Arknights' Lock of Heaven

Of course, they weren't doing it for any noble reason; they simply knew that in this situation of lacking military force, they absolutely couldn't force a large number of infected people to the other side.

After all, as Leitanians, they still know the most basic Originium Arts. If all the infected turned into thugs, it would be a catastrophe for Wolumond.

That was precisely Severin's purpose.

It seems that he judged himself and Anto to be the same kind of people through his contact with them, believing that a gentleman can be deceived by his principles.

If I were a nice guy like Anto, I would at least show some kind of attitude in this situation, right?

Putting everything else aside, just look at the medicine he talks about as a lifeline, shouldn't you offer him some support?

After all, they said that the infected people were behaving themselves entirely because of the medication that Anto had promised.

It seems that the lifeless Severin in the original story was really devastated by his son's death. Look at the methods he uses now, tsk tsk.

However, it seems that Wolumond didn't expect Rhodes Island to provide the medicine for free...

Of course, his thinking is quite normal. He probably didn't expect to get many inhibitors from himself, even a hundred or so would be fine, as long as it gives the infected people some hope.

But Rhodes Island provided 1,500 complete sets of medicine, filling 1,500 medical kits.

Seriously, it's being given away for free!

What could Xia Yu say? As long as Kal'tsit was happy.

Anyway, she raised the funds herself.

102. Is Anto leaving?

“Mr. Severin, I know what you’re trying to say, but I’m just an advisor.”

Xia Yu looked at Severin, her smile fading slightly. "As an advisor, I don't have the power of a field agent, so the escort of medicines is not under my jurisdiction."

"We at Rhodes Island are deeply sympathetic to what we have learned of Wolumonde's plight, and some medicines for disaster relief are already being prepared."

"Soon, specialized personnel will escort the shipment."

"My original mission for this trip did not include Wolumond, but Minister Kal'tsit was really worried about her disciple and asked me to come and check on him, and..."

Upon hearing this, Severin fell silent.

Indeed, it's impossible for a good person like Dr. Anto to be found everywhere.

The so-called drugs that this consultant is talking about being formulated... probably don't exist; it's just an empty promise.

Who would do such a losing business?

In all my years of life, I've never seen anyone like that.

Even if Rhodes Island really wanted to come to the rescue, given the current distance, by the time they arrived, it would be too late.

Whether Wolumonde can survive for two months is still unknown.

Severin's face was full of bitterness.

Because he sensed the unfinished meaning in Xia Yu's words.

I'm not here to help you. I just asked Anto's teacher to come and check on her because she was worried about her.

How could it be just for looking?

How could an organization capable of producing Dr. Anto not see the predicament Wolumond is facing?

And... perhaps they intend to take Dr. Anto away.

Indeed, who could remain indifferent to the safety of a doctor they have trained for many years and who has extensive experience? How could Rhodes Island allow Dr. Anto to remain in such a dangerous place?

Just then, a Leitanian dressed as a merchant behind him suddenly spoke up and asked, "Sir, what if we pay for it?"

"Could your company procure a batch of drugs for Wolumond within Letania?"

They had given up hope of receiving free aid from Rhodes Island, but at least they could try to buy it with money. What if Rhodes Island just didn't want to give it away for free and wanted to test their luck?

It's best to be able to buy it with money.

The businessman sighed, thinking back to how naive he had been to believe a company would do something so selfless.

It's because of Dr. Anto, isn't it?

Her previous behavior was so selfless that it distorted everyone's judgment, making them think that her company would be just as selfless as she was.

But it's a company, not a charity.

No, even charities need to make a profit these days...

Regardless of the situation, we need to have a batch of drugs to stabilize the infected people. Even if Dr. Anto is gone, at least with the drugs, the infected people won't cause too much trouble.

Not too many are needed, a few hundred will suffice. In the hands of a businessman, a few hundred can create the momentum of thousands or tens of thousands. Although it won't last long, it's good to hold on for as long as possible.

The rugged mountain roads might not be able to transport much grain, but they could easily carry a few hundred doses of medicine.

If we grit our teeth and pool our money, we can still buy it.

