After enjoying some small talk with Jutia-san, Erial-san, and Til-san, I stood up and prepared to move on to the next area.
However, the scene Jutia-san had made earlier seemed to have drawn a significant amount of attention. People approached me with such frequency, trying to strike up a conversation or invite me for tea, that simply moving through the venue became a challenge.
While politely declining these offers and looking for a place to catch my breath, I noticed a spot where the crowd was unnaturally thin—or rather, a place where people seemed to be actively steering clear.
Puzzled, I headed toward the clearing and immediately realized the cause. Seated at a table there were Isis-san, Iris-san, and Polaris-san—whom I had seen during the White God Festival. The final person at the table was someone I assumed was likely Sirius-san.
Isis-san had happily mentioned that her circle of subordinates was growing, so I was somewhat familiar with who they were.
Still, it made sense. Because of Isis-san’s magic power of death, anyone below a certain level of strength simply couldn't get close to her.
As I was thinking that, Isis-san spotted me. Her face lit up instantly, and she gave me a small, delicate wave. As always, she was as adorable as an angel.
"Hello, Isis-san."
"……Kaito…… hello…… I’m happy…… to see you."
Isis-san beamed at me with a smile that showed she was truly delighted to meet, filling me with a sense of happiness as I turned to greet the others—well, Iris-san first.
Since I was meeting the other two for the first time, I figured we’d start with introductions, so I decided to address the person I already knew.
"Hello to you too, Iris-san."
"Umu. I was planning to look for you later, but meeting this early is a stroke of good luck. You've likely heard the news, but I intended to introduce you to the ones who have newly entered Isis-sama’s service."
"Ah, right. I’d heard about them, but this is the first time we’ve actually met face-to-face."
I had also been hoping for an introduction, so the timing was perfect.
At almost that exact moment, Isis-san spoke up while gesturing to the seat beside her.
"……Kaito…… here…… I kept this open…… for Kaito."
"Is that so? Thank you. Well then, if you'll excuse me."
I had wondered why there was an unnaturally empty chair next to her, but it seemed she had been saving it specifically for my arrival.
I thanked her and took the seat. As I turned my gaze toward Polaris-san and Sirius-san, Iris-san began the introductions.
"First, this is Polaris, who joined our ranks after me."
"It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Kaito Miyama. I look forward to getting to know you."
"I am called Polaris. The pleasure is mine, and I look forward to our acquaintance."
When I addressed her, Polaris-san gave a slight bow with a gentle smile. Her movements were elegant and gave off an air of calm composure... and yet, through my Sympathy Magic, I could sense emotions of staggering tension and frantic panic.
Her expression and her inner feelings were so radically different that I nearly tilted my head in confusion. However, since I could also feel a strong current of goodwill, I assumed she didn't have a bad impression of me... Wait. These positive feelings are much bigger than I thought. Sensing this level of fanaticism from a first meeting... she’s on the same scale as the Ten Demons’ Fanatic Group. Is that just my imagination?
"And this is Sirius."
"My name is Sirius. I have heard much of you from Isis-sama and Iris-dono. I ask for your kind favor hereafter."
"Ah, yes. I’m Kaito Miyama. Likewise, I look forward to working with you."
The emotions coming from Sirius-san felt perfectly ordinary—there wasn't anything unusually intense about them. By comparison, the feelings radiating from Polaris-san definitely seemed excessively massive.
"……Also…… she didn’t come today…… but recently…… a girl named Rasal…… became a subordinate."
"Is that so? That’s great. So you have four subordinates now. Your castle is going to get livelier and livelier, Isis-san."
"……Yes…… I’m…… very happy."
This was the first I had heard of someone named Rasal. Given Isis-san’s personality, if this girl had already been a subordinate the last time we met, she certainly would have told me. That suggested she must have joined very recently—perhaps within the last few days?
As I was nodding along to her story, I suddenly heard a familiar voice.
"……Rasal? Isis-sama, please forgive my impudence for interrupting your conversation."
"……Ah…… Zex…… it’s been a while."
"It has indeed. Miyama-dono, it is a pleasure to see you again as well."
"Hello, Zex-san."
The figure who appeared was a Lich dressed in extravagant finery—Zex-san, a member of Kuro’s Family and a Count-class high-ranking demon known as the Great Sage of the Undead.
I wondered if Zex-san could actually drink black tea. Then again, he was eating and drinking normally at the barbecue, wasn't he? I really have no idea how his body actually works.
While I was pondering that, Zex-san bowed to Isis-san and spoke once more.
"……The 'Rasal' you mentioned just now, Isis-sama... by any chance, would that be the necromancer known as Rasal Marfik?"
"……Yes…… that’s right…… is she an acquaintance of yours, Zex?"
"……Yes, we are acquaintances…… but I am truly astonished. To think that she would choose to serve under anyone…… No, that would explain what happened then……"
It seemed that Rasal-san, the new member of Isis-san’s family, was someone Zex-san knew well. He appeared quite shocked and was muttering something under his breath.
Serious-senpai: "……Well, of course he’d be shocked if an acquaintance who’s been a shut-in for thousands of years suddenly became someone’s subordinate."
???: "……He’d likely be even more shocked if he knew about her first-move dogeza, though."
Serious-senpai: "Just leave that part alone for now……"