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Chapter 31 - Astro (3)

Creeeak—!

With a loud noise, the metal door opened.

As the interior gradually came into view, a strong, blatant scent hit her nose.

The fox’s tail instinctively stood on end.

The source of the smell stimulating her senses was...

"Delicious!"

"So fluffy...!"

A faintly sweet aroma wafted through the air.

In a space decorated in a charming and cozy manner, familiar children were seated together at a quaint table with an elegant design.

They were the foxes that Irene had entrusted.

"It’s so sweet, it melts in your mouth..."

"I could eat the pie Teacher made every day!"

"Yum..."

"It’s as good as something the Captain would make!!"

They were laughing and chatting as they each nibbled on the pie in front of them.

Was that where the strong, sweet scent was coming from?

The foxes looked incredibly happy.

Every time they brought the fork to their mouths, their tails wagged in delight.

It was a scene that naturally warmed the heart.

"...?"

A question mark floated above the observing girl’s head.

The scene was completely unexpected.

The tension that had built up inside her quickly dissipated in vain.

"It seems it’s snack time."

A sudden voice interrupted her thoughts.

When she turned around, she saw the golden snake smiling broadly.

"Snack time...?"

"It’s something I arranged. I made sure there are snacks available three times a day, in addition to regular meals."

"W-Wait a minute... Three times a day? Isn’t that a bit too much?"

"It’s important for them to eat well and grow strong at their age."

The boy nodded confidently.

"Rest assured. The chef here is so skilled that even I’m impressed."

She had known the basement was large, but to think there was even a chef down here...

She suddenly realized how serious this setup was.

The boy continued explaining with a satisfied expression.

"We’re taking care of not only their nutrition but also managing their constitution and eating habits... So there’s no need to worry about your siblings’ health."

"...."

Irene listened absentmindedly.

Even so, her dark eyes hadn’t lost their light. All she saw was a gentle smile.

It felt confusing.

How should she put it?

The scene in front of her was so different from the one that had made her anxious moments ago.

\'This is strange.\'

Only now did the detailed surroundings begin to catch her attention.

Everything looked expensive, from the plush carpets to the abundance of toys lying around.

The setup showed considerable thoughtfulness toward the children.

She hadn’t expected such meticulous care.

The fact that she had suspected the basement made her feel a bit embarrassed.

The children were doing well.

The fox quietly watched her siblings.

"...Big sis Irene?"

As she stood there, one of the children caught sight of her.

That one word quickly spread to the others.

"What? Is big sis here?"

"Where is she?"

"She’s right there! How can you not see her standing at the door?"

"Wow, it’s true?!"

"It looks like the Captain came with her!"

One by one, the children’s gazes focused on her.

Irene awkwardly smiled.

"It’s been a while, everyone."

The children’s faces lit up with joy.

They put down their snacks and immediately ran toward the girl.

Warmth filled her arms as several of the foxes hugged her.

"Big sis! I missed you so much..."

"You came to see us, right? We’ve been waiting!"

"It’s been forever!"

"Where have you been all this time, big sis?"

As the children chattered excitedly, even the usually stern girl couldn’t help but smile.

"I missed you all too."

She spread her arms wide and embraced her siblings.

Despite her usual sharp and fierce demeanor, Irene was now completely at ease.

Her lips curved into a bright, unfamiliar smile.

"...."

It was a scene filled with tenderness.

The blond boy watched from a step behind, observing the foxes’ reunion.

He didn’t want to disrupt the touching moment.

"Enjoy it while you can."

He muttered softly.

And then.

The snake turned around and left.

His quiet steps left only fleeting traces as he disappeared.

***

Having quietly slipped away...

While the foxes were still caught up in their reunion in the opposite room...

I sat at the desk, occupied with work.

A faint murmur escaped my lips.

"It’s been a while."

Indeed.

When was the last time I sat in this chair?

I had set up this \'Captain’s Office\' with a sense of grandeur, but I barely remembered spending any time here.

It was too vague to evoke any memories.

I quietly pushed away the random thoughts.

