Arknights, but the sickly pretty girl starts

"This wasn't just a mistake in that battle, it was a massive error in our overall strategy. We need to correct it, we need to move forward. Before the truth about Terra is revealed, we need to acknowledge that our understanding of the Hai Si will always be flawed, and our war plans must take this into account."

After hearing such words, the theoretical officers no longer had any doubts.

"I agree. The conclusion you just reached should be used to examine various possible combat plans in the future." The officer felt that his doubts were unexpectedly resolved, not only because the other party's reasons were sufficient and the arguments were reasonable, but also because... he actually began to agree with Gloria's statement from his initial doubts, as if someone was telling her that this was correct, this was a completely correct theory.

"--Although it seems to be just guidance, it's more like a certain emotional push--" At this moment, Precious suddenly appeared in the witness stand beside her, "Your ability is truly interesting. It involves the collective subconscious, even the realm of dreams. If you are willing... you can even pry open the loyalty of an entire nation. This is an irresistible and irresistible force--"

“—I won’t do that.”

"is it?"

Precious twirled his fingers boredly.

"Not knowing how to do something and not being able to do it are two different things, right? Noah?"

Chapter 45: Would you like a Krabby Patty?

Noah was not shaken by Precious's words. Watching this council meeting, she felt that it was great that her abilities could help her friends.

It's much better than feeling powerless.

After the military organization withdrew from the debate, the next person to enter looked like a researcher. He wore a pair of square-framed glasses and was dressed like a Minoan scholar. In terms of artistic style, Agor was like a high-tech version of Minos. It seemed that the military's retreat had not affected them.

"Besides the battle five years ago, I think we have more practical issues to worry about—" He pushed his glasses. "According to the physical examination report, you, Skadi, and Laurentina have all undergone significant physical changes. I have no intention of questioning your loyalty to the country, but I need to know how the assimilation of the Sea Si genes into you will affect your subsequent actions. Miliarum will soon complete the location of all nests. After that, the Sea Si will be driven away by the action of Class IV weapons, and the channel will be officially opened. At this point in time, will the Deep Sea Hunters become the enemy of Agor, and your own enemies?"

Noah subconsciously gripped the railing. Indeed, this was the most critical issue. The physical examination report could not lie. Gloria and others who had lost contact with Agor for a long time had no chance to adjust. This also made the sea cells in the deep-sea hunter's body the biggest destabilizing factor.

——A hunter out of control is more dangerous than Haisi himself.

At least for these people, for these Agor people who have already developed a fear of Haisi, anything related to Haisi is worthy of vigilance.

"...?"

Noah turned her head in confusion, and after seeing Precious spread her hands to indicate that she didn't say that, she realized that someone was communicating with her in some way.

How did this happen? Noah was a little confused, but she still took the initiative to speak.

"you are?"

"You may call me Ulpian," the other party responded, "Deep Sea Hunter, Ulpian."

"...Are you the third captain that Ms. Skadi mentioned?"

Noah breathed a sigh of relief. Because of Precious, she was almost going crazy from this sudden sound.

"Mr. Ulpian, why are you here now? Why not return to Agor with your team? Logically, Miss Goldia should need your help right now."

Noah asked curiously. She didn't doubt that Ulpian had any ill intentions. After all, Gloria had told her before that Ulpian helped defend Saltwind City. How could someone who could do such a thing be a bad guy?

"You are much calmer than I thought, and you know my identity."

It was Ulpian who was more surprised. After investigating Noah, he had some understanding of Noah's abilities. That was why he decided to contact Noah in this way.

"I guess... you contacted me through this ring?" Noah raised her hand, and a ring appeared on her finger at some point. This ring was given to her by Gloria before she went to the witness stand, or rather, it was the ring that Noah bought from Cannot, and it was called the Guide to the Distant Hometown.

The reason why Gloria gave him the ring before he went to the witness stand was probably to facilitate contact with Ulpian.

"You are very smart."

Ulpian really didn't expect that Noah would know the truth so quickly. The Guidance to Homeland was a tool for communication between teams, and it could establish a very secret communication network between the wearers. Gloria had to be checked before going on stage, so she had no way of carrying the ring. However, the witness Noah did not need to be checked, so Gloria gave the Guidance to Noah to facilitate support.

"Come to think of it, why me? You could have contacted Skadi..."

"Skadi isn't very good at things like this."

Before Noah could finish, Ulpian made some sad comments, and Noah was silent for a moment before complaining.

"Miss Skadi would be very sad if she knew."

