Chapter 786 - Intermission: Far North Star ~ ~ The Head of Death King's Subordinates ~ ~
After a long period of training, Polaris’ heart was overflowing with joy as she finally reached the power of a Count-rank. Her abilities have improved to the point where it’s ridiculous to compare them to what she once was, where she even achieved a draw against one of the Six Kings’ executives, Epsilon, a few days back.
With this, she finally has enough power to unashamedly call herself the subordinate of the Death King Isis…… She was happy that she could finally be able to serve her benefactor, whom she had always yearned for.
However, her joy was soon replaced by other emotions.
After years of training, Polaris had developed her unique power and had gained “Limited Future Sight”, which allows her to know “the consequences of her actions” before they happen.Therefore, she used her power in advance to examine her own future and see if she could properly be Isis’ subordinate.
[……Why……]
However, the future she saw wasn’t the one she wanted. The result of Polaris’ action of asking to become Isis’ subordinate…… “was Isis’ tears and rejection”.
The Isis of that time still hasn’t met the person who would unconditionally accept her…… Kaito yet, and her heart isn’t composed enough to accept subordinates. However, Polaris had no way of knowing that.
Polaris can see the “results”, but she can’t the “process” as to why such a result happened. Therefore, she didn’t know “why that happened”.
She couldn’t permit a future in which she would cause grief to Isis, to whom she owed so much, and she desperately tried to think of the cause.
Wondering if she was still not strong enough, she put more effort into training than ever before.She also trained other abilities that she hadn’t trained before, thinking that perhaps, she may be lacking something other than strength.
Thinking about the possibility that her method might be wrong, she started considering all the ways she could think of the premise of “her actions” and examined the results that awaited her.
However, the result didn’t change. By the time several hundred years had passed, she was completely locked in a stalemate. As a result, Polaris continued to train during the day, and at night, she began looking at the results of every conceivable pattern of her actions through her Future Sight.
She spent her days doing everything she could, feeling frustrated with an unchanging future, but still holding on to her unshakable dream.
Three millennia have passed since the battle with Epsilon, and 18,000 years have passed since she began her training————- when the future she saw suddenly changed.
Until now, she could only see the result of Isis rejecting her with tears in her eyes, but after one day, that changed…… becoming into “refusing Polaris’ offer to become her subordinate with an apologetic look on her face”.
If one only looks at the results, one would think that Polaris will still not become Isis’ subordinate even if the future changes. However, the expression on Isis’ face that she could see in her Future Vision had considerably changed, she seemed to be acting reserved rather than outright rejecting her.
And then, a little while later, she heard a rumor about an otherworlder who was in close contact with the Six Kings. When she gathered information through her paltry contacts, it seemed that that otherworlder had brought about Isis’ change.
Quietly thanking that unknown otherworlder in her heart, Polaris began desperately searching for the future where she could be Isis’ subordinate once again.
After several months, she finally found that future.
As a result of Polaris’ action of “waiting on the deserted island”, she was able to find a future where she becomes Isis’ subordinate together with “a girl with hair of two shades of gray and black”.
She doesn’t know who this girl is. She doesn’t even remember hearing about anyone with that kind of appearance. The rumor is that the otherworlder is male, so she shouldn’t be that otherworlder…… However, her appearance was but a trivial matter.
At last, she had found the future that she had always hoped for, a future where she could be Isis’ subordinate. A tempest of delight raged within Polaris’ heart.
And thus, after two years of desperately suppressing her feelings, feeling like it was the longest two years of her life…… The person she had been waiting for finally arrived.
It was a starry night when Iris, who had received information about Polaris from Alice, visited the deserted island where she was said to be staying in order to recruit her.
This was because she had learned from Alice that Polaris trained during the day and looked at the stars at night, so she thought that night would be the best time to talk to her.
Coincidentally, under the starry skies befitting Polaris’ nickname “Star-Gazing Witch”, Iris found Polaris standing in the middle of the deserted island, gazing at the skies, and called out to her.
[……Star-Gazing Witch Polaris, right? My name is Iris Illuminus…… First, I’d like to apologize for the sudden vi———- Mhhh!?]
[………………]
In the middle of speaking, Iris stopped speaking, looking astonished. The reason for this was simple…… When Polaris looked back at Iris, she seemed to be overcome with emotions and large tears poured down her eyes……
[……Ahh, finally…… At last…… The time…… has finally arrived.]
When she heard the words she mumbled, the previous conversation she had with Alice popped within Iris’ mind. About how they heard Polaris mutter “The time is not yet right”. And from Polaris’ current state and the word “arrived”, she could guess that her visit here had fulfilled some kind of condition.
As Iris thought about such a thing, Polaris continued.
