An explanation to Lilia-san was unavoidable. Strictly speaking, Canaris-san was only going to be living in my house, so it could be said she had nothing to do with Lilia-san or the Ducal House of Albert... But since they would effectively be neighbors, and more importantly, considering how much she’d scold me later if I didn't, the thought of keeping it a secret was terrifying.
I checked Lilia-san’s schedule and saw she was free, so I decided there was no time like the present. I headed straight for her office with Canaris-sama.
“Excuse me, Lilia-san. Sorry to drop in so suddenly.”
“No, I’ve just finished a task and have a moment to spare... What’s on your mind?”
“Actually, there’s someone I’d like to introduce to you...”
...What was that? In an instant, her gaze shifted. Her eyes became dark as the night sea, filled with a mix of grim resignation and philosophical detachment. Just how many harrowing situations had this woman survived at such a young age?
The moment I spoke, the light vanished from Lilia-san’s eyes. Even though she remained silent, her expression spoke volumes: “Have you brought someone outrageous from somewhere again?”
Watching her down some Stomach Medicine in one fluid, practiced motion, I felt a certain sense of awe at her composure.
“...So, Kaito-san. Which powerholder is this? I’m afraid I haven’t had the pleasure... Ah, excuse me. I’m forgetting my manners. I am Lilia Albert.”
“Nice to meet you. I am Canaris... but I am not exactly a powerholder. As for my position, perhaps a traveler from an Otherworld? Since I will be staying at Kaito-sama’s house from now on, I came to say hello. Haha~ My apologies for being such an unordinary traveler.”
“A traveler from an Otherworld? Someone like Kaito-san or Eden-sama? Ordinarily, that would be an extraordinary event, but since it’s Kaito-san, I suppose it’s not at all strange for him to bring home a resident of an Otherworld or two.”
“My situation is quite absurd, so I expected you’d find it hard to believe... but it seems Kaito-sama has a bit of a history when it comes to bringing home unexpected guests.”
Under normal circumstances, claiming to be from another world outside of a Hero Summoning would get you laughed at or sent to a doctor. But given my past record, Lilia-san didn't doubt it at all, instead staring into the distance with Far-off Eyes.
“Even so, even if you aren't a powerholder, the ability to cross worlds suggests you possess considerable power. Might I ask who you are?”
“Ah, well, I am technically a former God of World Creation, an Almighty Class being. In this world, I suppose I would be on par with the likes of Shallow Vernal-sama.”
“!?!”
“Li-Lilia-san!?”
The words had barely left Canaris-sama’s mouth before Lilia-san’s forehead met the desk with a heavy thud.
“...I-I’m an idiot... Why did I let my guard down even for a second? If Kaito-san brought her here, of course she was going to be extraordinary... Ugh... my stomach hurts...”
She remained slumped over the desk, muttering to herself, before finally pulling herself together. I knew I was the one at fault, but I couldn't help but be impressed by how quickly she recovered. Experience really does make a difference, even if I felt terribly guilty for being the cause.
“M-my apologies. So, Canaris-sama, you mentioned you'd be staying at Kaito-san’s home. Do you intend to remain in this world for long?”
“Yes. I'll basically be moving in. It isn't completely official yet, but I expect Kaito-sama will be giving me some work.”
“Work?”
“Yes... Er, Kaito-sama, should I keep the details a secret for now?”
“Ah, no, it’s fine. I intended to explain everything to Lilia-san anyway... Er, to explain it myself, I'm thinking of having Canaris-san be the Person in Charge of Nifty's Store Expansion, which I've been considering for a while. Though, I'll have to discuss it with Anima first...”
“...I see... A God on par with Shallow Vernal-sama... hired as the Person in Charge of Store Management. I give up. Just when I thought he'd finished befriending every major power in this world, he starts bringing in amazing people from other worlds... Doesn't he know the meaning of restraint? I... my stomach hurts. Can I go lie down for a bit?”
Lilia-san spoke with a pained, weary expression, her voice tinged with a deep, existential sorrow.
Serious-senpai: “After many hardships and Stomach Pains, she reached a state where she could say she's met almost all of the major powerholders of this world, and just as she was letting her guard down in some part of her heart, here comes a Stomach Pain from an Otherworld...”