Arknights' Lock of Heaven

Is it the Securities and Futures Commission?

Will they intervene?

Margaret, Margaret, haven't these years of wandering outside worn down your character?

What are you doing back here? Are you here to die?

"Um, actually, it's not Margaret who's coming back," Xia Yu said, recalling the favor Nearl had asked her to do when she saw her distraught look. "It's Rhodes Island that's coming to Kazimierz."

"Uh, what does this mean?" A ray of light suddenly shone in Zofia's heart, which had sunk to the bottom.

"To be precise, it was the Kazimierz authorities who invited Rhodes Island to do some work on the newly established plots of land in the Great Knight Territory."

Xia Yu recalled Lin Guang's explanation and said righteously, "This also includes some directors of the Business Federation."

"After all, you should know that after the Blood Knight set the precedent of infected knights, more and more infected people came to the Great Knight Territory to survive, and the related problems became more and more serious."

"Therefore, in order to prevent certain large-scale violent incidents from occurring, the Kazimierz authorities invited Rhodes Island Corporation, which has extensive research in Oripathy, to conduct some security assessments for the Grand Knight Territory."

"This also includes issues such as the treatment of infected knights, so there won't be any problems with Margaret's return this time."

"Because she came to the Grand Knights Territory as a Rhodes Island operator, and Rhodes Island was invited by Kazimierz."

"At least for Rhodes Island's sake, no one will target her, so you can rest assured."

After Xia Yu finished speaking, it was obvious that Zofia breathed a sigh of relief.

Yes, everything I said was true, not a single word of falsehood.

If things really do develop that way.

If Nearl really did return to the Great Knights Territory as a Rhodes Island operator, and if she wasn't planning to cause trouble, then no one would specifically target her.

Of course, necessary surveillance is definitely in place.

The problem is, Lin Guang is back to cause trouble...

We're about to do something big!

This statement is clearly unacceptable to Zofia and the others.

In the original storyline, Nearl ultimately returned without informing any of his family members, and saved his sister on the field, which is why he was able to get past his family so easily.

Lin Guang originally planned to do the same, but when she learned that Xia Yu was going to the Great Knight Territory to join in the fun, she changed her mind and wrote a letter for Xia Yu to deliver.

After learning from Kal'tsit that Xia Yu needed to make a name for himself in Kazimierz, he entrusted Xia Yu with protecting his family.

It's not surprising that Nearl and Kal'tsit exchange messages in the Xia language.

After all, the main character in Rhodes Island's next move in Kazimierz is Nearl.

Lin Guang felt he could trust Xia Yu because of her past behavior, so he entrusted her to protect his family.

After all, if he really wanted to go back and do that, it wouldn't be surprising what despicable methods those vile people would use.

Lin Guang felt at ease entrusting his family to Xia Yu.

165. I heard you like the profession of craftsman?

"So you're saying Margaret personally commissioned you on this mission?" Zofia breathed a slight sigh of relief after learning that Rhodes Island had been invited by the Kazimierz authorities.

"May I ask who it is...?"

“Oh, this,” Xia Yu quickly explained, “This is also related to Rhodes Island.”

"You should also know that there are many pharmaceutical companies in Kazimierz, at least in this Great Knight Territory."

“The work at Rhodes Island originally belonged to them, but you know their skill level…”

Xia Yu didn't elaborate, only giving a knowing look.

"Um, this..." Zofia was a little embarrassed.

She knew herself that Casimir's pharmaceutical company, well, it might be able to treat some other diseases, but Oripathy...

I haven't heard of any company that has made any achievements in this area.

It's no wonder that the Securities and Futures Commission invited foreign companies to do this work, since their own staff simply couldn't offer anything of value.

"It's a very simple principle that the capable rise and the mediocre fall, but obviously, which big and powerful company will listen to reason with you?"

Xia Yu shrugged and said, "So Operator Nearl is worried that because of her, those companies will resort to underhanded tactics, implicating you, and using what happened back then to attack Rhodes Island."

"So I'm asking you to look after you during this time."

“Oh yes, yes, yes,” Maria nodded vigorously, “it was also mentioned in my sister’s letter.”

