Chapter 53

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!”

---

“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.