Arknights' Lock of Heaven

The knight who reported the news didn't know how to describe the feeling either, and could only use the word "symptom" in the end.

Yes, how should I describe it?

How can one describe that moment of tremor that silenced the entire city?

Even if it only lasted for a few seconds, it was still a disturbing signal.

Moreover, it's currently the time of the Knights Tournament, and large numbers of people are coming from all over Terra through various channels.

Therefore, this situation immediately attracted the attention of almost everyone, and all departments in Kasimir worked overtime to investigate and refute the rumors.

Even the business federation panicked and proactively contacted the Securities and Futures Commission to request a joint investigation, and immediately issued a statement to reassure the public.

"What's the situation now?" Ioleta Russell sighed and asked in a deep voice, "Can it still be controlled?"

“The situation is not good,” a representative of the business association said, standing up with concern. “Rumors have already begun to circulate among the citizens.”

"What kind of rumors are these?"

“It’s nothing more than a natural disaster or something,” just then, one of the knights sitting to the left stood up. “You can guess it without even thinking.”

“Yes, it’s just rumors about an impending natural disaster,” the representative of the Business Federation said with a wry smile. “We have contacted the messengers of natural disasters repeatedly to confirm that there is no natural disaster brewing in the region where the Great Knights are located.”

"At the same time, we are actively debunking rumors..."

“But how can the common people trust you?” a knight interrupted him, saying sarcastically, “Everyone knows what kind of people you big corporations are.”

Hearing this, the representative of the business association couldn't help but retort, "It's as if they would believe you knights if you tried to refute it."

"you!"

"Alright!" Ioleta Russell interrupted the two's heated exchange.

"Now is not the time to talk about these things. We need everyone to work together to get through this crisis."

"No matter what, the Great Knight Territory must not be thrown into chaos, and the Knights Tournament must not be disturbed!"

As the leader of the traditional knights, she valued knightly competitions so highly, which were despised by the knights, yet no one dared to object.

As everyone has come to understand through the years of development, Kazimierz is now inseparable from knightly competitions.

173 Subsequent preparations and the creation of the hero

“Fortunately, the Knights Tournament hasn’t officially started yet,” an older knight sighed and said. “Most of the tourists from various countries haven’t arrived yet.”

"Otherwise... the consequences would be unimaginable."

Indeed, if such an anomaly were to occur during the Knights Tournament, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Kazimir's military budget for the next few years will depend on the economic benefits generated by this Cavaliers Tournament.

If they mess this up... tsk tsk tsk, Ursus and Letania will probably be laughing in their sleep.

“So we must find the root of the problem!” Ioleta Russell slammed her hand on the table and said, “If something like this happens again in the upcoming Knights Tournament…”

Hearing this, everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

No one understands the consequences of this better than those who stand at the pinnacle of Kazimierz.

After decades of relentless political struggle and procrastination, the people of Qasim are well aware of the extent to which they trust their government and businesses.

No matter how much we try to appease them, if this happens a second time, many people will inevitably flee the Great Knight Territory with their families.

Don't talk about being reluctant to leave your homeland. In Terra, which has been ravaged by natural disasters, people have long been used to traveling around.

Moreover, having become accustomed to the existence of natural disasters, people tend to believe in such mysterious and enigmatic things rather than dismiss them.

Who would risk their life?

Admittedly, such carefree people will only be a small minority, and the majority of them are from the wealthy class.

After all, where can the truly poor go even if they leave the Great Knight's Territory?

But it is precisely because they are from the wealthy class that the resulting panic is exacerbated.

Those who are richer and better informed than you have all run away, so why do you still dare to stay here?

This will inevitably lead to a chain reaction, causing tourists from all over the world to leave the Great Knight Territory.

For tourists, it's not worth risking their lives just to watch a game, right?

Moreover, if that city-wide palpitation were to recur, tourists who experienced it firsthand would definitely be the fastest to run away.

What can the Kazimierz authorities do at that point?

Restricting the flight of the wealthy?

Sorry, but in a country where companies and enterprises make up half the nation, you really can't control them.

Even the directors of the business association who are fully aware of the current situation are already planning tourist routes, do you believe it?

