Arknights' Lock of Heaven

“Thank you for Rhodes Island’s understanding,” Andrew said with a smile and a nod.

“But if we start cultivating now…” someone hesitated and said, “Andrew, you know how cold it is outside. The land is frozen solid. Even if we cultivate it, it might freeze over again in just a few days. And the manpower and resources required for cultivation now…”

“Land is secondary,” Andrew said with a helpless smile. “The important thing is to get people moving. To be honest, I don’t expect to reclaim much usable land. As long as everyone’s enthusiasm has a place to be released and their demand for work points can be met, that’s enough.”

"Otherwise, after people have enough to eat and drink, their needs will not be met for a long time. They can only watch those who have jobs improve their lives by exchanging work points for goods, while they can only make sure they have enough to eat... People will be dissatisfied."

“It’s not scarcity that’s the problem, but inequality. Andrew’s approach is correct,” Patriot commented upon hearing this. “Let’s do it this way.”

In fact, he can often tell which things are necessary and which things should never be touched. This is the advantage of living a long life. But now, he usually doesn't speak much at guerrilla meetings.

Instead, it was about getting the people below to pool their wisdom and ideas, because now they were no longer a small guerrilla force, but needed to lead 200,000 people to survive on the snowy plains.

We must ensure that those below us grow and develop.

“This is all thanks to Rhodes Island’s help,” Andrew said to Aye with emotion. “Without Rhodes Island’s free supplies, we would never have been able to accomplish this.”

“Those supplies are no small amount; Rhodes Island must have gone to great lengths to gather them.”

Upon hearing this, Aya and Frostnova exchanged a glance.

It took a lot of effort? Did it? Probably not...

See that majestic Orville? That's Kazimierz's newest frontline supply ship, a behemoth with a carrying capacity of hundreds of thousands of tons. Custom-made ones would cost a fortune, but it was given to Rhodes Island for free.

The grain was sold at rock-bottom prices by the Kasimir grain merchants.

Those various supplies were essentially free goods, all donated by charitable organizations.

The participants included thousands of businesses and nobles of all sizes in Kazimierz. Those with money contributed money, and those without contributed their time and effort. Their motto was to support the just struggle of the Ursus infected and to support the protection of their human rights.

Anyone who didn't know better would think that the infected people in Kazimierz were living a good life before.

Ordinary people would at most think that this was a show put on by the Kazimierz leadership to divert attention from the massacre in the Great Knights Territory, and to disgust their arch-enemy Ursus. After all, the scale was so large that it was not something that ordinary people could organize. The forces that sold everything they owned covered all walks of life in Kazimierz.

Supporting the Ursus infected to fight for human rights... Ha, when did the higher-ups become so kind? Everyone knows what kind of lives the infected in Kazimierz are living.

Those in the know remained silent, fearing they might attract unwanted attention.

457 The Spy's Plan

"I can't get away..."

In the dark room, David gave a wry smile and said, "Now they want me to work with a group of retired veterans to manage the mine... Sigh, there's no way I can get close to that eco-park project."

At this point, he recalled the earnest advice given to him by the Shield Guard captain who had always appreciated him.

“David, you joined the guerrillas later, so you don’t know how much we old folks hate mines…” The old captain held his hand and earnestly instructed him, “Now that our allies have arrived, we don’t need to keep so many troops to guard against the Ursus people. You can come with me to guard the mines.”

"But... will Ursus really not attack?" David felt he could still struggle a bit. If he was really transferred to guard the mine, he would be completely cut off from the Everlasting Flower.

"Hmph, how dare they," the old captain laughed and patted his shoulder, saying, "Our allies silently annihilated the main force of the Sixth Army on their way here. The nobles of Ursus still don't know what happened, how dare they throw their precious troops into this mess?"

"Once the ecological park is completed, the entire Ursus will witness this miracle. Those nobles who have caught a whiff of its power will be even less daring, because they know that we infected people, who have nothing, are truly willing to risk Ursus's future hope against them. If they have the guts, let them attack!"

The old captain said smugly, "A leopard can't change its spots. That's how nobles are. As long as there are benefits to be had, and they can't get anything from an attack, they'll naturally compromise."

