Well Done!!!
“Huff… huff… huff!”
“…Master. Did you perhaps not teach the youngest the light footwork technique?”
“Why wouldn’t I have taught her that? Of course I did. And in great detail, at that.”
“Then why is the youngest struggling so badly to keep up, huffing and puffing like that?”
“Why don’t you go ask her yourself? I’m curious too.”
This. This is exactly why my insides feel like they’re about to burst.
I really had taught her everything. Every single thing I’d learned from Master. Naturally, I’d left out a few things that were too difficult, or useless, or dangerous. But aside from those, I’d covered every essential part.
Yet the only things Iris had truly taken to heart were a handful of sword techniques, some basic hand-to-hand combat, and about half of the training methods rooted in the Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Was it because Iris was simply too lazy and had neglected her studies? If that had been the case, I would have smashed her skull open without hesitation. How dare she adopt such an attitude in front of someone pouring their heart into teaching her?
But perhaps it was simply the limit of her vague, ambiguous innate talent from birth. No matter how hard Iris tried, the results she achieved were pathetically low. The other disciples, even if they only grasped one thing, would at minimum understand two, and at best ten. Iris, on the other hand, was lucky if she fully absorbed even one out of one.
Most of the time, she couldn’t even take in half of what I taught her.
—I endure because she’s a Hero. A three-digit-spending Hero. Goddamn it.
With that thought, I had somehow endured those hellish training days. At least Iris had followed along well enough to reach a certain level… though honestly, calling it a “level” when compared to the other disciples felt like a stretch.
The current Iris would probably be panting and wheezing even against a mid-grade monster. Against anything stronger, there was a very real chance she’d meet her end. And if we were talking about a Fragment of the Demon God, even a hundred Irises wouldn’t be enough.
“Still, she has incredible tenacity. Look at her refusing to give up.”
“She knows I’ll beat her if she does.”
“Hmm. I don’t think it’s just stubbornness born from fear of punishment.”
I was well aware of that part too. Honestly, if she were the type to only obey out of fear of being punished, I would have given up long ago. She was lacking in so many areas that I sometimes doubted whether she was truly a Hero. And yet, that fierce determination to accomplish something no matter what was unmistakable.
Because I knew what lay in the depths of Iris’s heart, I sometimes pushed her hard, and other times gave her a little slack.
“…Still, you’re too damn slow, you worthless disciple! Run! I said run!”
“Uwaaaah!! Do I look like I’m walking right now?!”
“Yeah! You don’t look like you’re walking at all! You look like you’re crawling, disciple! Are you a snail?!”
“You’re so mean!!”
Even as she whined like that, Iris gritted her teeth and kept pumping her legs with everything she had. That was why I couldn’t give up on her. Dragging along someone who didn’t want to do it wasn’t my style. But dragging along someone who was determined to do it no matter what? That, I could do.
It might involve a lot of harsh scolding and sometimes excessive pressure, but seeing Iris grow through it all filled me with pride.
Come to think of it, I hadn’t felt this way when teaching the other disciples. When I wondered why, I figured it was because I already knew everything about them. I knew their strengths, their weaknesses, exactly how to teach them, what kind of future to guide them toward, and what they needed to become in the end. Because I knew all of that, the joy of raising them had naturally been cut in half.
That was my current theory, anyway. I wasn’t entirely sure. It could also be because I’d spent three-digit sums on her.
“Youngest, hang in there. We’re almost there.”
“Ughhh! Eldest Sister!!”
“What is it, youngest?”
“Why didn’t you bring those worshipper people into the city and left them in this weird place instead?”
“Hmm… There are several reasons, but first of all, people are strange creatures. Individually, they can be genuinely kind and follow rules properly, but the moment they form a group, they suddenly get drunk on a sense of privilege.”
“…I don’t really understand what you mean?”
“To put it simply, they start thinking that the great achievements belong to this eldest sister, but they mistakenly believe it’s because they themselves are amazing. So I’m deliberately making them suffer a bit to prevent them from acting arrogantly toward ordinary people.”
As expected of our first disciple. She really does handle things perfectly, doesn’t she? She knows exactly how to keep her followers in line at the right level and how to manage public sentiment. This is precisely why I poured so much effort into raising Garam.
“…Master.”
“Are you going to ask me to explain again because you still don’t understand?”
“As expected of Master. You know me so well! At this point, wouldn’t you say we’re a match made in heaven?”
“You might be my fated enemy. Or perhaps my fated idiot.”
“Uuuuugh!! You never accept it even once! That’s too mean! This is so unfair!”
“Am I the one being unfair, or are you? Put your hand on your chest and think about it again.”
Garam, who had been listening to Iris and me bickering, finally spoke up. I wasn’t sure whether she was trying to explain things to the youngest or if she simply couldn’t stand the atmosphere between Iris and me. I had no idea what her true reason for showing such kindness was, but anyway!
“Iris? Unlike you, Master’s other disciples have been out in the world for quite a long time now. Since then, we’ve been fighting tooth and nail against monsters, Demon God worshippers, and even demonic creatures. Everything that brings misfortune to the people of this world.”
“I know. Master nagged me a lot, telling me I must become a Hero like that.”
