I already knew about the Seven Planets series from what Rosmiel-san and the others had told me, but seeing it ranked eighth was a bit of a surprise. With only seven in the world—eight if you counted the hidden one—their rarity was staggering. Rosmiel-san had even claimed they were priceless, so I figured they wouldn't have been out of place higher up on the list. Then again, maybe the ranking wasn't based solely on price; it likely took public awareness into account as well.
The Seven Planets series was a collection known only to those "in the know." The editors probably prioritized items that the general public would perceive as legendary treasures for the top spots.
Come to think of it, if the top ranks were filled with things that made readers go, "What's that?", the magazine wouldn't be very exciting. In that sense, name recognition was likely a key criterion for the ranking.
『7th Place: Fruit of the World Tree』
That certainly fit the bill. Everyone knew the name "Fruit of the World Tree," but almost no one had ever seen the real thing. It was the quintessential phantom item. In terms of actual value, I suspected the Seven Planets series surpassed it, but fame clearly played a major role here.
『A legendary treasure occasionally bestowed by World King Lilliwood Yggdrasil-sama upon her kin or others. It is said to heal all ailments and even regrow lost limbs. Though many seek it, the fruit almost never appears on the market, making it impossible for most to ever lay eyes on it. It once appeared at an auction during the Hero Festival, where it fetched a record-breaking bid of 560 Platinum Coins from the chairman of a large trading company suffering from a terminal illness.』
Well, I couldn't argue with that. There were plenty of wealthy people out there who would move mountains for a fruit like that. Items that cured diseases or extended lifespans always seemed to be the ultimate pursuit for the rich. I wouldn't be surprised if there were millionaires willing to pay any price for Life-san's Provisional Blessing either, considering it could restore a person to their ideal age.
『6th Place: Shallow Grande』
Sixth place went to Shallow Grande. If I recalled correctly, it was a phantom wine where only a single bottle was released during an event hosted by the God Realm at the Hero Festival. With fewer than a hundred bottles in existence, its ranking made perfect sense. Honestly, given its fame, it probably could have been even higher.
『A priceless wine said to have been crafted under the direct supervision of Creator God Shallow Vernal-sama. Only one bottle is offered as a prize during God Realm-hosted events at the Hero Festival. Enthusiasts have been known to offer their entire personal fortunes for a single taste... However, since a limited amount was sold to the public during the White God Festival, its rarity has technically decreased. Even so, it remains a phantom treasure far beyond the reach of the common man. Note: While it is an exceptional vintage, an even higher-ranking wine exists further up this list.』
Ah, I see. Its rank dropped because it was sold at the White God Festival. It probably would have been much higher before that. Still, the magazine mentioned a "superior wine" appearing later in the ranking. That was almost certainly the wine named "K."
Shiro-san had handed it out as a commemorative gift at my birthday party, but she first gave it to the attendees of my housewarming party. Since there were probably fewer of those than there were bottles of Shallow Grande, it was definitely ultra-rare. It wouldn't surprise me if it made the Top 3.
『5th Place: Sky Castle』
...Wait, what? Was this talking about the Sky Castle in the Sinfonia Royal Capital?
『A structure forged by the Gods and gifted to a noble of the Kingdom of Sinfonia, Duchess Lilia Albert. This mysterious floating castle has become a symbol of the capital. While reservations are difficult to obtain, it is open to the public as a tourist destination, making it the most "accessible" item in the rankings. Its value, however, is immense. It was a special gift granted specifically because Duchess Albert became the first human in history to receive a True Blessing from a Supreme God. Given that it is impossible to replicate with current technology or materials, it is no exaggeration to label it a phantom item.』
So that was how the world saw it... People thought the castle was a special gift for Lilia-san because she received the blessing. Now that I thought about it, the timing did line up with when she received Chronoa-san's True Blessing. From a logical standpoint, it made sense.
Of course, this was likely the result of Alice and the others cooking the books to keep my name out of the public eye. I had a feeling Lilia-san’s stomach was currently tied in knots over this.
Then again, it had been two years since she received the Sky Castle. Surely she was used to it by now... right?
Serious-senpai: "I see. Since Kaito’s existence is almost entirely hidden from the public, Lilia is perceived as a legendary hero who achieved unprecedented, world-altering feats... She truly is a black hole for diplomatic stress."