There was a child.

Not one born into wealth, but still, one who lived happily enough in a home rich with love. The child had no mother. She had passed in an accident before the child had formed any lasting memories of her. There were two older siblings, but they were often away, focused on their studies and future, rarely returning home.

Yet, the child didn’t feel deprived. That was because the child’s father gave all his love and care, nurturing the child with everything he had.

"I'm home!"

"Dad!"

The father was a hunter. He would often return with serious injuries, which made the child wonder if something dangerous had happened. But the father always brushed it off, claiming that his job was simply hunting animals.

"You’re hurt again! I told you to stay away from dangerous places!"

"Ha! This is nothing! Just a scratch that'll heal after a night’s rest."

"Who’s the one groaning in pain all day, then?"

"Ahem, isn’t it a child’s duty to take care of their parent in times like this?"

"Oh, really! If it happens again, I’ll lock myself in my room all day."

"Ah, anything but that! Life without seeing your face would be worse than death!"

The child always sighed at the father’s playful attitude. But the love was mutual. Whenever they ate the game he brought home, the child was happiest.

"Are you doing well in school?"

"Of course. Unlike you, I have plenty of friends!"

"That’s good. I don’t need friends as long as I have my child."

"Oh, stop with that sweet talk already."

Their evenings together, filled with small talk and laughter, were the most joyful moments in the child’s life.

One day, all three siblings were home, and the house bustled with energy for the first time in a while. The child loved the lively atmosphere.

"Today’s your lucky day! I caught a moose!"

Their father returned, dragging a massive moose behind him, clearly excited. It was the biggest catch the child had ever seen—an animal much larger than the rabbits and weasels they usually ate. It felt like one of those rare days of pure happiness.

And that’s when tragedy struck, without warning.

The child returned from a walk to find their home in ruins. The house was demolished, the siblings’ bodies nowhere to be found, and their father—his chest torn open—was barely conscious, staring blankly ahead.

A passerby explained. It had been the work of a Foreign Entity, a human-sized monster that rampaged through the house in a fit of fury.

But where was the Knight Order? They had left Londan unprotected, focusing on hunting a Foreign Entity that had appeared near the Giant of the Snow Mountains, leaving the citizens vulnerable.

Yet, instead of blaming others, the child let pure rage fester within. Yes. If it weren’t for the Foreign Entities, this family could have lived peacefully. They were the ones forcing us into this corner.

Just as the father had become a hunter for his child’s sake, the child vowed to become a hunter for revenge.

"Little one."

"Go ahead and cry as much as you need."

"…Hmph."

The Hunter awoke with a jolt in the rattling train, his expression sour as he stared out the window. His dreams had been changing lately. Always, at the end of those nightmares that haunted him, that man would appear.

What was worse was how that man’s gestures, irritating as they were, now carried a warmth he didn’t want to acknowledge.

"…Damn it."

"I told you already, we’re from Londan!"

"And do you really expect us to believe that when you arrived on a train stolen from Candle?"

"It was an emergency!"

"If you don’t have proof, we’re going to have a problem."

Agarta was locked in a heated argument with the gate guards. With no valid identification and having arrived on a stolen train, the guards had every right to be suspicious. Meanwhile, I remained inside, hidden. Agarta had warned me not to show myself, as word about me might have already reached this domain.

I found it hard to believe news could travel so fast from Londan. But then again, considering Agarta’s capabilities, maybe it wasn’t that surprising.

"Just let us in and I’ll prove it!"

"Everyone says that. Most of the time, when we investigate, they’re Candle’s men. If you’re really keen, we can detain you for questioning."

"Eek! How dare you threaten me with violence before I’ve even done anything!"

This could go on forever. Worse, if they got the wrong idea, we could be arrested and subjected to harsh interrogation. And I didn’t want Asti to be put through anything like that.

No choice, I’d have to step in.

"Ahem."

The two guards turned, frowning suspiciously as I stepped forward. Agarta glanced at me, confused, but I waved her off and handed something to the guards. As they inspected it, their expressions changed to one of surprise, quickly followed by respect.

"Isn’t this Sir Raydan Tanton?!"

"Why didn’t you say so earlier? We would’ve let you through right away!"

Fortunately, the gamble had worked. The guards hadn’t yet heard anything about the rebellion. Still, I knew we couldn’t risk being here too long, so I handed them some food from the train’s stores as a gesture of goodwill.

"Even if you hear strange rumors about me, don’t believe them. Trust only in Londan’s Knight Order. Understand?"

"Yes, of course, sir!"

Satisfied, they opened the gates with broad smiles. Simple-minded folk, really.

As I pushed Agarta into the domain, she shot me an incredulous look.

"Are you crazy?! How are you going to deal with the consequences of that?"

"At least we’re inside. Would you rather freeze to death outside?"

Agarta seemed to accept this point, but still grumbled under her breath.

"Lead the way now, if you please."

"Ugh! If this gets messy, don’t expect me to bail you out again!"

Smiling awkwardly, I followed her into the domain. Her pouting face reminded me of the time she sulked in the underground prison when I wouldn’t listen to her.

Finding a place to stay didn’t take long. A cloaked figure slipped Agarta some sort of voucher, which she used to secure a decent room for us. She always had ways of getting things done.

"There are two rooms. Perfect."

"Exactly. One for the guys, one for the girls."

I responded absently as I checked the room. The accommodations were surprisingly good, with comfortable beds. But as I turned to speak to Asti, I noticed she was staring at me, and I froze.

Whenever she looked at me like that, it was usually because she wanted something. I realized what she was thinking.

"Asti, no."

She continued staring.

"No matter how much you look at me, the answer is still no."

Her stare didn’t waver.

"Agarta, help me out here!"

I had no idea why she had suddenly become so clingy lately. I looked to Agarta for assistance, but she only smirked mischievously.

"Isn’t it just like you, Tanton, to charm even the Foreign Entities?"

…In the end, I managed to convince Asti to stay in Agarta’s room, though not without difficulty.

The next morning, the air was colder than usual. Though the knight’s uniform offered some warmth, it was unusually chilly. I wondered if this domain always had such harsh weather.

As I stepped outside to investigate, I heard a man running through the streets, shouting news that quickly gathered attention.

"The Hunter has failed his hunt!"