If it were just a casual nod as they passed by without consciously acknowledging each other, it wouldn’t have been a problem, but since all three of them stopped in their tracks, it would be unnatural not to engage in conversation here.
And Kaori imdiately took a waiting stance. Although being an Otherworlder made her sowhat special, Kaori was a commoner, and compared to Lilia, the head of a Duchy, and Eris, a marquis’s daughter, her position was lower. Therefore, it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to take action.
This was not a matter of hesitation, but a rational decision and a defensive strategy for the stress that would likely arise in the future. She totally wasn't having any cold sweat or crying "Kaito-kun, help !!!" within her mind.
On the other hand, Eris also quietly took a waiting stance. She was a noble, and in Archlesia Empire, where the power of the aristocracy was strong, social hierarchy carried significant weight.
Since Lilia, the head of her own Duchy, was present, Eris, a marquis’s daughter, should not speak first, and even if she were to greet Lilia, she could not speak unless Lilia, being of higher status, initiated the conversation. Otherwise, it would be disrespectful.
Her poise, honed in high society, her calm judgnt of the situation, and her serene deanor gave off an aura of stability reminiscent of the grand World Tree.
……Now, with two out of the three adopting a waiting stance, the responsibility for initiating the conversation fell to Lilia.
As the head of a Duchy, she knew that if she didn’t take action in such a setting, the conversation wouldn’t proceed, so she first turned towards Eris and spoke.
[I believe you are Lady Eris from the Hamilton Marquisdom. I believe this would be the first ti we’ve had the chance to greet each other, wasn't it? I am Lilia Albert, head of the Albert Duchy in Symphonia Kingdom.]
[I am Eris Dia Hamilton, the heir of the Hamilton Marquisdom in Alchresia Empire. It is an honor to have the opportunity to speak with you, the Beautiful White Rose of Symphonia.]
After Lilia introduced herself, Eris also bowed and returned the greeting. Kaori, observing their refined noble manners, thought "Could it be that I could be left out of this loop?", but imdiately after, Lilia turned toward her and spoke.
[Kaori-san too, it’s been a while since the ship party, hasn’t it?]
[Ah, yes. It’s been a while.]
Kaori had visited Kaito’s ho a few tis for cooking advice after the ship party, and during that ti, Lilia had been introduced to her, so they had t before, though their exchange had been brief.
Eris, too, had t Kaori before, and seeing that Lilia’s interaction with her had concluded, Eris also spoke up.
[Kaori-sama, thank you for visiting us last ti.]
[Ah, yes. Thank you for the wonderful shopping experience. H- How should I say this…… even though we’re acquaintances, I do get nervous being surrounded by two nobles.]
[Please, feel free to relax. Neither Duchess Albert nor I would ever criticize sothing so trivial.]
[Yes, at this place, there’s no need to worry about titles. We’re all friends of Kaito-san here, and that’s what matters.]
Both Lilia and Eris were kind-hearted, and their words eased Kaori’s nervousness, causing her to relax slightly.
Just as the atmosphere between the three of them softened, and it seed like a pleasant conversation was about to begin…… the calm was suddenly shattered.
[Lilia, may I ask you sothing?]
[S- Shallow Vernal-sama!?]
[ [ ! ? ! ? ] ]
All of a sudden, Shallow Vernal appeared and spoke to Lilia, causing Kaori and Eris's eyes to widen in shock.
(Abababababa, S- S- Shallow Vernal-sama!? Awawawa, t- this is the first ti I’ve seen her this close…… H- Her divine beauty is incredible…… Ah, no, wait, before that, I can’t stop shaking, and I can hardly breathe!)
(W- What should I do…… I’m so stunned that my reaction was delayed. The correct response would be to imdiately kneel, but at this mont, with her already engaged in conversation with Duchess Albert, suddenly moving would be disrespectful…… So I must wait for a pause in their conversation…… N- No, I also need to match the timing with Kaori-sama……)
Both Kaori and Eris were in a complete panic upon encountering the pinnacle of the world. The intense pressure they felt made both of them clutch their stomachs, experiencing excruciating stomachaches.
But unfortunately…… the situation didn’t end there.
[……Shallow Vernal, for you to frighten my child…… I cannot overlook this. Step away from my child imdiately.]
[E- Eden-sama!?]
Imdiately appearing right after was Eden, who had attended the ship party alongside Makina, glaring at Shallow Vernal as if to protect Kaori.
[I didn’t intend to frighten her.]
[Didn’t I tell you to suppress your magic power? Can you not comprehend that? Magic power cloaked in divine majesty will naturally cause my fragile child to shrink in fear. I would expect you to have so common sense.]
[……To be lectured on common sense by you is, quite frankly, a bit hard to accept.]
As sparks seed to fly between the two, Lilia, Eris, and Kaori, their faces turning pale, all simultaneously clutched their stomachs, seemingly trying to hold back their aching stomachs.
Serious-senpai : [Here we go again, a sudden world crisis, just like at the housewarming party.]
? ? ? : [Well, there are plenty of people around this ti who can stop it, so it should be fine. The stomachs of the Stomachache Warriors, on the other hand……]
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