Studying medicine could never save all of Terra.
But it could save the people right beside him.
Felix had already spent a month in Babel. His days fell into a simple rhythm: attending lessons with the white-haired cat, Kal'tsit; chatting and sharing tea with Theresa; ruffling Amiya's hair and reading her bedtime stories; debating Terra's sciences with the Doctor; and sparring with Hoederer, Ines, and their mercenary band.
It was a life both quiet and unhurried—closer to a vacation than any battlefield negotiation. Each day, whenever he saw little Amiya's smile, Felix's mood lifted. After all, who could truly understand the happiness of doting on a bunny like her?
But that happiness was soon shattered by the sudden intrusion of reality.
Late October, inside Babel's operations room. Theresa and the Doctor stood before the large tactical display, its map dotted with simple icons marking the current situation.
"Several homeless Sarkaz are retreating toward Babel under the protection of our mercenaries," Theresa explained, hands clasped together. Though she wore her usual gentle smile, sorrow still shadowed her face. "But their route has been discovered by the Military Commission's troops. They're being hunted as we speak."
She gestured at the projection. "Their withdrawal path runs through the B43 mountains. It's only October, yet snow has already fallen there. In such conditions, some of the gravely ill Sarkaz won't survive the journey."
Kal'tsit, standing nearby, added coolly: "Seventy-two hours from now, a hailstorm will strike B43. A Catastrophe."
The assembled operators and mercenaries grew grim at her words. None protested. Instead, they silently tightened their grips on their weapons.
"Command will, as always, rest with the Doctor."
Theresa nodded to her partner. "All squads depart within the hour. The sooner we set out, the sooner those innocents can be saved."
"I will be on-site as well."
"Your Highness—"
"Ascalon," Theresa cut in, "the reconnaissance of the Military Commission's movements is yours. I trust you."
From the shadows, a hooded Sarkaz silently bowed and slipped away.
Theresa's smile returned, faint but resolute. "The meeting is adjourned."
Babel's elites dispersed, speaking quietly among themselves. Among them was ACE. Felix spotted him trading quick words with a Sarkaz sniper who carried a long rifle across his back. After a firm pat on ACE's shoulder, the sniper departed.
ACE checked the time, then hurried off, quickening his pace to rejoin his squad like the others preparing to march.
Before her own departure, Theresa walked to the bridge. There she found Felix and Amiya, hand in hand, gazing down at the Babel mercenaries assembling below. One by one, they streamed into formation, forming a long line that snaked toward the horizon.
"They're setting out, aren't they?"
"Yes," Felix murmured. "They're off to face a harsh mission. Amiya, in times like these, you must smile as you send them off."
At his words, Amiya raised her little hand and waved, smiling brightly down at the mercenaries in farewell. Whether she realized it or not, some of those soldiers would never return.
Felix gently stroked her hair, then straightened to glance at Theresa, who stood beside them with her hands clasped in prayer.
"You care for Amiya very much," Theresa remarked softly.
"I do." Felix's voice was quiet. "She's so considerate it breaks your heart. After so many tests and treatments, she never cries from the pain. Amiya is truly remarkable."
"How wonderful… Amiya."
"Yes, Miss Theresa," Amiya said with a dimpled smile.
Felix noticed the Doctor standing a short distance away along the bridge corridor. With a light nudge, he sent Amiya running happily toward them. She leapt straight into the Doctor's arms.
He could feel the Doctor's slightly reproachful gaze flick toward him, and he turned his head away at once. He wasn't about to start competing for Amiya's affection right in front of her—not at all. He really did just think this little rabbit was unbearably sweet and far too mature for her age.
It had been years since Felix last saw Rafaela. He realized he missed her. Perhaps, when this was over, he should return and pay her a visit.
"Theresa, are you heading out as well?"
"Yes."
Theresa nodded gently. "This rescue mission requires nearly three-quarters of our strength. We must move quickly. Thanks to your drones, Mr. Felix, the reconnaissance phase was far easier than in the past."
Her voice softened with apology. "During the mission, your lessons will have to pause. Kal'tsit is an essential part of the operation too. As for the Doctor—he will command from the central hub."
"Hoederer and his squad are joining as well?"
"Some mercenaries have accepted this contract. Hoederer and his company among them."
Theresa knew every mercenary by name. For those without one, she gave them one herself. It was part of her undeniable charm as a leader.
"In that case," Felix said, "I'll go too."
"Eh? Mr. Felix…"
She faltered. "You have no obligation to fight beside us. And this mission is dangerous—one misstep could expose you to Oripathy."
"I don't want you to suffer that fate."
Theresa clasped his hands, her smile tinged with sorrow. "This is my wish. That you live free of illness or harm, that you remain healthy. People like you… are far too rare."
"Theresa, thank you for worrying."
Felix returned her grip. Her hands were soft, cool to the touch, yet roughened with calluses. She was no ordinary princess—she was a warrior.
"I'll be fine," he assured her.
"I won't let anything happen to you—"
Both he and the Doctor spoke at once. Felix lifted his head, while the Doctor, holding Amiya's hand, looked at Theresa.
"As long as I'm directing his movements, he'll be safe."
Felix gave Theresa a reassuring smile. She sighed, casting the Doctor a faintly reproachful glance before her eyes softened again.
"Very well. I'll permit you to join us, Mr. Felix. But only on one condition—you stay by my side throughout the mission. Do you accept?"
"I do."
