To the Iris Guild (3)
Tuesday night. The Pandemic executives gathered in their hideout focused intently on Maestro's words.
"Everything's going splendidly. Especially with Pandemic's name spreading across the world, and our Apostle working hard too."
Kughhh— Aaaah—
Rebecca ignored the agonized groans echoing from outside the meeting room and bowed her head. The horrific sounds she hadn't heard while brainwashed made her dread coming here.
"But…."
Maestro furrowed his brow.
"Why do we keep failing in Korea? Especially around the academy…. With Reinhardt captured this time, we've already lost two executives."
Gil Steven and Reinhardt. With two already sacrificed, even Maestro couldn't help but question it.
"Rebecca. What's causing all these failures at Victoria Academy?"
Maestro gazed at her with a relaxed expression.
"… I believe Reinhardt was betrayed."
"Rebecca."
"Kgh?!"
Grip—
Rebecca clutched her throat at Maestro's words. The surrounding mana choked her breath. It was weak enough to shake off, but she couldn't resist here. They couldn't discover she'd broken free of the brainwashing.
"I know Reinhardt was betrayed. The problem is you."
Maestro drew up his mana. He'd layered even stronger brainwashing: anyone betraying him would rip out their own heart in guilt.
"Did you betray us?"
"Kh, ugh… No. I…."
Rebecca's consciousness faded. Maestro watched until just before it snapped, then released the mana.
Thud—
"The brainwashing's still solid…. So it was just incompetence. Useless trash."
Maestro left Rebecca slumped in her chair and muttered to himself. No need to worry about her or the others—they were all under his control.
"The root of all evil. Need more sacrifices for the Apostle. Faster. No, for the Apostle. Must swiftly excise these cancer cells. Filthy scum. But no duty to protect them. Perhaps this too…."
As usual, Maestro spouted nonsense before clasping his hands in prayer.
'Crazy bastard.'
Rebecca cursed inwardly at the sight. At least he hadn't noticed she'd escaped the brainwashing. She wanted out of here fast—to France, to support her baby daddy.
'Should I play it safer? Or just bolt?'
She still had plenty to squeeze from Pandemic, so she wanted to stick around a bit longer.
"Cadisi."
"Yes!"
As Rebecca pondered her next move, an executive jumped up at Maestro's call, prayer finished.
"Focus on the Apostle for now. Go support in France."
While being shown around the Iris Guild's interior, I sidled up to Scarlett walking ahead.
"… Scarlett. Why're you here?"
"I'm still an Iris Guild member."
"No, I know that, but—"
"Shh. Sebas Chan might hear. Follow my lead. Officially, we're strangers."
I glanced back. Sebas Chan watched us from behind—it wouldn't do to get caught chatting.
"… Fine. You're not making me do anything weird, right?"
"Not weird, but… hmm. Might be a bit annoying?"
Scarlett smiled faintly and led on. Fine. Annoying was tolerable; nothing too tough. I followed her tour of the guild.
I'd tensed up wondering where she'd take me, but it was just a straightforward guild walkthrough. First, the conference room. One wall was floor-to-ceiling glass, filled with luxurious chairs and tables. Men who looked like Iris Guild members huddled around monitors. As I entered, they clutched their heads and shook them.
"No way. How do they make dramas like this?!"
"Octopus Game! K-drama's so fun!"
"…?"
Next, the guild cafeteria. Perfect timing— I was getting hungry. It looked like a restaurant for billionaires from movies. One wall lined with wines, the opposite an aquarium with fish drifting by.
"Wh-what's this?! Is it kimchi?!"
"Bulgogi! Kimchi! K-food delicious!"
"…."
And inside that fancy dining hall, Iris Guild members grinned ear-to-ear, chomping kimchi.
Those are the same guys from the conference room watching dramas.
How'd they get here so fast? And… are they crying while eating kimchi?
"… I see it too."
Liliana, around my neck, voiced her confusion too. I pondered this bizarre scene seriously as I followed Scarlett deeper into the cafeteria. She smiled and explained.
"We're serving Korean food lately—reviews are great. That guy's on dispatch today; says it's so good he's tearing up."
"… Ah, yeah. I see."
Humans' hospitality sucks. A succubus wouldn't skimp like this.
'Agreed. Liliana.'
What is this? Hidden camera? Is my girlfriend gonna pop out from behind that pillar with a mic and camera?
I stared at Scarlett in bewilderment and caught her twitching lips. Leaning close, I whispered just for her.
"… Scarlett."
"I said it'd be annoying. And I said it wasn't me. Orders from above."
Scarlett replied innocently. Glancing back, Sebas Chan nodded with a pleased smile from afar.
