*Rustle, rustle.*

Gentle waves rippled around, their quiet sound filling the air.

A warm breeze stirred, causing crimson hair to flutter.

In the silence, only familiar solitude echoed.

It was a strange sight.

An endless expanse of water stretched out.

The sky-colored background was like an ocean.

A lonely scene.

---

"…"

The fox slowly opened her eyes.

What appeared before her blurry gaze was the dazzling blue of the sky.

An endless sea awaited her.

She felt something hard beneath her back.

Turning to look, she saw metal bars standing tall, surrounding her.

Their rusty surfaces bore the marks of age.

It was a small prison cell in the middle of the sea.

---

"Oh…"

The fox quickly realized it was a dream.

This same nightmare had plagued her for the past two years.

She knew the scene by heart.

She looked around, just to be sure.

The bars that confined her were solid and tightly placed. Beyond them, there was nothing—just the empty waves.

*Clang.*

She grabbed onto the bars behind her and pushed herself up, her hand pressing against the worn metal.

"Ugh…"

Her movements were unsteady.

The floor, submerged just beneath the water’s surface, left her ankles covered in waves.

Yet neither her clothes nor her tail got wet.

A sure sign that this was a dream.

---

*Whoosh…*

A sudden breeze brushed her cheek.

The familiar scent of salt filled her nose.

The cool air relieved her of some warmth. The fox frowned, feeling mocked by its gentleness.

"I'm so tired of this."

She murmured softly.

Leaning against the bars, her black eyes shimmered with anguish.

She looked as if she might break any moment.

This place was unbearably lonely.

It felt as if this entire scene existed just to isolate her.

Nothing but the sea in the background.

Not a trace of life around.

Utterly alone.

"I wish I could wake up."

The calm silence around her was beautiful, yet all the more torturous.

The fox waited quietly.

Hoping to wake from the nightmare.

Hoping that this gnawing emptiness would be filled.

---

The day after that nightmare, the fox went straight to find the snake.

She had a request.

He responded with a curious look.

"Irene?"

"It’s about the children. It’s been over a month since I’ve seen them. I want to check on them."

"Hm."

*Thud.*

The boy closed the book he was reading.

After a moment’s silence, as if lost in thought, he smiled faintly.

"Seems like you’re worried."

"Well… I can’t say I’m not."

"I understand. They must mean a lot to you."

"If you get it, then let me see them."

Irene’s response was as curt as ever.

In truth, there was some worry in her mind, but the longing to see them was greater.

Maybe it was because of the nightmare she’d had last night.

She wanted to see the children.

---

*Sister! Where have you been?*

*Dummy! Don’t hang on her, she’s tired!*

*They’re fighting again… please, tell them off.*

She longed to see their shining smiles.

To find an escape from the emptiness that suffocated her heart, making it hard to breathe.

Holding the children reminded her that she still had something to protect.

Something to keep her grounded.

"…Please."

Her voice was as sharp as usual, but there was a note of desperation.

After a thoughtful pause, the boy spoke.

"Hmm… well, sure."

"Really?"

"I was meaning to stop by anyway."

"…"

*Sway.*

Her tail, which had been limp, swayed with regained energy.

She didn’t seem aware, but her emotions showed clearly when she was happy.

A soft smile appeared on her face.

At the time, neither of us had any idea what awaited us.

The place where we were heading to see the children—

It was the city known as the Empire’s worst slum.

---

I agreed to Irene’s request to see the children.

I’d been thinking of visiting them myself, so I nodded readily.

It would’ve been lonely to go alone.

"Shall we head out, then?"

There was no reason to delay.

It was the weekend, so we left the academy and took a carriage to our destination.

After some time, we arrived at an alley.

---

"Sir, this is as far as the carriage can go."

The driver refused to go further.

It was an unspoken rule.

Whatever happened, no one went into the “city that never cried.”

The problem wasn’t just robbery or muggings… surviving the trip was uncertain.

So, we had to walk.

"There are really children here…?"

"I told you, didn’t I?"

"This is the slums."

"It’s safer than you think. Unless you don’t want to see them?"

"…Fine. Let’s go."

We walked side by side.

The deeper we went into the city, the more hazy our vision became, as if a frost glazed over our eyes.

It was a regional characteristic.

---

The city that never cried, *Lekeir*.

Regardless of the weather outside, a thick fog always lingered here.

It was a perfect nesting ground for scoundrels.

In other words, the place was lawless.

"There’s no way this is a safe place for kids…"

Irene’s brow furrowed.

She seemed to realize that this was no ordinary slum.

"Are you sure they’re in a safe place…?"

"Of course."

"These alleys are filled with killing intent. Isn’t this closer to a den of criminals?"

"The streets might be rough, but the place where your siblings are is perfectly safe."

"Hard to believe."

"Don’t worry. I assure you."

At least, that’s what I knew.

After all, they were people I’d raised.

There were few places on the continent as safe as this, I could say with confidence.

