Iris, and... Sugar

Chapter 23: Iris, and Candy

Chapter Twenty-Three: Iris, and Candy

It wasn't hard to understand why the Truth Society, as a religious sect, would have a Sabbath.

For believers to have faith, the deity naturally had to display its dazzling radiance and propagate its grand doctrines.

However, unlike the weekly Sabbath at the Church of Blossoms, the Truth Society's Sabbath was generally held once a month, with no fixed date or known location, all notifications relying on parchment.

Hmm. It certainly had the feel of an underground organization.

Of course, since it allowed believers to worship this "True Lord" who operated in the shadows, its Sabbath naturally had its own unique characteristics.

"What is it?"

Iris looked at Linton expectantly.

Ever since she started following Linton, she had become increasingly curious about the world.

But this time, Linton didn't respond as usual by telling her an interesting little story. Instead, he shook his head.

"I can't say."

"Huh??" Iris looked at him as if he were trash, and then her head was lightly smacked.

"What kind of things are filling your head at such a young age?" Linton withdrew his hand and spoke deliberately, "Being unable to say it doesn't mean my thoughts are dirty, nor is it that I don't want to say it, but rather that I physically cannot say it."

"Before the Truth Society's Sabbath, everyone enters an immersive state, like falling into a dream. Upon waking, they might remember fragmented images, but they can never piece together a complete narrative."

Iris rubbed her head and shot him a look, "So what's the point of holding the Sabbath? You can't even see this so-called True Lord."

Linton chuckled lightly, "Do you find living tiring?"

"That's a philosophical question. I suppose it is tiring."

"Although your family relationships are complicated, you are materially well-off. And on this continent, there are countless families worse off than you, with poorer economic situations. Bearing such immense pressure, one must choose some form of relaxation, be it gambling, heavy drinking, or other ways to numb the mind."

"But all these things require money or other resources. So, is there a way to relax that costs almost nothing?"

Iris suddenly understood, "Dreams. In dreams, one is the master, omnipotent, and all unresolved issues are easily overcome."

"Exactly," Linton continued. "Although they forget most things from their dreams, upon waking, their hearts are already satisfied. Moreover, if someone's memory successfully records a scene from the dream, that person will receive an unexpected reward."

"Have you ever experienced a moment when, while doing something, you suddenly felt like you could predict what would happen next?"

"Yes," Iris said. "I remember when I was practicing sword fighting in the courtyard as a child, I suddenly had a premonition that my sword instructor would enter through the main gate, so I ran to the main gate to greet him. But it was just an illusion; the instructor never came."

"This kind of situation might be your brain piecing together an image from countless pieces of information subconsciously, which is why you have a strong sense of déjà vu. But if you dreamed this scene during the Truth Society's Sabbath and still remembered it upon waking..." Linton narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice ethereal, "then your instructor might be very happy that you came to greet him."

"Prophecy?"

Iris's expression immediately turned ashen, as if she had seen a ghost, and she exclaimed, "Impossible! How could anyone do such a thing!"

It was no wonder Iris was astonished.

The Calvi Continent was a world with gods. Whether it was the Blossoms or other nations, they were all kingdoms created by deities.

Because gods were transcendent beings, people believed that everything that happened in the world was the will of the gods: the blooming and wilting of flowers was the gods' arrangement, the rising and setting of the sun was the alternation of the gods' radiance.

Everything was orchestrated by the gods, and attempting to predict what would happen next would be considered...

— Blasphemy!

"Heavens! How much courage does one need to do something so monstrous! That 'True Lord' must be a demon god from the Abyss!!"

Linton shrugged, "Who knows? I haven't seen it anyway."

"Sigh." Iris's face was somewhat gloomy, looking as displeased as if she had eaten cilantro for a month.

From childhood to adulthood, everyone had educated her to respect the Lord of Blossoms and be grateful for the prosperous life He brought to the people.

She had never, and would never dare to imagine, that she would one day have to blaspheme against a deity!

"What rotten luck," Iris said with a sour face as she tidied the things on the table. "When are we going?"

Linton was stunned by Iris's words, blinking in surprise, "You want to go too?"

"Ah?" Iris turned around abruptly, accidentally knocking over the candies on the table.

The candies scattered across the floor with a clatter, but the doll lady just stared intently at the Necromancer, her eyes devoid of any discernible emotion.

