Chapter 6

Iris swiftly turned her body to avoid it. Then, she used the broom she was holding as a sword and struck the open side of the attacker's body with all her might.

With the same momentum, she delivered a roundhouse kick to another man.

The men seemed to have completely underestimated Iris, who appeared to be just a small boy, and her blow hit his face perfectly. The staggering man fell backward in an undignified manner.

"Give back what you stole!"

Iris stood tall in front of the man.

"Alright, alright, cut it out."

One of the fallen men, with a pitiful look on his face, reached into his pocket and stood up.

At that moment, Iris's body tensed.

The man's hand was not holding a wallet but something shiny.

– It's a knife! I can't avoid it!

Just as Iris closed her eyes tightly, bracing for the pain, something unexpected happened.

"Aaaah!"

A scream, not her own, came from nearby.

She cautiously opened her eyes and saw the man who had pointed a sword at her lying on the ground. Between the man and Iris stood another man.

"To think you'd try to steal in my jurisdiction, you've got some nerve, haven't you?"

Even though it wasn't directed at her, Iris felt a chilling fear. It was a sense of overwhelming pressure that made her skin crawl.

Iris stared at the back of the man who had suddenly appeared. His short, burnt-brown hair was slightly long at the nape, touching the collar of his coat. His broad back, which suggested a well-built physique even through his clothes, was covered by a black overcoat with gold decorations on the shoulders. He was nearly two heads taller than Iris.

In his hand, he held a magnificent sword, the tip of which was stained with blood.

– Is this person a soldier?

A large flapping sound made her look up. In the sky, a strange creature she had never seen before was circling.

It was flying like a bird, but it wasn't a bird. Its wings, which were at least two meters wide, resembled those of a bat, and its two legs were equipped with sharp claws. Its body was covered in gray scales, making it look like a lizard.

"What is that...?"

In front of Iris, the tall man, still pinning down the thief, picked up a small stone from the ground and threw it at the other thief who was trying to escape. The stone hit the thief's leg, causing him to stumble and fall forward.

"Capture him."

Several knights, who had appeared from somewhere, quickly apprehended the thieves. After seeing them off, the man finally turned to Iris.

"Are you alright?"

"Ah, thank you."

When Iris saw the man's face, she widened her eyes.

– This is the person I met at the ball...

The man seemed to open his eyes for a moment but quickly returned to his usual expression. Unlike before, Iris had cut her hair short and was dressed as a boy, so he probably didn't recognize her.

"You're shaking, yet you acted recklessly."

"Ah..."

Only then did Iris realize she was trembling.

The captured thief's body was drenched in blood. The man in front of her had cut him when he tried to stab Iris.

Iris had always practiced swordplay with Dean, but she had never engaged in a real sword fight. The sight of a real sword battle made her spine chill.

– If this person hadn't helped me, I might have been stabbed to death...

The man, who was looking down at her, gazed at Iris with a cold stare.

"Your bravery is commendable, but bravery and recklessness are close neighbors. And recklessness can sometimes cost you your life. Remember that well."

"I'm sorry, I couldn't just stand by. Thank you for helping me."

The man was right. That's why Iris couldn't argue and lowered her head. She had naively thought she could handle it despite having no real combat experience.

"No, I should thank you for helping to apprehend the thief. I appreciate it. In the future, leave such matters to the Imperial Capital Knights—"

Just as the man was about to say that, Iris was startled.

"The Imperial Capital Knights? Ah! Ah—!!"

The Imperial Capital Knights! Today was the induction ceremony.

She thought she had an hour left before entering the pharmacy, but it must be almost time.

– I have to hurry!

She couldn't afford to waste time here. Iris quickly gathered her belongings, which she had left on the side of the road.

"Thank you for your help. I'm sorry, but I have to go!"

"Huh? Hey! Are you hurt?"

The man called out anxiously from behind her.

"I'm fine!"

Iris turned back once and shouted.

She bowed and then ran off as fast as she could.