"The Black Snake is a will, a remnant of an undead spirit, and the collective consciousness of Ursus."
Felix's first thought upon hearing this was that the being might be akin to a disembodied soul. Having connections with Tin Man folk, he naturally knew that on this world there were countless ways for a soul to detach from a body. For instance, Tin Man himself are essentially pure spirits, with his physical shells kept only out of habit.
Currently, inside the high tower of the Kazdel mobile city, Tin Man spirit was at work.
Hearing that the Black Snake was a soul didn't surprise Felix much. This world was not lacking in unusual species. As for the Black Snake, which could "possess and revive through corpses," Felix merely nodded. It seemed its main power was to awaken the latent strength within Talulah. As for its own combat ability… perhaps it only manifested in its "immortal" aspect.
"Beyond that, its most terrifying power is its ability to manipulate minds."
Talulah exhaled deeply. "I once fell under its influence. I knew its intentions—it wanted to use the Reunion Movement to destroy the current state of Ursus. I failed. In my most desperate moment, I succumbed to its previous manipulations. That was when the Black Snake revived within me."
She clenched her fists. "I have personally killed the Black Snake before."
"Even if its body dies, its spirit remains, like a shadow lurking in the night."
Felix pondered. "The Immortal Black Snake… is it truly the soul of Ursus?"
"Yes."
For now, there seemed to be no conflict of interest. Felix nodded slightly. Immortality was indeed troublesome. Like unrestricted players, even facing enemies without allies could be fatal. As for the Black Snake, Felix didn't believe it harbored any deeper resentment toward him.
As a leader of factions and a ruler of a nation, Felix's considerations were guided more by interests than by emotions.
"I've finished speaking. Now it's my turn to ask questions."
Talulah bravely lifted her head to meet Felix's gaze. Though she still wore the tattered noblewoman's dress, her expression had returned to the simple, earnest look she once had.
"How is Alina?"
"Her condition is stable. In a few days, she will be able to leave her bed. Thanks to the Columbian special medicine, her burn marks will leave no scars."
"…That's… really good."
At that moment, tears welled in Talulah's eyes. She did not wipe them away, letting them flow freely down her cheeks. The days in confinement had brought unimaginable psychological burdens. If Alina had died because of her, Talulah felt her life would have lost all meaning. Without Alina, what was the point of this world?
Felix and Loughshinny silently watched Talulah's tears. After a while, as her emotions seemed to settle, she drew a deep breath and regained her composure.
Then she asked her second question.
"Felix, what will you do with me?"
"…How do you want to deal with yourself?"
Talulah pursed her lips. "What right do I have to make that decision? I am a sinner. I caused a war, resulting in immense casualties among both infected and non-infected… Felix, just kill me. Let the leader of the Reunion Movement pay the price for her choices, in front of everyone."
"Are you asking for death?"
Talulah let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh. "Do I hold any value to you now? If you wish to use me, then do as you please—my body or my soul, it matters not."
Felix stood and left the seat. Loughshinny glanced at Talulah, curled on the floor, and sighed softly. In some ways, Talulah was childishly endearing, yet considering her past experiences, one could not help but feel pity for her.
As darkness once again enveloped the prison, Felix turned to Loughshinny. "What do you think of Talulah?"
Loughshinny spoke quietly, "She is pitiful, tragic, and sorrowful. Yet the pitiful always have aspects that are hateful. That's what you taught me… But hearing Talulah's story, I can't help but feel frustrated for her."
"Her crimes are undeniable. Justice must be served for those who died because of her."
Felix smiled. "We'll set Talulah aside for now. She will reflect on herself. When the time comes, I will revisit her."
"Understood, Your Highness."
Loughshinny returned to her usual composed self, asking rationally, "What about Mephisto?"
"Mephisto will be sent to the Kazdel prison, where he will face a formal trial."
Felix remained calm. "If Ursus and Yan cannot bring these criminals to justice, Kazdel naturally can."
"I understand."
"Loughshinny, where is Patriot positioned?"
___
In the slums of Lungmen, the professional squad had been stationed there for nearly two days. During this time, they continued collecting corpses, eliminating red-name players as they respawned, forcing them to drop equipment before resuming their watch.
While the gear of these red-name players held little value to the professionals, a few of the particularly infuriating high-level red-name players were treated as priority targets.
Some of these irredeemable red-name players had already been stripped of all possessions and escorted into prison. Their levels had dropped to around thirty, leaving them only a pair of undergarments—poorer than the newest players arriving in the world. Back then, even newcomers had shirts and pants; these players truly had nothing left.
Their curses fell on deaf ears. Once inside prison, their choices were limited: remain behind bars for eternity, slowly descending into oblivion as red-name players—something the professional squad had no intention of releasing them from—or quit the game altogether.
Unlike Sword Art Online, where death is final and leaving the game is not an option, Arknight players had effectively infinite lives. Although there was a respawn countdown, compared to a single-life system, quitting the game became a plausible punishment. Forcing these red-name players to quit proved an effective strategy.
