Chapter 2102: Date Plan Execution ㊳
However, there are also beings of an entirely different nature———— beings who could lead to one’s ruin if approached recklessly…… Foremost among them is Shallow Vernal. Not only are nobles prohibited from speaking directly to Shallow Vernal, but even royalty is barred. A single misstep in engaging with this supreme existence could turn not just all Gods…… but quite literally, the entire world into enemies.
Next is the Phantasmal King, Alice, known to the public as No Face. As the one that\'s essentially the hidden ruler of the world, Alice controls all information and shows no mercy in eliminating anything that threatens the world\'s stability.
In noble society, Alice is far more feared than even Isis, to the point where her appearance before a noble is said to signify their imminent downfall.
A more recent addition to this list is the Otherworld God Eden…… This being has already issued warnings——— or threats———– to all the world’s nobles, with some trembling in fear at the mere mention of her name, as she is a dangerous God beyond reason.
And finally…… there’s Founder Olivia.
In this world, where Deities like Shallow Vernal and the Gods exist, faith is naturally strong, and Godism is the sole, absolute religion.
While there are several branches of the faith, the majority of the world belongs to it in some form. Olivia stands at the top of this religion, making her an exceedingly delicate presence to deal with.
Olivia rarely forms personal connections, avoids attending noble events entirely, and has no interactions with the nobility in general. However, her influence is immense, and even high-ranking nobles would face complete ruin if they incur her displeasure.(The Founder almost never interacts with anyone outside the upper echelons of Friendship City\'s administration or the high-ranking priests of the Cathedral. At the very least, my father has likely never spoken with her even once. I should avoid addressing her recklessly and only do so if Kaito-sama introduces me directly……)
Concluding that it would be dangerous to approach Olivia carelessly, Eris decided to take no action herself, reasoning that Olivia likely had no interest in her anyway.
Of course, as if to sneer upon such calculations with his actions…… Kaito made his move.
[Ah, Eris-san, let me introduce you. This is Mizuhara Kaori, an Otherworlder like me. And this is Olivia-san.]
[Pleased to meet you. I am Eris Dia Hamilton.]
Introduced to Kaori and Olivia by Kaito, Eris gave a slight bow and returned the greeting. She deliberately avoided mentioning her title as the daughter of a marquis, conveying only her name to emphasize that her greeting was as an individual, not as a noble.
[Ah, h- hello, I’m Mizuhara Kaori.]
[……
Meanwhile, Olivia gazed at Eris with a calm, evaluative look.
(It’s a relief that Founder-sama has no interest in me or, by extension, the Hamilton Marquisdom. In this situation, it should appear that Kaito-sama is merely introducing me, without implying any connection between Founder-sama and our family…… She’s probably aware of this and is simply observing in silence.)
Feeling the encounter might end without incident, Eris secretly sighed in relief. But then, Olivia shifted her gaze to Kaito and spoke.
[Miyama Kaito-sama, may I confirm something? Is she an important person to you?]
[Important might not be the right word, but Eris-san is a dear friend of mine.]
As Olivia posed her question in a composed manner, Kaito replied with a wry smile, and in that instant, Eris felt an icy chill run down her spine.
(……Kaito-sama? Um, at this moment, that statement…… No, I mean, I’m honored! Truly honored, but……!? The fact that Founder-sama went out of her way to confirm this means…… A- Awawa……)
Sure enough, Eris’s ominous premonition came true. After hearing Kaito’s response, Olivia gave a small nod, then turned to face Eris again. This time, the cautious, appraising look in her eyes had vanished.
[If you are someone important to Miyama Kaito-sama, then you are equally significant to me……and, by extension, to Godism. Pleased to meet you, Eris Dia Hamilton. My name is Olivia. I pray that today’s encounter will lead to fruitful relations in the future.]
[……Ah…… Yes, it is the greatest of honors.]
She wanted nothing more than to look to the heavens and sigh, but knowing it would be inappropriate, she bowed deeply instead. That Olivia had introduced herself and mentioned future relations could only mean one thing…… at the very least, Olivia had judged Eris herself to be someone worthy of forming a connection with. Sensing that the other nobles in the shop would likely spread the news to the nobles throughout Archlesia Empire by the end of the day, Eris felt a pain that seemed to rip out her stomach, yet she desperately maintained an unshakable smile.
<Afterword>
Serious-senpai : [A blow that seemed to rip out her stomach…… That\'s quite the hard puncher.]