The party had been underway for some time, and Rosmiel stood in the heart of the bustling venue, arms crossed in silence. With her cascading, lightly curled blonde hair, sharp eyes, and the slender, model-like physique of a high-fashion icon, she cut a striking figure in her elegant dress. Standing there like a solitary, regal rose, she exuded an aura of formidable intensity.
In truth, Rosmiel was trembling like a leaf on the inside, her expression frozen stiff from sheer nerves. Paradoxically, her paralysis only added to her air of intimidating gravity. Sensing her distress, Camellia approached and spoke softly.
"Are you all right, Elly?"
"I-I-I… I’m not all right at all… I’m terrified. Is everyone looking at me? Is this outfit weird? It’s weird, isn't it?"
"No, if anything, you look so much like you belong here that people can't help but notice. You’ve always had a look that commands attention, Elly."
Rosmiel’s appearance radiated the regal grandeur of a queen, possessing a blend of flashiness and beauty that perfectly suited a high-ranking noblewoman. However, that was strictly limited to her outward appearance; as Kaito often put it, her inner self was more like a nervous chihuahua.
"Lia, p-please don't leave my side… If someone tries to talk to me when I’m alone, I don’t think I’ll be able to say a word…"
"I understand. I’ve finished my brief greetings to my acquaintances. Since you won't be able to move much anyway, Elly, I’ll stay right here with you."
"T-Thank you… Yes, please. I’m really just going to stay right here. It’s too scary near the center where the crowds are…"
Because she was surrounded by a relatively high number of acquaintances, she was faring better than usual. Even so, the presence of so many strangers made for a grueling environment for someone with her level of extreme shyness.
Grateful for Camellia’s presence, Rosmiel resolved not to move a single inch from that spot. No sooner had she made that silent vow than Caraway stepped onto the stage, her voice projected through an amplification magic tool.
"Everyone, please continue to enjoy the festivities as you listen. We have prepared various forms of entertainment for this evening, and I shall be serving as your moderator. Regarding the general program..."
Directing her gaze toward the stage, Rosmiel muttered softly to herself.
"Oh, they have entertainment planned."
"It seems so," Camellia replied. "For a party like this, perhaps a musical performance?"
"Oh, I’d like that… I’ve always been fond of music…"
A small, relieved smile touched Rosmiel's lips. She figured that if there were performances to watch, she could focus on the stage, which might help ease her lingering tension.
"Now, for our first presentation… To commemorate this gathering, we have received special permission from Phantasm King No Face-sama to exhibit a portion of her private collection. I am sure everyone here is well aware of the Phantasm King-sama’s reach… For today only, we have been entrusted with several of her masterpieces for a special public reveal. We shall introduce them one by one. Please note that after their introduction, the exhibits will be moved to the Exhibition Room on the right side of the venue for closer viewing. However, food and drink are strictly prohibited in the Exhibition Room, so please plan accordingly."
At the mention of the Phantasm King's secret collection, a wave of curiosity swept through the room. Rosmiel and Camellia turned their eyes toward the stage with interest, but Rosmiel’s expression shifted to one of sheer shock at the moderator's next words.
"For our first exhibit… how many of you are familiar with the paintings known as the Seven Planets? Crafted approximately ten thousand years ago using mysterious pigments that defy reproduction by any modern means, only seven of these masterpieces exist in our world. They are legends among art connoisseurs… but what if there was an eighth? A hidden original, never before seen by the public?"
Listening to the narration, which was clearly designed to build suspense, Camellia took on an intrigued expression. As Rosmiel’s best friend, she had heard plenty about the Seven Planets from Rosmiel, who possessed a deep and passionate knowledge of the arts.
"This is quite an intriguing story… right? Wait, Elly? Where did—when did she get all the way over there?!"
When Camellia turned around, the spot beside her was empty. Startled, she scanned the room only to find that Rosmiel had somehow vanished and reappeared soundlessly at the very edge of the stage, staring up at it with rapt, unwavering focus.
"According to the Phantasm King, the artist used the leftover pigments from a primary work to complete the Seven Planets. This piece is the true genesis of the series… Its name is Blue Earth. It is a mysterious work depicting the landscape of a certain island, yet the island shown exists nowhere in this world. The Phantasm King suggests it may be a depiction of an island from another world, and it is a piece of truly bewitching charm. Without further ado, let us reveal it!"
With a flourish, Caraway pulled away the cloth covering a massive frame, revealing a painting rendered in unknown pigments that possessed a beautiful, almost hypnotic allure. Rosmiel and the other art enthusiasts in the crowd gazed upon the work with eyes filled with profound emotion.
Watching the scene from the periphery, Machina whispered to Alice beside her.
"It brings back memories… Though, didn't you paint it a bit too beautifully?"
"I suppose. In reality, there were iron scraps and the ruins of walls I’d smashed scattered all over the place."
The painting was indeed one Alice had produced some time after arriving in this world, depicting the artificial island where she had first met Machina while reminiscing about their shared history.
Originally, she had simply wanted to capture a landscape filled with memories and had no intention of ever making it public. However, her encounter with Kaito and her reunions with Iris and Machina had helped her reconcile with her past. As a result of that inner peace, she had finally decided to put it on display.
Serious-senpai: "She says it casually, but given her state of mind back then, she probably painted it with some incredibly heavy emotions..."
???: "N-No, that’s not it at all. She was just feeling a bit nostalgic... I mean, Alice-chan probably wasn't thinking that deeply about it, you know?"