Arknights' Lock of Heaven

"But for the Securities and Futures Commission, it's worthless!"

"For us, being trampled underfoot by the Business Federation is already the most shameful thing. Since it's already like this, a couple more things won't hurt."

The Grand Knight Commander said meaningfully, "But the Commercial Federation... they can't afford such a loss."

"This is the price of standing at the top."

-

"All alone, huh?" Toran raised an eyebrow as he looked at the desolate mansion.

"Are both the Radiant Knight and her sister like this, never coming home?"

"Toran, I warned you not to step on my carpet."

Marna frowned at him. "The Unarmored Alliance's spies are watching you. Do you want to drag me into this?"

"How could I dare? Don't worry, unless it's one of those elusive assassins, how could ordinary soldiers track me down?"

Toran said with an exaggerated expression, "We might not be able to beat them in a fight, since the city is their territory. But if they want to capture me, they'll have to put in some effort."

"Do you want me to praise you for being amazing?" Marna asked coldly.

"That would be too much! I am but a lowly commoner, how could I possibly deserve such praise from you, Lord Knight?"

Marna sighed in response to his teasing.

"What are you here for?"

“I came to the Great Knight’s Territory not just for you, my lord knight… but to be honest, it would be a great thing if we could persuade you to become our ally.”

“Unfortunately, this matter has already been resolved,” Marner shook his head, the outcome of which was self-evident.

"Perhaps you really have changed, Marner. I'm just reminding you..."

Toran's expression turned serious.

"Today I passed through the edge of Cavalegliaki. Those areas originally belonged to another city, didn't they?"

"Do you still remember the scene we witnessed when we returned to the Great Knight's Territory together when we were young?"

“Refugees and the poor set up camps stretching for miles outside the city, and campfires at night illuminated the faces of the homeless.”

"The infected, bandits, peasants, workers, and even desperate knights and nobles. It was a tragic hodgepodge."

“The cries and shouts were mixed together. People were being robbed and murdered right next to them, but they just shifted their positions to make themselves sleep more soundly.”

"..." Marna remained silent, but his furrowed brows told Toran that he hadn't forgotten.

I remember it very clearly.

"Tonight, the Unarmored Alliance will clean up the infected's hideout. The coordinates are written on this piece of paper."

Toran casually handed him a piece of paper.

"Infected Knights... what do they have to do with me?" Marna glanced at him and said.

"Yes, yes, what's it to you?" Toran waved his hand dismissively. "How about you do me a favor?"

"After all, someone wanted to do a big business deal with me, and after I went back, I thought about it a lot... and I felt that this business was worth doing."

"But when I rushed back excitedly, I found out that their identity was extraordinary. I was really out of my league. So before I went to their door, I was thinking about what kind of gift I should give them. But what can I do when I'm so poor that I'm practically penniless?"

"But I noticed he seemed quite concerned about those infected people, so I thought I might as well lend them a hand, as a small token of my sincerity."

“But unfortunately, I’m not capable enough, so I can only drag you down with me,” Toran shrugged.

“You want to drag me into this…” Marna looked at Toran, “How do you think I would agree to this…”

"That's all I have to say... Finally, let me give you a piece of advice, Marna."

Toran left the mansion without looking back.

"The tide is turning, and it's no longer feasible to remain aloof."

"Tomorrow night will mark the beginning of a transformation for the entire Great Knight Territory, or at least, that's what the person who told me this said."

……

"...Batbayar, what are you doing following me?"

The Major's rising star, Nightmare Rider, turned around and looked at his fellow race.

“Don’t always talk to me like that, so old-fashioned. Your voice sounds quite young; you’re probably younger than me,” Old F sighed. “You’re always so… aimless?”

The Nightmare Knight did not answer.

"Don't you have a place to stay? Is a titled Major Knight living as a vagrant in Kavaleria?"

Old Fu was utterly shocked.

“…I loathe cities,” the Nightmare Knight said calmly. “Walking helps me stay clear-headed. Kuranta often travels across the grasslands.”

"This isn't a grassland!"

"This is where it should be!"

"..."

"Batbayar, do you know about 'The Heavenly Path'?"

The Nightmare Knight said earnestly, "That was... the highest honor of Kuranta."

"When a warrior comes of age, in order to demonstrate the honor of being a Kuranta, he will make a promise in the presence of his parents."

"They will travel from their birthplace to a distant trial ground, carrying only a weapon given to them by their parents, on foot."

“The Trial Grounds…” Old F lowered his head.

"The trial grounds are determined by themselves. True courage must be acknowledged by oneself."

"The path of the brave is traversed by ravines and valleys, while the cowardly dare only choose the woods in front of their own door."

“The distance of the journey is not the only criterion. Some warriors bring back the heads of their prey, some cut off the ears of their enemies, and some bring nothing but gold and spices.”

"Our ancestors never forgot this tradition; it is proof of courage. Countless Nightmare Warriors have traversed the Heavenly Path as a symbol of their conquest."

"So, you're now... completing your coming-of-age ceremony alone?"

Old F frowned. "Where are your parents?"

“That’s not important,” Nightmare Knight said, looking toward the center of the Grand Knights’ territory.

"The important thing is that I felt it; the storm was coming."

"The Radiant Knight... is no longer important... I will face the storm head-on! This is my test!"

"A storm?" Old F frowned, feeling a sense of absurdity, and looked at the star-filled night sky. "Where did this storm come from?"

……

"Oh, what a coincidence," Xia Yu said with a smile as she watched Margaret and Nightingale dancing hand in hand. "I didn't expect to meet you here."

"Where is the consultant going?"

Shining looked at Xia Yu and sensed something different about him.

“Me?” Xia Yu looked toward the center of the Grand Knight’s territory, “I also have to go to an appointment.”

At this moment, countless eyes, including those of the Unarmored Alliance and the Supervisory Council, are focused on the power center of the Great Knight Territory.

Now, the die is cast and the arrow is ready to be released!

248 The Silent City

“By the way,” Xia Yu glanced at Nearl and Nightingale, who were engrossed in the music, and then looked at Shining beside her.

Can I ask you for a favor?

"Of course, what's up?" Shining nodded upon hearing this.

"To be honest, I'm still a little worried about Hongsong and the others."

"So could you go and take a look for me?"

……

A light breeze at 8:31 p.m.

"Why aren't you coming?"

Monique, with a furrowed brow, led the Great Knight to the power center.

Red Pine, those infected people... why didn't they act according to plan?

“I can’t wait any longer,” she gritted her teeth and dialed Roy’s number directly.

"Go check on those infected people, why aren't you taking any action!"

"No? They haven't started yet?" Roy was very puzzled when he heard this.

Shouldn't it?

Could the information from the Uninsured Alliance be incorrect? Or has the so-called Red Pine abandoned its cooperation with the Securities and Futures Commission?

But who can they turn to for help after giving up the cooperation?