Ellen, who holds a Knight Number, had been granted permission to command her own fleet.

She was counted among the strongest knight orders of the Banfield family and received exceptional treatment befitting her status.

In other words, exceptional performance was expected of her.

"What's the status of the fleet's departure preparations?"

When she asked the fleet’s vice-commander walking diagonally behind her, he responded immediately.

"We are simply waiting for you, Admiral."

"—For me, the Admiral, to be late… how utterly pathetic."

Ellen’s cheeks flushed with shame at her own self-reproach.

"It’s within an acceptable range. Besides, we received a notice from the mansion that you would be late."

As another knight’s fleet was returning, Ellen’s was being dispatched in its place.

Her role was to maintain public order within the territory and to suppress the surrounding lords.

She had been granted discretionary authority, even permission to strike against nobles who had shown hostility during the war with the subjugation army.

In short, she could move as she pleased.

"From the Head of the family?"

(Could it be Master? If so, I’ve shown him such a disgraceful side of myself.)

When Ellen asked who the message had come from, the vice-commander shook his head.

"It was from the Lady of the house. She apologized for the trouble Lord Edward caused."

Learning that Rosetta had apologized, Ellen’s expression grew bitter.

"I’ve made her apologize again."

The cause of Ellen’s tardiness had been Edward.

She had gone to greet Liam at the mansion before departure, but on her way back Edward had detained her.

The vice-commander smiled faintly.

"It seems Lord Edward is quite fond of you, Admiral."

Ellen let out a small sigh.

Having looked after Ed for so long, Ellen—though it was disrespectful—saw him more like a younger brother.

"From Ed’s perspective, I’m probably just a nagging older sister. He’s become especially clingy lately, and it’s troublesome."

As Ellen spoke, the vice-commander appeared thoughtful.

"I hear Lord Edward has reached an age where he’s becoming aware of romance. Could it be that he’s in love with you, Admiral? You might even be his first love. Perhaps you will one day become the Lady of the Banfield house—"

Ellen smiled at his teasing. Perhaps that smile said “enough,” because the vice-commander broke out in a cold sweat.

"It’s fine to be excited about the young lord’s first love, but that was far too disrespectful."

"M-My apologies."

"Be more careful in the future. Besides—Ed’s first love is likely someone else, and there’s no chance of me and Ed getting together."

Ellen was a swordswoman and knight trained by Liam himself.

She had the skill to be granted a Knight Number within the Banfield family.

Even so, one’s origins could not be changed.

To marry the young lord of the Banfield family—formerly a ducal house of the Algrand Empire—was unthinkable. Liam and Rosetta might not oppose it, but the others surely would.

Especially Marie Sera Marian, who was utterly fixated on Edward.

The vice-commander, remembering Ellen’s circumstances, bowed.

"I apologize. I had forgotten, Admiral."

"I’m glad you understand. Now then—shall we go hunt the enemies of the Banfield family?"

At the military spaceport, Ellen’s flagship, a red super-dreadnought, awaited.

"Clearing the way for my master is the disciple’s duty. I shall fulfill it properly."

(I must repay my master for raising me into who I am today.)

◇

At the Banfield family mansion, Edward was indignant.

"Why does my master have to be deployed? There are plenty of other fleets! I wish they wouldn’t take my master."

He was venting to someone from the mansion’s military department.

"I understand your point, young lord, but this is a military decision. It cannot be overturned without cause."

Edward quickly argued.

"Before being an admiral, my master is my sword instructor! There’s the sacred duty of passing down the One-Flash style. For the military to interfere is blasphemy!"

The One-Flash style was sacred within the Banfield family.

Since Liam placed immense importance on it, even the military had to tread carefully.

"Well, that is—"

Edward smirked as the official faltered, but then Rosetta appeared with Marie in tow.

"Ed!"

"Geh!?"

Edward flinched at Rosetta’s appearance.

She began to scold him.

"You know full well you’re troubling others with that attitude."

"B-But, they don’t have to take my master…"

"Ellen is a knight who holds a Knight Number. To keep such a knight just for yourself would be a loss for the Banfield family. Do you understand?"

Though reluctant, Edward nodded.

"I understand."

Rosetta sighed.

