The Lowest-Ranked Hero Has Returned

Chapter 171: Interlude - The Saintess’ Invitation

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Chapter 171: Interlude - The Saintess’ Invitation

After Lanez's outburst subsided.

We cleaned up the mess as best as we could and returned to school.

Thankfully, the location we chose for our walk was on the secluded hillside behind the school, so no major commotion occurred.

“Um… I’m really sorry about today.”

Lanez bowed deeply to Iris and Yuren (who had put the pendant back on).

“Like I said earlier… I never meant any harm to either of you.”

Her voice was small, and she seemed deeply apologetic.

“As much as Dale is important to me, I know he’s important to Iris and Yuren—no, Yurina too.”

“I have no intention of forcibly taking Dale away from you. I just…”

Her voice trembled, but she spoke clearly, forcing the words out.

“I just want to stay by the side of the person who first showed me warmth.”

Lanez’s voice was fraught with fear, yet firm.

“I know how much of a burden this might be to both of you, but…”

She bowed again, deeply.

“Please… let me stay by Dale’s side.”

“……”

Iris, who had been listening with a serious expression, sighed deeply.

“This isn’t a decision that can be made right away.”

“R-right.”

“But if you want to stay by Dale’s side, you must remember one thing.”

Her sky-blue eyes fixed on Lanez.

“Don’t ever hurt Dale. If you cause him pain even once more… I won’t forgive you, no matter what.”

“…I-I understand.”

Lanez shrank under the weight of Iris’ overwhelming presence.

With her small frame and timid demeanor, Lanez looked like a younger student being scolded by a strict senior.

‘Though in reality, Lanez is the senior.’

Suppressing a wry smile, I glanced at Lanez.

Noticing my gaze, Lanez quickly ran over to me.

“I’ll never hurt Dale again!”

Clenching her fists tightly, Lanez made a determined vow.

I couldn’t help but smile slightly.

But there was still one thing I was curious about.

“How did you come back to your senses earlier?”

“Oh… back then.”

Lanez recalled her memory of the outburst.

“I’m not entirely sure… My body felt so cold, but then I felt warmth, and I snapped out of it.”

“Hmm.”

Warmth, she said.

‘Was it the Ashen Flame?’

Thinking back, during our mentoring session, I once held the Ashen Flame closer to her when she was shivering from the cold. She mentioned feeling warmer then, too.

At the time, I wasn’t sure if her warmth was due to the emotional comfort of receiving help for the first time or the actual effect of the Ashen Flame.

‘If the same thing happened… It’s likely that the Ashen Flame affects her Frost Blessing.’

It wasn’t something I could confirm right now.

“Thank you. This was all… because of you, Dale.”

With a soft smile, Lanez clutched my hand like it was a precious treasure.

Just as an awkward tension began to rise between us—

“Dale?”

Iris’s gentle voice broke the moment, and I quickly withdrew my hand.

Iris approached, her usual kind smile gracing her face.

“You seem to be in a good mood?”

For some reason, her composed words translated in my head as, ‘Enjoying yourself, huh?’

“Well, anyway. It’s a relief no one was seriously hurt. Yuren, your frostbite is all healed, right?”

“Yeah. Thanks, Iris.”

Yuren showed his healed hand.

“Alright. Everyone must be tired today, so let’s get some rest. Oh, Lanez, before you leave, share your Hero Watch contact.”

“Y-yeah, got it!”

“I’ll head back, too.”

Lanez and Yuren walked off toward their dorms.

As I was about to head to my dorm—

“Dale.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you have time this evening?”

“Hmm… I guess I’m free.”

“In that case, would you like to come to my room?”

Iris invited me, her cheeks slightly flushed.

“…To your room?”

“I’ve been craving the ramen you make. It’s been a while.”

“Ah, I see. Sure, I’ll come over in the evening.”

Ramen, huh. I hadn’t made it in a while.

“I’ll submit the entry request in advance, so just come straight to my room.”

“Got it.”

Nodding, I headed back to my dorm.

* * *

In the A-Dorm, a luxury dormitory accessible only to Hero candidates with exceptional status and wealth—

Inside a room far too spacious for a single occupant.

“Whew.”

Iris exhaled, her face tense as she clutched her chest.

‘It’s almost time for Dale to arrive.’

She glanced at the wall clock and swallowed nervously.

Although she’d mentioned ramen, her true reason for inviting Dale over was different.

‘There are too many women around Dale lately.’

Yurina was an obvious case, but even Professor Elisha and Lanez clearly harbored feelings for him.

‘Dale said I’m his first, but… I can’t relax.’

She needed to make a decisive move to secure her place as his ‘first.’

“Ugh.”

