Arknights: I became an NPC in the online game

Originally, Felix had planned to let Loughshinny chart her own path. But now, it was clear—she didn't know what direction to take. Leaving the decision to him, in a way, was also a form of trust.

If someone else were in his position—someone more ambitious—they might have treated Loughshinny like a political asset, much like Earl Warwick would. But Felix never had that kind of ambition. He had no designs on using her to infiltrate Victoria or meddle in its future.

Ambition grows with strength. Since Felix wasn't strong, his ambitions stayed modest. Even as a former player, he'd never seriously entertained fantasies of unifying Terra.

Still, Loughshinny trusted him. And if she was going to one day become a leader—maybe even the ruler of a country—then he might as well start preparing her. In addition to martial training, she needed to learn how to manage internal affairs, handle pressure, and make difficult decisions.

If the Emperor was going to sit on the board of directors as part of the executive team, then Loughshinny's path would start from the middle. She wasn't going to jump to the top just because of her background. No—she needed to begin at the grassroots, learn the ropes, and prove herself. Just like in real companies where relatives start in low-level positions before climbing the ladder.

She had to get familiar with daily operations, political systems, legal processes—everything. Later, when the time came, she'd step naturally into a senior role.

Felix shared all this with her. He explained why he wasn't giving her a high-ranking post from the start—it was for her own development.

"I understand, Teacher… you want to train me."

Loughshinny nodded gently. Her voice was calm, sincere.

"I'll work hard. I hope you'll keep guiding me, Teacher."

Whether she'd return to Victoria someday to reunite—or clash—with her sister Eblana was uncertain. But at this moment, Loughshinny felt at peace. Her future path had been laid out. It was one she truly wanted to walk.

"You can go out now," Felix told her. "I've prepared an identity for you. A fake one, of course. Your name remains Loughshinny, but your race is listed as Vouivre. According to the background story, you used to be a little-known model from Wrankwood who came to Trimount to study in peace."

"...A model?"

"The Maylander Foundation added that detail to flesh out your cover. They even prepared old modeling photos—post-processed to look authentic."

Loughshinny simply nodded. "I understand. Thank you, Teacher."

She'd been in Trimount for quite a while but hadn't had a chance to explore the city. When Felix had free time, he took her around—showing her landmarks, places to eat, where to shop, and which buildings to seek out in an emergency. She was an adult, after all—not a child like Rafaela who needed constant attention.

That afternoon, as they strolled the streets, Felix bought two cold drinks and handed one to her. Loughshinny accepted it with a soft "thank you."

"Teacher... do you like Columbia?"

Felix paused for a moment, thinking.

"Whether I like it or not doesn't matter much," he replied. "To me, Columbia and Victoria are pretty much the same."

"Victoria's aristocracy is corrupt and decaying. Their industry may be advanced, but there's never enough to go around. Isn't the same true of Columbia's scientific community?" Felix spoke quietly. "Two sides of the same coin. Columbia's labs are full of bureaucrats clinging to outdated titles and credentials, boasting about their past rather than building the future… Tell me, doesn't that sound exactly like Victoria's nobility?"

"Loughshinny, when you look at something, don't stop at the surface. And don't evaluate right and wrong from a fixed position."

Their conversation drifted on, light and steady. Felix did most of the talking. He avoided heavy topics, keeping things casual—simple truths wrapped in stories. Having lived through another world as a player, he had seen enough, played enough, learned enough to speak with a clarity that felt grounded. For Loughshinny, who lacked this kind of worldly experience, it was a rare opportunity to listen and absorb.

As they walked, Felix glanced through a barbershop window. Inside, Susie was snipping away at a customer's hair, laughing and chatting like any happy professional. He didn't interrupt—just smiled and turned to Loughshinny.

"I'll fill you in on more company matters later. But for now, in my current plan, you'll be overseeing security, recruitment, and personal protection. It'll be a good way to develop your management and strategy skills."

Loughshinny straightened slightly. A faint but sincere smile crossed her composed face.

"Please guide me well… Teacher Felix."

After parting ways with her, Felix returned home—only to find Degenbrecher and Carnelian both unexpectedly lounging around. It was strange not to see them off sparring with Saria.

Mandragora was still out delivering messages under the punishing sun. Senomi was mid-training in the empty room. Susie was working at her barbershop. And Rafaela? She was tucked behind the bar counter, quietly wiping down glasses like an earnest little bartender.

Felix approached, amused.

"Ella, are you mixing drinks now?"

"Mm… Dad used to. I wanted to make drinks for you too, Brother."

Felix crouched down, gently tapped Rafaela's nose, and chuckled. He thought of Old Pugh—of everything that name meant. A quiet sigh slipped out, but a smile followed.

"Alright, deal. But if you want to mix drinks, you have to graduate first."

"Okay~" Rafaela nodded obediently.

What you learn in school will shape how you see the world. Just like learning to fight gives you the strength to protect yourself, knowledge builds a different kind of strength. It sharpens your eyes. Broadens your world. That's how Felix had come this far—learning from experience, clashing with the old guard of academia, surviving sharp-tongued nobles and shrewd politicians. Nothing could faze him now.

After giving Rafaela a playful rub on the head, she giggled, face slightly flushed, then scampered off to finish her homework.

Felix sank into the couch, crossed his legs, and took a quiet sip of tea.

"You're back early. What happened?" Carnelian was lounging in front of the sofa, casually polishing her Sword Arts Unit. She looked up with a smirk. "Hmm… judging by your face, is it good news or bad?"

"This face," Degenbrecher said, arms folded, "is the look of someone who's made a decision."

