Be Careful
When I said I would take Iris with me, I honestly expected Garam and Master to try talking me out of it. Master had never thought particularly well of Iris, after all. And Garam hated it when any of the other disciples got too clingy with me. I was certain she would pull out every trick she had to either convince me otherwise or force Iris to change her mind.
“...”
That was why I kept one eye on the pair of them even while preparing for the journey. It wasn’t as if they would actually harm Iris, but there was always the chance they might apply some pressure. I was grateful they cared about me enough to act, but from my position—trying to figure out what exactly was going through Iris’s head—such meddling wasn’t exactly welcome.
“Iris.”
“Yes, Senior Sister Garam.”
“Got a moment?”
Just as I thought. I knew this was coming. I set down the luggage I’d been packing and quietly rose to my feet, then trailed after the two disciples as they left the residence and slipped deeper into the forest.
It would be trouble if Garam noticed me. The proper way to observe a scolding was to follow unseen and watch in secret. Though calling it “proper” does sound a little strange. Anyway.
“Youngest.”
After walking for roughly ten minutes, they reached a small clearing tucked inside the thick woods. Garam turned to face her. Iris stopped, and I quickly halted as well, ducking behind cover.
“I still can’t figure out what you were thinking.”
“I simply wish to learn at Master’s side because I have so many shortcomings.”
“True. You are lacking in many ways. It’s obvious at a glance. Unlike your junior sisters, there’s nothing particularly special about you. That’s probably why Master still keeps you around.”
“...”
“You mustn’t grow used to it. As Master said, we were all born with the destiny to save this world. The proof is that every one of us possesses the power to fight monsters. Our pasts may have been wretched, but thanks to Master’s training we can shine like this now. Still, that doesn’t mean we can remain at his side forever. Because he trained us, we must learn to shine on our own.”
“I understand that part.”
“Understanding isn’t enough. Monsters are appearing everywhere. It means the ominous future Master spoke of is drawing near. I’m worried you might be taking this lightly just because you’ve slain a few monsters. For the record, the ones you defeated were so weak it’s almost embarrassing to even call them monsters.”
I found myself nodding before I could stop. The ignorant city folk had hailed Iris as a Hero for beating those creatures with her bare hands. In truth, they weren’t even worthy of a Hero—they were the sort that a Hero’s entourage, or rather not even them, could handle. A decent mercenary company could have suppressed them. Of course, they would have suffered casualties, and they certainly couldn’t have done it bare-handed like Iris, but they were at least capable of engaging the things in combat. That was how weak and meaningless those grunts were.
If Iris had grown even slightly arrogant from defeating a handful of them, it wouldn’t just be Garam scolding her—I would have stepped in myself. But Iris had never shown any such signs. I had sensed the excitement of saving people with her own two hands for the first time and of taking her first steps as a Hero, yet there had been no arrogance or anything like it. That was why I hadn’t said anything to her.
“I have never thought that way.”
“I didn’t think so. If you had, Master would have noticed immediately and corrected you.”
“...Is this because I asked to follow Master?”
“Yes.”
A very direct question met with an even more direct answer. I cautiously peeked at Garam’s face. She was staring at Iris with narrowed eyes—the exact look she wore when she saw something she thoroughly disliked. It was an expression she used to reserve exclusively for Jenia. The fact that she had begun directing it at Iris as well was a problem in its own right.
“Since Master has already decided, I as his disciple have no right to object. I have zero desire to act arrogant and earn even the slightest bit of his displeasure.”
“...”
“However, if our lacking youngest causes trouble with her strange stubbornness and puts Master in an awkward position, I may have to get angry with you even if it means earning that displeasure.”
“That won’t happen. I swear it, Senior Sister.”
“Words mean nothing. You must prove it with your actions and your strength, youngest.”
Her voice carried the same coquettish tone as always, yet the blade hidden beneath it was honed to a lethal edge. The inflection was more than enough to be taken as a challenge: Do you really think you can manage that?
Any of the other disciples would have called her rude no matter who she was. There might be an order of seniority, but that was never a measure of strength. Feeling looked down upon would naturally breed displeasure. But the person standing before Garam now was the youngest disciple, Iris. She had far too many shortcomings, and she had only just stubbornly won permission. From Garam’s perspective, it would be difficult to view her favorably.
“Beginning with me, every one of us has received immense grace from Master. Our individual feelings may differ slightly, but the desire to repay that grace never changes. That is the kind of person Master is to us disciples—to the Heroes. If by any chance you, the youngest, cause him any trouble whatsoever...”
