Arknights, but the sickly pretty girl starts

But Noah understood that Amaya was forcing him to make a choice.

It is to choose her path, to use the sea to allow mankind to enter the next stage of evolution, and to transcend the so-called class, the so-called country, and even the so-called historical issues through the evolution of all members. This is the conclusion Amaya has come to in her own way, and it is the direction she thinks is most worthwhile to strive for. Noah does not want to deny her. She knows that Amaya is not a dreamer. Even people like her are considered relatively moderate in the Deep Sea Church.

But...is merging with Hai Si really the right path?

If fusion with the Hai Si can complete human evolution and solve all human problems, then why didn't the previous civilization that created the Hai Si do so?

Noya, aware of the existence of Luo and Precious, knew that the problem facing humanity was not just the immediate survival, but also the threat from far beyond the planet. The mysterious woodcutter's axe blade still gleamed coldly, and it could strike the nascent Terra civilization at any time.

It is just a registered sea heir of the previous civilization. If this problem can be solved, the previous civilization will not be destroyed.

But even if she said it out loud, Amaya probably wouldn't believe it. She already thought Hai Si was the solution to the equation. In her long search, this reformer has placed all her hopes on this existence that transcends human cognition.

Maybe Noah was silent for too long—Amaya began to urge him.

"Noa," Amaya finally broke the silence, her voice pleading, "you must understand that humanity cannot eliminate class and prejudice on its own, only through the power of the Sea Si. The chains of hatred between humans run deep, and only by merging our consciousness with the Sea Si can we break these endless shackles."

She was even begging for Noah's approval. She knew her behavior was radical, but she had no other choice.

Noah frowned slightly, took a deep breath, and then slowly spoke, "Amaya—I understand and agree with your vision for the future. Humanity should indeed eliminate classes, transcend national boundaries, and unite to face the challenges ahead. However, human dignity and value cannot be sacrificed at the expense of one's own identity. Do you truly believe that such a change can bring lasting peace? Or is it just a superficial reconciliation?"

Amaya's eyes flickered, and it was obvious that she was not so determined. However, she quickly regained her composure and said

"Noya, you're too naive. Humanity's selfishness and arrogance doom them to disunity. How many class conflicts have you witnessed? I know everything: Casimir expelled you, the constant feuds among the three great families of Kjerag, the disaster in Koch County, the strife in Victoria—history has repeatedly proven humanity's limitations. Only through evolution can humanity advance further. How can you not understand?"

"Evolution? Or degeneration?" Noah retorted, a rare hint of pity in his tone. "Isn't using Hai Si to achieve the liberation of humanity also a way of avoiding the problem? We haven't come all this way to seek answers! We are just seeking a path. The result of the path may not be good, and I can't even be sure that my choice is right. If we have to take shortcuts even in such matters, then when we encounter difficulties again in the future... will Hai Si still be there to help us? External forces are always external. How can humans expect a savior when they cannot complete their own liberation? How can such a good thing happen? Hai Si is also a creation of a previous civilization, but the previous civilization! They have been destroyed!"

Amaya's face twisted slightly, anger and loss intertwined, and her voice gradually rose, even approaching a roar.

"We are not a pre-civilization! We will not follow the same path as pre-civilizations! You are just making up stories!"

"But just because the previous civilization that created the Haisi didn't escape, does that mean we can definitely do better? The previous civilization that achieved the liberation of humanity couldn't do that, and yet you're asking us, who haven't achieved anything yet, to do it. Do you really think Terra's current civilization is capable of that?"

She reached out her hand, but instead of touching the little jellyfish in Amaya's hand, she held Amaya's other hand.

"Why do you still want to keep the human part? Are you really completely desperate about humans? I think you should have the answer."

"...Yes, of course I don't despair of humanity. I know there are things in humanity that I yearn for, things that I want to give everything for and protect... My hope comes from you."

"......?" Noah was stunned. She didn't expect the other party to give such an answer. In an instant, the atmosphere of their originally fierce debate became a little weird, and even Noah's original thoughts became stagnant.

"Yo, yo, yo—" Precious cheered and applauded from the side. "It's good to live long, to see wonderful things. Keep going, keep going. I love this."

