Opportunity (4)
"Wow! It's the Commander!"
"It feels like it's been ages since we last saw you...!"
"We missed you!"
The children greeted me enthusiastically.
It seemed to be their free time, as they were all playing together amicably.
One little fox noticed me, and the rest soon followed.
Pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat*
The little ones came running with their short legs.
I leisurely spread my arms and embraced them as they jumped into my embrace.
Their warm bodies pressed against me from all sides.
"Hehe... Have you all been well?"
""Yes!!""
Their energetic response filled the room.
It was the typical innocent atmosphere of children.
"Commander, Commander! What brings you here today?"
"You came to play with us, right?"
"Silly! He must have come for work! Teacher said we shouldn't bother the Commander!"
"I'm not silly!"
"Yes, you are! You silly goose!"
"Hey, hey guys... Don't fight in front of the Commander."
They seemed to be arguing, but it was precisely this that showed how close they were.
It was a typical reaction for friends of that age.
I watched them with a warm smile.
As I listened to their chattering voices, Irene appeared and separated her younger siblings.
It was the image of a stoic older sister dealing with her mischievous younger siblings.
"You guys... Why are you fighting when you should be respectful?"
"Oh? It's big sis!"
"You came together after all!"
"Waah...! Big sis, I missed you!"
"W-wait, don't suddenly hug me..."
She had a rather stern expression, but it seemed she couldn't withstand the affectionate onslaught of the softies.
It was a scene where even the rigid atmosphere crumbled in an instant.
The girl sighed as if she couldn't stand it.
In the end, Irene gave up on scolding them and stroked the heads of her clinging siblings.
The little foxes chirped, surrounding us.
"Hehe."
Seeing this, I thought...
Whoever ends up with Irene in the future will have a tough time.
They'll have to support all these foxes.
'It feels like a distant story though.'
If a happy ending ever comes to this world, they will each build happy lives.
Naturally, some will meet the loves of their lives.
Although romance didn't appear in the original story, there's no guarantee it won't happen after the ending.
When that time comes...
The story of you finally finding happiness, the story I couldn't see till the end in my past life.
It would be enjoyable to watch the rest of it unfold.
'Until then.'
I smiled faintly.
As I jokingly mentioned this, Irene, who was listening, seemed lost in thought.
Perhaps it was because love was still a difficult concept for her age.
Her cheeks were tinged with a light blush, her ears perked up, and her tail swayed.
The girl coughed briefly and then asked,
"...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 is interested in the opposite sex.
I always thought she had no interest in such things because of her usual stoic expression.
Should I say it's unexpected?
Of course, it wasn't particularly surprising.
She was a girl in her blossoming youth, after all.
I smiled softly and replied,
"I personally like them. I believe there's always something to learn from the innocence of children."
"I-I see... So that's how men are."
"It doesn't apply to everyone. Preferences vary from person to person."
"I understand."
Our conversation continued in a lighthearted manner.
After spending some time like this, a person appeared before long.
It was an impressive middle-aged man with deep red hair.
He wore a cute apron that didn't quite suit his physique.
"Commander! You've arrived!"
"Sir Kyle."
Kyle Stroban.
A star once said to have reached the night sky, and now the head chef of Astro.
I smiled in response to his hearty greeting.
"As expected, you were here."
"Ehaha! It's my job! I always teach the children with joy!"
"That's excellent. It was worth entrusting it to you."
"I heard you were looking for me! Did something happen?"
"There's something I wanted to discuss with you."
""Hmm? Discuss?"
"It's about Baob."
"...I understand. Let's go to the room next door."
The boisterous voices died down instantly.
His red eyes, which had been warm moments ago, turned cold.
The middle-aged man calmly dismissed the surrounding children.
The lively atmosphere retreated, and we headed to a nearby lounge.
The Sword Saint's expression remained frosty.
***
I sought out the Sword Saint for a specific reason.
With the cultists stirring once more, I felt the need to discuss the matter.
Kyle was the most experienced among the members and had fought on the front lines during the Great Purge, making him the ideal person to consult.
I began by explaining the recent church attack.
He might have heard a general overview, but I intended to delve into the specifics.
The 'Conductor,' the suspected mastermind behind the attack.
We were discussing him.
"The Conductor... I see. He's finally resurfaced."
Kyle groaned, as if troubled.
He briefly rubbed his forehead as I casually mentioned the Conductor.
"I heard you fought him directly. In that fierce war."
Five years ago, Kyle had encountered him.
No... Encounter might be an understatement.
They were considered the strongest in their respective factions, clashing countless times on the bloody battlefield.
The wounds they inflicted on each other were undoubtedly numerous.
On the other hand, both had survived despite everything, making it a bitter rivalry.
After a brief silence, Kyle spoke.
"I know him well."
"Is that so?"
"I cut him down. Sliced his lower body in half. I made sure he'd never walk without a wheelchair again."
"I heard about that part before."
"It wasn't easy. He was a formidable 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 possess a troublesome power."
"He was a devilish fellow. I can't even remember how many lives were lost."
