It's a rare sight indeed.
Still, I can't just ignore it.
Although they're not as strong as Shion, both are saintly sword wielders with extraordinary strength.
If their friendly dispute turns into a fight, the castle might end up half-destroyed.
Well, if I intervene, I'll probably just get killed instantly, but I should at least try to do my best.
"...Instructor, what's going on?"
"Ah, Crow, is it?"
As I approach and join the conversation, Instructor Cattleya looks up at me and puffs her cheeks in annoyance.
"Iris here says she wants to go home for a bit."
"Ah. And what's the issue with that?"
"It's not just any issue, you idiot. Have you forgotten that Iris was recently kidnapped and held captive?"
"No, I haven't forgotten. We had a hard time rescuing her."
At this point, Iris visibly bristles at the mention of her capture.
Understandably so.
The story of being defeated on the battlefield by another saintly sword wielder, taken prisoner, and then rescued by someone as useless as me is not something she'd want to remember.
Though most of the credit for rescuing Iris goes to Instructor Cattleya and Saffron.
"Ah, so you're worried she might get kidnapped again and you want her to refrain from going out, Instructor?"
"Exactly. Look at her, Crow. A young beauty like this wandering alone outside? She's bound to be attacked."
"Ah…"
Well, I won't deny that, but any thug who dares to attack Iris will most likely end up beheaded, bisected, or frozen into an ice sculpture.
Indeed, advising a saintly sword wielder like Iris to stay indoors may seem overly cautious.
However, I understand the instructor's feelings.
Iris being taken captive is a fact, and currently, it's dangerous for valuable combatants like saintly sword wielders to wander alone.
Including those who are after my life, power-hungry individuals would certainly want to get their hands on saintly sword wielders."By the way, why does Iris want to return home? To see your parents?"
"No, that's not it. My hometown is near the Blue Dragon, and apparently, the water level in the lake there is dropping rapidly. There are droughts happening in various places."
"…Hmm."
"Hmm? You do know that the Blue Dragon is this world's water source, right? If there's a drought there, it's serious."
"No, I didn't know that about the Blue Dragon. I don't even know where it is."
"What!? You're not interested because my hometown is remote?"
"No, don't get so upset. It's not about it being remote or anything; I just don't have an interest in geography or history. Actually, there are very few things that I'm interested in."
"…"
At that moment, Iris looked at me as if I were the lowest of the low, almost like she was looking at garbage.
Ah, this is nostalgic.
During my student days, I used to get this look a lot. From all the students.
"So? If there's a drought in the Blue Dragon, the world's water source, I get that it's bad. But what can Iris do about it by going there?"
"What?"
"Why are you always so angry? What can you do? You're not an expert in geology or water quality, right? You're just a woman who graduated top of her class from the Royal Officer Academy. What can you do about a drought in a critical area?"
"…"
"You're going to investigate the cause of the drought or find a solution? Both are impossible for an amateur. Leave it to the smart experts and just observe the situation."
"…"
Oh, no.
I can see the veins on Iris's temples bulging, and she looks like she's about to explode.
I wish she would be nicer to me.
I mean, I did save her in a pinch, even if it was just by chance.
"In this case, I agree with Crow."
Just then, Instructor Cattleya unexpectedly defended me.
"Iris, you always try to investigate and solve everything yourself. No matter how excellent you are, there's only so much one person can do."
"Instructor... but I..."
"I hold you in high regard. You're probably the most talented of all my students. But this tendency of yours to try to handle everything on your own isn't good. You could learn a bit of Crow's irresponsibility and carelessness."
Instructor...
Are you praising me or insulting me?
"So you're saying I should become a lazy slacker like Crow and waste my days doing nothing?"
That's a bit harsh.
I've been working pretty hard lately.
"What's wrong with worrying about a crisis in my hometown?"
"I'm saying don't walk around carelessly alone right now."
Both of their points are valid, so it's hard to say anything.
But, the Blue Dragon, huh?
I was thinking of using the Pegasus Sword with Holly to fly around searching for saintly swords. Depending on the situation, this might be a good opportunity.
"How about you go with me, Iris?"
"What?"
"If you're with me, we can use the Pegasus Sword to get there quickly."
"Why? How come..."
"I was planning to travel around with Holly to look for other saintly swords, but it's dangerous for me alone. I need a bodyguard. Will you come with me?"
"Wait a minute. The Pegasus Sword is that horse that made the carriage float, right? I've been curious, but how can you use that horse?"
"It's because Holly is nearby. Normally, no one but Shion can use saintly swords."
Iris looks confused and opens and closes her mouth, seemingly at a loss for words.
"That sounds good. Go for it, Iris. If Crow is with you, you can make a quick trip there and back."
Instructor Cattleya seems oddly confident that it's safe if I'm involved.
"While you're at it, Crow, why don't you find out what's causing the drought and solve it?"
"What? Don't be ridiculous. I can't do something like that."
"You never know. You have the goddess of victory on your side."
Cattleya laughs and playfully nudges me.
Why does she trust me so completely?
I don't recall doing anything to earn it.
"So? What will you do, Iris?"
"If I can check on the situation in Blue Dragon, I'll do anything."
"Then let's leave tomorrow morning. Let's meet in front of the stables."
"Understood."
"What about you, Instructor Cattleya?"
"I already disobeyed orders once by leaving the capital without permisshion. I don't want to worsen my standing, so I'll stay behind this time."
"Understood. Then, I'll go prepare."
I leave Instructor C"Preparing to leave Pendragon in the morning, I was in my private room, frowning.
Saffron was sprawled out on my bed, fast asleep.
Originally, she appeared to assassinate me.
Now, she has a dual role: ostensibly a maid taking care of me and Shion, and secretly a spy who can gather information as the wielder of the Vacuum Sword, capable of disappearing and silencing her steps and voice.
And there she was, sleeping on my bed.
"…"
What kind of nerve does she have?
Entering someone's room uninvited and sleeping in their bed.
And she’s supposedly a maid.
It's hard to believe she was an assassin, considering how careless she is.
"Huh?"
Wait a minute.
Is it possible for Saffron, who used to make a living as an assassin, to not notice my approach and continue sleeping, even at the age of fourteen?
Assassins are supposed to wake up at the slightest sound, aren't they?
Well, such people would probably die of overwork due to insomnia.
In reality, Saffron has reportedly repelled all attempts on her life by other assassins after her failed assassination attempt on me.
It's improbable she wouldn't notice me approaching her.
Observing Saffron, I saw her swallow.
"…Hey."
Humans don't swallow saliva while deeply asleep.
If someone's throat moves while they're asleep, they're pretending to be asleep.
"Why are you pretending to sleep?"
"Ahaha. You caught me."
Saffron opened her eyes, jumped up from my bed, and stood up.
"What are you doing in my room?"
"I'm dying of boredom."
"What?"
As usual, Saffron's peculiar problem surfaces.
She apparently feels like dying when she has nothing to do.
I can't understand that feeling, but it seems she hates being idle more than anything.
"Why don’t you cook as a kitchen maid, do laundry as a laundry maid, or clean as a housemaid?"