episode_0006

The day after the maid caught Iris and me returning together.

Rumors spread quickly within the household.

“Did you hear…? The Sword Master Iris, from that rumor, supposedly had a secret meeting with our second young master in the middle of the night!”

“Oh my… Just the two of them? I never knew Iris to have such tastes with that reckless young master… It’s quite intriguing!”

As we passed by, the maids’ whispers could be heard.

‘…sigh.’

I should have gone for a walk alone, knowing these kinds of things could happen.

I carelessly let my guard down, causing harm to Iris.

To alleviate the boredom of their day, the maids embellish what they witnessed, creating sensational gossip.

Thanks to them, Iris and I became the talk of the day.

After such a tiring day, it was time to attend Iris’s swordsmanship class as usual.

“…I apologize, Iris. It’s because of me suggesting going outside the marquis’s orders that you suffered like this.”

“It’s alright. Don’t worry about it. Since I chose to follow you.”

Standing in the training ground, bathed in moonlight, Iris dismisses it as nothing.

But this isn’t right. Iris is a national Sword Master.

Someone must have twisted her prestigious reputation, which must have been a blow to her.

To think she would be labeled as a power-hungry blind Sword Master for having a secret meeting with that foolish young master… It could be seen that way.

“…No. I will take responsibility and try to eliminate the malicious rumors. If these rumors escalate further, it might also upset you, Iris.”

“I’m not particularly upset.”

I sighed and gripped my wooden sword.

Although sword practice was about to begin, I couldn’t shake today’s events from my mind, making it hard to focus.

…I need to push it aside.

As I tried to clear my mind and concentrate on the lesson, Iris spoke to me.

“If you’re worried about the rumors, there’s a quick way to resolve them.”

“What is it?”

“Just turn the gossip into a fact.”

Iris smirked mockingly.

…She seemed unaware of how serious the situation was.

Making meaningless jokes in such circumstances.

“…That’s too much of a joke.”

“It was a jest. You seem to dislike it too much? Even I would be hurt by it.”

“It’s not that… If rumors circulate about me being fat and involved with that foolish young master, won’t you be called a power-hungry blind Sword Master? That’s my concern.”

“Hmm…?”

Iris raised an eyebrow.

Then, she pondered something, tapping her chin and lips several times with her fingers.

With the wooden sword still in hand, she tilted her head as if puzzled.

Then she asked me, “Are you a fool, sir?”

“Pardon?”

Taken aback by Iris’s sudden question, I hesitated before responding.

“Perhaps in the past… but not now, I believe.”

“I see.”

What was the intention behind that question?

While trying to understand her motive, Iris spoke again.

“You are still chubby, sir.”

“……”

What’s this? Is she teasing me?

As if she could read my thoughts, she quickly added, “I’m not teasing. So, you are currently chubby. But aren’t you on a diet?”

“…Yes, I am.”

“Yes. You will surely shed those extra pounds someday. Moreover, although I can’t speak for the past, based on what I’ve observed over the last month, you are diligent and honest, sir. At first, due to the rumors, I was biased and thought you were just acting, but it seems that’s not the case.”

Feeling embarrassed by the sudden praise, I blushed, hiding my face with my hands and said, “You flatter me…”

“I am simply stating the facts as I see them. So, my intention with these words is that even if Confucius were to call me fat and useless now, eventually all misunderstandings will be cleared up.”

Looking at the moon with her back turned, Iris continues.

“Confucius is gradually becoming more impressive. In the future, undoubtedly, rumors will spread that he not only shed all that weight through effort but also became a skilled swordsman beyond recognition.”

Bathed in moonlight, Iris still facing away, turns her head towards me and smiles faintly.

And with words that make my heart flutter, she concludes.

“Even if it’s not apparent now, when the time comes, I will surely be known as a discerning sword master. If you think about that, the current rumors about me mean nothing.”

…Honestly, it was moving.

Lately, I’ve only received prejudiced and pitiful glances.

Even if I realize that I’ve reversed the actions of the unjustly possessed Confucius, I couldn’t help but be hurt by what I’ve been through.

In that sense, Iris, who sees me without prejudice, was a truly grateful presence.

Iris’s smile feels like the moon.

Her presence, like the moon illuminating my dark surroundings, was a great comfort.

Tears welled up slightly in my eyes.

How can I be so confident after seeing the moon for just one month?

Not wanting to show my tears, I casually replied, turning my head away from Iris.

“…What’s the point of worrying about me turning into a useless person?”

“In that case, I would have misjudged people. Well, I like to think I’m good at reading people, at least.”

“…I’ll make sure never to misjudge.”

“Haha. I’ll look forward to it.”

As if nothing had happened, Iris adjusts her posture with her sheathed sword.

“Have your worries come to an end, Confucius?”

“Yes. They have disappeared completely.”

Instead of receiving comfort in a situation where I should be worried, I found solace.

