episode_0031

The iron door creaked open with a loud noise. As the interior slowly came into view, a distinct scent suddenly wafted past her nose. The fox unconsciously raised her tail. The source of the alluring aroma was…

“Delicious!” “So fluffy~!”

A subtle, sweet aroma.

A charmingly decorated space. Familiar children sat amicably around an antique-style dining table. They were the fox children Irene had entrusted.

“It’s sweet, and it feels like it melts in your mouth…” “I could eat the pie Teacher-nim made every day!” “Mmm~!” “It’s as delicious as Captain-nim’s cooking!”

They were laughing and chattering amongst themselves. Each child was munching on the pie placed in their bowl. Could that be the source of the strong sweetness? The fox children wore incredibly happy expressions. Every time they brought a fork to their mouths, their tails wagged contentedly. It was a heartwarming scene.

“……?”

A question mark appeared above the girl’s head as she watched. It was because of the completely unexpected sight. The tension that felt like it would explode vanished into thin air.

“It seems it was snack time, after all.”

A voice suddenly spoke. When she turned, she saw the golden snake smiling brightly.

“Snack time…?” “That’s what I instructed. I arranged for them to have snacks three times a day, in addition to meals.” “Wait, just a moment… isn’t three times a bit excessive?” “When you’re young, eating well and growing well is important.”

The boy nodded confidently.

“Rest assured. The chef here is so skilled that even I am impressed.”

She knew the basement was spacious, but did it even have a chef? She realized anew that it was a proper facility. The boy continued his explanation with a pleased expression.

“We manage their nutrition, constitution, and eating habits, so you don’t really need to worry about your siblings’ health.”

“……”

Irene listened blankly. Yet, her black eyes did not lose their light. Only a gentle smile was reflected in her vision. It was a confusing feeling. How should she put it? It was just too different from the scene in her mind that had made her anxious moments ago.

‘Strange.’

Only then did the detailed scene begin to register. Every item looked expensive, there was a soft carpet, and plenty of toys scattered around. It was a setup that showed consideration for the children. She hadn’t known he had such a meticulous side. She felt unnecessarily embarrassed for having suspected the basement. The children were doing well. The fox silently watched her siblings.

“……Irene Unnie?”

As she stood there, one of the children met her gaze. That short phrase soon spread through the surroundings.

“What? Big sister is here?” “Where is she?” “She’s right there! How can you not see her standing quietly by the door!” “Oh, it’s really her?!” “It looks like Captain-nim came with her too!”

One by one, gazes focused on her. Irene smiled awkwardly.

“It’s been a long time, everyone.”

The children’s faces lit up. They each put down their snacks and immediately ran towards the girl, the fox children. Several warm embraces wrapped around her.

“Unnie! We missed you so much…!” “You came to see us, right? We’ve been waiting!” “It’s been ages!” “Big sister, where have you been?”

The children chattered excitedly. As she accepted their enthusiastic welcome, a smile bloomed on the stoic girl’s lips.

“I missed you too.”

She opened her arms and hugged her siblings. Though Irene was usually sharp-tongued and fierce, at this moment, she softened without a trace of guard. Her lips curved into a bright smile. It might even have felt like an unfamiliar sight.

“……”

It was an infinitely tender scene. The blonde boy watched from a step behind. The reunion of the fox children was beautiful. He didn’t want to needlessly disturb the touching moment.

“Enjoy it to your heart’s content.”

He murmured quietly. Immediately after, the snake turned his back. His calm steps left only momentary traces as he disappeared.

***

Having subtly slipped away. While the fox children were deep in conversation, catching up in the opposite room, I sat at my work desk. A faint murmur escaped my lips.

“It’s been a while.”

Indeed. When was the last time I sat in this seat? I had stylishly set it up as the ‘Captain’s Office,’ but I didn’t have many memories of actually spending my days here. Should I say the memories were too vague to recall? I quietly cleared my head of random thoughts. Before my eyes, a girl with silver hair appeared. She had an atmosphere akin to winter. Astro’s Vice-Captain, Neria Lightni.

