Młynar's longsword slid slightly from its sheath, the cold gleam instantly making Roy scoot to the far end of the bench.
"Co now, no need to be so distant, Młynar," Roy said with a grin. "We've known each other for years. There's no reason for us to make things difficult."
Młynar didn't reply. Felix raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell you've taken on another assassination contract?"
"Don't make it sound so harsh," Roy chuckled. "The promotion matches only just began — there's no way orders would co in this soon."
He leaned back, smiling slyly. "Still, this batch of knights includes so Infected. You'll want to be careful — in every sense of the word."
"I just hope this ti we're not standing on opposite sides, Pioneer. I've no desire to make an enemy of you. Besides, I should start planning for my retirent, don't you think?"
Checking his watch, Roy rose, waved lazily, and disappeared down the street, leaving the two n alone again.
Młynar turned to Felix. "What's next? Tell your plan. And… about Margaret — she's in Kazdel now, right? I'll entrust everything to you."
"Margaret is a capable knight — she doesn't need my protection," Felix replied with a faint nod. "But I understand. I'll make sure nothing happens to her."
Margaret was often busy working alongside her Followers partner; Felix wasn't too worried. Still, he understood Młynar's concern and agreed without hesitation.
Later, Felix arranged a eting between Młynar and the leaders of the Chamber of Comrce. During the discussion, Młynar once again felt the sheer weight Felix carried now. The CC's representatives treated him as an equal — with formality and respect. Four years ago, they had treated him more like a wealthy patron, a generous businessman. But now? The tone had completely changed.
It was clear that modern Kazdel was a colossal cake — and everyone wanted a slice. Before Felix had left Kazdel, he'd already learned from Loughshinny that several Victorian dukes were showing interest in investing there. A few Leithanian noble Casters were seeking to build their own towers in Kazdel, and even nobles from Yan were hoping to construct buildings in their holand's architectural style.
The contract Felix had signed with the Chamber of Comrce was for the construction of a grand arena — one equal in scale to the Kawalerielki's. He had his own plans for that building.
When the eting ended, Młynar's gaze turned pensive. The Chamber of Comrce — once thought of as an enemy — had beco an ally of the Tomorrow's Developnt.
"There are no eternal enemies," Felix said quietly. "Only eternal interests... and good business."
"Kazimierz fell into stagnation precisely because of the Chamber of Comrce. Arena knights beca a synonym for irony, while the traditional knights lost their footing. Yet, it's also thanks to the CC that Kazimierz's tourism industry flourished like never before. I'm not saying they were right — but economically, they did help Kazimierz."
"Even if the Chamber of Comrce were destroyed," Młynar replied calmly, "another one just like it would rise to take its place. You underestimate , Pioneer. I stopped being a knight a long ti ago."
"If that day ever cos — when the Chamber of Comrce is gone and the traditional knights rise again — Kazimierz will descend into chaos. And when that happens, every neighboring nation will have to choose a side."
"Do you really misunderstand the traditional knights that much?"
Felix shook his head. "Kazimierz today is synonymous with entertainnt and spectacle. Traditional knights, however, embody blood and iron. If they regain power, what do you think Ursus will do?"
Młynar's answer ca without hesitation. "War."
"Exactly. There will be war," Felix said. "Unless, of course, Ursus is already too entangled in its own troubles by then."
He didn't finish the thought. The two parted ways at the station. Młynar watched Felix stride away, then tightened his grip on the folded newspaper in his hand. Everything Felix said — Młynar already knew.
Twenty years ago, he might have scoffed, drawn his sword, and vowed to restore the honor of the Nearl family, spreading justice across Kazimierz. But that passion had cooled. His skills remained sharp, but his blood no longer burned as it once did. He had learned the difference between ideals and reality — between what should be and what is.
"It's going to rain tonight," he murmured, tucking the newspaper under his arm. Then he turned toward the Tomorrow's Developnt base. Since he'd been half-pushed into joining them, it was only right to start understanding them from the inside.
