Arknights, but the sickly pretty girl starts

"Can I take a look around here?"

She couldn't help but make a request, and Tulia naturally wouldn't refuse, so she nodded immediately.

"Please feel free to browse. The variety here isn't very complete—but the seaweed expo is still under preparation and isn't open yet..."

Having said that, Tulia also sighed.

"Actually, I originally worked at Miliarum's Ecological Art Studio... but Miliarum later had other tasks, so the Ecological Art Studio moved to another city."

"So why did you stay?"

Noah asked curiously.

"If you like seaweed so much, I think you should go to other cities with the Eco-Art Creation Center, right?"

"This one……"

Tulia hesitated for a moment, and only spoke after making sure that the secret would not be leaked.

"A year ago, a tidal wave of seawater followed the ocean currents and reached the original anchorage area, forcing Miliarum to evacuate urgently. Losing its most important environmental conditions, the Ecological Art Creation Institute had to relocate to another city along with other related institutions."

"so……"

"Well, when we moved, I chose to stay. Partly because my vivariums were difficult to transport, and partly because you can still find some endangered algae in the waters nearby—after all, this used to be the largest breeding base for endangered plants."

Tulia explained that as an algae researcher, she certainly wanted to stay here. The ecological environment here is unique and it is a paradise for algae researchers.

"I see." Noah could understand this feeling. "I see. Are these your collections that you can be proud of?"

"It's just a hobby, actually... Really rare algae should be kept in exhibition halls." Tulia scratched her head sheepishly. "The lab was being renovated a while ago, so I brought these home. It's just a temporary display."

"You look happy."

"...Yes, is there?" Tulia scratched her head sheepishly. "Perhaps just having these algae samples for even a short while... is something worth being happy about."

"Then please introduce your treasure to me," Noah said with a smile. "I don't really know the difference between these algae. Apart from the difference between beautiful and ugly, I'm a complete layman."

"Okay..." Tulia swallowed, overcoming her inner timidity and speaking seriously. "This is... Archaeocallis, a very precious algae with a history dating back hundreds of millions of years..."

Tulia carefully explained the information about these algae, and Noah listened quietly, occasionally asking some questions. Tulia could answer most of them. Even if she encountered blind spots in her knowledge, she had an illustration book at hand, and most of the time she could explain it clearly just by flipping through the book.

Tulia felt that she had never spoken so much in her life, but in front of Noah, the nervousness and panic seemed to be non-existent. Seeing her listening attentively, even the irritability disappeared. Moreover, the other party was really listening carefully to the knowledge that others were not very interested in. Even when she was speaking excitedly, the other party did not show any impatience. For a seaweed enthusiast like Tulia, it is a blessing to have such an audience.

Every question Noah asked was answered after careful listening, without any intention of agreeing with others. Instead, it was like they were having an academic exchange.

This kind of atmosphere also made Tulia very comfortable, so she chatted with Noah for a long time inadvertently. They not only talked about seaweed, but Noah would occasionally talk about himself, such as the mobile city on land, the snow-capped mountains and camels of Kjerag, the customs and habits of Victoria, the Rhine life and flying fantasies of Columbia, the knight legend of Casimir, and the legendary story of the knight among knights, the glorious knight Margaret Linguang.

Although it was only briefly mentioned, maybe because what Noah said was like what he had experienced himself, everything was so vivid that Tulia was a little fascinated.

She had never imagined that a piece of land she had never touched had so many wonderful stories - but Noah did not intend to steal the show, so she just mentioned everything casually and continued to listen to Tulia talk about seaweed.

But Tulia felt a little itchy——

"Then...can I go to the land and take a look?"

she couldn't help but ask.

"...After all, with no sea heirs on land, it must be a very beautiful place, right?"

For some reason, the moment Tulia said this, Noah suddenly seemed to be choked and fell silent. After a long time, she said helplessly.

"The land is much more complicated than you think, but if you're really curious, you can come to Rhine Life. I have a friend who I think you can talk to."

Chapter 44: Council

Every family has its cupboard.

Noya suddenly thought, in Agor, the sea is the biggest problem, but what about on land? Originium, demons, giant beasts... Oh, there are plenty of troubles on land, and the sea is showing signs of landing.

If Tulia really went ashore, she might be frightened and run back...

This was the best advice she could give. If she could persuade as many people as she could, it would be a good thing. Agor was a good person and she should not be so obsessed with running towards a dead end.

After saying goodbye to Tulia, Jian and Noah returned to the Iberian Embassy that Agor had prepared for them. Though it was called an embassy, ​​Noah felt the building was essentially no different from any other. After all, the other buildings were already quite imaginative, and the embassy might have been a bit more restrained, perhaps in keeping with terrestrial customs. Upon returning to the embassy, ​​Noah encountered Gloria, who was waiting for them.

"Where have you been, so late?" Gloria asked them, puzzled. Brandus had informed her after the surgery, and she had assumed Noah and the others would return to the embassy quickly. Instead, they waited until dark before arriving. Tomorrow was the Council Meeting, and in Agor, not only were there many hostile to the deep-sea hunters, but they were also not friendly towards Noah and the others who had come from land as envoys. Naturally, she was worried.

