Given the confirmed existence of monsters and wizards, the Zero Knight Division should have been moving by now.

However, they hadn’t been able to utilize the Zero Knight Division due to the absence of a commander.

The problem had also been troubling the Emperor, but he didn’t expect a direct recommendation for an acting commander from the Zero Knight Division Commander himself.

If the commander personally recommended him, the notoriously reclusive members of the Zero Knight Division would follow, at least superficially.

The Emperor stopped as he read a familiar name written in the letter.

“Hmm. He actually recommended this person?”

The Emperor stroked his chin, intrigued.

It was a fully convincing appointment.

Recently, no one had more experience facing monsters than this individual.

“When did he do all this research? He’s as meticulous as ever.”

Based on records of the candidate’s actions, merits, skills, reputation, and leadership, the recommendation was presented to the Emperor.

The Emperor set down the letter and lost himself in thought.

Clearly, he was the optimal candidate, and there were no other alternatives.

The Emperor picked up the pen and signed the appointment.

“Acting Commander of the Zero Knight Division, Eric Russell Gloster.”

(This is a time separator.)

As the Emperor was formally assigning another duty to Eric, the man himself was riding at full speed towards the place where he had met Chase a while ago.

Upon arrival, he quickly dismounted and tied up the horse, then looked around the table where Chase and the twins had been sitting.

‘Were they eating ice cream earlier?’

He entered an ice cream shop that was a short distance away.

“Welcome.”

“Do you remember a man and a woman sitting at a table outside with twins and buying ice cream?”

“Ah—.”

Confused by Eric’s low questioning tone, the clerk hastily scrambled to remember.

“Well, a young couple did come with pretty twins—.”

“…Couple? Ah, she’s my woman.”

“Oh, I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”

Although he wasn’t angry, his calm tone made the clerk repeatedly bow and apologize.

Realizing the ridiculousness of the situation, a flustered Eric touched his forehead and asked quietly.

“So where did she go?”

“What?”

“Where did the woman go?”

“Ah, if you’re talking about that woman, she went toward the bookstore—.”

Before the clerk could finish speaking, Eric had already left the shop without hesitation.

“What’s going on? Why the fuss?”

The owner who had been in the storeroom came out and walked towards the counter, grumbling.

“Ah, sir, that customer—.”

“Customer?”

The clerk’s face instantly turned sad.

“He was really pitiful. It seems his wife cheated on him with another man. He came to catch her.”

“What? He came to catch a cheating wife?”

“Yes, you know, the one who came with the twins earlier.”
“My goodness, it’s the end of the world. How can she walk around outside so brazenly?”

“You’re telling me. She didn’t look that way, did she? You really can’t judge people by their appearances.”

The shop clerk and the owner sighed and lowered their heads, worried about the world.

(Time separator here.)

“Where’s the bookstore?”

Eric was wandering around, looking at the signs as he walked.

“Eric?”

Alicia’s voice was heard from behind at that moment.

Eric slowly turned his head.

“What are you doing here? Isn’t it time for you to be working? Or have you finished?”

Alicia came walking briskly towards him, carrying books and wearing a pleased expression.

Seeing her, Eric finally realized.

The twin incident and his excuse about chasing Chase were just that—excuses. All he really wanted was to see her.

“Eric?”

“……”

Alicia, who had come closer, studied Eric’s expression as he silently stared back.

It felt strange because he was just staring back without saying anything, his expression unreadable.

It was as if something major had happened; she became increasingly worried.

“What’s wrong? Is something the matter?”

Alicia’s worried voice sounded distant to Eric, as if echoing in his ears.

He had many things to say before meeting her, but now he couldn’t remember a single one.

The only thing he wanted to say now was one thing.

“I love you.”

“!”

Alicia’s eyes widened at the unexpected confession.

His face flushed, Eric covered his mouth with his hand, looking at her surprised expression.

It had slipped out unintentionally, but it was even more sincere because of that.

So Eric spoke again, putting force into each word.

“I love you, Alicia.”

“……”

“It may not be the right time or place, but I wanted to say it.”

He was still scared of Alicia, who continued to look at him in surprise, but he bravely waited for her to speak.

“I love you.”

Alicia smiled brightly as she responded.

He was happy.

He was happy that Eric had suddenly appeared before him, but even happier that he had said the words she had wanted to hear.

So,

“It doesn’t matter to me.”

“?”

“I have you here now, telling me this. Why do we need a right time or place?”

“You’re driving me crazy.”

Her face flushed, Alicia was lovingly looking at him and smiling.

What should he do with this woman?

She made him think of cringeworthy phrases he had never thought he would use.

Could someone always be this beautiful?

Even the words she used were beautiful now.

Someone was tickling his heart, and Alicia shyly lowered her head a little.

He couldn’t stand how attractive she was, so Eric took a step closer to Alicia.

And just as he was reaching out his arm toward her, an unwelcome voice rang out.

“Oh, brother. You’re back?”