1431 hours, 2 July 0145...

Our 2-hour journey finally ended when we reached Southern Grande Maria's residence, near the border with Capriccio. We were standing in front of Leonid Martinez's house, and I could feel Christine's memories permeating her sight.

It's hard to believe that her two-story house, with its weathered shingles and vintage stained-glass windows, stands the test of time in impeccable condition and stately appearance. Two palm trees stood on the left and right sides as I gazed ahead.

The sweet fragrance of blooming roses and herbs wafts through the air, enveloping the entrance stairs in a delicate embrace, with a tranquil pool shimmering nearby.

The palm trees and greenery not only added to the beauty of the place but also made it a comfortable place to live by dispelling the scorching sun.

After we took out our suitcases, Christine quickly made her way up to the door of her old home, her heart beating with anticipation.

She rang the doorbell three times, and she could hear her father's muffled voice exclaiming just before he opened the front door.

"Yes, I'm coming! Is there any pipe bomb in the package I've ordered from?"

Upon opening the front door, Leonid was surprised to see us standing there, as he hadn't expected such a large group to arrive.

"What do you need?"

As Leonid experienced a brief pause, he then suddenly caught sight of his daughter standing in front of him. His long-lost daughter's radiance left him speechless.

Leonid's chest swelled with emotion as he froze at the entrance door and asked Christine a suspenseful question.

"Christine? S-sweetheart?"

Upon hearing her father's voice after such a long time, she felt a lump in her throat and struggled to speak.

"Father…"

He stood at the entrance stair and looked down at us with confusion etched on his face. He inquired about the moment Christine had long awaited—the reunion with her father.

"What's going on in here? Who are you, people?"

He was on the verge of asking another question, but his eyes were sparkling with appreciation at returning his daughter safely after her tumultuous time on Minerva.

As she clutched her suitcase, I could see tears welling up in Christine's eyes, and her grip faltered. Her hands shot out, grabbing onto her father's waist, as she hugged him tightly and cried.

"Father…"

"FATHER!!!"

Tears burst out of her eyes as she thought about her father, whom she hadn't seen in six years. Leonid wrapped his arms around Christine's back and tenderly stroked her, his voice choked with slight tears.

"Christine… sweetheart… It's been a long time."

Her tears flowed endlessly as she held onto Leonid's waist, seeking comfort in his embrace and apologizing repeatedly.

"Father… father… I'm sorry… I'm so sorry... that I forgot... to tell you... about my year... in Minerva."

All Leonid could do was hold his daughter close, feeling the softness of her hair as he replied with a tearful smile.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. Everything will be fine."

"I'm so grateful to see that my beloved daughter is growing better from year to year."

"I've heard your achievements in Minerva are so fascinating to hear because you've healed countless Authonoid and easily provided professional medical treatment to the severe ones, despite your inexperience."

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"What's not to be grateful to hear about my beloved daughter's achievements that I must be proud of?"

Christine tightened the grip on her father's waist as she looked up at his face, and tears wouldn't stop streaming through her cheeks.

"I know, father... I just… I just can't forget... about my mother."

"Because every time I do my duty in there, I can't stop thinking about her."

"As if her affection... and her protection... always accompanied me... on every... occasion..."

"But... no matter how many achievements I've achieved... there must be one individual I witness perish."

"And I'm genuinely sorry I'm wearing this eye patch while acting like an idiot. I'm tired of that squadron that was forcing me to marry that psychopath! And perilous liberation is way better than prudential oppression!"

Leonid held her close as she cried out loud for the second time, her tears soaking his clothes and leaving a damp spot on his chest. But he gave a gentle touch on her back, which provided comfort to Christine as he soothingly spoke.

"Sometimes, letting it go is your best way to reduce your burdens, sweetheart."

"I mean, look at your friends behind you. They've cared for you, and they keep supporting you."

He heaved a sigh of gratitude, turning his focus to us and introducing himself while hugging his saddened daughter and caressing her back.

"I am Leonid Martinez, the Saint Capriccio church priest and the ex-professional pharmacist of Veloce Pharmacy."

