The rooftop of the furnace.

I stood there, gazing at the mesmerizing sight of the ever-burning logs intertwined with the incessantly falling snow, lost in thought.

It had been a week since the Inquisitor's invasion. Thanks to the near-flawless strategy of the Deputy Commander and the Captain’s efforts, the residents of Londan were largely unharmed. However, there were casualties within the order, and several buildings had been destroyed in the process, leading to significant resource expenditure.

But as with any hardship that does not kill, it strengthens. I firmly believed that Londan would emerge even stronger from this event.

Since that day, I hadn't seen the Hunter. I tried asking around to clear up the misunderstanding, but no one had seen him. I wondered if he had left Londan, but I remembered his fondness for Agarta, so I doubted he would leave just yet. Likely, he was merely hiding from me, frustrated enough to erase any trace of his presence.

It was a troubling situation.

"Raydan."

Lost in thought while watching the rooftop, I turned at the sound of a voice. It was Asti, now inhabiting the Inquisitor’s body.

"Hm?"

"You don’t look at ease."

"I need to find the Hunter soon. It weighs on my mind."

"If it’s you, Raydan, you can resolve anything."

I had given Asti her freedom some time ago, yet she hadn’t changed her routine. Every morning, she woke me up, prepared my breakfast, and followed me everywhere. The only difference was that now, without the Inquisitor’s chains, she didn’t attack me. Instead, she often watched me with a soft smile, particularly when she greeted me in the mornings.

In the past, Asti’s youthful form had allowed me to affectionately pat her head. But now, with the Inquisitor's alluring physique, it was far more complicated. And as her hair gradually turned a strange shade of brown, it became harder to convince myself that it was merely the Inquisitor’s body.

No matter her motives, Asti now called me Raydan, a shift from the previous “Master.”

"Sir Tanton!"

A passing Knight spotted me, eyes lighting up with delight before snapping a salute.

That, too, had become a problem. After my recent exploits against the Inquisitor, I’d been promoted to Knight. Yet, my fellow Knights treated me as if I were of a much higher rank.

The Knight lowered his salute with a beaming smile. "Have a great day, sir!"

This was starting to feel like the kind of treatment a veteran might receive back in America. It occasionally sent shivers down my spine.

Time to head to the Deputy Commander’s office and then to the library. Defeating the Inquisitor had afforded me some breathing room. I had acquired her ability, absorbing pain to grow stronger. Now, I needed more information for my final target: the Giant of the Snow Mountains.

I stood before the Deputy Commander’s office, knocking gently on the door.

"Deputy Commander, it’s Raydan Tanton."

For some reason, there was no response, only strange clattering sounds coming from inside. Concerned, I grabbed the door handle.

"Deputy Commander! I’m sorry, but I’m coming in!"

"No, wait!"

"I can’t wait if you’re in danger!"

The Deputy Commander’s voice sounded frantic, but I pushed the door open, prepared for anything.

"Deputy Commander, are you—"

The scene before me left me speechless: an overturned chair, a pile of scattered papers, and the Commander, looking flustered with a biscuit stick between his lips, nearly atop the Deputy Commander.

"Oh."

The Deputy Commander shouted, "Enough of that look! Help me get the Commander off!"

I almost wanted to back out, feeling like I had walked into a very private moment. But this was none of my business.

"Enjoy your time together, Deputy Commander. I’ll be heading to the library."

"Stop right there!" he yelled, but I closed the door behind me and left, granting them their privacy.

At the library, I went straight to the Saint, who seemed curious about Asti. After explaining her situation, he looked thrilled.

"So the Inquisitor swapped bodies with the child to survive, and now the child’s soul inhabits the Foreign Entity’s body, creating a half-Foreign Entity state?"

"Yes, as you can see, Asti’s presence doesn’t cause any mental corruption."

The Saint leapt up with excitement. "A half-Foreign Entity created this way? Incredible! I’ve never heard of such a phenomenon!"

"Quiet down," the librarian scolded, prompting the Saint to sit back down sheepishly.

"Sir Tanton, would you allow me to document this for my theories?"

"I don’t mind, but you should ask Asti first. She’s no longer bound as my maid."

The Saint looked over at Asti, who, though a bit confused, met his gaze.

"Asti, right?"

"Maid… is fine."

Asti’s quiet response caught me off guard. Despite no longer wearing a maid’s uniform, she still identified herself that way.

The Saint clasped her hands in his, barely containing his excitement. "Please, may I include your story in my research? It’s a discovery that could advance humanity!"

"If Raydan says it’s okay, then yes."

I could only hope Asti would develop more self-assuredness soon.

"Fine by me. It’s common knowledge among the Knights of Londan now, anyway."

The Saint nearly wept with gratitude. I shrugged it off. It was an honor for me, but to others, it was likely a passing curiosity.

"Sir Tanton, what brings you to the library?"

"I’m looking for information on the Giant of the Snow Mountains."

"I have excellent resources on that! Come by tomorrow, and I’ll have them prepared for you."

It’s good to have connections. Without them, I’d be buried in books on my own.

"Thank you, Saint."

"It’s nothing compared to the information you’ve given me."

The Saint’s gratitude was almost tangible. As he turned, I noticed a heavy red aura around his lower back. It looked quite uncomfortable.

"Hold on, Saint."

"Yes?"

I placed a hand near the aura, absorbing it as he looked on, bewildered. The familiar searing pain traveled up my arm, invigorating me. When I was done, the Saint stood up, moving his back with newfound ease.

"Wha—Sir Tanton! How did you do that?"

"It’s a secret," I replied, hastily leaving the library to avoid further questions. “It’s the power of Foreign Entities” wasn’t exactly something I could say.

Back at the Deputy Commander’s office, I found the Commander and the Deputy Commander with markedly different expressions. The Deputy Commander looked a bit sour, while the Commander seemed absent-minded.

"You’re writing a whole novel in your head, Raydan Tanton," the Deputy Commander muttered.

"So you enjoyed it then, Deputy Commander…."

"Ahem! Let’s drop this subject."

Blushing, he handed me a piece of paper. "I meant to tell you this before you dashed off. We have news of a rebellion."

My grip slackened as I read the words. "A rebellion? Led by the Hunter?"