A terribly cold wind suddenly swept through the trees. It seemed to coil around Garam and Iris for a moment before vanishing back into the forest.
“We disciples have a rule that we must never fight among ourselves. No matter that you are the youngest, we may still pour our anger upon you. Iris.”
Whether you’re the youngest or not, we don’t care. Behave yourself. If you don’t, we’ll make certain you regret it. The warning carried an eerie, bone-chilling weight.
It was genuinely touching that Garam cared for me this much. Clear proof that our disciple looked after her master so devotedly. At the same time, however, I worried Iris might develop some resentment. She was denying it now, but she was still a Hero. In a situation where even perfect harmony might barely be enough to eliminate every Fragment of the Demon God, a crack forming between them before they even began was something that had to be avoided at all costs.
If Garam pushed any harder I was ready to reveal myself and intervene. Had Iris not spoken, I might have done exactly that.
“That won’t happen. It won’t, Senior Sister Garam.”
“Hmm?”
“I will serve and protect Master with all my heart and soul. Please believe me.”
“Believe you in what? The Grandmaster calls you weak, and from where I stand you are still nothing at all.”
“...Because I am a Hero too. Because I am also a disciple who received Master’s teachings.”
Iris had never looked so composed before. It had been well over a year since I began keeping her close, caring for her and teaching her, yet she still possessed many naive, almost childish sides. Seeing her now made me realize that what I knew of her was far from the whole picture.
“Well… that is true. Yes, as you say, you are Master’s disciple as well. A little immature and worrisome, but a Hero nonetheless. And the youngest does tend to stay by his side the longest.”
“...”
“So, our youngest. Please be careful. Since you’ll be spending the most time with Master out of all of us, the others may feel somewhat upset—and even a little jealous.”
With that, Garam stretched languidly, letting out a soft “Euuung!” Deciding she was finished, I slipped away before either of them could notice me and hurried back to where I had been.
Some time later—
“Disciple.”
“Master?”
“Why do you look so startled?”
“Ah, it’s nothing. More importantly, what did you need me for…”
“Where is your disciple Iris right now?”
“Iris is…”
I reflexively glanced in the direction Garam had taken her. It seemed their talk had ended; Garam was walking back this way with Iris in tow.
“She’s coming over now.”
“Perfect timing.”
“Is something the matter?”
“I wish to have a word with your disciple for a moment.”
“...”
Good grief. First Garam, now Master. I had secretly hoped she might at least space things out a little before delivering her own scolding or warning, but it appeared Master had no such intention whatsoever.
“Iris.”
“Yes, Grandmaster!”
“Follow me.”
I considered following again, but Master was not Garam. If I tried to tag along she would notice without fail. Even if I managed to hide my presence through sheer luck, the odds of being caught were far higher, so trailing openly felt too risky.
What should I do?
…What do you mean, what should I do? Of course I was going to follow.
Even more cautiously than when I had tailed Garam, I crept after them like a shadow. Although the atmosphere had been razor-sharp as she pressed Iris, they were still fellow disciples of the same rank. She would at least observe a minimum level of courtesy. If Garam had truly been furious or attempting to threaten her, she would have drawn her sword.
Instead she had settled for a verbal warning. I had thought that was fortunate, but Master was not the sort to care about such boundaries. If she truly meant to stop Iris from following me, she would employ every method at her disposal to make it happen.
She hasn’t noticed me, has she?
Having spent so long with Master, I was confident in reading the subtle shifts in her mood. If she had detected me following, there would be a very slight change. I would watch carefully; the moment I thought I’d been caught, I would simply bolt. As for what came after… well, I could think about that if it happened. For now, moving on.
“I will not speak at length.”
“I am listening, Grandmaster.”
“A man’s word is worth a thousand pieces of gold. No matter that I am her master, I cannot ask her to take back words that have already left her mouth. Since my disciple has permitted your accompaniment, I will not interfere with that.”
“…Thank you, Grandmaster.”
“However.”
Yes, I knew this was coming. She wouldn’t object to the act of following itself. The important part came next, so I needed to listen carefully.
“If by any chance you place my disciple in a difficult position.”
“Yes, Grandmaster.”
“I will bend you in half.”
…Wait, wait a second? What did Master just say? Did I mishear?
“Um, Grandmaster. By ‘bend,’ you mean…”
“Your waist. I will personally bend it outward for you, so keep that in mind.”
“...”