72: Major categories of participants in the tea gathering

"Huh? My original outfit?"

"Yes. I've decided what to wear, but considering I'll be sleeping soon, that outfit wouldn't be appropriate."

Returning to the dressing room, Vilijanila was still wearing her original clothes.

It seemed she had already chosen her attire for the tea gathering, but apparently, wearing it now would be inconvenient due to various practical issues associated with the outfit.

"Master Sata. What about the request from the memo?"

"It's currently being created on the main body. Should be finished by tomorrow morning."

The request from MemoKshi is being diligently worked on.

Though detailed tasks continue from the doll's perspective, they're managing it through a clever workaround—using the doll's own nature to create another doll.

"Then, let's talk about the future."

"Alright, I'll display the materials."

After such a brief exchange, Joharis and Memokshi proceeded to discuss their future, each presenting their respective materials.

The displayed maps showed Planet Flaretanbo 1 and the surrounding area where the Count Flaretanbo's tea party would take place.

The maps detailed exactly where and when to pass through, as well as what would occur during the tea party.

In addition, the maps also included details about other incidents in the vicinity, including the notorious bizarre murder case and dangerous spots.

"Basically, we'll just visit normally, chat normally, and leave normally. That's it."

"Yes, our sole task is to relay information about the cosmic monster Blackfallshark to Lord Flaretanbo. While there are other roles during the tea party, those don't concern us."

After checking various details, I've found that the roles played at noble tea gatherings within the empire are quite diverse.

Of course, simply enjoying tea and sweets is one of them.

It serves as a venue for exchanging information through conversation.

A hidden setting for delicate negotiations and compromise, acting as a prelude to formal talks.

A place to create and spread trends.

There are likely many other roles as well—ones I'm unaware of.

The only thing that's certain is that whatever is discussed at the tea party is either something the host has explicitly approved or something the host wouldn't mind knowing about.

"So, I don't want to talk to anyone other than Lord Flaretanbo, right?"

"Yes, exactly."

Also, participants in the tea party can generally be divided into about five categories.

That is to say...

・Nobles who, through inherited status, knowledge, and mod, provide stable and comprehensive leadership, shaped by rigorous education from an early age.

・Bureaucrats selected from the populace based on ability, responsible for the practical execution and intricate details of governance.

・Members of parliament elected by the people through voting, serving as advocates representing the public's interests.

・Enterprises that create various goods, sustain daily life, and enrich both the economy and the populace.

• Individuals who have earned achievements merely by being invited, or heroes.

That is the case.

At this tea gathering as well, numerous individuals connected to the cosmic monster Blackfallshark—specifically nobles, bureaucrats, politicians, corporations, and heroes involved in military and security fields—have been invited, aside from Vilijanira.

Hmm, I get the nobles and bureaucrats, and politicians too—they're close enough to the public to serve as public relations figures. Companies make sense since they need to develop things constantly.

But individuals... well, in a way, Vilijanira is an individual representative, after all—she's a noble with headquarters in another star system.

Other individual participants also make sense when you consider their roles: planet-based pest exterminators, researchers specializing in cosmic monsters, and so on. Once you look at their titles, everything clicks.

I will report to Lord Flaretanbo in a manner that others can also see. If you wish to ask questions during the report, that's fine, but I won't engage with anyone who later requests private or secret communication. By this point, I should have already shared all available information about the cosmic monster.

Understood.

In other words, once my interaction with Count Flaretanbo ends, anyone who contacts Villigianila afterward is only interested in something other than the cosmic monster incident, so there's no need to bother with them.

Well, if their interest isn't in the cosmic monster, at best it might be a product pitch or expanding sales channels to another star system, and at worst, they might be trying to spread rumors by getting us alone together.

The former aside, the latter isn't something to joke about, so we should remain on guard.

In fact, that's precisely why I asked Memokshi for this favor—better not delay.

"Then, Miss Vee. Please prepare for the possibility of having to leave early. From the guest list, I don't expect such a situation, but with people involved, there are no guarantees."

"I understand. In that case, we'll act according to the circumstances."

Understood. Well, no matter the situation, I'll just focus on my duty as guard.

Also, naturally, only the select group of invited members can attend the tea party, and those members are almost exclusively people invited by Lord Flaretanbo.

So if trouble arises during the tea party, it would be a blow to Lord Flaretanbo's reputation, and since only this select group can participate, others will likely resent you for disrupting their exclusive conversations.

The highest authority in the Flaretanbo star system is Lord Flaretanbo himself, and since the group consists only of influential figures, anyone who has made enemies among the residents of the Flaretanbo system will likely find their future stay increasingly uncomfortable.

So, problems are unlikely to arise...

Well, yeah, apparently, occasionally, strange individuals somehow end up joining the group.

It's strange, really—despite possessing adult certification, such anomalies still occur.

"Oh, by the way, on the day, I'll be driving the car that brings us to the venue and the one that takes us away from it, so please leave that to me."

"Alright, thanks in advance."

Anyway, on the day, my job is simple.

Just protect Virijianira.

That's all.