Chapter 88

"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.

"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.