"Wow! It's the Commander!"

"It feels like it's been so long...!"

"We missed you!"

The children greeted me with excitement.

It seemed to be their free time, as they were all playing together. As soon as one little fox spotted me, the others gathered around.

Pitter-patter.

With their short legs, the young ones ran toward me. I opened my arms leisurely, welcoming them as they rushed into my embrace. Their warm bodies clung to me here and there.

"Have you all been well?"

"Yes!!"

Their reply came back with great energy—a typical, innocent atmosphere unique to children.

"Commander, Commander! What brings you here today?"

"You came to play with us, right?"

"Dummy! He came here to work! The teacher said we shouldn’t bother the Commander!"

"I'm not a dummy!"

"Yes, you are! You dummy!"

"Hey, guys... don't fight in front of the Commander."

Though they seemed to be bickering, it only showed how close they were. It was the kind of reaction you’d expect from friends their age. I looked on with a warm smile.

Listening to their chatter, Irene appeared and began to separate the children. She looked like a stern older sister dealing with mischievous siblings.

"Why are you all picking fights and clinging to the Commander?"

"Huh? It’s big sis!"

"You came too, didn't you?"

"Yay...! We missed you, sis!"

"W-wait, don't cling to me all of a sudden..."

Though she put on a serious expression, it seemed she couldn’t resist the affectionate onslaught of these little ones. The stern atmosphere quickly crumbled.

The girl sighed as if she couldn’t deal with it anymore and gave in, patting the heads of the kids who clung to her. The little foxes chirped around us.

"Heh."

Watching this scene, I thought to myself that whoever ended up with Irene in the future would have quite a task. They'd have to support all these foxes too.

‘It’s a far-off thought, but still.’

If a happy ending came to this world someday, everyone would live their own joyful lives. Some would surely meet and fall in love.

Though there was no romance in the original story, nothing said it wouldn’t happen after the ending.

When that time came, witnessing the stories of their happiness, the ones I never saw in my past life, would be satisfying.

‘Until then.’

I smiled faintly. As I casually made these remarks, Irene’s expression shifted to one deep in thought. Maybe it was because she was still young, and the concept of love was difficult for her.

Her cheeks turned a light shade of red, her ears perked up to the sky, and her tail swayed slightly. After a moment’s hesitation, she cleared her throat and asked,

"...What about you?"

"Hmm?"

"I was wondering what you think of it. Is it a problem if there are many kids?"

"Are you asking for my opinion?"

"Yes..."

So, she was interested in such things. I had always thought she had no interest in topics like this, given her stoic demeanor. This was unexpected.

But then again, maybe it shouldn’t have been surprising. She was a girl at a tender age, after all.

I answered with a soft smile.

"I like them. I think there’s always something to learn from children’s innocence."

"I-I see... so that's what guys think."

"It’s not true for everyone. Preferences vary from person to person."

"I understand."

Our light conversation continued.

As we spent time like this, someone appeared a short while later.

It was a middle-aged man with striking red hair, wearing an apron that didn’t quite match his rugged build.

"Commander! You’re here!"

"Sir Kyle."

Kyle Strovan.

Once known as a star who reached the night sky, he was now Astro’s head chef. I responded to his hearty greeting with a smile.

"So, you were here."

"Haha! This is my job! I always teach the children with joy!"

"That’s excellent. I knew I could count on you."

"I heard you were looking for me! Is there something you need?"

"I have something to discuss."

"Hmm? A discussion?"

"It’s about Baob."

"...Understood. Let’s move to a nearby room."

The lively chatter quickly died down.

His crimson eyes, now cooled, turned serious as he calmly sent the children away.

The once noisy atmosphere retreated, and we moved to a nearby lounge.

The swordsman's face remained icy as we settled in.

I had sought him out for a reason.

With the cult making moves again, I felt it necessary to discuss certain matters.

Kyle, with his extensive experience and frontline role during the Great Hunt, was the best person to talk to.

I began explaining the recent attack on the church.

Although he likely already knew the general situation, what I was about to share delved into finer details.

The ‘Conductor,’ who was suspected to be behind the attack, became the subject of our conversation.

"The Conductor... I see. So it’s reappeared."

Kyle clicked his tongue in annoyance, touching his temple briefly. I followed up with a remark about the enemy.

"I heard you faced it directly during that fierce war."

Five years ago.

Kyle had already encountered the Conductor.

Or maybe ‘encountered’ wasn’t the right word.

Each side had been called the strongest of their factions, clashing countless times on blood-soaked battlefields.

They had inflicted countless wounds on each other.

In a way, surviving all that made their connection a bitter fate.

Kyle, silent for a moment, finally spoke.

"I know it well."

"Do you?"

"I cut that thing down myself. Severed its lower half. I made sure it would never live without a wheelchair."

"I heard about that before."

"It was a tough opponent. One of the strongest I faced."

"It must be impressive if a star of your caliber says so."

"I always fought alone. If not, I would be attacked by allies corrupted by dark magic."

"It certainly sounds like a troublesome power."

