Half a month later, Felix returned from his trip to Lungmen to Kazdel.
The food reserves were not abundant, but there was enough to support a single campaign. The vision of unifying Kazdel was already within reach, and no matter what anyone said, he had decided to take the Eastern Army in one decisive blow.
The soil and seeds gifted by that young lung had taken root and grown well. After a summer harvest, the people of Kazdel were no longer limited to potatoes; they could now eat rice and noodles. These foods normally had to be imported, and although Kazdel still struggled with full self-sufficiency, the situation was improving steadily.
The moment Felix returned to the mobile city, he quickly summoned all senior members of Tomorrow's Development and conveyed his intentions.
"I believe we can fight," Hoederer said first. He swept his gaze around the room. "The First Legion is fully staffed, the Second Legion can be brought out for proper training, and the Third Legion's adventurers are eager for another battle."
Ines frowned. "If we deploy all three, what about supplies? Our current stores can't sustain a long campaign."
Giles spoke calmly. "Two legions will be enough to crush the Eastern Army. The only hard bone to chew is the Vampire clan."
Loughshinny stepped forward, took out her small notebook, and ran the numbers. "If all three legions move, the current provisions will only last five days. If only two legions go, we can support about eight days."
Luna bared her little fangs. "I'm going. I want to lead Saviadel into battle."
Yang Yan XF pleaded loudly, "Please, entrust this battle to us, the Emperor's Children!"
Kumori remained silent. After the past weeks of training, she had won every one-on-one challenge. Having taken Giles as her master, her offense and defense had soared. She now sat firmly as the commander of the Emperor's Children.
W said nothing. She quietly studied Felix, who leaned back in his chair without speaking. It was as if his trip to Lungmen had washed away all impurities. His gaze was clear, carrying a pressure no one could imitate. A faint aura warned strangers to keep their distance. Sitting there, he was the one in command.
W found the feeling strange. Only Her Highness had given her a similar impression before. But unlike Her Highness's gentle presence, Felix radiated a sharp and unquestionable authority.
His temperament had changed, and as for his appearance… the longer W looked, the more her cheeks warmed.
Sunlight streamed in through the window. Ministers argued heatedly over numbers and necessity. The young emperor sat calmly like a sacred statue, golden eyes thoughtful as he gazed ahead. When he glanced over and met W's eyes by accident, She instinctively pressed her thighs together and glared back fiercely.
She expected him to look away, but instead Felix gave her a small smile. It was like winter sunlight warming her skin, heating her from the inside out.
Flustered, W tore her gaze away. She felt as if she might lose control if she continued looking.
"Enough."
Felix seated at the head raised his right hand, after some time, the debate finally quieted. He spoke in a calm tone. "The main force this time is the Second Legion. Luna Bloodfallen."
The young white-haired, red-eyed Vampire stepped forward.
"Prepare the Second Legion. You depart tonight."
"Understood."
Luna saluted and return to her position.
"Giles."
"I am here," Giles answered, straightening unconsciously. After some time apart, he felt Felix had become even more imposing, like a general of old. The only difference was that Felix could smile, and the general theresis could not.
"The provisions will be transported by you and the city defense forces. Do not fail."
"As you command."
Giles saluted.
"Kumori."
"I am here."
Kumori took a step forward, hands clasped behind her back, her posture steady and firm like a saintess.
Standing before him was a young woman who had been something of a legend in his previous life. After enduring the trials of countless MMORPGs, she eventually fell into the world of Arknights. In no time, she led the Ice Rose team to fame both domestically and internationally, and in solo combat she was virtually unmatched.
She was a woman harsh on both herself and her teammates, respected by all, loyal and righteous. If one were to rank the most charismatic professional players at the time, she would undoubtedly make the top five.
So when Kumori became the legion commander of the Emperor's Children, Felix was not surprised, nor did he intend to stop it. He simply nodded. "All adventurers of the Emperor's Children will follow Saviadel tonight and depart for the Eastern Army Fortress."
"Understood."
Kumori and Yang Yan XF saluted Felix at the same time before returning to their position.
Felix spread his gaze to everyone in the room.
The silence continued to stretch in the room until Felix declare clearly.
"The time has come, assemble the army."
"As you command!"
"Yeahhh!!"
"Ohhh!!"
Everyone in the room shouted excitedly and immediately prepared themselves and their army.
Yang Yan XF immediately began tagging everyone in the thousand-member group.
"War is here. Terra time: tonight. Real-world time: 10 PM. Target: Eastern Army Fortress."
"Holy crap, war is here!"
"Holy crap, war is here!" +1.
"It's Saturday night. I'm gonna fight till I drop!"
"Fight!"
"Fight!" +1.
"Fight" +2.
"Fu—!"
[Administrator Kumori has enabled mute for all members.]
"Yang Yan has relayed the mission assigned by the Pioneer. Tonight will be the first major operation of the Emperor's Children. Everyone must give two hundred percent."
[Administrator Kumori has lifted mute for all members.]
Although Yang Yan XF was also an admin, he still waited for Kumori to finish speaking before he added, "We are the strongest adventurers under the Pioneer. After this battle, let those who underestimate us see what true strength looks like!"
"Ohhh!"
The group immediately erupted again with excitement. Yang Yan XF exited the chat window with a sigh. "I have to admit, the Pioneer chose the timing perfectly. Saturday night at ten. Everyone's free."
Kumori nodded. Although most members of the legion were top-level players, pros, or strategy experts, there were still strong lone players among them. Some were students who could only play for a short time at night. A long war mission like this meant they might only be able to fight a little before having to log off.
"Let's get ready."
Kumori spoke calmly. "Let the higher-ups see the power of the Emperor's Children."