"Sigh… If I were ten years older, maybe it'd work. But now?"
No, even ten years older, I wouldn't fall for that dumb acting. At least hire actors.
"Oh my god! Archery! Soccer! BTX!"
"…."
Watching Iris Guild members eat kimchi while viewing idol MVs gave me a headache. I pinched my brow and asked Scarlett.
"… Miss Scarlett. I'm hungry—can we just eat?"
"Kimchi and bulgogi set meals are ready."
"No, I want French food…."
I want baguette too. Paris baguette….
Stroke—
Stroke—
I petted Liliana, now my necklace. She must be hungry too—gotta sneak her food later.
"There you are?"
A woman's voice rang out. Scarlett's eyes widened ahead; I turned to see a stunning blonde captivating my gaze.
"Miss Irene. You've arrived."
"Yeah. Long time no see, Scarlett. Doing well?"
"Yes. Thanks to you, miss."
"What'd I do? Oh, you're Cadet Lee Ho-yeon?"
Irene approached with a kind smile. She seemed sweet like this, but knowing her true nature made her a bit scary.
"Pleasure to meet you, Lady Irene. Big fan—honored."
I bowed slightly. No fan, of course, but I was ready for questions—original game info plus post-isekai news all memorized.
Who's this chick? Why's she so hot?
Liliana's shocked whisper hit my ear clearly. Yeah, I'm shocked too. She's that pretty in person. Gotta be to call herself Ellis's sister.
"Nice to meet you. Ellis's friend, right?"
"Yes. Looking forward to working with you."
"Yeah. I'm Ellis's sister, Iris Guild First Team Leader… Oh, fan? Guess you know all that. Anyway, nice to meet ya."
Irene chuckled "whoops" and offered her hand. Even that seemed cute; I swallowed.
"Thank you."
I took her soft hand naturally, shaking lightly up and down. Yeah, any normal guy would've fallen on sight. I've seen plenty of heroines and stay calm, though.
'Why're they acting like that?'
Over Irene's shoulder, Sebas Chan and Scarlett covered mouths, eyes wide. Ghosts?
"Joining the centaur tracking team, right? I'm on tracking too—see you around."
"That's the plan."
"Mm-hmm."
Irene nodded at me, then turned to Sebas Chan.
"Sebas Chan. Lemme talk to him."
"Miss, Cadet Lee Ho-yeon is with the Guild Master…."
"Ssh. Say I took him. C'mon."
"Uh…."
Irene spun and headed out. Sebas Chan stared blankly; Scarlett met my eyes and waved slyly from his blind spot.
Hmm, sticking around means more weirdness. Wasn't here to tour anyway. Curious what she'll say.
I followed Irene out of the cafeteria.
"Sigh, what is this nonsense. Hey, do we really gotta go this far? With Miss Irene here, bowing and scraping…."
A male guild member who'd been scarfing kimchi muttered leaving the cafeteria. Not why he joined Iris Guild. An ace like him eating kimchi?
"Shut it. I told you—focus on intel. He's top recruitment priority."
"Lee Ho-yeon's that good?"
"Duh. Didn't you hear he met with me and the Guild Master?"
"Met? For real?"
"Yeah. So do what you're told."
"Fuck…."
The woman who'd snapped at him recalled meeting the Guild Master. Shouting to recruit Lee Ho-yeon at any cost—still gave her chills.
"Oh yeah, you see it?"
"See what?"
"Irene shook his hand."
"Oh, yeah. Shocked me too. She won't even shake the president's hand—what gives?"
"His looks?"
"Nah… or maybe?"
Irene's pathological aversion to touch made her handshake odd, but not a big deal to them.
"Hey, can I ask something?"
"Huh? Oh! Miss Ellis!"
"Oh, you're here?"
Ellis, wandering the guild after ages, finally reached the cafeteria and hailed familiar faces. Good—old guild members she could chat casually with.
"Yeah. Uh, where's Scarlett and Lee Ho-yeon now?"
Kimchi in the cafeteria meant he'd been here recently.
"Oh, Cadet Lee Ho-yeon went to the lobby with Miss Irene."
"What? With my sister?"
"Yeah. Don't know details."
"… Got it. Lobby, right? Thanks."
Ellis bit her lip and marched straight ahead.
'Met my sister while I stepped out to call?'
She wanted to believe it was just greetings, but unease filled her chest. Speeding up, Ellis headed to the lobby.
"Miss? That's not the way—over there."
"… Oh, yeah. Sorry. Been a while—mixed up."
The guild members watched Ellis trot off correctly, then shared amused glances.
"Miss hasn't changed."
"That's what's cute about her."
Chatting about their adorable miss, they went on their way.