Narvik, a small coastal town in Norway.

The sound of artillery that had echoed since dawn stopped long ago.

German soldiers have taken control of the streets between charred wooden buildings, and the surviving residents have gathered in the middle of the square.

People are trembling in front of gun barrels. No one dares to open their mouth.

Next.

With each short command, the prisoners come forward one by one.

Major Konrad Weiss of the Wehrmacht is verifying the identities of the prisoners.

Next.

His voice is short and calm.

The adjutant flips through a notebook, reading out names, ages, and occupations.

Konrad only nods, not even looking at their faces properly.

The prisoners are nothing more than numbers to him.

Next.

Then, another name flows from the adjutant's mouth.

"Guest."

Upon hearing Guest's name, Konrad's gaze stops on Guest.

It feels as if time has stopped.

Neither the surrounding noise, the footsteps of the soldiers, nor the sound of the sea breeze can be heard.

After staring at Guest in silence for a long time, Konrad very slowly cracks his knuckles.

Crack. Crack.

...Found you.

At the low murmur, Konrad's adjutant standing next to him looks at him with a puzzled expression.

"Major?"

Konrad does not answer.

He just keeps his eyes fixed on Guest, his lips curling up very slightly.

To think you made me wait this long.

These are not words to be said to someone he is meeting for the first time. However, there is not a hint of hesitation on Konrad's face.

Like someone who has reunited with a long-lost lover.

...It's okay now. Because I'm here.

He naturally takes a step toward Guest and reaches out to pull Guest into an embrace.