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

Nebula had said she’d come to my room one hour after dinner, so I spent the time leisurely writing in my diary and relaxing. Then, just about exactly an hour later, there was a knock at the door.

I answered and opened the door to let Nebula in. At a glance, she seemed to be empty-handed, so the present was probably in her magic box.

[Well then, Milord, please take this seat.]

[Hm? I just need to sit down?]

[Yes. There’s no need for suspense, so I’ll say it up front: your birthday present from me is a specially blended tea and a single-serving… a No. 3 size cake!]

As she said that, Nebula took out the cake and placed it on the table. It was a palm-sized whole cake, lavishly decorated with fruits. On top, there were sugar figurines shaped like chibi Bell and Lynn, and a message plate to celebrate the birthday. It gave off a very stylish birthday cake vibe.

[Wow, amazing. This really feels like a birthday cake, so colorful and festive that just looking at it makes me happy.]

[I’m glad to hear you like it. That cake wasn’t just made by me, you know. The friend of mine who was visiting also helped out, so please consider it a gift from both of us.]

[That’s really kind. When I see her again, I’ll make sure to thank her properly. And thank you too, Nebula.]

Smiling at my thanks, Nebula placed a fork and other utensils in front of me, then used a pot she took from the magic box to prepare tea with elegant, fluid motions.

She placed the freshly brewed tea in front of me and gave me a sweet, charming smile.

[……A grand and splendid birthday party surrounded by many people is certainly wonderful. It’s proof of how deeply you’re loved by so many, and the desire to express those feelings in a big way is admirable. But I don’t think that modest celebrations are any less meaningful in comparison. What matters most is the sentiment behind them.]

Nebula spoke gently as she inserted a single slender candle into the cake, and with a light flick of her finger, she lit it up.

Then, after a short pause, she looked straight into my eyes and said with a smile:

[……Once again, happy birthday, Milord! I offer my heartfelt blessings for this new year of your life to come…… May it be a joyful and fulfilling one for you.]

[……Thank you, Nebula.]

A small cake and a cup of tea, and a heartfelt blessing that needed no Sympathy Magic to be felt…… yeah, this really was modest. But, just as Nebula had said, the warm joy welling up in my chest now was no less than the happiness I’d felt during the big celebration earlier.

When I blew out the candle, Nebula clapped her small hands, and I felt a faint, tingling warmth in the back of my eyes.

[Thank you so much for this lovely celebration. Well then, I think I’ll go ahead and enjoy the tea and cake you prepared…… but since it’s a special occasion, how about joining me, Nebula?]

There was no problem with the portion size, and enough time had passed since dinner that I could eat it alone without issue. But I was feeling happy and wanted to share that with Nebula if possible.

Hearing my words, Nebula puffed out her chest with a proud and confident air, and opened her mouth to speak.

[I figured Milord would say that…… So I’ve prepared a portion for myself as well!]

With that declaration, Nebula took out a chair sized to fit her small frame, along with a cake and teacup about two sizes smaller than mine.

Apparently, she’d anticipated that I’d invite her to join me, and had made sure to prepare her own cake and tea ahead of time.

[Wow, everything’s perfectly prepared.]

[Of course! I am Absolute after all!!!]

[Ahaha, as expected of Nebula.]

When I reached out to pat Nebula’s head as she proudly puffed out her chest, she narrowed her eyes with a look of bliss. After giving her a few more pats, I turned back to the table and began eating the cake with her.

[……This is insanely good. The fruit tastes amazing, and the tea pairs perfectly with the cake.]

[The fruits in your cake were grown by me in a special space created by Canalis-san. The cake was made entirely by hand, without using any magic. As for the whipped cream, my friend who helped me worked really hard on it, so it turned out incredibly smooth and delicious.]

[Yeah, the texture really is fantastic. But more than that, I can feel how much care went into making everything, and just eating it fills me with happiness.]

[That’s because it’s packed with our heartfelt blessings for Milord!]

Nebula spoke cheerfully with a beaming smile, and I found myself smiling in return. In this peaceful and joyful atmosphere, delicious cake, fragrant tea, and Nebula’s adorable smile…… How should I say this…… I felt truly content and happy, more than words could express.

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [As expected of the Absolute…… As a separate celebration from the wild birthday party, this feels like a perfect 100-point gift…… There’s no romantic vibe…… not at this point, but if things were ever to seriously start moving in that direction, I can sense some seriously dangerous potential.]