Młynar's longsword slid slightly from its sheath, the cold gleam instantly making Roy scoot to the far end of the bench.
"Come 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 me 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 come in this soon."
He leaned back, smiling slyly. "Still, this batch of knights includes some Infected. You'll want to be careful — in every sense of the word."
"I just hope this time 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 retirement, don't you think?"
Checking his watch, Roy rose, waved lazily, and disappeared down the street, leaving the two men alone again.
Młynar turned to Felix. "What's next? Tell me 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 meeting between Młynar and the leaders of the Chamber of Commerce. 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 homeland's architectural style.
The contract Felix had signed with the Chamber of Commerce 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 meeting ended, Młynar's gaze turned pensive. The Chamber of Commerce — once thought of as an enemy — had become an ally of the Tomorrow's Development.
"There are no eternal enemies," Felix said quietly. "Only eternal interests... and good business."
"Kazimierz fell into stagnation precisely because of the Chamber of Commerce. Arena knights became 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 Commerce were destroyed," Młynar replied calmly, "another one just like it would rise to take its place. You underestimate me, Pioneer. I stopped being a knight a long time ago."
"If that day ever comes — when the Chamber of Commerce 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 entertainment and spectacle. Traditional knights, however, embody blood and iron. If they regain power, what do you think Ursus will do?"
Młynar's answer came 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 Development base. Since he'd been half-pushed into joining them, it was only right to start understanding them from the inside.
At that moment, 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 Commerce wasted no time. Felix had originally planned to hire a messenger at the station to deliver a message 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 messenger and asked her to travel alongside the CC's convoy — to explain the current developments directly to the Tomorrow's Development's upper ranks.
Felix and Amiya attended Viviana's second match as well — though luck was not on her side this time. Her opponent turned out to be another knight from the Chamber of Commerce, a woman known by the codename Dark Knight. She had taken first place in a major city-level tournament and was soon scouted by the CC, earning her title and fame.
The matchup between the two was ill-fated. Though both women appeared gentle and graceful, their abilities could not have been more opposed. Dark Knight's Originium Arts — true to her name — embodied darkness. Light versus dark, grace against grace — the organizers clearly arranged the fight for spectacle.
From the commentary booth, the ever-rowdy Greatmouth Mob received a subtle cue from the CC and immediately went all out on the mic:
"Uwoooh! I love it when pretty ladies fight!"
"Seeing something 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 seemed 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 Commerce.
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 same 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 beamed, 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 achievement. No doubt, once the tournament ended, various companies would come courting — eager to sponsor her, charmed 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 become the future Sarkaz King. Gone were the days of curling up in Theresa's arms to hear bedtime 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 moment 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 meeting 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 become 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 welcome 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 come 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 mechanical 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 immediately 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 me! That tickles!"
The elf girl, her long hair glimmering 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 came 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 remembered to come 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, meeting 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 elemental 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 home.
"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 come back, and now you're leaving again…"
"Yeah," Felix admitted with a wry smile. "It's not safe for me to stay in Columbia too long right now."
He had no idea what the upper echelons of the Columbian government thought of him—and until that became clear, it was best not to linger.
"When will you return to Rhine Lab?" she asked.
"Tonight."
"Eh? But that still leaves some time before evening…" she said, her eyes glimmering 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.