Before the Venus had even entered Kazdel's borders, news of Kazdel's great victory had already spread throughout the land.
Tomorrow's Development not only broke through the defensive lines formed by numerous dukes and reduced the enemy's stronghold to ruins with its warships, but Kazdel's fleet had even shattered the walls of Londinium itself.
At the same time, Felix took action. He defeated the King of Nachzehrers, slew the Vampire Lord, and confronted Theresis in battle. Three separate engagements, three decisive victories. The Military Commission was crushed, and the decades-long civil war that had plagued Kazdel finally came to an end.
From that day forward, there was no more Kazdel Civil War.
The news brought tears to the eyes of Kazdel's citizens. They poured into the streets of their own accord, hanging lanterns and colorful decorations to welcome the new year, to greet the warriors who had fought for nearly two months, and to welcome their king.
Some elderly men wept openly. Many of their children had once served in the Military Commission, leaving Kazdel over ideological differences to follow General Theresis to Londinium. Since then, no word had returned. Now, hearing that the Military Commission had relinquished its power to their king and would cease to exist, their eyes grew distant and unfocused.
The Military Commission, founded by General Theresis, had symbolized the loss of Kazdel's governing authority. Its dissolution carried an unmistakable meaning.
From now on, Kazdel would have only one voice.
As they approached Kazdel, Felix convened a meeting with the royal court members who had rested for several days.
Though they were called members of the royal court, in truth they were former members of the Military Commission.
Theresis had already sworn loyalty to Felix and naturally hoped that the remaining members of the former Military Commission would work alongside him. Moreover, he believed that with Felix's strength, Kazdel would never again fall into civil war.
The Nachzehrers King, Nezzsalem, had come to know Felix through battle. General Manfred, Theresis's disciple, had not faced Felix directly on the battlefield, but he had the misfortune of crossing paths with Saviadel. His forces were either wounded or captured before he chose to surrender. The Confessarius scholar Salus, a devout follower of the Confessarius who revered their leader Qui'sartuštaj, had fallen into utter despair after the leader's death. And then there was the Damazti Cluster, its long green hair resembling flowing slime. Genderless and capable of transforming into anyone, the Damazti Clustery was the most unique presence within the Sarkaz royal court, the only one of its kind.
Or, as the Damazti themselves would say, there had never been an "I," only "we."
As for the Vampire, those aligned with the Military Commission had all followed the Vampire Lord into war. Their fate was grim. Their blood had been drained by their own lord and converted into arts to strike at Felix.
When the Vampire Lord descended into madness, he spared neither kin nor follower.
"I believe Kazdel is now worthy of my loyalty."
The Nachzehrers King spoke first, his voice harsh and hoarse as strips of cloth around him fluttered lightly. "Though the King is young, his strength cannot be ignored. Kazdel will fear no challenge that lies ahead."
The Damazti Cluster followed. "We find Kazdel different from the one we once knew. We are curious. Since Theresis has already submitted to you, we will make the same choice. Young Teekaz, we look forward to seeing where your future leads."
Manfred spoke in a low, steady tone. "My teacher's choice is my choice."
He was decisive, perhaps because he was the youngest among the royal court members present. In truth, he had little room to act otherwise. With Theresis surrendering, he could hardly stand apart.
The last to speak was the Confessarius Salus. She possessed a striking figure, yet her eyes remained somewhat vacant.
"Your Highness… if you do not hold the leader's past actions against us, would you be willing to accept the Confessariuss?" Salus asked softly, gradually regaining her composure. "The Confessariuss belong solely to Kazdel. If you believe our organization has no reason to exist, I will lead the Confessariuss to vanish from your sight and never appear in this world again."
Felix smiled faintly, an enigmatic curve of the lips. His expression suggested he had no intention of persecuting the Confessarius. Perhaps the direct killing of their leader had left them disoriented.
He looked at Salus carefully. "You carry many different bloodlines within you. Such a twisted… complex composition."
"Your Highness, it was the leader's request," Salus replied. "I integrated much of the Sarkaz royal bloodline into myself and underwent biological modification."
Felix frowned slightly. "Did Qui'sartuštaj truly intend to become the Sarkaz King?"
"Yes," Salus answered. "That was the leader's goal."
Felix waved his hand. "After you arrive in Kazdel, I will arrange for you to meet the director of the Kazdel Research Institute and discuss your research topic with her. But that will conclude this matter. If you wish to continue your research, I will not stop you. However, the remaining members of the Confessariuss—your original duty was to serve as doctors. From now on, you will all be assigned to hospitals and the medical industry. Do you have any objections?"
Salus lowered her gaze. "I… have no objection."
The leadership of the Confessariuss would indeed need to change. To Felix, Salus was still a stranger and far less trustworthy than Shining.
"Your Highness, we will arrive at Kazdel, in two hours."
"Understood."
Felix nodded to the capable aide beside him, then turned to the former high-ranking members of the Military Commission with a faint smile. "Come. Let us see this brand new Kazdel."
One by one, they rose and walked toward the floor-to-ceiling windows. In the distance, the city emerged along the horizon. What they first noticed were the massive terrain devices flanking the mobile city.
Plants.
Theresis narrowed his eyes. "This is…"
"These are technologies we obtained through our exchange with the Yan," Felix explained. "A mobile farmland system equipped with automatic sunshades, ultraviolet radiation filtration, and other advanced devices. With this, Kazdel will no longer need to rely on food imports."
Farther away, a series of undulating structures came into view.
"And those?" someone asked.
"That is a research station established by the Kazdel Research Institute. Because natural disasters occur so frequently in Kazdel, it has become a place long sought after by disaster scientists. These facilities were built here so they can gather accurate data the moment a catastrophe strikes."
