Gurin and An stood side-by-side at the far edge of the party venue, their eyes fixed intently on their bingo cards as the game progressed.
During the middle of the festivities, Gurin had been accompanying Lilia and her group while An had stayed with Tre and her companions. However, as the party neared its conclusion, the two had reunited to enjoy the final scheduled entertainment together.
"An-san, let’s say... purely hypothetically, of course..."
"What is it?"
"If I were to actually win this thing and choose that exorbitantly expensive-looking necklace—the one luxuriously set with Midnight Crystals—do you think it would cause any resentment?"
"Hmm. I think you would be quite safe. To be honest, none of the winners so far have even spared it a glance. Most high-ranking demons manifest their clothing using magic power, so physical accessories aren't exactly in high demand among them, wouldn't you agree?"
Gurin and An were commoners in every sense of the word, and they found themselves utterly dazzled by the array of prizes displayed on the dais. However, seeing that Kaori—the second person to call out 'bingo'—had such a down-to-earth aura, they allowed themselves to hope that if luck were on their side, they might walk away with something special.
Gurin’s gaze remained locked on the necklace. It was a masterpiece featuring a generous amount of Midnight Crystals, a gemstone so rare and precious that it was famous across the world. For a girl on her salary, owning such a treasure would normally be an impossible dream, and her eyes sparkled with longing.
"Still, it is curious," Gurin noted. "Despite all the powerful magic tools and jewelry up there, the winners so far have almost exclusively chosen works of art or small trinkets."
"I have a theory," An replied. "The magic tools on that stage are of a rank we would normally never even get to see, but like Phantasm King-sama said at the beginning, they are ultimately commercial products. The figures at the top of their respective worlds likely already own custom-made tools or possess enough power to handle things themselves. These items simply aren't that enticing to them."
"Ah, that makes sense. To them, these are things they could easily afford if they really wanted them, or perhaps they already have better versions. So instead, they gravitate toward things with a bit of novelty—items that are rare or unique in appearance."
"I’m sure of it. Even the Death King-sama chose that little accessory case earlier."
An was right. While the magic tools on the dais were undeniably luxurious, they were commonplace to those of the highest status—kings of the Human Realm, high-ranking nobles, the Six Kings of the Demon Realm, and the Supreme Gods.
Naturally, Alice had planned for this. From the very beginning, the magic tools and jewelry were intended for the commoner guests like Gurin and An. For the wealthy elite, she had curated a selection of rare handicrafts and curiosities.
"An-san, you only need one more number for a double-reach, don't you? Is there something you're hoping to win?"
"If my luck holds... I’d love to get that Magic Box. The one on the dais is made from Black Magic Crystals. I could never afford something like that on my own."
"Oh? Do you not have one already?"
"I do, but it’s quite basic. When we head out with the union, there is so much to carry—mining equipment, food, water... Even for a group our size, the volume is immense. Right now, we have to juggle several Magic Boxes made from low-purity magic crystals. But if I could get my hands on one made of Black Magic Crystals, I could fit everything into a single container. It would be a lifesaver."
"The next number is 22."
"Wait... ah! B-Bingo!"
"You did it, An-san! Congratulations!"
"Th-thank you! I’ll go claim it now!"
Right as they were speaking, the next number gave An her win. She gave Gurin a joyful smile, walked up to the dais, and successfully secured her coveted Magic Box.
Just two turns later, Gurin’s luck also turned. She won her bingo and safely claimed the Midnight Crystal necklace. Both of them stood together afterward, their faces glowing with genuine delight.
Serious-senpai: "I see. If the prizes are all commercial products, then the practical items naturally become a focus for the ordinary citizens."
???: "Of course. I did my research beforehand to see what everyone might want. I want everyone to leave Kaito-san's party feeling good, after all. If I just handed them out as commemorative gifts, people might feel too intimidated to accept them, so I framed it as a game of luck. Ah, Alice-chan is just so capable! As a fan, it makes me so happy!"
Serious-senpai: "She really is. Her behind-the-scenes devotion is as impressive as ever."