To the Iris Guild (2)
It's been a while since I've been here, and it feels kinda weird.
"I think so too."
On a warm morning bathed in sunlight, I waited for Ellis in front of her house. Around my neck hung a silver chain necklace embedded with a red gem—Liliana, transformed into it via hell magic. Using hell magic, she was communicating with me in a voice no one else could hear.
—Are we taking a plane? I've never been on one.
"It's a private plane owned by my host, so you gotta stay quiet. You're a succubus—if you get caught, they'll dissect you on the spot."
—I know that much. Who do you think I am, an idiot?
Of course, Liliana's transformation magic was top-tier; even I could barely detect it. As long as she didn't act up, we wouldn't have to worry about getting caught.
—Da-hee was craving French baguettes yesterday. She wants to compare them to the bakery in front of the house.
"Yeah? I'll keep that in mind."
Nam Da-eun and Nam Da-hee had headed to the academy together. The Iron Blood Guild was gathering there, apparently. Luckily, their guild experience program let them return home each day, so Da-hee wouldn't be left alone. Even without her, I felt uneasy leaving Da-eun and Da-hee by themselves without me—but Da-eun had grown as strong as I was now, so there wasn't much to worry about.
I'd just casually told them to train a bit, but it turned out they spent every moment outside the house in the training grounds. Why do they listen to me so well?
—So yesterday, Da-eun and Da-hee...
"Hold on. It's opening."
As we chatted to pass the time, the mansion's front gate swung open. Inside, Ellis waited in the courtyard. It was right next door to our place, but somehow it looked even nicer. The power of proper garden maintenance, huh? Maybe I should have idle Liliana handle the yard work.
"You're here."
Ellis stood in the middle of the courtyard, eyes fixed on her smartwatch. I walked over to her.
"Hey. Feeling better?"
"...My body? Oh, yeah. It's improving. I can really feel it getting better bit by bit."
The more familiar I got with mana and the stronger I became, the greater the effects of my mana massage. I'd originally planned it out long-term, but maybe I could cure her sooner than expected. Of course, rushing it too much wouldn't be good, so I'd pace it carefully.
"You're late."
"Huh?"
Whirr-whirr-whirr—
Before I could question Ellis's words, a massive shadow fell over her. Looking up, I saw a small plane landing in the courtyard. In movies, dirt would fly everywhere, but mana treatment on the plane made it land cleanly. Smaller than a typical charter jet, it resembled a fighter plane more. Since it probably used magic for flight anyway, the exterior didn't matter much.
"Get on."
Ellis tossed her hair back, grabbed the handle with practiced ease, and climbed aboard.
"...Cool."
—Right? Super cool. And it looks fast.
"I meant Ellis, not the plane."
I followed her onto the plane. The interior wasn't huge but comfortably spacious. And the seats? Softer than our bed at home. How much did this thing cost?
"...This plane is amazing."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. First time flying for me."
"Hmm."
Ellis glanced at her smartwatch and nodded, trying to hide her expression—but I caught the slight upward twitch of her lips.
"Sebas Chan. Let's go. Oh, this is my secretary."
"Pleased to meet you, Cadet Lee Ho-yeon. I'm Sebas Chan."
"Nice to meet you. Looking forward to it."
By the way, this old guy had tailed me once before. And here he was, greeting me shamelessly like nothing happened. A true pro. I should learn that kind of brazen attitude. I'm too nice for my own good.
Whirr—
—Whoa, whoa? We're flying. Up we go!
The plane lifted off smoothly, without a single shake, and began its flight.
*
"We've arrived. Have a pleasant trip."
"Thanks."
"Thank you."
We landed on an empty lot at the Iris Guild grounds, with the guild's main building looming right next door. For an information guild, flaunting their presence like this showed Guild Master Isaac's caliber.
—What? That's it? It's tiny!
I stared straight ahead, ignoring Liliana's voice echoing in my head. Sure enough, the building was only five stories tall. The ornate exterior and sleek, refined decorations were impressive, but for France's premier guild, it lacked punch. You'd expect something more grandiose.
"Follow me. Inside."
"Yeah. But is this the main building?"
"Yep."
"It's smaller than I thought. I heard you have tons of members."
The words slipped out before I realized—maybe there was some hidden circumstance I didn't know about. But Ellis answered without batting an eye.
"Oh. The real one's underground. This is just a decoy."
"Underground? Why build it there?"
"Easier to defend against attacks."
"..."
What a scary world. I followed Ellis toward the building. Guards stood at key points; the one at the main entrance snapped to attention and saluted at the sight of her.
"Good day, miss!"
"Look! Ellis miss is here!"
