Arknights' Lock of Heaven

The political struggle between the Business Federation and the Supervisory Council, with the National Assembly and the Knights' Association as the battlegrounds.

They are unlikely to actually come to blows; neither side wants to see that happen.

Everyone tacitly maintained a situation of fighting without breaking apart.

It's impossible for them to fight openly, given that Kazimierz's current situation isn't good.

There was a pack of wolves all around...

In this era, everyone is having a hard time, and domestic conflicts are accumulating to the point of exploding.

In Ursus, the emperor wanted to maintain stability, but the nobles wanted war to weaken the royal family once again and strengthen themselves.

Victoria was not peaceful either. Theresis, the king of the Sarkaz, was stirring up trouble in Londinium. Those dukes who were vying for the throne had no shame at all, actually allowing a Sarkaz to bring his army into the heart of Victoria.

Ah.

Iberia suffered greatly from the Great Tranquility, but who would dare to underestimate them?

Their past glory is still vivid in our minds. If you really think they're so easily defeated...

Who knows what terrifying treasure Iberia might pull out from his crotch?

Since the death of the Witch King, Letania has been rife with instability, and the rule of the Twin Queens has never been stable.

But they are, after all, the rulers of Letania. If something really goes wrong within Kazimierz at this time...

Who knows if those countries will launch another Four Emperors War to divert attention from their own domestic problems?

This time, however, it's not Gaul that will be divided up, but Casimir.

Because the lessons of Gaul are still fresh in everyone's minds, no one dares to be the first to start a war.

If everything goes smoothly after the war starts, that's fine; if not...

Gaul in the past is the best example.

Under such circumstances, Kazimir cannot be thrown into chaos; this is a consensus among everyone.

But as the saying goes, it's impossible to please everyone. How can such a large country be without some conflicts of interest?

Do you really think this is child's play, where everyone's happy and friendly?

There are always many conflicts behind the scenes.

Why does the Business Federation attach so much importance to Maria?

Either treat them to a meal and have them beheaded, or take them in and make them your dogs.

The former fears that another Margaret Nearl might emerge, causing the Business Federation to lose face once again.

The latter approach could be to undermine the prestige of the Casimirs by taking over this most prestigious surname and invading what is essentially the Casimirs's own territory.

This is what everyone has been doing for years.

The reason why the Business Federation was so shameless in the original storyline, and why they sent those two Sarkaz to eliminate any future troubles at the last moment, is precisely because of this.

Maria's repeated refusals made the Business Federation feel that it could not bring her under its control, so it planned to destroy her directly.

But now, with the addition of Xia Yu as a variable, there is hope of winning over the Lin Guang surname, so those people are naturally willing to spend a lot of money.

In any case, money is just a number to those who stand at the pinnacle of power.

They won't be stingy if it's meaningful enough.

"Mr. Xia Yu, perhaps... you should reconsider..."

Markowitz hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "These conditions are really good."

He wasn't advising Cairne out of a desire to curry favor; he genuinely thought it was a really good idea.

After all, Charné really hadn't hidden anything from him.

He was even informed of the assassination order from the Unarmored Alliance.

In this situation, it's understandable that Markowitz would try to persuade them.

After all, he was a good person, and he had a very good impression of Xia Yu.

Ultimately, his starting point was the same as Zofia's and Maria's: they all didn't want anything to happen to them.

Charné's motivation was to tie himself to the ship so that it could help him survive this ordeal.

Although they were doing the same thing, their inner thoughts were completely different.

Hearing his advice, Charné nodded in satisfaction.

I think he's quite good; he has a lot of potential.

"I won't agree to that."

Despite their attempts to persuade her, Xia Yu didn't even bother to glance at the contract.

"Let's do this for Miss Maria's sake, okay?"

Hearing this, Markowitz sighed and began to persuade her again, "She already... many people are dissatisfied with her..."

"If we don't compromise... I'm worried..."

Because Charlene was present, he didn't dare to say it outright.

But everyone understands what it means.

If they don't compromise, the business association really will take drastic measures.

Hearing this, Charné became even more satisfied with this little-known employee.

He could tell that Xia Yu looked disgusted with him.

But their attitude towards this employee was unusual.

Perhaps it's because this employee is genuinely a good person? Is it because they're looking out for him? And I'm only after my own interests?

Charn was completely baffled. Logically, someone at his level wouldn't see things so superficially. Good people and bad people—it's not like children playing house, but…

He couldn't think of any other explanation.

Despite facing the threat of the Unarmored Alliance and their lives hanging by a thread, and despite the uncertain future of the youngest daughter of the Lin Guang family...

Why won't he agree?

Despite Markowitz's earnest persuasion, Xia Yu remained unmoved.

Ha, are you kidding? The Business Federation wants to mess with Maria?

Have you asked yourself that question?

The reason he has kept such a low profile in the Great Knight Territory is simply because he is waiting.

Waiting for the end of a conspiracy, the birth of a legend, and the grand opening.

When the eyes of the whole world are focused on this.

He had prepared a grand show, and he couldn't let it be ruined by one or two trivial matters.

By the way, he really tried his best to keep a low profile.

They were really discreet not to carry out a major cleanup of the city immediately.

215 An outrageous battle.

Seeing that Xia Yu still refused, even though Maria on the arena below was still at a disadvantage, Charne really couldn't hold back anymore.

This is not what I planned.

After witnessing this scene, Xia Yu should have understood that he either had to cooperate with her or face the darkest period in the country alone.

There is no other choice.

As for whether the man before him was a powerful figure like the legendary Witch King, capable of single-handedly defeating an entire nation, he had never considered that.

Or rather, no one would even think of it that way.

He felt as if he had overlooked some crucial information.

But... what can be ignored?

It's clear that every aspect has been considered!

Charne racked his brains but couldn't figure out why Xia Yu wouldn't cooperate with him.

Is the contract not generous enough? Or are the benefits not good enough?

Or perhaps he still harbors other hopes?

That's impossible, isn't it?

Even the Securities and Futures Commission couldn't find anything wrong with this contract, because it really didn't have any hidden traps.

Charné wouldn't set any traps; it's a matter of life and death for him, how could he be so unwise?

What if someone notices?

Wouldn't that just be Barbie Q?

Since the problem isn't with the contract, has he already gained the support of other forces?