At that mont, inside the base, Magic ZX was reporting the current situation in Kazimierz to the strategy team when, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a familiar figure stepping through the door.
He jumped to his feet, nearly shouting with joy. Tonight, he could finally sleep soundly.
The Chamber of Comrce wasted no ti. Felix had originally planned to hire a ssenger at the station to deliver a ssage to Kazdel, updating Loughshinny on the situation. But before he could, the CC had already dispatched their own construction team — arriving the very next day with wagons full of supplies. Their efficiency was astonishing.
Even so, Felix still found a feline ssenger and asked her to travel alongside the CC's convoy — to explain the current developnts directly to the Tomorrow's Developnt's upper ranks.
Felix and Amiya attended Viviana's second match as well — though luck was not on her side this ti. Her opponent turned out to be another knight from the Chamber of Comrce, a woman known by the codena Dark Knight. She had taken first place in a major city-level tournant and was soon scouted by the CC, earning her title and fa.
The matchup between the two was ill-fated. Though both won appeared gentle and graceful, their abilities could not have been more opposed. Dark Knight's Originium Arts — true to her na — embodied darkness. Light versus dark, grace against grace — the organizers clearly arranged the fight for spectacle.
From the comntary booth, the ever-rowdy Greatmouth Mob received a subtle cue from the CC and imdiately went all out on the mic:
"Uwoooh! I love it when pretty ladies fight!"
"Seeing sothing like this makes the ticket worth it — even if I die after!"
Felix gently patted Amiya's head as the girl watched intently, her little hands gripping the edge of her seat. Occasionally she even held her breath, unable to look away. She was wholeheartedly cheering for Viviana — yet Viviana was struggling, slowly pushed back by her opponent.
Dark Knight's Originium Arts seed to directly suppress Viviana's own. Bit by bit, she retreated under the shroud of darkness.
An Art of darkness, huh… rare indeed, Felix mused as he observed the battle. If this Dark Knight makes it to the top five, I might just have to send a word to the Chamber of Comrce.
As for the championship itself? He fully intended to buy it — one way or another.
Viviana took a deep breath. The candlelight in her sword suddenly flared to life, radiating warmth and brilliance that pierced the shadows. The light illuminated every corner of darkness — and with it, revealed the Dark Knight herself.
Darkness suppresses light, yet light also dispels darkness. They were two sides of the sa coin — forever entwined.
Viviana lunged forward, her slender rapier slicing through the night. The candlelight burst outward, scattering the gloom and igniting faint sparks across the arena.
"The winner is... Viviana!"
Felix rose from his seat, applauding. Amiya bead, her ears twitching with joy — she adored Knight Viviana!
With that victory, Viviana advanced into the top sixteen. For a young knight in her first year of competition, it was a remarkable achievent. No doubt, once the tournant ended, various companies would co courting — eager to sponsor her, chard by both her skill and her beauty.
Later that evening, Kal'tsit returned to the hotel with Amiya. Now that Amiya had inherited the Black Crown, Kal'tsit firmly believed the young girl must grow into her role — to beco the future Sarkaz King. Gone were the days of curling up in Theresa's arms to hear bedti stories. From now on, Amiya would have to stand tall.
Amiya, obedient and understanding as always, agreed to take her studies seriously. She decided to begin her lessons right away — by learning from this ongoing business negotiation.
ACE, however, was uncertain whether this decision was hopeful or cruel. To him, it felt like stripping away Amiya's possible futures, forcing her onto a predetermined path she had no choice but to walk.
But Felix understood. The mont she accepted the Black Crown, Amiya's fate had already been sealed.
That was precisely why Felix despised the idea of accepting such a destiny himself. He hated having his fate dictated by others. To him, the only reliable hands to hold one's future — were one's own.
His eting with Zofia and Maria had put a rare smile back on his face. Zofia had received more letters from Margaret than Młynar had, and Maria had sent the most of all.
Młynar's note was brief: "I'm not hated."
