At the start of 1095, Felix received news from Rhodes Island.
They had successfully reached Rim Billiton, a region where Cautus were common, and had recruited a group of unaffiliated adventurers from there.
Although absorbing all players into Tomorrow's Development was possible, Felix understood their tendencies all too well. Some would feel they couldn't secure good missions within his faction, others would complain about pressure from veteran players. Under such circumstances, many chose to join other factions instead.
Felix had never been to Rim Billiton himself. There weren't many players there anymore; most had already moved on, leaving behind only a small number still completing their early quests.
Rhodes Island had only just begun establishing itself. They were actively recruiting personnel, and after earning the recognition of several knights in Kazimierz, they had also taken those knights into their ranks. Recruiting players now was simply standard procedure.
Aside from players joining Tomorrow's Development, most of the remaining players chose to join official national forces. Victoria, Felix's next target, had already recruited a good number of them. They started from the bottom, and after gaining citizenship, some worked in Londinium's factories for experience points, while others entered noble-owned companies to play the role of corporate drones—experiencing a different kind of life. Still, their rate of acquiring experience and missions lagged far behind the players under Tomorrow's Development.
Felix had already taken most of the powerful players. Those who still remained unaffiliated… could only form tribal alliances, at best.
———
Victoria, Shard Tower.
The building had been seized and repurposed by Sarkaz forces who used it as a base. They were the most loyal members of the Military Commission, working day and night to develop new weapons. Victoria's industry was highly advanced, and the mercenaries' equipment was gradually being standardized as well.
Firm, heavy footsteps echoed across the royal hall. A young man in a black coat and a golden demon mask stepped forward and bowed toward the man seated upon the throne.
"General, Her Highness's remains are still unaccounted for."
"…I see."
Theresis gave a quiet response. "Where do you think the body has gone?"
"Could Doctor Kal'tsit be hiding it?"
The man ventured cautiously.
"That only proves you don't understand Kal'tsit. She would never desecrate a corpse."
Theresis waved him off. "You may go, Qui'sartuštaj. Continue your search."
"As you command, General."
The slick-tongued subordinate bowed and took his leave. Left alone, Theresis remained seated on the throne, turning his attention to the recent matters piling up before him.
A letter lay to one side. He picked it up, and his eyes shifted slightly.
The sender was Laqeramaline, the Matriarch of the Banshees.
After Theresa's death, Laqeramaline had led the Banshees away from the royal court, returning to their secluded valley to resume their peaceful, detached lives.
They no longer participated in court affairs, a choice Theresis respected. Yet this was the first letter he had received from her since their parting.
Unfolding it, he began to read patiently, his pink eyes calm and focused.
The letter did not dwell on personal matters. Instead, it offered an objective account of Kazdel's current situation. Theresis could tell that certain details were impossible to know without being physically present, which meant Laqeramaline had chosen to join Tomorrow's Development.
As for whether the Sankta leader of that faction knew Laqeramaline's true identity… Theresis suspected he did not. He kept reading.
By the time he finished, Theresis let out a faint hum, relief subtly loosening in his chest.
Kazdel—this abandoned land—had finally obtained true salvation. And it came from a Sankta. He wasn't sure whether that was irony or something out of a fairytale.
Theresis shook his head slowly. Once, Kazdel's mobile city had been riddled with warmongers fueled by hatred and bitterness. He had deliberately sent them to assassinate Theresa, thinning their ranks in preparation for the city's future stability.
The one who had created the Originium had vanished alongside the fall of the Sarkaz King. And now, a third party had stepped in and turned Kazdel into a thriving region. Even he needed time to process this news.
In the letter, Laqeramaline also discussed the possibility of Sankta either falling from grace or reverting to ancestral traits. Clearly, the Great Banshee regarded this particular Sankta with unusual interest.
Theresis felt the same.
"Interesting."
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. Establishing a firm foothold in the mobile city of Kazdel was no simple task, yet Tomorrow's Development had managed to do just that. It was proof enough of the Pioneer's capability. The reconstruction of the mobile city spoke for itself, and he was never stingy with praise.
It was only unfortunate that Tomorrow's Development's goals ran entirely opposite to those of the Military Commission. Once they set foot on this path, there was no turning back. Otherwise, Theresis believed he and the Pioneer might have had much to talk about.
What puzzled him most was the disappearance of the Sarkaz King's remains. By all rights, the corpse of a fallen Sarkaz King should not simply vanish, yet Theresa's body had gone missing along with the black crown that symbolized the Sarkaz King.
He had considered the possibility that Theresa might have given the black crown to the Pioneer. But if that were the case, every Sarkaz would have sensed it.
Unless… Theresa had deliberately allowed the black crown to lie dormant within the Pioneer. But that explanation made no sense either, because once its power or any Arts were used, the aura of the crown would leak out and be detected by the Court.
Theresis slowly closed his eyes, then opened them again a moment later.
Victoria would not remain at peace for long.
———
Count Warwick left the banquet hall in high spirits after another successful speech. He had won over several more Tara investors, swelling the strength in his hands. His noble troops had been training for some time, waiting only for the moment to march. Eblana would one day tear down the Victoria flag hanging over Londinium and offer it to him.
"Teacher, you've worked hard."
Eblana greeted him with a gentle smile. In the years that had passed, she had grown more composed, focusing only on what lay within her responsibilities and never giving Count Warwick cause for worry. She had become his finest student without question.
"Teacher, a messenger from County Hillock has arrived."
"Heh… well done, Eblana. Once the war begins, it will be your time to charge ahead and fight for Tara."
