Londinium, the Shard.
The royal court meeting had just concluded, and once again the date of war had been pushed forward. Members of the court departed one after another, some satisfied, others displeased, leaving Theresis alone upon the throne.
He gazed at the perpetually gray sky of Londinium, resting his chin against his hand, his expression unreadable. His eyes lingered on that oppressive expanse before returning to the reports laid out before him: Londinium's military expenditures, projected completion dates for the battleships, and intelligence gathered by spies embedded within the noble families.
The sound of approaching footsteps interrupted his thoughts. Seeing the visitor, Theresis raised an eyebrow slightly.
"What brings you here, Qui'sartuštaj?"
The man in black robes offered a polite smile. He removed his hood with deliberate grace and bowed.
"General, our spies in Kazdel have sent word."
Qui'sartuštaj's lips curved faintly. "Princess Theresa did not die four years ago. After being rescued by His Highness, the King of Liberation, she remained asleep for four years. The day before yesterday, she reappeared at the Royal Court meeting."
Theresis straightened from his reclined posture. "Saved by the King of Liberation?"
"Yes. That is what Her Highness Theresa herself claimed."
Qui'sartuštaj narrowed his eyes. "However, I have never sensed the aura of the Sarkaz king's Crown on Princess Theresa, nor have I sensed it on the King of Liberation. It is highly likely that Princess Theresa passed the Crown to a third party present at the time."
He smiled faintly. "Considering we never recovered her remains, it is only natural to assume she was saved."
Theresis let out a low snort. "Prepare for war. The bearer of the Crown will inevitably come to Londinium. It is destiny."
"Yes, General."
Qui'sartuštaj bowed once more before departing at an unhurried pace.
Theresis remained seated for a long while, fists gradually tightening as he stared toward the direction Qui'sartuštaj had gone. A faint, cold smile touched his lips before his gaze shifted toward Kazdel, his eyes clouded with complex emotion.
Slowly, he rose. His body trembled ever so slightly before he straightened himself and strode into the inner chamber.
'Theresa… truly alive.'
The spy's report could not be false. Had she truly been saved by the King of Liberation?
Yet the reports at the time had confirmed her death in battle. Or was it the Doctor's doing? All Sarkaz had felt the Sarkaz king's departure, and the Banshees had sung ancient laments in mourning.
So Theresa had entrusted the Sarkaz king's Crown to a third party present that day?
Theresis returned to his chamber and grasped the longsword at his waist, an impulse rising within him to cleave the air before him. After a moment, however, he suppressed the childish urge, one long abandoned over the years, and released a quiet sigh.
'Theresa, you must have found your own destiny by now.'
'We shall meet again upon the battlefield.'
A faint smile curved his lips.
And then there was the Liberation King. A mere Sankta he had once dismissed had reached such heights, leading their people to rebuild Kazdel, transforming it from a shattered containment ground into an orderly, technologically advanced city.
He wished to meet this King of Liberation… and then—
Theresis tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, a slow smile spreading across his face.
He waited eagerly, impatient for the day the Young King would stand before him.
___
After joining Tomorrow's Development, Theresa displayed remarkable efficiency. As Loughshinny would later become involved in Victoria's struggle for power, part of her secretarial duties was handed to Ines, while the rest was entrusted to Theresa, who had risen swiftly to prominence. Theresa was guided by emotion, while Ines was governed by reason. When the two reported to Felix, they complemented one another like yin and yang, covering every angle.
In March, two brand-new mobile city cores were completed at the Kazdel Research Institute. Felix announced the achievement at a meeting, and the news was published the same day in the Kazdel Allbezwinger News, igniting widespread excitement among the Sarkaz.
Kazdel currently possessed two habitable cities: the mobile city of Kazdel and a conventional urban development zone, Frontier District. With two additional cities on the horizon, did this not signify an even brighter future?
Felix contracted construction teams from Leithanien and Bolívar to undertake the project. Designers from Victoria's Duchy of Windermere crafted the mobile city's exterior framework, architects from Yan oversaw urban planning, and the Sarkaz handled transportation and logistics. Construction began at full speed.
As Felix had planned, Kazdel's mobile city would remain the nation's core. As for naming the two new cities, he consulted Theresa and Tin Man, both long-lived Sarkaz. His grasp of the Sarkaz language was limited, and if these cities were to be accepted by the people, their names needed to resonate.
Theresa gave her answer: the artificial sea tourism city would be called Maris-thar. The name combines the Sarkaz words Mare (sea) and is (eternal), while thar references an episode from the Sarkaz epic The Blessed Rift. In the Sarkaz tongue, the name signifies "the eternally blessed sea." It was undeniably beautiful.
Situated in the south near the borders of other nations, and with drones from the Kazdel Research Institute operating day and night, preliminary estimates placed its completion within two years.
That estimate was based on past mobile city construction timelines. With Kazdel's rapidly advancing technology and uninterrupted drone labor, the schedule could very well be shortened.
Beyond city construction, Felix was also managing military affairs in phases. With war imminent, all Sarkaz forces, aside from the main legions, entered full preparation mode. They knew exactly who their enemies would be: the other half of the Military Commission that had split Kazdel, and the nobles of Victoria.
During this period, players were either forging equipment or clearing dungeons. A select few higher-ranked players received special missions from Felix and began assembling others under their command. Led by Ines, they were brought near the land warship. Staring at the massive battleship before them, they stood agape, exclaiming that the King of Dawn truly lived up to his name. Such weapons were awe-inspiring.
