"What cos next for Babel?"
Hoederer leaned against the window fra and sighed. He shook his head helplessly. They had believed that capturing Kazdel's mobile city would mark their victory — but who could have predicted that Her Highness, beloved by all Sarkaz, would fall to an assassin's blade?
Ines sat silently on the sofa. Beside her, Mudrock remained quiet as always. The air in the room was heavy with grief.
Jesselton Williams said nothing either. He had witnessed everything, but both his body and soul already belonged to Sir. He knew very well which words could be spoken — and which should never be.
Felix toyed idly with the small drone in his hand.
The fate of Babel was already sealed. Theresa had placed her trust in him, entrusting the future of Kazdel to his hands.
Her Highness had never cared about his race, nor about her own power of conquest. She once said that the care he gave to the Sarkaz, the creation of the Frontier District — for the holess Sarkaz people, it was like rain falling upon dry land.
He had gained her recognition. Now, all that was left was for him to act — step by step.
"Hey, hey… you've got to be kidding ," Hoederer muttered, peering out the window. "Those Sarkaz rcenaries… they're leaving?"
Felix moved beside him, looking outside. Many Sarkaz rcenaries were packing their belongings, so glancing back wistfully, others walking away without hesitation.
"After Her Highness's passing, they no longer have any reason to stay with Babel," Felix said quietly. "It's only natural. Babel existed because of her."
"…Even now, I can hardly believe it," Hoederer whispered. "That Her Highness is really gone."
A gentle knock ca at the door. Kal'tsit stepped in, her face pale and weary. The emotionless expression she wore reminded Felix of the Kal'tsit from his previous life — a woman who had forgotten how to smile.
"I ca to express my gratitude to the Pioneer and his Organization," she said, her tone calm but hollow. "Thank you for helping Babel capture Kazdel's mobile city. However, as the temporary commander of Babel, I must also deliver so unfortunate news — our cooperation will likely co to an end."
"Because… Babel is going to be disbanded?" Felix asked, rising to his feet.
His words made both Hoederer and Ines turn sharply toward him.
Kal'tsit closed her eyes for a mont, then reopened them. "Those who wish to leave — rcenaries and elite operators alike — are free to do so. With Her Highness gone, Babel exists in na only."
"I won't ask what will happen to the Doctor," Felix said quietly. "I only want to know — where will you go?"
"…We'll make one final stop at Chernobog," she replied, "and then head to Rim Billiton."
Each word sounded like a farewell. Kal'tsit looked utterly exhausted. She turned her gaze toward Felix.
"Thank you," she said softly, "for staying with Her Highness in her final monts."
"I was too late," he murmured.
"That was enough," Kal'tsit replied, sighing deeply. "Kazdel's mobile city is now leaderless. Though it remains under Babel's control, it's only a matter of ti before the defending rcenaries disperse."
"General Theresis and the Military Commission will remain stationed in Londinium. Only a handful of rcenaries will still be active in Kazdel. Babel will dissolve… and Kazdel will once again beco an abandoned land, without a ruler. Do what you must, Pioneer Felix."
Her voice softened as she stepped back, arms folded across her chest. "Her Highness believed in you — and so I will trust the one she trusted."
With that, Kal'tsit turned and walked away quickly.
Felix took a deep breath and looked toward Hoederer. "Hoederer, I need you to imdiately report the current situation to Ulšulah. Also, I want you to lead our rcenaries to take over Kazdel's mobile city."
Hoederer stood and nodded. A wry smile tugged at his lips. "I thought capturing Kazdel's city was the end… turns out, it's only the beginning."
"Ines," Felix said, turning to her, "I need you to speak with the Sarkaz rcenaries who haven't left yet. They're already familiar with the Frontier District. If any of them wish to join us, the gates of the Tomorrow's Developnt will always be open to them."
Ines nodded and left imdiately. She knew ti was short — the Sarkaz rcenaries would soon depart, so she had to move quickly. As a mber of the Tomorrow's Developnt, she fully supported the idea of taking over Kazdel.
"Mudrock," Felix said, "among those who chose to stay, I need you to pick out the most capable rcenaries and have them join your unit — the Mudrock Squad. You can consult with Ines for her opinion on this."
"I understand."
Mudrock's chanical voice echoed through the hall as she lifted her massive hamr and strode away.
Felix leaned back against the sofa, one leg crossed over the other. Jesselton stood loyally at his side, waiting until everyone else had left before carefully asking, "Sir, what would you have do?"
"You can rest for now," Felix said. "You overused your Originium Arts today — you'll be ntally exhausted."
"Yes, Sir!"
Jesselton was so moved he nearly cried. Bowing respectfully, he finally allowed himself to sit and rest.
All around them, Babel's rcenaries were leaving — so in small groups of friends, others walking alone. Confusion clouded their faces. With their beloved princess gone, they no longer knew who to follow, whose orders to obey, or what future to strive toward.
How could Kazdel ever beco better now? Deep down, they knew it was a dream too far out of reach.
What now? Where do we go from here?
The elite operators and higher ranks were no different. So had guessed the truth behind Her Highness's death — disappointnt, grief, and rage filled their hearts. So kept their silence, others simply walked away in anger.
Babel began to crumble apart overnight.
---
"You've done well," Felix said when he found ACE on the transport deck. The man sat slumped, drinking from his flask — a drink once ant for celebration. Now it only dulled his sorrow. His squad was no better; the atmosphere among them was heavy with grief.
That very morning, Her Highness had stood right there, smiling as she watched them depart for battle. ACE could still recall that gentle smile… but now, he would never see it again.
The princess who had always smiled so brightly was gone, leaving behind only pain and confusion.