"...Why are you gloating over this?" Noya's mouth twitched. This wasn't a funny thing. She felt like her head had been hit by a million-ton punch, completely turning into a mess. Why did she grab her hand and cry and confess her love in the middle of a conversation? She and she had only met once, right? No, sisters, how about we go back to the beginning?

People shouldn't... at least can't... right?

Looking at the crying face of the person opposite him, Noah was really at his wit's end.

Amaya's tears looked especially fragile against the backdrop of the jellyfish. Her confession left Noa momentarily bewildered and at a loss. She wanted to avoid the sudden surge of emotion, yet she couldn't ignore the sincerity deep within her heart. Precious's teasing echoed in her ears, but at that moment, she struggled to focus.

"Amaya, I..." Noya began, but she didn't know how to continue. Her hand was still holding Amaya's, and she felt the warmth and vulnerability, and her heart was filled with mixed emotions.

"You're the only hope I see." Amaya's voice trembled, as if she was trying to suppress her emotions. "Only you... and only you. I hope to gain your approval. I just want you, I want you to admit that everything I do is not meaningless. I want you to stay by my side. I have long despaired of humanity, but suddenly I saw you again and learned about what you have done... Even though I only saw some cold words, it felt like I was chatting with an old friend."

When Amaya saw Noah's information, she originally thought it was just a record of a politician who was good at political propaganda and showmanship. However, the more she read, the more she became obsessed with Noah's personal charm. She could hardly see the bad nature of human beings in Noah. She was so clean that even Casimir's slander against her was full of loopholes. Amaya only needed a little reasoning to know that Casimir's incident was just a drama directed and acted by her herself.

Carrying the sin, leaving his hometown, he carries out his choice, and moves forward persistently and resolutely.

Amaya went from distrust to surprise and then obsession with Noah's ideas. It was because of Noah's existence that she felt that the path described by Bishop Marin was feasible.

As long as everyone is like Noah...

Noah thus became Amaya's only hope and the warm light she wanted to seek.

Fate whipped her, but she raised her head and caught a glimpse of the stars from the prison of fate.

She moved forward, spreading light, but she also stumbled along the way, as if she was carrying the sins of mankind.

She saw the crown of thorns piercing her skin, and her blood flowing on the land, nourishing one flower after another.

She saw people questioning her actions, mocking her nobility and kindness, and belittling her motives and actions, as if only in this way could they appear sober, that everyone else was drunk, but she was the only one sober.

People used morality as a high ground to throw stones called sarcasm at her who was willing to go downhill, gradually leaving her covered in wounds.

She is surrounded by people who are attracted to her, but these people still don't understand. They don't understand what kind of person Noah is at all.

Only she understands——

Amaya considers herself to be Noah's confidant, and she and Noah only need an opportunity to walk hand in hand.

And now, this is the opportunity——

Noah gazed at Amaya, feeling pity—more precisely, pity for her obsession. As a pathfinder, she understood Amaya's madness, the paranoia bred by her experiences, and even sympathized with some of her beliefs. Yet, there were insurmountable differences between them, as if fate had destined them from the outset to be separate.

Amaya believed herself to be Noya's savior and understanding, but Noya knew she wasn't the selfless and noble person Amaya portrayed her to be. Her motivations were more complex. In Casimir, she wasn't fighting for human liberation, but for a better life for her homeland and its inhabitants. In Kjerag, her struggle wasn't about unity, but rather about protecting herself from the political maelstrom and collaborating with allies. It wasn't her alone who truly turned the tide, but rather the forces that spontaneously united.

In Hill County, Noya's failure ruthlessly exposed her own incompetence. Unable to save a place on the brink of collapse, she even crossed her own boundaries, using the Spirit Seed to control Ravshini's actions. This act left a deep scar on her conscience, a burden she could never let go. In Victoria, Noya chose to withdraw midway, and with endless regret, she sought treatment at Rhine Life. In that moment, her heart was shattered.

Looking back on her journey, Noya realizes she hasn't truly changed Terra for the better. She simply drifted with the tide, doing what she could, saving those who could be saved. That was all. Amaya overestimated her, believing that great individuals could save everything. But Noya knew that the true changers of history were always those who silently dedicated themselves behind her. Great individuals don't exist; what changes everything is the spontaneous awakening of people, the torrent of countless seemingly insignificant efforts.

