After finishing her greetings to Chronoa-san and me, Isis-san looked around the area for a moment before turning her gaze toward Lilia-san.
"……Head of the house?"
"……Y-Yes. My name is, um, Lilia Albert."
"……Nice to meet you."
"I-It is an honor to meet you!"
Ah, I see. She was looking around because she wanted to greet the owner of the house, but she hadn't known who it was.
When Isis-san spoke, Lilia-san nodded while trembling so violently it was almost painful to watch. Even someone as composed as Lilia-san was this terrified... just how incredible was the Magic Power of Death usually?
"Nay, the pressure is quite weak today. Since the Magic Power of Death is heavily influenced by her mental state, she must be in an exceptionally good mood."
Sensing the question in my mind, Chronoa-san added a quiet explanation. Apparently, the Magic Power of Death was sensitive to emotions; if Isis-san was in a bad mood, it became malevolent, but if she was happy, the sense of intimidation lightened.
Perhaps because of that, Lilia-san managed to hold a conversation despite her shivering. Chronoa-san watched the two of them with a slightly relieved expression.
"……By the way…… one thing…… I want to ask."
"Eh? W-What might that be?"
"……The New Year's evening party…… why was it…… that only Kaito didn't attend?"
"Hiee!?"
Isis-san’s voice dropped an octave, and Lilia-san instinctively jumped back.
Isis-san was likely emitting a terrifying amount of the Magic Power of Death right now. Not just Lilia-san, but Lunamaria-san's legs were rattling like leaves in the wind. Chronoa-san immediately stepped between Lilia-san and Isis-san.
"Hold, Death King. What do you intend to do with that information?"
"……What will I do? ……If there are people…… bullying Kaito…… I will 'kill' them all."
"Wait a moment…… Isis-san?"
"……The head of the house there, too…… if she is…… bullying Kaito…… I will kill her."
"!?!?"
I had no idea how Isis-san knew about the evening party, but I could tell the situation was on a razor's edge. Chronoa-san had entered a combat-ready stance, glaring at Isis-san with sharp eyes, while Isis-san returned a gaze cold enough to freeze the air.
Between the two of them, the atmosphere began to groan and creak under the weight of their magic power. This was getting really dangerous.
"Dost thou think I would permit such a thing?"
"……If you get in my way…… I will kill…… you too."
"Tch…… as I feared!"
"W-Wait just a minute, Isis-san!"
"……Kaito?"
Seeing Isis-san and Chronoa-san looking like they were about to tear the mansion apart, I hurriedly called out to her. I didn't know where she got her info, but Isis-san clearly misunderstood and thought I was being mistreated. As the person at the center of this, I had to be the one to clear it up.
"Isis-san, you mustn't fight! Please!"
"Miyama, stay back! In her current state, she is not a being who can be reasoned with—"
"……Okay…… I understand…… if Kaito says so…… I won't fight."
"—What?"
When I asked her not to start a fight, Isis-san complied instantly, and the suffocating tension vanished into thin air. Chronoa-san wore an expression of utter bewilderment, but clearing the misunderstanding was the priority. I ignored Chronoa-san's shock and explained the situation to Isis-san.
"On that day, I was invited out by Kuro…… the Underworld King, and our schedules just didn't line up. That's all."
"……The Underworld King…… are you an acquaintance…… of Kuromueina?"
"Yes. So, you see, I'm not being bullied by anyone. Lilia-san has been incredibly kind to me; she's taken wonderful care of me."
"……I-I see…… Lilia…… I am sorry."
"Eh? Ah, y-yes."
As I suspected, Isis-san had a very straightforward nature. Once she heard my explanation and realized it was a mistake, she immediately bowed her head to Lilia-san in apology. Lilia-san, having one of the Six Kings suddenly bow to her, stopped shaking out of sheer confusion and nodded dazedley.
"Also, Isis-san, you're a very powerful person, so you shouldn't talk about 'killing' people so recklessly."
"……I understand…… I won't say…… I'll kill recklessly…… anymore."
"Thank you. I'm happy you understand."
"……If Kaito is happy…… then I am…… happy too."
"……Hey, who is this person, truly? This cannot be the Death King. Is it some impostor wearing her skin?"
When I thanked Isis-san for listening, she smiled, her cheeks flushing a faint, lovely pink. She really was a sweet, honest person. Most of the world's fear of her probably stemmed from the involuntary effects of her Magic Power of Death.
As I let out a sigh of relief, Chronoa-san leaned in and whispered to me in a panicked voice.
"Thou…… just how didst thou tame the notoriously unreasonable Death King to this degree?"
"Eh? No, I haven't really 'tamed' her or anything……"
"Nay, she is normally a being so stubborn it gives me a migraine—one who forces her will through raw violence if anyone dares disagree. How has she become as obedient as a loyal dog? Art thou…… a monster?"
"……"
For some reason, I had just been classified as a non-human by a Supreme God.
To me, Isis-san had been this way since the moment we met, but it seemed my perspective was wildly different from the rest of the world. I couldn't help but feel that the public perception was the one at fault. I truly believed she was a kind soul who had simply been burdened by her magic.
While I was lost in thought, Isis-san turned back to Lilia-san and spoke in a soft voice.
"……Kaito said…… that Lilia has taken very good care of him…… so I, too…… will thank Lilia…… if there is anything I can help with…… just say it."
"Eh? Ah, um, that is, I-I-I-I'm honored!?"
Lilia-san, clearly not expecting such a turnaround, nodded while tripping over her words in a scramble of terror and confusion.
"Ho, that is quite the offer. Does that mean, for instance, if Lilia desires it, thou wouldst permit her to procure the 'Blue Diamonds' and 'Ice Crystals' found in thy territory?"
"B-B-B-Blue Diamonds!? Ice Crystals!? A-A-Ah, um, Chronoa-sama? Aren't those the legendary gemstones that only enter the market once every few years……?"
"……Hm? ……If you want them…… I will give you…… as many as you want."
"Eeeeeeeeh!?"
I still didn't have a firm grasp on the economy of this world, but apparently, Isis-san's territory produced incredibly rare gems. And it seemed she was more than happy to let Lilia—and the House of Albert—handle the trade.
"T-That's wonderful…… Milady. As a jewelry merchant, you could build a massive fortune……"
"N-No, I mean, wait! Hold on! My brain can't…… kyuuu~"
"Milady!?"
Ah, Lilia-san reached her limit.
Lunamaria-san hurriedly rushed to catch Lilia-san as her eyes rolled back into her head. It was a sight I’d seen quite a bit lately, but since it was technically my fault again, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.
"Isis-san, why don't we head inside for now?"
"……Yes…… I want to talk…… a lot with Kaito."
"Yeah, we didn't get to talk much the other day. We have plenty of time today, so let's have some tea and chat."
"……I'm looking forward to it."
Well, there wasn't much I could do for Lilia-san at the moment, so I decided to lead Isis-san inside. Since I was one of the few who could speak to her normally, the plan had always been for me to act as her host anyway.
Isis-san followed me with a genuinely happy smile, her cheeks still slightly pink.
"Lilia…… thou truly dost have a heavy cross to bear. I shall send thee some high-quality stomach medicine later."
Behind me, I heard Chronoa-san's voice, heavy with sincere pity.
Dear Mother, Father—Isis-san arrived and things got a little chaotic, which I suppose is becoming a regular occurrence—but Lilia-san fainted again.
I think I'll need more of that stomach medicine...