Arknights' Lock of Heaven

If it's Originium Arts, then its appeal to those watching this place will be greatly reduced.

After all, how can one person's Originium Arts change the strategic position of an entire country?

Oh, the former Witch King could, but is this person who keeps saying he will become a great man really at the level of the Witch King?

Markowitz thought it was impossible.

If it's Originium Arts, then the Board of Supervisors probably won't be very interested.

However, the Business Federation should still be interested, since it would be very appealing to bring him under their wing and strengthen their own knightly order.

Since they need it, those companies probably won't resort to any underhanded tactics, and there have been indications of cooperation from here.

After all, Xia Yu said that more money was needed!

Seeing this, Markowitz realized he had worried for nothing.

Maybe they really are coming to Kazimierz with the idea of ​​finding a good job.

After all, Originium Arts are perfect for knightly competitions.

Markowitz even thought it wouldn't be surprising if the next Knights Tournament added a rule prohibiting the use of his Originium Arts-enhanced armor.

It all depends on how powerful the company he joins is.

"Ugh... I can't believe it... How long have I been asleep?"

Just then, Zofia, who was lying on the sofa, sat up while covering her head.

"Ah, Zofia, you're awake."

Upon seeing this, Maria felt as if she had found her anchor and headed straight for Zofia.

"It hasn't been long, only ten minutes..."

"That won't do. We need to plan our points before the Major and we have to get them this month... Hmm?"

“You are…” She turned her head and saw Markowitz, “Your name is Markowitz, right?”

"Your presence here means..."

“Yes,” Markowitz nodded, “I’m here on behalf of Swoma Corporation.”

189 Sona, Sona, why did you come?!

After hearing his purpose, Zofia fell silent.

Maria, standing beside her, looked at her with anticipation.

"Maria, what do you think?" Zofia asked after a moment of silence.

"Ah, me?" Maria lowered her head shyly upon hearing this. "Actually, I don't really understand..."

"When you become a star, an idol, or a big internet celebrity, no one cares about your competition results; they only see your face and then spend a lot of money on you."

"Ah, this," Maria was stunned upon hearing this. The naive girl had never encountered so many complexities. "Is this really possible?"

"That's how the market works: spend 90% of the budget on a spokesperson, find a plagiarism target, and run fake, hype-filled ads."

Zofia sneered and said, "Simple, and more effective than you can imagine. You don't even know who the problem really is."

Hearing this, Markowitz, who was standing to the side, was a little embarrassed, but he still said, "To put it simply, that's how it is. But Swoma Corporation can promise Your Excellency on behalf of the Business Federation that we will still award you the knighthood and title."

"What do you want to do?" Zofia spread her hands and looked at Maria.

“At that moment, I…” Maria panicked.

After all, neither her older sister nor her aunt chose to take this path.

“Honestly, you can accept it,” Zofia sighed as she read this.

"Eh?"

Maria was completely stunned when she heard this.

She had assumed that Zofia would definitely make her refuse.

After all, she didn't take this path back then; she was an independent knight.

"Isn't it great that you can maintain the noble status of the Linguang family without getting injured? Maybe next year you can even buy a garden bigger than mine?"

Seeing this, Zofia pressed her advantage and tempted her.

Koval, Old F, and bald Martin, who were standing to the side, did not say a word.

In fact, they were also inclined to let Maria accept it.

After all, it's safer that way.

Hearing Zofia's words, Maria recalled her so-called garden and subconsciously replied, "Zofia's garden is always like that. Even if I buy a bigger one, it'll just turn into a meadow..."

"Huh?" Upon hearing this, Zofia's eyes widened.

"As long as Your Excellency Maria nods in agreement now, a very valuable contract can be signed immediately, please rest assured."

Markowitz noticed Maria's hesitation and pressed his advantage.

Maria looked left and right, and finally fixed her gaze on Xia Yu, who was leisurely drinking alone.

"Mr. Xia Yu, what do you think?"

She looked at the person who had come at her sister's request, filled with boundless admiration for her sister.

“Me?” Xia Yu put down her wine glass, looked at Maria, and said slowly, “I’ll sit and watch.”

“Eh,” Maria didn’t immediately understand his lame joke, “sitting and watching is…”

In other words, it's up to you.

Xia Yu shrugged and said, "Anyway, with my Originium Arts, I guarantee you won't get injured before you make it to the main tournament."

"At that time, your wish will be fulfilled."

"However, if you want to make some money during this period, you can accept it; if you don't want to, just turn it down."

Xia Yu stepped forward and patted her on the shoulder.

"After all, it's just your match, isn't it?"

"I see," Maria said, falling silent upon hearing that she had been recommended for admission.

"I'm sorry... I don't want the Rinko family crest to become an appendage of a commercial company. At the very least, I want to rely on my own abilities..."

Hearing this, Zofia sighed.

As expected, they still chose this path.

"Although I don't like what Uncle Marner did, I can't let my sister and grandfather's insistence be meaningless."

“Your...sir, this judgment is indeed unexpected,” Markowitz said, then lowered his head and began rummaging through his briefcase.

"But, however, the Business Federation has prepared more contracts for you to review one by one."

The implication is that if you are not satisfied with the Knights of the Moon, you can choose from the knight orders of other major companies.

"Business Federation? Isn't that the Knights Association's responsibility?" Zofia asked, frowning.

"Uh...you, do you understand? This is also why the CEO insists on having you join us..."

Markowitz's words were very cryptic.

But everyone understood what he meant.

“Maria,” Zofia looked at Maria and said, “Why don’t you reconsider?”

“No need to consider it,” Maria said firmly, raising her head. “I’m sorry, I don’t intend to join any company.”

"Yes, yes, I heard you. Yes, you refused."

Hearing this, Markowitz lowered his head, took a deep breath, and said again, "Well, Lady Zofia, Lady Maria... this is outside of official business, please allow me to speak."

"Uh, your teeth seem to be chattering... Don't, don't cry! Rejecting you doesn't have to be this serious...?"

Maria was completely stunned by his expression.

"Uh, no, no, I just hope that if anyone comes looking for you two again, especially to discuss matters with Lady Maria, please..."

"Please try your best to agree! Really! This is very important to both of us..."

After speaking, he bowed to Xia Yu and took his leave.

"Well then, before I lose my composure, please allow me to take my leave. Also, Mr. Xia Yu, I will report your intentions to my superiors."

"There's no reason for me to speak up for other companies... It's really strange."

After seeing him leave, Koval could no longer hold back.

“Yeah,” Xia Yu chimed in, “it is quite strange.”

"Maybe this is what a good person is."

"By the way, everyone, I have some personal matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now."

After bidding farewell to everyone, Xia Yu hurriedly left the tavern and entered the night of the Great Knight's Territory.

I've met the person I was supposed to meet today. It was unexpected that the other target didn't show up, but there's always a chance.