Chapter 739: The Power of a King ⑤ (2/2)
[Isis-san, what do you think about Iris?]
[……I think…… she can become very strong…… She has great potential…… and a strong heart.]
[I see, I see……]
After hearing Isis-san's evaluation, Alice nodded with a somewhat satisfied expression on her face. Seeing this, a question arose in my mind.
In the first place, why did Alice plan this mock battle between Isis-san and Iris-san? If she wanted Iris-san to experience a high-dimensional battle, couldn't she just fight Iris-san herself?
It seems to me that Alice, who, needless to say, is a smart person, has some other purpose in taking the trouble to create this opportunity where she fights Isis-san.
[What do you think then, Iris? The mock battle is yet to start, but how strong do you think Isis-san is?]
[I was honestly amazed. She isn't just depending on the power she was born with, it's as if she's like a polished blade…… Vexing it might be, at this point, I feel like she was completely superior to me.]
[……Fumufumu.]
After nodding while listening to Iris-san's words of praise for Isis-san, Alice spoke with a light smile.
[Now then, I have a suggestion. Iris, listen while you recover…… Ahh, I'm just telling this in advance, but this is really just a suggestion. You can just continue this topic if both sides agree.]
[……That's an awfully pompous way of speaking. What is it?]
[Isis-san…… What do you think of ”having Iris as your subordinate”?]
[……Eh? ……E- Ehhh?]
I was frankly surprised by her suggestion. Rather, it seems that Isis-san is more surprised than the others, and with a dumbfounded expression on her face, her glance switches between Alice and Iris-san over and over again.
Meanwhile, Iris-san had a serious expression on her face with her hand on her chin, as if she was thinking about it. Since she knows Alice well, she might have sensed her intention.
[……I see, it might be inconvenient for me if I just stay like this?]
[Yes, that's right. You can get by at the moment, but now that Iris has a body that allows you to move freely, your range of activities will become wider. And considering that you will become stronger in the future…… As expected, I can't keep the information about you under the wraps. Iris, whose body is based on mine, can be counted as a Demon. Free count-level, High-ranking Demons are really rare. The countries in the Human Realm will want to hire you, even if you have steep conditions, and in the future, the number of Demons who would want to be under Iris' command will definitely dramatically increase.]
[……That's why you took the initiative to have me become Isis-dono's subordinate.]
[That's right. Of course, you will have to accompany Isis-san to the events she participates in, but I think you would have more freedom than when you become involved with the people I mentioned just now. Also, even if Iris becomes stronger in the future, I'm sure that you would still be more interested in magic-oriented techniques, so I think it would be effective to study under Isis-san, who possesses mountains of grimoires.]
[………………….]
Now that she mentioned it, I don't remember any Count-rank Demons who weren't part of a group. Not to mention the Six Kings' subordinates, even Illness-san is serving Lilia-san, a former princess with close ties to the kingdom.
Even Kuro's family, in the eyes of the public, were probably considered as the Underworld King's subordinates…… In the future, if Iris-san becomes stronger and becomes more well known, there may be people who would think about worshipping her and making her the Seventh King.
[……Hey, Alice. Is there any chance that Iris-san could eventually become the Seventh King?]
[I'm not saying that she couldn't, but it's more like she's completely unsuited for her.]
[Yeah, I understand that too. I'm more like a supporter, I'm not really suited to being the top dog.]
[I see.]
Putting aside whether it's suited for her or not, it seems like Iris-san herself doesn't want to be one.
As we were talking about this, Isis-san, with an anxious expression on her face, approached Alice.
[……Ummm…… Shalltear? ……Would it…… really be alright? ……What about becoming Shalltear's subordinate……]
[Eh? Iris, becoming my subordinate? Definitely don't wanna, that's giving me goosebumps.]
[No way, just the thought of becoming Alice's subordinate gives me the creeps.]
When Isis-san suggested making Iris-san Alice's subordinate, Alice and Iris-san both looked really repulsed almost at the same time.
It's just a guess, but I think it was because they had been partners for so long that they couldn't see each other aside from being their equal. That's why it's unthinkable for either of them to consider the other as to be on top of the other.
[……B- But….. I……]
[Yes, that's right. To be clear, the you back then ”isn't capable of taking someone under your wing”. No, perhaps, I should say that you weren't mentally equipped to do so…… If you're still the same Isis-san whose heart and atmosphere were as cold as ice, the same Isis-san who is always tense and intimidates all the people around you, I wouldn't have suggested such a thing.]
Hearing her words, I remembered the first time I met Isis-san. Isis-san's eyes back then were very cold…… as if she had given up on many things.
And as Chronois-san said, she doesn't listen well to others and if her opinion clashes with others, she pushes them through with force…… even if what she wishes for wasn't something she could acquire.
Experiencing such a thing many times and having no composure within her heart, it may just be as Alice said, the atmosphere around Isis-san would probably always be tense and intimidating.
However, that's just in the past. Both Isis-san's expression and atmosphere have softened to an extent that I can't imagine from when I first encountered her. It was to an extent that it makes me think that if it weren't for her magic power of death, she would have been friends with so many people……
[……However, that changed when you met Kaito-san…… I think that the current Isis-san, whose heart has gained composure, will be able to handle having a subordinate. And the fact that you have no other subordinates is also a good thing for Iris, who is a powerful person who just came out of nowhere.]
[……Uuuu, ahhh…… I- I…… If that's the case…… I'm happy…… but…… wouldn't Iris…… find it…… unpleasant?]
[Well, I guess this does depend on Iris…… What do you think?]
Isis-san, with an expression of mixed anxiety and anticipation, turned to Iris-san, and when Alice asked her such a question…… Iris-san was silent for a while, before she mumbled to herself.
[……Come to think of it, I've been an adventurer for a long time, and I thought I'd experienced a lot of things…… but I've never experienced working for anyone before. Since I'm making a fresh start in life, doing something different from back then…… might be interesting.]
After saying those words, Iris-san stood up and stood before Isis-san.
[……It's not that I'm not developing any respect for you, and I also think that you have a very likable personality. There is also a part of me that feels that becoming your subordinate isn't a bad idea.]
[……U- Unnn.]
[However, I can't make up my mind in doing that just yet. Therefore, I would like to ask you a favor.]
[……A favor?]
[If I am to be your subordinate, I would like to know your strength as a King. Isis-dono probably intended on going easy on me in the mock battle too…… but ”I want you to fight with all your might”. I want you to show me the full power of the King you are.]
[……Alright…… I'll fight you…… seriously.]
After deciding to hold off on giving an answer for now, Iris-san asked Isis-san would fight with all her might. And with a serious expression on her face, Isis-san nodded.
Looking at the two of them, it's just a hunch but…… I felt as if some kind of bond had been created between them, and it seemed to suggest the future that was about to come.
<Afterword>
It looks like Isis is finally going to get the subordinates that she's always wanted. I've actually been thinking about this development for a while.
Isis' name comes from the Goddess Isis, known as the ”Virgin Mother of the Heavens” and ”Mother of the Stars”, so I decided that her subordinates would be characters with names related to stars.
Also, the name Iris is taken from ”Asteroid Iris”.
(T/N: I'm not sure about Goddess Isis' titles. Not an expert regarding that matter, just translated Author-san's words as is.)
Incidentally, the formation of all her subordinates is still really far in the future…… only after Isis has completely taken control of her magic power of death, but I'm thinking of naming the Death King's subordinates as ”The Pleiades”.