The Momobami Family stood as one of Japan's largest economic powers, with a business portfolio spanning various sectors, from glamorous entertainment to the crucial pharmaceutical industry.
Not only that, but several of their branch families even ventured into the underworld, involved in criminal activities such as horrific torture, the creation of deadly poisons, intricate financial fraud, and loan sharking.
Despite having equal status to the Shinomiya Family in terms of influence and wealth, there was a significant difference between the two. While the Shinomiya Family had many potential heirs vying for power, the Momobami Family avoided such internal conflicts.
Momobami Kirari was the current supreme leader of the Momobami Family. At her relatively young age, she managed to eliminate all potential rivals efficiently and ruthlessly, demonstrating just how cruel and extraordinary a figure she was.
"Has he not arrived yet?"
Kirari glanced at her twin sister, Momobami Ririka, who stood beside her.
If this banquet were just a regular social event, any member of the Momobami family could attend as a representative without causing significant problems. However, this time the situation was different. The presence of Campione changed everything.
"Not yet, Kirari. According to our intelligence network, the Seventh King is picking up the Eighth King."
Ririka noticed the impatience radiating from her sister; she hesitated, wanting to say something.
"What is it? Just say it."
Realizing her sister's unusual behavior, Kirari urged her.
"Kirari... are you really planning to challenge King to a gamble? What if that action provokes his anger? They are Campione, their power is beyond reason."
"So that's what you're worried about, Ririka. Rest assured, I will not lose. No matter how great a Campione's combat power is, at the gambling table, he is just an ordinary person. Just imagine, Ririka, making the pinnacle of human existence our subordinate. Wouldn't that be magnificent?"
"..."
Ririka fell silent, unable to speak in the face of her sister's insane plan.
Although outwardly Kirari always behaved politely and courteously, within her heart resided a calculating, manipulative, and psychopathic individual who only cared about herself. A true narcissist, Kirari looked down on everyone except herself, believing that everyone should play by the rules she set, even the Campione.
'Hopefully, Kirari won't bring ruin to the Momobami Family.' Ririka prayed silently.
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The Tenjouin Family, also among the four leading conglomerates in Japan, was currently led by Tenjouin Ryuga.
Unlike the Shinomiya Family, which was full of infighting among heirs, Ryuga only had one child, Tenjouin Saki. This ensured that Saki would inherit the leadership of the Tenjouin Family without having to engage in a tiring power struggle.
Sitting across from her father at an elegant round table, Saki observed the room filled with important and influential figures in Japan.
"Father, almost all the top echelons of Japan are attending the Shinomiya Family's banquet tonight. Actually, who is so important that they can gather all the important people in the country in one place?"
"..."
Ryuga seemed to ponder for a moment, considering whether this was the right time to reveal the existence of the supernatural world to his daughter. In his opinion, it might still be too early to burden her with that complicated and dangerous reality.
"You will find out for yourself later, Saki. There are some things that are better experienced firsthand than merely told."
Saki pouted at her father's unsatisfactory answer. With a graceful movement, she flicked her hair, which was styled in spirals.
"Hmph! Why is Father always so mysterious? It's so annoying! Ah, and I'm also annoyed that I couldn't bring Rin and Ayako with me tonight. They would have really enjoyed this luxurious scenery."
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The Sanzenin Family, also occupying an important position as one of Japan's four giant conglomerates, was currently led by Sanzenin Mikado. Just like the elderly Shinomiya Gan'an leading the Shinomiya Family, Mikado also shouldered great responsibility in his old age.
He had no other choice. He was forced to step in to manage the Sanzenin Family because his direct lineage only had one granddaughter left. His daughter, who was supposed to be the heir, had passed away at a relatively young age, leaving Mikado with a heavy burden.
Mikado's granddaughter, Sanzenin Nagi, was only 13 years old. An age clearly too young to inherit and manage the immense wealth of the Sanzenin Family.