Felix stepped forward and continued, "And in the distant sky, you can see the defensive matrix of Kazdel's mobile city, formed entirely by Clever. It is quite similar to the defensive formation you once deployed around the Londinium forces."
The Venus gradually slowed to a halt. From here, it would take only a short walk to reach Kazdel Mobile City.
"Let's go. The people of Kazdel are waiting for us."
Felix was the first to leave the meeting room, leaving several former members of the Military Commission exchanging bewildered glances.
"Consider how to integrate yourselves into this place," The Nachzehrers King said at last. "I have traveled this land for many years and witnessed countless Sarkaz King. He is the only one who has truly reached the stature of a king."
"We think so as well," the Damazti Cluster replied.
"We will go ahead," they added, nodding to The Nachzehrers King before pushing open the door and departing.
"We must also prepare," Theresis said quietly. "And consider what roles we are to take on in the future." He glanced at Manfred, who gave a silent nod, and the two left together.
In the end, only the Confessarius Salus and The Nachzehrers King remained.
"Young one, what still troubles you?" The Nachzehrers King asked.
Salus looked up and sighed softly. "We have only lost our way for a time."
"Do you not already have the finest guiding light?"
"…Senior, I have learned much."
The Nachzehrers King gave a faint snort and left the room to seek out his apprentice, Patriot. Their conversation might be brief, but as one of the heroes of this campaign, Patriot would be among the first to return in glory to Kazdel Mobile City alongside Felix's party.
Before long, the procession heading toward Kazdel Mobile City was assembled. Ines, responsible for overall coordination, finally allowed herself a sigh of relief. At least there were no adventurers among them.
It was not that she bore them ill will. Their presence simply complicated matters. They seemed to possess endless energy, leaping and bounding about as though it were second nature. Perhaps that was precisely why they were called adventurers.
At formal occasions such as this, they might feel at ease surrounded by Emperor's Children, but Ines could not bring herself to include the remaining adventurers from Tomorrow's Development in such an event.
Now that Loughshinny had departed, Ines was more than willing to assume her responsibilities. It meant she could remain closer to His Highness.
Soon, the formation was complete and the procession began to move. The group was divided into two ranks. At the very front stood the Liberation King, with the siblings Theresis and Theresa following behind him. Behind them were the operators of Tomorrow's Development and the former members of the Military Commission.
The closer one stood to the front, the greater the merit earned in this battle.
Upon seeing his apprentice, Patriot, silently take his place at the head of the procession, The Nachzehrers King gave a faint nod of approval.
Soon, the procession began to move. The residents of Kazdel Mobile City had already spotted the Venus and other land warships docking in the distance. Gathering at the gates, they eagerly awaited the return of their king.
The journey into the city was neither long nor slow. For Felix, it was a road well-traveled, but for Theresis, it was a path filled with complicated feelings.
He glanced down, noting that the road beneath his feet was now paved with stone bricks, clearly marked for vehicles. They had passed through a checkpoint earlier—empty, but above, drones hovered silently in the air, performing their duties.
Kazdel had indeed changed.
Looking out over the mobile city, Theresis noticed enormous digital screens floating above the skyline. Though it was still daylight, the city shimmered faintly with multicolored lights. Was this truly Kazdel?
For the first time in years, Theresis felt like a stranger in his own homeland.
Soon, they were met by crowds of Sarkaz and other races pouring out of the city. The phrase "lining the streets to welcome them" had never felt more accurate. People gathered along the roadside, cheering thunderously for the returning king and his entourage.
Among the onlookers, many recognized Theresis. Their gazes lingered—deep, emotional, and intense.
The civil war was over. For the Sarkaz, the sight of General Theresis and Theresa standing together again stirred powerful memories.
There had been a time when Theresa was presumed dead, and Theresis had disappeared into Londinium. People had grieved their fate. No one could have imagined that the king now standing before them would shatter that fate with a single, decisive blow.
Felix greeted their cheers with a faint, calm smile.
Somehow, the thought of Alfred the Great crossed his mind. He didn't know why. Maybe it was the influence of Terra's atmosphere—or perhaps something else.
But the more he thought about it, the more he realized Alfred had lived in a far crueler time. The Saxon king had spent his youth fighting a desperate war against the Danes, even forced into hiding before reclaiming his throne. Terra was a land that devoured its own, yet Felix had managed to survive, always one step ahead.
At Alfred's age, he had still been fighting wars. Felix already had so much. Now, all he needed was to hold fast to his beliefs—and carry them forward.
Surely… there was still time.
When Felix returned to his office, which he hadn't seen in over two months, he finally exhaled in relief.
Theresa stepped forward to help him out of his formal attire. It was the first time she had seen him so completely at ease. She paused, dazed by the unfamiliar sight.
"Thank you." Felix's voice was quiet as he leaned back in his office chair, eyes closed for a few seconds. "The year 1099 is almost here. Theresa, what are your plans?"
"Isn't the Laterano conference scheduled for March?" Theresa walked over to the bookshelf, pulling down a volume on Laterano history. "Your Highness will be attending, and as your attendants, we need to prepare properly."
"Theresa, do you hope to establish peace and trade with Laterano?"
Theresa blinked. "Your Highness… doesn't wish for that?"
"I do," Felix admitted. "But it won't be easy. Laterano has both enlightened minds and hardliners who cling to the past. There is only one Laterano on Terra. Their desire to maintain a transcendent position makes cooperating with Kazdel… feel beneath them."
"Eh… Does Your Highness really think so?" Theresa paused, hesitant. "I certainly don't know Laterano as well as you do."
"To be honest, the fact they even invited us at all…" Felix sighed. "It's already an enormous gesture."
Theresis, standing nearby, remained silent.
He had the unmistakable air of a third wheel.