All of Kazdel moved in unison, executing Felix's orders with mechanical precision. Amid this, Felix received another letter from Laterano.
It contained the official date for the Summit of Nations, scheduled for March of the following year. Kazdel, recognized as a sovereign state, was among those invited. In fact, aside from Kazdel, Laterano had invited nearly every major power across Terra.
Felix recalled that in his previous life, the Summit of Nations had indeed taken place, yet Kazdel had not been invited. That, at least, had been understandable.
At the same time, Theresa began restoring the names of several operators who had once served in the Babel. W also received her true name. Perhaps she should no longer be called W, but Wiš'adel. She adored her new name and even showed it off proudly to Felix. However, when he asked her to write it herself, Wiš'adel bared her small tiger teeth and promptly bit him.
News of Theresa's resurrection was confined to insiders. The people of Kazdel knew. The upper ranks of the Military Commission knew while the lower-ranking members had heard rumors but were uncertain of their authenticity. Other nations showed little reaction. To them, this was no longer Theresa's era. Even if she had returned, what could she truly accomplish?
They placed their faith in Felix, in the Young King, and in the present Kazdel. They believed peaceful coexistence was still possible.
Somehow, the news reached Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals. A few days later, Felix received a letter from Kal'tsit stating that Rhodes Island was already en route to Kazdel.
Felix agreed. After all, Kal'tsit and Theresa had once been close friends, and Amiya had always admired and missed Theresa. Their actions were only natural.
In early April, Felix prepared to enter seclusion.
This period would be devoted to consolidating everything he had gained and upgrading every skill that required refinement. In the coming great war, he would no longer remain a commander seated at the center. He would step onto the battlefield himself, cutting through thorns and brambles. To do so, he had to grow stronger.
Advancing from the seventh-tier [War Gunsmith] to the ninth-tier [Holy Resonator] granted +25 Strength, +50 Dexterity, +40 Stamina, +20 Intelligence, +25 Spirit, and 90 free attribute points.
The [Super Mechanic] advanced to the ninth-tier [God Mechanic], granting +50 Strength, +25 Dexterity, +21 Stamina, +40 Intelligence, +10 Spirit, and 90 free attribute points.
The master blacksmith advanced to the ninth-tier [Tempered Immortal], granting +50 Strength, +10 Dexterity, +50 Stamina, +15 Intelligence, +30 Spirit, and 90 free attribute points.
When the artisan apprentice and engineer apprentice reached the ninth tier, they advanced to [Ark Builder] and [Rule Creator], respectively, granting a combined total of +64 Strength, +85 Dexterity, +67 Stamina, +102 Intelligence, +93 Spirit, and 180 free attribute points.
His support class also advanced to the ninth-tier [Sanctuary Chanter], granting +10 Strength, +40 Dexterity, +25 Stamina, +40 Intelligence, +20 Spirit, and 90 free attribute points.
His ninth-tier level reached Level 45, marking yet another increase in his overall level.
In addition to leveling up, Felix finally turned his attention to his long-neglected second profession. Back in his previous life, his class rating within Rhodes Island had reached six stars, unlocking this secondary path. After browsing through his internal library, he ultimately chose the Guardian branch and advanced as a Tactical Warrior.
Having pushed his Caster class straight to the ninth tier, Felix let out a slow breath. An overwhelming surge of strength filled him.
It was power that belonged to his very essence.
[Terranoid Calamity Lv45] — the ninth tier of the Caster Warrior. The title felt fitting.
In total, Felix gained 755 free attribute points. As usual, he distributed them evenly among his remaining attributes.
[Attributes: Strength 381, Dexterity 432, Stamina 386, Intelligence 494, Spirit 397, Charisma 170, Luck 1]
Luck still could not be increased.
His overall level also rose to 381.
[Level 350 detected; racial evolution direction has been selected.]
[Current race detected: Teekaz - Heavenly Pardon. Selection complete. Please choose one of the following three options as your evolved race. WARNING! Evolution is irreversible. Choose carefully.]
[Teekaz - Heaven's Decree II] — 90% compatibility
[Teekaz - Heaven's Charm] — 98% compatibility
[Teekaz - Burning Heaven] — 98% compatibility
Felix examined Heaven's Decree II first. It enhanced his base attributes further while stabilizing his racial traits.
Heaven's Charm, however, appeared to have manifested due to his exceptionally high Charisma. It was a branch similar to a succubus lineage. It also possessed a unique racial trait: [Charming All Beings]. This ability not only greatly elevated the charm threshold but also guaranteed a stable success rate of approximately 90%. Others would instinctively regard him as a close friend, mentor, role model, dream lover, or even master. Only those with extraordinary willpower could resist its influence. If Felix were willing and had sufficient MP…
This world could very well become his.
Finally, his gaze settled on Teekaz - Burning Heaven, a race long vanished from Terra's history. Its lineage branched toward Diablo and carried a unique racial skill: [Inferno].
[Ash] — its flames could scorch not only flesh but also soul. Those slain or subdued could be transformed into firebound subordinates, purified and granted literal rebirth. They would retain independent consciousness while fighting under his command. In some ways, it resembled Eblana's, though its essence was fundamentally different.
After careful consideration, Felix understood that beguiling beauty was not his path. What he sought was the strength to bear his own burdens, not the art of enthralling others.
After a brief pause, he placed his hand upon Teekaz - Burning Heaven.
His vision went dark.