Kaori Mizuhara, a former Hero, wandered restlessly through the bustling venue, her eyes scanning the crowd with unease. She had participated in the gaming tournament—since she was here anyway—but after being eliminated in the third round, she was now simply trying to locate someone she knew.
(U-Ummm. Compared to the previous shipboard party, there are a lot more people who look like ordinary commoners, so I feel a bit more at ease. On the other hand, finding a familiar face is proving to be a nightmare. Kaito and I don't share many mutual friends, so if I could just find Akane-san or someone...)
The guest list for this party was diverse. It wasn't just world leaders; servants from the Albert estate, the War King’s subordinates, and the Underworld King’s family were all present in large numbers. It wasn't like the shipboard party, where looking left or right meant accidentally making eye contact with a world-renowned legend.
However, the increased attendance meant the venue was massive, making it difficult to find anyone. Kaori was hesitant to approach strangers, fearing they might be some famous figure she simply didn't recognize.
As a complete commoner, Kaori struggled to identify people by sight. Even for the high-ranking executives under the Six Kings, she might know their names, but she had never seen their faces. When it came to the various nobles, she didn't have a clue.
In truth, there were very few nobles present, but Kaori had no way of knowing that.
Hoping to spot Akane or Shigenobu, she scanned the room until she felt an extraordinary presence radiating from the path ahead.
“...Don't show me that unpleasant face. Today is Kaito’s celebration; we cannot afford to cause a scene. Consider yourself spared.”
“Spared? They say the weakest curs bark the loudest, but the howling of a barbaric fool is truly grating. It is presumptuous for the likes of you to speak of my life. Furthermore, it is offensive to my ears to hear a stray like you utter Kaito’s sublime name. I’d appreciate it if you desisted.”
“Hah, is that so? If I’ve caused you discomfort, then I consider it a success. But the only offensive pervert here is you. Your lack of a decent self-evaluation suggests your perspective is quite limited. And don't bother bringing up the eye. At our level, such a thing is hardly a handicap. What’s limited is your heart.”
“It’s truly comical to watch an idiot with a brain of pure brawn struggle to use sarcasm.”
Directly in Kaori’s path, Agni, the head of the War King’s subordinates, and Pandora, the head of the Phantasm King’s subordinates, were locked in a standoff. Known to those in the loop for their legendary cat-and-dog relationship, the two were currently trading venomous barbs.
Of course, given the significance of the event, neither intended to use magic power to intimidate the other or resort to actual violence. However, their mutual loathing was absolute. Neither wanted to be the first to back down, leaving them trapped in a heated verbal duel.
(Hwah! T-T-This... this way is definitely a no-go! Somewhere else... I have to go somewhere else!)
Even without the pressure of magic power, the sheer intensity radiating from two Duke-class High-ranking Demons was enough to send Kaori fleeing. Panicked, she changed her course and hurried in the opposite direction.
She had just escaped one terrifying encounter when she found another pair glaring at each other further along her new route.
“Well, it is only natural, as I am the... the! God of the Sea! Therefore, I obviously prepared a sea-themed gift. What about you, Eingana-san? Oh, perhaps you just offered up some sea snake scales?”
“Oh my, Marine-san, you’re so simplistic... no, your thinking is so honest that I find it almost enviable. It’s as if you’re so desperate to flaunt your status because you’re afraid everyone will forget what you preside over if you don’t. As for me, well, even without a sea-themed gift, the fact that I am the Ruler of the Great Ocean is common knowledge. There is no need for me to show off. Yes, unlike a certain someone with such low name recognition...”
“...I-I see. That is a wonderfully wise decision. I’m impressed by Eingana-san’s profound thoughtfulness and superior knowledge. Yes, indeed... it is useless to compete in a field where one cannot win. There is no way you could match me, who possesses the Authority of the Sea, within that domain. A truly rational judgment.”
“...I agree. The Authority granted by the power of the Creator God Shallow Vernal-sama is indeed formidable. Truly... while I find it pitiable that you have nothing to boast about other than power bestowed by a great god.”
“...”
“...”
In this corner, Marine and Eingana were locked in their own battle of wits and venom. Having learned their lesson from the previous shipboard party, they refrained from physical combat or magic power clashes, but their mutual distaste was such that they couldn't help but taunt each other upon meeting.
For Kaori, it was becoming far too much to handle.
(H-Hieee! H-Here too?! W-Well, with this many people, I guess there are bound to be rivalries. S-So scary... okay, this way is no good either. Next, over there...)
Having the incredible misfortune of stumbling upon the two most antagonistic pairings in the entire venue back-to-back, Kaori desperately sought an exit.
As she reached a slightly more open area, she happened—entirely by chance—to run into others walking from different directions at the same time.
“...Oh?”
“Huh?”
“This is...”
Stopping simultaneously in a three-way intersection, Lilia, Elis, and Kaori stared at one another.
Serious-senpai: “Three Stomach Pain Warriors... are coming! Hatena!!”
Hatena: “Eh? What’s coming?”
Serious-senpai: “...Umm... Something serious?”
Hatena: “Nothing is coming. Well, for them, a Stomach Pain Incident is about as serious as it gets, I suppose.”