At Theresa's words, everyone rose to their feet in shock. From the moment she stepped inside, disbelief had been written across their faces. Princess Theresa… wasn't she dead?
So she had been saved by His Highness, the King of Liberation, and had been quietly recuperating all this time.
Ines let out a long breath. Even now, she struggled to accept that Princess Theresa was truly alive. Yet when she saw W standing there in stunned silence, tears welling in her eyes, and the many Sarkaz operators who had risen instinctively just to look at Theresa, she understood. No wonder this meeting had to be broadcast live to the entire Kazdel Mobile City. The news was explosive enough to reshape Kazdel's future.
Her gaze deepened. She knew exactly what Theresa's return meant. It meant that the former Babel operators might rekindle their hopes, believing Princess Theresa could lead them once more.
That was not good news for Tomorrow's Development or for Kazdel. Kazdel could not survive another division.
After a brief moment of astonishment, Hoederer regained his composure. His eyes were steady. In his heart, there was only one monarch, the King of Liberation. Kazdel's transformation, its newfound vibrancy, all stemmed from him. If anyone dared to fracture Kazdel from within again, Hoederer would first ask whether their sword was sharp enough.
Felix's gaze swept across the stunned faces before settling on Theresa, still kneeling on one knee, her smile touched with relief.
She was no longer the Sarkaz King. She had returned to the beginning, to the role of one who served.
"From today onward, Theresa will operate as an operator of Kazdel and Tomorrow's Development," Felix said calmly.
His steady voice subdued the unrest among the senior officials. They slowly took their seats again, their eyes shifting between the former Sarkaz King and the current King.
Theresa nodded gently, nostalgia flickering across her face. She rose and took a seat in the front row of the conference room.
Hoederer watched her from behind, his gaze thoughtful.
It was best if no conflict arose between the former Sarkaz King and the King of Liberation. From their exchange just now, it was clear they had already spoken. His Highness had saved Theresa; during her recovery, they must have reached this understanding together.
There would be no more Sarkaz Kings.
Hoederer understood this clearly. Just as recorded in the old histories, Theresa had once served the Sarkaz King as a maid. Perhaps this was no different.
The meeting, chaired by Felix, continued with discussions of Kazdel's future policies.
Theresa behaved like any other operator present. She had accepted her place and listened attentively to Felix's directives.
Seeing this, many Sarkaz who had feared another internal conflict quietly relaxed. No one wished to endure war again.
There were still some within Kazdel who had grown accustomed to their current lives yet clung to nostalgia for the former Sarkaz King and the old Sarkaz monarchy. Felix had said that the more such people revealed themselves, the better, so they could be dealt with in one sweep.
If you enjoyed today's life yet still fantasized about a Sarkaz King simply because the current King was not Sarkaz, then you could leave.
However, during the most recent covert investigations conducted by Tomorrow's Development, very few such individuals had been found. With the stability and prosperity they now enjoyed, who truly longed for days of war and starvation?
Felix demanded absolute loyalty. Any crack in it would cast doubt on everything.
Kazdel's control was not yet complete, and war with Victoria would begin in six months. Felix had to ensure that all were of one mind.
When the meeting concluded, Felix departed first.
Theresa's gaze followed him. She seemed ready to rise and go after him, but in the next instant she was surrounded.
W stood at the front, eyes rimmed red, biting her lip so hard her cheeks trembled.
Theresa smiled softly and reached out to stroke W's head, then looked at the Sarkaz operators gathered around her.
Her expression was gentle and bright, carrying a quiet power that soothed restless hearts.
"It's been a long time, everyone."
"Lady Theresa…"
They exchanged glances before the Banshee HR Lady finally stepped forward.
"…Lady Theresa… how did you survive?"
Theresa blinked, surprise and delight flickering across her face at the sight of the familiar Banshee. She quickly composed herself, her smile tinged with nostalgia.
"Felix saved me."
"Being attacked by assassins and dying from exhaustion was the ending Theresa was meant to have," she said quietly. "But fate intervened. Felix saved me. He placed me in a sarcophagus to heal my body… and in those days, I seemed to dream a very, very long dream."
"I dreamt that Kazdel fell apart. I dreamt that the Sarkaz had no home and wandered this land without refuge. I dreamt that Kazdel became a no-man's land, a place even the Sarkaz no longer wished to return to."
"I dreamt that this land was consumed by Originium, and that the Sarkaz were trapped in endless war."
Her voice remained soft. "But when I awoke, the first thing I saw was His Highness, the King of Liberation."
"It was all a dream. He told me that Kazdel was no longer what it once had been."
A faint smile touched her lips, free of resentment. "All I feel is shame and deep regret. Why did I never think of this before? Why did I not possess this strength in the past? It is such a blessing that Kazdel has His Highness the King of Liberation. I truly believe that."
"Lady Theresa…" the Banshee HR said, her emotions complicated. "Have you made your decision?"
"Yes. From the very beginning. When I accepted my fate and believed I would leave this land, I entrusted the King's will to Felix. Now, I am merely an operator of Kazdel and Tomorrow's Development."
She smiled and gave a playful wink. "This is who I am now."
A collective breath of relief seemed to pass through the room, as though a grand feast had just concluded. Theresa had laid bare her past, her present, and her future.
From this day forward, she would simply be Theresa, no longer a Sarkaz King.