The expectation and longing in Amaya's eyes weighed even more heavily on Noya's heart. She understood that Amaya's obsession with her stemmed from an extreme longing, a longing that resonated within Noya, yet she could not reciprocate this expectation. She hoped Amaya would see the truth, the silent devotion and sacrifice that went unsung, rather than pinning everything on her.

Amaya subconsciously felt a tinge of unease. She couldn't understand how Noah could use his abilities in this area surrounded by the sea. However, the changes that followed made her realize how naive her judgment had been.

Memories flooded into her mind like a tide, and Amaya seemed to be drawn into a dream, a dream that belonged to Noah Kyrielight. From the carefree childhood, to the despair of losing everything due to physical disability, to the hardship of regaining his fighting spirit and struggling in the business world.

She was both a spectator and a witness. In these long memories, Amaya sensed Noya's pain and resentment, her unyielding defiance of fate, which shook her to the very depths of her soul. She had once thought she understood Noya, considered herself her confidant, but now, as those fragments flowed into her mind, she realized that what she knew was only the tip of the iceberg.

Noah's inner negativity was no less intense than anyone else's. Amaya felt a shiver run down her spine, a shock deep within her heart. All the details she'd overlooked, all the suppressed struggles, seemed to be revealed at that moment, overturning her worldview. She'd thought her understanding of Noah was profound and comprehensive, but as these memories surfaced, she realized she was only at the most superficial level.

She witnessed Noya's vulnerability in the face of a cruel fate, but also her growing resolve amidst adversity. Each memory pierced Amaya's inner illusions like a knife, making her realize clearly that Noya wasn't the perfect person she'd imagined. She was a wounded person, with untold pain and struggles.

All this plunged Amaya's heart into deep turmoil, leaving her feeling an unprecedented sense of panic and guilt. Her obsession and longing seemed to fade into insignificance at this moment. She wanted to be Noah's savior, but suddenly realized that the one who truly needed saving might be herself.

Noah just looked at Amaya gently, without saying anything, and there was no need to say anything else.

After today, Amaya is destined to be the person who understands Noah the most, because she has experienced Noah's life completely.

She has stumbled along the way, with regrets and joy, people she wants to spend her life with and people she has missed.

She is an ordinary person.

Amaya——Welcome to my world, welcome to get to know me again, my name is Noah Kyrielet.

I am an ordinary person.

But I'd love to be your friend.

Your journey should not be lonely.

Chapter 61: The Truth About Ulpian

Dome control room.

The atmosphere had calmed down somewhat. After all, Amaya had never intended to hurt Noah. In fact, she felt more than anyone else that Noah deserved to survive. However, after seeing one of Noah's shared memories, Amaya wasn't disappointed. Instead, she became even more convinced that Noah was the person she needed.

Blue jellyfish swam slowly, their gentle glow lingering in the air, seemingly forming a delicate harmony with the conversation between Amaya and Noah. A strange tension hung in the air. Amaya stood before Noah, attempting to persuade her. She tried her best to express her kindness, even speaking in a pleading tone.

"Noah, I admire your honesty... Although I don't know how you managed to use your ability in this situation... But I am convinced by you. Indeed, as you said, I did underestimate the possibilities of human beings..." Amaya's voice echoed in the control room. She tried to impress Noah with rational words.

However, before Amaya could express her thoughts, a dull roar suddenly echoed in the air, as if some giant creature was awakening in the depths of the distant ocean. Her pupils contracted slightly, and she immediately sensed some danger approaching.

As expected—a heavy, muffled thud shattered the silence in the control room. A massive anchor flew out of the darkness, piercing the barrier of jellyfish and landing heavily between them, preventing Amaya from reaching Noya. Amaya flinched backward, the force of the impact involuntarily causing her to stumble backward. The swarm of blue jellyfish swarming around her scattered in panic, startled. Her body tensed, her eyes darting in the direction of the anchor.

Then, from a dark corner, Ulpian's figure slowly emerged from behind Noya. His movements were as silent and swift as those of an underwater predator. His leather coat swayed slightly in the wind, its wide cut accentuating his height. His movements were seamless, yet even his oppressive aura was enough to convey his threat.