“Did you call for me?”

She stood at a precise, neat angle. There wasn’t a trace of life in her eyes. It was as if I was looking at an empty shell. Or perhaps a puppet on strings. Anyway.

“There’s something I’d like you to do for me.” “If it is something you command, anything at all, I shall gladly do it.”

Now, I had a different matter. Brushing aside her immediate reply, I slowly began to speak.

“Recently, there’s been some talk circulating.” “What kind of talk do you mean?” “There must have been news that the movements of heretics… demon worshippers, are unusual.” “That is correct. We’ve heard whispers intermittently for several months now.” “Just as I thought.”

Are they finally making their move? Indeed, considering the flow of the original story, it wouldn’t be strange for them to appear at any time. If anything, it’s later than I expected.

“What about the other side?” “There are rumors that two prominent figures from the underworld have joined forces. The reason is still unknown.” “The slave merchant… and the monarch, I presume.” “That is correct.” “This side is also following the canon.”

The Baobab Tree, the Businessman, the King. They were factions that appeared as villains in the original story, but so far, there had been nothing unusual. Because the original story was being followed exactly.

“Please continue with information gathering as is.” “Understood.” “Also, just in case, increase the patrol personnel… Oh, and.”

Something suddenly came to mind. I drew a meaningful smile on my lips and stared directly into her silver eyes. My voice resonated chillingly.

“Today, there was a dispute in the vicinity, and it turned out to be people extorting tolls at the crossroads.”

“……!” “Perhaps the management has been lax?” “My, my apologies. I will rectify it immediately.” “This was a task I entrusted to you, and a mistake occurred… How am I supposed to take this?” “I will ensure the same thing never happens again.”

Neria was visibly flustered. Her cold demeanor from just moments ago had vanished, replaced by a reaction that was starting to crack and crumble. Why was she so scared? It was more of a concerned remark, really. While I was absent for six months, Neria had performed her duties as the effective head of Astro and overseen the city. How could I scold such a talent? I was just worried because she made a mistake she normally wouldn’t.

“And here I thought I trusted our Vice-Captain.” “P-Please, Master-nim, d-don’t abandon me…” “Oh dear, oh dear… How could I possibly abandon our capable Neria-yang?”

If you leave, our organization will crumble. You handle 30% of all our work by yourself.

“I simply mean that we should try a little harder.” “……Yes, Master-nim.”

Did I make her disheartened for no reason? The girl lowered her head. I stood up, thinking I should comfort her.

“Rest assured.” “……?!”

I stroked her silver hair. Slowly, carefully, so as not to mess it up. Neria was momentarily flustered and unsure what to do, then she froze in a stiff posture. Even amidst that, her shoulders twitched.

“A soft, strained breath escaped her.”

Every time the soft touch grazed her fingertips, a plaintive moan escaped her. She must have had a very hard time. The poor thing is even on the verge of tears.

“I will never abandon you.”

As expected, petting is the most effective comfort. The girl slowly relaxed. I continued to encourage her for a while.

***

Meanwhile. Irene, surrounded by the fox children, was pulled here and there by their welcoming hands, spending a bustling time. It seemed her siblings had missed her quite a lot. For a while, the basement was filled with the unique vivacity of children.

“Haaah…”

After a chaotic spell, Irene sat in a corner to rest for a moment. Did the young fox children never get tired? They were playing and running around among themselves. They ate well, slept well, and laughed well. Perhaps because their overall lives were balanced, her siblings were filled with a healthy vitality she hadn’t seen before. To an extent that it was incomparable to when they were confined in narrow cages.

‘That’s a relief.’

Their well-being was evident. A belated sense of relief washed over her. A faint smile spread across her lips.

‘I worried so much… but he truly was helping with all his sincerity.’

The narrow, sinister-looking eyes now seemed a little different. Though the fox had originally vowed never to trust humans again, gratitude was gratitude, separate from that. She mused over her thoughts about the boy for a moment. Just then.

“So, you are the guest Captain-nim brought.”

“……?”

