with her particular brand of dramatic phrasing, his identity was completely obscured.
Lilliwood would have realized it instantly had she seen the document herself, but the subordinates and kin stationed in the Arclesia Empire had failed to connect the dots, and thus the report had never reached her desk.
『...This has become a troubling situation. Isis is bound to react once she hears of this, but if she decides to join at the last minute, the Arclesia Empire will descend into total chaos. Yet, it will be impossible to reach the day of the event without anyone noticing... Sigh... What a mess...』
Visualizing the incidents that were likely to occur and the sheer volume of work she would have to handle, Lilliwood pressed her hand to her forehead.
???: "Ho, so the Stomach Pain Warriors are gathering... How exciting."
Serious-senpai: "I told you to stop with the 'Stomach Pain Warrior' thing."