To officially establish a Knightclub, at least three knights are required. At present, Felix only had one — the Blood Knight. After winning the championship, His name became his official title: the Blood Knight. It was a fitting name, perfectly matching the blood-infused power of his Originium Arts.
Felix admired the Blood Knight's selflessness and courage — the way he risked his life without hesitation. After recruiting him into the Fate Knights, Felix began to consider who the other two members should be.
He had earned a good reputation among the Knightclubs that were on friendly terms with the Nearl family. If he announced the founding of his own club, there was little doubt that some knights would choose to follow him. But Felix wasn't looking for just anyone.
He wanted elites.
'Damn it, I'm only after the best myself!'
he thought with a grin.
Information on Viviana, however, had proven difficult to obtain. All Felix knew was that she wasn't originally from Kazimierz. She had arrived a few years ago and had since been adopted by a certain individual before becoming a competitive knight. As for who that mysterious person was — none of his spies could find out. Which only meant that whoever it was had considerable influence.
As for the third knight, Felix thought that the one with the dark Originium Arts — the Dark Knight — might be a suitable choice. She had been eliminated early in the competition, yes, but that had more to do with Viviana's protagonist-level momentum than her own skill.
Still, that outcome worked in his favor. Since she had been knocked out early, the cost to recruit her would be much lower.
With that in mind, Felix picked up the phone and contacted the person in charge, expressing his intent to purchase the Dark Knight — and, in passing, revealing his plan to establish his own Knightclub in the Kawalerielki.
The Chamber of Commerce wasn't the least bit surprised. In fact, they found it perfectly understandable. Plenty of wealthy investors wanted to "get in on the fun" by sponsoring or even creating their own Knightclubs. Aside from a few truly independent groups, the majority of Knightclubs were backed by corporate patrons — after all, maintaining one required a fortune.
The Dark Knight's price was only in the tens of thousands. A bargain, really. But that's how it went — when your ranking was low, even beauty didn't help. If she wasn't strong, where were the fans supposed to come from?
After resting for a day, Felix shared his plans with Młynar. The older man listened in silence before finally saying,
"What the Blood Knight wants to do will shake the very foundations of the Chamber of Commerce. Even if they allow it, the situation for Infected knights won't improve. The Armorless Union will only grow bolder."
"That's expected," Felix replied calmly. "The Blood Knight has already made his resolve. As the leader of Tomorrow's Development, it's only right that I give him my unconditional support."
Młynar gave a quiet nod.
"Młynar," Felix asked after a pause, "in this city, who are the people whose identities are completely confidential?"
"What do you mean?"
"My intelligence network tried to locate Viviana's guardian, but found nothing. Honestly, if I hadn't watched her matches, I'd have assumed she was a knight directly under the Chamber of Commerce."
Only the Chamber of Commerce's records were that impossible to trace.
Młynar rested his chin on his hand, thinking for a moment. "Not just them. The knights of the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi are the same."
The Adeptus Sprawiedliwi — the governing body that opposed the Chamber of Commerce. Felix had almost forgotten about them. In Kazimierz, commerce was power. The CC had long overshadowed everything else. Since he had no business interests or plans that aligned with the Adeptus, Felix had never intended to contact them.
"You said Viviana, right?" Młynar asked again, then added casually, "I heard that Grand Knight Ioleta Russell adopted a child a few years back."
"…"
The two exchanged a knowing glance, both silently acknowledging what that implied. Felix understood that learning such confidential information from Młynar meant he owed the man a favor.
"I'll give you a two-month bonus," Felix said with a small smile. "If there's anything else you want, just tell me."
"Newspapers."
"Done. I'll have every local paper delivered to your doorstep every morning."
Młynar seemed satisfied and took his leave — reading the paper with his sword at his side had long become part of his daily routine.
Once he was gone, Felix stood and made up his mind.
It was time to pay a visit to the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi.
The Blood Knight's ideals stood in direct opposition to the Chamber of Commerce's. And as the saying goes — the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
If that held true, then the Blood Knight and the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi might get along rather well.
And the same could be said for the Fate Knights.
The knights of the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi had always stood in natural opposition to the Chamber of Commerce. To them, both the CC and the competitive Major represented corruption — a betrayal of the true knightly spirit. The two factions had been locked in both open and hidden conflict for many years, their struggle ending in an uneasy stalemate.
That was due in no small part to the Chamber of Commerce's inability to restrain itself when it came to manipulating the tournaments.