“Um,” Zofia was about to say no, but recalling all that had happened in Kazimierz over the years, and her half-crippled hand, she could only silently accept it in the end.

After all, the people on the other side all seem very strong.

Needless to say, that natural-born killer is someone you won't be able to sleep until she disappears from your sight.

The woman wielding the greatsword also exuded an aura that suggested she was not to be trifled with.

As for the person in front of him who kept talking to him and called himself a messenger, he couldn't see through him.

But with Margaret's handwritten letter, it's still believable.

"Since that's the case, you must all be quite tired after traveling such a long distance to the Great Knight's Territory. Why don't you come back to my house and rest for a while?"

“Uh,” Maria was stunned when she heard this, “shouldn’t it be ‘reply to me’…”

"Don't talk!" Zofia frowned upon hearing this, reaching out to grab her ear. "I haven't even said anything to you yet, Maria. Why were you hiding before?"

“…Uh…” Maria realized guiltily upon hearing this that she seemed to have done something that would enrage Maria…

But it's too late to hide now.

"Are you... hiding something from me? Even though I already know everything?" Zofia said with a smile.

“Ha, haha,” Maria looked around and said, “What did you say, Sister Zofia?”

"Now you know how to call me 'sister'?" Zofia was furious at her attitude, not even caring that Xia Yu and the others were still in front of her.

Anyway, I'll be living in my own home sooner or later, so I'll have to see these things eventually. It doesn't matter if I'm embarrassed or not.

"I'm telling you, it's too late!"

Why didn't you discuss it with me?

"Because...because Zofia will definitely be angry..." Maria explained guiltily.

"Of course I'm angry! Because you have no idea what you're dealing with!" Zofia said through gritted teeth.

Is the so-called Knights' Arena really as wonderful as advertised?

My left hand is still throbbing slightly.

That was lucky; if they had been unlucky, they would have ended up like old Martin next to them!

If we were ordinary people, then knightly competitions might not be a bad way to climb the social ladder.

But what can you do when your family has a Margaret?

This isn't meant to blame her; it's simply a statement of reality.

After Margaret, if any member of the Nearl family chooses the path of a gladiator and refuses to associate with those merchants, their fate is predictable.

But how could she not know Maria's personality? This girl would definitely stubbornly follow the path her sister had taken, step by step.

But that's a dead end. There isn't a single Cyril Nearl in the Nearl family now who can save Maria.

“But, I do know a little bit about it…” Maria shrank back and answered softly.

"...Through your sister? Through the Radiant Knight of Casimir, one of the youngest miracles in the Major? Oh, you know a lot about her."

Zofia sneered and tightened her grip on Maria's ear with her left hand.

"But! You! Are! Not! Margaret!"

"No, don't pull my ear..." Maria said weakly.

“How long has it been since you last picked up a sword?” Zofia demanded. “When was the last time you wiped your shield? How long has it been since you last fought?”

"So, you still want to risk your life against someone?"

Maria looked at the furious Zofia and said, "But... but our family's situation is really getting worse and worse!"

"Honestly, I might not even have a bed to sleep in next year! I've sold all my furniture! A knight family without a long rider won't be recognized, and the association has been urging us many times... I... I can't do anything about it..."

“Even so, you can live at our house. The bath is huge, and there are two gardens,” Zofia said through gritted teeth. “Am I not good enough to support you?”

"No matter what, you shouldn't have become a competitive knight so hastily!"

“Even after Grandfather passed away, Uncle still refused to have anything to do with the Knights Guild,” Maria said sadly upon hearing this. “My sister has been expelled from Kazimierz for some time now, and if I can’t shoulder some responsibility…”

“…Sigh,” Zofia sighed upon hearing this. In truth, she too felt resentful about the decline of the Nearl family, but…

"Even so, you should have discussed it with us... You're being too reckless."

"Oh... so I sincerely apologize for this... I thought you would definitely stop me, so I took it upon myself to do it."

Maria, seeing that Zofia's expression seemed to have softened, immediately seized the opportunity.

"I know Zofia best."