"She should reflect on herself first—"

Ulpian responded mercilessly, but besides the fact that Skadi was indeed a little silly, there was another important reason.

"Secondly, the deep-sea hunters are under close surveillance. If her connection with me is revealed, it will affect their safety."

"I see……"

Noah nodded, understanding Ulpian's painstaking efforts. If they only discovered that Noah and Ulpian had a connection, at most Noah would be locked up. But if it was any of the deep-sea hunters - that would be a crime of treason.

Although Ulpian is not an enemy of the Agors, the Agors are now obviously a little nervous.

"Mr. Ulpian, you've thought a lot about protecting the hunters."

Although he was involved, Noah was not angry. Instead, he expressed admiration for Ulpian.

"Skadi acted faster than she thought. Laurentina hasn't been awake long enough, so ultimately, it's Goletia who will make the final decision. I've shared a lot of information with her before, so she should have been wary. She's not unaware of the restrictions she'll face, but she still chose to return to Agor."

Ulpian ignored Noya's praise and just continued the topic.

"She was too eager to return to her familiar surroundings, not realizing she had been placed in the most conspicuous position. Everyone, trustworthy and untrustworthy, had every right to scrutinize her. Now is not the best time for the deep-sea hunter to return home. This is a huge gamble."

"But even though you judged it wasn't the right time to return, you still returned to Agor. It seems you still care about the hunters."

"Golatia and the others are in a grim situation."

Ulpian's voice was low, and he seemed to be genuinely concerned about the hunters' safety.

"Unlike me, although the three of them underwent transformation, they didn't participate in the core research and development of the Deep Sea Hunter Project. It's difficult for them to explain the changes in their bodies. If possible, I will tell you how to answer while you testify. I need you to find a way to help Gloria. Afterwards, convey my reminder to her."

While Ulpian was still giving instructions, Gloria had already used her skilled debating skills to defeat the researcher who had been pushed out. He took a step back with a grim expression, and just by taking this step back, he no longer had any way to threaten Gloria.

Just at this moment, a person suddenly appeared on the seat. His appearance made the man with glasses, who was originally planning to continue speaking, give up. He knew that after this person appeared, the level of this debate had risen to a stage that he could not reach.

Brandus, the technical advisor of the Deep Sea Hunter Project, is responsible for the genetic chimera research in the transformation experiment. In other words... at this moment, he is the person in this city who knows the Deep Sea Hunter best.

Ulpian revealed the other party's identity, and his appearance and his uniqueness obviously made everyone extremely vigilant.

If Brandus had also questioned the Deep Sea Hunter's reliability, then the debate would have been overwhelmingly unfavorable to the Deep Sea Hunter... which was predictable.

"Golatia, Laurentina, and Skadi have been in this dry environment for too long, engaging in frequent battles. Their physical condition is truly not optimistic."

Brandus stood on the seat. At this moment, everything he did was being scrutinized by the Agor people. Everything he said would be recorded - every word he said would become a weather vane that would determine the future of the Deep Sea Hunters.

"Your concerns are justified. But my answer is, no—"

So, after this sentence, the entire audience in the battle of wits was in an uproar.

"They won't become Kaiji."

Brandus remained unmoved, even the researchers behind her changed their expressions. Indeed, the institute's position was to question the Deep Sea Hunter. In fact, Brandus's participation in the Deep Sea Hunter project itself had caused him a lot of trouble, but he still stood on the side of the Deep Sea Hunter.

Clemenza's expression relaxed immediately. She was extremely nervous, but luckily, Brandus was also on their side.

As for the reasons, they were no longer important. By speaking with such conviction on this occasion, he had already guaranteed the deep-sea hunter with his own career, even his life and honor.

He will be responsible for it and must be responsible for it. If any problems arise with the Deep Sea Hunter in the future, he will be held accountable.

So he must have thought everything through before he came out to speak. Clemenza looked at Brandus gratefully. Even she didn't dare to stand on the side of the Deep Sea Hunter so firmly. This was a decision that would ruin her political career.

But Brandos stood up at this most critical moment, which was enough for Clemenza to express his respect for him.

With the words of this true boss, the outcome of the debate no longer needed to be considered. It was only a matter of time before Gloria and her team were released.

Clemenza just breathed a sigh of relief, but at this moment, another voice sounded in the debate seat.

"And what about Ulpian?"

The person who spoke was an old man standing in the audience. Judging from his clothes, he was also a researcher. One of the rules of the battle of wits is that any citizen of Agor has the right to raise questions, so it was reasonable and legal for him to speak, and Clemenza could not stop him.

