Kazdel city was growing increasingly chaotic.
The primary reason behind this turmoil was probably the internal contradictions surfacing as the intensity of the civil war diminished. Naturally, the Sarkaz had all sorts of conflicting thoughts stirring within their hearts.
Through the Instructions, Suo Bismar could fully perceive these inner thoughts.
With this ability, combined with his formidable combat strength, Suo naturally found ample opportunities to make moves in Kazdel. Soon enough, he set several straightforward objectives for himself.
First, expand the Index's influence, thereby enhancing The City's overall reach.
Second, help Kazdel moderately resolve its internal contradictions… From Suo's perspective, the Index itself was a perfect instrument for managing such conflicts.
Religion.
The concept called "Instructions" already resembled a form of religious practice—though the deity worshipped through this faith was essentially one's own inner desires.
As internal contradictions shifted toward religion, the consequences became self-evident.
Moreover, the Index itself was already emblematic of religious extremism. And Suo had the means to create exactly such a religion.
Doctrine and miracles—he could produce both effortlessly.
When Suo glanced at the Instructions in his hand, he already foresaw clearly what would happen next.
He needed to rapidly foster the Index's growth. Once it matured, he'd use the Instructions to gradually soothe Kazdel's tensions.
Walking down Kazdel's streets, Suo released a soft breath, slowly opening his golden eyes to gaze upward at the hues of the sky.
"Now then…"
Then, he murmured gently:
"Let the intent of the Instructions spread forth from here."
...
Things developed swiftly within Kazdel city.
By the next morning, while Don Quixote was just setting out for Scar Market, Kazdel had already witnessed small-scale protests organized by certain groups.
A few people deliberately gathered Sarkaz citizens, instigating marches to express opposition to the looming end of the war.
In truth, these protests had minimal political impact on most ordinary Sarkaz citizens.
People were already numb. For those at the bottom, their greatest tangible experience of war was probably the moment they'd been forcibly dragged onto the battlefield.
But that didn't mean the demonstrations were harmless. After all, this was Kazdel, and those marching were Sarkaz.
The moment these events occurred, countless Sarkaz civilians locked their doors tightly, hoping not to lose anything valuable to the protestors.
Some cursed these marchers loudly, while others fervently hoped their demands would quickly be satisfied, sparing everyone this trouble.
Simply put, they prayed earnestly, wishing someone would protect them from this headache—or even disaster.
Precisely under such conditions, Suo appeared.
Or rather, the Index appeared.
When Suo approached the first Sarkaz household, handed over an Instruction, explained the Index's existence, and stated clearly that following the Instruction would earn them protection, the citizen initially hesitated.
But upon witnessing Suo effortlessly defeat dozens of protesting Sarkaz using that strangely shaped key-sword, the citizen accepted Suo's conditions without a second thought.
Just Instructions, huh? Fine by me!
With such a powerful guardian on his side, mere Instructions were nothing to worry about.
Moreover, the Instruction itself didn't seem difficult—practically charitable:
[Instruction: …At three o'clock in the afternoon, go outside, breathe fresh air freely for one hour, and return home.]
It was basically no different from taking a stroll.
Thus, the citizen cheerfully accepted Suo's protection. At exactly three o'clock, he dutifully stepped outside, fully completing the Instruction. Though Kazdel had little truly fresh air, as far as he was concerned, any outdoor air was fresh enough.
And upon fulfilling the Instruction, the citizen quickly noticed something astonishing:
His entire spirit had noticeably improved.
It felt miraculous, as though he had received actual healing—refreshing and invigorating.
Of course, this was simply the effect of Suo's Jinbei. Completing Instructions naturally granted restorative benefits.
Yet to the ordinary Sarkaz citizen, it appeared nothing short of supernatural.
That same day, while chatting casually with a friend, he shared this experience. Thus, word spread quickly through Kazdel's streets and alleys about the Index…
Soon, Kazdel was filled with curious rumors:
Each morning, you might find a person in white robes knocking at your door.
He claims to represent the Index. If you agree to fulfill the simple Instructions written on the paper he provides, he'll protect you from harm.
Moreover, after fulfilling the Instructions, you'll experience healing…
Accompanied by such whispers, the Index gradually became a minor urban legend in Kazdel.
More and more people became curious or even hopeful for contact with the Index. And that first Sarkaz citizen who'd encountered Suo eagerly awaited his return.
He desperately wanted to try again—could another Instruction provide even greater healing?
Thus, the existence of the Index quietly seeped into the lower ranks of Sarkaz society.
---
Unlike Suo's careful, incremental expansion of the Index, Don Quixote's approach proved considerably more forceful.
On that same afternoon, roughly around the time rumors of the Index were spreading throughout Kazdel, Don Quixote and Nearl finally arrived at Scar Market.
Don Quixote arrived with righteous fury, loudly denouncing the senseless brutality of the Sarkaz mercenaries from the moment he stepped into the market.
In an instant, every gaze in Scar Market locked onto him. Nearl stood silently behind Don Quixote, pointedly staring away, wearing an expression of I do not know this person.
Don Quixote's accusations were impressively eloquent. Not once did he resort to vulgar language, instead meticulously listing atrocities committed by the Sarkaz mercenaries, before proudly declaring that as a righteous Fixer, he could never tolerate such injustice!
The mercenaries stared blankly at Don Quixote.
Buddy, who exactly are you supposed to be?
"…Don Quixote-san, perhaps engaging in battle directly might prove more straightforward," Nearl quietly suggested after waiting a moment, sighing softly.
"But if I start fighting directly, wouldn't that make me exactly like these villains? Our goal is not to create more atrocities, but to teach them to recognize their wrongdoing!"
Don Quixote rejected Nearl's suggestion with stern righteousness.
At that moment, Nearl instinctively placed a hand on her forehead, sighing once more.
Meanwhile, deep within Scar Market—
Duq'arael, Prince of Blood, listened carefully to the surrounding clamor, frowning slightly.
"Why is it suddenly so noisy?"