In front of me stood a girl with silver hair, reminiscent of winter.

She was Neria Lightning, the Vice-Captain of Astro.

"You called for me."

She stood with a precise posture.

There wasn’t a hint of life in her eyes. It was like looking at an empty shell.

Or a puppet bound by strings.

In any case.

"There’s something I’d like you to do."

"If it’s something you ask, I’ll gladly do anything."

There was something else I had in mind.

As her immediate response hung in the air, I slowly began to speak.

"Recently, there have been some rumors circulating."

"What kind of rumors?"

"There have been reports of unusual activity from the heretics... those who worship the Demon God."

"That’s true. I’ve been hearing about it on and off for the past few months."

"As expected."

So they’re starting to move.

Considering the flow of the original story, it wasn’t surprising that they were appearing now.

If anything, they were a bit late.

"How about on the other fronts?"

"There are rumors that two major figures from the underworld have joined forces. We haven’t figured out why yet."

"A slaver... and a monarch, correct?"

"Yes."

"That’s also following the original plot."

The Baobab Tree, the Merchant, the King.

They were factions that appeared as villains in the original story, but so far, there hadn’t been anything unusual.

They were just following the script.

"Keep gathering information as usual."

"Understood."

"And just in case, increase the patrols... Oh, and one more thing."

Something suddenly came to mind.

I smiled meaningfully as I looked directly into her silver eyes.

My voice dropped to a cold tone.

"Earlier, there was a bit of a scuffle. Some thugs were demanding tolls at the crossroads."

"...!"

"Has management been neglected?"

"I-I’m sorry. I’ll rectify it immediately."

"I entrusted this task to you, but there was a mistake... How should I take this?"

"It won’t happen again."

Neria’s reaction was noticeably flustered.

The cold demeanor she had maintained until now began to crack and crumble.

Why is she so scared?

It was meant to be a word of concern.

While I had been absent for six months, Neria had been handling Astro’s affairs and overseeing the city.

How could I possibly scold such a valuable asset?

It was just a mistake she hadn’t made before, so I was merely showing concern.

"I had faith in our Vice-Captain."

"P-Please, Master, don’t abandon me..."

"Oh dear... How could I possibly abandon our capable Neria?"

If you leave, our organization will collapse.

You handle 30% of our operations on your own.

"I’m just suggesting we try a bit harder."

"...Yes, Master."

Did my words dampen her spirits?

The girl hung her head low.

I decided to comfort her and stood up from my seat.

"Don’t worry."

"...?!"

I gently patted her silver hair.

Slowly, making sure not to mess it up.

Neria seemed flustered at first and didn’t know how to react, then she stiffened and stood there rigidly.

Her shoulders twitched even as she tried to stay still.

"Hngh, hmm..."

Each time my hand brushed through her hair, a soft whimper escaped her lips.

She must have had a hard time.

She was almost on the verge of tears.

"I would never abandon you."

Indeed, nothing soothes like a good pat on the head.

The girl slowly started to relax.

I continued to comfort her for a while.

***

Meanwhile.

Irene, who had been surrounded by the foxes, was being led here and there as she spent time with them.

It seemed the children had missed her quite a lot.

For a while, the cheerful energy unique to children filled the basement.

"Haa..."

After the chaotic time had passed, Irene sat in a corner to take a short break.

The young foxes, never seeming to tire, were playing together again.

They ate well, slept well, and laughed often.

Their overall lifestyle seemed so balanced that they radiated a healthy vitality that she hadn’t seen before.

It was a stark contrast to the time when they had been trapped in that cramped cell.

\'That’s a relief.\'

Seeing them doing so well.

A belated sense of relief washed over her, and a faint smile crossed her lips.

\'I was so worried... but it seems he truly has been helping them sincerely.\'

The narrow eyes that had seemed so sinister now appeared a little different.

Though she had vowed never to trust humans again, she couldn’t help but feel grateful.

For a moment, she reflected on the boy.

Then.

"So you’re the guest that the Captain brought."

"...?"

