episode_0087

“Have you arrived? I’ve been waiting.”

“Greetings.”

A man who appeared to be the leader of the group greeted Iris confidently.

He seemed to be the commander of a special forces unit.

As expected, he spoke with a tense posture, bowing his head deeply.

“I am Gabolf Trius, the special forces commander of the Liana Empire. I have heard about Swordmaster Iris of the Brace Kingdom from those around me. It is an honor to be working together!”

“The honor is mine.”

Except for Special Forces Commander Gabolf, all the other special forces members knelt on one knee, bowing their heads towards Iris.

“Wow…”

Hedy let out a soft sigh beside her.

This must be a sight to behold for her.

This opportunity might serve to truly impress upon Hedy how remarkable a Swordmaster can be.

For me, it felt familiar, like the treatment NPCs received in games.

Plus, she’s practically a sage of the kingdom…

Iris spoke up.

“Commander Gabolf, if you are ready, let’s depart.”

“Yes! Everyone, into the magic circle, move out!”

“Understood!”

-Clank, clank, clank, clank!

The sound of numerous metal armors rustling could be heard after the ritual.

Soon, all the special forces walked into the magic circle.

Gabolf announced, “We are ready!”

Upon this, Iris extended her hand towards us and said, “Master Gabolf, and Miss Hedy, let’s enter the magic circle.”

“Yes.”

“Got it.”

We followed Iris into the large purple magic circle.

“Let’s activate it now!”

After Gabolf’s final words, a dazzling purple light filled our vision for a moment, engulfing us.

…The sharp scent of the sea and the salty air pricked my nose.

Have we arrived safely?

I slowly opened my eyes.

“Oh…”

-Swish, swish!

Many people were moving around.

In the distance, the clean and transparent sea stretched endlessly like a coastal land should.

I turned my head to look around.

Various shops, fishermen carrying buckets filled with freshly caught fish, individuals in shabby robes who seemed like adventurers holding staffs, and swordsmen with swords at their waists could be seen.

It seemed like we had safely arrived at the coastal land of Romant.

Perhaps this slightly protruding stone wall where we stood was… a teleportation facility located in the square.

“Ugh!”

Suddenly, my head throbbed.

My vision also slightly blurred. Could it be dizziness from the teleportation?

“Oh no!”

“Is this your first time using long-distance teleportation magic, Your Excellency?”

“Y-yes…”

Hedy next to me seemed to be suffering more from the aftereffects.

Gabolf patted Hedy’s back as she retched.

On the other hand, the Imperial special forces lined up beside us, including Commander Gabolf, seemed unfazed.

They must be accustomed to such teleportation magic.

“Ah, you’ve arrived! I’ve been waiting. Swordmaster Iris of the Brace Kingdom and the special forces of the Liana Empire, correct?”

At that moment, someone approached us with a cheerful smile, standing prominently on the teleportation magic circle.

To the naked eye, he appeared to be in his fifties, a middle-aged man with occasional vacant expressions.

Gabolf spoke to him, “That’s correct.”

“Exactly! I am Duke Dmyur, the governor of the Romant Continent! Pleasure to meet you.”

While they engaged in formal conversation,

I turned to Iris beside me and remarked, “If a country’s governor has come to greet us… this situation seems quite serious.”

“Indeed. The damage caused by the wyverns fleeing from the rampaging dragons seems to be substantial.”

“Is the extent of the wyverns’ impact reaching the borders?”

“Well, I’m not sure about that. I haven’t received detailed information yet.”

“In that case, allow me to explain!”

Dymur Jaesang, as if finishing his conversation with Gavolph, approached us with a friendly face and said, “It is reported that the High Dragon has caused a commotion at the Wyvern’s nest and is moving westward. As a result, there have already been cases of several Wyverns invading the border.”

In response to his words, Iris widened her eyes and asked, “You mean they are coming from the west…?”

I couldn’t help but be surprised along with her. The fact that they were coming westward from the Wyvern’s nest meant that the High Dragon was flying towards the coastal continent of Romant, wasn’t it? Although it could change course on the way, the thought of the High Dragon suddenly waking from its slumber and spreading its wings made me uneasy.

Seeing our reactions, Jaesang softened his expression for the first time and said with a bitter smile, “…I’m sorry. The anomaly began yesterday. Initially, I had requested assistance from the Kingdom and the Empire to subdue the Wyverns, but the High Dragon suddenly changed direction towards this side…”

“Have you sent letters to the Kingdom and the Empire regarding this anomaly?”

