After chatting with the humanized Vul for a while, she mentioned she needed to head back and finish preparing the venue. She looked a little reluctant to leave, but eventually saw herself out.
Still, everyone seemed so enthusiastic that they might as well have been preparing for a grand gala. It sounded like they were even putting up decorations and the like...
"Actually, come to think of it, it might be nice to invite some acquaintances and throw a party here at your castle someday, Isis-san."
"...Ah... that... sounds fun... but... would they... really come?"
"Well, the Six Kings definitely would. Kuro, Alice, Lilliwood-san, and Megiddo-san... Even Magnawell-san, whose size used to be a problem, could attend without any trouble now that he has his Split Body."
I wasn't actually planning a party at that exact moment, but I chatted with her about it as if it were a hypothetical scenario.
The Six Kings were a given. Megiddo-san didn't exactly fit the refined image of a 'party'—he was more suited to a rowdy, boisterous banquet—but provided their schedules aligned, there was no reason they couldn't all gather.
"And even if we limited the other guests to the Peerage-class to account for your Magic Power of Death, I think we'd still get a pretty big turnout. Not just your friends, Isis-san, but I'm sure your subordinates have their own social circles too..."
"...True... Sirius... is acquainted with... Megiddo's subordinates... and Rasal... knows Zex and Tiamat."
I had a sneaking suspicion that Tiamat—or rather, Media—was a somewhat dangerous individual... but then again, with her guardian Alice present, things would likely be fine. Since Rasal-san had actually received a table and chairs from her, they must have been on speaking terms to some extent.
Come to think of it, even excluding the Executives of the Six Kings, there were those people who had spoken with Isis-san at the Harmonic Symphony Tea Party... I believe their names were Clea and Vera. I had a feeling they would happily attend if invited.
"Fate-san and the others would likely show up if we asked, and I bet Lilia-san would come too if she wasn't busy... Wait, if we actually did this, wouldn't we end up with a huge crowd?"
"...T-True... people... might actually come... quite a few of them... Ehehe... I'm... really happy."
"Me too. It really feels like things are changing for the better... I can feel your kindness starting to reach the people around you, and that makes me happy too."
"...It's all thanks to you, Kaito. Because you... saved me... I was able to change... I'm certain of that... So... thank you."
"Haha, you're very welcome... I guess?"
"...Mhm!"
Watching Isis-san beam with joy filled me with a profound sense of happiness. Thinking about it again, it really did feel like she was starting to be widely accepted.
Of course, those of the Peerage-class had always been capable of conversing with her despite the Magic Power of Death. However, back then, the prevailing sentiment toward her had always been one of fear.
In fact, even Lilia-san, who was already Peerage-class at the time, had been paralyzed with terror when she first encountered Isis-san and her aura. Yet now, that fear had dissipated to the point where she would likely welcome Isis-san into her home with a bright smile.
A large part of that change was undoubtedly down to Isis-san’s own state of mind. As Alice once pointed out, the old Isis-san used to be in a constant state of prickly tension, almost as if she were intimidating her surroundings. That made it difficult for her naturally gentle personality to shine through, creating a vicious cycle where people only feared her more.
But now that the cycle was broken, the people around her were finally beginning to see her for the kind, gentle person she truly was. Lilliwood-san had also mentioned how Isis-san recently began exuding a gentle, soothing presence; in the end, perhaps your state of mind really is the most important thing.
"Should we try to plan a proper event, then? I'll help you out."
"...Mhm... I want to try... If Kaito helps me... I'm sure... it will go well... So... let's think about it... together?"
"Sure. We'll have to consult with your subordinates eventually, but for now, let's just brainstorm some rough ideas. After that, we can talk to Iris-san and the others to figure out the specifics."
"...Mhm!"
It had started as a casual thought, but just talking it over made me realize how much Isis-san was now accepted by those around her, which left me feeling incredibly warm inside.
Since Isis-san was clearly eager, the two of us spent a good while brainstorming our plans for the party.
Serious-senpai: "Honestly, if she actually held one, a surprising number of people would probably show up."
???: "The location and environment of the Land of Death are a bit of a hurdle, so only those with a certain level of power could attend, but yes, you'd likely see quite the crowd."