Felix looked toward the distant sky, but unfortunately, he couldn't see anything.
He lowered his gaze to the man behind the golden mask, or rather, the young man whose soul was engulfed in relentless flames. The wailing voice of an old man gradually faded into silence.
The fire did not extinguish.
Under Felix's watchful eyes, the Confessarius collapsed into unconsciousness. A wisp of black mist rose from the man's body, only to be consumed by the flames. It vanished into the air with a final, shrill scream.
Theresis arrived moments later. He glanced at the weapon that had already been discharged, drew a steady breath, and was about to speak when he noticed the unconscious figure nearby.
"Qui'sartuštaj… I suspected it might be you, but…"
He turned to Felix. "What is the current situation?"
"The details are unclear," Felix replied calmly. "What is certain is that the weapon has already been launched. I changed the target toward the sky, so it has most likely left Terra."
He stepped down from the control platform and gestured to the soldiers entering the chamber. "Take the Confessarius away."
"Yes!"
Felix moved closer to Theresis. "Although our battle has ended, the matter of Londinium is not yet resolved."
Theresis gave a slight nod. "I will cooperate with your plans, Kazdel would not fracture again."
Theresa stepped forward, a gentle smile gracing her face as she looked at her impassive brother. Then she turned to Felix. "Thank you, Your Highness."
"It was merely an impulsive decision."
Felix inclined his head toward her, then addressed Theresis, who stood half a step behind. "Gather the Military Commission's forces. Londinium is not our homeland. Though the war has yet to fully conclude, prepare to return to Kazdel."
"As you command."
After pledging his loyalty, Theresis swiftly departed to assemble his troops. At that moment, a communication request came through from Ulšulah.
Her composed and striking face appeared in the projection before Felix. She bowed respectfully. "Your Highness, we have detected a violent energy explosion in the sky near Kazdel. Was it an enemy assault?"
"No. Set the explosion aside for now. Have you located the enemy warships?"
"Yes!" Ulšulah answered promptly. "The Duke of Wellington's fleet has retreated to within one hundred kilometers of County Hillock. They show no intention of continuing hostilities. From their movements, it appears they are preparing to withdraw to County Hillock and enter Tara's territory."
Felix considered this briefly. "Although the Duke of Wellington has withdrawn and shows no immediate intent to confront us, his presence remains a potential threat to Victoria's future."
"Understood."
Ulšulah bowed once more before the transmission ended.
The war was over, at least for now.
Felix stepped out of the Shards Building. In the distance, Sarkaz warriors in combat attire saluted Theresis. Beside him, Manfred stood reporting the latest developments.
The aftermath no longer required Felix's personal attention. The recent campaigns had filled him with exhilaration, but once that excitement faded, exhaustion settled in, heavy and undeniable.
"Your Highness, allow me to escort you to rest."
Theresa's voice was gentle. Felix responded with a soft hum of agreement.
The residents of District Seven had yet to return. The area had been temporarily requisitioned by the operators of Tomorrow's Development. When news of victory spread, they raised their weapons and cheered. Under the Liberation King's leadership, they had shattered Londinium's myth of invincibility, crushed Duke Victoria's ambitions, defeated the Military Commission, and brought Kazdel's final civil war to an end.
Now was the time to celebrate.
"Patriot, take the Shieldguards to the location where Hellagur's last signal originated. They may be searching underground for the Sighs of Kings."
"Yes. Understood."
With the orders given, Felix retired to a hotel in District Seven. The building had been spared from the ravages of war. The moment he lay down on the bed, he fell into a deep sleep.
When he awoke the following morning, he find Ines, Wiš'adel, Theresa, and Qalaiša sharing the bed with him, he was surprised, though not entirely. In truth, it was hardly surprising at all.
He ate breakfast as he stepped outside. Kazdel now controlled all of Londinium. Logically, he should negotiate with Victoria's leadership regarding compensation, as the defeated party. In games like Civilization, the loser cedes territory and pays reparations. Territory held little appeal to Felix; reparations, however, were another matter.
