Although this issue didn't particularly concern Eriri, she never considered unifying the calendar months across all worlds—even though it would've taken just a single thought for her to do so.
As the year-end approached, the atmosphere at home became increasingly festive. Everyone was chatting about how to celebrate the New Year and whether they should organize some events.
However, before that, Eriri needed to make her annual visits to the main Sawamura family and the Spencer family in England—an essential routine this time of year.
Of course, this wasn't an obligation. After all, Eriri's position in both families was overwhelmingly high—essentially absolute authority.
This had nothing to do with her strength. It was simply due to the excessive love and indulgence shown by her grandparents on both sides.
Whatever she said was agreed to without hesitation, a guaranteed yes.
Both her grandfather and maternal grandfather were the current heads of their respective families. And the rest of the family members also held Eriri in great affection—her word practically equated to the highest directive from both families.
With such status, there was no way Eriri could ever be bound by family rules.
Her only reason for visiting was to spend time with her grandparents.
So, the next morning, Eriri boarded a flight to England with Miss Sayuri and Mr. William.
After a seven-hour flight, the plane carrying the trio finally landed at Luton Airport in London.
With Eriri's power, she could have used instant teleportation to bring Sayuri and William directly to the Spencer estate.
But she didn't.
Every year around this time, she treated this trip like an international vacation. Flying by plane was part of the experience.
She hadn't requested a private jet or charter either. They simply took a regular commercial flight—albeit in first class.
Those seven-plus hours weren't dull at all, since Miss Sayuri kept her entertained with light-hearted conversation.
Mr. William occasionally chimed in too, actively trying to flatter both his wife and his precious daughter.
This family interaction made Eriri feel wonderfully content, so even after spending over seven hours on the plane, she didn't feel bored in the slightest.
Once they disembarked, Eriri—wearing a Lolita-style princess dress—naturally became the most dazzling presence in the airport. Miss Sayuri, dressed in a purple kimono, also drew many admiring glances.
Even William, in a gray suit, looked especially dashing.
The trio's top-tier looks drew awe-struck stares from all around.
It caused quite a stir, and from afar, uninformed onlookers assumed some major celebrities had arrived.
However, upon disembarking, Eriri deployed an invisible aura barrier around herself and her parents, keeping anyone from approaching within five meters.
So regardless of the excitement they caused, it had no effect on the three of them.
As for the attention, neither Eriri nor the Sawamura couple paid it any mind—they were long used to it.
Only after the three of them got into a black luxury sedan and drove off, surrounded by a convoy, did the airport gradually return to normal.
The Spencer family estate wasn't located in London but in Northamptonshire, at the heart of England.
The limousine carrying Eriri and her parents was part of the motorcade arranged by the Spencer family for their airport pickup.
From Luton Airport to Northamptonshire was roughly fifty to sixty kilometers—a drive of about half an hour.
Gazing out the car window at the scenery, Eriri appeared slightly dazed.
The landscape outside hadn't changed from previous years, but the feelings within her had subtly shifted.
Though only a year had passed, her life had undergone a complete transformation.
If the Multiverse Same-Sex ♀ Friendship Group hadn't appeared, she might still be living in the same villa where she had spent over a decade with her parents.
Her days would've been filled with watching anime, drawing manga, and visiting comic conventions with Miss Sayuri during the winter Comiket, occasionally selling her self-drawn doujinshi.
Then, a few days before New Year's, she would happily travel to England for a short vacation.
But it was also very likely that changes would've occurred anyway—since Megumi Kato and Utaha Kasumigaoka were bound to appear in her life regardless.
In previous years, when she traveled to England, all she felt was excitement for the trip ahead.
Now, alongside that excitement, there was also a subtle sense of longing for those back home.
At that moment, a gentle voice pulled Eriri from her thoughts.
"Eriri, what are you thinking about? You seem so lost in thought."
Turning her head, Eriri saw Sayuri, seated beside her in the backseat, looking at her with a warm smile.
"It's nothing. I was just thinking about everything that's happened this past year. I guess I'm feeling a bit sentimental."
"That makes sense. Although you told me before that Megumi wasn't the only girl you liked, I didn't expect you to bring home so many girls in just a year..."
Sayuri pinched Eriri's cheek with a hint of exasperation.
"Hehe, I couldn't help it~ I couldn't just abandon Yue-chan and the others."
Eriri clung to Sayuri's arm with a playful smile.
Seeing Eriri snuggle into her arms so affectionately, Sayuri couldn't help but smile as well.
