Chapter 1608 - A Reward For Lilia ①

There are hardly any days between Archlesia Empire’s Founding Festival and Hydra Kingdom’s Founding Festival. It’s barely a month away, and people who open stalls at both festivals are probably quite busy.

Festivals are the time when one rakes in the greatest profits, so I think it’s very important for those who are doing such business.

Well, regarding Hydra Kingdom’s Founding Festival, I’m just going to enjoy it like the other festival-goers, so I won’t be opening any stalls and won’t need to make any special preparations. In fact, even transportation is covered by Alice’s Teleportation Magic, so there really is no need for any preparations. It’s quite the carefree situation I have.

[……Eh? Then, is Lilia-san also attending Hydra Kingdom’s Founding Festival? That means it’s a complete All-Three Nation clear, isn’t it?]

[Yes, I mean…… My participation in Archlesia Empire’s Founding Festival may have been a sudden decision, but I originally planned to attend Hydra Kingdom’s Founding Festival. Her Majesty Laguna frequently comes to my household and I often interact with her after all……]

[Well, even if she says “she interacts with her”, Her Majesty Laguna just comes to have some heated battle with Milady……]

Speaking of which, I was wondering why Laguna-san comes here quite a bit, but so that’s how it was huh…… She fights with Lilia-san about once a month. And in those times, she would also drop by to visit me……

It seems that the current abilities of Lilia-san and Laguna-san are nearly equal, and they are continuously improving through their victories and defeats. However, according to Laguna-san, “I feel like I won’t be able to catch up with her within a few years”, so Lilia-san’s growth rate seems to be truly remarkable.

[The Founding Festival has also been quite a topic of conversation between us, and saying it’s rough would be an understatement. Fortunately, Kaito-san isn’t opening a stall, so the big names in attendance are relatively modest……]

[Hmmm? Is there something special happening in Hydra Kingdom as well?]

[Yes, there’s quite a buzz about the unveiling of a treasured monument that the First Hero-sama bestowed upon Her Majesty Laguna in Hydra Kingdom. It’s believed that this could provide evidence for the theory of First Hero-sama’s continued existence in this world, garnering significant attention from the public…… Well, I already know about the truth of this matter though……]

[Yeah……]

I see, so Laguna-san went with that kind of strategy huh. Thinking about it again, among Laguna-san’s connections, Neun-san could be considered as her ultimate trump card, with a level of fame comparable to the Six Kings and the Supreme Gods. I don’t think Neun-san was entirely enthusiastic about it, but Laguna-san probably managed to skillfully persuade her.

[Well, but as long as they’re just unveiling that monument, there shouldn’t be any particular concern for anything to happen to Lilia-san, so that’s a relief.]

[You’re right. I’m not particularly involved in this matter, so I’m just going to leisurely watch how things turn out.]

[Is that really how it would turn out though? Logically speaking, nothing should happen, but seeing Miyama-sama and Milady looking that optimistic about it makes me feel like something might actually occur.]

[……Don’t jinx it.]

Ahh~~ To be honest, I think I get what Luna-san feels. As the reason for most of the things that happened around us was me, so I can’t really say this out loud, when Lilia-san says “It’ll be alright”, I can’t shake off the feeling that some kind of trouble might actually occur.

However, it’s not like there’s any possibility of something happening to Lilia-san…… isn’t something I can really say. In the first place, the attendees have already been decided, so there wouldn’t be anyone else added other than those listed…… so it should be alright…… I think.

After chatting over tea with Kaito, Lilia, who was working in her office, was taking a break after asking Lunamaria to deliver some documents.

Thereupon, at that moment, she suddenly saw a light flash in front of her eyes…… and Eden appeared.

[E- Eden-sama!?]

[At ease. I’ve come this time to fulfill my promise. I had been indebted to you during Archlesia Empire’s Founding Festival after all.]

[Ah, no, it’s my honor to be of service.]

[I have prepared two things for you as a reward for your hard work. First would be this. Touch this cogwheel.]

[Eh? Ah, yes——— !?]

Upon touching the cogwheel Eden held out to her, Lilia immediately felt as if something was entering her body. Then, after about 5 seconds…… Her eyes opened wide.

[……Hauteclere?]

[Hou, so that’s the name of your Heart Tool…… You probably already understand how to use it and its effects, so while you think about it, I’ll provide you with fundamental knowledge about Heart Tools. However, know that there is a restriction on the Heart Tools, preventing it from being used by anyone other than their designated users. Well, you should confirm the detailed information in the knowledge I’m sending you.]

Immediately after Eden said this, the knowledge of Heart Tools flowed into Lilia’s head. She also understood the limitations that Eden had imposed on it, and nodded with a mysterious expression on her face.

[……So it’s the same ability as what Alice-sama was using. To be honest, it’s so overwhelmingly powerful that I can’t think of a suitable situation to use it……]

[Since Heart Tools’ abilities can vary greatly from person to person, if you happen to acquire a powerful one, then you’re fortunate. That being said, one other thing…… This is my main gift of gratitude from me. Allow me to present this to you.]

[……This is?]

[As a token of appreciation for your efforts, with permission from Shallow Vernal, in a rift between dimensions———— “I have created you a small world”. You are free to use it as you please.]

[—————————–Huh?]

Hearing the words Eden said as if it were a matter of course, Lilia looked at her with a blank expression on her face, her hands unconsciously holding onto her stomach.

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [I guess, in a sense, the gift…… was a stomachache?]

? ? ? : [That aside, in just 5 seconds, Lilia-san seriously awakened her Heart Tool…… Her talent really is bug-like.]