“Yes. However, the letters were sent yesterday. …But unexpectedly, the High Dragon’s speed of movement is too fast, so even if additional reinforcements are sent, I fear it might be too late.”

“….”

It was only then that I realized why Jaesang had personally greeted us… Things were getting more serious than I had initially thought.

After contemplating for a moment, Iris spoke, “Are you asking us to possibly hinder the High Dragon’s movements?”

“It’s urgent.”

“No, it’s not. We should help each other. Our Brace Kingdom has also received many benefits from the Romant coastal continent.”

With that conversation concluded, we were guided to a luxurious mansion where we would stay for the night before departing to the problem area early the next morning.

The mansion was spacious and extravagant enough to accommodate all of us, including special forces and our group, with empty rooms still available.

I unpacked my belongings in the room guided by a maid and sat down on the bed.

“Sigh.”

Soon, a knock was heard.

-Knock, knock.

“It’s me.”

It was Hedy’s voice.

“What’s up?”

“They’re serving dinner on the first floor in about an hour. Want to go down together?”

“Okay. Knock again when it’s time.”

“Sure.”

…

When dinner time arrived, I went downstairs with Hedy. The special forces were already dining at various tables, having removed their armor.

The scene resembled a buffet. Chefs brought out dishes, and maids ran around clearing empty plates.

Perhaps because they were guests who had come under direct orders from the Empire, they were treated exceptionally well.

Hedy and I each took a plate and started filling them with food.

Then, something unexpected happened.

-Clatter.

Hedy accidentally slipped and spilled the food she had put on her plate onto her clothes.

I said to her, “Be careful.”

“Oh, it’s just that…”

“Yeah?”

Hedy’s expression seemed off, hesitating as if unsure of something.

…

Hedy looked at the person in front of her, who seemed to be one of the special forces carrying food.

That’s when I realized.

“Did that person do it?”

“…Yes.”

I understood. No matter how tough she may be, what could she possibly do in such a pressured situation against the Empire’s special forces?

“I see. Just wait a moment.”

“Huh? Wait! It’s not like that-”

I approached the special forces member whose plate Hedy had accidentally bumped into, chatting and laughing loudly with his friend.

He didn’t even glance at me when I approached.

So, I took the initiative.

“Aren’t you going to apologize?”

“Huh?”

The atmosphere suddenly turned hostile.

As soon as I spoke, his expression hardened as if finding me bothersome.

These guys… Could they really be descendants of high-ranking nobles?

Regardless, I had something to say.

“Just now, you hit my friend’s tray. That’s why food spilled on her clothes, right?”

“Huh, do I need to apologize for that?”

“…?”

It was absurd.

Is this some kind of special privilege?

Or is it just this particular arrogance?

I looked around.

Then, like ghosts sensing what had happened, most of the privileged members turned their heads towards me, nodding slightly.

“Do I need to apologize!”

“….”

I understood then.

The intention behind the slight nods of the privileged members.

‘Touching him will lead to nothing good. Just endure it, kid.’

A wry smile escaped me.

Seems like there’s hierarchy wherever you go.

Facing the privileged member who had been glaring at me menacingly after hitting Heidi’s tray, I said, “Well, there’s no need to apologize.”

“Haha, acting tough, huh? Then go ahead and finish the food you were receiving, young sir.”

“In that case, you don’t need to apologize either.”

-Tap.

I tapped the tray of the privileged member who was sneering and mocking me.

Instantly, food spilled on the privileged member’s clothes just like it did on Heidi’s.

The atmosphere turned tense as if time had stopped.

Even the privileged member with food on them.

And those few friends who were laughing together.

Each one of them stiffened their faces and glared at me.

Ignoring them, I shrugged and walked back towards Heidi.

Even after I left, I could feel the piercing gazes directed at me from behind.

“S-Sian! Why did you do that…!”

“What’s wrong. Aren’t you thankful?”

“Well, I am grateful but… what if they retaliate?”

“Do you really think these idiots would retaliate over something like this? We’re Iris’s field interns, for heaven’s sake.”

Right, surely not.

Unless they are complete fools, how could they dare to mess with students led by a Swordmaster?

If they aren’t complete fools, they would never do such a thing.

“Hey, kid.”

“Come over here for a moment.”

“….”

But I only realized that those privileged individuals were truly foolish late one night as I walked back to the dormitory after finishing dinner alone.