In the Land of Death, situated in the northern reaches of the Demon Realm, the subordinates of the Death King, Isis Remnant, were busily preparing for a Christmas party at her ancestral castle.
Within a hall spacious enough to accommodate a vast assembly, a woman entered while effortlessly hoisting a massive table onto one shoulder. She had a shimmering iridescent bob, antennae protruding from her head, and beetle-like wings folded across her back.
Standing over 190 centimeters tall with six swords—three on each hip—she radiated the aura of a seasoned warrior.
This woman was Sirius, the Heavenly Blade Star and a member of the Six Stars of the Death King's Executives, the Mutsuraboshi. After centering the table in the middle of the hall, she surveyed the room and called out to a figure working nearby.
"Forgive me, Rasal. Do you have a moment?"
"Hm? What is it?"
The woman summoned was Rasal Malfiq, the Earthbound Star. Clad in a jet-black robe with her hood pulled low to obscure her face, she paused and tilted her head.
Though her stature was modest at roughly 150 centimeters, she carried a gargantuan coffin—exceeding two meters in length—on her back. Combined with her monochromatic attire, she projected a singular, heavy sense of intimidation.
"I have brought the main table, but my hands are ill-suited for the finer arrangements. Would you handle the setting?"
"Ah, understood. I shall take over here. Sirius, you continue on and fetch the chairs for the guests."
"Consider it done."
"I am counting on you."
Sirius and Rasal were both members of the Six Stars, and though they were normally at each other's throats, they had set aside their bickering to cooperate for the occasion.
Watching them from across the room, another member of the Mutsuraboshi sighed with profound relief.
"Goodness, it seems those two aren't fighting today. Truly a blessing. Had their squabbling delayed the work, I would have been the one answering to the Head-dono."
With cascading purple hair, a white pointed hat, and a matching robe, she was the very image of a witch. This was Polaris, the Northernmost Star. She watched the proceedings with a pleasant, slightly amused smile.
Among the Six Stars, she was the most senior after their leader, Iris. In the absence of Iris, who was currently occupied with the cooking, Polaris was overseeing the final preparations.
"That is true~ It is a wonderful thing to see them in harmony. It puts my own heart at ease~"
The one responding in a languid, relaxed tone was a woman distinguished by her bluish-silver hair and the crystal-like flowers that adorned her. She was a spirit of the Blue Crystal Flower and held the title of the Crystal Flower Star, Spica.
Dressed in a gown of pure white, she looked like an elegant noblewoman, though her speech carried a unique, airy cadence.
Spica glanced up toward a figure floating near the ceiling and called out.
"Vul, how is your progress?"
"It’s coming along. I think we need a few more accents, though. Spica, could I get some more flowers?"
"Of course~ It is a simple matter~"
Spica raised a hand, and a flurry of Blue Crystal Flowers manifested around her. Immediately, ten white tails lashed out, deftly plucking them from the air.
The one skillfully arranging the decorations with both her hands and her ten prehensile tails was Vulpecula, the Enchanting Fox Star. She had unruly white hair cut into a semi-short bob and a small, youthful frame of about 130 centimeters. Fox ears twitched atop her head, and her features were undeniably child-like.
Dressed in a modified miko outfit—a shrine maiden's top paired with a skirt and leggings—Vulpecula finished the final touches and descended to land beside Spica. With their similar hair colors, the two looked like sisters standing side-by-side.
"Well, that should be everything," Vulpecula declared.
"Ah, excellent work. Your taste is as impeccable as ever. As the overseer, I find no faults," Polaris remarked.
"Polaris, weren't you mostly just standing there watching? I think I'll go tattle to Iris."
"Hey now, please spare me. I’d like to actually enjoy the party... Sigh, I suppose I must admit I was more focused on the big picture than the manual labor. Very well, I’ll put a bit more effort into the finishing touches."
Before long, the sprawling hall was beautifully adorned, and the preparations were complete.
"Yes, everything looks perfect. Well done, everyone."
"It seems Iris-dono is still preoccupied on her end."
"There are five of us here, after all. It is only natural that she would take longer on her own."