As the red-name players were eliminated, Tomorrow's Development's action teams rapidly captured and drove out Reunion Movement infected within Lungmen. Those who surrendered were contained, while those who resisted were chased beyond the city walls and killed.
Caution had to be exercised regarding Oripathy dust dispersed from the deceased. While causing havoc in the city might be easier, Lungmen was densely populated.
Reunion Movement cadre Faust was also captured. The Phantom Crossbow squad, weak in solo combat and without leadership, faced the advancing Tomorrow's Development operatives. They dropped their weapons and surrendered swiftly. Faust asked the operatives whether Mephisto was dead or in Tomorrow's Development's custody, but no one could answer him. Faust had no choice but to relent.
News of victories spread throughout the city. Outside, infected were retreating toward Kursk, only to find a massive landship blocking the key mountain pass between the two cities. Without movement from the vessel, passage was impossible.
They were met by operatives from the Venus.
As Lungmen gradually secured victory, Felix donned his general's uniform, sword at his side. After a nod with Loughshinny, he strode alone toward Kursk.
Loughshinny watched quietly, clasping her hands and silently praying for the general's success.
Felix's boots kicked up dust across the fractured land. The dirt paths were worn by countless footsteps. Who even knew where the owners of these tracks had gone?
In the distance lay Kursk city. Below, the silent army awaited.
They were the Shieldguard.
At the front stood a warrior wielding a massive shield, his head that of a stag—unbreakable. He was Patriot.
"You've come."
"I have."
Felix nodded. "The Reunion Movement in Lungmen has been brought to justice. Talulah has been captured. Most importantly, Yelena is safe and currently operating alongside Tomorrow's Development's operatives."
"Patriot, I invite you and your Shieldguard to join Tomorrow's Development."
Felix extended his hand. "This is the call from me, as the leader of Tomorrow's Development, the Liberator of Kazdel, to you."
"Tomorrow's Development fights for both infected and non-infected. We share no conflicting interests. Our goals lie farther ahead, and I believe they align with yours."
Patriot exhaled heavily.
"Show… your… strength… and… your resolve."
He gripped his weapon and raised his shield. "Let me… see… you… as you truly are."
"I knew there would be a fight before I arrived."
Felix smiled lightly and drew his sword. "The king will show his power. Patriot, I hope you show no restraint."
Blue flames roared skyward, fiercer and more intense than in Chernobog.
This time, Felix had no companions at his side. Before him stood a force he had to overcome. This time, he would unleash his full power to prove to the last living Wendigo the strength of the King of Liberation. He possessed the ability, the skill, and the ambition to lead them forward.
This was not just a confrontation between two leaders—it was a king demonstrating his might to his subjects. In some ways, it was also Felix proving to his future father-in-law that he could protect Yelena.
"If… this… is… your… answer."
Patriot stepped forward, unyielding. "Show… me… your strength."
The Shieldguard silently lowered their weapons. They set down their shields, eyes fixed solely on their leader and the figure approaching them, wreathed in blue flames.
Golden horns sprouted from Felix's head. A golden tail unfurled behind him. Blue flames radiated along his body, spreading outward and licking the burning sword in his hand. The golden crown atop his head gleamed brighter, and faintly, a new halo seemed to form behind him, overlapping his current halo.
Clang!
Metal met metal—the clash of sword against shield. Before the Shieldguard could react, Felix's next strike followed in a seamless flow.
Despite the overwhelming assault, Patriot did not retreat. He stood like a fortress, unwavering against the onslaught, pressing forward even as he defended.
Indeed, the power of a Wendigo. Felix silently acknowledged this. He had sparred with half-blood Wendigos like Caren before; even half-bloods were formidable. Among all Kazdel races, Wendigos were the strongest. Even Mudrock, a Gargoyle, had struggled against Caren.
And now before him stood a pureblood Wendigo, tempered by countless battles— Patriot.
Boom!
The blue flames surged again, enveloping the surroundings in a raging inferno. Observing Shieldguards realized that the Patriot seemed to be holding Felix's attack in check. Though his armor had been scorched and tattered by the flames, he continued advancing without retreat.
"Cleave the sky—"
The sword's light struck the great shield, halting the Patriot's step momentarily. But his spear followed, relentless.
Clang!
"This… power… this… strength… indeed… enough… to defeat… Talulah."
"My goal has never been Talulah."
Three streaks of piercing sword light answered Patriot. Felix's movements grew faster, the flames burning wilder. The Shieldguard's shock deepened—Felix was now completely engulfed in flames, his body only revealed by the golden horns, crown, and tail that marked his identity.
Flames capable of scorching the world. The sky burned away, leaving a hole through which the sunlight poured, casting a dawn of hope over the scarred land.
"My enemy… has never been Talulah."
Felix's voice rang with magnetic authority. "My enemy… is the world that brought this suffering."
A golden halo glowed brightly behind his head. At that moment, Patriot's shield could no longer withstand the heat—it began to melt.
Sheathing his sword, Felix take a deep breath, golden light flashed—
Clink.
The blade pierced the Patriot's body. Felix's appearance returned to its usual form.
"Patriot, trust me. Come with me, and let's see this new world together."