However, Nagi was the sole heir to the family's wealth, being the only surviving family member besides her grandfather. Calling her an ordinary rich girl would be a great insult. The Sanzenin Family's wealth was so staggering that investment losses of 20 trillion yen were considered a mere joke to them.
In other words, among the four most influential conglomerate families in Japan—the Shinomiya Family, the Momobami Family, the Tenjouin Family, and the Sanzenin Family—only the Shinomiya Family was currently plagued by internal conflict caused by the struggle for inheritance rights. This contrasted with the other three families who already had clear heirs and did not face similar disputes.
Sitting in her chair with her short legs that didn't reach the floor swinging back and forth, Nagi pouted, looking at her grandfather with annoyed eyes.
"Grandpa! Why did you bring me to such a boring event? Grandpa knows I'd rather be at home, playing games and watching anime in my room!"
Mikado only chuckled softly at his beloved granddaughter's whining.
"Geez, Nagi. Get some fresh air once in a while and see the outside world. Don't keep staring at the computer screen all the time, or your eyes will get bad. Do you want to wear thick glasses like the otaku in manga at such a young age?"
Imagining herself wearing large, thick glasses like a nerd, Nagi immediately shuddered in horror and shook her head.
"Ugh! No way! That's so ugly!"
Seeing his granddaughter's exaggerated reaction, Mikado put on a serious expression that was rarely seen.
"Nagi, the guests at this banquet are very special. To say their existence surpasses even the emperor is an understatement."
Nagi was skeptical, her expression showing disbelief.
"Surpasses the emperor? Seriously, Grandpa! That's definitely an exaggeration!"
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At another elegantly set table, a young girl who was very famous in the culinary industry thanks to her unique gift, God Tongue, looked restless. Nakiri Erina, with a noticeably bored expression.
"Hasn't this banquet started yet? What a waste of time. I'd rather be at school and use this time to study."
God Tongue was an ability that granted its user a superlative level of taste perception, surpassing even the abilities of the most experienced culinary experts and food connoisseurs. With this extraordinary sense of taste, one could detect the slightest flaw in any dish with just one bite or sip.
Thanks to this gift, Erina was usually very busy, invited to various prestigious restaurants to taste their culinary creations and identify even the smallest imperfections.
Beside her, her eccentric cousin, Nakiri Alice, couldn't help but chuckle softly at Erina's behavior.
"Ara ara, Erina. Even in a situation like this, your thoughts are still focused on cooking? Can't you give yourself a little break?"
"Hmph! Rest? For what? Your abilities aren't even a tenth of mine, Alice. You wouldn't understand the importance of maintaining the highest quality standards in the culinary world."
Her tone was sharp and full of superiority; Erina made no effort to hide her low opinion of Alice.
Alice pouted, clearly annoyed by her cousin's sharp remarks.
"Tsk. How annoying. You really can never be sweet for even a moment, Erina."
Seeing his two granddaughters who were always at odds, Nakiri Senzaemon, with an undeniable aura of authority, finally spoke up to mediate.
"Enough, you two. Erina, Alice, stop this unnecessary bickering. You are both my granddaughters, and acting like children is inappropriate at a formal event like this. It's already late, so be patient for a little longer. The honored guests will surely arrive soon."
Senzaemon sighed softly, his gaze softening as he looked at his two granddaughters' still sullen faces.
"Remember, leaving now would not only offend the Shinomiya Family who invited us, but also potentially offend the other three conglomerate families present here. As the head of the Nakiri Family and Totsuki Academy, I am indeed not lacking in connections and resources. However, offending any of the four economic giants of Japan is not a wise move, even for me."
He looked at the two girls, hoping they understood the implications of their actions.
"So, be polite and show a good image of the Nakiri Family. Understand?"
Although still looking a little annoyed, they finally nodded slightly.
"Yes, grandfather."
Despite her high arrogance, Erina was not a foolish girl. She fully understood the importance of maintaining good relations with influential families like the four conglomerates.