A rough voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.

She turned around and saw a man with red hair. He appeared to be middle-aged.

His sturdy frame exuded a subtle sense of strength.

"I’ve been wanting to meet you for some time."

"Oh... really?"

"I should introduce myself first."

The man laughed at Irene’s wary response.

With a hearty nod, he placed a fist over his chest and said,

"Kyle Stroban. I’m the chef here, and I also oversee the children."

"Ah."

This was the person the boy had proudly mentioned.

On top of that, he was also their teacher?

Realizing she was meeting the man who had been taking care of the children, Irene quickly returned the greeting.

"My name is Irene Foxis."

"Haha! The children have told me a lot about you."

They exchanged a few light words.

Only then did Irene start to take a closer look at his face.

Striking red hair, eyes the color of blood.

Arms rippling with muscle, as if honed by years of wielding a sword, and a sturdy build to match.

A cross-shaped scar etched on his cheek.

His presence was so calm it was almost eerie.

\'...Where did such a monster come from?\'

Cold sweat began to form without her realizing it.

The members she had encountered earlier had all seemed like exceptional fighters, but standing before this man, their light dimmed in comparison.

She thought she had seen her share of monsters crawling through the mud.

\'What in the world?\'

There was something unusual about him.

Had he been hiding his presence until now? He was becoming increasingly more tangible.

The professors at Gallimard, known as the "Heaven Beyond Heaven."

There was no one on the continent who could compare to them.

But this man’s intensity seemed capable of trampling even those mighty figures.

\'This can’t be real.\'

It was a strength beyond anything she could comprehend.

And yet, this man was just a chef?

As she began to feel that something was off.

\'His face... looks familiar somehow...\'

A sudden sense of deja vu struck her.

The deep red hair, the solid build, the cross-shaped scar on his cheek.

She definitely knew this man.

She recalled her master’s voice, which she had heard countless times.

–Irene, remember this man in the painting.

–If you intend to walk the path of the sword... you’ll have to surpass this sky one day.

–He’s the only person in the continent’s history to have reached the stars.

A scene she had almost forgotten played vividly in her mind.

Her master would often shove the painting in front of her and praise the man’s achievements.

In the painting, the young man with red hair was smiling.

The name of the figure depicted was...

\'Kyle Stroban.\'

Though many years had passed, there was an unmistakable familiarity in his features.

Irene murmured blankly,

"...The Red Sword Saint?"

The sword once hailed as humanity’s strongest.

A figure who had adorned many pages of history with unparalleled strength, the most brilliant legacy of a bygone era.

The Sword Saint smiled sheepishly.

"I didn’t think anyone would recognize me... Haha! This is a bit embarrassing!"

It was a clear confirmation.

"No way."

Irene mumbled to herself in disbelief.

Why was the man once known as the continent’s apex... involved in a criminal organization?

On the surface, it sounded like a lament.

But the reality was far different.

"You... surely..."

Confusion, shock, doubt.

The fox’s overwhelming emotions stemmed from a more fundamental issue.

In a daze, she muttered,

"...I heard you died in an accident two years ago."

Kyle Stroban.

Known as the \'Red Sword Saint\' or the \'Fallen Star.\'

A hero who had purged countless dark mages and greatly contributed to the continent’s peace, symbolizing the Empire’s last 20 years.

And.

According to official records, deceased.

"...."

"I’m just a simple chef now."

A hearty laugh echoed through the room.

Irene was facing a ghost that should not exist.

"Haha! It’s a grace bestowed by the Captain."

"What did you say...?"

"I survived thanks to him."

The Captain was mentioned once again.

The Sword Saint offered a brief prayer with a reverent expression.

His face showed deep respect.

He seemed to be in the same state as the members she had seen outside.

The fox stood frozen, watching the scene unfold.

\'A slum, a criminal organization, a basement, fanatics... and now the Empire’s missing hero.\'

Just how far do these roots go?

A sticky sense of dread crawled up her neck.

The girl could only swallow dryly as she considered the mastermind likely standing at the center of all these events.