"True. If there is anything we can assist with, we should—ah!"
In the middle of her sentence, Vulpecula suddenly spun around, her ears perking up and her tails swaying with eager anticipation. The others immediately knew what she had sensed.
A moment later, the great doors to the hall swung open, and their master, Isis, entered.
"...Everyone... good work... Is the hall... ready?"
"Isis-sama!"
At the sight of Isis, Vulpecula’s tails wagged furiously as she rushed forward with a radiant smile.
"Yes! We've finished! Also, I handled the decorations in that corner—do they look okay to you?"
"...Yes... they are beautiful... Vul is a good girl."
"Ehehe, oh, it was nothing! I only did what was expected of your subordinate, Isis-sama!"
As Isis reached out to pat her head, Vulpecula’s expression melted into pure bliss. In that moment, she looked exactly like a small child seeking affection from her mother.
Isis continued to stroke Vulpecula’s head as she looked toward the rest of the Six Stars.
"...Well then... I am going... to fetch Kaito... I have some shopping to do as well... so I may be away for a while... We shall begin the party... at the scheduled time..."
"Understood. Please, take your time," Polaris replied on behalf of the group.
Isis nodded with satisfaction, gave a small wave, and vanished in a flash of Teleportation Magic. After a brief silence, Polaris spoke up as if remembering something.
"I believe I heard from the Head-dono that Isis-sama and Kaito-sama have prepared gifts for each of us. I imagine that is what the 'shopping' entails."
"Is that so?! Gosh, Isis-sama and Kaito-sama are truly too kind... We are supposed to be the ones hosting them, they didn't need to go to such trouble... But that’s exactly why I adore them so much!"
"It is~ We are truly fortunate~"
Her excitement reaching a fever pitch, Vulpecula wagged her tails so hard they became a blur. Spica smiled warmly at the sight.
In the midst of this gentle atmosphere, Sirius rubbed her chin thoughtfully before nodding to herself.
"...While I doubt Iris-dono would ever be late, more hands would surely hasten the work. Our tasks here are done, so I shall go and offer my assistance—hm?"
Sirius turned to walk toward the kitchen, but she was jerked to a halt. Looking down, she saw a pure white tail wrapped around her arm... with enough pressure to crush bone.
"...Hey. Don't go doing anything unnecessary, you pest."
The voice that spoke was heavy and low, laced with a murderous intent that stood in chilling contrast to the cheerful girl of a moment ago. Veins throbbed on Vulpecula's forehead, and her expression was like that of a demon from the darkest depths.
"I’m telling you this once. If that 'toxic waste' you call cooking so much as touches the lips of Isis-sama or Kaito-sama... I will end you."
"...Ah, yes. My apologies."
Pale and sweating, Sirius found herself inadvertently using formal speech as she nodded frantically.
"...Yes, I must agree. Some are simply not suited for certain tasks, and for the sake of our own survival, I would prefer you stay far away from the food," Polaris added.
"Polaris?!"
"It is true~ I’m afraid I cannot defend you on this point either~"
"Even Spica?!"
While Polaris was always blunt, even the gentle Spica offered only a pitying, wry smile. Sirius looked utterly devastated. Her incompetence in the kitchen was legendary among her peers, a fact she alone seemed unable to fully grasp.
Naturally, the remaining member was not about to let the fire die out.
"Kwahahaha! It cannot be helped, Sirius. Do not be so glum. It was simply an error of judgment to expect a task as refined as cooking from someone made entirely of muscle."
"...Is that so? Well, I still believe myself more capable than a carrion woman who seems only able to produce zombies by mixing rotting meat with more rotting meat."
"...Hah?"
"...What was that?"
Rasal’s provocation was met with immediate retaliation. Sparks flew between the two as they instinctively reached for their weapons, shifting into battle stances.
"...If you intend to fight, take it outside. If you damage the hall now that the decorations are finished, I expect the Head-dono will personally see to your disposal."
The two glared at each other for a final beat before Sirius grabbed her swords and Rasal hoisted her coffin, both stomping out toward the castle grounds.
Moments later, the sound of booming impacts echoed from outside. Polaris sighed and cast a Barrier Magic over the hall to shield it from the tremors.
