Nifty's dedicated ordering terminal was an item that would leave someone in Marie’s position—low in noble standing and lacking financial power—agonizing over how to handle it. For others, however, the situation was quite different.
Cornelia was the eldest daughter of the Sharon Count House, a family possessing immense influence and wealth even within the Arclesia Empire. To other nobles, attempting to target her with petty jealousy or direct interference was a high-risk gamble. While there might be some spiteful whispers behind her back, they posed no real threat to her status. Furthermore, Cornelia was a regular connoisseur of luxury tea leaves, including those from Nifty. Given her substantial personal assets, the cost was irrelevant; if anything, she was simply grateful to be able to secure her purchases without the endless wait of a reservation list.
"Kaito-sama, may I ask a question? If I use this magic tool to place an order, will it still function if someone else operates it on my behalf?"
"Oh, no. That terminal is locked specifically to the person I gave it to, so it won't react if anyone else touches it. When you want to place an order, Cornelia-san, you'll need to operate it directly."
"I see. Thank you very much for clarifying that for me."
Kaito spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Cornelia offered a graceful smile and a word of thanks, but then she cast a lingering look at the box containing the terminal.
(It doesn't require a user registration process like a Magic Box, yet it’s already restricted to the recipient? How? It was in a box indistinguishable from the others... and Kaito-sama and I only met for the first time today. How could he have possibly set such a restriction? No, more than that—to think a magic tool this small could allow someone here in the capital, or even someone as far away as Baroness Marie, to place orders from their own home... Just considering the mechanics, it’s clear this is a staggeringly advanced piece of technology. Is it really something he should be giving away for free?)
Because her family ran a magic tool trading company, she couldn't help but dwell on these questions. She had heard whispers in social circles about the existence of such ordering devices, but now that she held one in her own hands, her doubts only multiplied.
At that moment, another young lady addressed Kaito.
"Miyama Kaito-sama, is it correct to assume that we can purchase any of the products released up to this point through this device?"
"Yes. And whenever a new product comes out, the information will update automatically. There’s a simple manual inside the box, so you should be able to figure out the controls by looking at that."
Hearing this exchange, Cornelia stared at her box once more.
(The information updates automatically when a new product launches? Remote updates... technically, I suppose it isn't impossible, but for a magic crystal inscribed with the formula to enable that to fit into something this size... H-However, the fact remains that Elis-sama and Kaito-sama’s other friends are already using them. This is truly beyond all standards...)
Kaito had informed the kings of the various nations directly, but very few people were aware that Canaris was actually an Almighty Class deity. Within the Arclesia Empire, Empress Chris had warned nobles with poor reputations that an entity equal to Eden served as the shop's manager, strictly forbidding any meddling. However, the noble houses represented at this tea party were all of such high character that no such warnings had been necessary. Consequently, Cornelia had no idea the terminals were "God-made." Ironically, because her family’s business made her an expert in magic tools, she was all the more terrified by the mysterious technology that defied every law she knew.
(Well, I already knew that Kaito-sama was someone far beyond the reach of my common sense. It’s best not to overthink it.)
Though she was shaken, she concluded that since Kaito was the World's Singularity and existed entirely outside the bounds of normality, there was no point in worrying. She tucked the gift away into her Magic Box and returned to the idle chatter of the party.
Once everyone had finished receiving their souvenirs from Kaito, a peaceful atmosphere returned to the group. Watching the conversation flow, Cornelia felt a quiet sense of relief.
(My blood ran cold when Kuromueina-sama appeared, but she proved to be just as merciful and gentle as the rumors suggested. I believe I'm handling the conversation with Kaito-sama well, too. I was so on edge after Elis-sama’s warning, but at this rate, it looks like the tea party will end quite pleasantly.)
It was a fatal lapse in judgment. Precisely because her acquaintance with Kaito was still shallow, Cornelia had inadvertently let down her guard.
During a lull in the pleasant talk, she brought up a new topic.
"Speaking of which, Kaito-sama, I heard that you keep a Behemoth and a White Dragon as pets... I actually keep several monsters myself, and I even handle their care personally."
"Oh? Wow, really! I'd definitely love to hear more about that."
Without realizing it, Cornelia had played a devastatingly effective card. In one sense, it was a triumph—that topic was perhaps the single best way to rapidly increase Kaito’s favorability. At the same time, however, earning Kaito’s favor was the primary catalyst for impending social disaster.
In that moment, unbeknownst to either of them, the Reaper’s scythe was pressed softly and gently against Cornelia's stomach.
Serious-senpai: "Just when I thought Marie was steadily stocking up her flags, Cornelia goes and stomps right on a One-hit Kill..."
--- Stomach Pain Warrior Biographies VI ---
【Elis Dia Hamilton】 Stomach Pain Power: ★★★★★★★★★ Attraction: ★★★★★★★★ Durability: ★★★★★★★★★★ Piteousness: ★★★★★★★★★ Amount of Stomach Medicine: ★★★★★★★ Combo Performance: ★★★★★★★★★ The Supernova of the Stomach Pain World. Although she first appeared during the Arclesia Empire Founding Anniversary Festival, she only officially became a named character when the Nifty shop was established. Despite her relatively short time on the scene, she is a high-potential prospect who has been hit by a non-stop barrage of stomach pain. Because of her high durability, she manages to maintain a facade or recover quickly, which ironically leaves her exposed to continuous strikes. She is a Combo Type warrior who is overwhelmed by numerous successive hits in a short window.
【Cornelia Sharon】 (Tentative Stats) Stomach Pain Power: ★★★★★★★ Attraction: ★★★★ Durability: ★★★★★★★ Piteousness: ★★★★★★ Amount of Stomach Medicine: ★★★ Weight of a Blow: ★★★★★★★ Because Lilia, the Strongest Stomach Pain Warrior, is far too powerful for even the Supernova Elis to face alone, the Arclesia Empire has shifted its strategy toward fielding a trio of Stomach Pain Ladies. As Cornelia has only just appeared, this evaluation is based on her future potential. Unlike Elis, she is a One-hit Kill Type warrior who is struck by high-destructiveness blows that catch her completely off-guard.
【Marie Rich】 (Tentative Stats) Stomach Pain Power: ★★★★★★ Attraction: ★★★★★★ Durability: ★★★★ Piteousness: ★★★★★★★★ Amount of Stomach Medicine: ★★★★ Stocked Stomach Pain Flags: ★★★★★ Another of the newly introduced warriors. Since she has only recently debuted, she hasn't suffered direct damage yet, but she is steadily accumulating flags. She is a Charge Type warrior who stocks up stomach pain flags without noticing, only for them to explode all at once later. Great things are expected of her in the future.