Arknights' Lock of Heaven

clang!

Upon hearing this, Bai Jin was stunned. He even dropped his wine glass and slammed it onto the table.

However, thanks to the fact that the tavern was frequented by rough men, the wine glasses were exceptionally sturdy and did not break.

"Radiant Knights? Wait, who are you...?"

After learning the name, Platinum quickly understood many things.

"No wonder you're so close to the Lin Guang family, no wonder you dislike the Business Federation and even said you wanted to remove those directors..."

"Radiant Knight... Radiant Knight..."

She frowned and began to think.

Radiant Knight.

The knighthood that will forever remain an integral part of Kazimierz's history.

If it's that Radiant Knight... if she hasn't changed yet...

Platinum took a deep breath, thinking of the person she had once admired.

“Words are no proof,” she said solemnly, looking at Xia Yu. “Let me see her with my own eyes!”

"Once I confirm, I will cooperate with all your actions."

Hearing this, Xia Yu clapped her hands.

Hey, Margaret's reputation is really useful in Kazimierz.

200 Night Talk

Platinum left the tavern almost every step of the way, turning back to look at it repeatedly.

"What, are you intimidated by the title of Platinum Master of the Unarmored Alliance?"

Xia Yu joked as she watched bald Martin wiping the same wine glass over and over at the counter.

"Of course, this is the Unarmored Alliance..."

Old Martin sighed.

"Sigh, now that you've gotten involved with the Unarmored Alliance, Margaret... her return surely isn't just for a family visit..."

"This child has had his own opinions since he was a child."

"They say it's a family visit, but I guess it's just to put their families at ease."

"Sigh, there's nothing I can do about it. Operator Nearl has always been so opinionated."

Xia Yu said calmly.

"Besides, I don't think Zofia is completely unaware of anything."

"Only Maria was foolish enough to believe it."

“That’s true,” bald Martin chuckled upon hearing this.

"Maria... is so naive."

……

How is your stay here?

Back at Zofia's manor, Xia Yu went straight to Skadi.

"No different from usual."

Skadi, who was gazing into the distance from the railing, turned her head slightly, her dark red eyes filled with an indescribable feeling.

"However, such a comfortable life is not suitable for someone like me."

Maria actually brought Skadi to her first competition, but she clearly expressed her aversion to knightly competitions.

So she never went there again after that.

"Alright, since you put it that way, I also have a task for you."

Upon hearing this, Skadi straightened up, her eyes serious.

Where to go? What to kill? How many to kill?

Xia Yu actually read this information from her indifferent eyes.

"Yes, it's to protect some infected people."

“Protection?” Skadi frowned upon hearing this. “I… am not well-suited for protection missions…”

With his wild and sweeping swordsmanship, let alone protecting civilians, even his own comrades might not dare to stand by his side.

After all, none of us are Agor's super bio-soldier.

Getting hit by that swing can kill you!

“It’s alright,” Xia Yu explained upon hearing this, “If you can’t protect them, just kill all the invading enemies.”

"As for protection, they are not without a fighting chance, and I will have the Lion Scorpion go with you."

At this point, the Lion Scorpion emerged from the shadows behind Xia Yu and obediently nodded to Skadi as a greeting.

These days it's just the two of them in the manor. Although they see each other all the time, both of them are quiet and reserved.

They didn't say anything.

However, if Titi really gets to know someone, she'll actually talk a lot, but the awkward thing is that they're not close yet...

"Then when will we set off?"

Skadi looked at Xia Yu, "I, um, I need a little... your scent..."

This is a city.

It's not an uninhabited wilderness.

If I were to bleed here, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Skadi doesn't like to cause trouble for others.

But to be honest, she didn't know how to achieve that kind of aura.

So I was just asking.

“Aura…” Xia Yu pondered for a moment upon hearing this, then plucked a strand of her hair, which, under the shimmering light, gradually transformed into a green bracelet.

Exquisite openwork decoration, with tiny Q-version orca patterns on it.

“Here,” Xia Yu handed the bracelet to Skadi, “Wear this, it should prevent the things you’re worried about.”

Skadi took it without hesitation and put it on her wrist.

The moment I put it on, that feeling of being cut off from something returned to my body.

Really, it makes me feel so at ease...

Skadi closed her eyes, feeling every inch of her body, inside and out, truly belong to her.

Instead of the previous hazy, indistinct feeling, like looking at flowers through a fog.

"Thank you."

She thanked him softly.

"Hey, don't be so polite with me," Xia Yu waved her hand when she heard this, "From now on you'll be my teammate, so of course I'll be responsible for you."

"Then when do we set off?"

Skadi took a deep breath, quickly composed herself, and then asked.

“I’ve arranged to meet them tomorrow,” Xia Yu explained upon hearing this. “Now you should go back and get some rest.”

Upon hearing this, Skadi turned around and went back to her room without hesitation.

As she walked into the room, Xia Yu turned to look at the lion scorpion behind her.

Then I noticed the expectation in her eyes.

"Hmm," Xia Yu said, then reached out and plucked a strand of her long hair from her head, which transformed into a bracelet once more.

Unlike Skadi, the design for Manticore is an overall scorpion shape.

Of course, it's also in chibi style.

“If you want it, just tell me,” he said, taking the lion scorpion’s hand and putting the bracelet on her wrist.

"I can't possibly be aware of everyone's thoughts every single moment, so if you need to, please let me know, okay?"

After putting on the bracelet, Xia Yu stroked the lion scorpion's head and said earnestly.

Hearing his words, the lion scorpion replied softly, "Mmm..."

"Speak louder," Xia Yu gently patted the top of her head, "I can't hear you."

"I, I know..."

Well, the volume is a little louder, just a tiny bit, but there are more words too, so I guess it's an improvement.