The evening is approaching and the color of the sky is beginning to change slightly, the head of the Albert family, Lilia, is staring at some papers in her office.
A piece of paper enclosed with the invitation to Kaito that arrived this morning, containing a pledge of commitment. A document detailing several including assurances for Kaito’s personal safety……
[—–Don’t you think it’s too good to be just a coincidence?]
[……Luna…… Yes, that’s right. I can’t believe that the demon that helped Kaito-san when he got lost in the city happened to be an acquaintance of the Chairman of the Seditch Magic Tool Trading Company, Sei Riverstar and that Kaito-san would accept the invitation…… would be a really astonishing coincidence.]
When she heard the indifferent voice, Lilia raised her face from the document she’s looking at and quietly replied. As for the invitation in the morning, Kaito explained to her that the demon that saved him said they would have dinner together when he left, but he didn’t expect that he would be invited this early. And in response to that, fortunately or unfortunately, Kaito’s schedule was open as well and if Kaito wishes to participate, Lilia encouraged him to do so.
[……The summoning of Heroes has been done nearly a hundred times already. This time, you are in charge of that and only this time, an accidental summoning of multiple people happened, and you, with your strong sense of responsibility, are taking care of them.]
[……………..]
[And since there were no men’s clothing in the residence, Miyama had to go out, unlike the other otherworlders. And somebody, who somehow knew that someone other than the Hero had been summoned, used a cloaking spell to hide the fact that he had gone out, and a high-ranking demon just happened to be passing by rescued Miyama-sama.]
[……………..]
While quietly listening to Lunamaria’s words, Lilia’s expression didn’t change at all. She just quiet stares at Lunamaria’s face as she smiles at the door.
[And for His Majesty, the King’s bad habit to appear again and he didn’t prepare an invitation for Miyama-sama, which coincidentally made Miyama-sama’s schedule in the fourth day of the year free. Then, by coincidence, Miyama-sama received an invitation to a dinner party from the demon’s acquaintance, who happened to be the chairman of the largest trading company, a person you would be coveting for he has just gained his peerage and someone who doesn’t have many connections yet—– How convenient, isn’t it? Duchess Albert-sama?]
[…………….]
[……It’s really too good a scenario for you, isn’t it? My Lady……]
[…………….]
The dusk light piercing from the window illuminated the face of the mansion’s head. What appeared on her face was—– a smile that could be called a sneer.
(T/N: keikaku doori)
[—–Well, this will probably what the majority will think, right? You’re too pessimistic about every single thing, “Lily”……]
[Luna……]
[You’re too d*mn serious and a softhearted person, that I don’t think you’re capable of such elaborate plans.]
[I feel like an idiot for a moment there.]
Followed by Lunamaria whose expression broke down into laughter, Lilia also leaked out a smile. The appearance of Lunamaria, who speaks with a nickname that she only calls out when they’re alone, was more like a bad friend than an attendant.
[Lily is too easy to understand. The reason you’ve been in a bad mood all morning is that, while you’ve been trying to protect yourself from the people who want to take advantage of the otherworlders, you don’t like the fact that you’re going to benefit from the plot against Miyama-sama?]
[……I really can’t hide anything from you. Yes, that’s right. I am honestly grateful for having a connection with the Seditch Magic Tool Company. Moreover, it says that the Chairman himself will visit the residence in person at a later date…… It’s like I’m using Kaito-san’s friendship with him to benefit the Albert Duchy…… I don’t know if I can assent to that.]
In response to Lunamaria’s words that seem to strike true to her heart, Lilia muttered a heartfelt grumble.
[I don’t know if I should say you’re really inflexible or something…… Even though we can just say that obediently conclude it as our good luck……]
[We’ve only known each other for a few days, but Kaito-san, Aoi-san, and Hina-san are all very kind to me. They don’t blame me for getting them involved in something like this, but rather, they were even saying their gratitude. I don’t want people like them to be involved in nobles’ diplomacy.]
[I don’t think Miyama-sam would want to be caught up in some troublesome nobles, wouldn’t he?]
[Even so, I don’t like it. As I thought, I’m not cut out to be a noble.]