Amaya stared at him. For a moment, she felt the overwhelming force nearly choking her. This guy was definitely going to throw an anchor at her, but luckily she reacted in time. Ulpian's face was covered by a mask, revealing only a pair of icy eyes. Those eyes, like the dim light at the bottom of the abyss, were deep, cold, and devoid of emotion. Those eyes shone through the shadows, with an undeniable coldness. The heavy breathing beneath the mask seemed to echo off the walls of the control room, as if coming from the deepest trench—

Amaya's thoughts snapped back to reality—how could she have forgotten that this man wasn't just an ordinary warrior, but a deep-sea hunter who had undergone countless surgeries and transformations. Ulpian's power far surpassed that of an ordinary human, and his very existence posed danger and death, like a predator lurking in the depths, waiting for the slightest movement of its prey before unleashing a merciless and lethal attack.

Ulpian's appearance undoubtedly brought the conversation to a close. He didn't need to offer a warning; his mere presence heightened the tension in the air. Amaya's gaze flickered to the weapon in his hand. The massive anchor gleamed with a cold light, its sharp tip carrying an undeniable menace.

She had heard rumors of Ulpian, how every strike he made was like a blade slicing through the darkness. Now, standing before him, she finally understood that those rumors were not exaggerated. His very presence was a warning, an ultimatum with no room for negotiation.

She glanced at Noya one last time, her eyes tinged with a hint of deep regret, but more so with determination. She would not give up her ideals just yet; Ulpian's suppression could not shake her convictions. Even facing such obstacles, Amaya remained convinced that her path was the only way to a bright future. She only needed to slowly convince Noya to accept her vision, perhaps even making concessions and allowing the Deep Sea Church to become their testing ground.

——Time will prove that she is right.

In this situation, she could only choose to retreat temporarily. Before leaving, she looked at Noah who was protected by Ulpian from a distance with reluctance. She had just had a heart-to-heart talk with Noah and knew Noah's inner thoughts and ideas, but Ulpian, this unromantic guy, wanted to interrupt their communication. Amaya wanted to tear Ulpian to pieces, but she knew that her abilities were not suitable for fighting, and now was not the time to fall out.

Only after Amaya left did Ulpian pull the anchor up from the floor. He didn't look back, but just put the anchor on his shoulder and spoke.

"She's a dangerous person. You shouldn't share those dangerous ideas with her." Ulpian's voice was cold, short and forceful. His words were devoid of emotion, conveying his thoughts in calm declarative sentences, like a judge ruling on a crime. "Dangerous ideas are poisonous, they will poison your heart. The Deep Sea Church is best at inciting others."

"...How long have you been listening?"

"Longer than you think."

Ulpian replied that with Amaya's departure, the nest lost the support of the sea, lost its activity, and gradually collapsed. The transparent jellyfish also disappeared into the air. It would not be long before the coast guard would clean it up. However, Noya looked into Ulpian's eyes. Although she was also surprised by Ulpian's appearance, his appearance also confirmed one thing for her.

"...How long have you been a sea-transformed person?"

"..."

In the dome control room, Amaya can command almost all the Hai Si. With the Hai Si's keenness, it is almost impossible for Ulpian to hide here, but he did it... The only possibility is that Hai Si doesn't think he is a human being either. Hai Si regards him as a fellow and ignores his threat.

But when Noah pointed this out, Ulpian's silence seemed to have given Noah the answer.

"This is very dangerous... You need a complete surgery. Mr. Brandus would be happy to perform an emergency operation..." Noya immediately stepped forward and grabbed his clothes to prevent him from escaping her sight again. "You were a scientist before you became a deep-sea hunter. You know the horrors of aquatic transformation better than anyone else, but you have been hiding your condition! Ulpian, you warned me not to get close to Amaya and not to listen to her, but what about you?"

"My affairs are not important—" For the first time, Ulpian escaped from Noya's sight, "I have more important things to do."

"So this is why you haven't returned to Agor?" But Noya had already seen through Ulpian's thoughts. "You know your physical condition will cause more trouble for the Deep Sea Hunters. Your physical changes have reached a point that cannot be ignored. It is likely to affect the Deep Sea Hunters' reputation and even put them in an unfavorable public opinion environment."

"You talk too much." Ulpian grabbed Noya's arm, the force causing her to frown slightly. "That's irrelevant. What did you not understand about these words? Do you need me to repeat them in Casimir?"

