A loud, drawn-out creak echoed as the iron door opened.

As the scene inside slowly came into view, a sharp, unmistakable scent suddenly hit Irene’s nose. Instinctively, the fox raised her tail.

The source of the smell was...

"Delicious!"

"So soft and fluffy…!"

It was a faint, sweet aroma.

The room was quaintly decorated. In front of an antique dining table, familiar children were sitting together, enjoying themselves.

They were the foxes entrusted to Irene.

“It’s so sweet, it just melts in your mouth…”

“I could eat Teacher’s pies every day!”

“Mmm…!”

“It’s as good as the Captain’s cooking!”

The children chatted happily as they nibbled on the pies in front of them.

That must have been the source of the strong sweetness.

The foxes looked absolutely content.

Every time they brought a forkful to their mouths, their tails wagged happily. It was a scene that warmed Irene’s heart.

"...?"

A question mark seemed to hover over her head as she watched, taken aback by the completely unexpected sight.

The tension that had been building in her chest melted away.

“Looks like it’s snack time,” a voice suddenly said.

Turning around, she saw a golden-haired boy smiling brightly.

“Snack time?” she asked, confused.

“Yes, that’s my order. They get snacks three times a day, in addition to their regular meals.”

“Wait... three times? Isn’t that a bit much?”

“At their age, eating well and growing well is the most important thing.”

The boy nodded confidently.

“Don’t worry. The chef here is so skilled that even I’m impressed.”

She already knew the basement was large, but was there even a chef here?

The boy continued to explain with a satisfied look on his face.

“We manage not only their nutrition but also their body type and eating habits. You don’t need to worry about your siblings’ health.”

“...”

Irene could only listen in a daze, her dark eyes still shining but now filled with a kind of confusion.

The scene unfolding in front of her was so different from the grim images that had been troubling her mind.

‘This is... strange.’

Now she began to notice the details of the room—expensive-looking items, a soft carpet, toys scattered about.

Everything showed a thoughtfulness toward the children’s comfort.

She hadn’t known there were such meticulous touches here.

The care and comfort of the place made her feel slightly ashamed of her suspicions.

The children were doing well.

Quietly, the fox watched her siblings.

“…Irene?”

While she stood there, one of the children met her eyes.

That one word filled the room with excitement.

“What? Big sis is here?”

“Where?”

“She’s right there! Standing by the door—how did you not notice?”

“Oh wow, it really is her!”

“Looks like the Captain came along too!”

One by one, the children’s attention turned to her.

Irene smiled awkwardly.

“It’s been a while, everyone.”

The children’s faces lit up.

Setting aside their snacks, they ran over to her, filling her arms with warmth.

“Sis! We missed you…!”

“You came to see us, didn’t you? We’ve been waiting!”

“It’s been so long!”

“Where have you been?”

As the children chattered happily, a smile spread across Irene’s usually stern face.

“I missed you too.”

She opened her arms, gathering them close.

Irene, usually fierce and guarded, softened, smiling brightly—a look that might have seemed unfamiliar.

"…"

The tender reunion was a beautiful sight.

The golden-haired boy watched from a step back, not wanting to break the moment.

“Enjoy this time to the fullest.”

He murmured quietly before turning away, his steps leaving only a faint trace behind as he disappeared.

---

After subtly stepping away, while the foxes were busy reuniting in the other room, the boy sat at his office desk.

A faint sigh slipped from his lips.

“It’s been a while.”

Yes, he couldn’t remember the last time he had sat here.

Though he had set up a “Captain’s Office,” he hadn’t spent much time in it.

There weren’t even any real memories here to reflect on.

Letting go of idle thoughts, he looked up and saw a girl with silver hair, exuding a winter-like air—Neria Lightning, Astro’s Vice Captain.

“You called for me, sir.”

She stood at attention, eyes empty, like a hollow shell, or perhaps a doll on strings.

“There's something I’d like you to handle.”

“Anything you ask of me, I’ll gladly do.”

Right now, he had something else to address.

As he moved on to the topic, he spoke carefully.

“There’s been some talk going around recently.”

“Talk?” she repeated.

“Rumors about suspicious activity among heretics… demon worshippers. You must have heard it.”

“Yes, I have. I started hearing it a few months ago.”

“Thought so.”

So, things were finally in motion.

Considering the original storyline, their appearance was due—perhaps even a bit late.

“What about the other side?”

“Rumor has it that two underworld figures have joined forces. We haven’t discovered why yet.”

“A slave trader… and a warlord, I assume.”

“Yes.”

“So, it’s following the original plot.”

The Baobab Tree, the merchant, the king.

They were antagonists in the original story, yet nothing unusual had happened so far. Everything was following the storyline.

“Continue gathering information as usual.”

“Understood.”

“And increase patrols just in case… Oh, and one more thing.”

A thought crossed his mind, and he allowed himself a subtle smile as he looked her straight in the eyes, his voice cool.

“There was an incident today—some people tried to extort tolls on the main road.”

“…!”

“Is this a sign of lax management?”

“I-I apologize. I’ll address it immediately.”

“This was your responsibility. How should I feel about such mistakes?”

“It won’t happen again, sir.”

