Shiro-san had appeared without warning, and she vanished just as suddenly after launching a bizarre firework into the sky. Well, as far as I was concerned, that was that... though I had a hunch that for someone like Chris-san, a firework spelling out cryptic Otherworld characters would be treated as a major crisis. Regardless, I had no way of gauging the situation from here, so I decided to put it out of my mind.
At any rate, Shiro-san was gone, and just as I thought things had finally settled down—Fate-san appeared before me.
"Wait... she's already gone!?"
"Are you talking about Shiro-san? Yeah, she went home."
It was rare to see Fate-san so flustered that she left out the subject of her sentence, but it wasn't hard to guess who she meant.
When I confirmed that Shiro-san had left, the tension vanished from Fate-san’s face. She collapsed onto her floating cushion, looking as though every ounce of her strength had evaporated.
"Phew... I mean, I'm glad, but... I rushed over here as fast as I could..."
"Right, I assume you sensed Shiro-san's presence?"
"Yeah. I was in a total panic. It was obvious that Shallow Vernal-sama's appearance would cause a massive uproar, so I was frantically planning how to use my Authority of Fate to keep anyone from reaching the area while manipulating memories so the news wouldn't spread... After all that worrying, I just feel completely drained. I mean, it's a good thing, but still..."
I see; I basically understood the situation now. After sensing Shiro-san’s magic power, the Supreme Gods at the party venue must have been thrown into a state of total chaos.
Whenever Shiro-san visited the Human Realm or the Demon Realm, it was usually an event significant enough to mobilize nearly every member of the God race. Fate-san must have hurried here to handle the fallout.
She had probably intended to keep people away with her Authority of Fate, much like she did when we first met. She had arrived all fired up, only to find that Shiro-san had already left. Since she’d had the rug pulled out from under her, I imagine her relief was tempered with a bit of frustration.
"Haa... I’m just mentally exhausted. Kai-chan, give me a hug. Pat my head... spoil me."
"What kind of demand is that? Fine, fine. Is this okay?"
"Haa... This is so healing..."
Fate-san instantly moved from the front of the stall to the back and clung to me. I lightly hugged her and patted her head as requested. Between her mental fatigue and the cozy atmosphere, she seemed to have entered a sort of rest mode. I couldn't help but let out a wry smile at how mellow she’d become.
Meanwhile, at the venue where the Founding Anniversary Festival party was being held, Chronoa stood by the window, staring up at the sky with a grim expression.
"That display just now... considering it is a pattern Shallow Vernal-sama uses frequently, that firework must be her work."
"Based on what Kaito-san told me, those are characters from his world. Apparently, she uses them when she is in an exceptionally good mood..."
"I see. Then it seems Shallow Vernal-sama was satisfied, at the very least."
Lilia offered the explanation, and upon hearing it, Chronoa looked slightly relieved. At the very least, they had avoided incurring Shallow Vernal's displeasure.
Of course, the mysterious firework rising over the capital had left Chris looking like she might faint at any moment...
As Chronoa and Lilia spoke, Life approached them.
"Chronoa. For the time being, I have informed the Gods of Thoughts that their presence is no longer required."
"Understood... though we are still in the dark. There is no doubt Shallow Vernal-sama has departed, but the circumstances remain a mystery. I wonder if Miyama successfully persuaded her?"
"The God of Fate has yet to return."
"I can sense her magic power near Miyama's stall; she is likely confirming the details of the visit. She will surely return once she has finished. If her report contains no further issues, we shall lift the lockdown here."
With Shallow Vernal's departure, the atmosphere had calmed down to some degree. All that remained was for Fate—who was presumably busy gathering information from Kaito—to return so they could hear the full story and finally conclude the matter.
In reality, however, Fate was simply slacking off and being pampered by Kaito, without a single thought for "confirming the circumstances." She wouldn't return until a good while later, when Chronoa finally lost her patience and went to fetch her in a huff...
Serious-senpai: "Fate starts slacking off as naturally as she breathes... I suppose once the Natural God heads home, she feels her work is done. Meanwhile, the festival ends with one last massive blow to Chris's stomach. Consider it a baptism for the newest Stomach Pain Warrior."