DUK… DAK… DUK.
The sound of footsteps is heard from outside the room.
Slow. Heavy.
Rose and the others notice. All eyes turn toward a figure at the doorway.
He stands still, his body swaying slightly.
Silence falls for a moment.
Confusion spreads across the faces of Rose, Aunt Anne, and Olivia.
BRUK!—The man collapses to the floor, right at the threshold.
Without thinking, Olivia rises, leaving Rose with Aunt Anne, and quickly moves to help the fallen figure.
"Sir, are you alright?" she asks, stopping beside the body lying on the floor.
The man lies on his back. His breathing is heavy. His clothes are wrinkled and dirty, dust clinging to nearly every part of him.
Olivia kneels. Her hand trembles slightly as she turns his face toward her.
"Sir?" she repeats softly.
She looks closer.
Her eyes widen.
"S-Sir?!" she cries out.
Inside the room, Aunt Anne, still holding Rose, immediately turns. Rose lifts her head as well, looking toward Olivia.
Olivia meets their gaze. Her face is tense.
"H-he is… your father, Rose."
Krieger.
Rose freezes.
—
A house stands in the middle of a vast green field. The front and back yards stretch wide, facing long rolling hills. Small villages can be seen in the distance, between rivers and patches of farmland.
Inside the house, the aroma of cooking fills the air.
Loki stands in the kitchen. He lifts a spoon, tasting the broth he is preparing.
A small flame burns beneath the pot.
He exhales lightly, enjoying the calm atmosphere. The meal is finished and ready to be served.
KREEEK—
The door opens.
Wind enters.
Loki stops.
He turns his head, sensing something unusual.
He extinguishes the fire—TAK—and turns around. His steps are calm as he walks toward the door.
He stops at the threshold.
Someone stands there.
A body covered in a cloak. Only half of the face is visible. No movement.
Standing still.
Loki tilts his head slightly, raising both eyebrows.
"What is this? An uninvited guest?"
No answer.
The figure remains silent.
Loki slips both hands into his pockets, exhales, his shoulders rising and falling slightly.
"Hey, hey, I don't know you. Leave. You must have come because of the smell of my cooking, right? What else could it be?"
He glances at the figure once more, then begins to turn away.
He exhales again.
Stops.
"Still standing there?" he says, turning back.
"Huft… are you trying to trouble me?"
—
Inside a village library.
Tall shelves line the space. Long windows are open, curtains swaying gently in the wind.
People move about. Some read. Some search for books.
Albert walks out from within. A cane supports his steps.
He steps into the outer courtyard.
Sunlight touches his face.
He stops.
Looks up.
Takes a deep breath.
"Huft…"
The air feels fresh.
The blue sky stretches wide. Clouds drift slowly. Birds can be heard in the distance.
The wind brushes his face.
Leaves fall gently.
He closes his eyes for a moment.
Footsteps pass around him. Some people sit beneath trees. Others stand reading.
Ahead—
A figure stands still.
A cloak covers the body. Half of the face is visible. A weapon rests in its hand.
Not moving.
Albert opens his eyes.
His gaze fixes on the figure.
He stops moving.
His brow furrows.
He tries to recognize him.
He takes a step forward.
Tok.
His cane touches the ground.
He looks closer.
The wind moves his hair.
The figure remains still.
Their gazes lock.
Albert's expression changes.
His eyes widen.
His body stiffens.
"HUH?!"
He recognizes the figure before him—
His father.
---
At a temple atop a hill.
Stone structures stand firm. Tall pillars line the area neatly. The wide courtyard is filled with arranged stones. Several sword-training tools are placed to one side.
A large tree stands at the center. Its leaves are thick. Yellow flowers bloom along every branch.
Jiza stands beneath it.
His entire body is wrapped in bandages, including his face.
The wind blows gently. Leaves and flowers fall, brushing against him.
He takes it in.
DAK… DUK… DAK…
Footsteps sound behind him.
DUK.
They stop.
Jiza remains still.
"Do I know you?" he asks without turning.
No answer.
Breathing is heard.
Heavy. Rushed.
"Huft… Johan… you've really started this, haven't you?" he murmurs.
Jiza turns.
His gaze locks onto the figure behind him.
A large body. A tight cloak. Half of the face visible.
Both of the figure's hands are clenched.
Jiza watches for a few seconds.
"I recognize you."
He lowers his head briefly, takes a breath, and exhales slowly.
His own hands clench.
His sword is not in his hands.
"Huft. This will be a troublesome opponent."
—
Inside a medical outpost on a hill near the Kingdom of Gaelvorn, Rose, Anne, and Olivia stand within the room. Krieger—Olivia's father—is being treated by Charlotte. Nero is absent, unlike usual.
"Severe dehydration, extensive physical injuries, and multiple bodily damages. What exactly has he gone through?" Charlotte asks Rose and the others.
No answer comes.
Rose lowers her head weakly. Aunt Anne stays beside her, holding her and gently rubbing her shoulders, resting her head against hers.
Krieger's fingers begin to move. Rose, unable to look at her father's condition, does not notice.
Olivia does.
"H-he… he's awake!" Olivia says immediately.
Rose lifts her head. Aunt Anne opens her eyes. Charlotte turns. Krieger regains consciousness.
Rose rises from the edge of the bed. Her movement is quick, almost stumbling.
"Father."
DUK—She embraces him tightly.
Krieger's body still feels heavy. The faint smell of dust and blood clings to his clothes. The embrace shifts his shoulders slightly.
"Miss!" Charlotte calls out reflexively, stepping forward.
"U-ukh…" Krieger groans softly.
Rose does not release him. Her tears break free, soaking his clothes endlessly. Her grip tightens, as if afraid he will disappear again.
Krieger shakes his head slightly toward Charlotte, signaling him not to stop it.
Then slowly, he raises one hand and returns the embrace.
Olivia and Aunt Anne stand nearby. They remain silent for a few seconds before faint smiles appear on their faces—relief mixed with lingering worry.
Rose continues to hold him.
Her crying does not stop.
After several moments, the embrace begins to loosen.
Charlotte crosses his arms, observing Krieger carefully.
"Explain to us what you have just gone through, companion of the Mad Fighter," he says calmly.