[……I’ve been waiting for you to visit.]
[Fumu, can I interpret that as you having Divination ability or some kind of Future Sight?]
[Yeah, you can see it as such. I have Limited Future Sight, allowing me to see the consequences of my actions. That’s all there is to it. Well, I’ll explain the minor details later…… but first of all, bring me to her…… to where she is…… to Isis Remnant-sama’s side.]
[…………………..]
When Iris heard Polaris’ words, she looked a little dubious and thought about it. Until she came here, she was thinking about how to persuade Polaris, who continues to refuse many solicitations…… but the situation was very different from what she had expected.
After a few moments of silence, thinking about what she should do, Iris quietly spoke.
[……I could tell that you had been eagerly waiting. If that’s the case, I’ll keep my questions to a minimum. Do you have any harmful intentions towards Isis-sama?]
[Not one bit!]
[Alright, I’ll take your word for it.]
She had a lot of questions she wanted to ask, but judging from Polaris’ appearance, she decided it would be difficult to calmly talk about it here. In addition to her previous question, Iris asked the bare minimum of questions that should be confirmed as Isis’ subordinate.
And her response…… Iris has always been keenly aware of the subtleties of other people’s emotions and has a high level of insight. From what she sees, Polaris didn’t seem to be lying. Rather, from every word she said, she felt a deep respect for Isis.
Thinking that things had really turned out differently than she had thought, Iris took Polaris with her and teleported to Isis’ castle.
When Iris returned to Isis’ castle, she took Polaris with her to the study where she expected Isis to be.
As soon as they arrived at the castle, Polaris looked so nervous and serious that she didn’t say a word, and both of them arrived at the study in silence.
Then, knocking on the door a few times and going inside, Iris immediately saw Isis reading a book as usual. Looking towards Iris and Polaris who entered the room, Isis turned towards Iris and smiled.
[……Welcome back…… Iris…… Is that girl…… Iris’ …… acquaintance?]
Naturally, Isis had been aware of Polaris’ presence from the moment Iris had teleported nearby. She knew that she had great power, but didn’t ask the purpose of her visit, thinking that if Iris brought her here, it wouldn’t be a problem.
[I have returned. And so, errr, she is……]
While answering Isis’ words, Iris was wondering what to do. After all, she didn’t know the reason why Polaris wanted to come here.
She was having difficulty explaining that, so she was pondering how to bring it up…… but before Iris could continue her words, Polaris took action.
[Isis-sama!]
[……W- What’s the matter?]
Calling out Isis’ name with a shout, Polaris took a step forward and immediately kneeling down, she vigorously bowed her head. The way she was rubbing her head on the ground made Iris, as well as Isis, look astonished.
[I am! the Witch whose life was saved by you about 18,000 years ago!]
[……Eh?]
[You did me a great favor by saving my life, but I ran away without even expressing my gratitude…… I was an irredeemable fool! Thus, I was looking forward to the day when we would meet again!!!]
[………………..]
[First of all, please allow me to apologize for my rudeness at that time, and for my disrespect for coming so late! I am so sorry!!!]
Casting aside the hat she was wearing, she bowed to Isis over and over again while she incessantly wept. At the sight of such a Polaris, Isis looked puzzled and moved her gaze between Polaris and Iris several times.
[……18,000 years ago…… Witch…… Errr…… The child who…… was attacked by a Demon?]
[!? Y- Yes! That’s right! It is all thanks to Isis-sama that I am able to live as I am now…… Thank you very very much!]
[……U- Unnn…… I see…… You had grown…… so much since then…… I didn’t recognize you right away…… However…… Unnn…… To expressly come to meet me…… and say your gratitude…… also makes me happy…… Me too…… Thank you.]
When Isis said this with a serene smile, Polaris seemed to be overcome with emotion, as she covered her eyes with one hand and continued to cry.
In all honesty, Isis had no complaints about Polaris’ actions back then. To her, being escaped from by others like that was a usual and common sight.
However, she was really happy that Polaris had taken the trouble to visit and thank her.
Polaris continued to cry for a while, and calming down after a little while, she turned her reddened eyes to Isis and spoke.
[……Death King Isis Remnant-sama. In addition to apologizing and thank you, I’ve come here today to ask you a favor.]
[……A favor?]
[Yes. I have always wished to use this life that Isis-sama saved for you. As a result, it took me a long time to gain enough power to be worthy of being your subordinate, and it has taken me a long time to visit you like this…… But please…… Would you please accept me as your subordinate?]
[……Eh? Eh? ……Subordinate? ……Mine?]
[Yes!]
[……Ahh…… Errr…… I’m happy…… but……]
When she heard Polaris’ words about wanting to be a subordinate, Isis looked puzzled and glanced at Iris.
