After visiting Wei Yenwu, Felix made his way to the office building of the LGD. Wei had already told him that, at the moment, only he and the Rat King knew of Felix's true status. As for the other nations, only a few high-ranking individuals were aware — the rest of the underlings weren't worthy of the information.
So, in front of Ch'en Hui-chieh, he remained the same image as always: a successful entrepreneur traveling across Terra.
He knocked on the door, then entered. Ch'en Hui-chieh was seated at the desk that once belonged to Nine, reading through a stack of documents. Felix had learned from Anthony that Nine had transferred to Tomorrow's Development a few months back, and Ch'en had naturally inherited her position.
"You're back," she said.
It was undeniable — Ch'en Hui-chieh was glad to see him. In just a few months, he looked even healthier, his figure more defined, his wings and halo more radiant… and somehow, he'd become even more handsome.
She coughed lightly, shaking her head. Get a grip! You're not some lovestruck pink-haired mouse!
"How long will you be staying this time?" she asked.
"Just here to discuss a business deal. I'll be leaving soon."
"I see…"
She sounded a bit disappointed but quickly regained her usual composure. "Well, since you're back in Lungmen, I'm treating you to dinner tonight."
"You?" Felix chuckled. "Look at you — one pay raise and you're already acting bold."
"Tch, even if I'm rich, I'm nowhere near your level," she shot back, slapping the table lightly. "If you've got time, help me cross-check some data. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can eat."
Felix had nothing pressing to do that day, so he took the seat across from her, flipping through documents while idly browsing player forums.
That evening, when the two of them went out for dinner, several newly recruited LGD officers and certain tigress officer nearly dropped their jaws. Walking beside Officer Ch'en was… that man?! No way! That's forbidden!
"Oh, that's the Pioneer… I've heard of him before," murmured a tall Oni officer, resting her chin on her hand thoughtfully. "Missy, have you ever met him? Why do you look so shocked?"
The woman beside her, flashing small tiger-like teeth, shook her head. She had no idea that the leader of Tomorrow's Development — a company that once did business with her family — would look like that. She had to admit, her heart skipped a beat.
The next morning, Felix showed up at the hotel where Rhodes Island's members were staying, carrying breakfast and yawning non-stop.
After returning home, last night… was pure Heav- Hell! If he hadn't evolved into a Seraph, he would've been out cold halfway through. Who could've guessed that the "battle" would last the entire night?! Luckily things like this didn't make Sankta a fallen.
By the end, even little Susie and Avdotya had been dragged into the chaos by Mandragora's betrayal. Now Felix didn't even dare to go home.
Fortunately, his years of late-night smithing had built up a strong constitution — he didn't feel too tired from 'forging' last night — the rhythmic swing of his 'hammer' still echoed in his mind, each strike ringing true against the glowing 'anvils'. Sparks had danced like fireflies in the dim 'workshop', the air thick with heat and the scent of 'molten metal', yet despite many requests from the 'clients', his body feels steady and his craft was so perfect last night.
ACE accepted the breakfast with a nod of thanks, looking at Felix — who had been whisked away by men in black suits straight from the airport the day before. "You're still alive?"
"Don't exaggerate. Wei Yenwu just wanted to have a casual chat," Felix replied, waving a hand lazily. "Come on, we've got business with both sides of the street today — the legal and the not-so-legal."
"Whoa, you've got connections in both worlds?"
"More or less," he said with a smirk. "I know a few people."
Kal'tsit looked at him. "Thank you."
Felix waved it off. "No need. Rhodes Island's success benefits everyone. As a shareholder, I'm just lending a little help."
He scooped up the slightly shy Amiya, gently ruffling her hair as he looked out the window. "Let's explore Lungmen today, Amiya. You should start getting familiar with the city."
Amiya nodded firmly. "Got it, Felix-oniisan."
That morning, Felix led the group to the construction company owned by Mr. and Mrs. Simon — Rhodes Island's ship needed internal repairs (due to a damaged bulkhead) and additional room expansion. After that, he took them to several of his business contacts to finalize the logistics of their supply chain.
Kal'tsit soon realized that no matter where Felix went, doors opened for him. In just a few short years, he had made himself unforgettable in all of Lungmen — his reputation alone was enough to smooth over any obstacle.
Some entrepreneurs, upon hearing that Felix had invested in Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals, expressed interest in adding their own contributions. However, Dr. Kal'tsit firmly declined.
