Airspace 300 km south of Magwurt City.

1230, 16 Sept 2025

Inside the Hercules cabin, Vex studied the operational data of TF Amethyst assets during the deployment.

In three weeks he would return to earth to take care of spare parts and ammunition's shipment which has been delayed, including the LAV and M113 quotas which have yet to arrive. So, he must quickly understand the adjustment and improvements needed for every asset. Given that he could not return to earth too often.

However, currently Vex only had rough data. More detailed data would only be available when he arrived at Magwurt City. Therefore, Vex studied it just to pass the time. After turning off his tablet, he then turned to Erlin who was sleeping next to him.

Ever since she met Vex, Erlin had always clung to him, and Viscount Issel and Erien didn't seem to mind it. Three days ago, Erien led the contingent from Sandhur Region that would conduct a comparative study in Magwurt City. But Erlin chose to stay with Vex and would go to Magwurt City with him.

Vex didn't mind it and he let Erlin follow him wherever he went. After all, when he had to hold a closed meeting or stand by in the operation control room, he could ask Grim or the other bodyguards to teach Erlin to read, write, and count. Erlin also obediently studies hard and she was super excited when Vex checked how far she had progressed.

After smiling gently, Vex then leaned his head and closed his eyes. There was still some time before Hercules landed at Woodpecker Medium Operating Base, so he could rest his mind for a moment.

- - - - -

Woodpecker MOB, 28 km south of Magwurt City

Even if Woodpecker MOB had not been fully operational yet, in a limited way it was ready to be landed by every aerial asset belonging to TF Amethyst. Smoothly, the eight Hercules landed one by one.

Then, as soon as the Hercules engine stopped and the ramp door opened, hundreds of children neatly walked out while being guided by their guardians. Wasting no time, the security officer guided them to the bus that had been prepared. This time, everything went smoothly because the guardians promised the kids that they would have lunch with yummy fried chicken if they were obedient and not fussy.

Surprisingly, the lunch promise with yummy fried chicken turned out to be very effective. Even the Guardians were stunned by this result. In a flash, all the children got on the bus. The journey to Magwurt City then began and was accompanied by a heavy escort.

Meanwhile, Vex and Erlin stood beside one of the Hercules. In front of them, stood Lan Yan'er, Seira, Keira. And of course Mr. Brown, who looked at him nonchalantly as if he was a stranger.

When he was at Davy Jones, Vex never made contact with Seira, Keira, let alone with Mr. Brown. But Lan Yan'er always kept him informed about the three. For example, not long after Vex left, Seira and Keira were finally able to return to school like before they lost their father.

It was just that, after using formal language in the first letter, Lan Yan'er somehow used a lot of sarcasm in the second and the next letters, as if she was pouring her frustration on him. But Vex didn't mind it in the slightest.

Moreover, right now Seira and Keira greeted him with sparkling eyes and an ear-to-ear smile. After nodding to Lan Yan'er, Vex hugged Seira and Keira tightly, then introduced the two to Erlin.

“Erlin, this is Seira and Keira. Seira, Keira, this is Erlin.”

Seira, Keira, and Erlin nodded simultaneously before looking at each other curiously. But Vex decided that a deeper introduction could be done later. So, he immediately took the three to one of the Black SUVs parked not far from Hercules.

After making sure Erlin, Seira, and Keira were sitting in the back comfortably, Vex then rushed to the seat next to the driver and signaled for Grim to be his driver. However, before he could open the door, Lan Yan'er cleared her throat, then by using her index finger she signaled for Vex to approach her.

Question marks instantly filled Vex's forehead. Last night, Lan Yan'er told him that she would be busy accompanying the children from Sandhur Region, so Seira and Keira would stay with him for the time being. That's why Vex didn't understand what else to talk about. Considering that he had already accepted Seira and Keira, and would take them home.

Vex casually asked Lan Yan'er, "What's the matter?"

Lan Yan'er immediately sighed silently as she massaged her forehead. She was fully aware that Vex didn't understand what it meant to communicate normally, but she still felt irritated when he ignored her.

However, in the end Lan Yan'er canceled her intention to reprimand Vex and turned to Erlin. “It seems you have a hobby of collecting little girls. Do you intend to form an illegal harem?”

And as usual, Vex did not catch the ridicule in Lan Yan'er's words. He replied casually, “Little Erlin will only stay with me for a while, and she is a lovely friend.”

"Yeah."

"Is there anything else?"

"Nope."

Wasting no time, Lan Yan'er signaled for Grim to step down from the Black SUV, and he immediately obeyed after seeing the thunderstorm reflected in Lan Yan'er's gaze. Then, while sighing incessantly, Lan Yan'er drove the Black SUV towards Magwurt City.

