Ch.88Trigger (4)

“Wow! It’s the Captain!”

“It feels like it’s been so long since we’ve seen you…!”

“We missed you!”

The children welcomed me enthusiastically.

It seemed to be their free time, as they were all playing together happily.

When one small fox spotted me, the rest gathered around.

Pitter-patter.

Little ones running toward me on short legs.

I spread my arms leisurely and embrace them, as if catching their running bodies.

Warm bodies cling to me from all directions.

“Hehe… Have you all been well?”

“Yes!!”

Their answer came back energetically.

It was the innocent atmosphere unique to children.

“Captain, Captain! What brings you here today?”

“You came to play with us, right?”

“Dummy! She came for work! Teacher said we shouldn’t bother the Captain!”

“I’m not a dummy!”

“Yes you are! You dummy!”

“H-hey, kids… don’t fight in front of the Captain.”

Though they seemed to be arguing, it actually showed how close they were.

It was exactly the kind of reaction you’d expect from friends that age.

I watched them with a pleased smile.

As I listened to their chattering voices, Irene appeared and began separating the children from me.

She looked like a stern older sister dealing with troublemaking siblings.

“You all… why are you fighting while clinging to someone important?”

“Oh? It’s big sis!”

“So you came too!”

“Waha…! Big sis, I missed you!”

“W-wait, if you all suddenly cling to me…”

She had been wearing quite a stern expression, but it seemed she couldn’t withstand the affectionate assault from these soft little ones.

The rigid atmosphere collapsed in an instant.

The girl sighed as if she couldn’t handle it.

In the end, Irene gave up on scolding them and patted the heads of the siblings clinging to her.

The little foxes chirped as they surrounded us.

“Hehe.”

Looking at this scene.

Whoever ends up with Irene later would have quite a challenge.

They’d have to support all these foxes.

‘That still seems like a distant story.’

If a happy ending ever comes to this world, everyone will build their own happy lives.

Naturally, some will find people they love.

Although romance didn’t appear in the original work, that didn’t mean it couldn’t happen after the ending.

When that time comes.

The story of all of you finally becoming happy—something I never got to see in my previous life.

It would be enjoyable to watch that unfold.

‘Until then.’

I hold a faint smile.

As I speak these thoughts like a casual joke, Irene, who had been listening, takes on a thoughtful expression.

Perhaps love is still a difficult concept at her age.

Her cheeks flush with a light blush, her ears perk up toward the sky, and her tail wags.

The girl clears her throat briefly before asking.

“…What about you?”

“Hmm?”

“I want to know what normal men are like. Do you dislike having many children?”

“You’re asking for my opinion.”

“Yes…”

So she does have some interest in the opposite sex.

I always thought she had no interest in such matters since she always wore such a stoic expression.

This is unexpected.

Well.

It’s not really surprising.

She’s a young girl in the prime of her youth, after all.

I smile gently and answer.

“I rather like it. I believe there’s always something to learn from children’s innocence.”

“I-I see… Men…”

“This doesn’t apply to everyone. Preferences vary from person to person.”

“I understand.”

Our conversation continues rather flatly.

As we spend some time like this, someone appears not long after.

A middle-aged man with striking deep red hair.

He wore a cute apron that didn’t match his large build.

“Captain! You’re here!”

“Lord Kyle.”

Kyle Stroban.

Once called a star that reached the night sky, and currently the chef of Astro.

I smile in response to his hearty greeting.

“So you were here after all.”

“Hahaha! It’s my job! I’m always teaching these children with a joyful heart!”

“Excellent. I was right to entrust this to you.”

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

“I have something to discuss with you.”

“Hmm? A discussion?”

“It’s about Baob.”

“…I understand. Let’s go to the room next door.”

His loud voice immediately subsides.

His red eyes had grown cold.

The middle-aged man calmly sends the children away.

The boisterous atmosphere retreats obediently, and we head to a nearby lounge.

The Sword Saint’s expression remained frozen until then.

***

My reason for seeking out the Sword Saint wasn’t anything special.

With the cult beginning to stir again.

I felt the need to consult with someone.

Kyle was the most experienced among the members, and he had fought on the front lines during the Great Purge, making him suitable for this conversation.

First, I explained the recent church attack incident.

He probably already knew the general situation, but what I was telling him now was more detailed.

The “Conductor” who was presumed to be the mastermind behind this attack.

We were discussing him.

“The Conductor… So he’s appeared again after all.”

Kyle sighs as if troubled.

As he briefly rubs his brow, I casually mention something about the man.

“I heard you faced him directly. During that fierce war.”

Five years ago.

Kyle had already encountered him.

No… perhaps “encountered” isn’t sufficient.

Since they were both called the strongest in their respective factions, they must have clashed countless times on the bloody battlefield.

The wounds they inflicted on each other must have been numerous.

On the other hand.

Despite everything that happened, both survived, which in a way made it a tenacious ill-fated connection.

After a moment of silence, Kyle finally speaks.

“I know him well.”

“Is that so?”

“He’s someone I cut down. I sliced his lower body. I made him into someone who couldn’t live without a wheelchair for the rest of his life.”

“I heard about that before.”

“He gave me quite a hard time. He was a strong opponent.”

“For a star to acknowledge him, that’s impressive.”

“I always had to face him alone. Otherwise, I’d be attacked by allies corrupted by Demonic Energy.”

