I was Caught up in a Hero Summoning, but that World is at Peace (WN)-Chapter 2089: Intermission: Gathering of Gods ④

The office in the Duchess Albert's mansion…… In reality, it could almost be called Lilia’s private room. Sitting elegantly on the sofa, Lilia was gracefully reading a book.

The book titled "Monthly Dragon Ecology" was one of Lilia’s favorite reads. Since she had little work today and plenty of free time, she was leisurely enjoying her hobby.

However, that tranquility was soon shattered into pieces.

[……Pardon me for the sudden intrusion.]

[……Alice-sama?]

Seeing Alice suddenly appear in the room, Lilia closed the book she had been reading, placed it on the desk, and tilted her head in curiosity. She couldn’t think of any reason Alice would visit her alone.

[Ah, well, I actually have a little business with you, Lilia-san.]

[……I see…… Before we get into that, may I ask why you’re looking at me with "those eyes filled with heartfelt pity"……? ……I have a bad feeling about this. A very, very bad feeling.]

[Well, as you might have guessed, it’s a Subject K.]

[………………]

The "Subject K” Alice mentioned was one of her coined terms…… typically used for situations involving Kaito. Lilia was aware of this and, having a vague sense of the stomachaches that awaited her, gazed distantly.

[D- Did Kaito-san do something again? Did he bring another God from some other world or……]

[Ahh, no, it does involve Kaito-san, but he hasn’t done anything this time. Just hold on a moment……]

[……A soundproof barrier?]

In response to Lilia’s question, Alice gave a thoughtful expression and then cast a barrier around the room to ensure their voices wouldn’t leak out before explaining.

[Actually, we’re currently discussing plans for Kaito-san’s birthday party.]

[Ah, I see…… Now that you mention it, it’s about two months away, so it’s the right time to start preparing. I see, so it’s a discussion…… Alice-sama…… I have a very bad feeling about this. A very, very bad feeling.]

[Well, sorry to say but…… we’ve decided to have Lilia-san join the discussion as well, which is why I came to fetch you.]

Lilia, who had experienced countless stomachaches brought about by Kaito, grasped the situation from Alice’s expression and the mention of a discussion.

It was easy to imagine that beings like Shallow Vernal and Makina would be present at this meeting. Her honest feelings were that she wanted to avoid it if possible…… but there was no way to refuse the likely requests of those individuals.

[……J- Just to confirm, Alice-sama…… who are the members of this discussion?]

[Besides me, try to think of the five most powerful individuals you know…… They’re all there.]

[Eek…… U- Umm, why…… me? If it’s about representing the Human Realm, surely there are others more suitable…… N- No, it's not that I'm objecting or anything!]

By this point, refusing was no longer an option for Lilia. She understood that well enough, but even so, she still wanted to know why she had been chosen.

From her own perspective, as a Duchess, she believed that her older brother, the King, would be a more suitable choice for such a gathering.

[Ahh, we’re inviting the three rulers as well. As for why you were chosen, well…… it’s because you’re close to Kaito-san…… and due to Kaito-san’s influence, you have a high reputation among individuals like Shallow Vernal-sama and Makina. Well, this might sound unfortunate for you, if similar situations arise in the future, you’ll probably be called upon again.]

[……My stomach…… it hurts.]

Indeed, it truly was unfortunate for Lilia…… but the gathered members held her in high regard. Even Makina, who was known to be fastidious, had said “If it’s Lilia, I have no complaints about her presence”, so with her receiving such high praise, it was almost certain that Lilia would be summoned to similar meetings in the future.

Clutching her stomach against the oncoming pain, yet unable to voice any complaints…… Lilia had a melancholic expression on her face.

<Afterword>

? ? ? : [That’s exactly it. The biggest reason why Lilia-san is the best choice…… is because Makina doesn’t mind her presence at the table.]

Serious-senpai : [Her aside, she's surprisingly well-regarded by Shiro too. It's like when there are any Human-related matters, her first thought would always be Lilia, and even at the last birthday party, after Kaito turned down being gifted the floating castle, the next suggestion immediately went to Lilia…… Their high evaluations just end up leading to her stomachaches though……]