Rhodes Island wasn't a company that existed merely to make money. Felix had become a shareholder not for profit, but because he understood what Kal'tsit and her people were trying to accomplish — developing medicine to treat the Infected. In this age, such efforts were rare; aside from the medical field, only those willing to take a loss would dare pursue it.
After enjoying authentic street snacks, Felix and his group headed down to the Lower District that afternoon. Once he parked the black Sedan, he led them toward a small candy shop.
The old man behind the counter, who had been dozing, opened his eyes slightly. Upon seeing his visitor, a sharp gleam flickered within them.
"Well, boy, looks like you made it out of hell alive," the old man said.
Felix almost thought the Rat King had installed surveillance devices in his home, but he quickly realized the remark referred to his meeting with Wei Yenwu.
"He let me go quite easily," Felix replied calmly. "In the future, Kazdel might seek more contact with Lungmen."
The Rat King immediately understood. He let out a low chuckle, then turned his gaze toward the people standing behind Felix. When his eyes met Kal'tsit's, they briefly sharpened — but then softened as they fell on Amiya.
"Want some candy, little one?" he asked.
"Um… Felix-oniisan told me not to take things from strangers," Amiya replied carefully.
"What nonsense is that? I'm your brother's old friend. Call me Uncle."
"Thank you, Uncle~"
"Hah, what a polite child."
After ruffling Amiya's hair affectionately, the Rat King looked back at Felix. "So, what brings you here with this group?"
"I'm here to buy some things you can only find through the black channels," Felix answered casually. "Don't worry — nothing that'll cause trouble."
"You," the Rat King said, pointing a clawed finger at him, "are trouble itself."
"...Fair enough," Felix muttered.
"I'll have someone guide your group through the black market," the Rat King said with a sigh. Then, narrowing his eyes, he added, "I heard you had dinner with that girl Hui-chieh yesterday. Tell me, are you free tonight?"
"You're inviting me to dinner?" Felix blinked. "Well… that's fine by me. I've been wanting to ask you about Originium Arts for a while."
"Originium Arts, my tail! I'm talking about my daughter!"
With a swift motion, the Rat King drove his elbow into Felix's side. As the younger man bent over in pain, the old rat leaned in close and muttered, "I've already booked the restaurant. But you'd better not try anything. Understand? If she isn't home before eight… hmhmhm."
"Understood…" Felix groaned.
ACE turned his head away, pretending not to hear. Kal'tsit silently reached out and covered Amiya's long bunny ears. They hadn't heard anything, nope!
Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals intended to purchase circuit boards and terminal components from the black market. Such items were expensive even on the open market — but Closure required custom-made ones, and certain high-tech parts could only be obtained through unofficial channels.
They also needed to procure a batch of emergency medicine. Ever since Babel's dissolution, many of its doctors had joined Tomorrow's Development or left altogether, leaving Rhodes Island's medical division short-staffed. Most people aboard the Rhodes Island vessel were Infected — without medicine, the consequences could be disastrous.
However, such goods were rare and costly on the black market. Without reliable contacts, one could spend days searching aimlessly — or worse, attract unwanted attention.
Felix made a quick call to Rosebloom, who provided him with several drug merchant contacts. He handed the information to Kal'tsit, confident that she could handle the matter herself.
Before nightfall, Felix returned to the hotel with Amiya. The little rabbit looked at the clock on the wall and asked curiously, "Felix-oniisan, aren't you eating with us tonight?"
Felix crouched down to her level. "Your big brother has an appointment to keep… sorry about that."
"It's okay!" Amiya smiled sweetly. "Thank you for today, Felix-oniisan. Lungmen is really fun!"
He gently patted her head and turned to leave. The sight of him walking away felt like a lone hero departing into the cold wind — a man who might never return from his fateful dinner.
Later that evening, in the Lower District, he picked up Lin Yühsia — who was dressed elegantly in an evening gown. As she settled into the passenger seat, she glanced at him.
Felix was dressed sharply in a tailored tailcoat, his presence carrying a quiet, masculine charm. She knew he'd spent the entire day handling business with his associates, and the fact that he'd changed into formal wear before dinner told her one thing clearly — he was taking this seriously.
Though it was a small detail, it was enough to show just how seriously Felix took this dinner.
"I heard from my father that you've taken control of Kazdel," Lin Yühsia said as soon as they were seated at the restaurant, not even bothering to look at the menu. "From that moment on, Tomorrow's Development stopped being just a company—it became a government."
