Theresa's sarcophagus was not located in the same place as the Doctor's. The Doctor's hibernation chamber was fixed in position and could not be moved, which raised serious safety concerns. It had even been excavated by players before. Because of this, when Felix first arranged Theresa's cryogenic chamber, he placed it on the ground floor of the Tomorrow's Development Building in Lungmen.
After the completion of the Venus, Theresa's sarcophagus was transferred aboard the landship and relocated to the deepest section of its lowest level. Only Felix knew of its existence, and only he possessed the authority to access it.
Of course, Felix was also the only person who knew that Theresa was still alive and had been saved. Aside from him, the only other individual aware of the truth was Jesselton, who had fought alongside him within Rhodes Island. Fortunately, Jesselton was no fool and kept the secret to himself.
After receiving the report from the Clever, Felix glanced back toward the ward and greeted Zofia, who had just stepped out.
"Thank you, Your Highness. Lady Black Knight… no, Lady Degenbrecher wishes to train Maria over the next few days. I believe that was your decision." Zofia smiled with a calm maturity that belied her age. She was not old at all, only in her early twenties. "Whether it's Maria, Margaret, Młynar, or myself, our Nearl family has received far too much kindness from you. We truly don't know how to repay it."
"After this Knights Major, Zofia, why don't you join Tomorrow's Development?"
"Huh?" Zofia froze for a moment, then quickly realized that this outcome seemed almost inevitable. Margaret already held a high-ranking position within Tomorrow's Development, and Maria clearly harbored feelings for the king before her. Joining Tomorrow's Development felt less like a choice and more like a natural progression.
Zofia had never wanted to remain in the Kawalerielki forever. She disliked the city and hated how knights were treated as commodities. She had only stayed because Maria was there.
Now that Maria wanted to leave, Zofia had even less reason to remain. She certainly had no desire to see Młynar every single day.
"If I join Tomorrow's Development, I won't be starting as a low-ranking soldier, right?" Zofia asked with a raised brow.
Felix looked her over briefly. "I don't mind. Tomorrow's Development never refuses capable people an opportunity or a position."
"I want to be a drill instructor. What do you think?"
"So, the same role as Degenbrecher."
"Yes. How about it?" Zofia blinked, smiling as she placed her hands on her hips.
Felix nodded. The Clever floated to Zofia's side and scanned her briefly before he spoke again. "I'm heading back to the Venus. You can come with me. HR will show you around and explain your future responsibilities."
Zofia accepted without hesitation. Maria now had people watching over her, and more importantly, Zofia had realized that Maria was no longer the naive girl who needed protection in everything she did.
She had grown up into a mature young woman, much like Margaret when she first stepped onto the stage of the Knights Major.
___
As the private aircraft slowly descended onto the Venus's deck, Zofia stared around in awe. She had read about the landship many times in Margaret's letters, but seeing it in person was an entirely different matter. The wide runway and the towering sword-like superstructure left her momentarily speechless.
How could something so massive even move?
Felix had no idea what Zofia was thinking. Even if he did, he would have found it perfectly normal. Everyone who saw the Venus for the first time reacted the same way.
There were not many people aboard the Venus. Since it was docked near the Kawalerielki and involved in ongoing conflicts with the Armorless Union, only permanent staff, maintenance crews, some production personnel, and a handful of players resided on the ship at the moment.
Felix encountered a Banshee HR officer, who inclined her head respectfully. Her gaze then shifted to Zofia standing behind him.
After Felix returned the gesture, the Banshee HR officer nodded to Zofia and led her away. Felix continued alone down the corridor and entered an elevator that descended to the ground level. This area housed vehicles, mission dispatch centers, and detention cells for prisoners. At the very deepest point lay a room that no one but Felix could enter.
Walking along the long corridor, Felix stopped before a sealed door. It automatically initiated identity verification, scanning his retina, fingerprints, and the Clever he carried.
Felix's Clever was fundamentally different from all other models. It was more intelligent, more terran-like, and possessed the highest level of authority, capable of commanding all other clever units.
The room beyond was not dark. On the contrary, it was brightly illuminated. Felix stepped inside. Unlike the chamber that housed the Doctor's sarcophagus, that place was filled with only machinery and computer systems.
But here, It was a bedroom.
A beautifully decorated yet silent bedroom. The scenery outside the window was projected directly onto the walls through advanced electronic imagery, adjustable at will to match one's mood. The room was bright and immaculate, but there was no bed.
Instead, a massive sarcophagus rested at its center.
It was a cryogenic hibernation chamber.
This was Theresa's bedroom, and also her resting place.
The sarcophagus emitted a faint, intermittent glow, like scattered starlight.
After stepping forward, Felix looked through the observation window of the hibernation chamber and saw Theresa sleeping inside.
Her eyes were gently closed, her eyelashes trembling slightly, and the corners of her lips curved upward, as though she were lost in a peaceful dream.
Felix turned his gaze to the control panel beside the chamber, which displayed Theresa's overall condition along with detailed health indicators.
Initially, Theresa's injuries had not been severe. She had only suffered minor wounds during the assassination attempt. However, while transferring the Black Crown to Amiya, she was struck by a suicide attack from the assassins, suffering heavy blood loss and severe injuries caused by Originium Arts.
Passing on the Black Crown had already drained her strength. When the assassins attacked, she was at her weakest. Although Felix eliminated them in time, Theresa collapsed soon after.
Now, the once horrifying wounds had vanished without a trace, leaving only smooth, unblemished skin.