But fortunately - Noah is not a soft persimmon, and neither is the mace. With the mace, Gloria can patiently wait for the two to return.

The council meeting started the next day. If possible, Gloria hoped that Noah and the others could stay in the embassy. This was not because she thought they were weak, but because she did not want any unexpected events to disrupt the progress of the council meeting.

Although the Deep Sea Hunter is the creation of the Agore, the Agor people's malice towards the Deep Sea Hunter does not decrease because of the special nature of the Deep Sea Hunter itself. After all, most Agores hate the Sea Si, and similarly, they also hate the Deep Sea Hunter who has been implanted with the Sea Si cells.

At least before the council, Gloria still needs the cooperation of Noah and others.

"We met an interesting person. It's our first friend since we came to Agor."

Noah told her everything about Tulia. After all, it was not something shameful. When she heard that she was just a researcher, Gloria's frown eased a little.

"Friend—perhaps I should trust your ability to identify any enemy. However, it just so happens, Miss Noya—you may be needed as a witness at tomorrow's council meeting."

"witness?"

"It's just that it might be necessary. After all, the Council is essentially reviewing me, similar to the political review before becoming an official on land. It proves that I haven't committed any acts of treason during my time on land."

"So, the enemy... refers to the Deep Sea Church and Kaiji?"

Noah finally understood. The purpose of this council meeting was essentially a self-justification for the entire Argonauts, fueled by the long-term disappearance of Gloria and the others. On closer inspection, it made sense. After all, Gloria and the others had been missing for so long, and their return to Argonauts made the Deep Sea Hunters' identity compelling enough. Their resurrection from the dead added a lot of twists and turns to the story.

This is the result - and this is also an opportunity for deep-sea hunters to truly come to the fore.

It is both a crisis and an opportunity. No wonder Gloria takes it so seriously.

"what should I do?"

"I'm not sure yet. In fact, I can't predict how Agor will harass us now. I only arranged a witness to be on the safe side. You just need to recount my deeds truthfully. As for the scale, you can decide for yourself."

"Okay... I understand."

Noah nodded, agreeing.

"Such a big event, just treat it as a welcome ceremony."

"I hope the Deep Sea Hunter can continue to keep a low profile—"

Gloria sighed, but this situation was probably what Clemenza wanted to see. She had believed from the beginning that it was a mistake for Gloria to become a deep-sea hunter. She tried several times to persuade her to return to the political class, but was rejected by Gloria. Perhaps she did have good intentions, but Gloria also had her own persistence.

"Rhodes Island's situation is always so delicate," the doctor beside him grumbled. "This time, we're not only mediating between two countries, but also between the ocean and the land, and between two civilizations."

"Perhaps this is also proof that Rhodes Island is gradually increasing its voice?"

Noah smiled and said that Rhodes Island, which always appeared in this occasion, obviously had a greater proportion in the eyes of most people than being unknown. If they wanted to participate in Terra's decision-making at this level, this was also the only way.

"I'll play it by ear."

The doctor didn't say much, but just assured Gloria.

"Besides, with Noah here, I don't think there will be any problem."

"Doctor, you think too highly of me..."

Noah complained helplessly.

"I'm not omnipotent. I can only do what I can do."

"What kind of riddle are you talking about?"

The ghost shark was puzzled at this time.

"Do you have to be so roundabout when you talk?"

"Yeah, yeah, I think so too." Skadi couldn't agree more, especially Dr. Kal'tsit, who kept muttering words that Skadi couldn't understand, such as this land, I know everything, you and your race make me ridiculous - and so on and so forth.

"It's easier to understand if we're more direct. Our message can be summed up in four words: adapt to changing circumstances." Noah could only help explain, "It's difficult for us to intervene this time. Even as witnesses, our credibility isn't high. Ultimately, it's up to you, the Second Captain, to mediate. We can only provide support from the sidelines. To put it in terms you can understand, Miss Skadi, this time, Miss Goletia is single-handedly taking on the entire Agor leadership."

"Oh, I see." Skadi understood. "So the Doctor and Miss Noah are the second captain's backup?"

"That's understandable."

Sure enough, as soon as the abstract art of language was transformed into combat skills, Skadi's not-so-bright little head instantly started to work smoothly as if it were lubricated.

"What the shark said was so hard to understand, but it turns out it's just like that. I completely understand now."

Skadi stood with her hands on her hips confidently. Laurentina wanted to say something, but in the end she just looked at Skadi with pity and turned her head away.

"Captain Ulpian, you've worked really hard."

"——Heh, that guy is also a stubborn person. It's hard to say who will work hard."

This interruption brightened Goletia's mood, and the corners of her mouth curled up. As expected, no matter what the occasion, having a silly person in the group always made people relax. If even silly people looked serious, the atmosphere would probably be impossible to restore.

Goletia looked at Noah, but found that she secretly gave her a wink. She immediately understood that Noah was deliberately trying to make her laugh. In an instant, the smile on her mouth became more obvious.

