"Your sutures were done properly."
Dr. Kal'tsit spoke as she examined Narcissa's body with gloved hands. Tilting her head slightly toward Felix, she added calmly, "Given the artificial implants in her body, she'll be highly vulnerable to secondary infections."
"I intend to make sure she lives safely."
Felix interlaced his fingers, his tone steady but resolute. He still didn't know exactly what kind of "creation" the Loken Watertank project had produced—but whatever it was, he respected the child's existence. And if she didn't have to take part in war, then he would make sure she never would.
Just like Rafaela. Though she trained her body and practiced some martial arts under Degenbrecher's guidance, Felix never wanted her to set foot on a battlefield.
She only needed to become what she dreamed of—a bar owner, a cheerful bartender.
The same went for Narcissa.
"Columbia has always been this way," Kal'tsit remarked in her usual cool tone. "It never truly changes. What surprises me most is that your Rhine Lab managed to avoid any involvement in Terran experimentation."
She folded her arms. "Many people here are born into a world where nothing is normal. Twisted soil can only yield twisted harvests. Columbia once symbolized freedom—but that very freedom has long since shackled its own heart."
"The only place on this land that still feels truly beautiful to me," Felix mused, "might be Laterano."
Kal'tsit pressed her lips together slightly. "I can hear the half-truth in your words."
"I'm a wandering Sankta," Felix replied evenly. "Laterano has done well enough—that's a fair assessment. It isn't perfect, but there's a reason it's been able to remain neutral and at peace for so long."
He turned to her. "I will rebuild Kazdel, Kal'tsit. When that time comes… will you once again unite the allied nations to attack us?"
Kal'tsit opened her mouth slightly, hesitating. "...Originally, things should have changed. We should have changed. That was both Her Highness's wish and mine. Now that Kazdel has you, the rootless Sarkaz may finally have a home again."
"So, can you tell me what you really think?"
"War... War never ends," she said quietly. "But the one who brings the next war—it won't be me."
"I see."
Felix smiled faintly. "Then I hope, when that time comes, I'll get to see you on the battlefield again, Kal'tsit. Even if you stand on the other side, it doesn't matter. Of course…" He paused, his gaze softening. "I'd rather have you as an ally."
A lifelong ally, huh?
Kal'tsit didn't respond. She only looked away, her expression unreadable. Felix exhaled, realizing she wasn't in the mood to drop her riddles today.
So, with Narcissa safely in his arms, he left the room and returned to his own quarters.
Lappland had gone out for a walk. ACE and Amiya were meeting with informants. After tucking Narcissa into bed, Felix glanced at Muelsyse, who was standing quietly by the window.
"This might bring trouble to Rhine Lab," he said. "Not from the military—but from rival tech corporations. They'll take this as an excuse to put pressure on us."
"Oh, don't underestimate little Kristen~" Muelsyse teased with a smile, stepping closer to Felix and lowering her voice. "But I have to admit, sneaking off like this for a secret getaway feels kind of exciting. Even though Yara scolded me for it… She also said that next time she sees you, she wants to have a serious talk with you."
Felix sighed. "Next time, I'll be busy. No time to talk."
Muelsyse giggled at that, clearly amused.
Not long after, Amiya came by to visit. She entered the room timidly, then lit up the moment she saw Muelsyse—the beautiful elf woman with a gentle smile. The two clicked instantly.
Amiya had that rare charm that made people adore her at first glance—and Muelsyse had the same gift. Soon, they were holding hands and chatting away, with Amiya affectionately calling her "Mumu."
Later, Muelsyse took Amiya to see the little cat-girl sleeping soundly on the bed.
When Amiya's eyes fell upon Narcissa, her expression suddenly softened into quiet calm. She stepped closer, extending her slender fingers—adorned with a simple ring—and gently touched the back of Narcissa's hand.
In that instant, a faint look of sorrow and pain appeared on Amiya's face.
"Are you all right?"
Muelsyse quickly stepped forward, supporting her with gentle concern.
Amiya shook her head. Though her sensitivity to such sensations wasn't particularly strong, she could still faintly glimpse a fragment of Narcissa's heart—something fragile and lonely hidden deep within.
"Maybe the two of you will become friends in the future~" Muelsyse said softly.
Amiya smiled and nodded seriously. "Mm! Just like me and Mumu."