"What about Skadi?" Noya didn't back down. Confronting Ulpian wasn't a good idea. The pressure he felt was like a mountain. "Do you want her to lose her captaincy for the second time?"

"She has her own path to follow. If losing the captain affects her, then Gladia will accept her."

"So you want her to lose her family again?"

"..."

Ulpian was speechless. She knew that Noya probably learned about Skadi's life experience from the report. Even among all the deep-sea hunters, Skadi's life experience seemed very pitiful. Compared with Laurentina and Gloria, Skadi's process of becoming a deep-sea hunter did not seem like a philosophical thinking or a life choice, but a simple revenge... She thought that Hai Si killed her parents and made her an orphan, and she became a deep-sea hunter just to kill Hai Si.

But later she found out that her parents died as a result of the conspiracy of the Deep Sea Church. They corrupted some of the Agor people, and these people were the culprits.

This killer whale lady who always seems to be innocent actually carries a heavier past than most people. A big part of the reason why Skadi can persist until now is that the relationship between deep-sea hunters is like that of family. The family affection she lost and regained rebuilt it and made it what it is today.

Skadi has told Noah more than once that her family members are the deep-sea hunters.

But now, Ulpian, the captain of Skadi, has become seriously sea-destroying.

How could Noah not be worried?

"Take off your mask."

"..."

"Is it that I can't pick it, or that I don't dare to pick it?"

Noah stretched out his hand and, amidst Ulpian's murderous eyes, uncovered his true face - beneath the mask was a face that was difficult to describe in words, twisted, weird, like a mixture of flesh and blood. Noah was even unwilling to use words to describe his inhuman appearance beneath the mask. This was the result of aquatic transformation. When Ulpian wanted to say something, his cheek even cracked open like a gill cleft, with feather-like blood-red tissue on the inside, opening and closing with his facial muscles.

"Is this what you wanted to see?" Ulpian pulled up his mask. "Are you satisfied?"

He knew how scary his appearance was, so he didn't want to show it to others. He just reminded them.

"Don't tell Skadi."

"Do you think you can keep hiding this forever?" Noah asked. "How long can you keep this up? A year? A few months? You'll turn into a monster, maybe even worse than Amaya."

"If that time really comes, I will have my own plans." Except for some emotional fluctuations when he took off his mask, Ulpian always gave Noya the feeling of being like a stone, stubborn and difficult to change.

"You are a leader among the deep-sea hunters and a role model for everyone. You cannot choose to give up on yourself. Skadi depends on you, and the deep-sea hunters also depend on you. If you fall, who will protect them? Who will lead them to move forward?" Noah tried to continue persuading, but Ulpian didn't want to listen anymore. He turned his head and looked at the entrance they came from.

"The Coast Guard is coming—today."

"and many more!"

Noah had no intention of letting Ulpian go. If she didn't keep him today, the consequences would be disastrous. But how could she possibly catch a deep-sea hunter? Ulpian's speed of disappearing into the darkness was beyond her imagination. It was as if he had completely merged into the shadows and disappeared in an instant.

In order to prevent Noya from clinging to his clothes, he even squeezed Noya's arm until it was numb - if it weren't for the numbness caused by the slow blood flow, she would not have let Ulpian go directly.

Just as Ulpian said, Sikunda quickly brought the coast guard team back, and when they came back, Noah, who was holding his arm, was the only one left in the control room.

Seeing that Noah was safe and sound, Sikunda looked at the traces of damage on the ground and immediately realized that Ulpian must have taken action. She did not say anything, but ordered her subordinates to bring disinfection equipment to deal with the nest, and then she took Noah to the rear.

"he's gone?"

"Yes, just like you said, he disappeared as soon as I turned my head... No, this time, even if I stared at him, he disappeared immediately." Noah raised his arm. "You pinched my arm until it was numb. It still hurts like a needle."

Looking at the clear palm marks on Noya's arm, Sikunda smiled awkwardly, "That's indeed his style, but at least he saved you. I thought I would be helping to collect your body."

"...Amaya didn't intend to kill me. She wanted me to cooperate with her," Noah confessed. "Actually, Amaya is considered to be a relatively conservative faction in the Deep Sea Church. At least she doesn't intend to do something like Quintus."