Arknights' Lock of Heaven

"Remember, if anyone comes and asks why you're here, tell them the truth!"

Hearing this, the surrounding soldiers were all convinced. Look at his shrewdness, no wonder he's a major while they're just soldiers.

"But... Major, was that really a natural disaster?" one of Franz's confidants asked anxiously. "We all know that natural disasters shouldn't be like that..."

“You don’t need to worry about that,” Jonathan shook his head. “I have my own plans.”

Calling it a natural disaster is just a way to make some people understand the consequences.

Then he looked at the mayor's estate, "Ah, a banquet, the timing couldn't be better..."

Meanwhile, people around them couldn't resist coming over to chat, after all, important figures attending a banquet couldn't possibly come alone, right?

Their butler, driver, servants... couldn't get into the venue; they were all waiting outside.

These positions were almost entirely held by their close associates, and seeing such an unusual scene, they naturally had to ask about it.

In the manor.

Lermontov's first reaction upon hearing the news was that he would not be able to explain himself to the Duke.

How do you say this?

The Sixth Army is finished! They all perished in the natural disaster!

Most importantly, he confidently assured everyone that this so-called natural disaster was fabricated by someone he had hired... and that's the most fatal thing.

Will the Duke forgive himself after learning the news?

It's very difficult.

Lermontov knew very well that the Sixth Army was the result of the Duke's efforts over the years; just getting the designation of the Sixth Army, which had once rebelled, back into existence had taken a lot of work.

Moreover, the soldiers and officers drawn from other units, and the most advanced warships they acquired, were even named after the Grand Duke's fiefdom—yes, the Ural. The Grand Duke sacrificed so much for the Sixth Army; the exchanges of interests involved were beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.

Now you tell me there's a natural disaster that will wipe it all out.

Of the more than 20,000 men and two warships that arrived at Chiplini, only about 50 men and two trucks remain...

The Grand Prince of the Ural must have fainted upon hearing this news.

Of course, Lermontov didn't know how furious the Grand Prince of the Urals was, but he was well aware that he was in trouble.

Still, I'm having a really bad day!

What a terrible misfortune!

Lermontov immediately thought of this place, and then he even forgot about the banquet.

What do the major guilds think?

Did he betray him and side with the Emperor and the Imperial Diet?

Using false news of a natural disaster to cover up the real one, and luring the Sixth Army into this trap... How reasonable does that sound?

The theory that the emperor conspired with himself to eliminate the Sixth Army and weaken the power of the dukes is far more plausible than a bunch of reckless Kazimirians traveling thousands of miles to save the infected...

It makes perfect sense, so perfect that even Lermontov himself can't find anything wrong with it, after all, the natural disaster he claimed was fake has now become real.

A way out...where is the way out...what will happen to the family...?

"Where are those people now?" He pulled the butler aside and asked in a low voice, "Is their location secluded?"

If no one knows, deal with those people first, and try to buy as much time as possible.

At least, if there were more time...

By the way, we can't talk here; we need to find a secluded place.

Hearing this, the butler looked troubled. "Master...they...they're just outside the manor...many people have seen them since we entered the city..."

Upon hearing this, Lermontov slumped back onto the sofa.

So many people already know, there's no way to hide it anymore...

The surrounding dignitaries were completely baffled. What could have happened to strike this powerful mayor so hard?

“No…it has to be…” Lermontov turned his head and saw Alexei beside him.

Ah, yes, who can save the family now?

The Emperor, the Parliament—only they can protect themselves and their families. After all, the complete annihilation of the Sixth Army is the best news they could hope for, and perhaps they would be willing to lend a hand.

There's no way to stay with the old aristocracy... changing allegiances... might be the solution...

But I don't have any connections, but he definitely does!

Lermontov opened his mouth as he thought of this, then recalled everything he had done to Alexei over the past two days.

No sound was made.

If... I mean if, I were to need his help now, then he would be climbing all over me...

