At the mansion of the Hamilton Marquisdom in the Archlesia Empire, the summoned Baron Ritch sat facing Marquis Hamilton and Eris.
Since the Marchioness was out, the three of them were currently discussing the situation concerning Kaito.
[……I see, so it’s the strengthening of the Divine Protection…… We’d already noticed that the rchants were becoming restless, but movents from the God Realm are certainly unexpected.]
[Y- Yes, honestly, I have no idea what I’m supposed to do about it……]
At Marquis Hamilton’s words, Baron Ritch nodded with a complicated expression on his face. There had been precedents for the strengthening of a Divine Protection before, but those cases occurred only temporarily, such as when natural disasters threatened to drastically reduce harvests. This situation, however, was different.
Since Elune had not specified any duration, it was assud that the strengthened Divine Protection would continue semi-permanently, making this an unprecedented case.
[With Divine Protections involved, we’ll need to inform Her Majesty Chris as well. Whether we should announce it publicly or keep it quiet until asked should be decided after consulting Her Majesty. We’ll also need to consider Marie-sama’s ntal care. She’ll likely have more occasions to visit unfamiliar places……]
[That’s right. That’s also why I didn’t have Marie accompany here and sent her out shopping instead. I hope shopping in the high-end district helps her relax……]
Because Divine Protections affected a wide range by their nature, they needed to involve Chris, the nation’s ruler, in any decision. It couldn’t be settled here on the spot.
Eris, recalling her own past experiences, couldn’t help worrying for Marie, who would likely face many new challenges ahead.
The conversation then shifted to the growing interest rchants were showing toward the lands near the Ritch Barony…… when, at that very mont, a flustered maid rushed into the room.
[Pardon the intrusion! Urgent report…… Miyama Kaito-sama has been sighted at a bookstore on the main avenue……]
[ [ [ ! ? ] ] ]
At the maid’s words, the room was instantly filled with tension. It was a report about none other than Kaito, the very topic of their discussion, and to have him sighted not in the Symphonia Kingdom, but within the Archlesia Empire, suggested that sothing significant might be about to happen.
However, upon hearing the maid’s report, Eris’ expression turned to one of disbelief.
[……A sighting report of Kaito-sama?]
[Yes.]
[……………]
After confirming it, Eris fell deep into thought, her expression grave. As one of the great noble houses, the Hamilton Marquisdom possessed a wide intelligence network, and the Archlesia Imperial Capital was well within their reach.
Even so, information about Kaito’s whereabouts reaching them was sothing that, under normal circumstances, should have been impossible.
(……Normally, obtaining information about Kaito-sama casually visiting another city or shopping sowhere would be extrely difficult. If Kaito-sama were truly in the Capital, there would surely be many who’d wish to et him, even just to greet him. Those who know him would undoubtedly pay attention…… but such attention would surely be troubleso for Kaito-sama, and there’s no way Phantasmal King-sama would allow it.)
Yes, under normal circumstances, reports of Kaito’s whereabouts would never reach them. Before such information could spread, it would be swiftly concealed by subordinates of the Phantasmal King. In fact, even when Kaito had previously visited pet shops or other stores, despite those being located in the high-end shopping district well within the Hamilton Marquisdom’s surveillance range, they had never received any such information.
But for that information to reach them so quickly this ti could only an one thing……
[……Phantasmal King-sama must have deed this information sothing we should know. But why……!? D- Don’t tell ……]
[Eris? What’s wrong…… wait, no, could it be!?]
[Eh? Ehhh?]
Eris, who had been deep in thought, suddenly turned pale and looked toward Baron Ritch. Seeing her reaction, Marquis Hamilton also appeared to realize sothing a beat later, turning to look at the Baron as well.
Caught off guard by their sudden stares, Baron Ritch looked bewildered, unable to follow the situation, but before any explanation could be given, there was sothing Eris needed to confirm first. She turned toward the maid.
[……You probably stopped midway through your report when you saw our reaction, didn’t you? There’s more, isn’t there? Most likely…… the sighting of Kaito-sama at the bookstore was followed by reports that he finished shopping and headed toward the high-end shopping district…… is that correct?]
[Y- Yes, that’s right.]
[I thought so…… then that ans…… Marie-sama had……]
Hearing the exchange between Eris and the maid, Baron Ritch finally grasped the situation and his face drained of color.
[……N- No, even so……. the high-end shopping district is quite large, you know!? A- And Marie went to a won’s clothing boutique, so the odds of them eting by chance are……]
[……They will, with it being him…… I an, in this vast Capital, Kaito-sama just happened to head for the high-end district exactly where Marie-sama would be at that timing…… Besides, the fact that this sighting information even reached us must an Phantasmal King-sama expects Marie-sama and Kaito-sama to encounter each other……]
[For now, gather all related information imdiately! Check for any sightings or signs of major figures within the Capital, such as the Six Kings or their Executives! Also, look into any events scheduled to take place today!]
From their past experiences, both Eris and Marquis Hamilton were almost certain that Kaito would end up eting Marie, and they imdiately ordered their subordinates to collect other relevant intelligence.
If any major figures happened to be visiting the capital, then an encounter between them would be inevitable.
And realizing that his daughter might soon find herself in a truly extraordinary situation, Baron Ritch closed his eyes and clutched his head, praying for her peace of mind.
Serious-senpai : [So they’ve entered ergency alert status for the Subject K…… Well, it’s already too late for that, if we’re being honest……]
? ? ? : ["The incident isn’t happening in the Capital! It’s happening in the God Realm!" or sothing like that, yeah?]
Serious-senpai : [Then tell them already.]
? ? ? : [That’s the thing, at this point, even Alice-chan doesn’t know about it yet.]
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