I had come to visit Isis-san’s castle in the Land of Death, nestled within the Demon Realm. After we shared some tea, I spent a while playing with Vul.
The little fox was showing off, floating small spheres at the tips of her ten tails and manipulating them with effortless grace.
"Kyu!"
"Whoa, that’s incredible, Vul. You’ve already become this proficient with magic?"
"Kyuu~"
It was painfully obvious that her Magic Manipulation Technique was already on a level far beyond mine. However, since I had made peace with my own lack of talent long ago, I simply offered her my sincere praise.
Vul seemed to be silently fishing for a compliment, so when I stroked her head, she wagged her tails happily and leaned into my touch. She really was a precious girl.
"……Is she already at quite a high level?"
"……Yes…… Vul’s Magic Power Control Technique…… is already…… comparable to a High-ranking Demon…… Vul is a very special girl."
"Her growth rate is truly staggering."
Vul was clearly a genius. She possessed enough talent to impress even Isis-san. Watching her now, there was no doubt she was a natural.
I’d even heard—though I hadn't seen it for myself yet—that she could use her tails to handle a knife and fork while eating. Still, watching her like this, she just seemed like a friendly, adorable child.
I continued playing with Vul and Isis-san for a while longer until it was eventually time for me to head home. Teleportation magic tools didn't function inside Isis-san’s castle, so I had to walk to the entrance and step outside before I could use one.
Isis-san had offered to see me off, but Vul had exhausted herself and fallen asleep on her lap. Loath to disturb them, I insisted on making my way to the entrance on my own.
I visit this castle often enough that I can navigate the halls without getting lost. However, on my way to the front door, I was stopped by an unexpected figure.
"Oh? Leaving alreadY?"
"Ah, Rasal-san. Yes, I thought it was about time…… Vul fell asleep on Isis-san’s lap, so I’m heading out alone."
"I seE…… Hm, then this is quite fortunatE. Could you spare a moment of your time, Miyama Kaito-samA?"
"Eh? Oh, sure. I don't mind."
The woman who had called out to me was wearing a hood pulled low over her eyes and carried a massive coffin on her back. This was Rasal Marfek-san, one of Isis-san’s subordinates.
Isis-san had introduced us once before and we had exchanged brief greetings, but we hadn't spoken much since. I knew she was a Necromancer famous throughout the Demon Realm and an acquaintance of Zex-san, but that was about the extent of our relationship.
"Actually, I was wondering if I might borrow a bit of your assistancE……"
"My assistance? With what?"
"I wish to procure a substantial quantity of high-purity Magic Crystals for my personal usE. HoweveR, regarding the Magic Crystals mined here in the Land of Death, Kuromueina-sama holds the rights due to a contract with Isis-samA. For me to use them for my own purposes, I would have to trouble Isis-sama to intervene on my behalF…… As such, I wish to procure them through my own channelS, but I find myself at a loss, having no suitable connections of my owN."
"Ah, I see. That’s why you came to me."
"YeS. I realize it is a presumptuous requesT, but I was wondering if you might introduce me to any connections you may havE."
I took a moment to consider her words. When it came to a connection for sourcing Magic Crystals, the first person who jumped to mind was Tre-san. If I recalled correctly, she was the Special Advisor of the Magic Crystal Department at Kuro’s company.
One thing puzzled me, though. If she needed to deal with the Seditch Magic Tool Trading Company, wouldn't Rasal-san already have a connection through Zex-san?
No, wait. Come to think of it, I believe Zex-san mentioned that Rasal-san doesn't even remember his name. There was a good chance she didn't have his contact information at all.
"Well, I know someone who serves as the Special Advisor of the Magic Crystal Department for the Seditch Magic Tool Trading Company. Should I introduce you to her?"
"Ooh, that would be most helpfuL. Please, I would appreciate iT."
"Understood. I’ll check her schedule and get back to you with the details."
"Very welL. I apologize for the inconveniencE. I shall certainly find a way to repay this favor in the futurE."
Rasal-san gave me a polite bow, and after telling her not to worry about it, I finally left the castle.
I’ll start by contacting Tre-san. If possible, I should probably ask Zex-san to be present as well. That would likely make the whole process much smoother.
I couldn't even begin to imagine what a conversation between Tre-san and Rasal-san would look like…… Having Zex-san there would definitely put my mind at ease.
Serious-senpai: "Come to think of it, Rasal and Zex haven't actually reunited yet, have they? I honestly have no idea what that conversation is going to look like."