"Someone in Sunset City has hired adventurers to stop Roxia from becoming a Vowbound Knight," Natasha said anxiously. "That's the situation. I hope, Mr. Kurose Akira, that you can ensure Roxia's safety during the Vowbound Knight selection two days from now."
"I understand," Akira replied.
After briefly confirming the key details of the commission, Natasha excused herself—she still had other matters to attend to.
Yet as she left, she repeatedly glanced back at Loserine. There was something unmistakable in her gaze—an attention and concern that went beyond simple curiosity, as though she were trying to confirm something deeply buried in her heart.
"Mr. Akira, I've looked into it," Ivsha whispered softly at his ear."Loserine appears to have once been a Vowbound Knight of the Yerman Family… but she died during a mission ten years ago."
"So they were family after all…" Akira murmured thoughtfully.
From the information Ivsha had gathered, Vowbound Knights were guardians who had received the Blessing of the White Rose, sworn to protect an entire city.
Their combat strength was self-evident.
Of course, after being recruited into Akira's guild and transformed into an undead, Loserine's level had fallen to Level 10.
Had she remained in her living state, her level would likely have been at least Level 30.
But Loserine now…
Akira turned his head and looked at her, seated quietly beside him.
With delicate, jade-like finger bones, she gently stirred the coffee in her cup. As an undead, she had already forgotten everything.
Even the ability to speak had been stripped away.
"It's getting late. We should head back."
Akira drained the rest of his coffee in one go, calmly set down a few copper coins, and rose from his seat.
The moment he stepped out of the café—
A man dressed in a black robe on the street suddenly caught his attention.
But in the next instant, the figure vanished into the sea of people.
"…Another player?" Akira muttered under his breath.
According to the information Natasha had provided, someone else in Sunset City had issued commissions to player-created guilds, aiming to sabotage Roxia's bid during the Vowbound Knight selection.
Rather than worrying him, this sparked a trace of excitement.
This was the first time Akira had encountered other players in the game. Even if they were enemies, a multiplayer game without PvP wouldn't make sense.
Of course—
He had no intention of holding back.
As for the opposing guild's strength, it was likely comparable to his own. After all, this was only an E-rank mission.
"Mr. Akira? What are you looking at?" Ivsha asked curiously, noticing him standing still.
"Nothing. Let's go back."
Yerman Family Castle
"Aunt Natasha… are you saying you met my aunt?"
Roxia suddenly sprang to her feet, shock written all over her face.
"Yes!" Natasha nodded emphatically. "I'm certain—it was Loserine. I could never forget that white-gold armor, or the family crest on her breastplate. But… something about her was strange."
"Aunt Natasha… could you be mistaken? Aunt Loserine died ten years ago in that shipwreck," Roxia said, still unable to believe it.
After all, ten years had passed. If her aunt were truly alive, how could there have been no news at all?
"How could I be mistaken? Roxia! I'm only thirty-four—I'm not senile yet!" Natasha insisted urgently, desperate to be believed.
Her sincerity made Roxia waver slightly.
If Aunt Loserine were truly alive… then this Vowbound Knight selection—
"Who was she with?" Roxia asked urgently.
"Adventurers I hired."
"…Adventurers?" Roxia frowned. "Aunt Natasha, why would you hire adventurers?"
"I heard that someone intended to harm you during the Vowbound Knight selection," Natasha explained."So I hired them as a precaution."
"..."
Roxia fell silent.
She understood that everything Natasha did came from concern for her. And yet, this selection was under the protection of the White Rose, overseen by every knightly family in Sunset City.
Attempting sabotage would be nearly impossible.
Still—this was Natasha's goodwill.
She wouldn't refuse it.
"You've been drowning in grief for too long, Natasha. Loserine is dead. And so are Roxia's parents—they all perished in that shipwreck."
At that moment—
Mero, having overheard their conversation, stepped into the study and spoke coldly.
"Uncle…?"
"Roxia," Mero said, casting a frosty glance at Natasha,"I hope you can understand Natasha's mental confusion. She was your mother's and your aunt's closest friend. Ten years ago, the people of Sunset City even called them the Three Golden Flowers—inseparable, admired by all."
"For her to imagine Loserine still alive now is only natural. She simply misses your mother and aunt too deeply."
"How could you say that…" Natasha's eyes reddened as she struggled to speak.
She hadn't imagined it.
Loserine had truly returned to Sunset City.
But—
Mero clearly had no intention of letting her continue.
"Regardless, you should believe this much," he cut in."Natasha loves you. She even spent a fortune hiring adventurers for your sake. Even if they amount to nothing, that sentiment alone is meaningful."
Hearing this, Roxia smiled gently at Natasha.
"Aunt Natasha, thank you for caring for me like a mother. Please believe that I'll succeed in the Vowbound Knight selection the day after tomorrow—and I won't disappoint you."
"Roxia…"
"That's enough. Roxia, it's time for your weekly service at the church."
"…Yes."
Urged on by Mero, Roxia left the study.
As Mero followed, he deliberately cast a glance back at Natasha, who remained standing there.
There was something unsettling in his eyes.
That single look sent a chill through Natasha—but she didn't dare speak of it to Roxia.
"Then, Mr. Akira~ see you tomorrow~"
Ivsha waved goodbye and left the guild.
Akira also prepared to log out. Even though it was Friday, he still had to work at Sister Ling's shop early the next morning.
Just as he was about to close the game—
He noticed Loserine was still sitting on a wooden chair in the guild hall.
No one knew what she was thinking. She simply traced the tabletop lightly with her jade-like fingers.
In no time at all, the wooden table had been carved with intricate patterns.
Akira frowned.
If this continued, every table in his guild was going to be ruined.
After a moment of thought, he opened the shop and purchased a "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" jigsaw puzzle.
Walking over, he placed it on the table before Loserine and said gently,
"If you're bored… you can play with this."
Loserine looked at Akira.
Then at the puzzle.
Suddenly—
An eerie light flashed within her hollow "eyes."
At that instant, a system notification popped into Akira's vision.
[Character Growth Quest Triggered — "It's itchy! A brain is growing!"][Quest Objective: Loserine must independently complete the "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" puzzle.][Quest Reward: Random Advanced Sword Technique!]
Akira: "..."
"…Huh?!"