While Kaito and Amel were enjoying the cocktails and snacks Iris had prepared at the bar, Iris's main body happened to be busy in the kitchen of Isis's castle at that very same moment.
She was preparing sweets rather than snacks. After nodding in satisfaction at the freshly baked cakes and cookies, Iris slapped away a hand that reached for a treat.
"...That hurts, Head-dono."
"Do not be so uncouth."
"Come now, I simply wish for a reward commensurate with the labor of my assistance. In a sense, one could argue this is merely the exercise of a legitimate right."
"There is no legitimate right to snatching food. You will be eating them soon enough, so have some patience... Or perhaps you intended to eat the sweets before Isis-sama?"
"Guh... When you put it like that, I have no choice but to back down gracefully..."
Brushing off Polaris as she tried to sneak a snack, Iris began loading the confections onto a cart.
"Polaris, what about the black tea?"
"Everything is ready. I have already applied Status Preservation to it."
"Good. Then let us be off."
They were preparing for a tea party. Because Rasal had been unable to join their previous gathering, Isis had suggested they all have tea together with her subordinates this time, hence the elaborate preparations.
Sirius and Rasal, neither of whom were particularly gifted in the culinary arts, were busy setting up the table and other necessities.
Once Iris and Polaris finished their work, they headed to the balcony where Isis and the others were waiting.
Isis's castle stood in the Land of Death, a frigid region buried under snow year-round. Normally, the frequent blizzards would make it impossible to enjoy tea on a balcony. However, those present were Isis, one of the Summits of the Demon Realm, and four others possessing the overwhelming power of the highest-ranking Count-class demons. To them, such weather was trivial.
A transparent barrier magic shielded the balcony, keeping out the snow while maintaining a comfortable temperature.
When the two arrived, the table was already set. Isis, Sirius, and Rasal were waiting.
"Isis-sama, thank you for waiting."
"...No... Thank you both... for... the preparations."
Isis replied with a gentle smile. She looked truly happy, her delight at the prospect of tea with her subordinates plain to see.
"...Should I... have helped... as well?"
"There was no need for that. You should leave such mundane chores to us, your subordinates."
"Exactly. You are quite right... It is rare, but you do occasionally say something sensible."
"You, however, were of no use during the setup. If anything, you only increased the workload."
"Excuse me?"
"Is there a problem?"
"Cut it out, you idiots," Iris snapped.
Watching Sirius and Rasal immediately fall into their usual pattern of glares and provocations, Iris let out a weary sigh. She and Polaris distributed the sweets and tea, and once everything was served, they took their seats as well.
"...Yes... this is delicious... As expected... Iris... is a wonderful cook."
"You are too kind. I managed to get my hands on some high-quality berries recently, so I designed the menu around them."
"I consider myself reasonably capable, but Head-dono's skills are truly on another level. The texture of these cookies is magnificent."
"Ah, that. There is a specific trick to the way the ingredients are mixed..."
Whether it was because their personalities were naturally compatible or because they shared every meal, the subordinates of the Death King were remarkably close. The way conversation flowed effortlessly without anyone needing to force a topic was the ultimate proof of their bond.
"By the way, Rasal. Does the magic formula you set up not react to us?"
"Ah, I will skip the boring details, but it is set to ignore those who enter through the main gates properly. Since it is a simple formula designed to detect and notify us of intruders, it is easy to program in various complex conditions."
Sirius and Rasal, who had been at each other's throats moments ago, were now chatting casually. Despite their constant bickering, it was clear they were well-matched.
Isis watched them with a blissful expression, savoring the tea and the lively conversation with all her heart.
From the window, a Blue Crystal Flower watched the scene. Spica, who dwelled within the blossom, let her thoughts drift idly.
(They look like they're having such a grand time. I can't quite hear what they're saying... but the atmosphere is lovely. Even the Death King-san is smiling so gently and happily; that's the main thing. It's a strange feeling, but... seeing her so happy makes me feel happy too.)
Though Spica had been wary of Isis at first, those feelings had vanished. Now, she looked forward to seeing the joyous smiles the Death King wore.
(The only real shame is that I can't hear them. I wonder what kind of things a Death King-san who smiles so kindly talks about... Hmm, what is this? I'm feeling a bit restless.)
As she enjoyed the view from the window, Spica was slightly bewildered by a sensation she had never known.
(Thinking I want to talk to someone... that's a first for me. Hmm, I can't quite settle down... It's not a bad feeling, though...)
Though she felt a strange, ticklish restlessness from this unprecedented thought, it was far from unpleasant. If anything, Spica found her burgeoning feelings to be quite comforting.
Serious-senpai: "One way or another, Rasal has already settled in... It feels like the dynamic of the Death King's subordinates is finally complete. Spica looks like she’ll be appearing soon too, so only Vulpecula is left..."