Eris had been thrust into a sudden conversation with Life, and though the stress sent sharp pains through her stomach, she was—ironically enough—quite an exceptional individual. Once she found her footing, she navigated the discussion with considerable grace.
As the daughter of a Marquis House, she was highly educated; combined with her diligent nature and the value she placed on information gathering, she possessed a broad range of knowledge. Consequently, social navigation was very much her forte.
"Come to think of it, you achieved excellent results in the quiz tournament as well," Life remarked. "Speaking with you now, I can feel the depth of your knowledge. It makes for an easy conversation. I myself still have much to learn, and while I have no desire to brand ignorance a sin, I do find intellectual partners far easier to converse with."
"I am deeply honored by your kind words," Eris replied. "Regarding the tournament, I was helped by a fair amount of luck, but I do make a conscious effort to stay informed on a daily basis. Even so, I find myself quite inadequate whenever Kaito-sama is involved. The situations surrounding him are so often unpredictable that I frequently find myself at a loss."
"I suppose that is simply the nature of dealing with Miyama-san. To be honest, when I first met him, I recognized him as a pivotal figure who had received Shallow Vernal-sama's blessing, but I never imagined he would become... quite this significant."
Fortunately, since Life was genuinely interested in social expansion, she maintained a friendly demeanor. This allowed Eris to relax slightly, expanding on topics and engaging in a peaceful, casual dialogue. Life’s impression of the noblewoman was high; she felt Eris was every bit as capable as Kaito had suggested. Their rapport was progressing smoothly.
"...This has been a delightful time, and your stories were most intriguing," Life said, "but we cannot keep talking indefinitely."
"You are right," Eris agreed. "It seems many guests are beginning to head home. We should not linger here too long."
Eris felt a surge of relief. This was the signal that the conversation was wrapping up. She felt a quiet sense of triumph, knowing she had managed to engage a Supreme God without causing offense.
"I know I bewildered you with my sudden approach," Life continued, "but if possible, I would like to maintain this connection regularly. I have much to learn regarding the affairs of other races."
"Of course. If someone of my standing can be of any assistance, I would be happy to cooperate. This conversation has been incredibly beneficial for me as well, Life-sama. I am honored by the prospect of future opportunities."
Though she had been intimidated at first, Eris found Life to be a pleasant partner. The Goddess was calm and polite, lacking the tiresome, roundabout habit of testing others' intentions. Eris offered a refined bow, her response sincere.
However, at that moment, Eris encountered what could only be described as her ultimate miscalculation.
Life had observed Fate and Chronoa broadening their horizons and decided to follow suit. This meant she had precedents to follow, and in this regard, gods and humans were much the same: they looked to their peers for a blueprint. In considering how to maintain her relationship with Eris, it was only natural for Life to mimic the other Supreme Gods.
But which one? Fate was a special case. Her social expansion was a byproduct of her romantic devotion to Kaito; she took an interest in his world because he loved it. That didn't quite apply to Life’s current situation.
That left Chronoa as the primary reference. Chronoa had formed a deep bond with a human noble—Lilia—and it was only natural for Life to follow that example. And everyone knew what Chronoa had done upon meeting Lilia for the first time...
"Eris, this time with you has been most meaningful."
"Your words are more than I deserve."
"Please consider this a token of my gratitude and a sign of my expectations for our future. It is a bit informal, but... I grant you the Blessing of Life."
"!? !? !? !?"
Life held out her hand, and Eris’s body began to emit a soft, pale glow. The blessing was complete.
"Well then, I look forward to our next meeting."
"H-Ha... Yes..."
Eris managed to squeeze out a reply, though her mind was spinning. Her knees felt weak, and her logic was failing to process the sheer weight of what had just occurred.
The Provisional Blessing of a Supreme God was a staggering burden. During the first Six Kings Festival, Life had blessed all participants at Shallow Vernal's command, but that had been an act of divine policy; the effects had faded after a year.
This was different. This was a personal blessing granted directly to Eris as an individual. It was objective proof that she was held in the highest regard by a Supreme God. When she thought about the political shockwaves and the crushing expectations this would bring—just as it had for Lilia—it felt as if a hole were being punched through her stomach.
Eris stood frozen, watching the Goddess depart, until a hand was placed gently on her shoulder. She turned to find Lilia Albert standing there, looking at her with eyes of profound, heartfelt pity.
"...Ah, D-Duchess Lilia... I... Why... how did it come to this?"
"I understand," Lilia said, her voice heavy with sympathy. "I understand so well it hurts. But... and I say this only as someone who has lived it... this is only the beginning."
"What a terrifying thing to say... Surely... you can't mean that even you, Duchess Lilia..."
"Heh... To be honest, it almost feels nostalgic. If the burden ever becomes too much to bear, please reach out. I will be happy to consult with you anytime."
Eris was already past her breaking point, but the absolute sincerity in Lilia’s eyes sent a new chill down her spine. The noblewoman could only tremble, her face ashen.
The Strongest Stomach Pain Warrior: "The place you are standing now is the exact path I walked two years ago!!"
(Note: Lilia's encounters with the gods—the God of Space-Time, then the Creator God, then the God of Fate, the God of Life, and finally a full rally of Supreme and High-ranking Gods gathering in her garden for a mobilization ceremony—all took place within a span of roughly three months.)
Serious-senpai: "...As expected, Lilia Albert is the strongest..."