However, Felix now faced an awkward reality: Victoria currently had no ruler.
And even if there were one, it would be Vina Victoria, the very person he had supported to the throne.
Anthony understood his dilemma and lowered his voice. "Your Highness, it would be unrealistic to demand compensation from Vina. However, Londinium holds vast noble assets. Many of those nobles stood firmly with the Duke of Wellington, for example, the Duke of Fife and the Duke of Ashworth."
"Very well. Proceed with the plan. Victoria's foundation will remain intact, but these defeated nobles must pay a heavy price."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Anthony bowed deeply and withdrew.
The palace of Londinium felt unfamiliar to Felix. This place had long since been infiltrated and Changed function to become operation base by Tomorrow's Development.
Operators occupied much of the compound. Although Victoria officials still moved about conducting their duties, it was obvious that two distinct groups now coexisted within these walls, both wary of provoking the Sarkaz and suffering the consequences.
They could not distinguish between Tomorrow's Development and the Military Commission; to them, both were invaders.
Felix paid it little mind. Upon entering the palace, Shining came forward to greet him. Joy shone on her face, though a trace of complexity lingered in her eyes.
"Your Highness."
"Shining, has the Confessarius you detained yesterday regained consciousness?"
"He has… but…" Her gaze flickered uncertainly.
"I will go with you to see him."
Grateful for his consideration, Shining bowed deeply. Under the operators' guidance, the two descended into the palace prison.
This place held prisoners from Londinium. From the trembling staff, Felix learned that some were minor nobles who had offended dukes or counts. In this political center, power symbolized everything; it was only natural that small fish could not contend with large ones.
They stopped before a cell. Inside, a young man in a black robe sat upright. His eyes were bright with innocence and confusion as he examined his surroundings with childlike curiosity.
"He is… the Confessarius from yesterday?"
Shining nodded. Noticing Felix's doubt, she spoke softly. "Yes. His true name is Qui'sartuštaj. He was once one of Kazdel's Sarkaz King, known as the The King of Usurping Kings. He prolonged his life by possessing the bodies of his descendants. Each time he died, he would seize the body of one of his offspring and continue living. In this way, he survived for thousands of years, coveting the throne and seeking to become Sarkaz King once more."
"The body he inhabits now is my younger brother by blood."
Felix studied the young man carefully. "I can sense the power of the Sarkaz within him, but my flames no longer react as they did yesterday."
"My flames can purify souls. In other words, it is possible that I already killed Qui'sartuštaj yesterday," he said evenly. "The Sarkaz King who possessed your brother's body is gone. What remains is a pure, newborn soul. It may be your brother's original soul, though I cannot say for certain."
"My brother's soul may already have been devoured by that leader." Shining inhaled deeply, tears welling in her eyes. She turned and bowed low to Felix. "Your Highness… I truly do not know how to thank you."
"By the way, I wonder whether my flames might work on Liz as well. When we return to Kazdel, I will try to heal her."
"Your Highness…"
"I'm sorry." Her apology was barely a whisper.
"Why are you apologizing?"
"Because…"
Shining stepped forward and gently wrapped her arms around him. Rising onto her toes, she hesitated for a heartbeat.
Felix bent down, offering comfort to her wounded soul.
After a long kiss, Shining retreated a few steps. A blush spread across her fair cheeks. She parted her lips as if to speak, yet no words came.
"I will entrust your younger brother to your care. With Qui'sartuštaj's death, the Confessarius are without a leader. Perhaps you should consider assuming that role."
Shining paused, then lowered her head and accepted the order.
After Felix departed, she looked at her younger brother, who was now playing with a pillow inside the cell, babbling softly. In that moment, she realized how long the road ahead would be.
Since His Highness said her brother was safe, perhaps she should allow him time to grow before sending him to kindergarten.