…For her honor, I felt the need to become stronger quickly.

I composed myself and regained my seriousness.

“Well then, let’s begin our final practice before school starts.”

“I entrust it to you.”

As soon as the words ended, we fiercely charged at each other in silence.

***

Thus, after Iris’s final swordsmanship lesson.

The next morning, I headed to Gryphon’s Forest with one of the mansion’s servants and six escort knights.

A distance reachable in a day by carriage.

We brought enough food and herbs collected earlier.

To prepare for any dangerous situations, I also brought the iron longsword from Confucius’s room.

‘It’s the first time I’m using a real sword….’

The next day, I go hunting for monsters.

A real situation unlike what I’ve experienced in games. To protect myself, I had to rely on the iron longsword I held in my hand.

Inside the swaying carriage, I opened the window and looked outside.

Vast plains and fields stretched out before me.

Realizing that I had left the safe village where I had been stuck for a month, it felt real.

From now on, I might encounter bandits or monsters.

Even though the six escort knights are skilled individuals, I must not let my guard down.

The game world I know, ‘Ariel,’ is full of unexpected events.

About 20 hours later, we arrived near Gryphon’s Forest without any major incidents except encountering a group of bandits.

The escort knights chased off the bandits, and together we also dealt with the occasional low-level monsters that appeared.

Although the escort knights tried to dissuade me from participating, I fought alongside them to gain firsthand experience.

In a safe place, why would one go hunting for trouble? And so, we arrived at the village near the Griffin’s Forest called ‘Taipan’ without any trouble.

One of the escort knights asked me, “Are you sure it’s okay to wander alone without an escort?”

It would be inconvenient not to go alone.

From now on, we will head out of the village towards the Griffin’s Forest.

Since they would never allow it due to the danger, I have to sneak back if anything happens.

Also, the blood of the Great Eagle must be utilized immediately after killing it. Asking to hunt and then return is futile.

“It’s fine. I just want to enjoy some freedom and explore the town for a bit.”

“Well then… Please be careful. I’ll see you in the square as the sun sets. You must take care of yourself.”

“I know. If something happens to me, the responsibility falls on you knights, right? Don’t worry.”

“Understood.”

After that, I turned my back and blended into the crowd of villagers, hiding in Taipan.

I feel sorry for the escort knights as I head off to do something dangerous, but what can I do?

I have to go fix the power source. As soon as possible.

…And also to keep my promise with Iris.

Deeply rooted trees on the ground.

As I ventured further inside, the feeling of human warmth faded away.

I pushed through the tangled branches and leaves obstructing my view as I walked deeper into the forest.

“Just a little further and it’s the edge of the Griffin’s Forest.”

There are many crawling insects, and it’s generally a damp forest.

It’s a suitable environment for flora and fauna to thrive. Located near the coastal village of Taipan, this forest was a perfect habitat for creatures like the Great Eagle or other new bird species.

I tightened my grip on the steel longsword.

From now on, I must protect myself. This is the territory of the creatures.

There are no escort knights. The only thing I can trust is my sword.

After about 20 more minutes of walking deeper, I found traces of creatures.

Footprints that seemed to belong to a new type of bird split into three claws.

Clearly, it’s a trace of the Great Eagle that inhabits the edge of the Griffin’s Forest.

“So far, it’s just as I know from the game.”

I need to be cautious from here on.

If I get distracted chasing the Great Eagle’s trail and go deep into the forest, I might encounter a high-level creature like the Griffin.

Seeing a Griffin is rare, but I still need to be as aware as possible.

I’m not yet ready to capture a creature like a Griffin. If I were to encounter one… I could lose my life.

This isn’t a game. It’s reality.

If I die, there’s no respawning, just a clear and irreversible reality.

“That’s why I brought the Strongleaf Herb…”

If things go wrong, I’ll immediately consume the herb to strengthen my body and escape with all my might.

That’s the contingency plan I had in mind.

As I walked, hiding among the tree leaves.

“…Kkiek!”

Jet-black fur.

Sharp, fierce eyes.

Three slightly smaller new creature types than tigers, feasting on a deer carcass on the ground with their beaks.

“I found them.”

Their movements were so lifelike, as if tearing through a monitor. They were indeed the Great Eagles.

“Don’t act rashly. Three of them are a pack.”

I am well aware of how slow and inexperienced my body is right now.

…I aim for the cub in the center of the three.

To seize the opportunity, I continued to hide among the bushes, holding my breath.

After a few minutes passed,

A trickle of sweat dripped slowly down my neck due to extreme tension.

“Kkieeek!”

The three satisfied Great Eagles flapped their wings.

Among them, the cub in the center detached from the group and began to walk leisurely towards the opposite side of the forest.

“Now’s the time…!”

Following it cautiously, I tracked the cub from the opposite side, hiding among the bush leaves.