The sky was raging with a snowstorm, and the winds howled from afar.

The temperature was so cold that it seemed capable of instantly draining the warmth from any living creature, and there was no food to be found. This place was truly a land of death.

The snowy mountains.

Marenne was there, on this deadly terrain, with a coalition of high-ranking officers from the knight's order, led by the knight commander herself.

The reason for their presence was the emergence of an incredibly powerful foreign entity near the snowy mountains.

Although there were already countless foreign entities outside the blizzard zone of Rondan, this particular one was dangerous enough to warrant a direct order from the princess. If left unchecked, it was feared that this foreign entity would not only grow to the level of a higher foreign shard but also begin directly threatening the human world, much like the Giant of the Snow Mountain.

Thus, the high-ranking officers of the knight's order braved the deadly cold to confront this entity, and they succeeded in eliminating it.

With the knight commander’s power, it was possible to fight even against a higher foreign shard. While the knight commander dealt with the main entity, Marenne, under her command, took out all the lesser shards. Though the battle wasn’t easy, they emerged victorious.

Sitting on the ground, Marenne smiled as she watched everyone cheer and celebrate their victory.

Someone sat beside her.

It was the knight commander.

“Haha, vice commander, you did well. Honestly, I can’t even imagine how this knight order would function without you.”

“Thank you, commander. But what are you saying? It was all thanks to your capable leadership and strength.”

“Now, now, don’t say that. I’m not that exceptional, and even if I were, leadership is worthless if no one follows.”

The knight commander looked at Marenne with a satisfied smile, full of praise.

“Thanks to you, I was able to deal with the foreign shard without worry. I’ll suggest to the princess that you be rewarded when we return.”

“It would be an honor.”

Marenne showed the knight commander the minimal politeness the situation allowed. Given the location, they needed to return to Rondan as soon as possible. While some of the officers were still laughing and in high spirits, there were plenty of soldiers forcing smiles despite their exhaustion.

The knight commander, however, remained silently gazing at the snowy mountains.

“Commander, we need to head back. The troops are worn out.”

“Vice commander.”

Marenne had been urging the knight commander to leave, but something about the tone in which she called her name sent a shiver of unease through her.

The knight commander pointed toward the distant Giant of the Snow Mountain.

“What would you say if I suggested we take a crack at that giant while we’re here? Am I crazy?”

“Commander!”

For the first time, Marenne raised her voice in stern opposition, abandoning her usual respectful tone.

It was only natural. After all, they were talking about the Giant of the Snow Mountain.

To humans, it was even more dangerous than most higher foreign entities, and the area around the giant was so hazardous that even their protective barriers could barely hold up.

“You don’t need to shout. I can hear you.”

“Commander, this is reckless!”

“I know. It’s reckless.”

Despite Marenne’s protests, the knight commander showed no signs of backing down. Marenne racked her brain, trying to think of a way to persuade her logically.

“Vice commander, but let me ask you this.”

However, Marenne was rendered speechless by what the knight commander said next.

“I don’t mean to boast, but I recently defeated a higher foreign shard. Not only that, but you and Mu-shin have grown strong enough to stand toe-to-toe with me, and even White Mask can hold her own against higher shards for a while.”

“But that doesn’t mean—”

“How long must we continue bowing our heads and living in fear of these so-called foreign entities?”

The knight commander’s voice was firm, and there was a resolute fire in her eyes.

It was the same look that had convinced Marenne to follow her without question when they first met—the look of someone who could accomplish anything, and who actually did.

“Of course, while I say all this, I’d prefer you stay in Rondan.”

“…Why? Where you go, I follow.”

“Who would take care of the knights? The princess would have a hard time managing those rascals on her own.”

The knight commander chuckled, as if she were making a joke, but Marenne felt only frustration. How could she speak so lightly of a mission that could cost her life?

“Hey, commander! What are you two talking about? Are we not heading back?”

Mu-shin approached the knight commander and Marenne.

Of all the people who could have overheard this conversation, it had to be him.

“Mu-shin, I’ll warn you once—leave.”

“Come on, vice commander, why so uptight? We already won!”

“Mu-shin.”

But it was too late. The moment the knight commander said Mu-shin’s name, it was over.

“What’s up, commander?”

“I should tell you, too.”

The knight commander pointed to the distant Giant of the Snow Mountain. Mu-shin tilted his head, not understanding at first, but then the knight commander, with a satisfied smile, said:

“I’m going to take down the Giant of the Snow Mountain.”

“What? What are you talking about, commander?!”

As expected, Mu-shin responded with enthusiasm.

“Aren’t you tired of bowing to these foreign shards? Why not just eliminate the source of the problem?”

“Man, that’s bold! But isn’t that a bit too reckless? We could die.”

Though he said this, Mu-shin’s face was already lit up with excitement, eager to jump into battle.

Once Mu-shin had that look, there was no stopping him.

“I won’t die.”

The knight commander wouldn’t die. But against the Giant of the Snow Mountain, even immortality might not matter, and the knight commander knew that.

“Hey, just because you’re immortal doesn’t mean we are!”

“Are you not coming?”

The knight commander knew exactly how to handle Mu-shin.

Her challenge was almost a taunt, and Mu-shin grinned, lifting his axes high into the air.

“You’re asking me to sit out a fight?!”

Mu-shin’s shout drew the attention of all the soldiers, who began to gather around. Yet, even as the crowd grew, he wasn’t done speaking.

“Even if death comes for me, I’ll fight. No, I’ll fight even after death if it means protecting Rondan and my daughter! I’d give my life without hesitation, commander!”

Mentioning his daughter—nothing stirred the hearts of knights like that.

Inevitably, another knight raised his arm and called out:

“Commander! Are you really planning to take on that giant?”

“I am.”

“And you weren’t going to tell us? I’m hurt!”

Knights, after all, were a group bound by the desire to protect their land, their leader, and their families, no matter the cost. If risking their lives meant ensuring that, they would never hesitate.

“Haha, I was going to tell you once the decision was final.”

“Commander!”

Despite my desperate plea, the knight commander only looked back at me with a wistful smile.

“Take care of Rondan, Vice Commander Marenne. If I return…”

The knight commander trailed off, muttering something. Marenne, the only one who heard it, remained silent, a single tear slipping down her face.

Afterward, the knight commander did something uncharacteristic—she blushed slightly and smiled.

“With White Mask by your side, you can do anything. Just hold on until I return…”

With that, the knight commander gave her final orders to Marenne.

There was no stopping her now.

“Hey, commander! We packed plenty of food! This foreign shard’s meat could make for a decent meal after we chop it up, huh?”

Mu-shin was already preparing by butchering the foreign shard they had slain, wrapping the meat for transport.

It was clear.

They were ready to go.

“…I did tell you not to go.”

“Yes, it’s my decision.”

“I clearly told you not to.”

“I know.”

“So…”

Tears finally spilled from Marenne’s eyes as she spoke.

“Please return safely, commander! I’ll be waiting for your return!”

For the first time in her life, Marenne, who had never shed a tear during all her years of harsh training, cried openly.

The knight commander, surprised by the sight, briefly opened her mouth in astonishment. Then, with a look of certainty, she smiled.

“Yes, I’ll return. To your side.”

With that, the knight commander, alongside Mu-shin, set off to slay the Giant of the Snow Mountain.

And that was the last anyone saw of the knight commander and Mu-shin.