In the world of Trinia, several entities possessed influence so vast that nobles viewed them with a mixture of reverence and mortal dread. To cross them was to invite ruin.
Interacting with gentle figures like Kuromueina or Lilliwood was relatively safe, while others like Isis and Megiddo were feared simply for the aura of death or violence they projected.
Then there were those on an entirely different level, where a single misstep meant total annihilation. Foremost among them was Shallow Vernal. Forget mere nobles—even royalty were forbidden from addressing her directly. She sat at the world's apex; to offend her was to turn the entire God race, and indeed the world itself, into one's enemy.
Next was the Phantasm King No Face, otherwise known as Alice. As the actual ruler of the world’s shadows, she held every scrap of information in her palm. Among the Six Kings, she was a cold-blooded enforcer of global stability. In the upper echelons of noble society, she was feared far more than even Isis. It was whispered that if the Phantasm King appeared before a noble house, it was equivalent to a death warrant.
A recent addition to this list was Eden, the God of an Otherworld. She had already systematically warned—or rather, threatened—every noble house in existence. Logic held no sway with this erratic deity, and some nobles now trembled at the mere mention of her name.
And then... there was Pope Olivia.
Since the Creator, Shallow Vernal, and the God race were tangible realities, religious fervor ran deep throughout Trinia. Shenism reigned supreme as the world’s sole absolute faith. Though several denominations existed, the vast majority of the population belonged to the church in some capacity. As the supreme head of the faith, Olivia was an exceptionally difficult figure for the nobility to navigate.
She rarely formed personal attachments and abstained from all noble functions. In fact, she avoided the aristocracy entirely. Yet her influence was so absolute that even high-ranking nobles knew that a single frown from her could trigger their immediate downfall.
The Pope barely even acknowledges the upper management of the Friendly City or high-ranking priests, Elis mused. My father has never even spoken to her. I mustn't be the one to initiate contact. I'll wait until Kaito-sama introduces us—if he even does.
Having judged that it was dangerous to involve herself carelessly with Olivia, Elis decided to wait and see. Part of her believed that the Pope would likely have no interest in someone like her anyway.
But of course, Kaito was the sort of man who took actions that seemed to mock such calculations.
"Ah, Elis-san, let me introduce you," Kaito said. "This is Kaori Mizuhara-san, an Otherworlder like me. And this is Olivia-san."
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Elis Dia Hamilton."
Having been introduced by Kaito, Elis returned the greeting with a slight bow. Intending to convey that she was merely meeting them as Kaito's acquaintance and not as a noble, she stated only her name, omitting her title as a Marquis's daughter.
"Ah, h-hello! I'm Kaori Mizuhara," Kaori replied, looking visibly nervous.
"..."
Olivia remained silent, observing Elis with quiet, assessing eyes.
It is truly a relief that the Pope has no intention of involving herself with me, or by extension, the Hamilton Marquis House, Elis thought. In this situation, it should be seen as nothing more than being introduced by Kaito-sama. No one should suspect there is any real connection between my house and the Pope... She likely sensed that as well, which is why she’s staying silent.
Elis felt a wave of relief at the thought that things might end peacefully. However, Olivia suddenly turned her gaze toward Kaito.
"Miyama Kaito-sama," Olivia said in a detached tone, "may I ask... is she an important person to you?"
"Calling her 'important' might be an exaggeration," Kaito replied with a wry smile, "but Elis-san is a precious friend of mine."
The moment those words left his lips, Elis felt a chill as if her spine had turned to ice.
Kaito-sama? Why would you say that now? I mean, I’m honored, but! Why did she feel the need to confirm that? Oh no...
Sure enough, Elis’s bad premonition proved correct. After hearing Kaito’s response, Olivia nodded once and turned back toward Elis. The wariness in her eyes had vanished, replaced by a terrifying focus.
"If she is a precious person to Miyama Kaito-sama," Olivia declared, "then she is an important figure to me... and by extension, to all of Shenism. A pleasure to meet you, Elis Dia Hamilton. I am Olivia. I pray that today’s meeting marks the beginning of a fruitful relationship."
"...Ah... yes. It is the height of honor."
Elis desperately wanted to look toward the heavens and wail, but instead, she bowed her head as low as decorum allowed. Olivia had introduced herself and formally acknowledged a future connection. This meant the Pope had deemed Elis worth her time. News of this encounter would sweep through the Arclesia Empire before the day was out. Elis felt as though someone had reached into her torso and twisted her stomach, but she forced her ironclad smile to remain perfectly in place.
Serious-senpai: "A blow that feels like the stomach is being gouged out... This one's a Hard Puncher."