Arknights' Lock of Heaven

"..."

“Lion Scorpion is one of my most capable lieutenants,” an unnamed female figure complained to the former in Kal'tsit’s office, “Guide… Kal'tsit, don’t you think this kind of mission is a bit… a waste of talent?”

“I don’t think so,” Kal’tsit said, her expression remaining calm and composed. “You know how important Xia Yu is to Rhodes Island, and Dr. Adele, whom they are going to pick up, has also made remarkable achievements in the field of Originium research.”

“I know, I know,” the unnamed woman waved her hand, “I’m happy that there’s finally hope for Amiya’s condition, and I don’t have any problem with him…”

"But my poor little cabbage, will she still recognize me as her big sister after this mission?"

“Then it depends on how well you do your job,” Kal'tsit said, unmoved.

"If he's really that important, why just release him like that? And to such a faraway place like Letania?"

“Xia Yu is an employee of Rhodes Island, and only an employee,” Kal'tsit paused, looking up at the complaining woman. “We have no right to restrict his personal freedom, Ascalon.”

She silently added to herself, "I don't have that ability either."

“You know I’m not talking about that,” Ascalon frowned as he heard this. “While I don’t entirely agree, I’ve always respected your ideas.”

"I'm asking if one Lion Scorpion is enough? That kid is quite strong, but he's still too naive. As for Xia Yu, I won't object if he wants to go out, but at least send a few experienced elite operators and their squads to accompany him, right?"

"If his abilities were to be leaked, you know what the consequences would be!"

“You should know how Ace and his group withdrew from Chernobog during the sudden riots of the Reunion Movement,” Kal'tsit shook her head. “Are you worried about him?”

"Yes, I know!" Ascalon slammed her hand on the table in annoyance. "I know everything. I have backups of all of Rhodes Island's combat reports, but that's not what I'm talking about!"

"It's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. He may be very powerful, but do you think he can handle the malice coming from all sides on his own?"

"Many problems in this world cannot be solved by killing everyone!"

"Putting everything else aside, his face alone could attract a whole bunch of hyenas! And you've let him carry thousands of doses of inhibitors! If even a tiny bit of information leaks out..."

“Nothing will happen,” Kal'tsit interrupted Ascalon’s long-winded speech. “I promise!”

"A guarantee?" Ascalon scoffed. "That guy also guaranteed me back then that His Highness would absolutely be safe..."

"If it weren't for the fact that she was on the verge of death after that accident, I would have hanged her on the bridge long ago."

"Now that you've come back, you're saying you have amnesia... Kal'tsit, I don't understand those medical things, but I know how to get people to talk!"

"..."

"Based on the results of various examinations, she has indeed lost her memory."

“Listen to this, Kal’tsit,” Ascalon shook her head, “you hesitated, didn’t you?”

"You suspect her too, don't you?"

"..."

“At least, we have no evidence,” Kal'tsit turned her head away. “We can’t convict someone based on mere suspicion.”

“I know, I understand! I have always kept Your Highness’s teachings in mind,” Ascalon sighed, “which is why she hasn’t appeared in the interrogation room yet.”

"But I really don't want to see her. She always reminds me of that day..."

"Shouldn't it have been foolproof?"

“Weren’t we discussing Xia Yu?” Kal’tsit took a deep breath. “We’ve gotten a bit off-topic.”

-

“Ah, Miss Frostnova,” Amiya’s eyes sparkled, “have you come to visit me?”

"Hmm," Frostnova said, feeling a little uncomfortable with Amiya's enthusiasm. She turned her head and reached out to place the ice flower she had made with her Originium Arts into the vase beside Amiya's bedside.

She couldn't possibly visit a patient empty-handed, but she was unfamiliar with Rhodes Island, and the only person she knew was Amiya, who was coming to visit. So she didn't know where to buy fruit and flowers, and could only make one on the spot using Originium Arts.

"How beautiful!" Amiya said happily, looking at the ice flower that stood out among the colorful blooming flowers in the vase. "Thank you, I love it."

"I'm glad you like it," Frostnova said with a sigh of relief. "I really couldn't find anywhere in Rhodes Island where I could buy flowers."

"Lena's sanatorium grows flowers. Just go to her if you need any. There are many patients on Rhodes Island, so they provide flowers for visiting patients."

"I see," Frostnova nodded unconsciously as she looked at Amiya's excited expression.

Is it a sanatorium? I'll ask next time.