[I agree.]
[Why in the world are you agreeing that part!?]
[Lily has always been a musclehead. You always act before you think, so you could just leave complicated thoughts behind.]
[Who’s a musclehead!? I dare you to say that again!!]
Staring at Lilia, who’s lying down on the desk with her head in her hands, Lunamaria looks likes she’s having fun as she laughed and teased her.
A slight smile returned to Lilia-san face as she received the unreserved way of speaking of her old friend, rather than how an attendant talks to her master.
[……Well, you may be right. It’s not in my nature to think about the things that have already happened. I should apologize to Kaito-san again…… and I guess some words of gratitude for that.]
[Rather, if you could just make something into an established fact after you say your gratitude, you wouldn’t be so guilty about it, don’t you think?]
[……You always find ways to screw around, aren’t you?]
[Fufufu, isn’t it good…… Lily’s over seriousness, my banters, I think they make a good balance.]
[……Hahhhh…… I felt like I’m always the one who has to do the hard work though.]
After briefly laughing, Lunamaria turns her back to Lilia and heads for the door. Just before leaving though, she looks back at Lilia and speaks with a smile on her face.
[Kusunoki-sama and Yuzuki-sama’s preparations will be over soon, so it’s about time for us to leave…… My Lady.]
[……Thank you, Luna.]
To be honest, I was expecting that I would be pursued for answers, but Lilia-san easily agreed to let me join the dinner party. That’s how absurd the person who sent me the invitation is that, how should I say this… I think my stomach hurts for some reason.
Either way, she originally arranged for me to attend an evening party, and before I knew it, there was formal wear for me and dresses for Kusunoki-san and Yuzuki-san too.
Dressed in the shiny formal wear that I’ve only seen in the movies back in my previous world, I got a call that the people who were coming to pick me up had arrived. After giving a quick hello to Lilia-san and the others, I headed to the main gate.
When I reached the main gate, I immediately saw a huge carriage tied to four black horses—- what’s that? That horse is really big…… but it’s also got something that looks like a horn. Is it a unicorn? A black unicorn?
[You must be Miyama Kaito-sama.]
[Ah, yes.]
At the front of the carriage is a man who looks like a noble’s attendant, who then deeply bows to me and asked. Slightly pressured by the aura around him, I told him that I will be attending the dinner party. He then opened the carriage door and I climbed into the carriage.
[……How spacious……]
From the outside, I knew it was a huge carriage, but when I walked in, it was surprisingly spacious inside here that I’m actually feeling like a celebrity. In addition, there’s no one else in here except me, that I didn’t really know where to sit.
I felt awkward sitting in the middle, so I sat down near the window and a man handed me something that looked like a bag.
[The Chairman asked me to give you this.]
[Thank you very much.]
[No, we’ll be leaving shortly, so please ask any questions you may have.]
[Ah, yes.]
I don’t know what his name is, but he moved to the driver’s seat of the carriage and we began leaving shortly.
For the time being, I checked the bag I just received—– as if it’s something common, a letter appeared in the air.
“Dear Kaito-kun,
We’re having barbecue, so I brought some comfortable clothes for you to wear~ You won’t be able to see the inside of the carriage from the outside, so you can change your clothes there~”
Ah, I see…… It was called a dinner party, so I came out in formal wear, but I’m pretty sure Kuro said we’re having barbecue right from the start. In that case, I’d rather wear rough clothes than formal wear in such an event.
To be honest, I honestly thought I was invited to a place more extravagant and dazzling than the royal palace, so I was a little bit relieved to change into the clothes that were given to me. It looks like a very ordinary shirt and trousers with a black color base, but I feel like it’s very light and easy to move around in, probably because I changed out of my formal wear.
Afterward, while looking out from the carriage which hardly swayed for a while, the carriage crossed a large gate and after about 20 minutes of driving, the carriage stopped and the man opened the door for me.
[We have arrived. Please be careful on your steps.]
[Ah, yes.]
[The venue is just down the road at the river’s edge. If you’d like, I can keep your clothes here for you to change into later.]
