I gave Lilia and Amel a quick rundown on Roze and Sneering Moonlight Luminax. Amel clearly had a soft spot for things like the Six Kings Dungeon and the Six Kings Golems, because her eyes were practically sparkling.
"Sneering Moonlight Luminax... Even the name is cool. And the design is just..."
"...So, it’s a copy golem of one of the previous Six Kings... That explains the staggering magic power... O-Ouch, my stomach..."
In stark contrast, Lilia was clutching her midsection as if fighting off a fresh wave of stomach pain. Roze withdrew the golem into her shadow, then hopped up onto my shoulder, looking quite pleased with herself. She jiggled and quivered with joy; it was a heartwarmingly cute sight.
Right then, a sound like fireworks echoed through the air. Was that the signal that the ceremony had finished?
"Amel, was that the sign that things are wrapping up?"
"Yes, exactly. The Second Salute announces the conclusion. The festival itself continues, of course, but the main ceremony has come to an end."
"I see... So that means Lilia has to head back soon, right?"
"Yes. I’m expected at the castle for the party... But wait, how am I—!?"
Lilia’s words trailed off. I had a hunch she was receiving a telepathic message or something similar from Eden.
"...It seems Eden will be handling my return as well."
"Ah, well, at least you don't have to worry about being late for the party then."
"True, that much is a relief... though my heart still feels heavy..."
Come to think of it, Lilia had essentially vanished into thin air in the middle of the ceremony. While the Supreme Gods and the Six Kings likely knew what had happened, she was still going to be bombarded with questions the moment she reappeared. The party was looking like it would be a very long night for her.
"...Regardless, I can't exactly just stay away. I’ll have to steel my resolve. Kaito, thank you for the yakisoba. It was delicious."
"Don't mention it. I'm just glad you could catch your breath for a bit... Oh, by the way, yakisoba has a habit of leaving green seaweed stuck in your teeth. You might want to check a mirror."
"I see. I'll keep that in mind. The festival is still in full swing, so good luck with your stall, Kaito."
With a faint smile, Lilia suddenly vanished without a trace. Eden had clearly made her move.
Well, as she said, the festival was still going on. I needed to get back to work. I also had to show Roze our stock... Just then, an ominous feeling flickered through my mind.
"...Alice, can I ask you something?"
"Sure thing. What’s up?"
"Lilia was just moved by Eden’s teleportation, right?"
"Yep."
"...And Eden knows Lilia is expected at the castle for the party, right?"
"Almost certainly."
The fireworks signaling the end of the ceremony had only just finished. At this very moment, everyone in the Central Square—the Supreme Gods, the Six Kings, all of them—were likely just beginning their move to the castle.
"...Given that, where do you think Eden sent her?"
"...Well, the ceremony is over, so she probably dropped her off at her next destination: the party venue."
"...But the other guests haven't arrived yet, have they?"
"Definitely not. They're probably just packing up to leave the square."
"...So, in other words, Lilia was just dumped all alone in a ballroom where even the host hasn't arrived yet?"
"Lilia really has a knack for finding the worst possible situations, doesn't she?" Alice remarked.
I could almost see it—Lilia standing in the middle of an empty ballroom, shell-shocked, while the waitstaff and maids still busy setting up stared at her in confusion. It was a painful mental image. Alice wore a look of genuine pity as she continued.
"...Actually, something else just occurred to me."
"What?"
"Someone on Eden's level can manipulate time during a teleport. So, even though she disappeared from here just now, it's possible she was actually dropped off... right at the exact moment the party is scheduled to begin."
"...Wouldn't that be even worse?"
"It’s just a guess. But knowing how she tries to be 'helpful,' she might have thought she was doing Lilia a favor by cutting out the wait time. It's definitely a possibility."
If that were true, Lilia would suddenly materialize in the middle of a room full of high-ranking nobles right as the festivities were starting... Either way, it was a social nightmare.
Serious-senpai: "The title says the ceremony is over, but it never said the stomach pains were. In fact, the world’s strongest stomach pain warrior just took a catastrophic hit right to the gut."