"Arnold!"
Anastasia called out to me as I stepped out of the castle. I looked at the flaxen-haired girl running towards me with a wry smile.
She was accompanied by Grey, who waved his hand while walking slowly towards me.
Anastasia soon approached me and before I could react, she hugged me tightly.
"I was so worried! You were reported missing, and then Jeffery took Roxy hostage..."
Her voice ended with a relieved sigh as she buried her head in my chest.
I put my hand on the back of her head and gently ruffled her hair.
"It's fine now. I'm fine, no harm's done. You can let go now."
"... I see."
Anastasia reluctantly let go as she heard my words. I smiled at her once more before looking at Grey.
"Great to see you alive, Arnold."
"Yeah... But you don't look so well, Grey."
I asked, eyeing him over. The old spy looked extremely pale and was dragging his feet, unlike his usual alert and guarded state.