When Theresa and Theresis stepped onto the stage simultaneously, everyone stared in astonishment.
Though recent events had made this scene foreseeable to many, witnessing it unfold in reality was still deeply shocking.
Especially for Kazdel.
Everyone waited uneasily for the two leaders to speak… When, finally, Theresa and Theresis declared with undeniable passion and authority that the war had ended, Kazdel was first swept by disbelief.
The war is over?
Just like that… suddenly ended?
It felt like a dream, leaving them all in stunned disbelief.
But soon, almost everyone came to their senses—yes, the war had ended.
Completely ended.
Thus, they inevitably started thinking: now that the war was over, what should they do next?
The first to erupt in protest were those from the lower levels. A handful of extremist warmongers angrily stepped forward, accusing Theresis of weakness and Theresa of deceitful cowardice. They were few, but their voices were the loudest, the most extreme.
They argued vehemently that a war fought for so long should not simply end. If it did, what was the point of everything done thus far, all the sacrifices made to change the fate of the Sarkaz?
It was as if they'd returned to the past, changing nothing at all. To them, the war had simply squandered Kazdel's precious resources.
These were their thoughts, their beliefs, and thus they fervently advocated restarting the war.
Aside from them, there was another group… silent, walking wordlessly through the streets after the war's end—they were the war's victims.
Having lost their spouses, families, and friends, the war had robbed them of everything. Now that the war was over, even their last reason for existence had been stripped away.
The thought that someday people might forget—or even erase—the memory of this war, which had cost them dearly, filled them with fear and anger.
They could not bear the thought of their suffering being casually forgotten.
Thus, they marched quietly through the streets.
This was Kazdel's reality in the wake of independence. Theresis and Theresa had long anticipated such reactions.
They had planned to handle it gradually, giving the populace time to adapt…
Therefore, at the first signs of trouble, Theresa swiftly rushed into the crowds, ready to take immediate action.
But despite Theresa's promptness, someone else had been faster.
That person came from the Index: Suo.
By the time Theresa arrived, the Index had already swiftly resolved the disturbance.
---
"You received it too, didn't you?"
A short while earlier, one Index Proselyte questioned his companion. His companion nodded, holding up a slip of paper.
"I've received a Prescript as well. It orders assistance in dealing with potential unrest in Kazdel following the civil war negotiations."
"Hmm, I received one as well. But why this Prescript…?"
"Who knows. But we shouldn't doubt. The Prescripts are all-knowing and all-powerful… If we received this Prescript, it means Kazdel must be favored by the Prescripts. Clearly, the Prescripts believe that this will bring benefit to both Kazdel and the Index."
The Proselyte spoke fervently, eyes burning with zeal.
"That's right! Let's fulfill the Prescript!"
His companion responded without hesitation, loudly proclaiming:
"We shall obey the will of the Prescript!"
---
On the streets, Suo walked slowly, surrounded by countless Sarkaz silently and numbly marching along. They wandered aimlessly, waiting for the Twin Kings' government to give them an answer.
An answer… something that could restore their reason to continue living.
Seeing this, Suo let out a soft sigh.
"Counting on the Twin Kings… that's too distant."
"It might be better if…I personally take action."
With that, several Prescripts appeared in Suo's hand. He scanned the blank faces around him, found his targets, and approached one of them.
"You must be very lost…"
Looking down at the silent Sarkaz who raised their head, staring blankly, Suo sighed again, gently handing them the Prescript.
"I… can offer you a reason to keep living, and shelter to live under."
"Are you willing?"
The Sarkaz gazed at Suo hazily, confusion evident in their eyes. Then, decisively, they nodded.
A faint smile curved Suo's lips. After giving the Prescript to the Sarkaz, he turned away.
There was no room for idleness now.
His goal was to recruit as many of these confused souls as possible into the Index.
After all, wasn't this precisely the kind of existential emptiness that religious guidance excelled at filling?
For the lost, religion had always been an important refuge.
---
Under these circumstances, Theresa finally arrived in Kazdel's slums, which had nearly been completely taken over by the Index.
Those who had lost everything in the war were easily drawn into the Index by Suo. Some would become ordinary followers, others might even reappear as Index Proselytes.
To these people who'd lost their purpose, even without the Index's interference, sooner or later they'd seek solace in religion. Suo merely accelerated this process, conveniently silencing any objections from interested parties.
Additionally, the extremist warmongers were quickly suppressed. They'd barely stepped forward when passing Index Proselytes swiftly and righteously executed them.
It seemed the Proselytes acted under instructions from the Prescripts.
But regardless, almost all of Kazdel's problems had already been resolved.
Thus, the two major issues among the populace were easily dealt with.
The only remaining issue… was the question Theresa confronted during her inquiries about the Index's sudden rise:
Who exactly… is Suo?