Around the time Kaito was enjoying the shooting game with Shallow Vernal, Laguna, the King of the Hydra Kingdom, was frantically busy. She was coordinating preparations for the upcoming ceremony while monitoring divine reports to keep track of Shallow Vernal’s every move.
"……Um, Your Majesty Laguna? How much longer do I have to stay here?"
"I want you here until things settle down! Lady Lilia, you possess far more experience in these matters than I do. I need your advice if something unexpected happens. I’ll reward you properly later, I promise!"
In this world, Lilia was the undisputed veteran of stomach-aching incidents caused by Kaito, and Laguna desperately wanted that expertise. Her sharpened instincts told her there was no way this would conclude peacefully.
"Hahaha, well, you should just give it up, Duchess Lilia. Laguna is quite forceful when she’s like this. I’ve been drafted into service as well, after all... Well, I suppose it’s only natural since Shallow Vernal-sama is attending. While it's impossible for Shallow Vernal-sama to be harmed, if she were to feel the slightest displeasure, Laguna’s head alone wouldn’t be enough of an apology."
"I believe we'll be fine in that regard. Kaito-san is with her. Besides, if Shallow Vernal-sama were to feel offended due to something on our end, the Gods—who are far more capable than us—would feel the failure much more acutely. They moved instantly earlier. I doubt we’ll actually have to do much of anything."
"I see. Indeed, even if I end up with a stomach ache later from reading the reports, knowing the Gods are handling the actual responses does make me feel a bit easier..."
Hearing Lilia's words as she answered Falce with a wry smile, Laguna nodded as if convinced and relaxed her shoulders slightly.
Watching this from a short distance away, Lunamaria spoke to Sieglinde with a troubled expression.
"……In my experience, whenever Lilia gets optimistic, nothing good ever follows."
"Hmm. I can certainly understand your concern, Luna... but with this current lineup, could the situation really get any worse?"
Lunamaria felt a storm brewing, but just as Sieglinde said, she couldn’t imagine a scenario more dire than the current one. Laguna, who was highly capable as a king, was energetically taking command, and the Gods were stationed throughout the capital to respond immediately. No more unexpected situations could possibly occur…… or so they thought.
However, such naive assumptions were shattered by Laguna's subordinate, who came rushing into the office immediately afterward.
"Your Majesty! This is terrible!"
"What is it? What happened?"
"The Pope is coming! She said that since Shallow Vernal-sama is in the Human Realm, she must offer her greetings!"
"What!? R-Right now!?"
"Yes! Oh, but she says that she only intends to greet Shallow Vernal-sama and has no interest in the festival events, so a formal welcome isn’t necessary."
"As if we could just let that be!! Or rather, if it's a greeting for Shallow Vernal-sama, I have to check with the Gods for their approval as well……"
Although Pope Olivia was a divine-adjacent being, she was treated separately from the Gods and was not under the command of the Supreme Gods, so she had not been summoned for this situation. However, as a devout follower of the Creator, she couldn't ignore Shiro's presence in the Human Realm. She had decided to travel to the site to pay her respects. Furthermore, it was a historic event; she never left her city, let alone attended a Founding Anniversary Festival.
"……Well then, I think I’ll head back to the waiting room……"
"Oh no you don't, Lady Lilia…… Come, let us weather this crisis together."
Serious-senpai: "I knew it. Whenever Kaito or Lilia gets optimistic, everything goes sideways…… If only there were one more person like them, we’d have the Three Musketeers of Optimism Flags."
???: "……Actually, aren't you the third one?"
Serious-senpai: "……Eh?"