A Different Dream
"Master! Look. It's the royal capital!"
It was Iris, her surprise genuine rather than feigned. In the timeline before her regression, the royal capital had been nothing but ashes. She had arrived after its fall, with no chance to rebuild. The capital city—once the most brilliant on the continent—had been left in ruins. And upon those ruins, no hope had ever bloomed again.
But this time was different. And it would remain so. They had reached the royal capital in less than two weeks, not even a full month. Avoiding the traps in the west had saved them considerable time. Having cut off Garam's group's spies as well, the enemy was likely retreating by now. The Sword Hero, who should have been wandering lost in the north, would appear this time as their most reliable reinforcement.
Good. So far, so good. It couldn't possibly be any better.
She had wanted to call it perfect, but that was impossible. The reason lay in the Demonic Human attack on the city where they had met the Divine Hero, Lily, and the colossal Enemy's Will now bearing down on this world.
It never happened like that originally. As expected, meddling with events causes them to twist in response, bit by bit.
That thought forced Iris to be even more cautious. The only interference she had made was severing Garam's group's informants and using that woman to eliminate the Demon God worshippers in the city. Yet the outcome had summoned not only the Demonic Humans but the Enemy's Will—an existence the current her could not possibly defy. She had been so shocked that day she had nearly fainted. Iris kept reminding herself, over and over, that she must be far more careful from now on.
She could not allow her only weapon to rust and break by her own hand. Unless it was a decisive moment, she had to restrain herself from stepping forward unnecessarily.
"...I thought it was just a place with an impressive name, but it certainly lives up to being called the capital."
Namgung Hyeon had come to stand beside her and was now gazing out the window. It was his first time seeing the royal capital as well, so the reaction was only natural.
"Master. They say the royal palace lies in the northern district of the capital. It occupies the entire northern area! The east holds villas where the nobles reside, and the south..."
"Whoa, calm down, Iris. Catch your breath before you speak. More importantly, how did you learn all that?"
"I asked Senior Gerard and the others. Preparation must be thorough."
"You're oddly thorough in the strangest areas, aren't you, my foolish disciple?"
As he spoke, Namgung Hyeon subtly clenched his fist. Iris reflexively covered her head. Covering wouldn't actually stop him, but instinct still demanded it. Fortunately, he hadn't truly intended to strike her. He lowered his hand, studied her for a moment, then spoke.
"While this master inspects the royal palace, are you planning to tour the capital?"
"...Yes. There are many places I want to see."
"Good. Then look around thoroughly. Very thoroughly indeed."
Namgung Hyeon already knew Iris was a regressor. For him to say those words now meant he would handle the palace while she scouted the rest of the capital for anything suspicious. Iris understood instantly and nodded. After all, that was precisely why she had chosen to tour the capital rather than enter the palace.
And the reason I'm trying to attend to Grandmaster is... connected to that as well.
If her body were in the same state as before her regression, it would be one thing. But right now it was utterly pathetic—nothing more, nothing less. In such a condition, she might overlook something critical. She needed a more reliable helper, and the person available was none other than her own grandmaster. Though her personality was sharp and she could be a terrifying woman, she was a powerful expert whose senses were equally keen.
If something suspicious lurked anywhere in the capital rather than the palace, her grandmaster would detect it faster than anyone.
Besides... there are things I want to talk with her about.
Her master had said he had slightly altered her story when passing it to his own master. He had not revealed that she was a regressor, but he had mentioned she was an existence from 'another world.' Perhaps that was why. Lately Iris had sensed Grandmaster watching over her more and more. Maybe, despite the initial wariness, hearing they stood in similar positions had created a sense of kinship. Or perhaps she had known all along and had simply been sulking that it went unspoken. Either way, the current dynamic was far better than their first meeting. Of course, she remained utterly terrifying when teaching swordsmanship.
"Master."
The small window between the carriage interior and the driver's seat opened slightly. Gerard, guiding the horses, continued from beyond it.
"The royal knights are asking if it's acceptable to proceed directly to the vicinity of the royal palace like this."
"When a guest arrives, it is only proper to greet the master of the house first. Tell them we will."
"Understood, Master."
Brief conversation drifted in from outside, then the carriage shifted direction. The scenery beyond the windows grew ever more splendid and beautiful.
"Waaaaah!!..."
"Heroes!!..."
Clear cheers rang out from beyond the window. Iris drew the curtain aside just enough to peek and could only sigh. Thousands of royal capital residents had poured into the streets to welcome the heroes. They shouted with joy, scattered flowers, and clapped enthusiastically.
Even glimpsing it from inside the carriage, the sight was overwhelming. Once again, Iris keenly understood why the royal family both feared the heroes and could not afford to reject them. Absolutely necessary, yet unbearably burdensome—that was what heroes represented to the royal house.
Some time later, the carriage slowed and finally came to a stop. The cheers now sounded far away. They had apparently reached the northern district where the royal palace stood.