"I have nothing to repay your kindness. Except to express my greatest gratitude to you, my respected Minerva Authonoids."

With a smile, Commander Katoki approached Leonid and extended his hand for a friendly handshake.

"Don't mention it, Mr. Martinez. I'm Katoki Jefferson, the Black Vulture squadron's commander. And Christine is a member of my squadron."

Leonid's face lit up with surprise as he shook Katoki's hand and hugged himself at the same time.

"Commander Katoki Jefferson? It's been a long time! And have you continued to train her up until now?"

"Not really. It's a new squadron that I'm commanding."

Upon seeing Commander Marisa's outstretched hand and gentle smile, Leonid nodded and raised his eyebrows in agreement.

"And it's an immense pleasure to meet with you again, Mr. Martinez."

He responded to Marisa's handshake with a smile on his face.

"Pleasure to meet you again too, Commander Marisa. It's been a year."

From behind Christine, I leaned forward and introduced myself to Leonid as I extended my right hand for a handshake.

"Mr. Martinez, I am Tsuyuki, the leader of the Black Vulture squadron and Christine's closest friend."

As I shook Leonid's hand, he gave a nod in response, while Axel made his way over for a handshake and introduction.

"Mr. Martinez, I'm Axel. A member of the Black Vulture and also the closest friend of Christine."

Leonid went down the line, shaking hands with each of my friends and nodding in recognition.

It was a fortunate moment that Christine's tears had dried and the sorrowful atmosphere had lifted. He then extended a warm smile, assuring us of his hospitality.

"It is a pleasure to meet all of you. And I'm so grateful that all of you were Christine's close friends, acting as a shield for her."

But Nolan then responded with a slight joke.

"Well, we're just having a blast for a long time."

With that, Leonid continued with a gesture in his hand of invitation.

"Come on in. You must be hungry now."

Lisabelle's sudden respectful response conveyed her gratitude to the person who had offered her help.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Martinez. There is no need to be burdened with that."

As we entered Christine's old home, we rested in her cozy childhood house.

***

Despite the piercing sun, a cool breeze flows through the old house as I step inside. While we were taking off our shoes, Christine hurried up to her bedroom, showing signs of homesickness.

Lisabelle's sudden exclamation filled the old house, highlighting the opulent tapestries and intricate carvings that adorned the remarkable interior.

"Wow, so this is her old house? It looks luxurious."

While Leonid talked, he rearranged the decorations in his living room until they were just right.

"By the way, we have four bedrooms upstairs. I will divide you into two groups, one in each room. Make sure boys and girls should never mix in one room!"

"We're going to have dinner at 6 p.m. And make sure you were on time in the dining room."

Although he asked politely, I refused his request.

"I apologize for the fact that the Cleanser Squadron offered us lunches in their HQ."

With his old, dusty books in hand, Leonid sauntered out of the living room and made a teasing offer.

"You'll be hungry at the dinner."

As we ascended to the 2nd floor to settle into our bedrooms, Nolan playfully poked my back, breaking the silence with a question.

"Hey, Tsuyuki. Wanna hang out in the living room after that?"

I trudged up the stairs, my lack of enthusiasm evident in my slow pace and minimal responses.

"I'm sorry, I want to take a shower first."

With a mischievous glint in his eye, Nolan teased me with an offer I couldn't refuse.

"There was a football match that will be broadcast later in the 1440 hours about Grande Maria FC vs. Scuderia Capriccio FC."

"Football wasn't my cup of tea!"

After I dismissed his offer, Nolan followed me silently to my bedroom.

***

I emerged from the bathroom after my 20-minute shower, feeling rejuvenated and ready to tackle the day. As the filtered water cascaded over me, I marveled at its purity, a stark contrast to the mineral-laden water of Minerva that I had grown accustomed to.

Once I was dry and dressed, I sprawled out on the bed with my phone in hand. Equipped with my EarPods, I was ready to take on my favorite hack-and-slash game while enjoying some tunes.

As my fingers ache from battling the formidable boss on my touchscreen, my thoughts drift to Onigashi, whose likeness is uncannily mirrored in this game.