"Think about it. Kazdel is the closest place to The City right now, isn't it?"
Facing Nearl, Don Quixote counted thoughtfully on his fingers.
"So, how about we start our legendary knightly adventure there?"
"You're always so casual… Well, I suppose that suits your style."
Nearl shook her head in mild disbelief, idly maintaining her spear as she muttered this comment. Then she sighed, resigned.
After all, once Don Quixote had set his mind to something, there wasn't much she could do except go along with it.
"So, have you thought about where we'll head after Kazdel?"
Nearl eventually asked after some consideration.
"Hmm… Not yet! But don't worry! A true Fixer always adapts plans to suit the situation as it unfolds!"
Don Quixote appeared serious for a brief moment, before reverting quickly to the familiar, enthusiastic tone Nearl knew all too well.
At this, Nearl merely held her forehead in resignation, sighing deeply again.
"Fine… Have it your way."
"Great! There's no time to waste—let's leave immediately!"
Don Quixote was instantly energized, eagerly extending his hand toward Nearl. She stared blankly for a second, before slowly raising her gaze to meet his.
"…Right now?"
---
At the same time, within the Hana Association offices, Hai briefly lifted his head, enjoying perhaps a few seconds of respite amid towering stacks of paperwork, before promptly diving back in.
What? You're asking me to go to Kazdel?
Let's keep this strictly business.jpg
Thus, while countless residents of The City decided to pay a visit to Kazdel, poor Hai remained firmly entrenched in his endless cycle of overwork.
---
Just as numerous parties from The City started heading toward Kazdel, Kazdel's own people had also begun their movements.
The first to act, without question, was Theresa.
Hurriedly leaving Babel Tower in the Doctor and Kal'tsit's capable hands, Theresa departed as swiftly as possible. She knew very well her sudden departure would put Theresis on guard, possibly even provoke assassination attempts…
But none of that mattered much to Theresa.
Within merely three hours, that same afternoon, Theresa stood face-to-face with Theresis. The Confessarii who had initially intercepted her now withdrew quietly into the shadows.
"I didn't expect you to actually come here."
Theresis sat down, facing the sister he hadn't seen in so long—Kazdel's very own Demon King—and finally spoke.
"Yes… Neither did I. If things hadn't taken an unexpected turn, I doubt I'd have considered coming to see you at a time like this."
Theresa answered softly, offering Theresis a gentle smile.
"Did something happen on The City?"
Theresis's question came suddenly. Theresa didn't seem surprised; she merely nodded slightly.
"Yes. I received some answers there. Or rather, I found some hope."
Theresis closed his eyes briefly upon hearing this. He didn't know exactly what Theresa had encountered on The City.
He had dispatched spies to investigate The City. That much was obvious.
After all, his trade partner, K Corp, was situated there, and Theresa herself had recently visited. That had drawn his attention… yet ultimately, his investigation yielded no meaningful results.
Apart from the mysterious Administrator himself, the only notable detail Theresis discovered about The City was its astonishing rate of growth.
And now, he couldn't help but feel curious:
Just what had Theresa seen on The City?
What had prompted her to speak so confidently?
Theresis quietly studied Theresa, waiting for her to elaborate further.
"What kind of future remains for the Sarkaz?"
He was waiting.
Waiting for Theresa to show him the beautiful vision she'd glimpsed.
And Theresa had no intention of disappointing her brother's expectations.
She took out the glass orb, allowing Theresis to witness its vision. Just as Theresa had been mesmerized by it initially, Theresis, too, was immediately captivated.
"This… is the possibility the Head of The City showed me."
Watching Theresis slowly become absorbed, Theresa softly explained:
"A possibility where the Sarkaz have a homeland, where Kazdel is no longer a place of constant conflict…"
"A possibility where everyone's hopes could finally be realized."
Theresis snapped out of his daze, looking back at Theresa as he carefully considered her words.
"I understand now, what you're trying to tell me…"
"This possibility… it's not beyond our reach."
Theresa stood abruptly, voice firm and clear, speaking directly to Theresis:
"You saw it yourself. Everything about that possibility was displayed clearly before us. It's achievable—our dreams are not inherently contradictory; they can be fulfilled together."
"You intend to resolve our conflict through such means?"
"Yes."
Theresa answered without hesitation, meeting Theresis's questioning gaze directly.
Theresis once again fell into brief silence.
"Brother. We're not out of options."
Theresa spoke slowly, deliberately. After a long pause, Theresis turned aside slightly and finally replied:
"Then how exactly do you plan to achieve this?"
"Are you still clinging to such idealistic visions?"
"I understand your intentions. You want reconciliation, an immediate end to the war… I know, of course I know. Kazdel has already suffered internal conflict for far too long. If we continue this internal strife, even when the war ends, Kazdel will remain severely weakened."
"But… if we suddenly stop now, you know very well what the consequences will be."
"The Ten Kings' Court may rebel openly. There will be internal opposition as well from those who favor war… and that's merely the internal issue. There are certainly those outside Kazdel who don't want to see this outcome—a united, powerful Kazdel. At that time, how could Kazdel withstand an allied invasion?"
"A Kazdel exhausted by prolonged civil war… cannot do it."
Shaking his head, Theresis delivered this blunt verdict. Yet Theresa's gaze remained unwaveringly firm.
"No, brother—there is a way…"
"In this matter, The City will play a crucial role."