"It was demonic. The number of sacrifices... I can’t even remember anymore."

Memories of that time seemed to surface.

Kyle muttered with a complex expression.

"Many will die again..."

Did he still carry the heart of a hero?

His crimson eyes wavered.

I smiled lightly and spoke to reassure him, relying on the life he had devoted to me as proof.

"Don’t worry. I’m here this time."

"Yes... I can’t tell you how reassuring that is. Whatever that thing brings when it returns, it won’t be able to touch even a hair on you."

"I think you’re overestimating me a bit."

"But you’re not denying it."

"Heh."

The tense atmosphere softened.

I gave him a word of advice.

"As I mentioned before, the head chef should refrain from acting."

"May I ask why?"

"It’s best to keep our best cards hidden as long as possible."

The Red Sword.

Kyle was one of the strongest aces in my hand.

The world thought Kyle was dead.

Only the members stationed at headquarters knew he was alive.

This knowledge was exclusive to us.

"For now, protecting the headquarters is enough."

"Understood."

"Besides, you have a family to protect. If you don’t want to lose what’s precious to you again, you need to act more cautiously."

"Family... Yes, you’re right. I’ll keep that in mind."

Kyle nodded vigorously, his eyes oddly wet.

He seemed moved by the idea of being cared for.

After all, I had saved him and his wife from being killed by the cult, brought back his daughter from being a monster, and now I was advising him for his family's safety.

‘Loyal to the end.’

It was the mark of a perfectly loyal subordinate.

I intended to use this ideal asset well, rewarding him generously.

"Hic... Haha! I’ll do my best!"

"I’m counting on you."

After a few light remarks, I brought up the next topic.

This time, it was a personal request.

I gestured to the fox standing by and spoke.

"And... could you help train Miss Irene for a while?"

"Do you mean to take on a teacher’s role?"

"She’s just reached a new level. She needs a guide to lead her in the right direction."

"That’s no problem."

Kyle observed the girl with serious eyes before letting out a small exclamation of surprise.

"Incredible... She’s changed significantly. Her talent could indeed be called genius."

"Do you think she could reach the level of a star?"

"That’s uncertain. Talent alone doesn’t mean everyone reaches the night sky. Most fall along the way."

"So it depends on her efforts."

"Exactly."

Kyle nodded plainly.

"Still... I can teach her the basics."

"That’s more than enough."

"It seems I’ll have a disciple for the first time."

"Please take care of her for a while. I’ll be away for the next few days."

"Understood."

The swordsman rose from the sofa and stood before the fox.

His crimson eyes looked down, intimidating but unwavering. Yet, the girl met his gaze without flinching.

Pleased, Kyle let out a hearty laugh.

"Haha! I like your spirit!"

"...."

"The training will be tough. Can you handle a path as hellish as this?"

"If it means standing beside him... I’ll endure anything."

"Excellent! That’s the spirit!"

Kyle’s reaction was positive.

Irene, bypassing the middle-aged man, turned to me with questioning eyes.

Her dark pupils wavered slightly.

"If I stay here... what will you do?"

"I have something to take care of."

"Where

?"

"The Imperial Palace."

"You're going to the princess, aren’t you?"

"I made a promise."

The situation wasn’t suitable for her to accompany me.

This was business with the Imperial Palace.

With a good teacher arranged, I found it appropriate to leave her here.

The fox seemed to think for a moment, then exhaled deeply and nodded.

It meant she would comply.

"I’ll... do my best."

"Good."

"But."

Suddenly, she grabbed my tie and pulled me close, wrapping her arms around me.

Irene pressed her cheek against mine, her warm skin transmitting heat.

As she stayed there silently, she whispered faintly into my ear.

A strangely bitter echo.

"...Don’t get hurt."

Her concern, which she couldn’t fully express, slipped out.

I stood frozen for a moment, then chuckled.

I answered her while our cheeks still touched.

"Of course."

She truly was a troublesome fox.

A few days later.

I was in a carriage.

The scenery outside the window unfolded along the long road.

Sitting beside me was a platinum-haired girl with doll-like features, deep blue eyes like the sea, and her characteristic expressionless face.

It was none other than Charlotte.

We were on our way to the Imperial Palace.

"Can it really be fixed?"

Charlotte suddenly asked.

Her voice carried only a slight trace of emotion, yet the underlying anxiety was clear.

Feigning ignorance, I responded.

"I’ll need to see the situation firsthand. My power isn’t all-encompassing, after all."

"I see."

A faint, dispirited response.

I smiled subtly.

Would she ever see through my dark intentions?

The naive girl simply clasped her hands and uttered a soft plea, her clear eyes reflecting the image of a sinister snake.

"Please... save Elise."

Elise.

'Elise Rose von Staufen.'

The Empire’s second princess.

Charlotte’s younger sister.

A girl symbolized by roses.

And in every route of the original story, she faced a tragic end.

I was heading into the plot-filled Imperial Palace to meet a girl surrounded by misfortune.

As I mulled over my thoughts, I whispered to myself.

'This time.'

This time, I will save her.