"Goodness. Business as usual, I suppose. Now then, my duties are fulfilled, I think I shall have some tea..."
"I see. Excellent timing, then. Since you are free, Polaris, you can help me with the final preparations."
"Head-dono?! When did you... No, wait, I was just about to settle in for a blissful tea time."
"Save it. Move."
"You are far too strict with me! I have just finished the grueling work of overseeing the entire venue!"
Iris had appeared without a sound. Ignoring Polaris’s protests, she grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and began dragging her away.
"You likely stood around watching for the first half, were scolded by someone, and only joined in for the final five minutes."
"...How troublesome. Your accuracy is painful. Very well, but I demand a more dignified method of transport. Whether I am 'young' or not is irrelevant; as a maiden, I object to being used to mop the floor with my backside."
"Fine. In that case..."
"Wait, wait! I'll walk! I’ll walk properly! Just don't use magic to blow me down the hall! I have no desire to be tenderized before I even start cooking!"
Polaris was led away in another typical exchange, leaving only Vulpecula and Spica behind.
"Vul~ what shall we do now?"
"Well, we aren't as hopeless as that idiot Sirius, but we aren't exactly chefs either. We’d probably just get in the way."
"True~ We might only be a burden."
"Then let's do something else! We still have plenty of time. Why don't we prepare our own gifts for Isis-sama and Kaito-sama?"
Despite her occasional bouts of "Wicked Fox" behavior, Vulpecula was bright and innocent at heart, and she shared a deep, easygoing bond with the gentle Spica.
"That is a lovely idea~ I am sure they will be delighted."
"Right! And if they like them, maybe they'll pat our heads again... ehehe."
"They are such a perfect couple~ perhaps matching gifts would be best."
"Hmm, accessories or flower charms? We could make them together!"
"Let’s do it~"
Unlike their bickering comrades, the two moved off in high spirits, happily discussing their secret project.
Profiles of the Six Stars (Mutsuraboshi)
1. Black Tyrant Star: Iris Illuminas The coordinator and "mother" of the group. Her closest friend among the stars is Polaris, as they are the two oldest members. While Polaris can be a handful in her own way, Iris finds her reliable. As she has been featured extensively in the main narrative, no further details are necessary here.
2. Northernmost Star: Polaris The vice-leader of the Mutsuraboshi, serving as Iris’s right hand. She possesses a limited future prediction ability that allows her to "see the result generated by her own actions." Roughly 14,000 years ago, Polaris was a weak demon on the brink of death when Isis saved her. However, at the time, she was terrified by Isis’s Magic Power of Death and fled without even offering a word of thanks. Regretting this for millennia, she decided to dedicate the life Isis saved back to her benefactor. She cut all ties and moved to an isolated island in the extreme north of the Demon Realm, training in solitude for the day she could apologize and offer her service. By the time she reached the power of a highest-ranking Count-class, she believed she was finally worthy. However, her visions showed that if she tried to join Isis then, she would only "hurt Isis’s heart and cause her sorrow." (At that time, Isis was emotionally fragile and sought only those who would accept her without fear, and she was prone to lashing out). Because her ability only showed results and not processes, Polaris remained stuck, unable to understand why her loyalty would cause pain. She continued her training by day and her visions by night, agonizing for centuries. Suddenly, the vision changed. Instead of "causing sorrow," she saw "Isis looking apologetic as she refuses Polaris's request." (This change occurred when Isis met Kaito and began to heal). Sensing a chance, Polaris focused her ability entirely on a future where she could serve. Eventually, she saw that by "waiting in this place," she would "become Isis's subordinate alongside a woman with two-toned hair." Suppressing her excitement, she waited on her island until Iris finally arrived to recruit her. Having finally fulfilled her wish, she apologized and pledged her life to Isis. While she initially felt some rivalry toward Iris for the position of "Head Subordinate," a single mock battle convinced her of Iris’s superiority. She now refers to her as "Head-dono" and shares a strong bond with her. She is fanatically loyal to Isis, though her devotion is a quiet, burning flame compared to the more vocal members.
