Under Felix's supervision, the operators from Tomorrow's Development and Kazdel began exchanging responsibilities. They first familiarized themselves with each other's posts to ensure a smooth handover. The goal was clear: to further integrate Kazdel and Tomorrow's Development so that the future Kazdel would not remain a single-race nation, but become a country where multiple races coexisted and supported one another.
Among the races of Kazdel, aside from the Sarkaz, the Kuranta were the most numerous. This was likely because Felix had spent the longest time stationed near the Kazimierz border, where many Kuranta men and women had chosen to join Tomorrow's Development.
From a civilizational perspective, the Sarkaz were unquestionably formidable in combat, yet they lagged behind in areas such as culture and production. The Kuranta, on the other hand, were not only skilled warriors—capable of standing against Ursus through the might of the Kazimierz—but also proficient in manufacturing, medicine, and various specialized crafts.
Although Felix was temporarily short of farmers, he was not overly concerned. Much of the agricultural workload could be replaced by drones. Considering that Yan had the largest population of farmers, he even entertained the idea of piloting the Venus to dock near Yan's border to attract willing settlers.
Setting aside his brief moment of reflection, Felix turned to the stack of work emails awaiting him, several of which had been sent directly by senior members.
One letter was from Ling. She wrote that she and Shu had returned to Yan before the New Year to attend to personal matters. Ling had gone back to Yumen and spent time speaking with her elder brother, who expressed interest in Felix's martial prowess and asked Ling to pass along his greetings. He even suggested the possibility of a sparring match in the future.
Meanwhile, Nian returned to Lungmen to work on her film project for the year. Judging by the lively hot pot photos she posted on her Moments, Felix could tell she had taken the opportunity to relax.
And Shu had returned to Dahuang City to review the annual harvest report. She mentioned that she intended to stay a while longer and bring her reclusive younger sister aboard for some experience. In addition, she planned to lead several of her students to Kazdel for a field visit, accompanied by members of the Tianshi Bureau—an event that would serve as a formal diplomatic exchange.
Felix sat upright and reread Shu's letter. Agriculture in Kazdel had first been developed under Shu's guidance, with Felix later overseeing its evolution. From climate-adaptive sunrooms to floating farmland, what was once considered a rustic industry had been transformed into something infused with advanced technology.
He naturally welcomed the Tianshi Bureau' visit. Kazdel and Yan had maintained steady relations and cooperated on several occasions. If this exchange could deepen their ties further, all the better.
By the time he glanced at the clock, it was already late at night. Felix stretched, reflecting that being a king and leader was far from easy. He had once imagined he could govern from a distance, but for the organization to continue thriving, its leader had to be personally involved.
After showering, he noticed that several lights had been turned on in his previously dark bedroom.
"Mostima, Lemuen, Lemuel, you…"
Mostima licked the corner of her lips and grinned. "I heard… you're thinking about having a child?"
"..."
"Then let's not waste time."
She opened her arms. Lemuen pursed her lips as she began to undress, while Lemuel, her face flushed crimson, let out a nervous cry.
After a night of fierce intimacy, Felix also took the chance to mend the bonds between them. Each of them had chosen to stay by his side out of genuine affection, and he understood that he needed to cherish their feelings. He had been so busy recently that he had scarcely spent quiet time with them.
Thanks to his efforts, Mostima and the others were left thoroughly satisfied.
Four days later, Felix returned to the Venus to check on Theresa's recovery. She had regained consciousness twice during that time, but after eating she would drift back into deep sleep. The Clever examined her again and reported that her once-empty body was now brimming with energy. Its advice remained the same: avoid combat, though light movement was permissible.
Theresa lay on the bed, her cherry-blossom eyes blinking softly as her fingers brushed against Felix's hand, quietly feeling the pulse of life.
"Have you decided how you'll face everyone?" Felix asked, sitting at the bedside with his legs crossed after finishing the examination. "In their hearts, you've already passed away. They've mourned you and continued moving forward."
Theresa let out a troubled sigh. "That is exactly what I've been struggling with. I know how important I am to them… and my return may disrupt the lives they've begun to rebuild."
"Will this cause you trouble?" Theresa looked at Felix timidly, then quickly waved her hands in explanation. "Honestly, I don't mind… Being able to survive and see you again is already the last bit of mercy Lady Luck has granted me. I can't even begin to imagine what a happy life in the future would look like…"
"And then?" Felix asked evenly. "Do you intend to keep hiding your existence and live forever aboard the Venus? Didn't you say you wanted to walk this land of Kazdel with me?"
"Um…"
Seeing her hesitation, Felix smiled. "Go change your clothes and get ready."
Theresa's lips curved into a faint smile. She gently squeezed his hand before pushing herself upright and walking to the wardrobe. After selecting a white dress, she paused, then turned back.
"Felix… are you going to watch me change? Even though you've seen me naked countless times before… I suppose I should be used to it by now."
"Get changed. I'll step outside."
Felix rose to his feet, nodded at Theresa—whose cheeks had already flushed crimson—and left the room with a knowing expression.
Theresa covered her still-warm face, brushed her fingers lightly across her lips, and then, as if recalling something, let out a soft chuckle.
____
"So, I was wondering why we were all called back," W muttered, propping her cheek on her hand, visibly irritated. "I was halfway through writing my report when I got dragged here."
"You… can actually write reports?"