After Vex left Magwurt City, it only took two days before Keira and Seira kept asking when Vex would be back, or if they could call him.

But Lan Yan'er knew Vex was in the middle of an important operation, so she decided not to disturb him, and said that Vex was temporarily unreachable. The problem was, it made Seira and Keira sulk and didn't talk to her for several days.

And now, when the two finally met with Vex, they had completely forgotten about her as she had predicted.

'Why are they so attached to him?' asked Lan Yan'er as a lonely sensation slowly gripped her heart.

- - - - -

Mini-cottage 01, QRF Elements Complex

As soon as he entered mini-cottage 01, Vex was greeted with various items that didn't belong to him. Two school bags, children's toys, fashion magazines, and women's clothes along with underwear that hanging freely in the terrace of inner yard.

Vex turned to Lan Yan'er as he asked, "What a provocative panty, is that yours?"

"Yes." Lan Yan'er casually replied. "After you leave, Seira and Keira want to sleep here and I can't just leave them. We sleep in the spare room at the back."

"I see."

Vex nodded without asking any further. Even Lan Yan'er was a bit surprised when Vex didn't seem bothered or complaining.

She then checked Erlin's bag before saying, "Erlin would need new clothes so she could blend in. For now, Seira can lend her a few pieces. Tomorrow afternoon, I'll take the three shopping."

"Are you sure you had time, considering you had to accompany children from Sandhur Region?"

"Don't worry, I can manage it."

"Okay."

During the trip, Lan Yan'er did not ask about Erlin at all. So, Vex concluded that Lan Yan'er was not interested in her, but it seemed he was wrong.

Then, Lan Yan'er said goodbye. She had to meet the children who had just arrived from Sandhur Region, so she had to hurry.

- - - - -

It didn't take long for Erlin to get along with Seira, Keira, and Mr. Brown. Especially after they took her to watch anime.

Last night, Erlin, Seira, and Keira watched an anime made by Amethyst Entertainment until past midnight. Then, they slept in the living room or precisely in front of the tv.

Judging from how Lan Yan'er set up the mattress and sleeping sheet in the living room, it was clear that this wasn't the first time Seira and Keira had watched anime until past midnight, but Vex didn't think about it any further.

And because today was Sunday, Vex also didn't wake them even though the sun had fully risen. After taking a bath, he made toast for his breakfast and he was just about to start enjoying it when General O'Neil came to visit.

Vex immediately led General O'Neil to sit in the dining room, and while handing him a cup of warm tea he asked, “How was the conversation with King Buriek XII?”

“Everything went smoothly and he decided to extend his stay at Magwurt City. But I can't keep him company and must return to Harley Quinn this afternoon."

General O'Neil then handed a flashdisk before continuing, "Operational data on every TF Amethyst assets for the last 10 months, and additional assets that ACG and GCD asked."

Vex nodded slightly before asking, "What is Slane's opinion about the additional asset?"

Last month, Lt. Col. Slane confirmed that Amethyst Merchant's income was sufficient to support TF Amethyst's operation, but it was still far from the target to get back the investment that had been spent. Therefore, Vex felt the need to know Lt. Col. Slane's opinion.

General O'Neil then explained calmly, “He has confirmed that iron ore from Kingdom Buriek will return the entire investment along with a massive profit. Meanwhile, next spring we will start sending Nouel to earth. So the additional investment is not a big thing and Slane already drafted a new budget for you.”

In a half-whisper, General O'Neil added, "Moreover, from the eastern part of Kingdom Buriek, Carlos and his team found titanium deposits ten times larger compared to Caucasus, and nickel deposits eight times larger compared to what is discovered on earth."

"Understood," replied Vex calmly and firmly.

- - - - -

Not long after General O'Neil left, Erlin woke up, followed by Seira and Keira.

While still nodding off, the three looked at the situation around them. Without delay, Vex turned off his laptop, then approached the three while carrying three towels that had been soaked in warm water.

Vex gently wiped the faces of the three before saying, “Tidy your bed, then have breakfast, and take a shower. After that we went for a walk with Mr. Brown, and in the afternoon you all went shopping with Big Sis Lan."

Erlin and Seira nodded, while Keira looked at Vex expectantly and asked, "Can we sleep again after breakfast, then continue watching anime?"

"Nope," replied Vex before smiling.

After the three sweet and cute children in front of him made their beds, Vex then carried Keira and accompanied by Erlin and Seira he walked towards the kitchen.

Not long after that, breakfast with pancakes and blueberry milkshakes began.

*****