Mophead narrowed his eyes and patted Twilight on the shoulder with a satisfied expression. "Good, good, that's the spirit. I'll leave it to you, Twilight."
Twilight looked utterly miserable. He seemed to have aged, unable even to hold himself upright.
Just as the two children excitedly discussed what they would do in the castle, a faint sigh from Papa Twilight drifted through the air.
Unfortunately, no one noticed that sigh. Twilight bore it all alone in silence.
Meanwhile, the intelligence agency received an important message from Twilight: code [GO 005].
Twilight's icy female superior folded her arms, a faint smile on her lips, and said softly, "He succeeded. The cherry blossoms have bloomed."
The full-bearded man monitoring the radio turned around again to report to her. "Twilight has sent another message."
She lowered her arms and walked over to his workstation, asking coldly, "What does it say?"
The man stood and reverently transcribed Twilight's message before handing it to her.
As she read it, her eyebrows twisted into knots, and her expression grew even more serious.
The bearded man looked troubled and struggled to ask, "What should we do?"
She recalled what the head of the highest intelligence agency had said: this man was hailed as the greatest spy in Westalis.
Whenever she remembered those words, she was filled with absolute trust in Twilight and the determination to make him their top priority.
With a grand sweep of her arm, the paper traced a perfect arc through the air. She raised one hand with the imposing air of someone who could uproot mountains. "Arrange it for him immediately."
Every staff member present shouted in unison, "Understood!!!"
They all sprang into action, until the entire intelligence agency's circuits were overloaded and glowing red.
"Calling Falcon in the Laineck Region. Twilight has sent an important assignment."
"This is Falcon. Important assignment from Twilight received. Over."
Twilight listened to the reply on his end. "1830, downstream on the Nain River in the Laineck Region."
"They really do respond quickly," Twilight couldn't help remarking.
Of course they were quick! His superior had such high hopes for him, after all. His every need took precedence.
At some point, Mophead had procured a map of Heartstone Castle. It was enormous, spread across the floor like a rug.
Anya and Richie knelt together while Explosionshead crouched opposite them, holding a little stick like a teacher's pointer as he introduced the entire castle:
"You can even do things like this here in the castle!"
Richie and Anya's faces brimmed with delighted surprise, and one strange little idea after another popped into their heads.
Yor had already drunk herself senseless. Kneeling nearby with a bottle of red wine in hand and flushed cheeks, she was off in outer space.
"Anya wants to make riddles for everyone to play!" Anya proposed excitedly, spreading her little hands.
Franky took the cue, twirling the little stick in his hand. "Oh-let's do it, let's do it."
"Then Richie will stay with Father and solve Anya's riddles!" Richie looked at Anya beside him.
Mophead nodded. "Sure, sure. Sounds good."
"Big brother, Anya's going to make really, really hard riddles!" Anya pulled a face and stretched herself up tall to intimidate Richie.
Richie flashed a devilish smile. "Bring it on, Anya! Your big brother Richie can definitely solve your riddles!"
Anya lifted her little chin, looking utterly convinced that he wouldn't be able to solve them.
An aircraft stood waiting downstream on the Nain River in Laineck.
Twilight brought his family and Mophead over, ready to board the helicopter.
You had to admit, Papa Twilight really was something.
Mophead had already lost his mind. Just before boarding, he stood in the open wilderness and burst into loud laughter. "Hahaha!"
Yor swayed drunkenly with the bottle in her hand. Her cerebellum could no longer keep her balanced, and she rocked from side to side, unaware of where she was.
Anya had changed into a flight suit and looked adorable in her tiny outfit. She waved her arms. "It's Anya's first time flying! This is amazing!"
Twilight had already gotten Richie ready, dressing him and putting his helmet on. Richie stood nearby admiring his father's stunning good looks, then spoke happily after Anya finished cheering:
"It's Richie's first time flying too! So excited, so excited! Waku waku!"
Twilight crouched down and carefully fastened Anya's helmet. Her little face flushed. "Ah, ah, eh~"
"All done." Twilight stood and watched Anya turn in a little circle.
"Does Anya look cool?"
Twilight lifted Anya high into the air. His face remained expressionless, but his voice was extraordinarily doting. "Cool-very cool-"
Richie came over too, stretching out his little hands and waving them, his face full of expectation. "Father, Richie wants a hug too."
"All right, all right." Twilight lovingly picked Richie up and raised him to eye level.
Richie felt the simplest joy a child could know. In real life, his parents never held him, kissed him, or lifted him high.
So being doted on by someone could make him this happy.
His mom and dad only criticized him, scolded him, argued, earned money, and went away on business.
Although he knew his parents meant well, deep down he still longed for them to hold him, kiss him, and look at him with the same affection Twilight did.
At that thought, the smile gradually faded from Richie's face.
Twilight noticed the shift in his mood immediately and blurted out, "What's wrong, Richie? Why are you suddenly unhappy? Did I lift you too high? Are you feeling uncomfortable?"
Richie giggled but said nothing. He simply shook his head and smiled.
Twilight didn't dwell on it. He picked Anya up with one arm and held Richie with the other, ready to board the aircraft.
Swaying drunkenly from side to side, Yor asked, "Mr. Loid, where did you get this aircraft?"
"I borrowed it from a wealthy colleague I'm good friends with." Twilight lied without batting an eye. Just what you'd expect from Twilight-not a truthful word came out of his mouth.
Richie covered his mouth and laughed in Twilight's arms.
Yor spun a full 180 degrees and bowed to the two spies behind her. "Thank you for always taking such good care of my husband."
Startled, the two spies hurriedly shook their heads and waved their hands, insisting that it was nothing.
The aircraft was about to take off. Twilight tilted his head from the pilot's seat and asked, "Everyone has their seat belts fastened, right? We're taking off!"
Everyone cheered together, "Let's go!"
Twilight piloted the aircraft onward, flying alone through the thin mist of the night.
The only sober person aboard thought, It's perfectly normal for a psychiatrist like him to know how to fly an aircraft, right?
Before you continue