Only the Banshee HR Lady understood how exhausted she truly was. The weight of civil war, the future of the Sarkaz, the fate of Kazdel… all of it had nearly crushed her. It was a blessing that the King of Liberation had saved her.
That very afternoon, the Kazdel Gazette released its newest issue. The headline read: "Theresa, Rescued by the King of Liberation, Returns to Kazdel."
The article detailed her sudden appearance at the meeting and carefully analyzed her words, attempting to interpret her inner thoughts. It also recounted what she had said to the Sarkaz operators afterward, which occupied nearly a third of the report.
Through her words, the Sarkaz learned that it was their beloved King of Liberation who had saved Princess Theresa, and that she had personally entrusted the throne to him.
Even with her return, Lady Theresa had no interest in the struggles of the royal court. She was now simply an ordinary member of Kazdel, a maidservant by His Highness's side.
Within a single day, news of Theresa's "resurrection" and return swept across Kazdel like wildfire. The Sarkaz marveled at the bond between the two, one that seemed to transcend race itself. Their spirits had long been in harmony.
Princess Theresa… perhaps it was time to call her Lady Theresa. She had no attachment to the Sarkaz King's throne. All she wished was to assist His Highness, the King of Liberation.
Such sincerity moved many to tears and deepened their admiration for the King's charisma.
The sudden turn in the 3.0 storyline left players stunned. No one had anticipated such a dramatic development. Some content creators hurriedly uploaded new videos overnight, while others sought opportunities to approach Lady Theresa, captivated by the NPC's beauty.
The following evening, downtown Kazdel erupted in celebration. Citizens spontaneously flooded the streets, welcoming the dawn of a new era.
All members of Tomorrow's Development joined the festivities, enjoying their rare day of rest.
Amid Kazdel's prosperity, Felix fulfilled his promise to Theresa and personally guided her through the city as it stood today.
With efficient transportation networks and orderly rows of homes, the Sarkaz enjoyed their meals and the present moment. Whenever they caught sight of Felix and Theresa, they quickly bowed in respect.
Theresa looked upon the city, both familiar and strangely new. The muddy ground of old Kazdel was gone, replaced by smooth roads of asphalt and stone. The shacks and makeshift shelters had vanished, giving way to tall residential buildings, detached houses, and terraced homes. It felt as though she could glimpse the shadows of many nations woven into this land. Light no longer came from open flames, but from electric streetlamps lining the streets.
Kazdel's traditions endured, preserved not only in the statues of Sarkaz kings that stirred nostalgia, but also in the grotesque Gothic architecture that defined the city's skyline.
Holding a skewer of roasted sweet potatoes, Theresa took a small bite.
The vendor selling them had once been a mercenary squad leader in the Babel. The moment he recognized her, his eyes reddened. He nearly burst into tears as he bowed deeply, insisting she take whatever she wished to eat that day.
Theresa gently stopped him and insisted on paying for the snacks herself.
When would the Sarkaz finally escape war and live ordinary lives? She had once dreamed of such a future, yet never truly believed it would arrive.
She glanced at Felix beside her. He was chatting casually with the Goliath guard on duty. A faint smile curved her lips. She had long known she was not the most suitable Sarkaz king for Kazdel. The only truly suitable king for Kazdel was Felix.
She walked toward the busiest square, where mercenaries were engaged in a lively arena match, sparring with sturdy wooden weapons. The victors would earn prizes. Felix had naturally encouraged the revival of such traditional Kazdel activities. Though Kazdel absorbed the cultures of many lands, it would always remain Kazdel, and that would never change.
"In another year, Kazdel may have its second mobile city."
Felix took a sip of milk tea and was surprised to find the flavor nearly identical to the milk tea from his own world. He sighed softly, then stepped up beside Theresa. "Although Kazdel's technology still ranks among the lowest of the Terran nations, we have already mastered the technology required to build a mobile city core."
"Eh?"
Theresa blinked, her eyes glistening as a faint smile appeared. "A second mobile city? In the old Kazdel, that would have been nothing more than a fantasy."
Felix nodded. "Kazdel has vast stretches of unused land. While it cannot compare to Victoria, it is more than enough to sustain a large population."
If asked how he had obtained the another blueprint for a mobile city core, even with Luck of 1, it would have been impossible in a short time. At best, he might have found fragments. During the Chernobog incident, however, he had taken the opportunity to approach the city's core, scan it, and perform reverse calculations. Only then had he secured the complete blueprint.
Kazdel was a vast land scarred by natural disasters, yet Felix believed it was worth attempting. Just as Baizao in Yan had been built atop an Originium mine, Kazdel could make the same bold choice.
"Did you know I'm planning to excavate a massive basin south of Kazdel and fill it with seawater, turning it into a seaside resort?" Felix said with a smile. "What will truly help the Sarkaz shed their demonic image is not war, but the quiet transformation brought about by everyday life."
Theresa smiled. "I will do everything I can to help you."
Felix inclined his head slightly. "Your brother… within six months, Theresis will make his move. And that will mean war."
He looked at her calmly. "Kazdel must not be divided again. Theresis is not my enemy. I believe he understands that as well."
Theresa gave a knowing smile. "Right now, all he can see is how bright and prosperous Kazdel has become."
She stepped closer, gently took Felix's hand, and rested her head against his shoulder. Fireworks blossomed across the night sky, their brilliant colors reflected in their eyes.
"Felix… thank you. It seems the time has finally come for me to say what I have long kept in my heart."
"I love Kazdel as it is now… and I love you too."