An operator from Tomorrow's Development, who knew her fairly well, turned around in disbelief.
"You looking to die?" W bared her small fangs. "Enjoy your potatoes tonight!"
Ines gave W's shoulder a light pat. W snorted and turned her head away in annoyance.
"His Highness summoned everyone for another meeting?"
Lowering her voice, W glanced around the conference hall. If this were merely a high-level meeting, why were so many Kazdel operators present? She recognized them all—mid-level and junior operators, along with numerous key figures. Nearly every prominent Sarkaz operator had gathered.
Was this about new policies for Kazdel?
Hoederer arrived late and took a seat in front of W and Ines.
"You're late," W said, rolling her eyes. "What were you doing?"
"Picking up my child. Daycare ended. Handed him to his mother," Hoederer replied with a grin.
Ines gave a slight nod. She, too, sensed that this meeting was different. At the same time, she noticed multiple massive screens suspended above Kazdel's mobile city in the distance. The sight did not surprise her; during arena matches, similar projections broadcast events citywide.
But there was no match today. If the screens were active solely for this meeting, then its significance must be extraordinary.
She also observed the royal court races assembled at the front: Vampire Luna, Gargoyle Mudrock, Cyclops Valarqvin, Banshee HR Lady, Djall HR, Wendigo Patriot, Carrion Eater Qalaiša, Lich Ermengarde, and Tin Man. With the exception of the Diablo, which no longer existed in this world, nearly every royal court representative had gathered.
Some might not officially represent their entire race, yet within Kazdel they held absolute authority among their kind. Mudrock, for example, commanded unquestioned obedience from the Gargoyles. As for Lady HR of the Banshees, every Banshee working in Tomorrow's Development bowed to her without hesitation.
The doors swung open.
Everyone turned.
Felix stepped inside, clad in a general's uniform. Instantly, the hall fell silent. Backs straightened. Eyes focused.
Many operators and citizens had seen Felix before, but this was the first time they had witnessed him in full military regalia, his expression solemn and commanding. An unspoken impulse stirred within them—a desire to devote themselves without hesitation.
All smiles vanished as they faced their monarch.
"People of Kazdel and Tomorrow's Development," Felix began, his voice steady and resonant. "Look at the land beneath your feet. Beneath this soil lies the Originium contamination we once despised and feared. It is not a curse. It is the equation this land has given us for the future."
In the mobile city, players watched with shining eyes, quietly recording.
"The future calls to us. Kazdel is rising, step by step. The Originium pollution we once loathed has, through the efforts of the Kazdel Research Institute, become our most powerful energy source. It has granted us the opportunity to conduct deeper and broader research into Originium itself."
"Of course, the people matter most. Without you, Kazdel would not stand where it does today, nor would Tomorrow's Development!" Felix's voice rang through the hall. "Kazdel is called Kazdel because of you. Tomorrow's Development bears its name because of you."
"One thousand two hundred and sixty-eight days ago, Princess Theresa used the last of her strength to grasp my hand. She wished to pass to me the black crown of the Sarkaz King, but I refused. What I needed was not a crown, but the flame of the Sarkaz—the flame of your people—to burn a road that required no Sarkaz King!"
"You granted me your strength. My authority is the blade forged by the unity of the royal court's races. Our land will extend to every corner of darkness our battle cry can reach!"
The doors opened slowly.
A living figure, wholly unexpected, stepped inside.
Some believed they were seeing things and rubbed their eyes in disbelief. Others thought it a digital projection, narrowing their gaze to search for flaws that would prove it unreal.
W's eyes reddened instantly. She would never admit her mistakes, never voice them aloud. That figure—the one she had always followed—had haunted her through countless days and nights of regret. Why hadn't she stayed? Why hadn't she uncovered the traitor sooner? Why hadn't she been able to save her?
The Sarkaz stared, wide-eyed.
They would not mistake her. Though the familiar aura of the Sarkaz King was gone, the moment they faced the sovereign they had once followed or opposed, they rubbed their eyes again, as if fearing exhaustion had conjured an illusion.
What stunned them even more was the sight of Theresa gently bowing to Felix, extending her hand as though inviting him to accept a dance. The oldest Sarkaz chronicles recorded such words.
"Alternation of kingship," Tin Man rasped.
In ages past, there had been no true succession. Sarkaz Kings were forged through slaughter and betrayal. In all the history of this land, perhaps only the scene before him was worthy of such a ceremony.
"I Look upon this land, forgotten by the moonlight. Every grain of sand is steeped in our blood. Every fissure carries the cries of a thousand years past," Theresa said softly. Her gaze swept across the Sarkaz before resting on Felix's face. "I was once the Sarkaz King you revered, the sword that split the land, the fire that scorched the sky. But when I lay in Felix's arms, listening to the rhythm of my own heartbeat and his, when the veins of the land trembled in unison, I finally heard the true longing of this land…"
"What Kazdel needs is not an idealist shackled by a curse, but hands capable of healing the wounds of its people. Felix has proven that the glory of the Sarkaz must not be built upon their own bones, and that Kazdel's dawn can rise from the hands of its people, not from the battlefield."
She walked slowly toward him, a gentle smile blooming on her lips.
"I am not the Sarkaz King. I was saved by Felix. Now, I am only Theresa, who fights for Kazdel, for the future, and for King Felix."
She lowered herself onto one knee before him, her smile radiant.
"From this day forward, my sword will be wielded for him alone."