"I understand, Teacher."
Eblana showed a flawless, elegantly refined noble smile, earning a satisfied nod from Count Warwick. He inwardly praised himself for having made the right decision back then.
He was about to become something akin to a national sage.
After Count Warwick hurried away, Eblana allowed the smile to fade. She turned to the Marquis Watson, who had been silently standing behind Warwick. He gave her a quiet bow. The two exchanged a knowing glance before following after Warwick.
Count Warwick only needed to push a little harder. When the time came to claim the fruits of victory, they would taste all the sweeter. Eblana hid her smile. She had not received word from her younger sister in some time, but based on the nobles' chatter at their last gathering, she knew that during their previous trip to Kjerag for negotiations, they had encountered the Pioneer. And among the Pioneer's companions had been a golden-haired draconic girl. That description could only be her younger sister.
It seemed Loughshinny had earned far more of Felix's trust than Eblana had expected. Loughshinny was not the proactive type. If Eblana were in her place, she would already have thrown herself onto Felix's bed, devouring him.
The Draco bloodline must continue.
Besides, according to her own secret channels, Kazdel's real governing authority had already fallen into Tomorrow's Development's hands, and Felix's role in all of it was obvious.
The thought made Eblana curve her lips, excitement rising within her.
A burning desire stirred, and she couldn't help licking her lips. 'Sister, you had better seize your chance. Otherwise, I might just devour Felix myself.'
Only a man like that could ignite her interest and the fire in her heart.
As for the current situation… well, she would let her "teacher," Count Warwick, stay busy.
Victoria's political landscape had become fragile as glass. The slightest move from any side could shatter the peace and plunge the nation into civil war.
Eblana eagerly awaited the moment Victoria broke into scattered pieces.
———
Felix made a quick trip back to Lungmen, taking Senomi, Mandragora, and the others with him. While handling matters at the Lungmen headquarters, he unexpectedly ran into Nian in the first-floor lobby. After a moment of thought, he approached her.
"You have a sister who's good at farming, don't you?"
"?"
"How did you know that?"
Nian looked genuinely surprised. "I don't remember telling you that."
"Ling showed me in a dream."
Felix cleared his throat. "I want to cultivate farmland in Kazdel, but I… don't have experience with farming. Do you have a way to contact her? I can pay you with whatever you want."
Nian thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up. "I want a few of your mecha suits. I'm filming a knight movie this month. Imagine a knight who can transform by shouting a command and instantly getting a full mecha set. Wouldn't that be insanely cool?"
Felix's mouth twitched. "Is the line supposed to be 'Henshin'?"
"Ah! You really are a genius. I'll use that. Henshin!"
Nian burst into laughter, but after a moment she scratched her head. "Uh… contacting my sister is a bit difficult. It might take a few months for a round trip."
Felix was stunned.
"Where is your sister that it would take months?"
"Just take a plane. Tomorrow's Development's hangars are full of them."
"Well… getting there isn't the problem. It's what happens afterward."
Nian's face twisted like someone remembering a traumatic experience. If she returned to Dahuang City, she would immediately get dragged into her sister's room for long family talks, then lectured about whether she'd been eating properly, and then force-fed food and vegetables.
No thanks!
Nian suddenly dropped to her knees, clutching her head in agony. "Felix, save me!"
Felix stared at her kneeling in front of him and nearly blurted out a curse.
"I'm outta here!"
As if possessed, Nian bolted. With a loud bang, the door slammed shut behind her.
Felix was left bewildered. She acted like she had PTSD. Wasn't that her sister?
Ling really was right. Sibling relationships were complicated. Every family had its own headaches.
"If you want to buy farming methods, there's no need to go through all that trouble. I have them."
A gentle, silky male voice spoke from behind him. Felix turned and found a young man in lavish clothing smiling easily at him.
Clients like this were common in the first-floor lobby. Most were here to commission work from Tomorrow's Development. But this young man was nothing like the usual customers. His presence alone set him apart.
Felix was certain he had seen him somewhere before, but now that they stood face to face, he couldn't recall the moment. Was it some kind of special Arts? Or had his mind gotten a bit muddled?
He blinked. Behind the Lung youth, he noticed several familiar figures. He remembered seeing them last year at the annual meeting, standing beside General Zuo. Among them were several adults dressed in bright red ritual garments.
Who exactly was this man? Could he be someone from Baizao Palace, Forbidden City?
"Farming exists to save lives, does it not?"
The Lung youth smiled.
Felix's eyes narrowed slightly. "I do need farming methods. Do you have soil?"
"You mean fertile, high-quality soil?" He chuckled. "With me, there is no such thing as something you cannot buy. Only prices you may not wish to pay."
"If you truly have the goods, we can talk in the office."
"That might be a bit inconvenient."
The Lung youth glanced back at the people accompanying him and gave a helpless smile. "In terms of Lungmen Dollars, the price is this."
Felix took the slip of paper, surprised. The number was far lower than the market price he expected. Suspicion stirred.
"In addition, I am interested in the mecha you mentioned earlier. I want a set."
Hearing that request, Felix's earlier concern faded. He nodded. "Fine, but I need to see the goods first."
"Of course. We will meet again. For now, please excuse me."
The Lung youth offered an apologetic smile, turned, and exchanged signals with the figures waiting in the distance.
Good grief. Does young master or lady from Baizao City always travels with this kind of entourage?
Felix watched them leave in confusion. Only after the Lung youth had disappeared completely did he remember where he had seen him.
He had appeared in that dream.
It had only been a fleeting glimpse back then.
Seriously… what kind of family do you siblings come from?