After all, for capitalists, there's no need to risk their lives alongside the Grand Knights.

That would mean restricting tourists and citizens from leaving the country?

Haha, unless Kazimir is prepared to cash in and then stop, doing this is just courting death.

Don't expect tourists from other countries to understand your government's difficulties, especially when you're using people's lives as bargaining chips.

If that were to happen, the Knights' Arena, which had made a name for itself in Terra, would truly become infamous.

“Let me double-check,” Ioleta Russell stood up and asked the head of the Cataclysm Warning Department, “Can the Cataclysm Messengers confirm that no natural disasters will occur around the Great Knight Territory during the Knights Tournament?”

"Confirmed!" Upon hearing this, the person in charge shuddered, then immediately stood up and loudly swore, "My messengers have sworn to me with their lives that a natural disaster is impossible!"

“Since it’s not a natural disaster, things are much easier,” Ioleta Russell said calmly, turning her head. “To maintain stability in the Grand Knight Command, I need to recall a squadron of Silver Spear Pegasus.”

"No! Absolutely not!" The representative of the Business Federation objected without hesitation, "We signed an agreement when the War Knights withdrew from the Great Knight Territory. Are you planning to breach the agreement?"

Upon hearing this, Ioleta Russell chuckled to herself.

protocol?

It's as if you've always been following the rules.

Our people in the Knights Guild are being suppressed to the point of being unable to hold their heads up. Since this agreement is ineffective, why not tear it up and keep it?

However, she still kept a backup plan.

“Then send out knights to patrol,” Ioleta Russell said calmly, “or rather, to the streets and alleys to reassure the people and tell them that everything will be alright!”

"Send out all your renowned gladiator knights!"

“We will also send a group of retired honorary knights to the streets.”

Upon hearing this, the business association members were about to object, as they did not want the Securities and Futures Commission to expand its influence, but they were rendered speechless by Ioleta Russell's words.

“I will also personally go out into the streets to appease the people,” she glanced at the representative of the Business Federation, “As the Grand Knight Commander of Kazimierz and a veteran who fought against Ursus and participated in the Golden Dawn campaign, I believe some people will believe me.”

Upon hearing this, the representative of the business association was completely speechless.

He could not refute Ioleta Russell's words.

As a member of the Chamber of Commerce, he naturally hoped that his knights would take to the streets to appease the public through parades and gain prestige and popularity.

As for recalling the Silver Spear and Heavenly Horse?

He believed it was just a threat, a way to get him to give in to her real demands by presenting a condition he could never agree to.

After all, Ursus is currently reinforcing its troops on the border, and as the pride of Kazimir, Silver Spear Pegasus must remain on the border to deal with the situation.

So he didn't take it to heart.

“I remember the little girl from the Linguang family also participated in this year’s Knights’ Tournament, right?” Ioleta Russell said casually. “Then let’s invite her along as well, after all, she is a descendant of a former hero.”

The representative of the business association nodded upon hearing this. They had already made such a big concession, so agreeing to this small request was no problem.

Although both sides' knights went out into the streets together to appease the public, he clearly had more confidence in his own racing knights.

Compared to the equestrian sports teams specifically set up to attract attention, how many people actually pay attention to those so-called retired veterans?

And so, a solution that satisfied everyone was largely achieved.

What followed was a long and detailed discussion.

-

Nothing happened all night.

Xia Yu stretched and, basking in the rising sun, watched with great interest as Zofia trained Maria on the second-floor terrace.

"Too slow!" Zofia slashed back, dodging Maria's block and sending her staggering back several steps. She frowned and said, "You think you can be a gladiator knight with this level of skill?"

Hearing this, Maria gritted her teeth, raised her sword, and attacked again.

Then Zofia, showing no sign of weakness, slapped her back twice with her sword.

Since it was training, Zofia specifically told Xia Yu during breakfast not to activate the enhanced Originium Arts.

After all, what's the point of Maria training if she's wearing a turtle shell?

So now she's being brutally tortured by her aunt again.

However, Xia Yu had a different idea after seeing this.

He lightly jumped down from the second floor. Maria had already been knocked down by Zofia's knee strike after she parried his sword, and then she was hit on the back with the hilt of a sword, completely knocking her down.