She had only heard fragments from her father, so her curiosity toward Felix's enterprise and his actions burned brightly.
Leaning forward slightly, green vines sprouted subtly from her back, curling with a faint shimmer of white lilies in bloom—soft, elegant, yet filled with an almost imperceptible pressure that wrapped around Felix's limbs and heart.
"I'm curious," she said, eyes glimmering.
"Kazdel's civilians don't need war," Felix replied, gently rubbing his fingers together. "But perhaps one day… Kazdel may have no choice but to fight."
"The situation inside Yan isn't unified. For now, the best I can do is form an alliance with Lungmen… Aside from Lungmen, the only possible ally would be—"
"Kjerag?" Lin Yühsia interjected with a knowing smile. "That snowy tourist country?"
"For now, yes," Felix said softly. "But in the future… who knows?"
Her emerald eyes shimmered with interest. Lin Yühsia wasn't like Ch'en Hui-chieh—she wasn't blinded by justice or trapped by moral rigidity. In her eyes, Ch'en Hui-chieh's sense of righteousness bordered on naivety. Lin Yühsia feared that one day, that idealistic woman might fall when confronted with Lungmen's darker side.
Felix's words, however, revealed something deeper—something dangerous—and she understood it immediately.
"What you mean," she said slowly, "is that some nations will refuse to recognize Kazdel as a sovereign state."
Felix only blinked and smiled faintly.
Lin Yühsia's lips curved upward. How interesting. Compared to Lungmen's underworld and its grey politics, Felix's current stage was far grander—exactly the kind of world she wanted to stand in. She wanted to plan, to command, to shape history. She wanted to become someone like him.
At exactly eight o'clock, Felix pulled up in front of the Rat King's candy shop in the Lower District. A number of underworld guards were already stationed outside, waiting. When they saw their "Big Sister" return safely, they dispersed one by one, each going back to their homes as if nothing had happened.
Seriously, Felix thought dryly, were these guys planning to start a gang war if she didn't show up by eight?
Lin Yühsia stepped back into the shop, where her father sat watching the evening news.
"Judging by your expression," the Rat King said, glancing up, "I'd say you gained quite a bit tonight. So, have you decided what it is you're looking for?"
"I want to become someone like Felix."
The words made the old man's eyes snap open in delight. He burst out laughing, the dust in the shop trembling with his voice.
"So, when are we taking out that snake Wei Yenwu? Shall I prepare the banquet—or the executioners?"
Lin Yühsia rolled her eyes, earning a low chuckle from him as he leaned back in his chair. "Kidding, kidding…"
"I believe what Felix is doing is exactly what I want to do," she said softly. "Lungmen feels too small… and yet, for me right now, still too vast to grasp."
"Funny," the Rat King muttered, smirking. "You're the same age as that kid, and yet you talk like that. You've had private tutors, elite education, every advantage possible. Logically, he shouldn't surpass you."
"But our experiences are different, Father," she replied gently. "Please… allow me to start taking over some of your work."
The Rat King's eyes narrowed, his heart pounding with pride. Good girl! Excellent! To think that brat could inspire my daughter like this—next time he buys candy, I'll give him a damn discount!
"—And then," Lin Yühsia continued calmly, "I'll stay by Felix's side… and help him move forward."
Crack!
The old rat nearly threw his back out. "You… what did you just say?"
A faint blush crossed Lin Yühsia's face, though she quickly composed herself. "Father, haven't you always said you couldn't find a man good enough for me? I used to agree—but now, I've found one."
"You—wait, don't tell me…" His paw trembled.
"Felix."
"WHAT!? I'll kill him!"
"Didn't you say you were proud when I beat Ch'en Hui-chieh last time?" Lin Yühsia asked innocently.
The Rat King blinked. He had been proud back then—he'd even joked about drinking with Wei Yenwu afterward.
"My daughter… don't throw yourself into this mess!"
"Don't be dramatic, Father," Lin Yühsia said, brushing past him.
The Rat King slumped back into his chair, staring blankly into space.
———
Later that night, when Felix returned home, he was greeted by a sudden embrace from Texas, who had just come back from a mission. He learned that Lemuen had gone out to play with Lemuel, Senomi and her friends were attending a classmate's gathering, and Carnelian was still working overtime at the company.
The silence that followed was heavy… then electric.
A spark met fuel.
Lightning struck flint.
There would be battle.
There had to be battle.
And it was inevitable.