Linton was startled by Iris's sudden movement and quickly explained, "I mean, you haven't recovered yet. Although the place where the Sabbath is held isn't far from us, the journey isn't safe, and you're not a member of the Truth Society..."

"Oh, so it's because I'm useless now." Iris interrupted Linton with a hollow laugh, but there was no hint of happiness in her eyebrows or the corners of her eyes.

She mechanically bent down and picked up the candies that had fallen to the ground.

"If you don't want to go, then don't. Who cares about going?"

"No one would actually want to participate in a Sabbath that blasphemes against the gods, right? Right?"

"I hope you don't encounter any monsters recorded in the dangerous files on the way, and if you do, I hope you don't get beaten to death. And even if you do, I hope you don't die with your body intact!"

"Stop, stop, stop." Linton slapped his forehead. "We'll go together, we'll go together."

"Who wants to go with you!" Iris slammed the candy onto the table forcefully, its murky colored surface immediately cracking with various patterns.

"Anyway, I've been used up. Anyway, I can't protect you. Anyway, I'm not a member of the Truth Society. Why are you taking me? Hurry up, hurry up, get out, get out!"

Under extreme emotional fluctuation, Linton suddenly felt his connection with the doll girl weakening, his soul's fluctuations becoming unstable.

If this state continued, the summoning spell maintaining Iris's existence would be broken, and the person known as "Iris Lizer" would cease to exist in the world.

"Iris." Linton placed his hand on the girl's shoulder, turning her body to force her to look at him. "I'm sorry, that was my fault just now."

"It's not your fault, it's all mine." Iris continued to chuckle, her shoulders trembling uncontrollably. "I'm too weak, I'm too incompetent, I can't accompany you."

"Iris, look at me."

Iris reluctantly met Linton's gaze.

His eyes were beautiful, his pupils a deep black, like the boundless yet mysterious Endless Sea, drawing one in.

"I'm sorry." His voice was as soft as velvet, as gentle as luxurious Eastern silk. "I'm used to being alone, I'd forgotten what it felt like to travel with someone. But I know how damnable it is to ignore the feelings of a companion whose soul is tied to mine, someone I trust the most, especially when that companion is willing to give their life for me."

"Who's your companion! Who's willing to give their life for you!"

Iris's face flushed as if ignited by the fire of anger in her heart.

She immediately turned her head away, shouting urgently, "I'm just a doll, I can't bear the title of companion, and giving my life... how could you say such shameful words! My control is in your hands, if you die, can I still live?!"

Although her expression seemed like uncontrollable rage, her soul's fluctuations finally calmed down.

Linton let out a long sigh, chuckled, and ruffled her head. "Whatever the case, let's get ready, we're leaving."

Iris slapped his hand away. "Who wants to go with you."

"I'm a mage with no strength to even truss a chicken. If I encounter recorded dangerous creatures on the road, I'll have no resistance whatsoever, but I still want to live a few more years, so please, Miss Knight!"

"Don't! Call! Me! That!" Iris shouted back, furious and ashamed, each word spoken loudly.

"Let's go, let's go." Linton chuckled, put away the parchment, and called to the girl before heading out the door.

"What a thoroughly wicked bastard!"

Iris cursed him viciously under her breath, but obediently closed and put away her book. She then picked up the paper bag of candy, found a broken piece, and popped it into her mouth, crunching it between her teeth. Instantly, the taste of cheap saccharine filled her mouth.

"One day, I will be stronger than the peerless Knight Commander, stronger than the renowned Archmage of the continent, stronger than anyone, any country!"

"—No one will ever abandon me again! Not even a world created by gods can cast me aside a second time!!"

Outside, Linton caught a falling leaf from a tree and crushed it between his fingertips, then chuckled softly.

"A child's thoughts, quite cute. It would be even better if she didn't have such a fiery temper."

"Let's go."

Having composed herself, Iris walked out of the room.

Linton nodded, and the two walked side-by-side towards the village entrance.

"Oh, right, the candy, give me one, I haven't tasted anything sweet in a long time either."

"No way!"

"Didn't you say it tasted bad?"

"That's why I'm doing this for your own good, aren't you going to thank me quickly!"

"Thanks. So, can I have it now?"

"I already said!"

"No! Way!"