She would also need to think of a new name for him.
Felix returned to the palace hall and found Kal'tsit, the Doctor, and Amiya gathered with operators from Tomorrow's Development, discussing future strategies.
Amiya was leading the discussion, Kal'tsit was recording notes, and the Doctor appeared to be present largely for moral support.
Felix lifted his gaze to the resplendent ceiling above. The hall stood as a monument to Victoria's long history. It was here that the former king had been assassinated, and where the dukes had plundered his possessions, leaving Victoria drowning in unrest.
A flash of gold flickered at the edge of his vision.
He turned sharply, but caught only the glimpse of a golden tail.
He stepped forward.
Amiya noticed him and almost called out in greeting. Then she remembered she was in the middle of work. Suppressing her playful impulse, she continued her serious discussion with Ines and the others about their collaborative plans.
Crossing the threshold, Felix found himself facing a long corridor. At its end stood the long-sealed Victorian throne. No one had walked this path in years, and a thin layer of dust coated the floor.
Before the throne, waiting for him, was a magnificent golden creature.
A lion.
Felix felt a gaze upon him, at once familiar and strange.
"So it was you," he said quietly. "The presence I sensed in Londinium a few years ago. You, like the Emperor and Duck Lord, are one of the Beast Lords."
"That's correct." The lion lay calmly upon the ground, studying him with steady eyes. "My name is Gawain."
"You don't seem surprised."
"No. This isn't my first encounter with a Beast Lord."
Felix considered this for a moment. "Then let me guess why you have appeared before me. Are you here to thank me?"
Gawain's lips curled into a faint grin. "You may think of it that way."
"Victoria is no longer the Victoria of old. The glorious age in which I lived has long since faded. I know what you intend to do. Whether it is New Tara, Old Tara, or the Ranger Guild that moves among the three factions, any of them could claim the crown of Victoria. They have simply chosen different paths."
His expression hardened.
"What I wish to discuss is what happened yesterday."
"Which matter?"
"The weapon capable of turning the Terra into primordial crystal that was fired into this sky."
Gawain lowered his head slightly. "Words cannot express my gratitude."
"And the material compensation?" Felix asked evenly.
For a moment, he could almost imagine a golden question mark hovering above Gawain's head, like a completed quest awaiting its reward.
"What is it that you desire?" Gawain asked, curiosity clear in his voice. "You are already renowned across Terra. What could you possibly lack?"
Wealth? Tomorrow's Development was flourishing and hardly short of funds.
Beauty? From Gawain's perspective, many of the female operators seemed drawn to Felix with unmistakable intensity.
Territory? He showed no intention of annexing Victoria's lands. Anthony was negotiating compensation with the nobles, but land and mobile cities were not part of the demands.
So what did he want?
"I need strength," Felix replied. "And I need Victoria's friendship. If one day I call for aid, I want Victoria to stand with us without hesitation."
"As for the latter, I will speak with Vina. Perhaps I won't even need to. She may choose that path on her own." Gawain turned his gaze toward the city beyond the terrace. "Under Vina's rule, Victoria will be reborn with new vitality. She believes this firmly. And she is also one of the women who harbors feelings for you."
Felix nodded slowly. "Are you suggesting that I marry Vina? For Kazdel, an alliance with Victoria would indeed be advantageous."
"And have you forgotten the leader of New Tara? Or the head of the Ranger Guild?"
Felix gave a soft "oh," recalling that Loughshinny had already confessed her feelings. As for Talulah, he had not spent enough time with her to truly understand her heart.
"As for becoming stronger," Gawain continued, "I have little advice to offer. In my view, you are already one of Terra's foremost powers. Very few could defeat you."
"Could I defeat the Feranmuts of Great Yan?"
"…You aspire to become a god? A Feranmuts?" Gawain asked, astonishment evident in his voice.
Felix smiled faintly and waved a hand. "Just an idle thought."