[I’d like that.]
[Yes. Then, I’ll pick you up again when you’re ready to leave.]
Bowing deeply again, I thanked the man who was receiving my change of clothes and looked in the direction he pointed at…… The open area on the river’s edge where we would have barbecue was immediately in sight, so I made my way towards there.
[Ah, Kaito-kunnn~. Over here~!]
After walking for a bit, in front of me…… was Kuro in her black coat she’s usually wearing, widely waving her hand at me.
A petite woman in a maid’s uniform, about 150cm in height, standing next to Kuro. She deeply bowed as I approached. (T/N: 4’11” pfft)
[Let’s have lots of fun today~]
[Y- Yeah…… Or rather, you sent me an outrageous invitation…… Thanks to that, the people on our side have been really nervous.]
[Ahaha, sorry, sorry. But, it’s alright. As I said yesterday, I’m only inviting my close friends here today, so you can relax~. Ah, let me introduce you. This child here is Ein.]
[It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miyama Kaito-sama. My name is Ein.]
Her platinum hair is slightly longer where the sideburns should be, while it’s relatively shorter around other areas. A petite woman in a maid’s uniform that doesn’t even have any wrinkles—– Ein-san deeply bowed her head as she greeted me.
I don’t know what to say… Should I say she has an unordinary aura around her or she has a very relaxed atmosphere around her? She’s supposed to be looking like the Lunamaria-san, who’s the same maid like her, but there’s something different about Ein-san’s vibe.
[Now then, since Kaito-kun’s here… Ein~ get ready to go.]
[I respectfully obey.]
[Eh? Ehhhhhh!?]
When Kuro announced with a leisurely smile, Ein-san bowed….. and immediately afterward, a wire mesh that seems to be for barbecue, outdoor tables, and chairs, which were not there a moment ago, suddenly appeared in front of us. What the heck’s that? Is that magic?
I’m surprised at the scene as if I’m watching a magic trick, but Kuro doesn’t seem particularly concerned about it and just turned her bright smile towards me.
[Since this was decided so suddenly, I’ve asked the other children to get some ingredients for us…… But I’m sure they’ll be back soon, so I’ll introduce you to them.]
[Ah, yeah……]
Trying to calm the surprise in me, I nodded at Kuro’s words—- but I heard footsteps getting louder with every step. When I turned around, I stiffened.
What the heck is that? My eyes must be playing tricks on me again…… but some kind of black, full-body armored knight walked towards me, carrying a winged lizard that looks about 5 meters long…… Is that a dragon? Is that a f*cking dragon?
[Kuromu-sama, would three flying dragons be enough?]
[Unnn. I think that should be enough~]
[ !? ]
Three!? Did he just say three flying dragons? ……Ah, it’s true. He’s also dragging two of them behind him, besides the one he’s carrying. No, no!? Wait a minute, my brain can’t keep up with what’s happening, you know!?
The sudden appearance of a fantasy-esque dragon, driving my brain to a complete overload, brings my mind to a halt. And from another direction, I could see huge green blob—- or rather, I could see a bundle of vegetables floating towards us.
[Kuromu-sama~ I brought the vegetables~.]
[Thank you~]
[ !?!? ]
Looking in the direction of the childish voice I heard, I saw a girl about 50 cm underneath the flying vegetables. Eh? A fairy!? A fairy appeared now!?
[Oiii~. Kuromu-sama. I brought the fish.]
[Ah, nice timing.]
[ !?!?!? ]
The one that appeared this time is really big! A giant!? No no, wait a moment!? I’m begging you, just wait a moment! My brain can’t keep up at all!
[Are these all the condiments we would need?]
[Ah, that’s right~]
[ !?!?!?!? ]
A full-length skeleton in a gorgeous outfit is flying in the air!? What the heck is with this situation!? A young demon girl, a maid, a full-body armored knight, a fairy, a giant and a skeleton!? That’s a whole lot of fantasy-esque beings gathering here, don’t you think!?
Dear Mother, Father—— I went to a party to eat barbecue. And now I learned—– that I should have expected it, the absurd demon’s friends would be absurd as well.