Arknights' Lock of Heaven

Sarkaz, the demon race, isn't she the same?

Wherever she went, how many people were willing to sell her a piece of bread?

On this continent, how many people don't avoid the Sarkaz when they see them?

For a time, the two people felt a sense of kinship because of their similar past, and even the distance between them shortened a little.

"So, what exactly do you want to say to me?"

132 I vowed to change all of this.

No amount of inflammatory rhetoric can compare to the undeniable evidence before our eyes.

Looking at the busy doctors around the hospital beds and his comrades lying in the same hospital bed, looking a little helpless, and thinking about the treatment he had received at Rhodes Island over the past few days, Mudrock finally felt relieved.

Perhaps, I really have led them to the place they've always dreamed of.

Recalling that night at the settlement, Mudrock couldn't help but blush.

"I'm very scared."

When facing his future boss, Niyan frankly expressed his concerns.

"What are you afraid of?" Xia Yu leaned against the mast, as if she saw through everything. "Afraid that the so-called treatment I promised is just empty words?"

"Afraid of being used by someone with ulterior motives again? Afraid of letting down your comrades?"

"..."

“I think so,” Niyan lowered his head and said softly, “Although I’ve been comforting them the whole way, actually… I was just putting on a brave face.”

"Rhodes Island's treatment is so generous that even we mercenaries who treat death as a daily occurrence find it hard to believe."

"Or rather, I can't believe it."

"Shouldn't we demons be universally hated? When did we get such generous treatment?"

Simply put, Xia Yu treated them so well that it felt unreal, so they were somewhat incredulous.

Even Ni Yan herself felt very apprehensive, not because she was cowardly, but because she carried the future of more than twenty comrades on her shoulders.

This is a responsibility.

But is such treatment really that generous?

These veterans, familiar with the wars of Terra, who survived the brutal civil war of Kazdel and immediately threw themselves into the next war, and who were able to remain clear-headed and think for themselves even in the midst of fervor, are definitely a great asset in this era.

And what about the treatment I promised them?

Security personnel, and stable treatment for Ore-related diseases.

No more fighting against the Ursus regulars, no more facing the terrifying sorcerers of Letania, no more ruthless bandits.

At most, they can only deal with gangsters and thugs.

Xia Yu felt that this treatment was a bit too low.

To be honest, if Rhodes Island wants to turn back into the Tower of Babel, these veterans are the backbone of rebuilding the army.

They are not like those Sarkaz mercenaries who only know how to burn, kill, and plunder.

Rhodes Island could easily take in more than two hundred, let alone twenty or more, if they were willing to grit their teeth.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the Doctor advised Xia Yu against letting these veterans join his team. It's because Rhodes Island also needs to ensure the purity of Xia Yu's team, since this is a top-secret matter.

On the other hand, it's too wasteful. With Xia Yu's unparalleled combat power, what's the point of having these veterans? To clean up the battlefield? Isn't that a huge waste of talent?

These clear-headed Sarkaz veterans should be exposed to and learn about the ideas of the Tower of Babel. Whenever needed, they can be deployed as political commissars.

For other factions, Sarkaz mercenaries are just dirty tricks, not worth paying much attention to.

But it's different for Rhodes Island. Don't forget, what was the foundation of Rhodes Island's predecessor, Babel Tower?

But Mudstone was clearly unaware of this, which is why he had this idea.

Of course, Xia Yu couldn't tell her all this now, since the Babel Tower organization always held a slightly different meaning for the Sarkaz.

Moreover, Xia Yu herself didn't quite understand the concept of the Tower of Babel.

It's better to let them experience it on their own.

"So you all feel that what I promised was just a dazzling bubble? With each step closer to Rhodes Island, you grow more and more apprehensive? Afraid that this bubble will burst?"

Mudrock nodded silently and curled up on the broad mast.

It was only at this moment that one could discover that this girl, who usually wrapped herself in heavy armor, was actually so petite.

