Arknights' Lock of Heaven

After all, the rumors of the Unarmored Alliance have long been deeply ingrained in the hearts of the people of Kazimierz, and these impressions accumulated over the years are not so easy to overcome.

"Don't worry, assassinations are nothing more than the usual tricks," Xia Yu said to Zofia reassuringly. "As long as Maria and I stay together, with her under the spotlight in Kazimierz, who would dare to assassinate us?"

"If it gets exposed, the Business Federation, with its size, can certainly suppress all rumors, but won't the Unarmored Alliance be punished for failing its mission?"

"If the Securities and Futures Commission were to intervene again at this time, even the Federation of Industries would be in a real bind."

"After all, the assassination of Lin Guang by the Wuzhan Alliance is enough for the Supervisory Commission to have an excuse to make trouble."

"The Wuzhou Alliance is nothing more than a dog of the Business Federation. How could they be so blind as to cause their master so much trouble?"

"Aren't you afraid of being stewed by your master?"

"So don't worry, as long as we stop after the main tournament and don't touch their fundamental interests, I don't think the Undead Alliance will take such a risk to go after us."

"Besides, Rhodes Island is almost here. Once I get back to my ship, those assassins won't be able to do anything to me, don't you think?"

“Since you put it that way…” Zofia sighed upon hearing this.

So let’s do this for now.

With such skill, even the Wuzhou Alliance could not easily assassinate him.

On the other hand... what he said about Rhodes Island was also a shot in the arm.

With a knight like Margaret and someone like Xia Yu, there must be many skilled individuals among them.

"Perhaps Maria shouldn't wear the enhanced armor in battle anymore..."

Of course, she wasn't completely at ease, and looked at Maria, suggesting something.

“Oh, that works,” Maria agreed immediately, knowing the seriousness of the matter.

Even if the next match is against an unprecedentedly strong opponent.

"Isn't this a bit unnecessary?" Xia Yu said helplessly upon hearing this. "Since the assassination order has already been issued, we might as well use it."

"Even if you stop using this armor, can they take back the assassination order?"

"But……"

"Listen to me!" Xia Yu said firmly, "Don't worry, nothing will happen!"

"I promise you that!"

“But the Unarmored Alliance…”

Zofia wanted to say something more, but Xia Yu interrupted her.

"The Unarmored Alliance... Ha, do you know why I look down on them?"

Xia Yu gave a mocking smile.

"Because they are essentially the dogs of the business federation."

"And as a dog, especially a dog with many owners, how do you think it will carry out completely opposite commands given by different owners?"

"You mean..."

“Yes, that’s exactly what you think,” Xia Yu said confidently. “Since that guy named Charne has come to contact us, it means that there are still people in the Business Federation who want to win us over.”

"Therefore, they can't just stand by and watch me get assassinated by the Wuzhou Alliance. At most, they'll have those assassins put pressure on me, but they won't actually kill me."

"Otherwise, if I die, who will they cooperate with?"

Well, actually, I was just fooling them.

Because those so-called giant companies don't value them that much.

But these details don't matter! There's no need to tell Zofia. Anyway, the Unarmored Alliance is trash to me.

……

"So, you still came up wearing this armor after all..."

Looking at the imposing veteran left-handed knight before her, Maria sighed helplessly.

Ugh……

I don't know if this is right or wrong.

“Even if we have to compromise, now is not the right time!” She recalled Xia Yu’s stern words to her before going on stage when she was unwilling to wear the armor.

"As long as you perfectly utilize the armor's capabilities on the field, those companies that are trying to poach us will become even more determined."

"At the same time, they will also put pressure on the Unarmored Alliance through their own channels, which will make us safer, won't it?"

So Maria was persuaded.

Or rather, they were completely misled.

She still put on the armor.

Titus White Poplar, the commander of the Helmet Knights, a noble knight, a high-ranking commercial knight, and a competitive knight who once advanced to the top sixteen.

This is her opponent.

Maria sized up the knight in full armor before her.

The other person was also looking her up and down.

"Maria's skill level makes it impossible for her to be matched with him..."

Zofia looked at the arena and muttered something.

Even though she already knew the outcome, she was still indignant about it.

This is blatant targeting of Maria.

"However, perhaps she should also lose a game to wake up."

Failure is nothing to be ashamed of.

As a competitive knight, who hasn't lost before?

"The two opponents in today's special match are Maria Nearl, a beautiful young knight from the Nearl family who is currently enjoying great popularity and is the subject of much discussion among her fans!"

Mob's voice rang out as promised.

"And on the other side—! A hidden brilliance, a fortune of millions, named after a legendary knight of the past, the rising star of the Helms Knights, 'Left Hand' Titus Poplar!"

"Looks like everyone's really looking forward to it. The prize pool had already reached this number before the Cavaliers even entered the arena!"

"It seems there's no need for me to keep repeating myself—you've all been annoyed by my nagging for a long time, haven't you?"

"No problem! Then let's not delay! Let the competition officially begin!"

"On the left is the much-anticipated Maria Nearl! Still clad in pristine white armor! Still with that pitiful, innocent look!"

"Since defeating 'Plastic' Serviac, Maria Nearl has been on a winning streak, consistently performing exceptionally well in various tournaments, large and small, thanks to her amazing armor!"

"Now that she's on the field, she's already declared that she's determined to secure a spot in the Major! Can she use this match as a stepping stone to reach the pinnacle of the Kazimierz Knights? Let's wait and see!"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Maria couldn't help but look up at the commentary booth.

I clearly didn't say that...

"And on the other side—please welcome—"

"Shut up, you noisy clown!"

The microphone mounted on the armor transmitted the left-handed knight's reprimand.

"That's right! This is Titus Baiyang! I told you, we should have equipped all the players with microphones so that all the viewers could be immersed in their battle!!"

Mob the Big Mouth didn't seem to care and continued his commentary.

"This event is jointly sponsored by the Meshko Group, Rose Newspapers Group, Swoma Foods, and Howling Guards!"

"Attendees will have the chance to receive discount coupons from the aforementioned companies! And I would like to once again highly recommend Blue Ear Beer, an essential for watching the game!"

In any case, it's impossible not to read advertisements.

Otherwise, the sponsors who paid a lot of money would really shut him up.

213 Something's not right with you!

"How ugly. The way they struggle to maintain the status of the knight family is just like a pincer beast emerging from the water."

The left-handed knight looked at Maria in front of him and said calmly, "Near Light, if you are not capable of living up to the name of a knight, why bother to shamelessly pester me?"

“That’s not up to you,” Maria replied, taking a deep breath.

"It doesn't matter, the last knight of the Nearl family will be destroyed by my hand today."

"Don't worry, I'm not like that piece of trash Ingra... I'll make sure you know that not everyone who wields a weapon can be called a knight."

"And someone like you, who has fought his way to this point with armor that I don't even know where it came from, doesn't deserve to be called a knight!"

"And what about you?" Maria calmly replied, "Where did your armor come from? Or rather, what are you complaining about?"

"Do you wear the same level of armor as your opponent every time you fight?"

"Or... are you just simply jealous?"