Maria, however, wrote about her dream — to beco a knight just like her elder sister. Zofia wasn't entirely supportive of that ambition, believing Maria's ideals might change as she matured. After all, she was still young.
A few days before the grand finals, Felix boarded a flight to Trimount in Columbia. It had been years since he last returned, and upon arrival, he was greeted with an enthusiastic welco from the military.
It wasn't sarcasm — quite the opposite. The exosuit he and Ferdinand had designed had been a resounding success, and the military had taken quite a liking to it. Moreover, Felix's relationship with the Army had always been amicable. Though a scientist, he lacked the arrogance typical of his kind, which left even the most nitpicky officers with nothing to complain about. He simply knew how to handle people.
He had co to Columbia for two reasons.
First, reliable informants had reported sightings of Lappland on the outskirts of Trimount. Second, he wanted to use his military connections to contact the police and have the bounty on Lappland and Texas officially lifted.
The second matter was simple — the police could hardly defy the military's word.
As for the first, Felix dispatched his chanical drones to conduct wide-scale aerial scans around Trimount. With luck, they'd locate her soon.
Lappland… Cellinia's childhood friend. Their connection was not distant, and Felix still carried guilt over her fate. From his long search, he knew she had deliberately gone into hiding — though for what reason, he could not yet say.
Back at his villa in Trimount, the place had clearly been uninhabited for years—yet Felix imdiately noticed traces of life. The plants around the estate were lush and vibrant, as though tended by a gentle hand. A few small, playful creatures darted across the garden lawn, scampering toward a kneeling elf and chirping affectionately.
"Mm, Eri," the elf said with a fond smile, "no matter how much you beg, I'm not giving you any food. You'll spoil your dinner again."
"And you too, Saori—honestly, why are you always so clingy?"
"Fuji, stop poking ! That tickles!"
The elf girl, her long hair glimring with a soft verdant sheen, laughed as she played with the little creatures. But when she heard approaching footsteps, the creatures squeaked and quickly hid behind her.
She turned, her eyes—moist and bright—suddenly lighting up with recognition and warmth.
"You're back," she said softly.
"Yeah," Felix replied with a faint smile. "I ca to see you."
"Oh, really now? How long has it been?" Her tone was half teasing, half wistful. "If my water avatar hadn't stayed by your side, would you have rembered to co back at all?"
Muelsyse rose to her feet. As her slender fingers twitched lightly, the surrounding plants swayed as though basking in sunlight and rain. She took a few quick steps toward Felix and gently touched his face.
"To feel warmth again… with my real hands," she murmured. "You've had it rough, haven't you, Felix?"
She gazed into his eyes, her voice tender but steady. "Kazdel's reconstruction will give the Sarkaz a brighter future. But you—you're carrying the weight of it all on your shoulders."
"I'm fine," he said quietly, taking her hand.
Felix lifted her chin gently, eting her gaze before guiding her back into the house. Muelsyse followed with a soft hum, smiling faintly as she began to hum a tune—an old love song from a Columbian film.
He accepted a mug of hot cocoa from her and asked, "Any new readings from your elental scouts?"
Muelsyse had long maintained several water avatars—one that stayed in his flask, and others that wandered across Terra. She called it her way of seeing the world without ever leaving ho.
"Nothing significant," she said with a small shrug. "I found traces of an old elven village, but… no one was there. Maybe they left together long ago."
She pouted slightly, lowering her gaze. "It feels like you've only just co back, and now you're leaving again…"
"Yeah," Felix admitted with a wry smile. "It's not safe for to stay in Columbia too long right now."
He had no idea what the upper echelons of the Columbian governnt thought of him—and until that beca clear, it was best not to linger.
"When will you return to Rhine Lab?" she asked.
"Tonight."
"Eh? But that still leaves so ti before evening…" she said, her eyes glimring with a playful hint. "What shall we do until then?"
Under her expectant, teasing gaze, Felix exhaled softly, then stood up. Without a word, he wrapped his arms around Muelsyse and lifted her into his embrace, heading upstairs.
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