Chapter 748: Intermission : Iris ~ ~ Solicitation Starts ~ ~ (2/2)

The problem though……

[……And so, among those free peerage-holders…… How many of them ”have the ability to become Isis-sama's subordinate”?]

[If we assume that they would be living in Isis-san's castle, they would need to have the strength of a King's executive subordinate…… In short, what you're looking for are those with power equal to peak Count-ranks. If you're talking about those who currently have such power, not those who have the talent to reach such ability in the future…… There is one candidate.]

After saying this, Alice took a map of the Demon Realm out of nowhere and spread it out on the canter before continuing.

[……She is a Demon who has lived for 18,000 years on a small island in the northernmost part of the Demon Realm, near the Land of Death. As far as I know, she hasn't left that island for the past 18,000 years. During the day, she silently trains, and at night, she only stares at the skies and doesn't move…… Known as the ”Star-Gazing Witch”…… and that Demon's name is ”Polaris”.]

[……The Star-Gazing Witch Polaris huh.]

[Incidentally, Megiddo-san, Lillywood-san and my subordinates tried to recruit her in the past, but she refused all of them. However, they had a test of strength back then, and she fought Epsilon-san, one of War King's Five Generals, to a draw, so there's no doubt that she has the ability of a Six King's executive.]

[Fumu, do you have any other information?]

[When my subordinates visited her, they apparently heard her mutter ”The time is not yet right” while looking at the stars.]

[……Does that mean she is waiting for something?]

[Yes, it's just a guess on my part, but there's a possibility that she possesses ”Limited Future Sight”. I think she may have seen something with her Future Sight, and was waiting for the right moment to move…… Well, that's all I know about her.]

Listening to Alice's story, Iris crossed her arms as if she was thinking about something. After a few moments of silence, Iris turned her back on Alice and headed for the exit of the miscellaneous goods store.

[……That was helpful information. Thank you.]

[Are you planning on going?]

[Yeah, I don't really have anything I could do until I talk to her myself.]

[Oya oya, there's a chance that you might have to fight her though, so would it be alright? How about Alice-chan go along with you?]

[Hmph, even though you already know about it, you're acting all shameless there. Even if that were to happen…… This would be a good opportunity to test out my ”Magic Armament”.]

With a light smile on her lips, she put her hand on the door, but before she left, Iris turned back and asked Alice.

[……Ahh, I forgot to ask. How powerful do you think I am?]

[……”Peak Count-rank”……. And if it were only about burst power, you might even claim yourself as ”the strongest Count-rank”. Seriously, that's one interesting magic you've come up with. I guess the reason why your ability jumped up in a short time was that Isis-san had been quite enthusiastic when she's teaching you.]

[Fufu. Well then, I'll go and recruit a competent subordinate to repay this day to my King.]

After nodding in satisfaction at Alice's assessment, Iris lightly waved at her before leaving the miscellaneous goods store. The magic power around her small body seemed heavier and sharper than it had been just a few moments before.

The only inhabitant of the small island at the northernmost tip of the Demon Realm, the Star-Gazing Witch Polaris, as she gazed at the stars in the night sky, she muttered to herself.

[……The time is not yet right. However, the moon has already risen up to the sky…… Not long from now…… ”a woman with hair of two colors, black and gray”…… and when she appears before me……]

Muttering to herself, Polaris' eyes were filled with tears. And then, after it ran down her cheek and a drop fell to the ground…… and as if held within her tears were a flood of her emotions, she murmured.

[……It had been a long time. 14,000 years……. Finally…… I can finally…… serve you. Oh, my one and only King……]

Thereupon, Polaris stopped speaking and turned her gaze beyond the sea, towards the Land of Death.

[……Please wait just a little longer…… ”my benefactor” ———–Isis Remnant-sama.]

<Afterword>

I'll slowly continue Iris' Intermission Chapters at certain turning points.

Next Chapter, we'll have the Christmas Extra Chapter with the Pleiades, and after that would be a date with Anima.

Serious-senpai : [Will there be seriousness!?]