When Iris (Rene) entered Catherine's bedroom, Catherine was already in full standby.
　There were two cups of hot milk on the bedside table.

"Now, will you tell me your story again this evening?
Hahaha ......

　--I've become very fond of you with just one little opportunity.

　It was the nightly routine of shuffling the real and shadow warriors. It has become an additional routine for Iris (Rene) to talk to Catherine while doing so.
　Now that Iris (Renée) was no longer a shadow, there was no need for them to be in the same room, but the evening chats continued at Catherine's request.

"Don't you want to hear from Benedict?
I want to hear what you have to say and I want to hear it from ...... you.
All right. So, today we're going to talk about fighting the goblins that have taken up residence in the old castle of the Marquess of Arawen.

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.
　The hot milk seemed to have the right amount of sugar and honey in it, making it sweet and warm.

　There was no need to worry about what to say.
　Rene, who is possessed by Iris, can access and read Iris's memories.
　As a fourth level adventurer, he is a normal adventurer. She fights named monsters (though they are much weaker than the Rose of Hell), explores off the beaten path, conquers dungeons, and does all the other activities that an adventurer should do. 　

　--The knowledge of an adventurer might be useful in the future. It's not a bad idea for me to salvage as much as I can.

　Memories and knowledge read during the possession will be stored in Renai's mind, but memories and knowledge not read will be lost when the possession is released.
　It is important for René to keep reading the memories of Iris as much as possible to increase his knowledge.

"At ....... I'm not sure what to make of that.
　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to get the best out of it.
"Oh, dear. How dumb.
Swarms of magical goblins use some pretty amazingly advanced traps. ...... I think I was just trying to emulate them.

　Catherine always listens intently to Iris (Rene).
　However, even though she is superficially calm, when it comes to the topic of magic,......, Iris's (Rene's) ability to perceive emotions detects that her heart is in turmoil, especially when it comes to Iris's use of magic.

"You don't want to talk about magic?
"What ......?

　In the event that you've got a lot more than one, you'll be able to get a lot more.

"......, hey Iris. I'm not sure what to say.　I'm not sure if I'm reacting that clearly.
Not really, but it's kind of ......

　You can't say, 'I'm reading your emotions with my Abyss Spirit ability.

　Catherine's eyebrows were furrowed and she had a difficult look on her face, but then she seemed to give up and shouted.

"Yes, you're right!　I can't use magic like my mother!
　I can't use magic like my mother! All my brothers can use magic to help them with their swordsmanship, but I can't!
　So whenever I hear about you using magic, I hate myself for not having the talent. ...... That's all. It's not that I don't like Iris' stories.

　It's not that I don't like Iris's stories, it's just that Iris's stories hit a nerve with Catherine.

　--Peaceful trouble, isn't it ......

　I'm a little bit jealous and a little bit annoyed.
　I'm sure you'll be able to understand what I mean.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.
It's nothing.
If you have something to say, say it!

　She grabbed the face of Iris (Rene), who tried to look away, and forced her to face her.
　You'll find a lot of people who've been in the same boat as you.

I was just thinking how happy I am that my mother is here.

　These were the words of Iris, but also the words of Rene.
　Iris was a war orphan. She had lost her parents and was living in an orphanage run by the temple, but when Diana happened to visit her, she saw her talent for magic and sent her to a sorceress who was a friend of hers for training.
　As for Rene, of course, it goes without saying.

　The simple words of Iris (Rene).
　It was as sharp as it was simple.
　Catherine had a look of 'oh no' on her face, and then dejected.

So ...... is that right? I think Iris lost her parents,.......
　I'm sure you'll agree that it's a luxury to talk about this in front of someone like you.

　But Iris (Rene) shook her head.

I think ...... I'm unhappier than you, but I won't deny you your unhappiness because of it.
　It may be to a different degree and in a different direction. But everyone is different and everyone is unhappy.
"Iris ......

　These were not the words of Iris, but rather the words of Rene.

　Rene is a revenger. He laments his unhappiness and seeks revenge on those who have brought him misfortune.
　That is why René does not deny the misfortune of others.
　If he says, "Don't worry about it," he may be denying his own misfortune as well.

Thanks a lot.
"Don't worry about it. Don't worry about it. I'm just saying what I think.

　Catherine, who had been wearing a relieved expression, suddenly turned serious and looked at me.

What's wrong with you?
"Iris, we can talk about our adventures later. Why don't you tell me all about yourself?


Does that mean you're talking about your background or something?
No!
　I don't hear any words from Iris about trying to make me understand her at all.
　It's as if she's given up on trying to be friends with me from the start, which makes me feel a little bad!
I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to try.

　Iris (Rene) is at a loss for words.
　...... sharp.

　--Because you can't help it: ......!　I'm not sure what to make of it.
　　　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm sure you'll understand.

