"That's a bit of an exaggeration, Kirschtaria."
Beryl Gut's phantom smiled, his posture casual.
"Though it looks like we've made quite a grand spectacle of things, what we've actually done is fairly basic, isn't it?"
"Cosmic invasion, absurd revisions—those are all the work of the [Alien God]. If we're talking about what we've done the most, it would be currying favor with the [Lostbelt King] each of us is meant to serve, wouldn't it?"
"And honestly, even that basic work has been rather difficult to accomplish. As an adviser, I was nearly thrown straight out of the Royal Court by that King. I barely managed to stabilize my position."
"Now isn't the time to get serious yet."
Even so, his smile remained relaxed. Where exactly that confidence came from, however, was anyone's guess.
".It seems you still don't understand, Beryl."
Ophelia Phamrsolone calmly glanced at the smiling Beryl Gut. Beneath her composed bearing, one could faintly see Kirschtaria's influence.
"The stability of a Lostbelt is closely tied to the growth and breathing of the [Tree]. The 'work' Lord Kirschtaria described was not what you were referring to."
"Forming contracts with Lostbelt Servants and maintaining them continuously—haven't you found even that exceedingly difficult?"
"You still haven't shaken off your playful mindset, Beryl. That is your greatest flaw."
There was a slight note of warning in her voice.
"Hey, hey, don't glare at me like that, Ophelia. You're scaring me."
Beryl smiled as he raised his hands.
"That unpleasant knight has been getting in my way the whole time, so taking the next step really is difficult. But I'm trying my best to figure something out, okay? If I'm making an effort, there's no need to keep criticizing me, right?"
".Anyway."
His gaze shifted from Ophelia to Kirschtaria.
"Lord Kirschtaria, you've really