"Ellen has her duties too. You mustn’t interfere. Because you detained her, the fleet’s departure was delayed."

She was deeply troubled by the damage caused by her son’s selfishness.

"This time, I’ll have Darling scold you. The consequences are too serious."

Edward clenched his fists.

◇

Rosetta brought Ed into my office.

Do they think I have time to waste?

Even now, I’m buried in military reorganization, territorial reconstruction, and endless approvals.

"The fleet’s departure was delayed?"

"That’s right. And all because of a child’s prank."

I checked the military records.

The delay had indeed disrupted port traffic. Adjustments had been made, but time was still lost.

Ed stood cowering, aware of his mistake.

"The military port has heavy traffic. You understand the delay of one ship causes a chain reaction, right?"

He nodded.

"I understand."

"Then be careful next time. That’s all—dismissed."

Rosetta looked sad, but I waved them off.

I was worried about Rinho too, but I couldn’t even go look for her.

"And here I am, burdened with Rinho’s matter as well…"

Fuuka still hadn’t found her.

"I wonder where she is and what she’s doing."

I doubted she’d fall into trouble, but the worry gnawed at me.

After Rosetta and the others left, I sighed.

"I don’t even know where to start cleaning up this mess."

◇

In one of Hydra’s cities, Rinho sat slumped in an alley.

Rain fell steadily, soaking her and draining her strength, but she couldn’t bring herself to care.

The feeling of being abandoned by Yasushi and Liam had driven her to despair.

"The One-Flash style has no need for a weak swordswoman. That’s why someone like me is—"

She clutched the sword Yasushi had given her.

Even knowing she was no longer needed, she couldn’t let go.

The rain, the alley… it all reminded her of the past.

Before Yasushi picked her up, she and the others had lived like strays in back alleys.

To end up here again—perhaps it was fate.

"In the end, a place like this suits me."

"It really does suit you."

Startled, Rinho looked up.

It was Chengshi, equally soaked without an umbrella.

Rinho turned away in annoyance.

"What do you want? Did our senior disciple send you to drag me back?"

Chengshi shrugged.

"Of course not. I just smelled a wet beast and came to see. Do you want me to take you back?"

Her teasing laugh grated on Rinho’s nerves.

She rose slowly.

"—If you don’t leave now, I’ll kill you."

Her voice, low and heavy with killing intent, made Chengshi’s cheeks flush.

"I like you like this. But—you should pick your fights more carefully!"

A blade slipped from Chengshi’s sleeve as she lunged.

"You think you can beat me?"

Rinho unleashed her One-Flash, carving the alley floor and walls—

But it never reached.

"Aha! You’re slower than before!"

Chengshi closed in, dodging the strike, and forced Rinho into a clash of blades.

"You dodged my One-Flash!?"

"You were stronger when we fought before. —You haven’t grown, you’ve weakened."

Their blades locked; Chengshi sighed.

Rinho tried again, but Chengshi parried and kicked her hard in the abdomen.

Kah! The breath was knocked out of her.

"This won’t work against Liam."

Rinho lay gasping, stunned she had lost.

As she struggled, Chengshi stepped on her head.

"—Damn it."

Smirking, Chengshi leaned down.

"Want me to tell you what you’re missing?"

"Huh?"

Rinho glared, but Chengshi smiled like a crescent moon.

"You’re a creature of the shadows, just like me. You’ll never shine under the sun like Liam."

"No! That’s not true!"

"It is true."

"I said it’s not true!"

Rinho forced herself up, throwing Chengshi back, and slashed again.

"I will stand where my senior disciples stand! —You will die here!"

"Ahahaha! As if that’s possible."

Chengshi spread her arms wide.

"Welcome to this side! I knew you’d cross over. From the moment we fought, I felt our connection."

"What are you talking about?" Rinho muttered—then saw her reflection in a puddle.

Her own image, cloaked in sinister aura.

"—Huh?"

Chengshi put her blade away, smiling gently.

"No matter how you dress it up, this is where you belong. Happy birthday, Rinho-chan."

Rinho collapsed, staring at her reflection through tears.

"Aah… Aaaaaaaahhh!?!?"

As she wailed in anguish, Chengshi turned away with a faint smile.

"Once you’re stronger, let’s enjoy trying to kill each other again."