Chapter 833: Intermission: The Flower of the Earth ③ (1/2)

After handing over the souvenir I brought, we got down to business, but the consultation with Lillywood-san didn't really take that long. Well, I was really just confirming things with her, so I guess it was obvious. Incidentally, it seems like I could replant the seedling of the World Tree as it is without any problems at all.

I also heard that Lillywood-san had modified my World Tree so that ”a Spirit wouldn't dwell in it” and ”it would stop growing at a certain size”, which made me somewhat relieved.

After that, I spent some time chatting with Lillywood-san, who seemed to have some free time today. In the middle of our discussion regarding the Housewarming Party a few days earlier, the conversation somehow headed towards the executive subordinates of the Six Kings.

[Come to think of it, Lillywood-san's executives are called the Seven Princesses, right?]

”Yes, that's what they're called. They're all excellent and I could rely on them.]

[Heehhh…… Speaking of which, I've never met any of the Seven Princesses. If there was an opportunity, I'd like to meet them one day.]

When I think back, I've met a good number of those who were called as the Six Kings' Executive Subordinates, such as all of War King Megiddo's Five Generals, only Fafnir-san among Magnawell-san's Four Great Demon Dragons, Pandora-san and Catastro-san among Alice's Ten Demons, but I've never met any of Lillywood-san's executives.

It seems that Lillywood-san has a lot of work to do as one of the Six Kings, and being her executives, I guess it won't be strange for the Seven Princesses to also be busy. Hmmm, I would like to thank them for the previous incident in the God Realm, so if it's possible, I would like to get to the Six Kings' executives.

”……Eh?”

[Eh?]

When Lillywood-san heard my words, which I thought I had said in a very normal way, she dubiously looked at me, to which I just tilted my head.

Looking like she was thinking of something for a bit, Lillywood-san let out a small sigh.

”……I see, it's just the usual huh. Kaito-san, could you wait for a bit?”

[Eh? Ah, yes.]

I nodded at the words Lillywood-san said with a wry smile on her face. As we waited there for a little while, a knock came from the door of the room, and Camellia-san, who had just left the room earlier, returned.

[Lillywood-sama, you called?]

”Yes, I'm sorry to interrupt your cleaning.”

[Ahh, no, I'm just glad I found an excuse to turn down training.”

”Unnn?”

Looking at Camellia-san who seemed kinda tired, Lillywood-san tilted her head before she turned towards me.

”……Let's start all over again, Kaito-san.”

[Ah, yes.]

”First, I'd like to start with introductions. This is one of my executives, the Seven Princesses…… The Grass Flower Princess, Camellia.”

[Haeehhhh? Ah, yes, I'm Camellia.]

Unnn? What did she just say? One of her executives? Camellia-san is?

[E- Eeehhhhh!? I- Is that how it is!?]

”As I thought, you didn't realize it huh. Even back then, it has been hard for others to realize that she's actually one of my executives…… Even though she's an excellent child, I guess it could be said that her presence is thin……”

[A- Ahaha……]

To be frank, I was quite surprised by what Lillywood-san said. I've talked to Camellia-san before, and I believe we've become quite close…… but I've never felt the atmosphere of an executive from her before.

How should I say this…… I don't feel the aura of a strong person from Camellia-san, and she has this very friendly atmosphere around her. If I were to compare her to those I'm close with, I guess her friendly atmosphere would be comparable to the atmosphere around Lilia-san.

[My presence is so thin that I'm almost unnoticeable even when I walk around the city without using Recognition Inhibition Magic, and people often say I don't look like an executive.]

[N- No, I've never felt like your presence is thin, Camellia-san. It's just that I was surprised by the sudden new information, even when we've known each other for a long time.]

Lillywood-san said that ”it's just the usual”, so I guess this happens often. However, while I did find the atmosphere around Camellia-san making her look simple, I don't think I've thought of her as someone with a thin presence.

I'm even confident that I could easily find her within a crowd…… I guess I just might be feeling this because I have my Sympathy Magic.

[Ahh, speaking of which, if Camellia-san is an executive, that means that you also participated in the previous incident in the God Realm, right? I'm sorry that it took so long for me to say this, but thank you so much for that time.]

[No, no, please don't worry about it. I didn't do much anyway, but I'm glad that I was able to help you in any way I could.]

The warmth of the smile on Camellia-san's face as she said that tells me that she really was a very kind person. Even though Camellia-san told me to not worry about it, I just wanted to thank her again.

After enjoying a peaceful conversation with Kaito, who was surprised but quickly regained his composure, Lillywood called out to Camellia, who was standing next to her, as they saw Kaito off.

”……You didn't do much huh…… That's different from what I heard though.”

[Yes?]

”I've heard that you were quite active in that battle. Tirtania and the others were even quite excited when they saw you become serious for the first time.”

[E- Errr……]

Hearing the words Lillywood said with a smile, Camellia thought of the battle in the God Realm that happened not that long ago…… which is in a way, was the largest battle since the beginning of this world.

The battle between the Gods, which had been strengthened by Shallow Vernal, and the Human-Demon Allied Forces, was spread out in various floating islands, and was becoming increasingly fierce.

But relatively speaking, the executives of the same camp were fighting together on the same battlefield. In a way, that was inevitable. It's easier to fight with people of the same camp rather than trying to work together with other camps.

And on one of such floating islands, the Seven Princesses, a number of High-ranking Gods and Low-ranking Gods were facing each other.

[……100%!]

[Kuhh……]

With a shout, Camellia unleashed a blow of tremendous power, which was met by the God of Sky, one of the High-ranking Gods, with her arms crossed in a defensive posture.

The full-force strike of Camellia, known as Earth's Mighty Fist,  was so powerful that even some of the Six Kings' executives avoided receiving it head-on. However, the God of Sky dared to do such a thing.

The power of the blow was so powerful that even the current God of Sky, who had gained an incomparable amount of power, had taken two steps back.

However, she was able to withstand Camellia's attack by only taking two steps back. This exchange could be described as a turning point. The Gods looked relieved, while on the other hand, the people on the Seven Princesses' side looked bitter.

As one could see from the expressions on their faces, the outcome was a thankful one for the Gods, but not for the Seven Princesses.