Even for Count Sharon, a man of immense wealth and a merchant prince in his own right within the Arclesia Empire, the news that Kuromueina had personally attended a tea party his daughter participated in was beyond the scope of his imagination. He had listened to the explanation, yet his mind remained in a state of mild disarray.
"I understand the logistics—that the Underworld King attended as Miyama Kaito-sama’s companion—but believing it is another matter entirely. It’s not that I doubt your word, Cornelia; my brain simply cannot bridge the gap between those facts."
"I understand exactly how you feel, Father. I spent a long while struggling to accept reality myself."
"For now... well, the Underworld King is famously gentle, so I assume we are safe, but you were careful to avoid any rudeness, weren't you?"
Kuromueina was more than just the richest person in the world; she was the absolute apex of the global economy. Almost every top-tier association across various industries was under her banner. While she showed no personal interest in doing so, she possessed the sheer economic weight to dominate the entire financial world at a moment’s notice.
The Sharon Count House held a prominent position as a noble family with both power and capital, owning one of the five largest magic tool companies in the Human Realm, but Kuromueina existed on a completely different dimension. She had the influence to ruin a business like the Sharon Trading Company with a mere thought, so the Count’s anxious questioning was only natural.
He had spoken with her a few times regarding business matters and knew she was as kind and merciful as the rumors suggested, but given her status, he needed absolute confirmation.
"Yes. She was just as bright and kind as you told me she was. I was intimidated at first, but by the midpoint of the party, all the participants—myself included—were able to converse with her quite comfortably."
"I see. That’s a relief. It sounds like quite the ordeal, but since you were bound to meet the Underworld King eventually once you took up your official duties in our trading company, having the introductions out of the way now is a distinct advantage—"
"Um, Father..."
"Yes?"
"I’m not finished yet."
"..."
As a noble who had navigated the treacherous waters of high society, Count Sharon was no stranger to the subtle "belly-art" of political maneuvering. It was easy for him to read the mounting tension in Cornelia’s expression.
It took him only a moment to realize that the shocking revelation regarding the Underworld King had been nothing more than the opening act.
"What is this dread I’m feeling? Is there something even more problematic than the Underworld King?"
"Yes. First, though it’s unrelated to the main issue, please look at this. It’s a magic tool for placing direct orders with Nifty, distributed to Kaito-sama’s friends. Every lady at the party received one."
"Ah, the tool from the rumors... It’s this small? If it truly performs every function I’ve heard of at this size, the magic formula within it must be incredibly sophisticated. Then again, Miyama Kaito-sama is close with the Underworld King and has deep ties to the Seditch Magic Tool Trading Company, so perhaps it’s not so impossible after all."
After Cornelia clarified that this was not the main topic, the Count examined the device with genuine professional curiosity. He had heard much about it, but this was his first time seeing the real thing.
To the Sharon family, Nifty’s prices were not an obstacle; if anything, the Count was pleased that ordering their goods would become easier. There was no problem there.
The problem, as it turned out, lay in what came next.
"Now for the main point. It concerns the Victor Trading Company."
"The Victor Trading Company? That minor outfit dealing in monster supplies?"
"Yes. Kaito-sama became quite enamored with a custom-made brush for monsters they sell there."
"And? There shouldn't be a problem with that. Simply give him a recommendation. The owners would be delighted."
"No, well... the thing is... it was decided that I would guide Kaito-sama to the shop myself."
"..................What? W-Wait... A guide? Instead of writing a formal letter of introduction, you are personally escorting Miyama Kaito-sama? Why on earth did it come to that?"
Even the seasoned Count Sharon was forced to hold his head in his hands. He had certainly hoped his daughter might build a friendly rapport with Kaito during the tea party, as such a connection would be a boon to their house.
However, securing a promise that was essentially a date upon their very first meeting was about five steps beyond anything the Count had anticipated.
"This was partially my failure. At first, just as you suggested, I intended to write a letter of introduction. I proposed that I would introduce him to the shop if he liked... but Kaito-sama seems to have interpreted that as me escorting him. Thinking back, I failed to consider the possibility that he might be entirely unfamiliar with the concept of a letter of introduction."
"I-I see, so that’s it... It’s easy to be misled by his immense influence and social standing, but if his sensibilities are truly like those of other otherworlders, then his lack of familiarity with our protocols makes sense."
"Yes. I lacked the foresight to explain it properly."
"Well, it can't be helped. It would be rude to try and correct him now... So, when is it?"
"The twenty-third of this month."
"In six days?!"
"Kaito-sama was incredibly eager... and before I knew it, we had settled on the very first day my schedule was free."
Seeing the indescribable look on Cornelia’s face, Count Sharon gazed toward the ceiling once more. He felt certain that if he met Marquis Hamilton right now, they would have plenty to commiserate about.
Serious-senpai: "A daughter goes out to a tea party and comes back having promised to go out with the World's Singularity in six days... In a sense, the blow he took might be even heavier than the one Marquis Hamilton received. Talk about a one-hit kill."