The Venus anchored in place with an intimidating presence. "Intimidating" was no exaggeration; among all the landships in the area, she was the only one equipped with heavy large-scale weaponry. The sight alone made the resting vessels grow uneasy. Their captains anxiously inquired about the origins of this massive battleship, and some even considered quietly putting more distance between themselves and the behemoth.
But this was still an uninhabited zone, outside of Rim Billiton's jurisdiction. At most, Rim Billiton would issue a cautionary alert. The Venus had not pushed forward, and had even anchored at the closest point to the zone's edge, making it clear they could leave at any moment. This sensible behavior allowed the patroling Rim Billiton enforcers at the border to finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Their landing point was the closest area to Rim Billiton's Ore City, one of the nation's mobile trade cities situated at the very edge of its territory. Night had fallen, and the players decided to walk there the next morning. It would take a few hours, but the thought of discovering special quests or meeting bunny-eared NPCs immediately filled them with excitement.
Soon, the drone located the Rhodes Island. They were approaching slowly from the south, without any intention of docking beside the Venus. Felix watched the footage the drone sent back and spoke to Anthony, who was waiting for instructions.
"Bring the trade lists and material forms. There are things we can directly purchase from the Rhodes Island."
Anthony nodded.
"And the medical staff too. Have our doctors spend some time learning from Doctor Kal'tsit. For them, this will be a valuable experience."
Felix continued, "Let the operators move freely for now. We plan to stay here for a month. Also send some quick-thinking operators into Rim Billiton to recruit locals."
Anthony nodded again. He knew the Rhodes Island must have already screened many applicants. Some would have been rejected due to failing requirements, while others left because the Rhodes Island's conditions did not match their expectations.
Anthony's target was the second group. As long as the candidates met Tomorrow's Development' standards, that would be enough.
Felix changed into a new outfit. On the Venus he usually wore the comfortable standard long coat used at the Tomorrow's Development base, but that was not suitable for formal meetings. He switched to his most official attire: the general's uniform. This visit was not a casual reunion but a meeting between partners, and it was also his first time visiting Rhodes Island Pharmaceutical as a shareholder.
With the long sword at his waist, Felix's expression settled into calm confidence. He took the elevator to the top deck. Accompanying him to the Rhodes Island were Loughshinny, Degenbrecher, and Shining. The first two had followed him for a long time, while Shining had approached Tomorrow's Development after the unification of Kazdel. After several discussions, she had joined them. She completed missions occasionally and practiced medicine within Kazdel as a former Followers.
The Followers organization had only people, without resources or funds, and could not sustain itself. Shining understood this clearly.
Loughshinny handled finances. Degenbrecher handled combat. Shining's focus was the medical exchange with Doctor Kal'tsit. There were not many things on the Rhodes Island that Felix valued now, but Kal'tsit's medical expertise was without question the most important.
The helicopter rose into the night sky and flew slowly toward the distance.
———
The bridge of the Rhodes Island was busy, as it had almost always been lately. ACE had recruited a group of skilled individuals in Rim Billiton, but managing and training personnel required time. They were slowly transitioning from understaffed to abundant, and for now the Rhodes Island was steadily moving forward.
Doctor Kal'tsit left the control room and glanced at Amiya, who followed closely beside her.
"The docking will begin soon. Pioneer are expected to arrive in ten minutes."
"Yes. I'm ready. ACE, Scout, and Logos should be arriving any moment…"
No sooner had she spoken than Scout and Logos appeared around the corner in Rhodes Island uniforms. They nodded respectfully at Kal'tsit and Amiya. Scout checked his watch.
"Where's ACE?"
"He should be guiding the rookies. We're still short-handed," Logos said calmly.
Just as he finished speaking, ACE appeared at the end of the corridor, shaking his head. Behind him followed a Feline who kept glancing curiously all around. The moment she saw the group, she hurried forward to salute, then pressed her cheek tightly against Amiya's.
"Little bunny!"
"Hehe, Blaze, don't do that. It tickles."
ACE scratched his chin. "Sorry. Training ran a little late."
Kal'tsit gave a small nod. "Let's go."
The two watching them exchanged a smile at the clingy pair. Amiya struggled free from Blaze's embrace and puffed her cheeks a little.
"Honestly. Next time you can't just grab me like that."
"Alright, alright."
Blaze was clearly the type whose left ear let things pass straight out the right. She watched Amiya hastily neaten her clothes and follow behind Doctor Kal'tsit, puffing her cheeks in boredom.
"Seriously… who are we even meeting? Why does everyone look so tense…"
Amiya quickly caught up to Kal'tsit. The doctor was calmly speaking with the others. "Now that Kazdel's situation has stabilized, Pioneer has been acknowledged by the Sarkaz as the King of Liberation. The adventurers call him the King of Dawn. The Military Commission still holds influence across the land, but as long as Tomorrow's Development exist, Kazdel's peace will continue."
Scout looked conflicted. "So… should we call him 'Your Highness' later? Princess Theresa may be gone, and the Black Crown is still missing. Aren't Sarkaz kings recognized through the Black Crown?"
Logos shook his head, unusually decisive. "I don't think it has anything to do with the Black Crown. That crown is only a ceremonial object. Even without it, Felix has clearly taken up the mission of leading the Sarkaz."
ACE coughed twice. "Honestly, crown or not doesn't matter. Felix is already the king of Kazdel. Even if a second 'king' suddenly appeared, the Sarkaz wouldn't acknowledge them."
