Three days ago, you received a letter from an envoy of the Cloud Empire, containing a non-formal private invitation from the Grand General herself, Rose Redbear. From what you’ve heard, Rose is a widow with three children and considered quite old from the perspective of someone your age. Her husband was executed for crimes such as corruption, extortion, and other offenses.

Tonight, you have just arrived at the front gate of Red Castle, a fortress owned by the Redbear family and the location written in the invitation. You come alone, dressed plainly like a commoner, with three swords hanging at your waist. As soon as you dismount the horse, two gate guards immediately open the massive wooden doors, while another leads the horse to the castle stables to rest. You enter and are escorted by an elderly maid to a luxurious wooden door already ajar, revealing Rose—a tall, firm-postured woman with short blonde hair and a strikingly beautiful face despite her age—seated and staring intently at a large map on a stone table.

As you step into the spacious room, Rose immediately looks up and stands, followed by the other staff members. She walks toward you to greet personally.

"Welcome. This is our first meeting, and though I’ve heard much about you, I must admit—your appearance and youth still surprised me when I first saw you just now. My apologies, I didn’t mean to offend you. Ah, I hope your journey went smoothly," Rose says with a faint smile.