I smiled, hoping to ease her worries.

"They’re in a ‘good place.’ I sent them there myself."

"Could you please not say things like that?"

"Say what?"

"Never mind… forget it."

With a resigned look, Irene turned away.

She’d given up explaining.

What? What was wrong?

She could at least finish her sentence.

I was left thoroughly confused.

---

*Step, step.*

As we continued walking, we were suddenly blocked by shadows.

"Hey, you two. Stop right there."

A group of men emerged from the fog.

Each one wore a robe, with a sword in hand.

Typical thugs lurking in the alleyways.

I glanced around calmly.

*Nine of them.*

About that many were surrounding us.

The way they moved made it clear that this wasn’t their first time doing this.

Might as well hear them out.

---

"Hmm~ Gentlemen, what might you need?"

I asked in an exaggerated tone.

One of them stepped forward.

The same guy who’d told us to stop.

"Your clothes don’t look familiar."

"Of course not."

"You’re not from around here… you’re outsiders?"

"Correct. Just passing through on a little errand."

"Got guts, I’ll give you that."

As I answered nonchalantly, he let out a scoff.

He was likely amused by my confidence.

I could somewhat understand.

To them, I probably looked like a frail noble.

In a city rife with crime and murder, seeing a fool wandering around unguarded would make an easy target.

"Heh… never seen someone like you before."

"It’s an honor."

"We don’t intend to kill you. Just hand over 10 gold, and you can go."

"So, you want a toll fee."

"Exactly."

"Hmm."

I let out a small sigh.

There were still people going around collecting tolls?

And 10 gold at that—quite a hefty sum.

I’d thought I’d rooted them out six months ago, so where did they crawl out from this time?

*Maybe they got lazy while I was gone.*

I might as well take this chance to set things straight again.

As I pondered, Irene spoke up, glancing at me.

"What… are you going to do?"

"Hm?"

"They’re demanding a toll. And they’ve drawn their swords."

"Surely you’re not worried about me?"

"Stop talking nonsense."

Her brows furrowed, as if telling me not to act weak.

"…You could kill them all with a single gesture."

"Haha, true."

"But making a scene would be bothersome. I just asked if you had a plan to slip away."

"I suppose."

I shrugged lightly.

"Let’s wait and see for a moment."

"What are you planning now?"

"Who knows? Maybe a mysterious hero will come to our rescue?"

"Joking even in this situation…"

*Tap, tap, tap!*

Barely had she spoken when a sharp sound reached us.

Someone’s footsteps echoed on the ground.

Despite the distance, the intent to kill was palpable. They moved like a well-trained assassin.

It had been a while since I’d seen someone move like that.

---

"Looks like they’ve arrived."

In the next moment.

*Slice!*

A sharp, slicing sound rang out.

A few heads from the group—including the one who’d been talking—were now floating in the air.

Their heads had been cut cleanly.

"…?!"

The rest of the robed figures recoiled in shock.

But that didn’t mean they’d escape their fate.

*Whoosh!*

A shadow hidden

 in the darkness flickered like a cape.

It moved swiftly, striking like a beautiful iron flower blooming in the fog.

In an instant, the flash of two daggers flickered through the air.

The blades left trails in the mist, sharp and precise.

*Swish!*

Against the dark background, silver lines were drawn.

It was mesmerizing.

And brutal.

In those few seconds, as I watched the exquisite swordplay,

*Thud, thud…!*

The heads of the remaining thugs dropped to the ground.

The entire thing had lasted barely three seconds.

I smiled faintly.

"See? Someone did show up, didn’t they?"

Though I’m not sure if “hero” is the right word.

Irene didn’t seem to hear my light-hearted comment.

She was focused on something else.

"Irene?"

"…"

Her breaths were tense.

Following her gaze, I saw a woman standing among the corpses.

A woman radiating an eerie presence.

---

Long, flowing black hair.

Twin daggers in each hand.

A black mask covering her lower face.

She was a peculiar sight.

As soon as our eyes met, she started striding over.

"Oh, she’s coming…!"

Irene drew her sword and prepared her stance.

Perhaps overwhelmed by the woman’s aura, she was visibly shaken.

I reassured her calmly.

"Relax. She’s not our enemy."

"You know her?"

Irene looked stunned.

I wondered how to explain, but soon gave up.

It’d be easier to let her see for herself.

*Step, step.*

The woman was now just a few steps away.

Her killing intent was clear. She seemed ready to strike down anything in her path.

Then, right before reaching me, she stopped.

And then—

"Captain."

She dropped to one knee before me.

Setting down her weapons, she bowed in complete submission.

"I knew you’d return."

The black-haired woman murmured.

Her voice trembled with emotion.

Tears fell from her pale cheeks. She looked overwhelmed.

Her bowed head radiated reverence.

*…And this is exactly why I haven’t visited lately.*

A disciple’s excessive show of loyalty.

And the fox staring in shock.

Both gazes fixed on me.

Honestly.

It was unbearably awkward.