“So don’t worry,” the old captain patted his shoulder again. “They won’t dare to do anything reckless. And don’t think that working in the mine is some kind of hardship. This is the future of us infected people, it’s of utmost importance!”

"If we didn't really need Originium minerals to maintain the development of the base and the subsequent ecological park, none of us would have agreed to reopen the mine. Sigh, you have no idea how cruel those illegal mines on the snowfield used to be."

“We retired veterans are here to keep an eye on these mines and prevent them from becoming like they used to be,” the old captain said sincerely to David. “David, I have high hopes for you. We old bones can’t watch over the mines forever. We’ll hand them over to you when we’re completely old.”

“Well… okay,” David agreed with a convincing air, but inwardly he felt quite helpless.

If he could go to the eco-park, he would never care about any of those mines. But the base is still under military control, and someone like him can't just go wherever he wants. If he insists on going his own way, it will inevitably arouse suspicion.

Although he could use the desire for an everlasting flower as a cover, in reality... if he used this excuse, the investigation would still proceed, and he simply couldn't withstand such scrutiny.

"If I apply to transfer there myself, it would be too unusual, and people would suspect me."

In the dark room, after David finished speaking, he looked intently at his colleague.

Petar sighed as he met his gaze.

"I'm sorry, I can't go either," he said with a bitter expression. "Because of the arrival of the Orville, the logistics department is under immense pressure. Hundreds of thousands of tons of supplies are waiting for us to tally them, build warehouses to store them, distribute them, and we also have to work on those work points, measure their value, and be responsible for their exchange..."

"The logistics department is short-staffed everywhere right now, and it's competing with other departments for infected people who have even a little management experience. How could they possibly let me, the third-in-command, leave?"

This wasn't an excuse; Petar was actually desperate to get into the eco-park project. After all, they had said that the Everlasting Flower would be awarded based on contribution, and he was the spy among those present who was most likely to make a contribution to the eco-park.

After all, managing logistics is much more likely than David becoming a security guard or Elena becoming a doctor.

Unfortunately, the logistics department is really too busy to send anyone to the eco-park project.

At this point, the two men sighed and then looked at their last colleague.

Dr. Elena.

She showed no surprise and said directly, "I... actually, it's quite simple for me to get into the eco-park; all I need to do is submit a report."

Facing the intense gazes of her two colleagues, Elena said helplessly, "Actually, the medical department is also short-staffed, but they are short of nurses and the like. They don't lack doctors; they even use interns as nurses."

"Moreover, most of their training is aimed at Oripathy, which meets the needs of those infected at the base. What we lack now is a doctor with management experience to be in charge of the distribution of inhibitors and the health of the workers in the eco-park."

At this point, Elena frowned. "Actually, it shouldn't have been this complicated. The workers are all infected people at the base, and all diagnosis and treatment could have been done in the base's medical department."

“But they still set aside a special department to be in charge of the construction site… I find it very strange. I have seen the work in the eco-park with my own eyes, and there is absolutely no danger. This is completely unnecessary.”

“Even the miners recruited from the more dangerous mines don’t have a dedicated department in the medical ward to ensure their safety,” Elena said, looking at the two of them. “You know, they’re dealing with Originium mines, so it’s obviously more dangerous than the work in the eco-park.”

"But there are only a few medical teams in charge of them, while the eco-park has an entire department. This is really strange."

"You mean, the people of Rhodes Island think the eco-park is more dangerous than the mining area?" Petal asked thoughtfully. "But what danger could there be?"

“I’ve seen their construction plans, from the central control tower to the surrounding enclosed site, and then to the land planning and architectural design of the area. I really can’t find anything dangerous about it. It’s all very ordinary.”

“But it was Rhodes Island’s request to set up a dedicated department there,” Elena said, shrugging. “They also specified that a doctor with little research in Oripathy should be in charge, so as not to waste the base’s medical resources too much.”

"Furthermore, it would be best if the person in charge had experience in handling large-scale accidents, especially those caused by low or high temperatures."

"Although I don't have such experience, my major is indeed not related to Ore-Pyrophyll Disease, so as long as I apply, there is a high probability that it will be my turn."