"Master. We've arrived at the royal palace."
"Understood, Gerard. Master, I'll take my leave now."
At Namgung Hyeon's words, Cheon Yeon-hwa gave a slight nod.
"Iris. Attend to Grandmaster well. Wander for a while, then follow the knights to Daisy Blossom's residence. Understood? Don't even consider being late."
"Don't worry, Master."
With that, Namgung Hyeon stepped out of the carriage. Voices drifted in briefly from outside before everything fell quiet. It seemed he was heading toward the palace entrance with Gerard.
A short while later came a knock, and the carriage door opened carefully.
"Um, the two of you may begin moving whenever you wish."
The vice-commander had entered the palace, but not all the knights had followed. More than half remained behind. The reason was obvious: Iris and Cheon Yeon-hwa. Since the pair had not been summoned by the king, the vice-commander had ordered the knights to let them tour the capital as they pleased before escorting them to the Magic Hero's residence.
"Grandmaster."
Iris held out the hood Namgung Hyeon had prepared beforehand. It seemed he had readied one for Cheon Yeon-hwa as well.
"You want this seat to wear that? This seat has nothing to hide."
"Master said it isn't because Grandmaster did anything wrong, but for the sake of others."
"Your master—Hyun—said that?"
"Yes. If others saw Grandmaster's true appearance, they would surely commit rudeness. To avoid unnecessary commotion, it would be better if we concealed ourselves appropriately."
"It is not particularly pleasing... but this seat cannot simply strike down all those powerless fools."
She was a difficult person, yet certain aspects were easy to understand. One was that she never touched those completely without power. Another was that any mention of her disciple caused her to grow remarkably gentle.
Thus, Iris and Cheon Yeon-hwa pulled the hoods over their heads and stepped down from the carriage. The remaining knights also draped cloaks over their uniforms. Since they had no intention of revealing their identities to the capital's residents, they simply needed to pass the time appropriately before heading to Daisy Blossom's residence.
"...It is enormous."
Iris was walking ahead when Cheon Yeon-hwa, following behind, stopped and murmured.
"The main headquarters of the Demonic Cult where this seat resided was splendid as well... but it did not overflow with such vitality. On the contrary, this place truly seems like a dwelling for beings called humans."
"That is only natural. These people know nothing and possess nothing; they are truly ordinary. Since this is where such people live, isn't it to be expected, Grandmaster?"
"For you to speak correctly for once. How strange."
"It must be because Master keeps calling me his foolish disciple. I'm not a fool."
Having answered, Iris resumed walking. There were so many people that finding anything seemed doubtful, yet she expanded her senses as much as possible, striving to detect even the slightest trace. After all, someone far stronger than her own master stood behind her.
Grandmaster would never overlook even the smallest detail.
While Iris carried out the pretext of touring the capital with that thought, Cheon Yeon-hwa—following a few steps behind—entertained a different idea.
What is that child plotting? The same child who once avoided coming near this seat.
At first she had assumed it stemmed from gratitude for personally teaching her the sword. But looking again, it did not seem to be only that. Those eyes clearly wanted something, yet she could not tell what.
That child is the same as me and Master.
Namgung Hyeon's words rose in her mind. The statement that she was not an existence of this world but someone from an entirely different place. Perhaps the strange sense of alienation she felt came from that.
"...Iris."
"Ah, yes! Grandmaster! Did you call for me?"
Her face brimmed with such expectation that even Cheon Yeon-hwa felt momentarily flustered. The words What does this seat possess that you desire? nearly slipped out.
"...May this seat ask you one thing?"
"Yes! Anything at all!"
"Hyun told this seat you are similar to both his disciple and to this seat."
"Ah... Yes. If I must put it that way, that would be correct."
"Then why did you hide it? When this seat was wary of you and pushing you away, could you not have spoken?"
"I believed it was a misunderstanding that would resolve itself in time. I did not wish to put Grandmaster in an awkward position. I planned to bear the blame myself and explain slowly later."
"Foolish child."
Though she clicked her tongue on the surface, Cheon Yeon-hwa thought the girl was rather impressive for one so young. She also felt that her own disciple, Namgung Hyun, had raised his student remarkably well until the very end.
"Grandmaster is a bit—actually, very—frightening, but you are still a good person."
"Speak no useless words. This seat detests flattery above all else."
"You are also the person Master needs most. So please remain by his side."
"...What are you suddenly saying?"
"It simply means to stay healthy and strong."
Iris smiled, then let out a bright "Ah!" She had spotted a street stall beside them overflowing with delicious-looking food.
"Grandmaster. Would you like to try something tasty?"
"Haa. You still have far to go. A true expert must first control human desires..."
"But it will really be delicious?"
The words Iris spoke were identical to those Namgung Hyeon always used—the very ones that always lured Cheon Yeon-hwa into temptation and made her follow her desires. In the end, the Heavenly Demon let out a small groan and followed Iris toward the stall.