Neria’s cold expression visibly cracked, replaced by unease.

Why was she so afraid?

He had only meant it as a gentle reminder.

In his six-month absence, Neria had effectively overseen Astro’s operations and managed the city.

How could he scold such a capable person?

It was just a minor slip-up—he only wanted to express his concern.

“I have faith in you, my Vice Captain.”

“Please… don’t abandon me, sir…”

“Oh, come on… how could I abandon someone as capable as you?”

If she left, the organization would fall apart—she handled thirty percent of their operations alone.

“I just mean let’s try a bit harder.”

“Yes, sir…”

Did my words make her feel down?

Seeing her lower her head, he rose to reassure her.

“Don’t worry.”

“…!”

He gently patted her silver hair, taking care not to muss it.

Neria froze, shoulders trembling slightly.

“Ah…”

Every time his hand touched her hair, she seemed to relax, as if a long-buried tension was unwinding.

“You’ve worked so hard, haven’t you?”

"I’ll never let you go.”

His reassurance seemed to work, and slowly, her tense demeanor softened.

---

Meanwhile…

Irene, surrounded by the foxes, was swept up in the reunion, moving from one activity to the next.

Her siblings, clearly missing her, seemed unable to leave her side.

The basement was filled with the joyful laughter unique to children.

“Haah…”

After a whirlwind of activity, Irene took a break in a corner, catching her breath.

The young foxes, seemingly tireless, kept playing among themselves.

They ate well, slept well, and laughed freely.

Their balanced lives made them healthier than Irene had ever seen them. It was nothing like the cramped cage they had been trapped in before.

‘Thank goodness.’

Seeing them thriving brought a deep sense of relief, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.

‘All that worry… He really is helping them earnestly.’

Those sly, half-shut eyes didn’t seem as sinister anymore.

Though she had vowed never to trust humans again, Irene couldn’t deny she was grateful.

For a moment, she thought about the boy.

Then…

“You must be the guest the Captain brought in.”

“…?”

A rough voice spoke up.

Turning, she saw a man with bright red hair, looking middle-aged.

He had a sturdy build and carried himself with an understated strength.

“I’ve been wanting to meet you.”

“Uh…yes?”

“Let me introduce myself.”

He laughed heartily at Irene’s wary reaction, placing a fist over his chest as he spoke.

“I’m Kyle Stroban, head chef here, also responsible for watching over the children.”

“Oh.”

So this was the person the boy had spoken of so confidently. And he also served as a teacher?

Realizing this, Irene quickly greeted him.

“I’m Irene Foxis.”

“Haha! I’ve heard a lot about you from the kids.”

They exchanged a few words, and Irene took a closer look at him.

Bright red hair, blood-red eyes, arms lined with well-defined muscles, a cross-shaped scar on his cheek…

A chill ran down her spine.

‘Where did this monster come from?’

Her heart pounded. She’d met many powerful people, but in front of him, they all seemed to fade.

‘What is he…?’

It felt ominous.

Had he been hiding his strength this whole time? His presence seemed to grow stronger with each passing moment.

A memory surfaced—her teacher’s voice echoed in her mind.

“Irene, remember the man in this portrait well. If you choose the path of the sword, he’s a sky you’ll have to surpass someday.”

“He’s the only person in history to have touched the stars.”

Mem

ories she had thought forgotten played vividly in her mind.

The man in the painting was smiling—a young man with red hair.

And his name was…

‘Kyle Stroban.’

Though many years had passed, the familiarity was unmistakable.

Irene murmured, almost to herself, “…The Crimson Swordmaster?”

The strongest weapon of humanity.

A warrior who had graced countless pages of history with his unprecedented strength—a brilliant remnant of a bygone era.

The Swordmaster chuckled, seeming slightly embarrassed.

“Didn’t expect you to recognize me… haha! How embarrassing!”

He had confirmed it clearly.

“This can’t be…”

Irene murmured in disbelief. Why was a man who had once stood at the pinnacle of the continent now working in a criminal organization?

The question sounded like regret, but there was more to it.

“You were supposed to be…”

Shock, confusion, and suspicion clouded her mind. She murmured, almost to herself.

“I heard you died in an accident two years ago.”

Kyle Stroban, known as the “Crimson Swordmaster” or the “Fallen Star,” had hunted down countless dark mages and contributed immensely to peace on the continent over the past twenty years.

And, according to official records, he was dead.

“….”

“I’m just a humble chef now.”

His hearty laughter filled the room.

Irene found herself staring at a ghost—someone who shouldn’t be alive.

“Haha! This is all thanks to the Captain’s blessing.”

“What…?”

“Thanks to him, I’m still here.”

Once again, the “Captain” was mentioned.

With a quiet murmur, Kyle lowered his head in reverence, a deep respect clear on his face.

It was just like the other members of this place.

Frozen in place, Irene watched, chilled by the scene.

‘The slums, the criminal organization, the basement, cultists… and now the Empire’s lost hero.’

How far did their reach extend?

A cold unease crept down her neck as she thought of the mastermind who must be at the center of it all.

Swallowing dryly, she couldn’t shake the foreboding that gripped her heart.