Unable to resist, Muelsyse poked Amiya's soft cheek, feeling her finger sink slightly into that warm, smooth skin. "Ahhh! This child! She's just too adorable!"
Muelsyse had always loved children, and Amiya, with her bright eyes and gentle manner, found Muelsyse's playful warmth easy to trust. The two quickly grew close, chatting happily as if they'd known each other for years.
When dinner came around, Kal'tsit noticed Muelsyse. Her sharp gaze flickered briefly with curiosity before she seemed to understand, merely offering a calm introduction.
Across the table, ACE caught Felix's eye. After receiving a subtle nod of confirmation, he felt an unexpected pang of gloom.
'So even someone younger than me already has a girlfriend… at this rate, he'll probably get married before I do.'
He adjusted his sunglasses to hide the glint of emotion in his eyes. But then another thought struck him—if Felix had so many talented and extraordinary friends, wouldn't that mean his future bridesmaids would be top-tier as well?
That realization instantly reignited his spirits.
Leaning closer, ACE whispered under his breath, "So, Felix, when are you planning to get married?"
"...Huh? Why are you asking that?"
"Just concerned for a friend."
Felix raised an eyebrow, gave a small hum, and then replied casually, "Maybe in a few years—once Kazdel is stable. My time's already limited as it is. But when I do, I want to live peacefully with her… with them."
Her... them?
ACE froze.
This brat!
His eyes turned red beneath the glasses as he clenched his jaw in despair. 'Forty years of life, and I still end up envying a kid half my age...'
Kal'tsit shot Felix a curious look but didn't comment. Her ears twitching, she had caught the entire conversation, yet she had no intention of involving herself in such personal matters. Neither Felix nor ACE could imagine her ever taking part in idle talk like that anyway.
After dinner, everyone retired early.
Lappland had half a mind to sneak into Felix's room for some late-night mischief, but with Muelsyse there, she reluctantly gave up the idea. Instead, her mind wandered to Cellinia—she was far more eager to leave her "mark" on Felix, to make sure Cellinia knew that he was no longer hers alone.
Just imagining that made her shiver with excitement.
The next morning, when Felix went to check on Narcissa, he was surprised to find the little cat already awake.
She sat quietly by the bed, her eyes half-lidded as she gazed out the window at the dull, gray morning light. When she turned her head toward Felix, her expression remained calm—too calm, almost detached.
"You're awake," Felix said gently. "How do you feel? Sorry about the rough transport earlier."
Narcissa had been completely unaware when he'd sealed her into the containment pod and rushed her across the borders to the Kazimierz. Though she might not have sensed the danger, Felix—now her guardian—felt a lingering guilt he couldn't ignore.
"Brother Felix… is a good person."
Narcissa's eyes blinked softly, her voice light as air. "I trust Brother Felix."
"Mm. You shouldn't try to get up yet. Stay in bed and rest a few more days, all right?"
Felix made sure to speak simply and clearly—something easy for her to follow. If Kal'tsit had been the one explaining, he was sure Narcissa would have fallen asleep halfway through a lecture about the land and its history.
"Okay…"
Her tone was faint, her emotions elusive. It was hard to tell what she truly felt—or if she felt anything at all. Perhaps she really was like a blank sheet of paper, untouched and unmarked, waiting for someone to gently write the first words of her new life.
Children shouldn't have to live like this, Felix thought. They should be able to cry when they want to cry, laugh when they want to laugh. Considering the pain and rage born from Terran experimentation, the fact that Narcissa's mind hadn't shattered was, to him, already a small miracle.
He had seen what became of other test subjects—some screaming in agony until their throats gave out, others left with nothing but hollow eyes. He had also seen the scientists who performed such experiments: cold, detached, worshiping their data while ignoring Terran suffering. And then there were the countless infected children, tossed aside like broken tools, dying nameless and forgotten on the wastelands of Columbia.
For Narcissa to still be here—to still be herself—was something worth protecting.
Felix brought her breakfast, a bowl of soft, liquid food Kal'tsit had specially prescribed. He blew gently on the spoonful of rice porridge before offering it to her lips.
Narcissa gave a faint hum, opened her small mouth, and swallowed it obediently.