Lermontov felt as if his tongue was weighed down by a thousand pounds, and no matter what he did, he couldn't make a sound.

Could I endure such humiliation?

Putting myself in others' shoes, if Alexei were to climb over me, what would I do? Would I let go of the past and the humiliation of these past few days and try to get along with myself?

Is that possible? Absolutely not!

Power is a sweet poison, and Alexei revels in it, so isn't Lermontov the same?

He looked at Alexei's puzzled and slightly frightened expression as he watched, but couldn't bring himself to speak.

For his family, seeking the protection of the emperor and the council was the best course of action at this moment, but for him personally…

Lermontov was torn between his inner conflict and unable to make a choice.

Alexei, sitting opposite him, was completely baffled, wondering what he was up to.

The wealthy businessmen and political figures around them just watched the two stare at each other in silence, feeling completely bewildered.

The scene was silent.

But it doesn't matter; Lermontov is hesitant and unable to make a choice, but someone will force him to do it.

Almost simultaneously, the communicators on the surrounding wealthy businessmen and political figures began to vibrate.

Their butlers, servants, and drivers outside all reported the same thing to them.

The Sixth Army suffered a natural disaster and was completely wiped out. Now, only fifty-odd survivors are standing at the mayor's manor gate demanding an explanation.

This news immediately caused a huge uproar!

"Your Excellency! What exactly happened with this natural disaster?" Lord Edmund felt his insides trembling. "Is the natural disaster real? Did it really happen?"

Damn Lermontov, I had over a dozen ships loaded with ore, ready to set sail, and now you're telling me that natural disaster is real? And all that ore can't be transported out?

"Mayor! The Sixth Army has been completely annihilated..." Mr. Duke of Rice Mining's expression changed drastically. As the illegitimate son of a nobleman, he knew how shocking this news was. "Is this true? Does the Grand Duke of Ural know about this?"

“Mr. Mayor,” Ms. Kayne said with a complicated expression, “your stance…have you decided to follow the Emperor?”

That's what I said, but inside I was a complete mess. I hadn't heard that Lermontov, that fence-sitter, had sided with us. Or was I just not high enough in rank?

That shouldn't be the case. If my rank isn't high enough, then probably only the Speaker and His Majesty would be.

But if not... why would he massacre the Sixth Army, which the Grand Duke of the Urals had painstakingly rebuilt? Did he have a grudge against the Grand Duke? I've never heard of that!

Many more people were at a loss, not knowing what to think.

Is Mayor going to lead Ciprini to surrender to the Emperor? But the current situation... even without an army group, the old nobles' power is still overwhelming!

Everyone looked at Lermontov, hoping he would give a definite answer.

They all tacitly accepted that Lermontov had betrayed the Grand Prince of the Urals.

Otherwise, there's really no way to explain it! How could a fabricated natural disaster suddenly become real?

As for Alexei, he was already dumbfounded.

"Really? The news of the natural disaster is true?" His lips trembled as he spoke, "You...I...they..."

If the news of the natural disaster is true, it means that Lermontov must have unknowingly sided with the Emperor and the Parliament.

And I know nothing about it.

They've already completely sold themselves out! Sold themselves to Lermontov!

Simply because he offered a high price, the main force of the Sixth Army Group...

Alexei stared blankly at Lermontov.

The latter, however, is unable to explain himself. How could a fictional natural disaster suddenly become real?

407 I'd rather it was a natural disaster

"Mayor, we need an explanation!"

Lord Edmund could no longer stand it and said coldly, "Is your so-called natural disaster real or fake?"

Although they said it like that, everyone actually knew what was going on. The defeated soldiers of the Sixth Army were already at the door. How could that be fake?

The question is: Did you conspire with the Emperor to frame the Duke of Ural?!

Logically speaking, since it has already happened, it must be true, but Lermontov looks like this now... If it is true, then why does he look like he has lost his parents?