A full month of long-term vacation was granted to the subordinates and executives of the Six Kings. However, for some factions, life remained remarkably unchanged.
First, there was the family of Underworld King Kuromueina. In the group known as the Underworld King Faction, there was no formal distinction for "executives" to begin with; every member was treated as family. Furthermore, because their leader, Kuromueina, regularly insisted that they take time off, even the likes of Ein enjoyed proper rest on a daily basis, however brief those moments might be.
If anyone in the Underworld King Faction could be considered truly busy, it was Zwei, who governed vast territories on Kuromueina's behalf, and Zex, who served as a high-level consultant for the Seditch Magic Tool Trading Company. Consequently, the vacation announcement brought no significant changes to the faction's routine, and they spent the New Year just as they did every year.
"Vier, have you given your New Year's greetings to Chrome-sama yet?"
"Ah, Big Sis Zwei. I've already finished. I even received my New Year's Gift!"
"I see. Then, as for who else has yet to finish their greetings..."
A massive New Year's party was held annually at Underworld King Kuromueina's castle. On this day, many family members who usually lived elsewhere returned to the castle, filling the halls with lively celebration. It was also an established tradition for Kuromueina to distribute New Year's Gifts to her family.
Since the total number of family members was immense, it was impossible for everyone to gather at once. Nevertheless, the fact that so many made every effort to attend the party was a testament to Kuromueina's immense popularity.
After answering Zwei's question, Vier continued to enjoy the buffet-style feast while chatting happily with family members she rarely saw. Suddenly, she spotted a familiar figure and ran over.
"Big Sis Tre! It's been a long time! You're here already?"
"It has been a while, Vier. I couldn't attend last year because of work for the trading company, so I made sure to arrive early this time. It takes quite a while for me to travel, after all."
Tre did not possess enough magic power to utilize teleportation magic on her own. She explained this with a wry smile, noting that her journey back always took significant time.
Vier seemed to notice something odd and looked around, her head tilted in confusion.
"Wait, Big Sis Tre... did you come back alone? Where are Cento and Sien?"
"Oh, those two looked busy, so I slipped away quietly..."
"You can't do that! You shouldn't leave your two bodyguards behind like that... They're probably searching for you frantically right now!"
"Ah, but I made sure to leave a note..."
Seeing Tre wearing the sheepish smile of a child caught in a prank, Vier’s shoulders slumped in exasperation as she held her head.
"Good grief... As always, Big Sis Tre, you have zero combat ability, yet you're a master at sneaking off. I truly feel for those two."
"Um, thank you?"
"I'm not praising you! What would you do if something happened?"
"Oh, come now... I was only traveling a short distance..."
Although Tre was older than Vier, her combat power and magical talent were practically non-existent. She lacked the strength of even a standard high-ranking demon, let alone someone of peerage-class. However, she possessed an extremely rare and invaluable special ability, so for her own safety, two Count-class high-ranking demons named Cento and Sien were assigned as her permanent guards.
In spite of that, she was remarkably adept at finding gaps in their watch to slip away. Combined with her naturally optimistic personality, she frequently left her bodyguards in the lurch.
After pressing her palms to her temples to stave off a headache, Vier took a deep breath and shouted at the top of her lungs.
"Big Sis Zweeeeeeiiiii! Big Sis Tre snuck off by herself again!"
"Wait!? Vier!?"
"Tre... You..."
"Awawawa... Z-Z-Zwei-nee... T-this is, well..."
Tre’s expression shifted to one of pure panic as Zwei appeared before her, a blue vein throbbing on her forehead. It went without saying that a stern lecture was soon to follow.
Elsewhere, in the Land of Death located in the northern region of the Demon Realm... at the castle of Death King Isis, the members of the Mutsuraboshi executives wore unusually solemn expressions.
"Rasal, are you certain this is correct?"
"I am not sure. I intended to construct it exactly as described, but I have never seen a physical specimen myself."
Rasal answered with a stiff shake of his head as Sirius stood by with crossed arms, looking skeptical.
"It is certainly a shape unfamiliar to us. We should probably ask the one who proposed the idea. Well, Vul? Is this right?"
Polaris watched the exchange with a wry smile and turned to Vulpecula, the one responsible for the project. Vulpecula swayed her ten tails before answering with an air of absolute confidence.
"I have no idea, ssu!"
"Hey now."
"No, really, I only heard about it from Kaito-sama. I've never seen the real thing either. I think it's probably right, but..."
"But, Vul? This... 'Kotatsu,' was it? What is it supposed to be, exactly? It seems a bit low for a table, doesn't it~?"
Spica asked in her usual laid-back manner, chuckling at Vulpecula for not understanding her own suggestion.
Indeed, the object before them was a kotatsu, an item from the otherworld. Rasal had built it based on descriptions Vulpecula had gathered from Kaito.
"Apparently, it's a heating device from the otherworld, ssu. Kaito-sama said that eating hot pot while sitting in a kotatsu is the greatest thing ever, ssu. If Kaito-sama says so, it has to be true. So, today is an experiment. We're going to try it out, and if it's good, we'll invite Kaito-sama over, ssu."
"I see~"
"Well, it seems best to simply test it. The Head-dono is supervising the cooking, so that part will be perfect. As for this kotatsu, we can just fix whatever feels wrong after we use it."
Once Polaris reached a conclusion, she directed the other subordinates to set up the room. Spontaneous events based on sudden inspirations were common in the Death King Faction, so everyone moved with practiced efficiency.
