In the Hydra Kingdom, a rather unusual pair had arrived at the Nifty store. One was Megiddo, the War King, who had taken the form of the young girl he had shown at the shipboard party. Since this was Kaito’s shop, he had decided to drop by and see it for himself. He had entered the reservation lottery on a whim and, luckily enough, won a slot, so he brought along the person he happened to be meeting at the time.
"Hm, this is quite fascinating. More than anything, the perspective from this body is truly novel. When I am in my dragon form, I never get to see things from an angle like this."
"Well, I suppose that’s true... Personally, there are too many sweet things on the menu for my taste, but the atmosphere here is pleasant. It matches the style of the Hydra Kingdom, and the furniture shows good sense."
"Indeed. I don't know much about such matters, but I can tell it has been arranged with great beauty."
The other guest was Magnawell, appearing as an elderly gentleman. To any observer, they looked exactly like a grandfather and his granddaughter visiting a shop together, though in reality, Megiddo was the older of the two.
"Still, even if this is Miyama Kaito’s shop, it is rare to see you visit a place so focused on sweets... Tell me, do you have some other goal in mind?"
"Ah, well, I guess you could call it curiosity. Shaltier gave me a hint that the person in charge of Nifty was incredibly strong, so I thought I’d come see for myself... but she doesn't seem to be out on the floor."
"Incredibly strong? Do you mean in terms of combat power? From the snippets of information I have gathered, she is supposedly a being equivalent to a God of an Otherworld. It wouldn't be surprising if she possessed immense strength."
"The story I heard was that she’s a former God... but I suppose it’s much the same thing. I wonder if she’ll show her face?"
"I hope you aren't planning to pick a fight. I have no desire to get caught up in trouble..."
Magnawell wore a look of profound annoyance as he watched Megiddo’s eyes sparkle with interest. Megiddo had always been a battle maniac; his first instinct was usually to try and fight anyone who seemed strong or anyone he happened to like. Magnawell didn't think Megiddo would be reckless enough to start a brawl inside a shop, but the possibility of a scene was high enough to be troublesome. However, just as that thought crossed Magnawell’s mind, an unfamiliar voice called out to them.
"Tahaa~ We don't exactly have a nomination system here, but I can't very well ignore a request from Kaito-sama's acquaintances. So, in response to your wishes, I have come to greet you. I am Canalis, the store owner and the one in charge of Nifty. Practically speaking, I suppose you could say I’m in Kaito-sama's subordinate-like position!"
"...Heh, so you're the one. I'm Megiddo. Nice to meet you."
"I am Magnawell Baskus Lard Kartzbald. I am indebted to Miyama Kaito on a regular basis."
Megiddo and Magnawell introduced themselves while sizing up the suddenly appearing Canalis with scrutinizing gazes. After a brief silence, Megiddo gave a small, respectful nod.
"Sorry for dragging you out here. I’ve seen enough. Thanks."
"No, no, please don't let it worry you. I'll be in the back, so if you need anything, feel free to call out."
Canalis replied in a cheerful tone, offered a polite bow with her expression unchanged, and then withdrew. Once she had disappeared completely into the staff area, Magnawell turned to Megiddo with a wry smile.
"...What happened? Weren't you going to pick a fight?"
"Hah, you're asking because you already know... Yeah, I love to fight. And sure, I welcome a battle against someone above my rank, but a fight between me and her simply wouldn't work. The difference in our power is so vast that I'd just be making her go out of her way to be careful not to kill me. Tsk, that Shaltier... she said all that while knowing exactly what would happen. 'Incredibly strong' is an understatement. She’s completely in the same class as Shallow Vernal."
"I couldn't sense the bottom of her power at all. Is that what they call the Almighty Class...? Good grief, it seems no matter how high one climbs, there is always another peak to gaze upon."
Both Megiddo and Magnawell were among the most powerful beings in existence, so they had grasped the truth of Canalis’s strength the moment they laid eyes on her. Megiddo knew that even if he challenged her, it wouldn't be a proper match; she would be forced to use extreme restraint to avoid obliterating him. Because he realized it would only be a burden to her, he had no intention of fighting.
"...But still, how did Kaito manage to get someone like that to follow him?"
"I have no idea..."
Both of them tilted their heads in bewilderment. They couldn't begin to fathom why Canalis—an Almighty Class God with power that was overwhelming even by their standards—would serve Kaito, or why she had declared herself to be his "subordinate" with such a delighted tone.
Serious-senpai: "It’s true. If you don't know the circumstances surrounding Nebula, it must seem inexplicable that a God of that class is suddenly following Kaito... The Kings of various nations are likely thinking the same thing, even if they haven't been able to ask him directly."
???: "I suspect Gorilla-san will probably just go and ask Kaito-san directly later, though."