At the edge of town, a red-haired woman stood in front of a wooden house.
When she saw the familiar figure approaching along the forest path, a delighted smile spread across her face.
"Garling Figarland!"
She ran to meet him, tears glimmering in her eyes.
"I'm so happy. I always believed you'd come back."
Garling Figarland—the commander of the Holy Knights—looked calm, even cold.
"Mm." He gave only a faint reply, his gaze settling on the baby carriage behind her.
There lay two red-haired infants, only a few months old.
They gazed at the strange man with round, curious eyes, then grinned happily.
"These are your dear children." The woman crouched down and spoke gently to the babies.
"Shamrock, Shanks, say hello to Daddy."
The babies babbled in response.
Garling Figarland looked at the two infants, a little surprised.
"Twins? They're so cute."
"That's right. They're your sons." The woman looked up, pleading in her eyes.
"Please, will you live with me on this island?
"Just the four of us, living a peaceful life..."
Garling Figarland calmly shook his head.
"No. Even if we were to live together, it wouldn't be here. This island will soon be gone."
"What?" The woman froze, not understanding what he meant.
Garling Figarland didn't explain. He simply continued watching the two red-haired babies.
"I've already chosen and reserved a suitable wife for myself. If I win this tournament, I'll marry her."
"A tournament?" The woman was even more confused.
But Garling Figarland gave her no chance to ask further.
Stab—
A flash of swordlight.
The woman's expression froze. She looked down at the thin wound across her chest, where blood was slowly seeping out.
"Why...?"
She managed to utter the words before her body crumpled to the ground.
The two red-haired babies began to