Ultimately, the people who are still in Wolumonde are not people with powerful backgrounds. Their business roots are all in this city. Even if they want to run away, all their businesses are here, all of them are real estate. Where else can they run to?

Those decisive people had already run away; what remained were merchants who couldn't bear to part with their assets and ordinary people who couldn't escape at all.

“This isn’t about money,” Xia Yu shook her head. “Rhodes Island doesn’t have much business in Letania to begin with, so even if you all say that… we can’t mobilize many resources.”

"Dozens of drugs won't change anything."

Upon hearing this, the merchant slumped back into his seat.

Without support, Wolumonde won't last long.

Food supplies are running low, and if things continue like this, rations will inevitably have to be reduced, but the food rations for the infected cannot be reduced any further.

If we reduce it any further, it will kill people.

If a batch of drugs arrives, letting everyone know that the outside world hasn't given up on Wolumond, it should be able to hold on for a little longer.

But everyone knows that's unrealistic.

“We all know what Wolumonde is facing right now,” Xia Yu said, turning to Anto as the atmosphere in the meeting room suddenly froze. “You should also know why I’m here, right?”

Upon hearing this, Severin and the others all looked in Anto's direction.

How could we not know? Everyone here is smart; how could we not understand?

"It's a pity, but in my opinion, Wolumonde won't last much longer, so..."

"I do not go!"

Anto looked out the window. "No matter what you say, I will not leave."

“Now is not the time to be willful, Dr. Anto. Your teacher is very worried about you,” Xia Yu said helplessly, watching her back. “You know that even if you stay, it won’t change anything.”

“But I’m a doctor,” Anto said, turning and walking out of the meeting room. “My patients are still waiting for me.”

"By the way, Commander Severin, you really can't 'smoke' anymore. Your body can't take it anymore. Come see me when you have time, and I'll take a good look at you."

After saying that, he left the conference room with a very nonchalant air.

“Well then,” Xia Yu sighed as she read this, “I will probably stay here for another three days. I feel very sorry for what has happened to this city.”

"I'm sorry, I can't be of much help with this, so I can only wish you all the best."

After saying that, he hurriedly took Eyjafjalla and chased after Anto in the direction he had left.

“Gentlemen,” Severin ignored Anto’s medical advice and lit another cigarette, “we have to rely on ourselves now.”

-

"I've wanted to say this for a long time!"

After leaving the street outside the city hall and arriving at a secluded spot, Anto's eyes shone brightly, and her tail wagged incessantly, making one wonder if she was a cat or a dog.

"I can't abandon my patients! That line is so cool!"

"Could we add a line—'If I were a soldier, this would be my battlefield'?" Xia Yu couldn't help but tease her, seeing her excited expression.

“I cannot abandon my scalpel and flee the ward,” Eyjafjalla said, straightening her back. “Just as a farmer will not abandon his hoe, a knight will not abandon his sword!”

"Great! Great!" Anto's eyes lit up, then he realized it was too late. "Why didn't you remind me before we left?"

“Actually, your performance was already quite good,” Xia Yu smiled. “These lines are cool, but they’re fine for a stage play. They just sound a little strange when you actually say them.”

"And haven't we already achieved our goal?"

"Just convey the message that you may leave with us within the next two days. We must force them to act immediately; we don't have much time to waste with them."

"They don't need much acting skill, because the issue of survival is constantly weighing on their heads, and not everyone has the rationality to carefully discern things at this time."

“Speaking of which, was Miss Lion Scorpion sent to keep an eye on them?” Anto exclaimed. “She’s really reliable.”

“Of course,” Xia Yu gave a thumbs up, “The Lion Scorpion is super reliable!”

The purpose of my visit today is simply to let others know that Anto might leave in the next couple of days, so that Thor and Biederman can take action as soon as possible.

As for the city hall officials, after they caught the two perpetrators on the spot and showed them the grain in their hands, they didn't say much.

It's fortunate that Rhodes Island didn't pursue the matter further, considering that Anto came with good intentions to help them, only to be treated this way.

Ha ha.

“By the way, Anto,” Xia Yu started the car and said to Anto in the back seat, “could you introduce me to the Reunion Movement members?”