The operator Zima, who had been guiding them, tactfully withdrew, leaving the space to His Highness and the Yeti Squad who had come from afar.
Felix did not allow the emotionally charged reunion to linger for long. In truth, he understood the turmoil in Yelena's heart. Talulah had sent them into Lungmen under the guise of a mission, but in reality it was little different from a death sentence. For the sake of her own dignity, Yelena could have turned away and left. Yet she still had the Yeti Squad. How could she abandon them and let them march toward death alone?
"Yelena, you finally came."
Felix took her ice-cold hand and, under the stunned and quietly gawking gazes of the Yeti Squad, gently pulled her into an embrace.
His strong arms wrapped around the snow-white rabbit, drawing from her a soft sigh that was hard to tell whether it was relief or contentment. He did not care that her coat was soaked through. He wanted to warm her with his own body, to give her a reason to linger in this world, to feel attachment, to feel love.
There was a line Dumbledore once spoke in Harry Potter that rang true: the power of love is immense. When you think of the one you love, boundless conviction and strength well up in your heart, driving you to charge forward for that love.
For Yelena, whose spirit had begun to grow weary, Felix intended to use love to reach her, to make her believe that this land still held infected people waiting for her help, people she could still save.
"…All right."
Yelena's pale face flushed faintly. She lightly tapped Felix's shoulder with her fist, and he smiled as he let her go.
A rosy hue spread across her delicate features. Her rabbit ears drooped slightly, and a gentle shimmer filled her beautiful eyes.
She quickly came back to her senses, realizing the Yeti Squad's looks had grown rather strange, and gave a small cough to clear the air.
Felix did not return to his golden chair. Instead, he leaned casually against the table, one leg hooked up. When dealing with the Yeti Squad, he had no intention of putting on airs. He never liked sitting stiffly in meetings like a statue anyway. If not for constant reminders from HR and certain Sarkaz about his status, he would have long abandoned such formalities.
Speaking like this felt more relaxed, and it drew people closer together.
Most of the Yeti Squad before him were familiar faces. Aside from a few new members, the rest were companions who had once carried out missions with him in the northern reaches of Ursus. His gaze swept over them.
"Where is Litsze?"
Yelena sighed softly. "Her condition suddenly worsened three months ago…"
"…I see."
Felix nodded, a trace of sorrow in his voice. Then he raised his tone again. "Let me formally introduce myself once more. I am Felix, leader of Tomorrow's Development. Your immediate priority is to change out of those soaked clothes. I'll have people conduct physical examinations and prepare the appropriate medication. Please cooperate."
"…."
Yelena looked straight into Felix's eyes. She had not even said she wanted to join Tomorrow's Development yet. This man really was something else.
After a moment's thought, Felix summoned Hellagur, who had been stationed at the medical camp, through his drone.
After the fall of Chernobog, Hellagur had been displaced. Tomorrow's Development players discovered his group and, hoping to lend a hand and earn some goodwill, offered assistance. Hellagur then traveled with them to Lungmen.
Because his entire group consisted of infected individuals, their arrival in Lungmen had nearly caused a panic. Felix personally stepped in, vouching with his authority that these infected would not cause trouble. He arranged for them to stay in the lower city, only then did the Lungmen Guard finally relax. Hellagur felt he owed Felix a great debt for this.
He had no intention of abandoning Azazel, and Felix did not force him to join Tomorrow's Development. Though Felix could protect them for a time, it would only be temporary. He did not wish to bind them or take away their freedom.
"Your Highness, you called for me."
Hellagur entered the room with an upright posture. Though he had not sworn allegiance to Felix, he addressed him the same way as Tomorrow's Development operators, out of personal respect.
And Felix was worthy of that respect. He was a man of righteousness.
"Mr. Hellagur, thank you. Are your field medics still on duty?" Felix shook his hand. "My medical operators are tied up examining the children and are a bit overwhelmed."
"Your Highness is too kind. Azazel is always willing to assist."