　So I was careful not to get into it too much, but it seems that my defensive attitude was seen through.

"There you go again!　You're rubbing your shoes together when you're in trouble.
"Oh. I'm sorry. ......
　I'm sorry, but I feel like if I have a thought stuck in my chest, it's like my body isn't in place. ......
"Fix it. I don't have any of those habits. ......" You said that three times.

　In the manner of a manners teacher, Catherine pointed firmly at Iris's feet.

　--I'm sorry. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. I'm sure we'll be fine now that we're working separately, but I'll be careful. ......
　　　It's not easy to go undercover.

"Iris ......, you know I'm going to King's Landing soon, don't you?
Yes.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　It seems that Hilbert has asked the families of the lords to live in the capital. I heard that the notice was issued rather soon after Hilbert took control of the government.

　The reasons seem to be listed in various ways, but Japanese who have a little bit of history can understand what they are trying to do. The purpose was to prevent rebellion by taking the families of the lords as hostages. In the Edo shogunate, it was called the daimyo witness system.
　Oswald would have liked to refuse, but if he did, he would have been considered "rebellious". He procrastinated and procrastinated, citing the battle against the Night Python as the reason, and then couldn't procrastinate any longer and was planning to leave the day after tomorrow.

"Then we won't be able to chat every night. We'll just have to say goodbye until Iris comes to visit.
Didn't ...... just confirm that I'm coming to visit?
Come. I'll buy you a cup of tea. I'll tell Benedict to make sure you come to me.

　Catherine looked smug, as if this was checkmate.
　But unfortunately, that's not the future. By that time, Iris will no longer exist in this world.

It's not that I won't see you forever, but I'd like to get to know you a little better before I say goodbye.

　Catherine leaned forward and looked into Iris's face.
　Her face is reflected in her large ashen and red eyes.

　--The color of the ashes and the red like fire. ......
　　　It reminds me of cremation. It's a bad omen for me (the undead).

Iris. Do you have any friends?

　That's what Catherine suddenly asks.

"Your friends: ......

　Suddenly, Iris (Rene) thinks.
　Choujiro, a past life who lived on earth. Rene, the soul. Iris, the body.
　These words are a bit distant for all of them.

　Choujiro has been estranged from his friends from his school days since he became an adult. He did not have enough friendships with people at work to call them 'friends'.
　Rene was often bullied for his silver hair and eyes, and because his mother lived a secluded life, he never had any friends.
　And Iris, ......

"The Dragon's Throat guys are my buddies, and then there's ...... a lot of people I know from work, I guess.
"So you don't have any.

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm sure you'll understand.

I'm sure you've got a lot of people who know you.
It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　I'm not sure I understand what you mean.

It's exhausting!　If I make one mistake with my friends, they are bound to make fun of me behind my back. I can't even taste the sweets we eat together if I'm so careful not to make any mistakes.
　Besides, everyone wants to take turns according to your father's rank and family status. ...... Socializing is a battle!

　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　It seems that upper class relationships involve troublesome political maneuvering, even between children.
　As a countess who lives a life of splendor that separates her from the commoners, she too has her own troubles due to her position.

"After all, everyone is different and everyone is unhappy.
"That's right. But that's why I think it's important to have friends who aren't unhappy.

　Gray and red eyes look at Iris (Rene).

"Would you like to be my friend?

　The words were like a sweet and sour confession of love from a young girl.
　Catherine seemed to be a little nervous.



　--Now, how to answer.

　Iris (Rene) ponders for a moment how she should respond.
　Right now, she's just borrowing Iris's body to work on the Night Python bloodbath. When all is said and done, she will disappear and never be seen again.
　In the first place, Catherine wants to be friends with Iris, but the person she is talking to now is just the grudge spirit (Rene) that possessed Iris.
　So, there is no way she can really be friends with Catherine.

　...... There is no way.

　If that's the case, you can prepare a makeshift answer until you break up with Catherine.
　But what kind of answer would be appropriate?

　While I was pondering for a while, there was a knock at the bedroom door.

"My Master, it's time.

　The maidservant had come for her.
　The time for chatter is over. It's time for Katherine to sleep and for Iris (Rene) to become a mysterious ninja. Iris is still using the guest bedroom instead of the party room, because she'll be called back as a shadow warrior if anything happens. It was fortunate that it was easy to get out.

Oh my god, I'm so slow. ......
　Iris. We'll talk about this tomorrow. You'll have to think of a response.
"Uh, ......, okay.

　--That's good. I'll think of something to say by tomorrow.

　I'll think of something to say by tomorrow. No, even if it's a minefield answer, it'll be okay anyway, since Catherine will be leaving soon anyway, said Iris (Rene), calculating.

So, ...... I'll see you tomorrow, right?
"Yes.

　In the event that you've got a lot of time, you may want to take a look at a few of these.

　And that was their farewell.