Megiddo ended up purchasing one of the vases Nebula had crafted. Since plates and cups were ill-suited for the War King to use in his true form, he apparently intended to decorate his room by filling the vase with flowers.
I couldn't help but make a wry face when I heard that, though I suppose it made sense in its own way.
"Yet, my Sworn Friend's social circle is truly vast," Amel remarked. "Does a star with such a powerful radiance naturally draw other glittering celestial bodies to its side?"
"I wonder. It just seems like I run into people I know more often than expected... Wait, was that the sound of fireworks?"
"Indeed. It seems the ceremony is about to begin. By now, the Central Square must be overflowing with those who have gathered, reaching the very heights of chaos."
"It’s essentially the main event, after all. Well, it doesn't have much to do with us out here."
The Central Square was likely bustling, but this quiet, distant spot was far removed from the excitement. More importantly, it was nearly noon. I wanted to eat while the customer traffic was still thin.
Thinking about it, now was probably the perfect time.
"Amel-san, now that the ceremony has started, the foot traffic will likely decrease even more. Why don't we grab some lunch while we have the chance?"
"I agree. But what method shall we employ? Shall we shift the flow of time and meet in solitude, or perhaps temporarily seal these Relics of Darkness into the rift...?"
"Um, well, let's just close up for a bit and go eat together. We can put everything in the Magic Box, and if we leave a sign saying we're on a lunch break, it'll be fine."
"Yes, quite so. I, too, would prefer a meal with my Sworn Friend—ahem! The matter is decided. Let us set forth together."
Since we weren't strictly here for profit, we closed the stall and headed toward the nearby vendors to find some lunch. Being at a festival, I really wanted to try something that fit the festive mood.
While Kaito and Amel were closing shop and heading for lunch, Kaori and Akane were struggling near the Central Square.
"Whoa, the crowd is unbelievable..."
"No kidding. It’s gotta be even worse than usual. All the Supreme God-sama are here this time, so everyone’s pushing in just to catch a glimpse... but man, we can't get anywhere near it."
"Yeah. I hoped I could at least see Chris-san even if I couldn't speak to her, but... it looks impossible to get any closer to the Central Square than this."
Rather than coming to watch the ceremony itself, the two had come out of a lighthearted desire for Kaori to see her acquaintance, Chris. However, since it had been announced that all the Supreme Gods would be in attendance, the number of spectators was astronomical. Far from catching a glimpse of the Empress, they couldn't even reach the square.
Faced with a literal wall of humans, Kaori and Akane gave up and decided to turn back. They made their way to a less congested area and exchanged sighs, their faces weary.
"...Too many people."
"Seriously. Now that’s what I call a festival... There's a Teleportation Interference Barrier across the whole capital today, so I can't even use Teleportation Magic to get around. What a pain. Well, either way, watching the ceremony is out of the question."
"You're right. It's disappointing, but let's give up."
"...Hm? Oh, if it isn't Kaori and Akane! We meet again!"
"War King-sama!?" they cried in unison.
As they were talking, a booming voice rang out. They whirled around to find Megiddo walking toward them. Since he never bothered with Recognition Inhibition or Information Concealment Magic, many people recognized his Humanized Form as that of the War King. The surrounding crowd began to buzz with nervous energy.
However, Megiddo’s temperament was famous—he was a man who would ruthlessly cut down anyone who annoyed him or got in his way. Everyone quickly cleared a path, not daring to speak to him or block his stride.
Left standing in the middle of the path, Kaori and Akane became the center of attention. Both were sweating bullets, but Megiddo wasn't the type to notice such trivial things. He spoke to them with casual familiarity.
"So, what are you lot doing here?"
"Ah, um, well, we thought we'd go to the Central Square to catch a glimpse of Chris-san, but there were so many people..."
"Y-Yes, so we turned back and were just taking a rest."
"Chris? What, are you guys acquaintances with the Emperor of Alcreasia? Oh, right, you were the Former Hero-roles... Alcreasia was your Summoning Nation, then?"
"Ah, yes. Both Akane-san and I were summoned by Alcreasia."
Even though they were intimidated by the sheer pressure Megiddo radiated, Kaito’s earlier reassurance that "he isn't necessarily in a bad mood" allowed them to maintain a conversation.
Megiddo thought for a moment, then clapped his hands together.
"Alright, then I'll take you there!"
"...Huh?"
"I was just on my way to see Lilliwood and Magnawell anyway. Right, it's decided. Let's go!"
"Hwah? U-Um, War King-sama!?"
"Why... why has it come to this? My stomach hurts... I don't even want to think about what's coming..."
Acting as if it were the most brilliant idea in the world, Megiddo effortlessly hoisted the despair-stricken Akane and Kaori onto his shoulders. Then, to bypass the crowds, he leaped high into the air, kicking off the very atmosphere as he soared toward the square.
Serious-senpai: "I almost forgot! This Gorilla is the 'Throughout Heaven and Earth, I Alone Am the Honored One' type who once announced his arrival in the Kingdom of Sinfonia by erupting into a Giant Pillar of Fire!?"
???: "Truly the Demon Realm's Troublemaker. He’s definitely going to crash the middle of the ceremony... And Kaito-san, the only one who might have been able to stop him, has no intention of going near the square and has already closed his stall for lunch. Thus, the Great Stomach Pain Chain begins."