He paused before adding, "Not even the general."
Kal'tsit observed the reactions of the three men without nodding or shaking her head. She continued, "As the king of Kazdel, I lean toward calling him 'Your Highness.' Though for us, that title carries a special meaning."
Amiya lifted her head. "I think 'Your Highness' sounds nice. Brother Felix saved the Sarkaz just like Miss Theresa did. He saved Kazdel."
Scout and Logos exchanged a look, both showing complicated expressions, but they agreed with her. "I have no objections."
ACE also nodded. "Yeah. Calling him 'General' feels strange. 'Your Highness' is better."
Since no one disagreed, Kal'tsit said no more. For her, titles were secondary. What mattered was clarifying Rhodes Island Pharmaceutical's stance.
They passed the meeting room and walked toward the deck. Along the way, they encountered several Kazimierz knights in Rhodes Island uniform, who greeted the higher-ups respectfully.
These past months had not been without gain for Rhodes Island. In Yan, Kazimierz, Victoria, Leithanien, and even Rim Billiton, they had discovered many capable individuals and recruited them, temporarily easing their manpower shortage. Financially, things were still tight, but staying out of deficit was already considered fortunate.
Rhodes Island Pharmaceutical had yet to make a name for itself, so missions and resources were limited. Their lack of reputation was a major factor. It would take time to build that.
Fortunately, the operators were patient and trusted the decisions of the leadership.
As they passed, each operator smiled warmly at Amiya. She politely greeted them one by one, diligent and courteous as always.
After waiting on the deck for several minutes, a helicopter appeared on the horizon and slowly approached the Rhodes Island.
The helicopter descended and landed smoothly on the cleared deck. The area had been emptied specifically to welcome the members of Tomorrow's Development; no other operators were present.
The first woman to step off the helicopter was familiar to everyone. The pair of swords at her back were unmistakable—she was the instructor of Tomorrow's Development. The blonde woman who followed was also well-known: Loughshinny, second-in-command of Tomorrow's Development. The third person to disembark was a Sarkaz woman whom Scout, Logos, and ACE did not recognize. But Kal'tsit gave a subtle nod. She had indeed crossed paths several times with this medic, Shining, when assisting Princess Theresa in Kazdel.
Everyone's attention shifted to the last person stepping off the helicopter.
The young man was dressed in a meticulously crafted uniform styled for a future-era general. Anyone seeing him for the first time would immediately assume he was a battle-hardened king forged through countless storms. A golden halo rested above his head, a long sword hung at his waist, and his golden eyes revealed nothing aside from a gentle smile.
Kal'tsit sighed inwardly. Environment shapes growth. This young man, who once stood before her as a simple messenger, had now risen to such heights. She could not help feeling deeply moved.
Among everyone present, Scout and Logos felt it most strongly. Although the man before them was a Sankta, they felt an inexplicable sense of closeness—almost an instinct to bow. Was this what it felt like to acknowledge a king?
ACE felt only pride. His heart swelled. That inexperienced young man had truly become the king of Kazdel.
Amiya's eyes sparkled. To her, Brother Felix was incredibly handsome—like a prince straight out of a fairy tale.
"Long time no see, Doctor Kal'tsit. Your appearance remains as ageless as this land—unchanging, eternally young."
Felix stepped forward with a smile and shook Kal'tsit's hand.
"Time and experience change a person. Your Highness, those words apply to you more than anyone."
After shaking Felix's hand, Kal'tsit gave a small nod to the three behind him. "Welcome to the Rhodes Island. Please, this way, members of Tomorrow's Development."
She led the way. Felix gave Scout and Logos a nod, then playfully winked at ACE. The older man felt genuinely relieved. He had assumed that once Felix became a king, he would naturally grow distant from old companions. That was normal; their positions were too different now. ACE wouldn't have blamed him, but realizing that Felix had changed without letting his heart drift made him truly grateful.
Felix took Amiya's hand. She looked up at him, and he gave her a gentle smile. Amiya, smiling back, leaned lightly against his arm and began asking about anything interesting that had happened while they were apart.
Their laughter drifted forward, and Kal'tsit glanced over her shoulder before turning back.
The group entered the meeting room. What had been a harmonious procession naturally divided into two sides. Tomorrow's Development sat together, Rhodes Island sat together. Felix took the central seat on Tomorrow's Development' side, with Loughshinny, Degenbrecher, and Shining seated in order beside him. On Rhodes Island's side, Amiya sat at the head, followed by Kal'tsit and the other elite operators.
This seating arrangement caught the attention of Loughshinny, Degenbrecher, and Shining. Their eyes flickered slightly. They had clearly noticed the implication. Felix, however, showed no reaction. He wasn't surprised. In his previous life, it was Amiya who led Rhodes Island.
"Brother Felix, let's begin."
Amiya straightened her face, trying her best to look dignified. Her attempt at seriousness only made her look even more adorable.
Loughshinny smiled faintly. Felix, though tempted to reach over and squish Amiya's cheeks, respected her effort and kept himself composed.
"Let's start."
Felix nodded. "First, I would like to review Rhodes Island Pharmaceutical's financial reports from last year and your current partnership agreements. Regarding construction-grade raw materials, we hope to establish a supply partnership with your company. As for the medical field, we hope to request Doctor Kal'tsit's guidance as part of a training agreement. Our medical department still has much to learn from yours."
Amiya gave a small "Mm," then began flipping through the documents Kal'tsit had handed her. "First… um, about the first item…"