“It wasn’t nagging! It was loving concern and guidance full of affection! Ahem! Anyway, as time passes, groups naturally form around those called Heroes. They follow the Heroes, offering help and willingly taking on all the miscellaneous tasks. For example, evacuating the people of cities and villages while the Hero fights, or dealing with the small fry that try to slip around the battlefield. Though occasionally, there are bastards who steal from empty cities.”
No matter where you go, that kind of trash always exists. The type that doesn’t see other people’s misfortune at all and only cares about their own gain. If the world feels like absolute shit, it’s usually because there are so many of those bastards.
The fact that such people had slipped into the groups following the Heroes was a problem. If those kinds of people existed, it would almost certainly damage my disciples’ reputations. Of course, my disciples wouldn’t just sit by and watch, but they were too busy hunting monsters to notice every little incident among their followers. If one of their own caused trouble and it was hushed up, they might never find out.
“Then wouldn’t it be easier to just stop them from following?”
“Youngest, you have a point. I actually tried to do that at first. But here’s the thing, Iris. We may be called Heroes, but we only have one body each. Even with our fellow disciples, there are fewer than ten of us. A truly tiny number.”
“Yes. I know that.”
“No matter how many monsters we kill, how many demonic creatures we slay, or how many Demon God worshippers we eliminate with such small numbers, the world won’t become peaceful anytime soon. It will take an incredibly long time. More time than you can possibly imagine.”
“…Even I can see that would be the case.”
“But the world must keep turning, and people must continue living their lives where they are. What they need more than actual safety is the ‘belief’ that the world will become a better place.”
“Belief…”
“That’s right. And the most effective way to spread that belief is through hopeful stories passed from one person’s mouth to another.”
Only then did Iris nod as if she finally understood. She had realized why Garam and my other disciples traveled with followers who didn’t provide much direct help and could even backfire.
“Does it make sense to you now?”
“Yes. In the end, even a Hero can’t do everything alone.”
“Our existence gives people peace of mind and faith. But sometimes, a few passing rumors can give ordinary people more strength than our own actions ever could.”
Garam and the other disciples understood this perfectly and used their followers appropriately. They spread word of their existence and achievements to prevent the world from falling into greater chaos. At the same time, they drew the enemy’s attention to themselves to avoid unnecessary incidents. And they let their followers handle the tasks that required many hands.
In return, the followers gained a sense of spiritual satisfaction from being near the Heroes. Or they sought safer paths by following them. Or, in the worst cases, they stuck around to commit the most despicable acts imaginable.
“…That’s strange.”
“What is?”
“The world is getting more and more dangerous these days. Yet instead of following Heroes with pure intentions to save the world, some people join just for their own extremely selfish reasons. Aren’t they out of their minds?”
“Youngest. The world is far more disgusting and ugly than you think.”
“…”
“But sometimes, it can also be incredibly beautiful and dazzling.”
While we were talking, we finally arrived at the place where Garam’s followers were gathered. Perhaps worried that some of them, drunk on privilege, might cause trouble, Garam had thoughtfully made them camp in an open field beside the road, away from the city.
“Still, it seems they listen well when you tell them you’re a Hero, Garam.”
“Hmm. I’m not sure if they listen because I’m a Hero who will save the world, or because I’m the Sword Emperor who can chop off their arms and legs if they don’t. Kaeng.”
“The first one sounds like a nicer story, but honestly, Master prefers the latter.”
“Then as the Sword Emperor, I shall strive even harder to improve.”
My disciples, who as Heroes had no choice but to live lives of sacrifice. Still, I didn’t want them to be used and used until there was nothing left. They say that if kindness continues, people start thinking it’s their right. I found it utterly disgusting when people who neither fought nor protected anyone ran their mouths. Sometimes, those heads needed to be cracked open.
“Then I suppose it’s time for us to part ways, Garam.”
“…How disappointing. I wanted to stay with you a little longer.”
“You said monsters have started appearing nearby again. You should hurry and fulfill your duty.”
“You’re heading to where the fifth was last seen, right? I’ll finish up here quickly and join you there. Is that okay? It’s okay, right? Master? Master, Master, Master?”
Take it easy, Garam. You’re going to make your Master’s heart drop from fear. Just a moment ago she was such a perfect first disciple, my first six-star character, but the second I let my guard down she starts acting like this. It feels like she could transform into a nine-tailed fox at any moment.
“Yes, yes. Once you’ve cleaned up all the monsters and finished your work here, come visit then.”
Whether I’ll still be there by then is another question.
“Now then, Iris. Shall we be on our way as well?”
“…”
“Iris?”
“Um, Master. Suddenly… I want to see those people called Hero worshippers.”
“Ha? What are you talking about? Don’t tell me you already need followers like that too?”
“Of course not. I’m just suddenly curious what kind of people follow Eldest Sister Garam. I want to check. Really, just check. Can’t we stay together for just one day?”
“…”
Iris could be stubborn and strongly assert what she wanted, but she usually did so in moderation, reading the room and choosing the right time and place. Yet right now, Iris felt strangely different from usual.
This kid. She’s definitely up to something.
I still didn’t know what it was, but I decided to let it slide for now. With that thought, I nodded.
“Eeeeh?! Really?! Really, really, really?! Master, you’re staying with me?! Kaeng! Kiyaang! Youngest! Well done! Kaeng! Youngest, you did so well!!”
“…”
But why was Garam the one getting excited instead of Iris?