"Alright, alright. I have to prepare for the council meeting the next day. You all should go back and rest. Laurentina, you and Skadi, remember to maintain your weapons and have your physicals checked. As for the rest of you, I won't restrict you. Dismissed."

-

The next day, the battle of wits was packed with people.

Most of the Agor people who had nothing to do came here, wanting to witness the ending of the deep-sea hunter who returned to Agor. No matter what the result was, these people at least cared.

Although this kind of concern can be good or bad...

"Everyone who should be here is almost here..." Skadi looked at Goletia, who had already entered the center of the venue, still feeling a little worried. They were sitting in the friends and family section, reserved for them. As for Noah, she had already taken the witness stand below. The entire setting resembled a courtroom—and Noah, standing there, suddenly felt as if she had completed half of the courtroom experience she hadn't experienced in Casimir.

But the one standing in the dock was Gloria, and she was also a lawyer, so she needed to prove her innocence herself.

This is not an easy task...

Fortunately, as the main leader of this city, Clemenza still stands on the side of Gloria. Although it cannot be seen on her face now, Noah can feel from her emotions that she is more nervous than Gloria.

Clemenza tried her best to maintain a calm exterior, her fists clenched until they bled. If it weren't for Gloria's assurance that she could handle the council meeting on her own, she wouldn't have resorted to such a desperate measure. Gloria was such a proud person, and they actually wanted to interrogate her. This was already disrespectful, not to mention that many of these people had bad intentions. Those who had already opposed the Deep Sea Hunters were now taking advantage of the situation.

But she still has to make a good start - she said, taking out the speech she had prepared earlier.

"I believe everyone is aware that Miliarum has recently successfully established contact with Iberia. This means that the waterway plan is about to enter its most critical stage..."

The moment she opened her mouth, the audience in the entire arena fell silent, and then she continued.

"At this critical moment, the three surviving deep-sea hunters, Gladia, Skadi, and Laurentina, have successfully returned to Agor. Their medical examination results, along with the mission report submitted by Gladia, have been uploaded to the Battle of Intelligence terminal. I believe you have all reviewed them. Regarding the various anomalies..."

She paused—and glanced at everyone present.

"One of the Deep Sea Hunters' chief war designers, Commander of the Agor Honorary Legion, Archon Goletia will be here to answer your questions."

She explained Gloria's identity and past honors very clearly. If anyone still wanted to make things difficult for Gloria, Clemenza would not be a pushover and would settle accounts with them one by one afterwards.

Finally, she and Gladia looked at each other, nodded, and then continued.

"I declare this council meeting open."

Noah sat in the witness stand, took a deep breath, and honestly said that the emotions she felt this time were even greater than those she felt with Casimir. Within this complex stream of emotions, there was hostility, worry, and anger - the appearance of Godetia had indeed ignited the fragile nerves of the Agors. In the long struggle with Haisi, the life trajectories of too many Agors had been changed by Haisi. They were hostile to Haisi, and they were also hostile to the deep-sea hunters who had completed their plan but did not usher in the peace they deserved.

There was also some hatred mixed in, perhaps from the Deep Sea Cultists...

Deep Sea Hunter is even more unpopular than Noya imagined... This is not a good sign...

But Noah couldn't do nothing. Even for the sake of Gloria, who had become a friend in Noya's heart, she had to try to guide and absorb these emotions, at least to reduce the malice that Gloria had to endure.

Noya's ability, or the ability of all holders of telepathic Originium skills, makes them more likely to face the undisguised malice of humans. They can see through the hypocritical masks of humans and see their truest appearance, and even observe the ugliness hidden in their hearts.

In front of them, there is no saint who only cares about deeds and not heart, because they can see the struggle between true saints and false saints when they make decisions. Many people like Noah will choose not to believe in humans. But this is definitely not Noah's choice -

In the past, Noya had heard his grandfather say that if one chooses to love the people, one must accept their ugliness and shortsightedness. One must love one's people rationally...

Although his grandfather was referring to the people of Casimir, Noya did not believe that this kind of love should be divided by national boundaries.

Guide, absorb, devour...

The music box Noah had retrieved from Jody opened slightly, trapping most of the emotions within. The small portion that he couldn't absorb was devoured by Noah. As the council meeting began, Noah was ready for a protracted battle.

Questions and Answers

Those people asked, and Goladia answered.

Some of those who questioned Gloletia came from the military, while others came from scholars. They questioned Gloletia's honor, combat, and even the Deep Sea Hunter itself, but Gloletia calmly responded one by one.

She said - the battle does need to be reviewed, but past decisions must not be viewed with today's perspective. Their understanding of Hai Si was too weak, which led to the failure of the battle.

The military had no ill will towards the Deep Sea Hunters themselves, but they were questioning whether there was a problem with the tactical arrangements made by Gloria. Gloria generously admitted her own problems and her lack of understanding of Hai Si, and then refuted the other party's naiveté about tactics. The practical Gloria faced these theoretical officers with a dimensionality reduction attack.

"To sum up - the biggest mistake in the battle five years ago was our excessive arrogance. We didn't truly regard Haisi as a long-term opponent."

Gloria stared at the theoretical officer and retorted.