The peaceful summer night was completely shattered by the mobilization order. Before war breaks out, an army must be organized. The Second Legion, Saviadel now consisted of more than two hundred half-blood Wendigos, over two hundred Gargoyles, around one hundred fifty Goliaths, over one hundred Vampires, fifty Nachzehrers, and fifty Banshees, totaling more than seven hundred fifty. Not quite a full legion, but each race was more or less settled, and each had its own leader.
The half-blood Wendigos were led by Caren.
The Gargoyles (who refused to acknowledge their identity) were led by Mudrock.
The Goliaths were led by Giles.
The Vampires' leader, who was also the legion commander, was Luna.
The Nachzehrers were led by Qalaiša.
The Banshees were led by the HR lady (the "auntie" as Logos called her).
Though numbering under a thousand, this mixed-force army would be deadly once it set foot on the battlefield.
After the mobilization order was issued, Felix received a visitor whose arrival surprised him, though he had long been expecting this particular guest.
"My apologies for meeting you in this manner, Your Highness."
A small stone statue spoke. "In truth, we have been observing you in silence for quite some time."
"A Gargoyle sarkaz messenger. Quite an unusual entrance."
Ever since Mudrock's group expanded, Felix had sensed the Gargoyles working behind the scenes, which was exactly what he wanted to see.
"You began your so-called surveillance after the Victoria and Londinium incident, didn't you? Or am I mistaken?"
"To have been noticed by Your Highness… we are ashamed."
The stone figure spoke in a rough voice. He beat his wings lightly, offering a salute in midair before landing on Felix's desk and kneeling on one knee. "After the war, our Gargoyle tribe lived in seclusion in Victoria. Under the nobles and dukes we scraped out a living. When fortune allowed, we came into contact with trade and began doing small business."
"But we Gargoyles have always had one wish. We hope that one day we can return home openly and honorably. To return to this peaceful and warm homeland."
The Gargoyle twisted his lips into an awkward grin. "At that time, I saw that Your Highness held the key to saving Kazdel, so we began observing you from the shadows. Yet what followed afterward… a series of events unfolding so quickly and so dramatically, until Your Highness became the uncrowned king of Kazdel. It took us by surprise."
"Mudrock was an accident. She is not of the Victoria Gargoyle tribe, but a descendant who drifted far away long ago. Her journey to Kazdel was also a twist of fate. But the outcome turned out well. When Your Highness recruited talents across Kazdel, she happened to be lucky enough to become one of them."
Felix nodded slightly without further comment.
The Gargoyle lowered his voice. "Your Highness, we Gargoyles do not care about your lineage. Whether you are Sankta or something else, you reclaimed Kazdel, you rebuilt Kazdel, and you have ensured a better future for it. That is why we revere you. That is why we follow you."
"The Children of the Soil in Saviadel are all Victoria-born Gargoyles, are they not?"
"Your Highness sees clearly."
The Gargoyle bowed deeply. "The elders wish to convey their respect to you. And they wish to remain in Victoria for now. When Tomorrow's Development officially settles in Victoria, they will then return to Kazdel."
"Good."
Felix smiled. "Kazdel belongs to the Sarkaz, but also to the people who built it brick by brick. I hope you will deliver this message to your elders."
"Your Highness, I understand."
The Gargoyle bowed again. "Mudrock still does not know her identity or race, but the Elders' Council once unanimously decided that she should become the leader of the new generation of Gargoyles."
"That is your tribe's decision. I have no right to interfere."
A faint glow spread across the Gargoyle's stone body. He seemed to come alive as he unfurled his wings and hovered in the air.
"Your Highness, I will deliver your words to the elders."
"Very well."
The Gargoyle saluted once more before flying out the window.
The little episode did not stir any particular emotion in Felix. In truth, he had long guessed the Gargoyles' intentions. With Kazdel nearly pacified, they finally could not resist revealing themselves.
For choosing cooperation and pledging loyalty, Felix naturally would leave a place for them.
The Second Legion was gradually reorganizing, while the Third Legion's players had already blown up the internet. Kumori posted updates on her personal feed and the forums, announcing the Third Legion's first mobilization under the Emperor's Children. The Ice Rose team joined in and shared her post, instantly raising the matter from the level of pro players to that of entire teams.
And not only Ice Rose. Nearly every major domestic pro team had joined the Emperor's Children. Blog platforms were flooded and crashed under the traffic. The data maintenance staff thought some major national event had occurred, only to check the trending list and find tags like #ArknightsMajorOperation, #EmperorsChildrenFirstBattle, and #ThirdLegionInvincible.
Other western teams started joining the excitement as well. They reposted the Third Legion's mobilization on overseas forums and on X-like platforms. Before long, almost every Arknights player worldwide knew what was happening.
Most players were eager to see what the Emperor's Children were capable of. They wanted to witness what the final battle to liberate Kazdel would look like.
Terra time: 6 p.m.
Real-world time in : Saturday, 10 p.m. UTC+08:00
Luna led Saviadel and the Emperor's Children as they embarked on their campaign. Felix personally led the expedition, bringing Tomorrow's Development's high-ranking members such as Hoederer, Ines, W, and Loughshinny to witness Kazdel's pivotal moment together.
Kazdel's night sky was mesmerizing. Perhaps due to the reconstruction of the mobile city, the stars rarely appeared as gentle and bright as they did tonight. Since Tomorrow's Development settled in Kazdel, Catastrophes still occurred, but never near Kazdel itself. This greatly benefited the city's development, though it frustrated scientists trying to study Originium. They had to travel all over the place.
On the march, the Sarkaz of Saviadel gripped their weapons. They remained mostly silent, filled with hope and determination, wishing this battle would finally grant Kazdel a peaceful and beautiful future.
The Emperor's Children, however, were practically bursting with adrenaline. They wanted to fight.
They wanted to fight hard.