Ethan stormed outside, fully expecting to find some ridiculous disaster waiting for him.
And, of course, he was right.
Because Celestia's entire squad of royal knights—a force of highly trained, disciplined warriors—was currently scrambling around like panicked chickens.
One knight had his sword stuck in a tree and was desperately trying to pull it out. Another was hanging upside down from a wooden fence, flailing his arms uselessly. A third had somehow fallen into a nearby water trough and was now floundering like a fish.
And in the middle of it all—
A single young woman stood calmly, watching the chaos unfold.
Ethan stared.
Then, with pure dread, he turned to Celestia.
"…Explain."
Celestia crossed her arms. "I would like an explanation myself."
Ethan sighed and looked back at the scene.
The knights, still flailing, seemed to notice Celestia watching.
Immediately, they snapped into place, fixing their postures, brushing off dirt, and pretending nothing happened.
"Y-YOUR HIGHNESS!" one of them saluted, still soaking wet from the water trough. "T-THERE IS NO NEED FOR CONCERN! WE HAVE THE SITUATION UNDER CONTROL!"
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
Really? Because it sure looked like they had just lost a fight against the concept of gravity.
Celestia narrowed her eyes. "Then why was there an explosion?"
The knights visibly hesitated.
Then—
The lone woman standing in the center finally spoke.
"It was a test."
Ethan flinched.
That voice.
Oh no.
OH NO.
With slow, absolute dread, he turned toward the woman—
And his worst fears were confirmed.
Fiery red hair, flowing like dancing flames, wild yet controlled. Piercing crimson eyes that burned with an untamed warrior's spirit. A long, flowing coat, lined with enchanted steel. A massive greatsword strapped to her back.
She was tall, strong, and radiating the aura of a battle-crazed maniac.
And her expression was calm—but her eyes were gleaming with excitement.
She met Ethan's gaze—
And smirked.
"…Found you," she murmured.
Ethan's soul immediately ascended.
OH, FOR THE LOVE OF—
Celestia's brows furrowed. "Who are you?"
The woman turned to her casually.
"Iris von Eisenberg. SSS-Rank Adventurer."
Celestia stiffened.
The knights immediately paled.
Even Tamamo let out an amused hum.
"Oh my~ How interesting. The famous Sword Princess has appeared."
Iris didn't look away from Ethan.
"I have no business with the royal family," she said. "I'm here for him."
Celestia's expression darkened. "For what reason?"
Iris smiled.
"I want him in my party."
Ethan mentally screamed.
"NO, YOU ABSOLUTELY DO NOT."
Iris' eyes glowed. "Oh? But two years ago, you saved my life, didn't you?"
Ethan groaned. "That was an accident."
Iris smirked. "Regardless. I've finally found you again. This time, I won't let you escape."
Ethan immediately took a step back.
Celestia narrowed her eyes. "So… you've met before."
Iris nodded. "Yes. Two years ago, I was in a dungeon, battling a boss far stronger than expected. Just as I was about to be struck down, he appeared."
Ethan cringed.
"That's not what happened," he muttered.
But Iris wasn't listening.
She clenched her fists. "It was a monster unlike any I had faced before. A demonic ogre, three times my size, covered in blackened steel. My blade barely scratched it. My attacks were meaningless. Death was certain."
She turned toward Ethan dramatically.
"But then—he appeared."
Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose.
Oh no. Here we go.
Iris continued, completely serious.
"He walked into the dungeon without a weapon. Bare-handed. No armor. Just a torn cloak and an uninterested expression."
Ethan was already done.
"I was just lost."
Iris ignored him.
"The ogre swung its massive club at him—"
"I was trying to run."
"—but he didn't dodge. He caught it. With one hand."
Ethan groaned. "That's not what happened—"
"Then, with a single punch, he shattered the ogre's armor like glass. The beast screamed in terror."
"I tripped and accidentally hit it."
"Then, with a single strike, he crushed the ogre's skull—"
"IT WAS A LIGHT TAP."
"And then," Iris breathed, "he turned to me… and said—"
Ethan's soul left his body.
"'You should get stronger.'"
Ethan smashed his head into his hands.
"I DID NOT SAY THAT."
Tamamo giggled.
"Oh my~ That sounds exactly like something you would say, dear Ethan~"
"NO, IT DOESN'T."
Iris grinned. "That battle changed my life. From that moment forward, I swore—"
She drew her greatsword and pointed it at him.
"—that I would surpass you."
Ethan stared.
Then pointed at himself.
"Who? Me?"
Iris nodded firmly.
Ethan laughed nervously. "I think you got the wrong guy."
Iris smirked. "No. I'm sure of it."
"No, no, you've got the COMPLETELY wrong guy."
"The right guy."
"Totally wrong."
"One hundred percent you."
Ethan looked to Tamamo for help.
Tamamo sipped her tea. "Ara~ Who knew my dear Ethan was such a heartbreaker~?"
"STOP ENCOURAGING THIS."
Celestia, meanwhile, crossed her arms.
"I see. So you are another fool after him."
Iris raised an eyebrow. "Another?"
Celestia stood tall. "As his knight, I must deny your request."
Iris smirked. "Oh? Shall we settle it with a fight?"
Celestia placed a hand on her sword. "Gladly."
Ethan panicked. "NO, NO, NO, NO—"
And, in the background, Tamamo laughed.
---