Outside the doorway, Muelsyse stood watching with a gentle smile. She was relieved to see the little one recovering so quickly, but what warmed her even more was the tenderness in her lover's eyes. If one day they were to have children—a whole nest of little elves, perhaps—Muelsyse could already imagine the laughter and warmth that would fill that happy home.
When Narcissa finished her porridge, she drifted back to sleep. This time, it wasn't from exhaustion or unconsciousness—it was simply her body, at last, taking the time to recover.
After breakfast, Kal'tsit returned with Amiya for another check-up. The readings confirmed it: Narcissa's vitals were steadily improving. Yet, as Kal'tsit noted, the artificial implant in her brain—an experimental device—was a double-edged sword. It granted her certain special abilities but constantly burdened her body with invisible strain.
Kal'tsit and Muelsyse spent a while discussing the ecological effects of Originium. Felix overheard bits of it but didn't interrupt; once the talk shifted into dense scientific theory, he quietly tuned out.
Lappland, bored as ever, had gone out for a morning stroll. ACE took Amiya along to meet with several companies about new employment contracts. After finishing her talk with Kal'tsit, Muelsyse was brought by Felix—just as he had promised—to the arena.
It wasn't her first time there. The last time they'd visited together had been years ago, when Felix had first set foot on this land, and Muelsyse had followed beside him in her water-clone form.
"The finals, huh…" Felix murmured, scanning the match list. "Knight Viviana, was eliminated by the Blood Knight. What a pity."
He had always held Viviana in high regard. In another life, she would go on to join Rhodes Island. Now, still young and inexperienced, she was competing for the very first time. Perhaps he should reach out—see if she might be interested in joining Tomorrow's Development.
He chuckled at the thought. He had no shortage of connections: the Black Knight, Degenbrecher, served as his chief instructor; the Verdant and Foam Knights acted as sparring coaches; Radiant Knight Margaret Nearl was both his younger sister and head of the mercenary division; and the Tenebrous Knight, Młynar, now served as department head of the Tomorrow's Development branch in the Kawalerielki.
With all these knights working under my banner… wouldn't any true warrior want to cross blades with them? Fight till dawn, side by side, just to see who stands last?
Felix grinned to himself. Any knight who lived for battle and sought strength would find that offer irresistible.
"That's the Blood Knight," Muelsyse whispered, covering her mouth in awe. "What incredible pressure… The fight hasn't even started, yet it's as if the whole arena can't breathe."
Felix's gaze lifted. The man was indeed an infected knight, though unlike most of his kind this year—many of whom had become little more than violent spectacles—the Blood Knight radiated raw, controlled power.
The heat of blood and battle fused around him, forming an invisible wall no ordinary fighter could cross.
That presence… Felix's eyes narrowed. Even my sister Margaret doesn't have that. Only Degenbrecher does.
It was the aura of a true warrior—absolute confidence, forged through years of discipline and survival.
By contrast, his opponent—a so-called "corporate knight" clad in high-tech armor and covered in sponsor logos—looked utterly out of place. Felix's lips twitched.
The Chamber of Commerce keeps boasting about "controlling the match outcome," claiming they can even preselect the champion… and yet, every single time, they end up handing victory to someone else on a silver platter. What a joke.
Still, the match began.
Beside him, Muelsyse waved a little flag, completely absorbed by the excitement and the booming commentary of the announcer, Greatmouth Mob. Watching her smile so brightly, Felix couldn't help but laugh. A promise was a promise—he had said he'd take her out to see the world, and piece by piece, he was making good on that vow.
The Blood Knight charged, swinging his massive weapon in a brutal, relentless rhythm. The duel was one-sided from the very start; his opponent could barely defend himself.
Good thing I didn't bet on this match, Felix thought dryly. I'd have lost everything.
Ten minutes later, the battle ended decisively. The Blood Knight's axe cleaved straight through the expensive armor, leaving a deep gash before he kicked the opponent to the ground and pressed his weapon against the man's throat.
"Oh my goodness!" Greatmouth Mob's voice cracked through the arena. "Who would've thought—the Blood Knight has barely managed to seize victory!"
He ducked just in time to avoid the barrage of shoes and trash hurled by furious gamblers.
Felix burst out laughing, then stood up and took Muelsyse's hand.
"Come on," he said with an easy smile. "Let's go meet the Blood Knight."