At the Adeptus's entrance stood two traditional war knights clad in heavy armor — a stark contrast to the bright, decorative light armor favored by the competitive knights.
"I'd like to request an audience with Grand Knight Ioleta Russell," Felix said.
"The Grand Knight isn't someone just anyone can meet," one of the knights replied curtly, his tone sharp and unwelcoming.
Felix handed over his business card. The knight took one glance, then turned and disappeared into the building to report.
Left waiting on a nearby bench, Felix didn't mind. He knew someone like Russell would be busy; getting an immediate meeting wasn't something he expected. Instead, he used the time to check on one of his new ventures — a faction far easier to manage than Tomorrow's Development or the Frontier District, since it consisted solely of NPCs and required only occasional maintenance.
Opening the forum interface, he reviewed the progress on Kazdel's reconstruction.
The city's restoration had reached 30% completion — a remarkable milestone. The rebuilt areas were those previously devastated or burned to ash, and now, large numbers of Sarkaz citizens and players were moving in. Those still living in the slums couldn't help but feel envious. Watching their once-dismissive peers now living comfortably in clean new homes, they were forced to admit — it really was better this way.
The commercial district had also officially opened. The saying "spending drives prosperity" proved true once again. Previously, Kazdel's Sarkaz population had relied on barter trade, but now Felix had introduced a dual-currency system using Lungmen Dollars and Victorian Pound. All transactions — and even mission rewards — were now monetary.
For Sarkaz mercenaries and civilians who had never experienced shopping or seen an organized marketplace, it was, frankly, mind-blowing.
Just as Felix was smiling to himself at the forum's latest reports, the war knight from earlier returned. After performing a proper knight's salute, he said,
"Mr. Pioneer, Lady Russell will see you now. She's waiting in the audience hall."
"Lead the way," Felix replied, rising.
"Yes, sir."
Stepping into what could only be called enemy territory, Felix immediately noticed the contrast. The Adeptus Sprawiedliwi exuded an atmosphere of law and order, the air solemn and rigid — worlds apart from the luxurious, bustling halls of the Chamber of Commerce.
He wasn't fond of such formality. In his mind, a "good" organization was one open to negotiation and opportunity, one he could take advantage of. The Adeptus, symbolizing justice and order, was anything but that. There would be no deals here, no chance to leverage the power of Tomorrow's Development.
Inside the office, Grand Knight Ioleta Russell — the woman Młynar had spoken of — was examining his business card. Upon seeing Felix, she rose gracefully, offered a polite smile, and shook his hand.
At first glance, Ioleta was a mature woman whose elegance carried the weight of years and experience. Rumor had it she had once fought in the wars herself, and the calm sharpness in her eyes confirmed she was not someone to underestimate.
"So, you are Felix Lanshem — leader of the organization known as Pioneer," Russell said as they shook hands.
"I first heard of you four years ago, during the incident involving Margaret of the Nearl family."
She spoke evenly, her gaze steady.
"Afterward, I did some research. It seems your connection to the Kawalerielki runs deeper than I expected. Eight years ago, when you first arrived, you spent a considerable sum to rescue the 'Triple Crown' Black Knight after he was hunted by the Armorless Union.
Four years ago, you saved Margaret herself — and even took in the struggling Verdant Knight and Foam Knight.
And this year…"
Her lips curved slightly.
"You've already spoken with the Blood Knight, haven't you?"
Felix didn't deny it. "In fact," he added, "I'm also quite interested in the Dark Knight."
"She's under the Chamber of Commerce's banner, isn't she?"
Felix nodded, answering honestly, "Yes. But I have money."
Russell's smile faded, just slightly. Without another word, she gestured for him to sit and poured him a cup of tea. After a quiet moment, Felix spoke directly.
"My current organization, Tomorrow's Development, can't operate openly within Kazimierz. That's why I intend to establish a Knightclub in Kawalerielki — one aligned with Tomorrow's Development."
"Because the Major are a lucrative business, I assume?" Russell asked, her tone mild, her smile returning in faint amusement. "I can understand your fondness for the sport, Mr. Pioneer — and your fondness for knights as well."
Felix caught the double meaning in her words but ignored it, preferring not to play word games.
"Tell me, Lady Russell," he asked, "what's your view of the Chamber of Commerce?"
