Rasal, who had somehow became Isis' subordinate through a turn of events, had come to the large library that Isis had told her about. Isis had told her that she was free to read the books here, and as she looked at the tremendous number of books, Rasal muttered to herself.
[...This is wonderful. There really are all kinds of books here. I've just finished my research for many years, so it might be a good idea to look for my next research topic. With all the data she has here, it was probably worth it for me to become her subordinate.]
After looking at several books, Rasal let out a deep sigh.
[However, for them to be so lax with their supervision... Is it really alright?]
After checking a few books while muttering to herself, she decided to check the other areas of the castle, so she left the large library and started walking down the corridor.
Thereupon, from in front of her, an Insectoid Demon with six swords on her hips... Sirius walked her way.
[Mhmm? If I'm not mistaken, you should be the newest subordinate...]
[Unnn? Ahh, you are also Isis-sama's subordinate huh... I am Rasal Marfik.]
[I'm Sirius, nice to meet you. What a coincidence, meeting you here. I'm thinking of training right now, would you like to join me?]
[...Fumu.]
Sirius suggested with a smile on her face. In other words, she was asking her to have a mock battle to test each other's abilities.
(...The timing's just right. I haven't used the results of my research in a real battle yet. From what I see, she seems to be a pretty good fighter as well, so she should be a good opponent.)
Rasal, who understood that Sirius was someone who had strength close to herself, recognized that she was the perfect opponent to test the results of her completed research.
[I understand. I also want to have a little battle.]
[It's settled then. Let's go outside. Polaris-sama will have a barrier prepared for us.]
The atmosphere of their mock battle began with a friendly atmosphere around them... but after a while, the atmosphere changed.
[...You b*stard! You've been fighting cowardly since a while ago, fight me fair and square!]
[Are you an idiot? It doesn't matter what means you use as long as it's for victory. If you're someone who just charges forward, then you're no better than a beast... How about you try using your head a bit more?]
The two of them were fatally mismatched in their fighting styles. Sirius fights head-on with her own body, while Rasal uses undead to do battle without being in the line of battle herself.
Various other aspects weren't to each other's liking, and before long, the two of them were rather hostile with their mock battle.
[...Well, no matter how smart you are, no matter what you do, I won't lose to someone who can only move corpses.]
At first, Sirius was holding back because it was a mock battle, but such a thought completely disappeared from her mind, and making use of all of her six arms, she pulled out all of the swords at her waist.
[A musclehead who can only charge forward thinks she can beat me? Kukakaka, you have a good sense of humor, I give you that!]
She had also been fighting while feeling around to test the results of her research... but Rasal, as if she no longer cared about such things, sent out enough undead to fill her field of vision.
[...Huh?]
[...Ahh?]
And there, after the two glared at each other... a serious battle that was called "mock battle" began.
[Go to hell, corpse b*tch!]
[Eat this, musclehead!]
With a shout, the two Peak Count-ranks collided with each other... is what should have happened but...
[Enough, you idiots! Swallow, Tyrannical Beast! ἀποκάλυψις!!!]
(T/N: Apocalypse)
[ [ Eh? Gyaaaaaaaahhhh!? ] ]
Before that could happen, an angry shout resounded and a jet-black flash blew the both of them away.
[If you want to unleash your abilities near the vicinity of Isis-sama's castle, then make sure that it's just enough to be contained by Polaris' barrier! What are you going to do if you destroy the area around here!!!?]
[...I- I'm sorry.]
[...I- I certainly may have been a little out of line.]
The hotblooded duo was blown away by Iris, and afterward, they were made to kneel in a seiza and were scolded. The two seemed to be aware that they had gotten carried away and looked like they were reflecting.
After being scolded like that for a few moments, Sirius and Rasal looked at each other with a discouraged look on their faces.
[...Well, I admit that she isn't just all bark and no bite.]
[...I also acknowledge that you have a brilliant mind and strategies.]
One way or another, they recognized each other's abilities to some extent, and though they were snappy with their words, they spoke praises to each other.
[Well, I think I still would have won if the fight kept going.]
[Unfortunately, because the battle had been interrupted, I couldn't see the sight of this unsightly bug lying on the ground. I was so close to seeing it.]
[...Huh?]
[...Ahh?]
The two sides reacted to the comments of "they would have won if the fight kept going" they made at the same time, and as their magic power clashed, they glared at each other.
[...You two... If you want to fight so much, keep it to a level that won't break the barrier, okay?]
[Or so she said. Aren't you glad, narrowly escaping from death?]
[Ahh, we'll be fighting within a barrier, so you can be relieved... I'll properly take it easy on you.]
[...Huh?]
[...Ahh?]
[...I'll blow the both of you away again depending on the situation.]
Seeing the two of them fighting and provoking each other again, Iris could only let out a big sigh.