Arknights' Lock of Heaven

But they were unwilling to leave just like that.

It's been almost two years, and they've invested countless manpower and resources here. If they leave now, coupled with the loss of manpower, it will be a complete loss.

What kind of person can become the head of bounty hunters?

Without a doubt, you have to be able to make people rich!

This way, bounty hunters will gather around you.

If he were to go back like this, not only would he lose everything, but if word got out that what happened here, forget about recruiting new talent; even his old comrades might abandon him.

This is something the captain cannot allow.

He had already lost enough face by being knocked away by Skadi's sword. If he were to slink back like this, how could he ever make a living in this world again?

The reason he sent his men to attack Skadi was the same one he knew he couldn't handle even after being struck by that sword.

There's no other reason than that I can't lose face!

Even if those subordinates couldn't even inflict a single wound on Skadi, as long as he made it clear that he was retaliating, at least he would have an excuse for the future.

Having a story gives you room to maneuver, and in the long run, the truth will come out based on your own words.

As for Skadi's subordinates who were killed?

Anyway, it's not me who's going to die.

Huh? Why not take revenge yourself?

He's covered in bandages now, he's really too weak to do anything.

Although Skadi's matter was resolved, the captain was not happy at all.

Because Skadi isn't the biggest problem right now.

He surveyed the people in the tent.

Fear filled everyone's faces.

It was as if they could pack their bags and flee thousands of miles away at the slightest command.

After all, saving your life is important.

For these ordinary bounty hunters, they are just trying to make a living; there's no need to risk their lives here.

As for the loss of prestige if he left like this, only the captain and a few leaders cared.

Ordinary bounty hunters don't have much prestige.

The reason they haven't scattered and fled yet is simply because the incident happened recently, the captain's authority is still strong, and they haven't reacted yet, still instinctively obeying the captain's leadership.

But the captain knew that if he couldn't come up with a way to appease the troops in the camp today, they would probably scatter like birds tonight.

"Heads up, all of you," the captain snapped. "What kind of look is this, hanging your heads like that?"

"What did we come to this remote and impoverished place for? Wasn't it for the knight's treasure? Now that the treasure has appeared, what are you all doing..."

He opened his mouth, intending to say something encouraging, but seeing the anxious looks in his subordinates' eyes, he swallowed his words back.

The captain realized that the empty platitudes that used to comfort people had now completely lost their effectiveness.

If only my trusted confidants were here.

The captain now misses those few trusted confidants who always listened to him.

They lost two when facing Skadi, and the rest were mostly killed on that battlefield littered with severed limbs.

Given the circumstances at the time, there was only one exit leading to the treasure, so there was no need for them to chase after them. They could simply wait for them to bring the treasure out.

Then they captured all these people at the cave entrance and took the treasure for themselves.

Therefore, the captain arranged for almost all of his trusted men to be stationed there.

As a result, they were wiped out in two shots.

If they were still there, as long as I spoke, someone would surely know how to respond and keep them calm.

But now, I can only rely on myself.

The captain took a deep breath; he knew he had to come up with something substantial.

“They won’t stay here forever,” the captain said confidently to his men. “They’ll leave once they get the treasure.”

"We don't need to face those two monsters!"

Hearing this, the people in the tent finally perked up.

"But they took all the treasure with them, so what's the point of us staying here?"

Soon, people began to question him.

The captain gave that person a deep look. In the past, no one would have questioned him before he finished speaking.

It seems my prestige is declining, and I must find a way to remedy it.

"There's nothing I can do. If I can't beat them, I can only let them take the lion's share. I've accepted my fate," he said calmly. "Do you really want to snatch food from their mouths?"

"Look at us, do you think we can beat them? Even if we fight to the death and get lucky enough to kill them, how many of us here will survive?"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the tent glared angrily at the man. Those who had previously mustered the courage to question him immediately fell silent, waving their hands repeatedly to explain that they did not mean it that way.

Nobody wanted to face those two monsters.

Seeing this, the captain, who had successfully diverted everyone's attention, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the conflict has been temporarily diverted, whether or not one can still fool these people depends on their eloquence.

"We've really had bad luck," the captain began to empathize with them, "I don't know why, but the news of this knight's treasure was originally known to very few people, but it has spread far and wide and is almost common knowledge."

“In the past two years, we have sent away countless people, and some who were alone and weak have joined us through this opportunity.”

"Just like those who call themselves the Reunion Movement, as long as this treasure hasn't been secured, we will be on guard against everyone."

"We were just seeing hope, but who would have thought that these two jinxes would suddenly appear? Not to mention the infamous jinx, she even broke two of my ribs with her sword."

At this point, the captain also showed off the bandages on his body.

Those inside the tent nodded in agreement.

That's really bad luck.

"Putting aside that jinx, there's another person I've never heard of who's even more outrageous—he carries an electromagnetic cannon with him all the time... With that kind of ability, why not go and serve some great noble or wealthy merchant?"

"How did they manage to get here and compete with us for food?"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the tent echoed in agreement.

This is also their true thought.

If you're so capable, why would you be interested in such a small amount of soup?

This isn't the tomb of some historically famous knight, otherwise it wouldn't be just people like them appearing here.

So what is this person after? Wouldn't it be better to use this time to find a big company or a high-class family with an astronomical monthly salary?

Someone who can carry an electromagnetic cannon around will be treated with respect wherever they go.

With such amazing Originium Arts, one is always a guest of honor for the rich and powerful wherever they go.

How could you possibly be interested in such a small amount of soup?

It's a treasure trove for them, but for people at that level, it's just a drop in the ocean!

Seeing that everyone was agreeing with him, the captain felt a little smug.

Her communication skills hadn't deteriorated, which immediately brought her closer to them.

He knew that almost everyone here would want to run away after seeing those gruesome corpses.

They were terrified.

But they can run, while I absolutely cannot.

If he runs away, everything the captain has built up over the years will be for naught.

In other words, these ordinary bounty hunters are barefoot, while I am wearing shoes.

He could not accept this result.

If I were to say directly that I wouldn't run away, I would inevitably face resistance from the crowd.

Therefore, you need to empathize with them first, and then talk about what to do next.

“We absolutely cannot have a conflict with them,” the captain set the tone, which won everyone’s agreement.

"But we can't just go back empty-handed!"

Then, he abruptly changed the subject, not giving anyone a chance to ask questions, and immediately began to say, "They took the lion's share of the treasure, so can't we just have the small share?"

"But why would they leave us anything?"

Someone in the crowd asked a question in a low voice.

"Of course we'll keep them!" The captain squinted and waved his hand. "Because they simply can't see these things exist!"

"The one who hid the knight's treasure will stop at nothing to protect the knight's secret. Only the bloodline from Kazimierz can overcome all obstacles."