"Amiya."

Frostnova suddenly called out to Amiya, who was enthusiastically introducing Rhodes Island's various facilities to her.

"Feel sorry."

"Uh, why should I apologize?" Amiya froze, stunned. "Miss Frostnova..."

"I'm so sorry, because of my stubbornness, you got so badly injured," Frostnova said, lowering her head.

"Because of my incompetence, you have been burdened with responsibilities that are not yours... Go and duel Talulah..."

She had already heard Patriot recount the battle; the evil soul that had entrenched Ursus within Talulah for thousands of years was the root of all evil.

Although Talulah cannot escape blame either.

And she placed all her hopes on this fourteen-year-old girl.

That's how it is... irresponsible.

"Sorry..."

“You don’t need to apologize,” Amiya said, sitting up from the hospital bed and hugging Frostnova.

"Even without Frostnova's entrustment, I was destined to stand before Talulah."

"There's no burden at all. Rather, it's you, Frostnova, who gave me strength and strengthened my resolve."

Even though we are going in different directions, we are still on the same path.

"You don't need to apologize, it's all my destiny."

Amiya offered this comforting remark.

"It's all something I should bear."

-

It must be said that Ascaron's judgment was remarkably astute.

Xia Yu was immediately targeted upon arriving at the first settlement...

The reason is his face.

In the wilderness, a pretty face is a cardinal sin.

In such a lawless place, it's only natural that someone with such a stunningly beautiful face would be targeted.

Most importantly, he didn't look intimidating at all, and because he was taking it easy, he kept all his things in the King's Treasury, so he didn't carry any weapons.

Although it's described as traversing the wilderness, Letania isn't actually that far from where Lungmen is located; it's just not as exaggerated as crossing half a continent.

Xia Yu and Lion Scorpion are currently at a small supply depot between the territories of Ursus and Kazdel. They will continue to pass through the border between Ursus and Syracuse before heading towards Letania.

This place, though called a supply station, is actually a small land-based vessel, specifically designed to provide a rest and resupply area for merchant caravans traveling along this waterway.

Ursus and Kazdel...

Honestly, the local customs in these two places are not even enough to describe them.

The nobles and officials in Ursus were notorious for their tyranny and extortion. Unless it was a caravan specifically heading to Ursus, no one would ever pass through Ursus.

And Kazdel... they don't even have a unified government; Regent Therese, who won the civil war, is still in exile in Victoria...

Well, if the officials and nobles of Ursus want your money, then the bandits of Kazdel want your life!

At least the nobles and officials knew what sustainable exploitation meant and wouldn't wipe out the caravans, otherwise no one would come to deliver extra income to them in the future. But do you expect the Sarkaz, who are still in the nomadic era, to understand this principle?

If someone really had that kind of brains, why would they become a bandit? Wouldn't it be better to become an advisor to one of those princes and nobles?

So the caravans got smarter and started traveling along the border between the two countries. When the Sarkaz bandits came, they would simply hide in Ursus territory. If they were caught by the Ursus people, they would just pay a fine. For the sake of money, the Ursus people generally wouldn't make things too difficult for the caravans.

After the Sarkaz bandits retreated, they returned to the border and advanced again.

As for why we don't always travel through Ursus?

There are just too many corrupt officials. They hand over money here and money there, and even a fortune can't withstand it.

The landship beneath your feet makes money from these trade routes. These supply points usually have some kind of backing, typically the Ursus army, and occasionally some nobles from Kazdel.

Once we get to Syracuse, things will be much better. At least the gangsters will have paid their protection money and won't bother the caravan anymore.

Of course, the above applies only to small and medium-sized caravans; large companies such as Rheinmetall or Raytheon Industries are exceptions.

These large companies are both rich and powerful, and the Sarkaz bandits dare not provoke them.

Even robbers need to learn to read the situation and adapt their tactics accordingly.

For example, they are sending people to test the waters right now.

"Hey little girl, where are you from?" A punk-haired, wasteland-spirited young man whistled at Xia Yu. "Want to come have some fun with me..."

There were many people around watching the spectacle with smiles on their faces, and even more eyes were watching from the shadows.

I just came up here to rest for a bit...

Before Xia Yu could even raise her hand, she saw the lion scorpion appear out of thin air from behind the guy and then swiftly stab him in the kidney area.

Then, after the punk thug collapsed in agony, he vanished into thin air again, expressionless.