"Do you have any plans now?" Felix asked quietly.
"…Not yet," ACE replied after a pause. "Doctor Kal'tsit plans to take the Rhodes Island and leave Kazdel. I heard it from her myself."
"So you're not leaving imdiately," Felix said. "That ans you plan to go with her to Rim Billiton?"
"Yeah," ACE murmured, suppressing a sigh. "I just… can't make sense of it all. Why did it have to happen like this?"
"I don't know either."
Felix looked ahead, watching the rcenaries march away. "But I do know this — we have to keep moving forward, carrying the will of those who ca before us."
Ace nodded faintly. "…Yeah. And you? When will you leave?"
"When Babel is gone," Felix said calmly, "I'll still be here."
His words flowed like a breeze, clear and resolute. "I'll prove to the world that being called a king isn't sothing so extraordinary."
"You…"
Ace's sunglasses slipped down as his eyes widened. "You—"
"I've been waiting for this, ACE," Felix interrupted, a cold smile crossing his lips. "This world is overflowing with inequality — so much that it makes sick."
He clenched his fist. "Look at Ursus, or the comrcial lords of Kazimierz — it's all the sa rot. And Victoria? That nation's sickness has already spread beyond any cure."
"If it were you," he asked, "what would you do?"
Ace hesitated. "…? I'd probably just watch. Because I know I don't have the power to change any of it. These systems survive because people have grown numb. They've accepted them — telling themselves, 'My life isn't so bad.'"
"Beautifully said." Felix clapped once, his tone suddenly sharp. "But ? I'm angry."
He pointed to his chest, his golden eyes burning. "There's a fire inside that's been blazing ever since the day my own kin saved . From that mont, I swore to change this twisted world — to ask why."
"My lover, Mandragora — her parents were burned alive by Victoria's police on false charges. The entire street of Tara residents went up in flas with them. I want to ask — why?"
"In Ursus, the infected are enslaved in mines. They even drag in the poor and force them to work until they too beco infected. I want to ask — why?"
"And Yan — it looks perfect on the surface, but ha…" he laughed bitterly. "So of its mobile cities, though they bear the imperial seal, are already nothing more than the playgrounds of corrupt nobles."
"When you see such injustice — and you have the power to change it — what choice will you make?"
Felix's voice grew firm. "I'll fight."
"I'll fight against every injustice in this world. I'll demand answers with Iron and Blood — for every innocent soul who's perished, I'll seize the throats of those responsible and make them face their sins."
A grin spread across his face — wild, unrestrained. ACE stared, stunned. For the first ti, he saw Felix laugh so freely, as though chains had fallen away from him. For a fleeting mont, ACE thought he saw the shadow of General Theresis in him — but on second glance, it wasn't quite the sa.
"Your journey is a difficult one, ACE, Godspeed," Felix said, turning away.
"Ah… y-yeah…" ACE mumbled, watching him go in silence.
He could feel it — Felix had changed. The death of Her Highness hadn't just shaken the Sarkaz rcenaries… it had changed Felix too.
"Captain…should we stay?"
A squad mber asked in a low voice. Seeing ACE glance over, he hurried to explain, "No—it's just that what he said makes sense. We know Tomorrow's Developnt pretty well. I think he can do it."
Ace sighed. "I won't stop any of you. If you want to leave, you may. But I'm going with Doctor Kal'tsit."
"Ah…boss, what are you saying? Of course we'll follow you."
They laughed nervously to cover their unease. ACE forced a short chuckle, but he already suspected more people would choose to stay with Felix than he'd thought.
The next morning, the Sarkaz rcenaries packed their gear to set off — only to find that so comrades who had been friendly with them were now wearing a new, heavy black-and-white uniform. The emblem was familiar: Tomorrow's Developnt.
Adventurers from the Tomorrow's Developnt moved through the encampnt with solemn faces, taking over duties and exchanging information with the rcenaries. Where Her Highness had stood yesterday, now stood a Sankta — a rare sight in Kazdel. They recognized him at once: he was the Pioneer, the princess's close friend and a long-ti trading partner of Babel.
"I am the Pioneer."
Felix's voice was slow. It carried a pressure that made people uneasy and, at the sa ti, a warmth that struck the heart.
"We won this battle. We took Kazdel's mobile city. But we also lost. Babel lost its leader. The Sarkaz lost their monarch. And I lost a dear friend."
"But!"
"Is that the end of it?"
He raised his voice. "Tell — is this the end of Babel? Is this the future you want for Kazdel? With the General far away in Londinium, is this the state you desire for Kazdel?"
"Before stands a people — a nation groaning beneath defeat! After the wars, the pride of the Sarkaz is gone! Sarkaz have been forced to beco rcenaries; the infected can't get treatnt; children go without proper education!"
"Maybe so of you think General Theresis is the true fighter. You're wrong. You've misread everything! What Her Highness truly fought for — what she wanted with all her heart — was the future of the Sarkaz! She fought so every Sarkaz could have enough to eat! She fought so every Sarkaz could grow up healthy! She fought so that being a rcenary wouldn't be the only choice for a Sarkaz!"
"Now tell — will you be like Princess Theresa and beco freedom fighters for that future, or will you be cowards?"
The Sarkaz rcenaries straightened their backs and fixed their eyes on the man on the platform. He was almost shouting now; they stared, unblinking.
"You may ask: 'what now? Where do we go? What do we do with our lives on this land?' Yes — your lives are precious. But there is sothing more important than life itself: Freedom. Dignity."
"There are two things that unite people: shared ideals and shared cris. We have Princess Theresa's great ideal — and we will spill our last drop of blood for it!"
He let out a roar that shook souls: "Tell , Sarkaz — what is your answer?!"
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