Despite her petite stature, she has come a long way with those who trust her, struggling to survive in this world.

The closer they get to their ideal life, the more uneasy they become.

Xia Yu was also helpless; words were simply too inadequate for these mercenaries.

No matter how eloquently you speak, it will be of no use.

Only when they truly see, touch, and feel it with their own eyes will they feel truly at ease.

"Let's look at it from a different perspective," Xia Yu thought for a moment, then comforted them, "I'm the one who invited you to Rhodes Island."

"You've seen my abilities, and you're all aware of your own strength."

Xia Yu's face was full of sincerity, "If it's about forming a mercenary force, why would I need to find old, weak, sick, and disabled people like you? I could just find any force in Kazdel, right?"

"Besides, I wouldn't want anything from you. With how you've fared in Letania, what could I possibly want from you?"

Upon hearing this, Niyan blushed slightly, as if something had occurred to him, and quickly lowered his head.

"There's no need for you to know, so I offered such a high price purely because I admire all of you. Can you accept that now?"

"..."

No matter how much I think back, the experience of that night in that small settlement is still so shameful for Niyan now.

Feeling overwhelmed by the heavy burden on her shoulders, she couldn't sleep at night and went for a walk, where she ran into her boss and inexplicably confided in him...

Think about how he kept trying to comfort himself.

The mudstone brush covered the blanket over his head.

Well, sometimes being an ostrich isn't so bad.

Even though she had only been on Rhodes Island for a short time, she could already sense the fundamental difference between this place and the outside world.

No one will shy away from you just because you're a Sarkaz, and no one will look at you with disgust just because you're an Infected.

Even among the doctors in the medical department, there were many Sarkaz.

Not to mention this enormous land-based warship, which is commonplace here, despite being hated by everyone outside.

Compared to the outside world, this place is as beautiful as paradise.

I and my teammates were taken to the medical department immediately and began various treatments and recuperations.

Of course, these are not free; after a brief but professional evaluation, everyone receives a contract.

They had to work to earn money for treatment at Rhode Island.

This contract is not a shackle for them, but a boost of confidence.

There's no such thing as a free lunch; they understand that principle.

Therefore, an employment contract can put their minds at ease.

"Perhaps, this really is a wonderful beginning..."

He buried his head under the blanket in the mud and rocks, thinking to himself.

-

“This is from Antoto, for you,” Xia Yu said, handing a wrapped gift and a letter to Aya outside Kal'tsit’s office.

"Ah, thank you, senior," Aya quickly took the gift, thanked Xia Yu respectfully, and then hurriedly ran back to her room.

I don't know when it started becoming popular, but Xia Yu is called "senior" wherever she goes.

If we're talking about seniority, only a new operator like Eyjafjalla would call her that.

Xia Yu shook her head and followed the professor into the office.

"Amiya!"

Before Xia Yu could even say hello, she saw the Doctor leap onto Amiya, who was standing in front of the desk, hug her tightly, and rub her head repeatedly.

"Hehe, Amiya~~~"

“Doctor…” Amiya struggled to push the Doctor’s face away from her own, “He’s too close…”

"Can't you act like an elder?" Kal'tsit said with exasperation, reaching out her merciless iron hand to grab the back of her neck and lift her off Amiya.

The Doctor might be able to act like a rogue to others, but he seems to be born afraid of Kal'tsit. Once he's in her hands, he'll behave himself.

"Ahem, I just wanted to express my joy at being reunited after so long," the Doctor tried to justify himself, "and besides, Amiya is just so adorable."

“You weren’t like that in the past… never mind,” Kal’tsit retorted instinctively, then instantly changed her tone, releasing her right hand and putting the Doctor down. “It’s okay as long as it’s just us. It’s best not to do this in front of others.”

Xia Yu, with her sharp eyes, immediately noticed that when Kal'tsit mentioned the past, the Doctor immediately fell silent, just like when they first met.