The Absolute Godspeed of Infinite Worlds

Chapter 562 - 562

"Thank you all for accepting this invitation. I entrust Iris's safety to you these coming days—please protect her at all costs!"The King delivered his request with a gruff, masculine roar.

He was a burly, unshaven middle-aged man with striking golden hair and blue eyes, his very presence exuding authority.

Strange—how did this gorilla-like man father someone as petite and adorable as Iris? Did something go wrong with the genetic factors?

After giving his instructions, the King hurriedly departed.

Apparently, he remained unaware that Iris had been inviting Eiji into the palace daily.

Otherwise, they'd probably be at each other's throats by now.

"I'll patrol the area closest to Iris."

When the captain of the royal guards appeared, Eiji volunteered himself.

"Mr. Nangou? Very well. Given your exceptional strength and firsthand experience confronting the Demon King, you're undoubtedly the most qualified to guard Her Highness!"

After brief consideration, the guard captain nodded in agreement.

The palace layout consisted of numerous smaller buildings surrounding the central grand castle—the heart of the royal residence where the royal family's chambers were located.

Iris resided on the castle's highest floor, one level above even the King and Crown Prince's quarters, a clear testament to her father's favoritism.

Eiji's patrol route covered this uppermost level.

"Why are you here too?"

Claire glared at him with undisguised hostility.

"If you didn't want me here, you should've dealt with the Demon King yourself!"

Eiji shot her a sidelong glance, his expression clearly saying "put up or shut up."

"Tch!"

Claire clicked her tongue in frustration, though her expression soon brightened slightly.

"Listen carefully—you're only permitted to stand guard outside. No entering the room! By protocol, only Rein and I are authorized to interact with Princess Iris!"

Her pride in this arbitrary rule was utterly baffling.

This woman seemed to have cast him as some imaginary rival, terrified he might "steal" Iris away—a notion that had never crossed his mind.

"Feels good, doesn't it?"

Eiji smirked conspiratorially.

"N-not at all..."

Claire's words stumbled, her denial lacking conviction.

"No one else is around—just admit it."

His scornful gaze pinned her in place.

"I know you—giggling like an idiot every night watching Iris sleep, fighting the urge to lick her used spoons, getting all hot and bothered during bath time together, right?"

Should anyone wonder how Eiji understood such behaviors so well, they could thank Tiona for that education.

"We've never bathed together."

Claire muttered under her breath.

"So the sleep-stalking and spoon-licking urges are real then?"

"...Th-that's not true either."

Her evasive eyes betrayed her guilt.

"Too cowardly to confess your feelings, yet you claim to love her? Pathetic."

Eiji's icy disdain cut deep.

"Says who! Fine, I admit I love Princess Iris—so what!"

Cornered and seeing no witnesses present, Claire defiantly proclaimed.

"Recording this. Playing it for Iris later."

Eiji pulled out his student handbook and even played back the recording to prove his words were true.

From "Feels good, doesn't it?" to "I admit I love Princess Iris"—the entire conversation was captured.

"AAAAAH! Destroy that magic tool right now!"

Claire let out a groundhog-like shriek, flailing her arms as she lunged to snatch the handbook.

"Hmph."

Eiji sneered, effortlessly dodging her frantic grab.

"If you don't want me playing this in front of Iris… you know what to do, right?"

"W-what do you want?"

Claire gulped, hugging herself in fear.

Eiji whispered a few words into her ear, and Claire's expression shifted multiple times.

"Claire, what happened? I heard you screaming like something terrible happened?"

Moments later, Iris stepped out of her room.

"Big Brother Eiji, you're here too?"

The golden-haired little girl brightened the moment she saw Eiji, rushing over excitedly.

"I got assigned to the top-floor guard duty, so I can stay here from now on!"

Eiji immediately smiled warmly and approached her, leaving a fuming Claire behind.

"Really? That's wonderful!"

The little princess's eyes sparkled with joy as she waved her tiny hands excitedly.

"This way, we can see each other all the time!"

Claire? Who's that? Never heard of her.

Screaming? Didn't hear a thing.

The moment she heard about her beloved big brother, the princess completely forgot about her loyal guard.

"No way!"

Claire quickly jumped in to assert her presence.

"His Majesty decreed that only Rein and I are allowed near Her Highness! No one else—it's for her safety!"

Eiji raised the student handbook.

"Though exceptions can be made, of course. After all, Her Highness's safety does require the advice of a powerful adventurer!"

Claire's face turned green as she instantly backtracked.

"Really, Claire?"

Iris looked at Claire in delighted surprise.

The usually rigid and inflexible Claire was actually agreeing? How did Big Brother Eiji manage that? So amazing!

"W-well, but we can't be too blatant about it…"

Under Iris's hopeful gaze—and especially with Eiji's "kind" smile looming behind her—Claire couldn't bring herself to say no.

"Iris, here's what you do."

Eiji leaned in and whispered into Iris's ear, all while Claire glared daggers at him.

"Like this?"

Iris tilted her head in confusion but obediently nodded.

She clasped her hands to her chest, mustered up her emotions, and gazed up with big, pitiful eyes.

"Claire, I want to talk more with Big Brother Eiji… Could you please turn a blind eye for us? Please? I love you the most, Claire!"

Thud!

Claire stiffened as if struck by lightning, collapsing straight onto the floor—eyes rolled back, foam at her mouth, on the verge of death.

"Someone! Quick! Lady Claire is being killed by cuteness!"

Rein, who had just arrived, panicked and immediately called for the guards.

Iris stood frozen in shock.

"U-um… Is Claire okay?"

"She's fine. She's just… too happy."

Eiji patted the golden-haired girl's head, comforting the bewildered princess.

As he continued the head pats, Iris's cheeks flushed slightly, her eyes closing in contentment.

"If Claire tries to stop you again in the future, just do this. I guarantee she won't interfere anymore!"

"Mhm, I'll remember that!"

Watching the guards carry Claire away and figuring she'd be fine, Iris nodded repeatedly with an earnest, studious expression.

"Could you please stop teaching Her Highness Iris such strange things?"

Rein covered her face, nearly on the verge of a breakdown. If His Majesty the King found out about this, they'd be the ones suffering the consequences!