A gruff voice suddenly spoke. When she turned around, she saw red hair. It was a man who appeared to be middle-aged. A subtle aura emanated from his sturdy physique.

“I’ve wanted to meet you sometime.” “Uh… yes?” “I should introduce myself first.”

He burst out laughing at Irene’s wary reaction. The man, who had been nodding heartily, placed a fist on his chest and spoke.

“Kyle Strovane. I’m in charge of the kitchen here. I also supervise the children.” “Ah.”

He was the person the boy had confidently mentioned. Was he also taking on the role of a teacher? With the appearance of the man who was practically looking after the children, Irene hastily returned his greeting.

“My name is Irene Foxis.” “Hahaha! I’ve heard a lot about you from the children.”

A few light exchanges. Only then did the fox begin to scrutinize his face. Intense red hair, blood-red eyes. Forearms etched with lean muscle, as if he had trained with a sword for a long time, and a correspondingly sturdy build. A cross-shaped scar etched on his cheek. The internal fluctuations were chillingly calm.

‘……Where did such a monster spring from?’

Cold sweat ran down her back without her realizing. The members she had encountered earlier. Each of them was a skilled individual radiating astonishing power, but standing before this man, they felt overshadowed. She thought she had definitely seen countless monsters while rolling through the mud.

‘What on earth is this?’

It was no ordinary presence. Had he been concealing his aura until just now? His presence grew increasingly distinct. The professors of Gallimard, known as the ‘Heaven Beyond Heaven’. Though it was said none on the continent could compare to them. This intensity seemed to effortlessly crush even such powerhouses.

‘Unbelievable.’

A level of power difficult to comprehend. And he was just a chef? Just as she was about to feel that something was off.

‘His face… it looks familiar from somewhere…?’

A sudden sense of déjà vu struck her. Dense red hair, sturdy build, and even the cross-shaped scar on his cheek. He was definitely someone she knew. Her master’s words, which she had heard ad nauseam, brushed past her ears.

-Irene, remember the man in this painting well. -If you wish to walk the path of the sword… he is a heaven you must eventually surpass. -He is the only individual in the continent’s history to have reached the stars.

A forgotten scene replayed vividly in her mind. Her master, who had constantly pushed someone’s portrait at her, raising his voice about the achievements that person had made. In the painting, a red-haired young man was smiling. The name of the depicted subject was.

‘Kyle Strovane.’

Many years had passed, but an indelible familiarity lingered everywhere. Irene murmured blankly.

“……The Red Sword Saint?”

The weapon hailed as humanity’s strongest. The most brilliant legacy of the past era, having adorned countless pages of history with unprecedented strength. The Sword Saint smiled as if embarrassed.

“I never thought you’d recognize me… Hahaha! This is a bit embarrassing!”

It was clearly an affirmative answer.

“How could this be?”

Irene murmured blankly. The person called the peak of the continent… why was he involved with a criminal organization? Although it sounded like such a lament at first listen, the reality was completely different.

“You were clearly…”

Confusion, bewilderment, doubt. The shock the fox felt was triggered by a more fundamental issue. She uttered a monologue, utterly stunned.

“……But I heard you died in an accident two years ago.”

Kyle Strovane. His monikers were ‘Red Sword Saint’ or ‘Fallen Star’. A hero who had subjugated countless black mages and greatly influenced the peace of the continent. He was a figure symbolizing the last 20 years of the Empire. And, according to official records, deceased.

“……” “Now, I am merely an ordinary chef.”

A hearty laugh resounded. Irene was facing a phantom who should not have been alive.

“Hahaha! This, too, is a grace bestowed by Captain-nim.” “What did you say…?” “Thanks to him, I survived like this.”

Captain-nim was mentioned once more. The Sword Saint offered a brief moment of silent reverence after his simple utterance. His expression was etched with deep respect. He was in a similar state to the members she had seen outside. The fox watched the scene, frozen stiff.

‘Slums, criminal organizations, basements, fanatics… and now, even the Empire’s vanished hero.’

Just how far did his reach extend? A viscous sense of dread traced her neck. The girl had to swallow dry as she thought of the mastermind at the center of all this.