I Was Caught up in a Hero Summoning, but That World Is at Peace - Chapter 2216: Miyama Kaito's Birthday Celebration Party ⑱
Having finished giving her birthday present to Kaito and offering a brief greeting, Eris stepped down from the stage and let out a quiet sigh of relief in her heart.
(……With this, the most important part is done for now. Even though I still can’t let my guard down completely, I do feel a bit more at ease…… But still…… there’s no other word for this scale but “overwhelming”. According to Phantasmal King-sama, only those who have already been introduced to Kaito-sama are present here today, so Father and Mother couldn’t come…… Well, perhaps it was better that they didn’t. Not only are the top figures of the world gathered here, but even Otherworld Gods have come…… Even I, who am fairly used to parties, can’t help but feel intimidated.)
Since Eris got acquainted with Kaito after the previous shipboard party, she had no knowledge of what it had been like. This was her first time seeing Kaito’s acquaintances gathered together like this, and it was fair to say she was overwhelmed by the sheer lineup of formidable individuals.
Still, thanks to her rigorous education as a lady, she managed not to let her nervousness show, maintaining an appearance of calm and composure to those around her.
(What’s truly fortunate is that there aren’t many people here whom I would personally call acquaintances. Or rather, as I’d heard from Kaito-sama, there really are very few nobles here. For such a large-scale party, with all these top figures from various countries present, it feels a bit strange to see so few nobles.)
Kaito’s circle of friends included remarkably few nobles, but that didn’t mean it was filled with commoners either. In fact, nearly all the well-known Peak Count-rank Demons were present, along with many other prominent figures, creating a scene that could easily be described as extremely sparse in terms of nobility.
(I was surprised to see the Scott Count couple here. While they are certainly influential nobles in Symphonia with considerable wealth, I didn’t think they had much connection to Kaito-sama, since they’re not particularly close to the Albert Duchy…… But then again, if I say that, I myself am from the Hamilton Marquisdom of Archlesia Empire, so it’s possible they simply happened to meet somewhere by chance. It seems there aren’t any nobles from the Hydra Kingdom here…… That said, that country has many nobles who have returned their titles to become merchants, and in the first place, they have very few nobles.)
Listening to the lively sounds of the tournament while strolling at a leisurely pace, Eris considered her next course of action. From her standpoint, it seemed prudent to engage in conversation with people from Archlesia Empire…… or perhaps, nobles from Human Realm.
There were some high-status individuals connected to Kaito of whom she was also acquainted with, such as members of the Seven Princesses, the Founder, or Rasal, but since they weren’t particularly close, and she wasn’t with Kaito at the moment, she thought it best to keep her greetings brief and not engage in long conversations.
(There are many people here with whom I would be pleased to establish a connection, but if I were to approach them at an occasion like this, I might be seen as having ulterior motives. Besides, I am participating here as an individual, not as a representative of the Hamilton Marquisdom, so I should avoid interactions that seem aimed at networking. More importantly, I don’t want to behave in a way that appears to take advantage of Kaito-sama’s connections. Basically, I’ll focus on light conversations with people I know among the Humans, and if someone approaches me, I’ll respond accordingly……)Eris calmly analyzed the situation in her mind and thought about her next actions. However…… regrettably, when it came to matters involving Kaito, such safe and predictable expectations rarely went according to plan.
[Excuse me, may I have a moment of your time?]
[Yes, what is it——!?]
[If I’m not mistaken, are you the lady of the Hamilton Marquisdom……]
[Y- Yes. I am the heir of the Hamilton Marquis family, Eris Dia Hamilton. I’ve heard much about you.]
[Ah, no need to be so formal. It seems you already know, but allow me to introduce myself as well…… I am Satania Darklord, President of Lord Trading Company.]
It was none other than Ten Demon’s Moloch…… or as she introduced herself, Satania, who suddenly spoke to her.
(T- The President of Lord Trading Company, one of the Five Great Companies, said to possess wealth rivaling that of entire nations, the Daemon Lord Satania Darklord herself, w- why is she speaking to me!? I mean, it’s true the Lord Trading Company is based in Archlesia Empire but…… as far as I know, they have never been any dealings with the Hamilton family. If she were to talk with my father, the head of the family, I could understand, but why me? I’m just the young lady of the family.)
Eris, unable to comprehend why such a prominent figure would speak to someone like her, a mere marquis lady, was bewildered. Yet, Satania addressed her with a gentle expression.
[Forgive me for approaching you so suddenly. Thinking of the future, I thought it would be wise to at least offer a greeting.]
[Is that directed toward our Hamilton Marquisdom?]
[No…… Perhaps, in the future, we may have transactions or other dealings with your family, but I wished to greet you personally, Lady Eris, not as a representative of your family.]
[M- Me personally? B- But, I don’t possess anything that would be worthy of the attention of the Lord Trading Company……]
[There is no need for false modesty. Simply being highly valued by Miyama Kaito-sama is worth far more than mountains of gold and silver treasures. Both as an individual and as the President of the Lord Trading Company, I intend to keep a close eye on your future. If there is anything I can do to assist you, do not hesitate to reach out to us.]
[Y- Yesh…… I- It would be my honor……]
Though her words were rather roundabout, what Satania was saying was clear: “if Eris ever wished to propose any dealings or seek assistance, the Lord Trading Company would be ready to respond”. Faced with such an unexpectedly high evaluation, Eris felt as if she might faint on the spot.
The reason Satania approached Eris was because she had overheard the earlier exchange between Kaito and Eris, and had realized how highly Kaito valued her. For someone in Archlesia Empire’s nobility to draw such attention from Kaito, Satania felt it was essential to make contact and establish a connection.
However, unaware that Satania was actually Ten Demon’s Moloch and held immense loyalty toward Kaito…… Eris could not comprehend why she was being held in such high regard, and could only clutch her aching stomach in confusion.
<Afterword>
Serious-senpai : [Even though she’s competent and doesn’t give off any kind of useless vibe at all, she always gets smacked right after calmly analyzing the situation, so she ends up giving the impression of someone who, right after putting on a sharp, serious face, gets beaten to tears.]