The memories of that time seemed to have resurfaced.
Kyle muttered with a complex expression,
"Many more will die..."
Perhaps the hero's heart still lingered within him.
His red eyes wavered.
I smiled gently and offered words of reassurance, based on the life he had dedicated to me.
"Don't worry. I'll be there this time."
"Indeed... I can't tell you how relieved I am. No matter what that bastard has planned for his return, he'll be nothing more than a bug to the Commander."
"I think you overestimate me."
"You don't deny it, though."
"Hehe."
The tense atmosphere eased.
I offered a word of caution.
"As I mentioned before, please refrain from stepping forward, Head Chef."
"May I ask why?"
"It's best to keep your trump cards hidden for as long as possible."
The Red Sword Saint.
Among the cards I held, he was the one destined to become the most powerful joker.
The world believed Kyle to be dead.
Only the members stationed at headquarters knew he was alive.
It was information exclusively held by us in this vast continent.
"For now, it's enough for you to protect headquarters."
"Understood."
"Besides, you have a family to protect. To avoid losing your precious ones again, you must act with even greater caution."
"Family... You're right. I'll keep that in mind."
Kyle nodded vigorously.
His eyes seemed to be reddening for some reason.
He seemed touched by the concern I showed.
Well, I did save him and his wife from being killed by the cultists.
Not only that, I restored his daughter, who had become a monster.
And now, I was advising him, concerned for his family.
'How loyal.'
It's the process of becoming a puppet who cannot disobey orders.
Truly a desirable subordinate.
I'll continue to exploit him to the fullest with the best welfare possible.
"Sniff... Ehaha! I'll do my best!"
"I'll be counting on you."
After a few lighthearted exchanges, I brought up the remaining matter.
Until now, it was about future tasks, but this time, it was a personal request.
I pointed to the fox standing beside me and said,
"And... could you help train Miss Irene for a while?"
"You want me to be her mentor?"
"She's just reached the Expert level. She needs a guide to lead her in the right direction."
"No problem."
The SwordSaint looked at the girl with a serious gaze.
Then, as if surprised, he let out a clear exclamation.
"Amazing... She's definitely changed. A talent worthy of being called a genius."
"Do you think she can reach the Star level?"
"That's hard to say. Not everyone with talent ascends to the night sky. Most fall along the way."
"You're saying it depends on her efforts."
"Exactly."
Kyle nodded curtly.
"Still... I can teach her the basics."
"That's enough."
"I never thought I'd take on a disciple in my lifetime."
"I'll leave her in your care for a while. I'm planning to be away for a few days."
"Understood."
The swordsman replied briefly and rose from the sofa.
Then he stood before the fox.
Red pupils looking down.
It was a gaze that felt like it could crush her at any moment, but the girl held her head high.
Pleased by this, Kyle laughed heartily.
"Ehaha! I like her spirit!"
"..."
"It will be quite a harsh training. Can you follow this hellish path?"
"If it means I can stand by his side... I can endure anything."
"Mm! Excellent!"
The Sword Saint responded positively.
Irene ignored the middle-aged man and turned to me with a question.
Her black pupils were strangely wavering.
"If I stay here... what will you do?"
"There's somewhere I need to go."
"Where?"
"The Imperial Palace."
"You're going to that Princess, aren't you?"
"I made a promise."
The circumstances weren't suitable for her to accompany me.
It was a matter involving the Imperial family.
I had come to headquarters to find her a good teacher and take care of this matter.
The fox seemed to ponder for a moment, then took a deep breath and nodded.
It was a sign of consent.
"I... I'll do my best."
"Good."
"But..."
Whoosh
Suddenly, she pulled my tie and hugged me.
The girl pressed her cheek against mine.
Warmth flowed between our skin.
The fox, who had been quietly hugging me, whispered faintly in my ear.
It was a strangely bitter echo.
"...Don't get hurt."
The girl uttered her unrefined worry.
I froze for a moment, then chuckled.
With our cheeks still touching, I replied,
"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 stretched along a long road.
A platinum-blonde girl sat beside me.
Doll-like features, ocean-blue eyes, and her characteristic expressionless face.
It was none other than Charlotte.
We were on our way to the Imperial Palace.
"Can you really cure her?"
Charlotte suddenly asked.
Her voice lacked emotion, but the underlying anxiety was undeniable.
I deliberately feigned ignorance.
"I'll have to see her condition first. My abilities aren't omnipotent."
"I see."
A strangely weak response came back.
I smiled faintly.
Would she be able to see through my dark intentions?
The innocent girl simply clasped her hands and made a faint request.
Her clear eyes reflected the face of a cunning serpent.
"Please... save Elise."
Elise.
'Elise Rose von Staufen.'
The second Imperial Princess and Charlotte's younger sister.
A character based on the rose, and simultaneously...
A terminally ill girl destined to die in every route of the original story.
I was heading to the intrigue-ridden Imperial Palace to meet this girl burdened with misfortune.
I muttered to myself,
'This time...'
This time, I will save her without fail.
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