"I believe Kazimierz cannot function without it," she said calmly. "The Chamber of Commerce holds control over most of the nation's power — both the legitimate and the underground. Yet it's also true that Kazimierz's prosperity exists because of the CC's influence."
That much, Felix already knew.
Russell's eyes glimmered slightly. "I understand your perspective, Mr. Pioneer. The Adeptus Sprawiedliwi does not interfere with the Chamber of Commerce's business decisions. Our concern lies with their manipulation of the tournaments, their use of assassinations, and their harm toward innocents."
"As for your Knightclub — as long as your paperwork and procedures are legitimate, the Adeptus will not interfere."
Felix's fingers tapped lightly against his teacup. "Then allow me to be direct — I'd like to invite Knight Viviana."
The change was instant.
Like a slumbering tiger roused from its rest, Russell straightened in her chair. A faint, almost tangible pressure filled the room, radiating from her in silent warning.
"I won't bother asking the stupid question of how you knew Viviana was here,"
Ioleta said coolly. There was no need to think too hard about it — she already knew which of her acquaintances had leaked the information. Given the cordial relationship between the other party and the Nearl family, it was almost certainly Młynar who had spoken.
"I'll just ask this—why Viviana?"
"Because I admire her," Felix replied without hesitation. "And because I can help her become the ideal knight she dreams of being."
Ioleta frowned. To her, his words rang hollow, as though he were saying them only to appease her. Yet she couldn't deny the facts — he did have several knights under his command. Though he mingled freely with the CC, there was truth in the rumor that he had rescued many knights who had lost their way. That alone was worthy of some recognition.
There was, however, one thing Ioleta hadn't told Felix — the old Pegasus had spoken to her before his departure, mentioning this man by name. He had described Felix as someone who stood neither firmly on the side of good nor evil, a man who chose only the path that led to the most effective outcome.
The Knightclub under his banner was, in its own right, an independent force — small, yes, but operating outside the Chamber of Commerce. It belonged solely to Tomorrow's Development yet functioned freely. Within the knight tournaments, it even had the power to guarantee the safety of its members. With Tomorrow's Development as their backing, those knights could act without fear.
After considering all this, Ioleta gave a slow nod.
"I'll speak with Viviana. The decision will be hers to make."
"Thank you, Lady Russell."
Leaving the Hall of Adeptus, Felix finally felt the uneasy prickling at his back fade away. He had never claimed to be righteous or virtuous, and so, it was only natural that he and an organization like the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi would never see eye to eye.
That night, Felix met Viviana at a restaurant just outside the Adeptus headquarters. With him was Amiya — Viviana's little admirer — who had insisted on tagging along once she'd learned the truth.
Viviana had seen both Felix and Amiya before. They were among the rare few VIP guests who had come to watch her matches. Seeing them again now, her expression softened — especially when her gaze fell on the bright-eyed Amiya.
Felix had borrowed Amiya from Kal'tsit, and of course, as a gentleman, he owed her a nice meal in return. After ordering food for the little bunny, he turned to Viviana with a warm smile.
"I believe Lady Russell has already told you the details, Knight Viviana."
"Yes…" Viviana nodded politely. "But I don't understand—why me?"
"Do you not wish to become a true knight, Viviana?" Felix asked, leaning forward slightly. "In my eyes, there are two kinds of people who enter the Major. Those who seek to become knights… and those who merely want to perform as knights. The first group trains relentlessly to perfect their craft. The second focuses on making their moves look beautiful."
"Your swordplay and Originium Arts are refined and elegant," he continued, "but behind every swing, I can see the years of dedication and practice. There's no doubt in my mind—you truly want to become a real knight."
Viviana smiled faintly. "You flatter me. I've always loved reading knightly tales… perhaps that's why I wanted to become one myself—to live like the heroes in those stories."
Felix nodded approvingly and gently patted the head of the smiling little bunny beside him.
"At present, I command a Knightclub — the Fate Knights. I would like to invite you to join us… no, to form a lifelong Knightclub together."
It was a heavy, earnest invitation — one that carried undeniable gravity.
And yet, when Viviana looked at him, she saw the sincerity shining in his eyes. Beside him, Amiya's wide, eager gaze only added to the warmth of the moment.
At this point, how could she possibly refuse?
"The Knightclub will protect you from interference by the Chamber of Commerce," Felix added. "I believe that matters to you as well… doesn't it, Knight Viviana?"
Honestly… inside this man's head is nothing but knights, isn't it?
"I accept."