"…Good. We depart in twenty minutes. I'll come for you then."
Releasing his hands, Theresa stepped back with a smile. The Doctor approached and handed Felix a special earpiece.
"I'll be coordinating dozens of squads at once, including Theresa's unit. This is for you. Follow my orders in the field. In emergencies, you may act on your own initiative."
"No problem."
Felix fitted the earpiece, then began adjusting his gear.
Before ever setting foot in Kazdel, he had prepared a full protective suit. From head to toe, no skin was exposed—his body encased in light armor, hood pulled low, a cloak draped across his back. He looked less like a mercenary and more like some futuristic soldier.
Two weapons rested at his back, pistols strapped to his thighs. Four drones, cloaked in stealth modules, hovered at his side, ever vigilant.
His guard detail was no less prepared. Degenbrecher wore matching armor, ensuring she too was shielded from Originium dust. Dawn and Nightfall, the siblings of the Lightbearer, donned custom combat suits—designed not only to unleash their full strength but also to block contamination.
When Theresa saw the four of them assembled, her eyes lit up. She circled Felix with undisguised curiosity. "Mr. Felix… this outfit, did you design it yourself?"
"Yes. I drew the schematics and had a tailor bring them to life."
As Theresa paced around him with interest, Felix added, "If Your Highness wishes, we could discuss this further. Say… Babel's standard combat uniforms."
"…Let's leave that for after the mission."
Theresa pressed her hands together with a bright smile.
In the fading dusk, Theresa's long pink hair fluttered in the wind. At that moment, Felix didn't see a princess burdened with the fate of her people—he saw an ordinary girl, curious about clothes, almost like a seamstress.
Well… calling her a girl might not be entirely accurate. Who could say what her true age was?
That was the tricky thing about the Sarkaz and the Sankta—you couldn't guess their age by appearance alone.
Take Felix himself: though he was only in his twenties, his body was already set. For the next hundred, even two hundred years, unless he chose to change it, he would look exactly the same.
So really… who knew how long this radiant young Sarkaz beauty before him had lived?
Theresa's escort for the mission was ACE, an old acquaintance of Felix's. Together with her, they formed the vanguard, tasked with reaching the B43 mountain range first.
Felix had assumed that a vanguard meant trucks or pickups. But ACE quickly made reality clear.
They would have to march there on foot. A forced march.
Felix was speechless. After all, in Babel, trucks and pickups were considered strategic assets—vehicles so scarce and valuable that they were only used in absolute emergencies. In Kazdel's wasteland, where there were no gas stations, no repair depots, every outing in such vehicles was one fewer they'd ever have. And if enemy forces managed to destroy them? Irreplaceable.
Right—those trucks he'd seen earlier belonged to the Frontier Zone, not Babel.
Despite her delicate appearance, Theresa was frighteningly strong. Degenbrecher had told him as much. Though Degenbrecher herself couldn't wield Originium Arts, she'd faced plenty of powerful casters and carried the scars of experience. According to her, Theresa was the strongest fighter here. ACE didn't need to protect her—if she wanted, she could carve through enemy lines alone without so much as a scratch.
Terrifying Sarkaz. No wonder people called them "demons." Who would guess that behind such a graceful, refined young woman lay that kind of power?
By October, snow had already begun to fall near the mountains. Felix raised his eyes: before them stretched a wall of white, endless and unforgiving. The weather was brutal.
"Sixty-eight hours until the hailstorm strikes. Theresa, stay sharp."
The Doctor's voice, neutral and machine-processed, came through the earpiece. "Proceed to coordinates B3. You should find the Sarkaz civilians trapped by heavy snow there."
"What about the Military Commission's mercenaries?"
"This is Ascalon. I've spotted them… —ah, one lookout down. There's a squad further back. Do you want me to engage?"
"No."
The Doctor's voice was calm, resolute. "Keep eyes on them, Ascalon. Report immediately if they make a move. That's an order."
"…Understood."
"According to the Pioneer's drones, there are two Commission squads near the civilians. ACE—take them out. Pioneer, your task is to protect Theresa."
ACE gave a short grunt of acknowledgment, raising his shield.
Felix tapped his earpiece. "So this is the Doctor's way of commanding?"
"Yeah. Sounds reliable enough, doesn't it?"
ACE shrugged lightly. "There will be sacrifices, but in the end, Babel always secures victory. That's enough."
He turned away. "Alright, I'm moving out. Wait for my good news."
ACE bumped fists with Felix before hurrying off with his squad.
"I'll be watching over you from here."
Theresa clasped Felix's hands with a conflicted smile. "Forgive me, for dragging you into this fight. If you'll allow it, I can help you fulfill your task."
"No need, Theresa."
Felix tightened his grip. "We all fight for our own reasons. What is Tomorrow Development's purpose, if not to find a way for the infected and the uninfected to coexist? To me, the Sarkaz infected are no different from any others."
Dawn and Nightfall straightened proudly at his words, as if to say that's why we follow him. Degenbrecher only chuckled to herself. She couldn't shake the feeling that Felix was always using his silver tongue around Theresa… Was he seriously trying to court her away?
"Sometimes we choose to fight. Sometimes we have no choice. But I count myself fortunate—because I have a reason worth fighting for."
Felix brushed her fingertips before gently letting go. "Stay behind me, Theresa. Wait for me to bring you victory."
"Then bring me victory, my warrior."
Theresa's lips curved into a soft, radiant smile.
"For you, my lady—I will fight."