"Yeah. It's been a while."
A fitting welcome for the Iris Guild heiress. Everyone passing by greeted her formally, and she nodded back as if it were natural.
Once we passed the first-floor lobby and the crowd thinned, I quietly asked Ellis, "What now?"
Anyone else might meet with hunters for an orientation, but I wasn't here for that. I wanted to see the centaur ASAP. I had a mountain of things to do.
"What do you mean? Follow me."
"Where to?"
"Fifth floor. To see the guild master."
"...Figured as much?"
That guy's kinda intimidating.
"Oh. Miss Ellis, the guild master is currently out."
Sebas Chan, who'd been trailing silently behind us, spoke up.
"...What? I'm here, and he's out?"
"It won't take long. Why don't you and Cadet Lee Ho-yeon tour the guild in the meantime?"
"Weird. I definitely told him I was coming today."
Ellis furrowed her brow. She seemed annoyed that her father, Isaac, wasn't here to greet her.
Ring-ring—
Ring-ring—
Then her smartwatch alarm blared. She glanced at it, shot me a look, and said, "I'll take this call real quick."
"Sure, go ahead."
Click-clack—
After Ellis disappeared somewhere, Liliana's voice rang out again.
—Phew, she's finally gone.
"...Why'd you go quiet? You can talk."
—Then how would you answer? You can't!
I muttered softly so Sebas Chan behind me wouldn't hear. Ellis left—why hadn't this old man gone too?
"Cadet Lee Ho-yeon."
"Yes?"
As if reading my mind, Sebas Chan approached.
"While Miss Ellis is away, allow me to guide you around the guild."
"Nah, I'll just wait. She'll be back soon."
A tour sounded nice, but was it necessary? Plus, Ellis could show me around later.
"No need to refuse. We have a dedicated guide. Scarlett?"
"No, I mean—"
I tried to politely decline Sebas Chan's pushy offer when a familiar name made me shut up.
—Scarlett? Did he just say Scarlett?
Click-clack—
Click-clack—
Liliana's voice buzzed in my head as a woman approached from the lobby. White blouse, miniskirt, black stockings. Glasses accentuated her intellectual vibe. Subtle lip gloss and elegant, refined earrings. The picture of a perfect office beauty.
People really do change with their environment. The Scarlett I met at the Iris Guild looked nothing like her usual self—a total pro among pros.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Scarlett of the Iris Guild. I'll be your guide today, Cadet Lee Ho-yeon."
"...Nice to meet you."
"May I assist with the tour today?"
"Please do."
—What? Why's the scout so pretty now?
'Tell me about it.'
I bit my lip to stifle the response. But since Scarlett was offering, it probably wasn't a bad thing. No telling when Ellis would return—might as well go along.
*
"Dad, what's up?"
—My girl. Sorry. Dad's a bit... clang—crash-crunch—grind—kreeee— busy right now! Couldn't even see your face. Not sure when I'll make it back.
"...It's fine. You're busy. But why call?"
Ellis sat in a corner chair in the first-floor lobby, legs crossed, taking the call. The caller was Isaac—Iris Guild master and her father. Busy, he says, then why call separately? She answered with some doubt.
Ellis tamped down her irritation at the intense combat sounds crackling through the line. His urgent tone made it clear he was swamped; she couldn't bring herself to complain. Her father wouldn't lie about something like this.
—You're with Lee Ho-yeon today, right? How about contracting him to Iris Guild this time?
"Huh? ...Why?"
—Why? That guy's perfect for us. You've spent time with him—you must've noticed he's a monster.
"I know, but..."
Lee Ho-yeon was undeniably a monster. Still just a cadet, famous only in Korea for now—but after graduation, he'd dominate the world.
"It's not that simple. I've pitched him tons of times, and he's turned us down every one."
—Don't worry. Scarlett and Sebas Chan are showing him how great our setup is right now.
"Right now?"
—Yeah...! Damn, this crazy monster bastard... Whew, sorry. I'll call when things wrap up. Probably tomorrow.
"...Got it."
—I'll meet Lee Ho-yeon then too, so pass it on. Love you, my girl Ellis.
Click—
Ellis sighed deeply at her now-silent smartwatch. Once again, she hadn't said it. That she wanted in on the centaur operation. Overprotected since childhood—maybe that's why she couldn't speak up confidently even now. Her first real op felt a bit scary, honestly.
Tsking, Ellis stood. She smirked at the thought of the "guild tour" her father mentioned—a stupid scheme she'd seen since she was little. Lee Ho-yeon was probably stuck watching it all, too nice to refuse.
'Better go watch.'
A rare, entertaining sight. With quick steps, she headed to where everyone was.