I Was Caught up in a Hero Summoning, but That World Is at Peace

<Author’s Notes>

My recovery was slow, so sorry, I ended up missing two days.

The sound of small birds chirping could be heard outside the window. Though only a single pane of glass separated her from it, the morning scenery felt somehow like a different world. Narrowing her eyes against the light streaming through the window, Cornelia allowed a faint smile to form.

[I of all people…… it seems I must have dozed off a little while sitting at my desk. Perhaps I was more fatigued than I realized……]

After murmuring to herself with a light, wry smile, Cornelia resumed writing the papers before her…… “a letter of introduction to the Victor Trading Company, intended for Kaito”, along with a separate letter addressed to the company’s president.

(What a strange dream I had. An introduction naturally means a referral letter, and once I send this to Kaito-sama and notify the company president in advance, my role is finished…… Of course, should anything occur, I would bear responsibility as the one who made the introduction…… but personally guiding Kaito-sama would be far too presumptuous of me. And to think that, at the place I guided him to, we would coincidentally encounter War King-sama and Dragon King-sama…… a child’s fantasy would be more realistic than that.)

With those thoughts in mind, Cornelia swiftly finished writing the two letters, placing each into color-coded envelopes for clarity before sealing them.

Once she handed the letters to a servant, her role would be complete. From the perspective of the County’s interests, it might be better for her to involve herself with Kaito more actively. However, considering the stature of the person in question, if any ulterior motives were suspected, it could easily become a serious matter. Maintaining an appropriate distance seemed the wisest course.

[Now then, before I go deliver the letter, I should check my appearance……]

For Cornelia, the eldest daughter of a County, personal appearance was important. Though she had properly prepared herself that morning, she always confirmed her full reflection in the standing mirror before leaving her room, just to be sure.

Standing before the mirror, just as Cornelia judged that her appearance was in order…… Suddenly, “the Cornelia reflected in the mirror moved”.

“……But will that truly change the outcome?”

[……Eh? Wha……]

Before Cornelia could even step back in shock at the utterly abnormal sight of her reflection moving on its own and speaking while folding its arms, the Cornelia in the mirror pressed on with her words.

“Certainly, that incident could be called a turning point.”

Immediately after the Cornelia in the mirror spoke, the surface of the mirror displayed a different scene…… the tea party previously held at Hamilton Marquisdom’s separate residence.

“At that time, had you explained that an introduction meant writing a referral letter and had not personally guided Kaito-sama, then indeed, you might not have become acquainted with Dragon King-sama, War King-sama, or the Special Advisors of the Seditch Magic Tool Company.”

[……Eh? Ah…… y- yes. I…… have already……]

“The process may indeed change. However, the destination…… would it not remain the same? If Kaito-sama came to like those exclusive brushes and recommended it to his acquaintances, it would have been easy to imagine a similar situation unfolding. In fact, in that case, I would have been personally named and summoned by renowned figures whom I had never even met. Considering that, would it not be preferable that, though by coincidence, introductions have already been properly exchanged once?”

[……T- That is…… certainly…… the result…… may not have changed.]

Yes…… that’s right. She remembered it all too clearly now. What the Cornelia in the mirror had spoken of had already happened…… Cornelia had guided Kaito, had become acquainted with Magnawell and Megiddo, and had even been scheduled to attend the discussion with the Seditch Magic Tool Company……

[……Arehh? Please wait a moment…… the Seditch Magic Tool Company? I feel as though I’m forgetting something important……]

[——–! ——-a! ——–ld of yourself——— open your——— Co——- lia!]

[……H- How strange? It sounds as though Father’s voice is coming from outside the window?]

At some point, the Cornelia reflected in the mirror had vanished, and even the room she had been in moments before had disappeared…… Only a window remained before her, and from beyond it came a voice.

As though guided by that voice, Cornelia gently opened the window…… and her consciousness awakened.

[———Cornelia!!!]

[Hah!? F- Father!?]

[Pull yourself together! You were foaming at the mouth…… I understand how you feel, but you must keep your composure!]

[Ah, t- that’s right. I…… lost consciousness from the shock…… M- My deepest apologies, Trois-sama.]

[Oh, not at all. Please do not concern yourself. I should have explained things in a more orderly fashion. I must apologize for startling you.]

As Cornelia hurriedly apologized, Trois, seated on the sofa across from her, replied with a gentle smile that there was no problem.

Indeed, this was the reception room of the Sharon County, and just as previously arranged, it was the venue for discussions with the Seditch Magic Tool Company.

It was due to the outrageous bombshell suddenly dropped during that meeting that Cornelia, overcome by shock, had foamed at the mouth and fainted for several seconds.

[……Then, once more, I shall explain in order the details regarding the new technology that our company and the Sharon Trading Company wish to jointly research and develop moving forward.]

[……Y- Yesh……]

Though she nodded at Trois’ calm words, Cornelia was inwardly screaming “This is not how I imagined things would go!”…… And, needless to say, the cause was Kaito.

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [……Well, indeed…… Even if she hadn’t made a mistake regarding the introduction, she would have ended up in the same situation…… No, actually, in that case Kaito might have been freely recommending their brushes without properly understanding Cornelia’s circumstances…… which would have made things even worse…… She was doomed…… from the very beginning……]