After greeting Kuro, I decided to continue my rounds by visiting whichever of the Six Kings or the Three Kings of the Human Realm was nearby.
Scanning the area around Kuro’s group, I spotted Isis-san and her subordinates a short distance away, so I made them my next destination. As I approached their circle, I felt a faint but distinct sensation at a certain point—as if I had stepped through a paper-thin membrane.
"Ah, Kaito. I have a fair idea of what’s on your mind. You just passed through Polaris's Barrier. It's cast so thinly that most would never notice it, but I suppose your Sympathy Magic picked it up."
"I see. A barrier... given the placement... ah, that makes sense."
"Precisely. There’s no reason to let the mood turn gloomy at a celebration like this, so we’re simply taking what precautions we can. Besides, this sort of thing is our responsibility as her subordinates, not something you need to concern yourself with. Now then, please, go to Isis-sama."
"I understand."
The spot where I felt the barrier was several meters away from Isis-san. As I suspected, it was perfectly positioned to match the range of her Magic Power of Death. It was likely a filter meant to protect any guests who were too weak to handle her presence. As for me, Shiro-san's Blessing—and likely some specific permissions—allowed me to pass without a hitch. Since Polaris-san was a Master of Barrier Magic, such a feat was well within her capabilities.
"Hello, Isis-san. Thank you for coming today."
"...Kaito... hello... I'm the one... who should thank you... for inviting me... thank you... I've never really... had many chances to attend parties like this... so everything feels... fresh."
As soon as I spoke, Isis-san beamed with a smile so radiant it was almost blinding. Because of her death mana, social events had always been off-limits for her, so the lively atmosphere of the party seemed genuinely novel and exciting.
In the past, Isis-san likely would have declined an invitation like this out of fear that she might scare the other guests. But now, with a growing number of reliable subordinates by her side, she was able to step out into the world more freely. She looked truly happy.
"It might sound a bit odd, but seeing you here... I'm just really glad to see you taking such a positive step. It makes me happy, too."
"...Yes... until I met Kaito... I never went anywhere... except for the Hero Festival or for my hobbies... but now... because of Kaito and everyone... I'm having so much fun... thank you... Kaito."
"In this specific case, I really haven't done much besides send out the invitation, though."
"...No... that's not true... I love that my subordinates look out for me... and I love being able to join in... but what makes me the happiest... is that Kaito called for me... and that you're here to see me... smiling with me... that's what's... most important."
One look at her joy told me she meant every word. Knowing that my presence and our shared smiles were her greatest source of happiness was a bit bashful, but it filled me with a warmth of my own.
"I have to keep moving soon, but since I'm here, let's chat for a little while."
"...Yes... I'd love that... Kaito, being the host is hard, isn't it? ...Have you had... time to eat?"
"I'll have a bite once I've finished most of the greetings. I might not be able to take it slow since there are so many guests, but I plan to catch my breath during the entertainment segments."
For a short while, Isis-san and I enjoyed a pleasant conversation together.
Serious-senpai: "The chapter before last was one thing, the last was another, and now this... Ah, I see! This is that pattern where the story splits between the Kaito Side and the Stomach Pain Side!"