Hellagur was about to say more, but the sincerity in Felix's eyes stopped him. He smiled faintly, then turned to the Yeti Squad.
"Please, come with me."
Felix walked alongside the Yeti Squad as they proceeded deeper through the courtyard. The cries of children gradually faded, replaced by the heavy breathing of those at rest, punctuated now and then by low, pained groans.
"General… who are these people?"
The Azazel doctors had just finished treating a patient. Though exhausted, their eyes bloodshot, their spirits still seemed steady. When they saw Felix, smiles immediately appeared on their faces.
"Your Highness, you're here as well."
Hellagur stepped aside. Felix paused for a moment, then spoke as if nothing were amiss.
"Please examine them. They are brave warriors, fighters and righteous souls who have taken up arms for the infected."
"Understood."
The infected doctors replied cheerfully. They naturally split into male and female pairs, then gestured for the Yeti Squad members to enter the tents.
When the last of the Yeti Squad disappeared inside, Felix let out a quiet sigh.
"They are all very brave people."
"You could tell, General?"
"Please, don't tease me. Just call me by my name."
Hellagur smiled, then shifted his tone. "Their eyes are resolute. The conviction hidden within them, on a battlefield this chaotic, I have only seen it in Tomorrow's Development operators. Judging by their equipment, they should be warriors of Reunion."
"That's exactly why they're brave."
Hellagur gazed into the night beyond the canopy, listening to the soft patter of rain, exhaling a cloud of mist.
"As a warrior myself, I respect the choice they've made."
"Dad's saying strange things again."
A lively voice came from behind them. Hellagur sighed helplessly, then put on a stern face.
"Neon, it's late. You should be resting."
"You're not resting either, Dad."
It was Hellagur's adopted daughter, a Feline girl with short white hair. Despite the late hour, she was still wearing Azazel's combat uniform, a long sword at her waist that resembled Hellagur's own.
"Brother Felix!"
The moment she spotted him, Neon decisively threw herself into Felix's arms, rubbing her head against his chest. Felix simply smiled and gently patted her head.
He smiled. Hellagur sighed inwardly. Children really did grow up too fast. Neon had once been a quiet, gentle girl. As she grew older, she took after him, favoring blades and combat. Still, he had never forced her to stay behind the lines. If she liked who she was now, that was enough.
"General."
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"Tomorrow's Development's medical department is still short on personnel."
Felix spoke softly, his hand still resting on Neon's head. At some point, she had stopped moving and was now listening intently.
"Azazel's doctors are all field medics, rare talents. I believe they could bring fresh blood to our medical division."
Felix smiled. "At the same time, I am also in need of a senior who can guide me forward, someone who can teach me how to become a better version of myself."
"What do you think, General?"
Hellagur's lips trembled slightly. He laughed freely.
"At your age, Your Highness, I was still rolling around in military camps. Perhaps my only advantage now is experience."
"General, I've never seen you draw your sword."
"Heh. I stopped being a soldier long ago. I'm just a simple man."
Hellagur shook his head with a self-mocking smile.
"But you will draw your sword."
Felix said firmly. "You would draw it for Neon. You would draw it for Azazel. You would draw it for this unjust world."
Hellagur stroked his beard. A gentle smile appeared on his stern face.
"You're right, Your Highness."
"Your Highness…"
He raised his hand in a formal military salute to Felix.
"Please allow me to serve as your right and left hand. After witnessing your actions and conduct, I feel ashamed of my former judgment. Someone like me, unable to sever ties with the past and with no tomorrow of my own, will fight for you and for Tomorrow's Development until the very last drop of blood is shed."
"You're mistaken, General."
Felix gently patted Neon on the shoulder. Obedient and perceptive, she stepped out of his embrace, though a trace of reluctance still showed on her face.
He stepped in front of Hellagur and lightly lifted him from his bow.
"General, I have never believed in some vague, distant future. What I value is only the present, only every step we take with our feet firmly on the ground. I dare not indulge in grand visions, because I know there are too many things waiting to be done."
"Your past is yours, General. But your tomorrow… leave that to me."
