Arknights' Lock of Heaven

“I know you didn’t use it,” the sage shook his head, looking regretful. “I just went to see that little girl.”

"I have to say, compared to you, hero, she is still too inexperienced."

Upon hearing this, Patriot instinctively tightened his grip on his halberd.

The expressions on the faces of the Rhodes Island members became even more serious.

Has this person ever been to Rhodes Island?

Their gazes turned toward Kal'tsit.

Why hasn't Rhodes Island sent back any information? Or does our all-powerful Minister Kal'tsit have some... special channels?

Just as no one doubts the Doctor's leadership abilities, no one doubts Kal'tsit's connections, given that the elders of Rhodes Island who came from the Tower of Babel era would doubt the Doctor's leadership abilities.

She always manages to pull out the relevant connections when needed.

At this moment, Empress Dowager Ke's clear eyes trembled violently.

Xia Yu could almost read the anger in her voice.

What the hell are you doing?!

It's the kind of language that gets censored when written down and encrypted when spoken.

"It's alright," Xia Yu replied with a glance, "Everything is under control!"

“I can’t pretend I didn’t hear those words,” Kal’tsit said through gritted teeth, taking a deep breath. “I don’t recall Rhodes Island receiving any request for a visit from you?”

Regardless, we must now pretend we don't know them.

"I sneaked in," the sage said, hands on his hips, a proud look on his face, "and no one noticed!"

This guy is so annoying...

This was the unanimous opinion of everyone present.

No wonder the Patriots kept quiet about this man; it was too much to ask the old-fashioned Wendigo to deal with someone like him.

Xia Yu, now dressed as Merlin, has truly let loose.

Anyway, it's not me who will be disgraced, and as for Merlin? Who cares?

Exposed? How could such a thing possibly happen?

“Brave warrior, keep this flower safe,” the sage appeared before the patriot in a flash, offering him a flower as clear as crystal. “This time, you can’t give it to anyone else…”

“Avalon has a chance to produce one Everlasting Flower every ninety-nine years. After deducting the fairies’ share, I don’t have many left. If I give them to others, it will really be difficult for me.”

All eyes were drawn to the shimmering, colorful flower.

Everlasting flowers.

An everlasting flower that can bring the dead back to life.

Everyone present knew the miracle this flower had created.

Frostnova is still lying healthy on Rhodes Island!

Such a miracle is within the reach of any patriot.

Once they obtain it, they will have no worries in the battles to come, and will be reborn from death. The Shield Guards will then have a leader who is strong and full of life again.

As a Wendigo, Patriot's life is far from over.

It was Ore-borne disease that caused him to look like this now.

Once he gets his hands on it, his long-cherished future, his ideals, and the past he carries on his shoulders can all continue to move forward without the risk of collapse.

But he didn't reach out.

No one would give away such a divine object for no reason.

I didn't know its function before, but now that I know its life-saving power, how could I possibly raise my hand to catch it?

Every generous gift from fate comes with a hidden price tag.

"Reason?" Patriot gripped his halberd tightly and uttered the same words he used when speaking to Rhodes Island.

"I need a reason."

"If I accept this flower, what do you need me to do?"

74. Powerless

"Reason?" The sage twirled his oddly shaped staff. "Does not wanting to see heroes grow old count?"

"It doesn't count!"

The voice of patriots remains steadfast, unwavering in the face of such temptation.

"Don't try to deceive me. I've seen too much exploitation and too many lies."

"And don't try to use fate to cover up my disgust for fate. I want to shatter fate."

This man looked eccentric, and Patriot blocked the way before he could even open his mouth.

Don't think I can't see through your fake smile!!!

Upon hearing this, the sage's bright smile gradually disappeared.

"Hate fate? Shatter fate?"

The sage looked up into the eyes of the towering Wendigo.

"You've done it, brave warrior."

You already did it when you decided to stand with Rhodes Island.

Kal'tsit, who was on the other side, was stunned for a moment when she heard this, and then her gaze toward Xia Yu became even colder.

Others might not understand what it means, but doesn't she know?

The last Wendigo died at the hands of the Demon King!

Given the current situation, Rhodes Island and the Patriots are unlikely to fight, so this prediction has been proven false.

As for the future?

Who can say what will happen in the future?

Kal'tsit gritted her teeth, thinking, "They actually brought this up."

It seems we'll need to have a serious talk when we get back.

"Stop playing dumb!" Patriot slammed his halberd into the ground, creating a deafening roar. "Give me a reason!"

"Otherwise, leave here, and I'll pretend you were never here!"

"Captain!" A leading shield guard rushed forward, hoping Patriot would accept this miracle.

He wasn't unaware that there's no such thing as a free lunch, but he couldn't bear to watch the captain die from increasingly severe carcinogenic lesions.

"go back!"

The patriot shouted, "Listen to me!"

The shield guards who had stepped forward could only retreat back into the ranks.

Patriot still holds considerable prestige within the guerrilla forces; even Talulah, as their leader, cannot mobilize the Shield Guards without his approval.

Amiya always felt out of place in Rhodes Island's team, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

I feel like that sage who suddenly appeared on the other side looks familiar.

But I can't remember where I've seen it before.

The little rabbit twisted its fingers in confusion, wondering whether it should go up and strike up a conversation.

"You need a reason..." Xia Yu, wearing a Merlin vest, lowered her head.

To be honest, he knew patriots were stubborn, but he didn't expect them to be this stubborn.

How can I persuade him?

"Why can't I simply want to give it to you?" Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the sage said helplessly, "Do I always have to have ulterior motives?"

Why do you feel like everyone approaches you with ulterior motives?

“I don’t know you, I don’t know your true nature,” Patriot shook his head. “There are too many people behind me. I am not alone.”

Too many people depend on him, and he cannot gamble with their lives, betting that this mysterious sage before him is only acting out of kindness.

If he gives you a flower that can bring the dead back to life and never fade, what do you want in return?

What could be more precious than this flower?

"Then what do you think you can give me?" The sage glanced around calmly. "What could I possibly want from you?"

"These troops behind you?"

"Or are those infected people who were under your protection?"

"Bozokasti, do you think they're worth an Everlasting Flower?"

“Value is relative,” Kal’tsit stepped forward. “In terms of universal value, an everlasting flower can be exchanged for several times the assets of the Reunion Movement from an aging monarch.”