Iris opened her closet and hesitated as her eyes fell on a sheer black negligee, hidden between her school uniforms and priestess robes.

This was the ultimate weapon she had secretly acquired during her trip to Valhalla City.

“Ugh, maybe I should just give up today…”

Though she’d said it was her decisive trump card, the mere thought of standing in front of Dale while wearing that outfit made her head feel like it was going to explode from embarrassment.

“Ugh…!”

Iris, standing indecisively in front of her wardrobe, squeezed her eyes shut and pulled out the black negligee she had carefully hidden away.

‘Victory never comes to those who just sit around and wait!’

To firmly capture Dale’s heart (and perhaps more), she needed a weapon worthy of the task.

Swoosh, swoosh.

After changing into the black negligee, Iris stood before the mirror.

It wasn’t the kind of negligee that revealed everything, but compared to her usual outfits, there was far too much exposed skin.

Just looking at her reflection was enough to make her face turn bright red.

“Phew… okay.”

Iris took a deep breath, trying to calm her pounding heart.

With determination set, she dimmed the lights and placed scented candles she had prepared around the room.

The soft glow and gentle fragrance created a sultry, seductive atmosphere.

Iris sat on the living room sofa, waiting for Dale to arrive.

Knock, knock.

[Translator - Night]

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After a few minutes, a knock echoed through the room.

Swallowing nervously, Iris opened the door.

“Welcome, Dale…”

“…Your Holiness?”

Instead of Dale, it was Camilla standing at the door.

Camilla’s face was stiff as she looked Iris up and down.

“What… exactly is this?”

“Ah, no! This is, um…!”

Caught off guard by Camilla’s unexpected arrival, Iris stammered and took a step back.

“Dale? Did you just say Dale? Don’t tell me… you invited him to your room? While wearing that?”

“It’s a misunderstanding!”

“Misunderstanding, my foot! Iris, are you out of your mind?!”

Camilla, forgetting her usual formal tone, raised her voice at Iris.

“A saintess of the Holy Kingdom, inviting a man to her room?! And in such… indecent attire!!!”

“Ugh…”

“If the Holy Kingdom finds out about this… Ah.”

Camilla, her temper flaring, suddenly held her forehead as if she was getting dizzy.

She bit her lip and continued.

“Iris. I know you have feelings for Dale. He’s… a good man, I get that.”

“…”

“But this? This is just too much! You’re still a saintess! Even if it doesn’t go against the teachings of the Seven Gods, there’s still a certain decorum expected of you!!!”

Camilla pointed accusingly at the black negligee Iris was wearing.

“Go change. Right now.”

“…”

At Camilla’s scolding, Iris tightened her lips and remained silent.

She clutched the negligee firmly in her hands and finally spoke.

“…No.”

“What? Wh-what did you just say?”

Camilla was utterly stunned, not expecting to hear “no” from Iris of all people.

“I said no.”

Iris gritted her teeth and lifted her head.

Her gaze hardened as she locked eyes with Camilla.

“‘Proper decorum for a saintess’? That’s just some nonsense those old fossils in the Holy Kingdom made up! The Seven Gods themselves said love knows no bounds!”

“That’s…”

“Did I ask to become a saintess? Huh? When I became one, I was just an orphan kid who happened to awaken the ‘Eyes of Seven’!”

“…”

Camilla pressed her lips tightly together.

Iris, her breathing heavy, strode toward Camilla.

“Camilla… Before I’m a saintess, I’m just a woman. A regular woman who wants to be loved by the man she cares about.”

“…Iris.”

“Is that so wrong? Huh?”

Iris grabbed Camilla’s shoulders, her voice trembling.

“Is it a crime for a grown woman to want to have some sex??!!!”

Her shout reverberated through the room, followed by a heavy silence.

“…”

“…”

Just as the tension between Iris and Camilla reached its peak—

Creaaaak.

The door, which they thought was closed, slowly swung open.

Peeking through the gap was a young man with ash-gray hair.

“…Uh.”

Their eyes met.

Looking between the two of them with an awkward smile, Dale quickly averted his gaze.

“Well, uh… haha. Sorry, I heard some yelling, so I thought… Uh, haha.”

With that, he slammed the door shut.

“I’ll, uh… come back another time for the ramen!”

His hurried footsteps echoed as he fled.

“…”

“…”

The silence that fell was suffocating.

Camilla closed her eyes tightly, while Iris slumped to the floor as if her legs had given out.

“…Camilla.”

“…Yes, Your Holiness?”

“Kill me.”

“I cannot.”

“Then lend me your sword. I’ll do it myself.”

“…That’s also not an option.”

“Ugh… waaahhh.”

“…”

Iris buried her face in her hands and began to sob.

Camilla quietly sat beside her and gently patted her back.

[Translator - Night]

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