Hydra's King Laguna and Neun were fishing at a fishing spot in a corner of Hydra Kingdom.
Since the area around their spot was currently enclosed with Barrier Magic, Neun wasn't wearing her full-body armor, and was instead dressed in comfortable clothing, with a private atmosphere around the two of them.
[Well~~ The weather sure is beautiful. A perfect day for fishing... I've been busy lately, so it's nice to be able to spend some time relaxing like this.]
[Ahh, come to think of it, it's almost time for Hydra Kingdom's Founding Festival, isn't it? Being the King, you must be very busy, Laguna.]
[I really am. Moreover, with not much time between our festival and Archlesia Empire's Founding Festival, things had been quite hectic... Haahhh... I wish to step down from the throne already, but while I'm the King, I will do what I can.]
Seeing her best friend who repeatedly says she wants to quit being King but was unable to, Neun couldn't help chuckling. Perhaps because she acts decisively when needed as King and produces solid results that she couldn't pass the throne to others, or so she thought.
[Even so, right after Symphonia, Archlesia had also done one tremendous job.]
[Ahh, I heard all the Supreme Gods appeared? I didn't attend their Founding Festival, so I only heard about it through rumors... but with Symphonia having had all the Six Kings in attendance and Archlesia having had all the Supreme Gods, Hydra Kingdom must be in quite pressure, isn't it?]
[You said it... Good gracious, with things like this, Hydra Kingdom must do something for our Founding Festival... is what many people think. It's just, the attendees have already been chosen, and it's difficult to make any changes to the ceremony now...]
[Hahaha, that's rough.]
Neun chuckled, acting as if it were someone else's business... In actuality, at this point, this matter certainly was someone else's business for Neun. Yes, at this point, that is...
[Even so, being with you like this reminds me of the old days. Well, we didn't have nearly as much opportunity to fish on that trip... but those days feel quite nostalgic.]
[Indeed. It was a journey filled with many challenging moments, but it was also filled with wonderful memories.]
[Umu. Come to think of it, you used to complain a lot about bread back then. No, you never said it in front of others, but you often grumbled about wanting to eat white rice in front of us who you knew well.]
[...Haha, well, rice is the heart of the Japanese after all...]
The two were talking happily as they reminisced about their former journey to defeat the Demon King, but upon Laguna's next words, the atmosphere around them began to change a bit.
[Speaking of which, I do remember having cooperated quite a bit in the search for that rice. I gathered information from various sources and found out that it was produced in small quantities in a remote corner of Hydra. After that, I continued working on reaching out to various places to get hold of that rice. As a result, during the latter half of our journey, we somehow managed to get the rice delivered to us...]
[Eh? Yes, that's right. I had been in your care at that time.]
[No, no, it's only natural to lend a hand when one's friends are in need. Just the words "I will never forget this favor for my whole life" Hikari told me back then made me feel rewarded and fulfilled.]
[...Ummm, Laguna? Why are you talking about this now? N- No, that certainly was the case and I am very grateful to you for that but...]
Was it perhaps her intuition honed through her experiences in her journey as the Hero? Somehow, Neun felt like the conversation was heading in an unfavorable direction.
At least until now, Laguna has never done something like this... implicitly saying remarks that indirectly say "You do remember you owe me a favor, right?". And then, thinking of their earlier conversation about Symphonia Kingdom and Archlesia Empire's Founding Festivals... She had a very unpleasant premonition.
[No, well, I was just recollecting the past. It's not like I intend on burdening you with a sense of obligation, lending a helping hand to a friend in need is only natural... By the way, Hikari. I'm changing the subject for a bit but...]
[...W- What is it?]
[You see, I'm actually in a terribly troubling situation... I'd like to hear your opinion as my reliable friend. As my friend... You won't mind me consulting you with something, right?]
[...…..Yes.]
Laguna said such words with a beaming smile on her face, but after looking at her with an indescribable expression on her face, Neun looked up at the sky with an expression of complete resignation.
On that day, contrary to Neun's state of mind... the sky above Hydra Kingdom was hatefully blue and clear.