These two were, without a doubt, experts at reading people.

"I'm ready," Felix said. "It's time to build my organization."

"Finally..." Degenbrecher gave a soft chuckle. Her golden eyes turned toward him. "I figured this day would come from the moment I joined you."

That had been Felix's pitch from the beginning—he wanted to build something on this land, but couldn't do it alone. Now, it was no longer just talk. He had the people, and the foundation was finally taking shape.

The headquarters would be established in Lungmen. That choice came after long discussions with the Emperor. While Trimount and Columbia were technologically advanced, they lacked the dense, permanent population needed to fuel long-term operations. Lungmen, on the other hand, was a thriving mobile city of over 80 million residents, many of whom were mobile merchants. For departments like logistics and security, there was no better place to start.

Of course, that didn't mean abandoning Trimount. On the contrary—Felix planned to establish a branch office there, focused on research, science, and exploration. Eventually, Snowsant, Feist, and the others would be stationed there—and receive double salaries, no less.

As for roles, Felix had already mapped them out in his mind. Degenbrecher would be a senior instructor-type figure in upper management, overseeing operations and mentoring new recruits. Carnelian, with her natural energy and restlessness, could manage internal affairs—or take a team into the field if she preferred. Either way, she'd be doing what she did best.

He hadn't decided where he would be based yet. Relocating to Lungmen meant dealing with the inevitable politics and red tape—especially the headache of facing Wei Yanwu. Frankly, Felix preferred dealing with greedy nobles and bold warlords over seasoned politicians. At least you knew where they stood.

While the three of them talked, Senomi quietly emerged from her room, having finished her homework. She came into the living room and began pouring tea for the group.

Felix gave her a gentle pat on the head. "I'm leaving the secretary work to you."

"I'll take care of it, Master." Senomi beamed. She'd been studying hard just to be useful to him.

Degenbrecher and Carnelian exchanged glances. Degenbrecher sipped her tea and said, "If we're setting up company in Yan, we'll need to start purchasing property and facilities there. Leave that to me."

Carnelian nodded thoughtfully. "I'll handle internal logistics. I'll draft a list of materials and coordinate with Degenbrecher to get everything in place."

Degenbrecher looked over and smiled. "Appreciate it."

Carnelian gave a small wave. "Don't mention it."

Having subordinates like these—competent, loyal, and proactive—was a rare thing. If not for them, Felix would be buried in work and headaches. He couldn't do this alone. Thankfully, he didn't have to.

If the company's headquarters was to be set in Lungmen, then Felix would eventually need to visit in person. But looking at his schedule now, it clearly wasn't happening this year. His next destination was Ursus, followed by Laterano. He didn't have the spare time for Yan Country yet. Better to push that to next year—1091. Conveniently, that would also mark the end of Version 1.0. Ideally, the company should be formally established before the servers reset, to capture some attention from the player base.

In addition to setting up the Lungmen headquarters, Felix had another stop in mind—Rim Billiton. He wasn't familiar with the local plotlines or characters, but he did know one thing: Rhodes Island's landship was originally unearthed from that region. As a major mining and industrial hub, Rim Billiton had a mature vehicle development ecosystem.

Felix wanted to buy a landship. If that wasn't possible, he'd settle for a blueprint and build it himself.

Because let's be honest—owning a mobile base changes everything. Travel, deployment, mission support… it was on a whole other level. He'd have to bring this up with the Emperor soon.

With Degenbrecher and Carnelian off collecting data on corporate registration and real estate in Yan Country, Felix focused on refining the company's internal structure. At the same time, he resumed production of gear for the Ursus-region players. This batch included protective gear enhanced with cold-resistance buffs—essential for surviving the region's brutal snowfields. Even the naturally hardy Ursus race wasn't immune to long-term exposure debuffs.

He also started crafting battleaxes, dual axes, and crossbows. The latter was standard fare by now, but the battleaxes—heavy, brutal two-handers—were favorites among Ursus-roleplaying Russian and other players who loved a good brawl.

This trip would take him deep into northern Ursus, where the dangers weren't just environmental. As an NPC, Felix could roam freely. On top of that, Being Sankta allows him to freely enter Laterano's holy city. While he could cast Originium Arts without a staff, he lacked formal standing, which posed its own risks.

Protective gear and gloves were a must. He also prepped specialized equipment for Carnelian. As a Caprinae, her natural defense was high, but she wasn't immune to Originium exposure. Since she'd be accompanying him on this expedition, her safety fell squarely on Felix's shoulders.

Three days later, he received a message from the Emperor. The meeting address pointed to a high-end business club.

After confirming the Emperor's name at the front desk, Felix made his way down a long corridor and stepped into the VIP lounge.

The first thing he saw: the Emperor slouched on a couch, sipping champagne with an annoyed expression.

The second thing: a duck.

A duck… in a suit. Sitting at the head of the table.

Felix blinked. Had he walked through the wrong door?

He rubbed his eyes, but the sight didn't change. The figure seated at the head really was a duck—dressed in a finely tailored suit and tie, topped with a small black hat. He looked like a shrewd, sharp-eyed businessman from a turn-of-the-century boardroom sketch.

"Young man," said the duck, tipping his hat slightly, "I hear you're looking for a reliable investor."

His voice was deep, measured. Professional.

"I have a meeting in thirty minutes. That gives you twenty to convince me why I should put my money into your company."

The duck leaned forward, folding his feathered wings behind his back like a practiced tycoon.

"You may call me… Duck Lord," he said. "Now show me what you've got, young man."