The Trigger (4)
The children greeted me with explosive enthusiasm.
"Wow! It's the Commander!"
"It feels like it's been ages...!"
"We missed you so much!"
It must have been their free time. They had been playing together in a cheerful cluster when one little fox spotted me and the rest came swarming over. Pitter-patter. The young ones raced toward me on their short legs. I spread my arms in a relaxed welcome, catching their leaping bodies and pulling them into a warm embrace. Their body heat clung to me from every direction.
"Hehe... Have you all been well?"
"Yes!!"
The answer burst back with full force, full of that pure, innocent energy only children possess.
"Commander, Commander! What brings you here today?"
"You're here to play with us, right?"
"Idiot! He's obviously here for work! Teacher said we shouldn't bother the Commander!"
"I'm not an idiot!"
"You are too! Dummy!"
"Hey, kids... Don't fight in front of the Commander."
They bickered back and forth, but the very squabbling revealed how close they truly were. It was the natural behavior of friends at that age. I watched them with a fond smile.
As I listened to their lively chatter, Irene soon appeared and pried her younger siblings away from me. She looked every bit the stern older sister dealing with her rowdy little pack.
"You lot... Why are you bothering such an important person and fighting like this?"
"Huh? It's Sis!"
"I knew you two came together!"
"Wah...! Sis, I missed you!"
"W-wait, if you all cling to me at once..."
She had been wearing quite a strict expression, but even Irene couldn't withstand the full affection assault from the fluffy little foxes. The rigid atmosphere collapsed in an instant. The girl let out a long sigh as if she were at her wit's end. In the end, she gave up on scolding them and simply stroked the heads of the siblings burrowing into her arms.
The little foxes surrounded us, chattering nonstop.
"Hehe."
Seeing them like this, I couldn't help thinking the person who eventually ended up with Irene would have their work cut out for them. After all, they'd have to support this entire litter of foxes.
It's still a distant story for now.
If this world ever reached a happy ending, they would each build their own joyful lives. Naturally, some would meet people they loved. Romance hadn't appeared in the original work, but that didn't mean it couldn't bloom after the ending.
When that time came, I would finally witness the stories I never got to see in my previous life—the tales of all of you becoming truly happy. Just thinking about watching over those endings brought me quiet joy.
Until then.
I smiled faintly. When I casually tossed out such teasing remarks, Irene's expression grew thoughtful. Perhaps the word "love" still felt foreign at her age. Her cheeks flushed a soft pink, her ears perked straight up, and her tail began to sway gently.
The girl cleared her throat and asked, "......What about you?"
"Hm?"
"I want to know what normal men think. If there are a lot of children... is that bad?"
"You're asking for my personal opinion."
"Yeah..."
So she was interested in the opposite sex after all. She always wore that blunt expression, so I'd assumed she had no interest in such things. It was surprisingly cute. Of course, it wasn't anything shocking. She was a girl right in the bloom of youth.
I smiled softly and answered, "I like it. I believe there's always something to learn from a child's purity."
"I-I see... So men..."
"It's not the same for everyone. Preferences differ from person to person."
"Got it."
Our conversation drifted on in light, meaningless exchanges. After some time, a new figure appeared.
It was an impressive middle-aged man with striking crimson hair. Despite his powerful build, he wore a cute apron that somehow suited him perfectly.
"Commander! You've arrived!"
"Sir Kyle."
Kyle Stroban. The man once called a star that touched the night sky, now serving secretly as Astro's chef. I returned his hearty greeting with a smile.
"So this is where you've been."
"Uhahaha! It's my responsibility! I teach the children every day with a joyful heart!"
"Excellent. It was worth entrusting this to you."
"I heard you were looking for me! Is something wrong?"
"I have something to discuss with you."
"Hm? A discussion?"
"It's about Baob."
"......Understood. Let's move to the room next door."
The noisy atmosphere died instantly. His red eyes had gone cold. With calm composure, the middle-aged man sent the children away. The lively air receded without protest as we headed to the nearby lounge. Even then, the Sword Saint's expression remained frozen like ice.
I hadn't sought out the Sword Saint for any complicated reason. With the cultists beginning to stir once more, I felt it was time for a proper discussion. Kyle was the most experienced member of our group and had fought on the front lines during the great subjugation. He was the perfect person to speak with about this.
I first explained the recent church attack in detail. He had probably heard the general outline already, but I went over the more specific elements. The mastermind behind the assault was presumed to be the Conductor. That was who we discussed.
"The Conductor... I see. So he has shown himself again."
Kyle let out a troubled groan. As he rubbed his brow, I spoke lightly.
"I heard you faced him directly. During that brutal war."
Five years ago, Kyle had already encountered the man. Or rather, "encountered" felt too mild. Both had been hailed as the strongest in their respective factions. They must have clashed countless times across blood-soaked battlefields. The wounds they had dealt each other could hardly have been few.
In a way, it was a cursed bond that both had survived such a history.
After a brief silence, Kyle spoke.
"I know him well."
"Do you?"
"I cut him down myself. Sliced his lower body clean off. Left him unable to live without a wheelchair for the rest of his days."
"I've heard that part before."
"He was quite troublesome. A formidable opponent."
"Impressive that even a star would acknowledge his strength."