3. Enchanting Fox Star: Vulpecula The youngest of the Mutsuraboshi—and, at 119 years old, one of the youngest Count-class demons in history. She is a true anomaly of talent. She shattered the record for growth held by Princess Ouka Blossom (700 years) by reaching the highest-ranking Count-class in a mere 80 years. As Alice noted, "In terms of raw talent, she’s a bug-level character on par with Lilia-san." When she was still a wild monster, she was found injured by Isis and Kaito. During her treatment, Isis held Kaito’s hand to suppress her death magic, allowing magic power from both of them to enter the monster’s body. This unique event, combined with her innate genius, allowed her to adapt perfectly to Isis’s magic. She immediately evolved into a demon and absorbed power and knowledge like a sponge. She adores both Isis and Kaito and acts like a sweet, innocent child in their presence. However, she is mischievous and sharp-tongued with others. She frequently pranks Sirius and Rasal, leading them to call her the "Wicked Fox." She is closest to Spica, whom she treats like an older sister. She wears a modified miko outfit consisting of a shrine maiden's top, a skirt, and leggings.
4. Crystal Flower Star: Spica A spirit of the Blue Crystal Flower, she is a gentle, motherly figure whose mere presence calms those around her. She speaks with an airy, polite dialect. Despite her Western-style dress, her mannerisms are quite refined. She was born in the center of the Demon Realm near the Forbidden Land, gaining sentience after absorbing the residual mana of the Six Kings. She spent centuries drifting through the Demon Realm, simply swaying in the wind. Isis found her blooming in a desolate wasteland and brought her home, not knowing she was a spirit, simply thinking it was sad for such a flower to bloom in such a lonely place. Initially, Spica was wary of Isis’s magic, but she soon realized Isis’s true kindness. She revealed her spirit form and decided to take root under Isis permanently. Like most spirits, she excels in defense rather than offense; her absolute protection is known as the "Chalk Fortress." However, she dislikes conflict and prefers her hobby of cultivating flowers. The area where she grows her Blue Crystal Flowers eventually becomes the site of "Crystal City," where her gardens become a world-famous symbol of the city.
5. Heavenly Blade Star: Sirius An insectoid demon who once sought only personal strength. Confident in her skills, she called herself the greatest swordsman in the Demon Realm until she was utterly defeated by a "mysterious swordsman." Humiliated, she trained for centuries to perfect her ultimate technique. Seeking a worthy opponent, she challenged Isis. Though she suffered a total defeat, she was moved by the way Isis accepted her challenge and even worried about her well-being afterward. She fell in love with Isis's character and strength, essentially declaring, "I’m in awe of your power, Sis! Let me be your student!" She joined the household and soon entered a "dog and monkey" rivalry with Rasal. Sirius is an honorable, knight-like warrior who believes in fair play, whereas Rasal believes in winning by any means necessary. Despite their daily bickering, Sirius respects Rasal's power. She still searches for the mysterious swordsman who defeated her, unaware that it was actually Alice (Shaltier) playing around in a disguise.
6. Earthbound Star: Rasal Malfiq An elite shut-in necromancer and curse-user. She spent millennia in a cave focused solely on her research, possessing zero interest in the outside world—to the point where she barely knew what the Six Kings looked like. Having finally completed her research, she left her cave to find a new goal. Hearing that there was someone else calling themselves the "Death King," she decided to go "teach them their place." She attacked Isis’s castle without doing any prior research. Expecting a fellow necromancer, she was confronted by the literal concept of death. Her reaction was an immediate, high-speed dogeza. She realized, "I thought we were doing the same thing, but this person is death itself. I’ve made a huge mistake." She pivoted instantly, claiming she had come to offer her service. While initially planning to just use the castle’s library as a new hideout, she was "spiritually pulverized" by Isis’s pure heart. Isis welcomed her with open arms, brought her snacks, and never once complained about her being a shut-in. Overwhelmed by guilt and genuine affection, Rasal pledged true loyalty. She frequently clashes with Sirius due to their differing philosophies, but she secretly admires Sirius's straightforward way of life. She carries a giant coffin that acts as a magic box, housing her entire undead army.