Felix examined Theresa's body. She was not wearing any clothes, meaning he saw her entirely exposed. However, he viewed her condition purely from a medical standpoint, without embarrassment or discomfort.
He had seen far too much by now. He was no longer the naive boy who had first arrived in this land. Although Theresa was undeniably captivating, he felt nothing toward her while she remained unconscious.
He noticed the Originium particles within her body. After a brief moment of thought, he chose not to inject fragments to suppress Oripathy, nor did he prepare Columbia's specialized medicine.
For the Sarkaz, Oripathy was closely tied to strength. Their ability to wield Originium Arts so freely was inseparable from their nature as the Infected. If he were to suppress Theresa's Oripathy, and she awakened weakened, what if she blamed him for it?
In the end, Felix did nothing beyond the most basic physical examination.
"Report."
"Body repair progress: 98.4%. Estimated time until awakening: 245 hours and 34 minutes."
The Clever announced the figures. Felix nodded slightly and looked at Theresa once more.
She was no longer the Sarkaz King, yet her status as a Sarkaz princess was recognized by all.
When Theresa awakened, would she seek power again? Would the Sarkaz split once more? Would their current situation change?
Felix was not worried.
Setting Theresa aside for the moment, even if the former Sarkaz King stood alive before the Sarkaz again, he was confident they would stand behind him.
They were no longer homeless wanderers. They no longer starved.
They were no longer beings clinging desperately to survival, nor demons despised by other nations.
They were Sarkaz, free people who had stepped into the land of tomorrow, living under the rule of the King of Dawn.
As for Theresa herself, Felix was not concerned. She was a gentle soul.
She had become the Sarkaz King to lead the Sarkaz forward, to give them a better life.
That life had already been realized by Felix. More than that, the Sarkaz now lived far better than before. They had the right to choose their future.
Sarkaz children could read books. Becoming mercenaries was no longer the only path.
With hope in their hearts, they fought each day for a better tomorrow.
Theresa was gentle to the core, someone who would rather suffer herself than harm others.
Felix looked at the sleeping Theresa again, smiled softly, and gently wiped the glass.
The motion felt as though he were touching her skin directly through it.
He hoped that when Theresa awakened, she would stand beside him and help him lead Kazdel even further.
A moment later, he turned and left.
___
The Adeptus Sprawiedliwi has recently become a familiar presence to the people of the Kawalerielki. They have returned to public view, not only by holding high-profile military drills for the Silervlance Pegasi Knights, but also by appearing as spectators at every knightly competition not sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.
The message could not be clearer. The Adeptus Sprawiedliwi has officially emerged from its long decline and is now openly standing in opposition to the Chamber of Commerce.
Calling this a war is not entirely accurate. Although the Silervlance Pegasi Knights have returned from the front lines and taken up garrison in the Kawalerielki, there have been no daily clashes. Everything is unfolding along a predetermined path. It is a war without bloodshed, yet everyone can sense the danger beneath the surface, a faint but unmistakable scent of blood.
The match between Margaret and Maria is about to begin. Fans are not surprised to see Margaret in the finals. That much was expected. But Maria?
At first, some spectators even asked, who is Maria?
However, after the competition narrowed to the second round, no one dared to call her "Little Maria" anymore. No one referred to her as "Margaret's sister," and no one continued to hide her behind Margaret's name.
She is now an independent knight.
No one could forget the sight of Maria, wearing a gentle and cheerful smile as she relentlessly struck down the Blood Knight with her knight sword.
Maria has become one of the greatest dark horses of this tournament.
At present, the young Pegasus Knight is sparring with Degenbrecher. Her weapon is no longer a knight's sword and shield, but a massive two-handed longsword strapped to her back, its tip nearly brushing the ground. Thanks to her past training, Maria can wield the weapon with ease, but her aggressive fighting style is repeatedly suppressed by Degenbrecher.
Over the past few days of training, Maria has come to truly understand why the Black Knight's three consecutive championships were so well earned. Despite lacking Originium Arts, Degenbrecher's techniques and combat instincts were honed through countless battles.
What Maria lacks now is real combat experience.
For three straight days, Degenbrecher did nothing but fight her, pushing her to her limits each time, leaving her utterly exhausted and often injured. Zofia felt distressed watching this and reported it to Młynar. To her surprise, Młynar did not object. Instead, he even invited Degenbrecher out for drinks that night, which only left Zofia feeling even more conflicted.
Felix only learned of the training results through Degenbrecher. After observing the Adeptus Sprawiedliwi's recent movements, he understood that he would not be involved in the upcoming spectacle. Tomorrow, Tomorrow's Development only needed to remain in place and wait for the competition to end, watching as the tigers fought each other.
Around this time every year, the Armorless Union is usually flooded with commission requests. Most are about eliminating this target or taking down that one, but the most eye-catching commissions are always the same: assassinating the two knights who reach the finals.
Strangely enough, such missions did appear this time, and the bounties were indeed set at several million.
For a knight, that price is utterly outrageous.
The two commissions have been hanging on the task board for days, yet no one has accepted them. Even the Platinum-level assassins, normally the most aggressive and competitive when it comes to taking missions, have stayed away. The tasks simply remain there, untouched.
Are you joking?
The people of the Armorless Union are not fools. Who would dare challenge Margaret and expect to survive?
As for Maria, didn't everyone see how ferocious she became after awakening? Now that she has proven herself as a true dark horse, wouldn't going after her be nothing more than another suicide mission?
Please. An assassin earns barely two thousand a month without commissions or missions. Who would risk their life for that?