Noticing the hesitation in Isis’ gaze, Iris pushed her back with a faint smile on her face.
[Isn’t that a good thing? She has requested it of her own free will, and I’m sure she fully understands what it means to be Isis-sama’s subordinate. Judging from the fact that she can talk normally like this, I’m sure she has no problem dealing with your magic power of death.]
[……Unnn…… I guess…… you’re right…… Then…… Errr……]
[My name is Polaris.]
[……Well then…… Polaris…… I will be…… in your care.]
[ ~ ~!?!? Yes!!!]
And like that, the girl’s efforts to challenge the talent barrier for 18,000 years has been rewarded, and she was able to safely become the subordinate of the King she admires.
It would have been great just to say that “all’s well that ends well”———— but unfortunately, it was still a little early for that.
[……Sorry to bother you, Iris Illuminus-dono.]
[It’s fine, but what do you want? It’s not like I have a lot of time on my hands either, you know?]
A little while after Polaris became Isis’ subordinate, Isis went swimming to the beach with her lover, Kaito…… when Iris had been summoned by Polaris to the deserted island where she lived.
[No, it’s not that big of a deal. I just want to confirm a few things. Am I correct to assume that you and I are currently the only two subordinates Isis-sama had…… and you are the “Head of Death King’s subordinates”, right?]
[……I take it that you’re “dissatisfied” with that?]
[No, I have no problem with you being the Head of Death King’s subordinates. It is up to Isis-sama to decide who is the Head. I can understand that for Isis-sama, it’s understandable that her subordinate that she trusts the most would be the head.]
[So, in the end, what is that you want to say?]
When Polaris spoke in a somewhat roundabout manner, Iris crossed her arms and asked back. The expression on Polaris’ face could be called a smile, but it seemed to be somewhat provocative.
[No, what, it’s just that you, being the head, means you’ll be giving me orders in the future. So, it’s not strange for me to know what my superior is capable of, right? So, I was wondering if you could join me for a little mock battle. What, it’s just a little bout.]
[……I see. I don’t mind.]
[That’d be great. Ahh. Don’t worry, it’s not like there’s anything to win or lose. It’s just a recreational way for us to get to know each other.]
[Recreational huh…… Fufufu…… How about you make yourself clear? That “you don’t like the fact that you’re not the Head”.]
When Polaris said this, as if she was deliberately taunting her, a daring smile also appeared on Iris’ lips and she pointed out what was probably the crux of the matter.
Thereupon, the expression on Polaris’ face disappeared for a moment.
[……Well, I’d be lying if I said that I haven’t asked myself “Why not me?”. Though I say that, that was just my personal sentiment. I really want to know what you’re capable of, that’s all. After all, I don’t know you very well…… I don’t know if it’s just that I’m not exactly that well-informed, but I’m not familiar with any strong person named Iris Illuminus. I have some doubts about your abilities.]
Polaris meant what she said. It’s true that she wanted to be Isis’ top subordinate. But more than that…… she wondered if this mysterious Iris before her really had the skills to be Isis’ subordinate.
Whether she knew what was going through Polaris’ mind or not, the smile on Iris’ lips deepened and she calmly responded.
[……I’m fine with it, you know?]
[Unnn? What do you mean?]
[If you defeat me in this mock battle, the Head of Death King’s subordinates will be you. I will speak to Isis-sama about this matter myself.]
[……Heehhh…… My, oh my…… This really isn’t what I’m aiming for…… but are you sure?]
[Yeah, that will motivate you, won’t it? Also, I’ll add in one more as a freebie.]
As she said this, Iris lightly flicked her finger, the image of a giant ticking clock appeared in the air.
[As I mentioned earlier, I don’t have a lot of time on my hands either, so this mock battle would last for “30 minutes”. And…… If you’re “still standing” when those 30 minutes are up, then it would be “your win”.]
[……Oya oya, that’s quite confident of you. Or perhaps, am I being underestimated here?]
[Fuuuu……]
After fearlessly smiling once more at Polaris, who raised an eyebrow at her, Iris slightly distanced herself from Polaris and with her arms crossed, she spoke.
[I’ve had some pretty severe defeats……]
[Unnn?]
[And thanks to that, I ended up bowing my head to “the person I would least like to bow to in this world”, asking her to teach me. But thanks to that, I was able to sharpen my fangs more than enough.]
[……………………]
[So, I dare to declare this…… I am Iris Illuminus, the Head of Death King’s subordinates. If you’re going to challenge me—————- You would need to give it everything you’ve got!]
[……Bring it on.]
And thus, on the deserted island…… The two, who would later be known as “Black Violent Star” and “Far North Star”, clashed with each other.
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