Chapter 44 – The Return of the Phantom

Yura cradled Yukina in her arms when Ren leaned close, wrapping them both in one last embrace.

“Daddy has to go… but I promise I’ll be back soon,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to his daughter’s forehead.

“And what do you mean by ‘soon’?” Yura asked, her voice barely holding together.

Ren hesitated, as if the words themselves weighed too heavily.

“If Opera’s managed to stay active these four years… then maybe a year. Or less.”

Yura lowered her gaze, gently stroking Yukina’s hair.

“We’ll be waiting. You promised you’d watch your daughter grow.”

Luisina stepped in with a light smile, slipping an arm around Yura’s shoulders.

“Don’t worry… Latina and I will look after him until we’re back.”

Ren drew in a deep breath. Extending his hand, he tore open a rift in space. The air distorted, darkness unfurling like the curtain of a stage. Luisina and Latina stepped through first.

Before following them, Ren turned back to Yura. He pressed a final kiss to his daughter’s forehead… and another to his wife’s lips.

“We’ll see each other soon, love. Take care of our little one until then.”

With tender fingers, he brushed Yukina’s cheek.

“And you… don’t give your mother too much trouble while I’m gone.”

The baby babbled happily, oblivious to the weight of the moment.

At last, Ren crossed the portal. The rift closed behind him, leaving nothing but silence in Yukihana’s frozen air.

Yura stood motionless, her child clutched to her chest. A tear traced her cheek as she held Yukina tighter.

“Liar…” she whispered. “You’d better keep your promise.”

The moment Ren stepped through, the world shifted. Yukihana’s winter chill was replaced by the soft breeze of spring.

“Ahhh…” Latina inhaled deeply. “How I missed the forest’s fresh air.”

“Haaah… way too hot!” Luisina groaned, fanning herself with her hand.

Ren chuckled quietly, Wisteria in hand.

“You’ll get used to it. If we follow this path, we’ll reach our base. And—”

A sharp whistle cut the air. Ren barely deflected the incoming projectile with his katana.

“Behind me! Don’t attack!” he ordered, his voice sharp and commanding.

His hunter’s instinct screamed at him—someone was watching. A hidden sniper. The shot had been too precise.

Another whistle. Another projectile. Ren deflected it again with a swift spin of his blade.

“Why don’t you show yourself?” he growled, his voice echoing through the trees. “It’s not wise to attack me in my own home.”

From behind a tree, a figure leapt forward with incredible speed. Latina, already on guard, raised her wand.

“Bind!” Chains of magic shot forth, ensnaring the assailant.

“Who are you? What are you doing on our land?” Latina shouted, while Ren casually swatted aside a third shot.

“So quick to forget me…” the figure murmured.

The young rabbit-girl lifted her head, her ears twitching upright. When her eyes landed on Ren, they sparkled.

“Master Ren!” Mirai cried out, her tail wagging in delight.

Luisina clicked her tongue.

“You actually know this lunatic?”

“Yes.” Ren answered calmly, deflecting yet another shot with surgical precision. “She’s one of us. A member of Opera… just like the two of you.”

“Then who the hell keeps shooting at me?!” Luisina snapped.

Mirai broke free of the chains with an agile leap and whistled toward the trees.

“Relax… it’s Amira. Our long-range guard.”

The shots finally ceased. Guided by Mirai, they made their way toward the Schubert mansion.

Master Ren, welcome home!” Mia and Nia ran up to him, hugging him with boundless energy.

“I’m back.” Ren ruffled their hair with a gentle smile.

“I don’t think the empress is going to like this…” Luisina muttered slyly.

“Lady Ada will be so happy to see you!” one of the twins said, her eyes sparkling. “She and Lady Diana will return in a few hours. Would you like us to prepare tea for you and your guests?”

“Please do.” Ren nodded.

Time crawled by until, at last, Ada and Diana arrived in a carriage. They stepped into the main hall, deep in discussion over city matters.

“The trade routes are secure, but we should strengthen security in Lumius…” Diana was saying—when Ada suddenly dropped her scrolls, her gaze lifting.

“…Ren.”

He stood. He looked taller now, more mature. Barely four years had passed, yet for Ada, it had felt like an eternity.

“I’m home, Ada.” His smile lit up the hall.

Ada rushed forward and threw her arms around him, clutching him so tightly it was as if she feared he might vanish if she let go.

“Welcome back, young Ren.” Diana greeted him with calm elegance.

“It’s… good to see you, Diana.” Ren managed to reply, though Ada’s embrace made it hard to breathe.

“That’s far too long a greeting for someone who’s just a friend…” Luisina cut in, her tone sharp as a blade.

Ada shot her a piercing look.

“Yura Aseina… where’s your plain old kimono?”

A vein throbbed on Luisina’s forehead.

“I know all Yuki look alike to you, but I’m not the empress.” She raised her voice firmly. “Now release our emperor, if you don’t mind.”

“Emperor, you say…?” Ada frowned, tightening her grip on Ren.

“That’s right. He’s the emperor of Yukihana. And my name is Luisina Fontaine, remember it well, you home-wrecking cat.”

“Girls, please… calm down…” Ren tried to mediate, flustered.

“Ren…” Ada glared at him, squeezing tighter. “Is there something you’d like to tell me?”

He met her eyes. In that moment, Ada seemed more dangerous than even Lilith.

“Well… a lot happened.”

“Oh really? Such as…?”

“They gave me this beautiful katana.” He nervously held up Wisteria.

“And you also have a beautiful wife and daughter.” Latina chimed in, smiling as if she’d just stated the obvious.

“You’re not helping me at all, Latina. You did that on purpose, didn’t you?” Ren thought, shooting the elf a desperate look.

“Oh… don’t tell me…” Ada’s voice turned icy. “So you were off playing house, enjoying your little family… while I was stuck cleaning up Cegris.”

“Well… we did liberate Yukihana…”

Ada grabbed him by the collar, her eyes blazing.

“You have one month to pick out a wedding dress for me. Tomorrow, I’ll start sending invitations.” She pulled him closer, her voice sharp as steel. “Don’t forget, Ren… this isn’t a warning. It’s a threat.”

With fire in her eyes, she spun on her heels and stormed out of the hall, leaving behind a heavy silence.

Everyone stood frozen, unsure how to react.

“Congratulations on your second wedding! Yay!” Latina cheered, throwing her arms up with innocent enthusiasm.

Ren buried his face in his hand, exhausted.

“Latina… you’re really not helping.”

The muffled chuckles of Mirai, Mia, and Nia soon burst into full laughter, and even Diana allowed herself a discreet smile. Luisina, however, wasn’t nearly as amused—but she had to trust what Yura had once told her about Ada.

Finally, Ren let out a long, weary sigh.