"I always had to face him alone. Otherwise, corrupted allies would attack me while I fought him."
"It certainly seemed like an annoying ability."
"He was a devil. I can't even remember how many lives were lost anymore."
The memories seemed to resurface. Kyle muttered with a complicated expression.
"Many more will die again......"
Did the heart of a hero still linger within him? His red eyes trembled. I smiled gently and offered reassurance, drawing from the life he had pledged to me.
"Don't worry. This time, I'll be there."
"That's true... I can't express how reassuring that is. No matter what preparations that bastard makes, to you, Commander, he won't even qualify as a bug."
"I wonder if you're overestimating me."
"Yet you don't deny it."
"Hehe."
The tense atmosphere finally eased. I gave him a firm reminder.
"As I told you before, the chef must not step forward."
"May I ask why?"
"It's best to keep your strongest cards hidden as long as possible."
The Red Sword Saint. Among all the cards in my hand, he was the one destined to become the greatest joker. The world believed Kyle Stroban was dead. Only the members stationed at headquarters knew the truth. It was information we alone controlled across this vast continent.
"For now, protecting the headquarters is enough."
"Understood."
"Besides, you have a family to protect. If you don't want to lose your precious ones again, you must act with even greater care from now on."
"Family... Yes. I'll keep that in mind."
Kyle nodded vigorously. His eyes had grown red at the edges. He seemed deeply moved by the simple act of being worried over. After all, I had saved him and his wife from being murdered by the cult, restored his daughter from her monstrous state, and was now even offering advice while showing concern for his family.
How loyal.
He had become a puppet who could not disobey. A truly ideal subordinate. I would continue to make full use of him while providing the highest level of care.
"Sniff... Uhahaha! I will do my utmost!"
"I look forward to it."
After a few light words, I brought up my remaining request. While the previous discussion had concerned future operations, this was more personal. I gestured toward the fox standing beside me.
"Also... Could you assist with Irene's training for a while?"
"You wish me to act as her master?"
"She has only just stepped into a new realm. She needs a proper guide to lead her in the right direction."
"No problem at all."
The Sword Saint studied the girl with serious eyes. Then he let out a genuine exclamation of surprise.
"Remarkable... She has changed significantly. A talent truly worthy of being called genius."
"Do you think she could reach the realm of touching the stars?"
"That remains to be seen. Talent alone does not guarantee one will ascend to the night sky. Most fall somewhere along the way."
"So it's a matter of effort."
"Exactly."
Kyle nodded plainly.
"Still... I can at least teach her the fundamentals."
"That will be enough."
"To think I would take on a disciple in this lifetime."
"I'll leave her with you for now. I plan to be away for the next few days."
"Understood."
After the Sword Saint's brief reply, I rose from the sofa and stood before the fox. His red eyes looked down at her with crushing intensity, yet Irene held her head high without flinching. Seeming pleased by her spirit, Kyle laughed heartily.
"Uhahaha! I like your eyes already!"
"......"
"The training will be harsh. It will be a path through hell. Can you keep up?"
"If it means I can stand by his side... I'll follow anywhere."
"Hmph! Excellent!"
The Sword Saint responded with satisfaction. Irene, ignoring the middle-aged man, turned to me with a question. Her black eyes trembled faintly.
"If I stay here... what will you do?"
"I have somewhere I must go."
"Where?"
"The imperial palace."
"So you're going to that imperial princess."
"I made a promise."
The situation wasn't suitable for her to accompany me. It involved the imperial family, after all. This was also the perfect opportunity to leave her with a skilled teacher while I visited headquarters.
The fox seemed to consider this for a moment before taking a deep breath and nodding. She would obey.
"I'll... work hard."
"Good."
"But instead—"
Suddenly, Irene grabbed my tie and pulled me into her arms. She pressed her cheek against mine. Warmth flowed between our skin. After holding the embrace quietly, she whispered softly into my ear. Her voice carried a subtly bitter note.
"...Don't get hurt."
She couldn't fully express the worry in her heart. I, who had frozen for a moment, let out a small chuckle. With our cheeks still touching, I answered.
"Of course."
She really was a troublesome fox in so many ways.
A few days later, I rode in a carriage. The scenery beyond the window stretched along the long road. Sitting beside me was a girl with platinum blonde hair. Doll-like features, sea-blue eyes, and her signature expressionless face. It was none other than Charlotte.
We were on our way to the imperial palace.
"Can you truly heal her?"
Charlotte suddenly asked. Though her voice carried little emotion, the anxiety buried within it was unmistakable. I deliberately answered as if unaware.
"I'll need to examine her condition in person first. My abilities aren't omnipotent, after all."
"I see."
Her response sounded strangely weak. I smiled faintly. I wondered whether this innocent girl could see through my dark intentions. She simply clasped her hands together and made a quiet plea.
In her transparent eyes, the face of a cunning snake was reflected.
"Please... save Elise."
Elise.
Elise Rose von Staufen.
The Second Princess of the Staufen Empire and Charlotte's younger sister. A character themed around roses, and a doomed girl fated to die in every route of the original work.
I was heading into the imperial palace—swarming with schemes—to meet a girl drowning in misfortune.
Inside, I whispered to myself.
This time.
This time, I will definitely save her.