"Well, it's a good thing Yue-chan and the others are all wonderful girls. Otherwise, I wouldn't know how to treat them."
The reason Sayuri got along so well with Arifureta and the others wasn't just because of Eriri—it was also because she genuinely liked their personalities.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have felt hostility, but she definitely wouldn't be casually taking them shopping or attending every gathering like she did now.
"Of course! Don't underestimate my taste—Yue-chan and the rest are the best."
"Yes, yes, your taste is unparalleled."
Sayuri pinched Eriri's cheek again, her eyes full of doting affection.
...
The half-hour drive passed quickly. The convoy traveled through countryside roads, ancient villages, and over sparkling canals, until it finally arrived at the gates of a massive estate in the outskirts.
However, Eriri and the others didn't get out yet—they had only reached the front gate. It would still take a while to reach the central castle within the estate.
As the grand gates opened, the convoy continued forward.
After another ten minutes of driving, the convoy finally arrived at a magnificent Gothic-style castle.
At the castle entrance, many people were already waiting.
At the forefront stood a middle-aged gentleman with blonde hair, whose appearance bore a strong resemblance to William Spencer, and exuded a noble aura.
Beside him was a beautiful woman in her early thirties, also with long golden hair.
These two were William Spencer's biological parents—Eriri's maternal grandfather and grandmother.
Despite their youthful appearances, they were both over sixty years old.
Once Eriri learned how to use cosmic energy to help maintain the health of Sayuri and William, she naturally extended the same care to her grandparents.
Each year when she visited them, she would use her powers to rejuvenate their bodies, keeping them exceptionally youthful.
Her grandfather chose to maintain a mature look to reflect his status, while her grandmother had no such reservations and fully embraced her rejuvenated beauty.
Behind them stood several middle-aged men and women, along with a dozen or so youths around Eriri's age.
These were the second and third generations of the Spencer family, both direct and collateral branches—all present.
This showed just how seriously the Spencer family regarded the arrival of Eriri and her parents.
If Sayuri and William hadn't advised against it, they likely would have all gone to Luton Airport to meet them.
Their grand reception wasn't only due to their affection for Eriri, but also out of respect for the Sawamura family.
Times had changed—since the emergence of superhumans, the Sawamura family, thanks to Eriri, now stood above all nations on Earth, far from being merely a renowned Japanese conglomerate.
Thus, the Spencer family naturally held a high degree of respect for Sayuri, the sole heiress of the Sawamura family.
It wouldn't be surprising if the Queen of England herself visited the Spencer estate tomorrow.
As the car doors opened, Eriri, Sayuri, and William stepped out.
At the sight of Eriri, her grandparents immediately became emotional and rushed over to greet her, momentarily ignoring Sayuri and William.
"Oh, my dear sweet Eriri, Grandma missed you so much!"
Her grandmother pushed past her husband and joyfully embraced Eriri.
"Long time no see! I missed you too, Grandma~"
Eriri responded sweetly, not resisting her grandmother's affection.
She also didn't forget to greet her grandfather, who had been displaced by his wife.
Upon hearing her greeting, her grandfather immediately perked up and began fussing over her with a big smile.
The reunion didn't last long. Among everyone present, the only ones Eriri could really converse with were her grandparents, William's older brother, his wife, and their two children.
Eriri didn't know many of the other Spencer family members well—especially those from collateral branches.
However, most of them knew her quite well and held a strong fondness for her.
After exchanging a few greetings with her uncle and cousins, Eriri ended the meeting and pulled her cousin, who was two years older, away from the crowd, leaving Sayuri and William to handle the rest.
Her grandparents, while reluctant to let her go, didn't insist.
Eriri's cousin was a calm and quiet girl named Ilina, with equally stunning blonde hair and a beauty that matched her name.
Unlike Eriri's more Japanese-British features, Ilina had a classic British face—her looks rivaled even those of Utaha Kasumigaoka at first glance.
Her figure was just as impressive: over 170 cm tall, with a shapely and curvaceous body that made her the undisputed school idol.
"Eriri, why haven't you visited in so long? You didn't even come during summer break. The last time I saw you was a year ago."
Walking hand in hand down a forested path in the estate, Ilina pouted as she voiced her complaints.
Hearing her cousin's grumbling, Eriri smiled faintly without saying much.
In previous years, she would always visit the Spencer estate during breaks, especially at year-end.
But this summer, she had gone on vacation with Arifureta and the others to the world of One Piece.
If she had to choose again, she wouldn't hesitate to pick traveling with Yue-chan and the rest over visiting England.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon:
Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven