Kyle's daughter awakened without incident.

He’d been worried about possible aftereffects, but thankfully, she seemed to be recovering in good health, largely due to her father’s dedicated care.

And so, a new family member was added to Astra.

---

“Dad! Today, I want to play with my friends!”

“Good heavens, Ailyn… Are you really leaving your poor old dad behind to go play with other kids? Are you already tired of me?”

“That’s not it!”

“Then, why…?”

“Because when I'm with you, you carry me on your shoulders all day and won’t put me down! I want to walk on my own!”

“Well, that’s just because I’m afraid you might get hurt walking…”

“Hmph! I don’t care! Today, I’m going to play with my friends!”

“E-Ailyn…”

Watching Ailyn turn and walk off, leaving her father looking completely dejected, I couldn’t help but chuckle, patting Kyle’s shoulder sympathetically.

“Raising a child after so long doesn’t seem easy, does it?”

“…Commander…”

Kyle’s red eyes met mine, and I held back my laughter, offering a few words of comfort.

“Don’t be too disheartened.”

“…”

“Think of it as a blessing. To see her with such a bright smile, despite everything she’s been through… it’s a miracle.”

“You’re absolutely right… It’s a miracle I’ll never see again in my life.”

“She’s truly a wonderful child.”

“I know that all of this is thanks to you, Commander. I can’t imagine how I’ll ever repay this debt…”

“Let’s keep the tearful speeches to a minimum, shall we?”

Lately, this had been a recurring problem. For someone once hailed as the mightiest on the continent, Kyle had developed a habit of tearing up every time we made eye contact, overwhelmed by his emotions.

“Please, try to hold it together.”

“…I’ll do my best.”

---

Watching Ailyn adjust to her new life was surprisingly heartwarming. While Astra’s base was perhaps a bit dreary for a young child, she was surrounded by people who loved her, which would hopefully make up for it. I might even spend some money to brighten up the headquarters, making it a bit more child-friendly.

Kids need good things around them as they grow up. Otherwise, they might end up as troubled adults—like me.

---

“Ailyn! Let’s play!”

“Anne, I’m hiding for hide-and-seek! Don’t let them find me!”

“Hehe! Let’s hide where the instructors are!”

“Hey! That’s cheating!”

The other little foxes welcomed Ailyn with open arms. They played together effortlessly, bonding in that easy way children do. Watching them, I couldn’t help but smile.

*It was worth the effort.*

Although I’d paid a price and coughed up blood for the effort, I could see the kids’ smiling faces and felt it had been a choice well made.

“Now, children, make sure you don’t get hurt while you’re playing.”

“Look! It’s Commander!”

“Wow! Commander! Play with us!”

“Don’t be silly. Commander is always busy!”

“Look, Irene is here, too! If you play with us, we’ll let you marry her later!”

“Hey! You can’t just give my sister away like that!”

The children’s innocent squabbles made me chuckle.

“What’s this? Marry Irene? That sounds like an interesting offer!”

“Right? I’ll put in a good word for you with her!”

“Then let’s make it a fun day!”

---

A few days of peaceful daily life passed, and soon, Irene and I were ready to head back to the Academy.

Having been away for a week, it was time to return, and Irene would accompany me. We were waiting for the carriage.

“Are you leaving?”

“Neria.”

Standing by the steps, I turned to see Neria looking rather downcast, her silver hair drooping as if weighed down by sadness.

As if trying to console her, I reached out and gently patted her head.

“There are things I need to take care of.”

“Yes… I know.”

“I’m leaving Astra in your hands. Thanks to our capable deputy, I can leave without worry.”

“…Thank you.”

Neria’s cheeks flushed, and her hands clasped together as she glanced shyly downward. The warmth in her expression was touching.

---

With that, we received parting words from the other members as well.

“Take care, Commander!”

“Don’t let yourself get into any trouble out there!”

“Call on us whenever you need.”

After bidding farewell to each one, I prepared to step into the carriage when I heard a voice behind me.

“Brother!”

Turning, I saw a young girl with bright brown eyes looking up at me.

“Anne.”

The little girl approached, her small steps quick and light, and then, with a hesitant look, she reached out and wrapped her arms around me.

“So bold, to say goodbye with such a sudden hug!”

“Hehe.”

With a carefree laugh, she held on tightly, her warmth seeping into my chest.

“Uncle Kyle told me something.”

“What did he say?”

“He said that once you go back to the Academy, I might not see you for a while. So if I have anything I want to say, I should say it now!”

“Our chef explained that well.”

It was true. Though Anne was staying with us temporarily, she’d soon have to return to her family.

“I’ll be going back to my family soon, huh…”

Baron Frank’s estate was located in a remote countryside village. Just to get to the capital by carriage would take at least a month. 

But that wasn’t the only reason I’d decided that parting was for the best.

*I hope we never cross paths again.*

I wanted Anne to live a normal life. She had just awoken from a horrible nightmare, and I wished for her to experience peace and happiness with her family.

Astra was ultimately a criminal organization. For a fifteen-year-old girl, it was a world far too dangerous to be a part of.

“As much as we have times of meeting, there must also be times of parting.”

“I know.”

Anne nodded, her voice steady.

“So… since this might be the last time, I really wanted to tell you something.”

She looked up at me, a pure, radiant smile spreading across her face.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I can hope again.”

“…”

“It was so scary and painful, and I was so lonely… Thank you for reaching out to me in that darkness.”

Her words carried warmth, sincere gratitude folded neatly into every syllable.

---

Looking at her now, I realized just how much had changed.

In the original storyline, this young girl would have been crushed without mercy. But now, she’d been given a chance to live a new life.

“Anne.”

Bending down to meet her gaze, I gently poked her cheek with my finger, the softness of her skin pressing against my fingertip.

“Never give up hope.”

Children don’t often remember their early years, and that forgetfulness is both a curse and a blessing that adults carry with them. I hoped Anne would grow, meet people, and live a long, fulfilling life, forgetting the pains of her childhood.

“No matter what hardships come your way, remember this: the more you endure, the more a brighter tomorrow awaits.”

---

“Anne, you can become anything you want. You can dream of anything, and you have the potential to be anything you wish to be.”

Children are infinite possibilities.

And this possibility was my gift to her—a chance to live a life of endless opportunities.

“So become someone wonderful.”

---

As I looked back, I whispered softly.

“To my beloved little writer.”

“That alone would make me feel as if I had the whole world.”

Her eyes sparkled with warmth as she smiled back.

“Yes, Brother…!”

A light that pierced through the darkness of the world.

“I’ll do it! I’ll grow up to be someone amazing, and I’ll come back to see you and Sister!”

“I’m looking forward to it already.”

Turning to go, I headed for the steps and the waiting carriage.

“Farewell, then.”

---

“Goodbye!”

Hearing her cheerful voice behind me, I carried the memory of that sweet sound with me as I climbed into the carriage.

---

The journey to the Academy took a full day, and by the time the serpent and fox returned, it was deep into the night.

Irene looked out at the quiet Academy, enveloped in a serene peace that made the events of the past few days seem like a distant dream. In this calm stillness, Irene found herself lost in thought.

---

Inside the quiet dormitory, she gazed out the window, her mind elsewhere, before suddenly turning to the golden-haired boy sleeping on the sofa.

“…Are you asleep?”

There was no response, only the quiet sound of his breathing.

Irene relaxed, sitting beside him and taking in his peaceful face as he slept.

The boy exuded an air of mystery, even as he slept. There was no hint of slouching, no crease in his clothing—only an unbroken sense of poise and grace.

“A remarkable person indeed.”

As she watched, she thought back to the words he had spoken to her days ago.

---

"Irene, if there is any way to ease your suffering, I will do everything in my power to help."

It was a kind, sincere whisper that had etched itself into her mind.

Her hand clenched, her thoughts returning to a question she still hadn’t resolved.

*Why does this person care about me so much?*

Reflecting on his countless acts of kindness, she found herself caught in a tangle of emotions.

---

Her mistrust of humans remained

 strong, but… she felt an urge to understand him, the mystery behind his selfless actions.

---

“Never mind.”

Unable to reach any conclusions, she simply set it aside once more.

Carefully, Irene took a blanket and draped it over the boy’s knees, tucking him in with a soft, whispered goodnight.

“Sleep well.”

In her own way, it was a quiet expression of gratitude.