"That deep-sea hunter who still refuses to return to Agor, how can we ensure he doesn't become a sea heir? Will you ensure that?"

"……Oops."

Noah gasped. If the topic was brought back to Ulpian, then if Ulpian was no longer reliable, the reliability of the Deep Sea Hunter would also be questioned.

But faced with this accusation, Ulpian just snorted coldly.

"Their suspicion is legitimate. It's common sense and a hard-earned lesson to remain vigilant about things beyond your control."

He even somewhat admired the Agor people's vigilance. He had no intention of fighting back, but instead expressed his views very fairly.

"If I weren't a deep-sea hunter, I would also raise such questions. It's not surprising."

"But this is not good news."

Noah complained helplessly.

"Mr. Ulpian, your return to Agor is a secret, but if the council this time judges you as a suspected traitor, you will have a hard time in this city, right?"

"I have my own way."

"……Fine."

Noah was helpless. She just felt that Ulpian's way of acting was somewhat familiar, but she didn't think there would be any problem with Ulpian - unlike Agor's perspective, she had actually come into contact with the Deep Sea Church. She could hardly feel the thoughts and inhuman feelings of that group of people in Ulpian. Although she was only connected to Ulpian through the Guidance to the Distant Hometown, Noah could already judge some things through the sound.

"I need to see you after this council, Mr. Ulpian."

"I'll decide the place and time."

"……Um."

"—After the meeting, at 3:00 PM at the Krabby Patty Restaurant, ask for a Krabby Patty. Someone will take you there."

"...strange code."

“Just do it.”

Noah temporarily gave up on complaining about this flawed way of meeting and focused on the council. In response to the citizens' questions, Gladia spoke up.

"With all due respect, whether Ulpian is present or not does not affect the topic of this council meeting, which is whether the Deep Sea Hunters are trustworthy. This is already beyond the scope of discussion."

"While sea breams can reproduce independently driven by instinct, they are born as newborns and cannot violate their most basic biological nature. In other words, even if they are newborns, they are still living beings after all—that's why I doubt what I said before."

The citizen ignored Gloria's words and continued explaining, his words even becoming somewhat sharp.

"'Multiple First Borns'—this explanation makes sense, but that's precisely where my doubts about Ulpian stem from. The carefully planned operation ended in failure, and the three surviving hunters, swept by the waves, arrived on unfamiliar lands, reuniting with the last hunter stranded in the lair. The intelligence Ulpian brought, 'Multiple First Borns' within the sea,' was not only groundbreaking but also incredibly effective. It perfectly explains why, despite achieving your operational objectives, even greater unrest within the seas occurred. It answers everyone's questions."

The researcher stared at Goletia and asked the most fatal question.

"Such a perfect explanation is either the only truth or the answer designed to all questions."

"..."

"This is not easy to deal with..."

Noah was also a little nervous.

"If we fall into the trap of self-incrimination, then this council meeting will be dangerous. Who is this person and where does he come from?"

"...It's impossible for me to investigate the household registration of everyone in the entire arena."

Ulpian's words were true, but they were hardly the words of an unprepared citizen.

"Whether or not you accept the intelligence Ulpian has passed on to you will have a significant impact on our subsequent war plans. Since Ulpian is still alive, confirming his whereabouts and condition, or even confronting him face to face, is the most direct and effective way to verify it."

The eccentric researcher continued, but the meaning of his words was obvious.

"Are they forcing you to come out?"

"It's an effective method, but unfortunately, I'm not that impatient."

"I'm increasingly curious about who's behind this researcher. Even Gloria can't respond to these words. After all, any explanation would be ineffective before you showed up. The previous statements have been found to have loopholes... This is a very dangerous signal for the entire council."

Noah frowned, concentrating her attention on the researcher, but soon—she realized something was wrong.

It’s not that there’s anything wrong with the researcher—it’s what’s behind him.

"…Amaya?"

"……who?"

"...The masked woman sitting behind the researchers... Why is she here?"

Chapter 46: The Deep Sea Church in Action

Amaya's appearance was beyond Noah's expectations. She remembered that Amaya was not qualified to join the ambassador team, so naturally she should not appear here.

But she still showed up, what does this mean?

And obviously, she had developed a deep connection with some of the people in Agor, and even sat among them, but before that, she should not have known any of the citizens of Agor.

These doubts put together allowed Noah to come up with an answer in an instant.