At the castle in the Imperial Capital of Archlesia Empire, Emperor Chris was greeting her visitors with a smile. Chris has a lot of work to do today, as it is the day of the national celebration of the founding of their country. It is her job to greet important guests.
That said, as the Emperor, Chris can only greet the most powerful people in person……
[I bid you welcome, Your Excellency, Duchess Albert.]
[It’s been a long time, Your Majesty Chris. You can just call me by my first name.]
[Well then, Duchess Lilia…… Thank you for joining us this time for our Founding Festival.][I must have caused trouble for the inconvenience caused by my sudden request. I apologize.]
[No, I have heard about the situation. I am not inclined to blame you when it is that one who is responsible for this matter. She isn’t the kind of person in which our thoughts can reach……]
The people Chris came to greet was Lilia, who was accompanied by Sieglinde and Lunamaria, and she showed them to their guest room. Lilia wasn’t originally scheduled to participate in the Founding Festival, but was suddenly chosen to attend under Eden’s instruction.
Eden’s instruction was for Lilia to go to Kaito’s stall, but being a Duchess, visiting the Founding Festival while not participating in the ceremony could be perceived as disrespect to their imperial authority, although it was sudden, she decided to attend their Founding Festival ceremony as well.
Chris is well aware of how unreasonable Eden was, so she pleasantly accepted her request for participation in the ceremony.
[Even so, even excluding that, we as a country are grateful to have Duchess Lilia participate in our festival. Duchess Lilia is now the greatest and strongest noble in Symphonia Kingdom after all.]
[……That’s quite strange, isn’t it? Until just a few years ago, I was just supposed to be someone who was on par with lower-ranking nobles other than military might, someone who had no major businesses and lacked financial resources but……][Hahaha, now you’ve become the strongest military force in Symphonia Kingdom, possess a voice that rivals that of royalty, strong connections and overwhelming financial power, and even that Sky Castle bestowed by the God of Creation, which has become synonymous with the Royal Capital in its 2 years of existence. Both in name and reality, you have risen to the top noble within the Kingdom.]
[……It was mostly due to Kaito-san’s influence though.]
In response to the words Chris cheerfully said, Lilia gave her a wry smile with an indescribable expression on her face. In fact, just as Chris said, Albert Duchy is now a noble lineage that reigns at the top of Symphonia Kingdom.
[With a truly terrifying momentum, we ended up gathering both power and funds.]
[Due to Miyama-sama’s influence, exchanges with the Six Kings and other high-ranking personnel were opened, and with such a thing happening, the number of people who wanted to have a connection with Albert Duchy increased. Such nobles want Duchess Lilia to have a good impression of them, so they bring you deals favorable for Duchess Lilia. As a result, businesses and connections accumulate at an accelerated pace, and the power of your Duchy itself grows. That being the case, the number of low-ranking nobles who want to be under your protection will increase, and a major faction will be completed…… That’s how things turned out to be.]
[Yes, thanks to that, I am now completely recognized as the top of the Albert Duchy Faction. Well, simply put, the increase in financial resources and the availability of talented individuals have also contributed to a sense of stability, alleviating the busyness of allowing me more free time.]
[That’s all well and good, but considering that the resulting extra time has led you to travel to other countries like this, I guess it isn’t all good.]
[Hahaha…… Well, when it comes to Eden-sama though, she probably would have commanded me to go here regardless of whether I was busy or not……]
In the first place, fundamentally speaking, the influence of the World’s Singularity, Kaito, is tremendous. Kaito’s existence is well-known among the nobles, and his lover, Lilia, who is also part of their society, possesses immense power of voice just by association with him. Of course, she will not bring out Kaito’s existence into social gatherings or negotiations, nor does she have any intention of using it…… Even without considering that, Lilia possesses overwhelming power and is hailed as the strongest in Symphonia Kingdom, having received the True Blessing of the God of Time and Space. Adding having been bestowed with the Sky Castle by the God of Creation to that, Lilia now holds incredible strength and immense financial resources.
……It was just that Kaito’s friendships are abnormal enough to overshadow that.
[……By the way, Duchess Lilia, this is a private subject that has nothing to do with diplomacy……]
[Yes?]
[……Do you know of any good stomach pills? I have to greet World King-sama, Dragon King-sama and the three Supreme Gods after this……]
[I deeply sympathize with how you feel…… Seriously…… I sympathize with it so much that it hurts. If you’re alright with what I use, I’d introduce several brands to you.]
[My gratitude.]
Looking at the indescribable expression on Chris’ face, Lilia guessed everything that’s going on. After all, the one who suffers the most damage in matters like this is none other than Lilia……
Until now, Lilia hadn’t interacted much with Chris, but after this exchange…… As someone who knows the same pain, she felt like they could get along with each other.
<Afterword>
? ? ? : [I see, the Stomachache Warriors are naturally drawn to each other.]
Serious-senpai : [Of course, they’d be drawn to each other! After all, they both share the same cause of stomachache……]