“Indeed… he seemed to have a troublesome power.”

“He was like a demon. I can’t even remember how many sacrifices there were anymore.”

He seemed to recall memories from that time.

Kyle mutters with a complicated expression.

“Many more people will die…”

Perhaps the heart of a hero still remains in him.

His red eyes were wavering.

I smile lightly and speak to reassure him.

Based on the life he had dedicated to me.

“Don’t worry. This time, I’ll be there.”

“That’s right… I can’t tell you how reassuring that is. No matter what that guy prepares for his return, he won’t be more than an insect to you, Captain.”

“I think you might be overestimating me.”

“Yet you don’t deny it.”

“Hehe.”

The tense atmosphere relaxes.

I give him a word of caution.

“As I mentioned before, the chef should not get involved.”

“May I ask why?”

“It’s better to keep good cards hidden as much as possible.”

The Red Sword Saint.

Among the cards I held, he was the one that would become the most excellent joker in the future.

The world believed Kyle was dead.

Only the members stationed at headquarters knew he was alive.

It was information we exclusively possessed in this vast continent.

“For now, it’s enough that you protect the headquarters.”

“Understood.”

“Moreover, you have a family to protect. To avoid losing precious things again, you need to act more cautiously from now on.”

“Family… You’re right. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Kyle nods vigorously.

For some reason, his eyes were reddening.

He seemed moved by the feeling of being cared for.

Well.

After all, I had saved him and his wife when they were almost killed by the cult.

Not only did I restore his daughter who had become a monster.

Now I was even giving advice out of concern for his family.

‘He’s loyal.’

He’s becoming a puppet who cannot disobey orders.

Truly an exemplary subordinate.

I’ll work him hard while providing excellent benefits.

“Sniff… Hahaha! I’ll do my best!”

“I’m counting on you.”

After a few meaningless exchanges.

I bring up my remaining business.

While the previous discussion was about future work, this was a personal request.

Pointing to the fox standing beside me, I say:

“And… could you help train Miss Irene for a while?”

“You want me to be her mentor?”

“She’s just reached a new level. She needs a guide to lead her in the right direction at this stage.”

“No problem.”

The Sword Saint examines the girl with serious eyes.

Then, as if amazed, he utters a clear exclamation.

“Amazing… she has indeed changed. A talent worthy of being called a genius.”

“Do you think she could reach the level of touching the stars?”

“That’s unknown. Just because one has talent doesn’t mean everyone rises to the night sky. Most fall midway.”

“So it depends on how she applies herself.”

“Exactly.”

Kyle nods plainly.

“Still… I can teach her the fundamentals.”

“That’s sufficient.”

“To think I’d take on a disciple at this point in my life.”

“I’ll leave her in your care for a while. I’m planning to be away for a few days.”

“Understood.”

The Sword Saint answers briefly, and I rise from the sofa.

Then I stand before the fox.

Looking down with red pupils.

It was a gaze that seemed like it could crush her, but the girl merely kept her head held high.

Kyle laughs heartily, apparently pleased with her demeanor.

“Hahaha! I like that look in your eyes!”

“……”

“It will be quite a harsh teaching. Can you follow this hellish path?”

“If it means I can stand by your side… anything.”

“Hmm! Excellent!”

The Sword Saint responds positively.

Irene ignores the middle-aged man and directs a question at me.

Her black pupils wavered strangely.

“If I stay here… what are you planning to do?”

“I have somewhere I need to go.”

“Where?”

“The Imperial Palace.”

“So you’re going to that princess.”

“I made a promise.”

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

It involved the Imperial family.

I came to headquarters partly to provide her with a good mentor.

The fox seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, but then she nods, exhaling deeply.

She would comply.

“I’ll… work hard.”

“Good.”

“But.”

Grab-

Suddenly she pulls my tie and embraces me.

The girl presses her cheek against mine.

Warm body heat transfers between our skins.

After holding me in this embrace for a while, the fox whispers faintly into my ear.

It was a strangely bitter sound.

“…Don’t get hurt.”

The girl expresses her worry that she couldn’t fully articulate.

I smile wryly after being momentarily frozen.

Then I answer with our cheeks still touching.

“Of course.”

She was a troublesome fox in many ways.

***

A few days later.

I was riding in a carriage.

The scenery outside the window passed by along the extended road.

Beside me sat a girl with platinum blonde hair.

Doll-like features, blue eyes like the ocean, and her characteristic expressionless face.

It was none other than Sharlotte.

We were on our way to the Imperial Palace.

“Can you really fix it?”

Sharlotte suddenly asks.

Though her voice carried little emotion, the underlying anxiety was unmistakable.

I deliberately answer as if I don’t know.

“I’ll need to see the condition firsthand. My abilities aren’t exactly omnipotent.”

“I see.”

Her response comes back strangely weak.

I smile subtly.

Would she notice these dark intentions?

The innocent girl merely clasps her hands together and makes a faint request to me.

The face of a sinister snake is reflected in her transparent pupils.

“Please… save Elise.”

Elise.

‘Elise Rose von Staufen.’

The Second Imperial Princess of the Empire.

Sharlotte’s younger sister.

A character modeled after roses.

And a terminally ill girl who dies in every route of the original work.

I was heading to the Imperial Palace, a hotbed of intrigue, to meet a girl filled with misfortune.

I mutter quietly to myself.

‘This time.’

This time, I will definitely save her.