Hearing this, David stroked his stubble thoughtfully and said, "Low temperature and high temperature, don't require Oripathy specialists, but require dedicated medical departments... It seems like Rhodes Island's technology isn't very mature."

“Ha, listen to what they’re advertising,” Petal said, squinting. “Build a magical dome, where it’s spring all year round, free from the freezing cold of the snowfields, and you can even regulate the temperature to grow crops…”

"This is an outrageous claim. If they had such technology, how could the dukes be completely unaware of it and have to rely on us to investigate?"

"As you probably know, only the most elite nobles in Ursus can afford to maintain such an ecological garden. The amount of Originium they burn each year is enough to power a small to medium-sized mobile town for a whole year, but it can only sustain a garden of less than ten acres."

"Look at those infected. The area they've fenced off is almost the size of a medium-sized town. Unless Ursus mobilizes the entire nation, who can afford to provide a spell for such an area?"

"Maintaining such a magical barrier requires burning minerals every minute, which is something their mines cannot afford."

“That’s what His Excellency the Duke thinks too,” David nodded upon hearing this. “The so-called ecological park is just an excuse to delay the army’s advance. They want to use this to keep the nobles in suspense and let the infected survive for a few more days.”

"And the Unfading Flower... and that wizard, huh, it's like a play that doesn't need much alteration to be released. What kind of coincidence is that in real life?"

"They must have conspired together long ago, fearing that the nobles of an eco-park wouldn't believe it, so they had no choice but to throw out such a priceless treasure in public, hoping to cause the nobles to hesitate."

“I have to say, they succeeded,” Elena smiled upon hearing this. “The dukes were indeed watching, and the nobles below had their own thoughts. The news spread much faster than we expected.”

“But isn’t this a good thing for us too?” Petal smirked. “If they send troops now, what’s the point of having us…not-so-obedient infected spies in the future?”

He looked at the Originium crystal in his hand.

Because of the blood pact, the dukes could tolerate some spies being disobedient, and some even took pleasure in it.

There is a basic understanding among everyone.

But the dukes spared no expense to ensure the plan's success, turning so many precious assassins into infected... They didn't care about low-level spies; they had as many cannon fodder as they wanted.

However, due to the special nature of their mission, these high-ranking spies also had to become infected people whose lives were constantly in danger, and the dukes were well aware of the impact of this alone.

Although they promised to set them free after completing this mission... ha, who would believe that?

“Elena, we’re counting on you,” Petal took a deep breath. “Only by obtaining that Everlasting Flower will we have the confidence to negotiate with the Dukes.”

"I've figured out what the so-called contribution is. It's calculated in work points. Whoever has accumulated the most work points after the project is completed will have the greatest contribution. But work points are supposed to be a substitute for currency, but they can't be transferred to others at all. You can only earn them little by little on your own."

"The guerrillas will definitely keep their promise, otherwise their prestige among the infected will completely collapse. Patriots are not short-sighted people,"

"Based on the current intelligence, it can be basically confirmed that Rhodes Island and the guerrillas are bluffing, but Rhodes Island's technology seems to be quite unstable."

At this point, a ferocious look appeared on his face. "If something goes wrong, that's fine. You can use this opportunity to make contributions and get work points as a reward. If nothing goes wrong... then we'll find a way to make something go wrong!"

"David and my men will fully support you!"

458 Are you still hiring?

"Cindy, what did you say over there?"

A researcher in a white lab coat, collecting data on a tablet, casually asked, "Would your advisor be willing to come over?"

"How could that be? My mentor just accepted an invitation from the renowned Ferdinand Kruney, the director of the Rhine Life Energy Department, to collaborate on a research project. He has no time to worry about things here."

Cindy, a female researcher from Columbia University, said helplessly, "My mentor... sigh, let's not talk about it. Unless we make some achievements here that the whole world can see, he will never run to the war-torn snowfield."

"And you? Alcott, I remember you graduated from William University of Letania, just like Miss Eyjafjalla."

“Hey, how can an ordinary person like me compare to Senior Eyjafjalla?” The researcher named Alcott, whom she asked, shrugged. “Senior is a genius, you know, but unfortunately… cough, never mind.”

"I've always been curious, you're almost thirty, why do you still call Miss Eyjafjalla 'senior'? She's definitely younger than you, right?"