As the party venue buzzed with excitement, Lilia let out a long, weary sigh of relief. Partly due to Kaito’s influence, she had become a household name, and her circle of high-ranking acquaintances had grown considerably. Attending events like this now required her to exchange greetings with a staggering number of people, all of whom held such immense social standing that she couldn't afford a single moment's lapse in etiquette.
While the benefits she reaped from these connections were substantial, they were often outweighed by a persistent, agonizing stomach ache. As she did during every such ordeal, she found herself wishing Kaito would show just a little more restraint. She turned to her best friends, Lunamaria and Sieglinde, to vent.
"I’ve finally finished greeting everyone I absolutely had to see. I feel a little more at ease now."
"As expected of the young lady who represents the Human Realm. I, the unworthy Lunamaria, find myself caught between admiration for Milady's meteoric rise and a wry smile that simply won't fade."
"A wry smile? Honestly... I have no idea how things ended up like this..."
"I sympathize with your struggles, Lili... but I can't think of anyone in humankind who knows more of Kaito-san’s associates than you do. Given the current situation, there’s really no other candidate for the role."
Lunamaria and Sieglinde shared a small laugh at the expense of Lilia, who continued to attract trouble like a black hole. Yet, the scale of her rewards matched her hardships; it was a simple fact that the Ducal House of Albert was fast becoming the most influential noble house in the Human Realm.
"Still, I’m truly grateful to have made the acquaintance of Count Scott and Lady Elis. They were exactly the kind of people I was hoping to establish ties with for our future plans."
"Indeed. Since we secured the trade agreement with the Winged Race, we’ve begun expanding our reach toward the Arclesia Empire. Establishing a connection with the Scott Count House, which excels in foreign trade, and the Hamilton Marquis House—one of the Four Great Noble Houses of Arclesia—is incredibly advantageous for our future. Miyama-sama truly has a knack for meeting the perfect people at the perfect time."
The Ducal House of Albert had recently begun trading with the Winged Race after Kaito introduced them to Amel. Lilia had been looking for a way to broaden her connections within the Arclesia Empire, and the timing couldn't have been better.
To happen upon Count Scott, a man famed for his wealth and mercantile connections, as well as the heir of the Hamilton Marquis House—a key player in Arclesia’s Reformist Faction—was a stroke of incredible luck. It was no exaggeration to say that her future operations had just become significantly easier.
"And he met them both by chance in the Royal Capital, didn't he? It’s classic Kaito-san, but it’s still shocking when you think about it."
"You’re right, Sieg. The odds of accidentally bumping into a noble in a city as vast as the Royal Capital are low enough, but to pinpoint not just Count Scott, but the young lady of a foreign Marquis House... Ordinarily, I’d call it impossible. It’s terrifying that my only reaction now is 'Well, that sounds about right for Miyama-sama.'"
"It’s certainly a stomach-turning ordeal for me... but I have a feeling Lady Elis and I will get along quite well from now on."
Perhaps it was because they both knew the same pain, but Lilia felt they were more compatible than she had initially expected. It was hard to describe, but she felt a profound sense of sympathy for her—as if she understood the other woman’s struggles through her own lived experiences.
Lady Elis apparently felt the same, as the conversation had naturally turned toward maintaining contact through letters.
"...By the way, Milady, regarding that new God who just arrived... shouldn't you go and offer your greetings?"
"Please, don't. My stomach is already throbbing with a warning pain as it is. B-But I’m sure it’ll be fine. Electrone-sama and I have no point of contact whatsoever, and it’s unlikely Kaito-san will introduce us. Besides, I’ve already presented my gift. I might not even get a chance to speak with Kaito-san for the rest of the party. A-And right now, it looks like she’s busy assisting with the production at the live commentary seat!"
"..."
"...Why are you both looking at me like that? Stop it! You’re making me really anxious!"
Lunamaria and Sieglinde watched with eyes full of pity as Lilia rambled through her hopeful observations, clearly trying to convince herself. Having been her close friends for years, they both felt a premonition that bordered on certainty: Lilia’s wishful thinking was about to be shattered.
"I apologize if I am betraying your expectations, but could this unit have a moment of your time?"
"Wait—?!"
As if on cue, her hope was instantly crushed. Electrone was an Almighty Class being; manifesting in multiple locations at once was an effortless task for her. Her duties at the commentary seat provided no buffer at all.
With an expression that was a heart-wrenching blend of despair and resignation, Lilia clutched her stomach and nodded weakly at Electrone’s request.
Serious-senpai: "I suspect most readers knew the moment this conversation started—this was the classic, reliable, and proven Lilia 'Flag of Letting Her Guard Down'..."