Felix spoke softly.
"Azazel will become a part of Tomorrow's Development, inseparable from this day forward. I will lead Tomorrow's Development steadily onward, until tomorrow's goals become yesterday's results. General, your tomorrow is no longer far away."
"Your Highness… you truly are eloquent."
Hellagur gave a bitter smile and bowed deeply once more. This time, Felix did not stop him. Neon also watched quietly from the side.
"General, there will be many things I hope to seek your counsel on in the future."
Felix smiled.
"But for now, the urgent matter remains the surge in infected. The innocent infected from Chernobog were already numerous, and now there are just as many from Kursk. The LGD has entrusted this area to us, yet with the rising numbers, they cannot determine whether Reunion spies are hidden among them."
"From a long-term perspective, the battle for Lungmen will continue for quite some time."
Hellagur thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Your Highness raises a valid concern. I've heard that Reunion's strongest force, their leader Talulah, is currently stationed in Kursk. Instead of attacking Lungmen herself, she sends her infected subordinates in waves, like moths flying into a flame. It is nothing short of squandering her own forces."
"I do not believe this is the behavior of a competent commander."
Resting his chin on his hand, Hellagur continued thoughtfully.
"What exactly is Reunion's objective? Do they truly intend to capture Lungmen? From Reunion's perspective, attacking Lungmen head-on is a reckless act."
"Maybe Talulah has gone mad?"
Neon interjected casually.
Hellagur could neither laugh nor cry.
"Reunion's actions are indeed madness."
Neon tugged lightly at Felix's sleeve and leaned close to whisper into his ear.
"Brother Felix, I want to join Siege's action unit."
Unbeknownst to her, Hellagur heard every word, and an expression of helplessness crossed his face.
"Alright. I'll speak to Siege for you, but there will be no favoritism in the assessment."
"Hehe, thank you, Brother Felix!"
Neon boldly kissed Felix on the cheek, then hugged her sword and skipped away.
Hellagur watched her go with a warm gaze and smiled faintly.
"A child growing up and spreading their wings is a sight worth admiring."
The two continued talking quietly. The Yeti Squad's medical examinations soon concluded. Two members were diagnosed with moderate Oripathy. If they continued fighting, their condition would likely worsen. The doctors recommended medication and observation to stabilize their condition, but advised against returning to the battlefield.
The Yeti Squad fell silent. Felix said nothing. After exchanging a glance with Hellagur, he led them back to the conference room.
"The Yeti Squad has worked hard."
Felix spoke calmly.
"We are old acquaintances, so I won't bother with polite words. I'll speak plainly. Your fighting ends here. As members of Reunion, you've reached a dead end. In Lungmen today, the only way for infected to obtain a legitimate status is by joining Tomorrow's Development."
"I don't want to see you throw your lives away for Reunion. Since you came to us of your own accord, I won't let you leave."
"Every one of you is a respectable infected warrior. Fighting for Reunion without ever seeing results is something I refuse to watch."
"For that reason, I extend this invitation."
"As members of the Yeti Squad, join Tomorrow's Development."
Felix extended his hand.
"Fight for a tomorrow shared by the infected and the uninfected."
"I'll join."
Big Bear answered without hesitation. When the others looked at him in surprise, he explained,
"The Pioneer saved my life before. And frankly, I can't stand what Reunion has become."
A reason very much like Big Bear.
Greg and Petrova spoke up at the same time.
"I'll join as well."
"The Pioneer is more trustworthy. Tomorrow's Development is the organization I want to be part of," Petrova added.
The remaining members of the Yeti Squad voiced their agreement one after another.
In the end, only Yelena remained silent.
She stood before Felix, her eyes meeting his smiling gaze. She knew he was waiting for her to say those words.
Yet now, standing before him, seeing the gentle smile he gave the Yeti Squad, seeing the undisguised care in his eyes when he looked at her, Yelena smiled. Tears shimmered within that smile.
"From now on, I am at your side. Felix, I... would like to join Tomorrow's Development."