After a short while, Vulpecula’s ears twitched, and her ten tails began to sway happily. The others realized who had arrived as well and turned their eyes toward the entrance just as their king, Isis, appeared.
"...Everyone... I'm home."
"Welcome back, Isis-sama!"
Everyone greeted her return with warm smiles. Polaris stepped forward to speak for the group.
"Isis-sama, how was the gathering of the Six Kings?"
"...Yes... it was fun... Also... because of Kuromueina's suggestion... it was decided... that all Six Kings' executives... will receive... a month-long holiday."
"A long-term holiday, you say?"
"...Yes... in our case... that would be... the Mutsuraboshi... I suppose?"
Hearing Isis’s words, the members of the Mutsuraboshi—excluding Iris, who was currently absent—looked at one another and tilted their heads. When Isis explained the context, they each responded with somewhat complicated expressions.
"I see. I understand the situation. However... I suspect this doesn't actually change much for us."
"We basically take our leisure whenever we desire anyway."
As Polaris and Rasal spoke, the other three nodded in agreement.
"We aren't exactly burdened with a heavy workload right now."
"I have a feeling things will just stay the same as always, ssu."
"That's right~ Besides, we're technically executives for the sake of appearances, but those titles don't really mean much to us anyway~"
Sirius, Vulpecula, and Spica were all of the same mind. The Death King Faction was a unique group. Currently numbering forty-eight members, they were the smallest of the Six Kings' factions, yet every single member was a Peerage-class high-ranking demon. Isis had never actively recruited them; they had all volunteered to serve her.
Bound by their shared devotion to Isis’s personality, they were exceptionally close-knit and possessed absolutely no interest in fame or status. While Iris, the Head, cared about external appearances and had established the Mutsuraboshi rank for that reason, it was almost entirely formal. There was virtually no hierarchy among them.
They were similar in nature to the Underworld King Faction, feeling more like a family or a group of close friends than a military organization. Furthermore, the faction simply didn't have many duties to begin with.
If asked if they needed a long holiday... the answer was that they didn't really need one.
Isis seemed to understand this as she offered a happy, wry smile and nodded.
"...That's true... It doesn't really affect us... does it? ...In that case... we will continue as we always have."
"Yes!"
"...By the way... what... are you doing... today?"
After nodding with satisfaction, Isis looked around the room and tilted her head at the preparations in progress.
"We are recreating the kotatsu from Kaito-sama's world and planning a hot pot party. Though, embarrassingly, none of us have ever seen one, so we were just debating if we got the design right."
The subordinates of the Death King were all on excellent terms and shared a certain spirited enthusiasm. Thus, even for a sudden event like this, it was a given that everyone would participate. The members skilled at cooking were currently assisting Iris, while the others handled the venue. Even without being assigned roles, they had spontaneously divided the work among themselves.
"...It's okay... I think it's correct... I believe... besides the standard shape... there were types like... horigotatsu? ...and others."
"As expected of Isis-sama. Are you familiar with them?"
"...Only a little... I believe... there was a book... written about otherworld tools..."
As Isis murmured this, she gave a light wave of her hand. A book instantly teleported from the castle's massive archives—a collection so vast it was often called a Great Library.
"...There is... a description... in here."
"I see. Hmm... it is described in quite some detail. Considering our usual lifestyle, a horigotatsu might be more comfortable. If there is a next time, I shall try building one of those as well."
As Rasal looked on with an impressed expression—Isis had near-perfect recall of the staggering number of books in her library—Iris and the other subordinates who had been cooking entered the room.
"Everything is ready on our end."
"Ah, Head-dono. The setup here is mostly finished as well. It seems our King has approved the design. Her return was perfectly timed."
Iris nodded at Polaris's words, gave a slight bow to Isis, and then directed the others to place magic tools resembling stoves and hot pots onto the various kotatsu that had been prepared.
With everyone in their seats, the spontaneous hot pot party began.
"Hmm... these 'chopsticks' are tricky~. I think I'll use a spoon instead."
"Really? You'll get the hang of it once you're used to it, ssu."
"Vul is so dexterous~"
In contrast to Spica, who struggled with the unfamiliar utensils, Vulpecula used the chopsticks with ease despite it being her first time, skillfully transferring ingredients into her own bowl.
"Sirius, be careful with those condiments. They are quite spicy."
"Hm? Is that so? A little bit should be fine, but..."
Sirius looked thoughtful at Iris's warning. Due to her nature as an insectoid, she had a strong sweet tooth and found intense spices difficult to handle. However, since the aversion wasn't extreme, she could enjoy a bit of heat as an accent.
"Would you like a taste? I have put a small amount in my bowl."
"Ah, thanks... Hmm, this much is perfect. I think I'll add some to mine as well."
Rasal and Sirius bickered constantly, but they were far from being on bad terms. They were a pair that embodied the idea of being so close that they fought over everything, and their bond was evident even in such minor interactions.
In truth, all the subordinates of the Death King were close enough to enjoy a boisterous party like this together.
"Hmm, it's a strange feeling, but this kotatsu is quite nice."
"Yes, and Alice mentioned that it's good to eat oranges while sitting in one. We should try that next time."
Everyone was in high spirits. Though they were technically at separate tables, they all moved around freely with their bowls in hand, enjoying the conversation. Naturally, the most popular spot was wherever Isis sat. Her subordinates gathered around her in turns, and Isis smiled from the bottom of her heart.
Driven by the temperament of their King, the Death King Faction likely boasted the closest bonds among subordinates in all the Six Kings' factions. In the castle built upon the freezing Land of Death, the air was filled with warm laughter once again today.