Arknights, but the sickly pretty girl starts

Jian's reaction remained calm. She said softly, "I don't mind. I never intended to monopolize you. Just having you to myself once in a while is enough."

Noah was amused by Mace's answer, but couldn't help but grumble softly: "...I actually hope you can be a little greedy occasionally."

Mace's nonchalant reaction and Noah's complaints once again drew Laurentina's ridicule. She asked jokingly, "Then if the captain isn't available, Miss Noah, who would you choose?"

"Who to choose?" Noah repeated the question in confusion.

Laurentina continued, "If we were to choose someone other than Miss Mace."

Not only Noah was startled by these words, but also Skadi who was standing beside him. Especially when she raised her head, it seemed that her eyes met Noah's. She was so scared that she quickly lowered her head and once again became her melancholy little killer whale.

"...!" Skadi didn't know if it was an illusion, but Noah's gaze had lingered on her for a moment. She sat up straight with some uneasiness, carefully raising her eyes to look at Noah, but Noah had already turned his head away, complaining with a smile. "How could I possibly make such a choice... Who do you think I am?"

—No choice. Skadi felt both relieved and disappointed. Of course, she was mostly sad… After all, she had just had a moment to wonder if Miss Noah would choose her here.

Although she immediately denied it... she still had some hope. And this hope made her heart even heavier.

"What am I thinking about..."

Chapter 87: Moonlight Duets

Skadi's annoyance didn't attract anyone's attention. After all, this was a joyous gathering, the Deep Sea Hunters reunited, and they had prepared plenty of Argolian wine and a rich feast. Although everyone knew that Noah was about to embark on an extremely dangerous mission, and that not everyone present could accompany him, they still chose to immerse themselves in the present moment and enjoy this precious time.

According to the subsequent arrangements, Laurentina would return to the front lines, while Skadi would continue her civilian duties, away from the battlefield. Ulpian, having recently stepped down, would likely return to his laboratory to continue his unfinished research projects. Goletia would continue to pursue her future in Agor's political arena. Everyone had their own responsibilities and missions, and they all understood that after this gathering, it might be their last time together for a long time.

So, those who wanted to drink drank, those who wanted to chat chatted, and everyone drank and drank for the moment. The atmosphere at the party was both relaxed and slightly sentimental. Noah knew that each of them cherished this brief, precious moment.

Noya remained lucid, her gray matter making her virtually immune to the effects of alcohol. She glanced around and saw Laurentina had already collapsed. Skadi was also somewhat dazed, leaning against the sofa, half asleep. Gloria, her eyes half-closed, maintained her usual dignified demeanor. The first to fall was surprisingly Mace. After all, she hadn't undergone multiple surgeries, so she couldn't match Noya's advanced abilities. Compared to the Deep Sea Hunters, Noya gave her a somewhat helpless smile.

As for Ulpian, he left earlier than everyone else, saying he had work to do, presumably handing over his duties. The noise of the party gradually died down, leaving Noah alone, still awake.

Late at night, twin moons were projected onto the artificial dome, their silvery glow shimmering onto the balcony outside the house. Noya stepped outside, wine in hand, and drank alone under the moon. Although she knew these twin moons were merely false projections, sometimes, people don't need reality, just a little comfort.

She didn't know how long she stood there. The cool night breeze made her shiver slightly. Just as she turned around to go back to her room, she suddenly saw Skadi standing at the balcony door, looking a little dazed.

"Skadi?" Noah was a little surprised, thinking that Skadi had sobered up. "What's wrong? Do you want to get some fresh air?"

"...Yeah." Skadi nodded slightly and walked to Noah's side.

Noah noticed that Skadi wasn't wearing her usual pair of red-framed glasses. Perhaps because she'd drunk too much and was feeling a bit hot, she simply took them off. As she was thinking, she suddenly felt a hand grab her arm. She turned around and saw it was Skadi.

"...Why...are you leaving?" Skadi's voice was very soft, with a hint of drunkenness.

Noah was stunned for a moment, then smiled with relief: "Are you talking about going to the Deep Blue Tree Laboratory? That was something that Helatia and I had discussed, and I have to go and confirm some things." She explained patiently.

But as the conversation continued, Noya suddenly sensed something was amiss. Her perception could pick up on the volatile emotions of others, but Skadi, standing before her, was like a stone statue, devoid of any emotion. This inanimate feeling made her feel a little uneasy.

Despite this, Noah did not point out Skadi's abnormality. Instead, he smiled and said, "Skadi, I've always wanted to talk to you alone. Now that everyone is asleep, it's just the two of us. Do you... have anything to say to me?"

Skadi paused, as if considering how to respond. However, before she could speak, Noya broke the silence, saying with a hint of mischief, "Come to think of it... I'm not sure if you can dance yet. Laurentina taught you, would you like to try?"

Having grown up in a large family in Casimir, Noa was naturally adept at all kinds of dancing. Even unfamiliar steps were easily mastered by her. At this moment, she extended her hand, made a female step invitation, and said to Skadi with a smile.

"Come on, Skadi."

Noah held Skadi's hand in the moonlight, their gentle dance steps blending seamlessly into the night. The moonlight shone on them, its silvery glow enveloping them in a silent entwinement. Noah's palms felt slightly cool, and he gently grasped Skadi's hand, twirling with her.

The dance steps were light and natural, each of Noya's movements imbued with grace and composure. She didn't treat dance as some important ritual, but rather, it felt like she was simply going with the flow, letting this unspoken understanding guide her into the world of dance. She pulled Skadi closer, leaning slightly, and gently turning with her. Her silver hair intertwined with the moonlight, creating a dreamlike scene.

Noya smiled, gently guiding Skadi. Her hand clasped hers, gently yet firmly. The silver moonlight cast a shadow over their figures, adding a touch of mystery and romance to the upcoming duet.

The two danced slowly at first, Skadi's movements a bit awkward, as if she was unfamiliar with the dance. However, Noah showed no discomfort, but continued to gently guide her through each step. To the rhythm of the music, they moved lightly in the night breeze.

Skadi lowered her eyes, a glimmer flickering in her crimson. She held Noah's hand tightly, her steps cautious, as if striving to maintain a certain balance, to avoid error. She said nothing, simply leaning gently into Noah's guidance, as if she were no longer the cold and powerful warrior, but someone longing for tenderness.

Their dance steps intertwined in the moonlight, their skirts fluttering gently as they danced, as if they were floating lightly in a silver ocean. Noya felt Skadi's slightly nervous fingers, smiled slightly, and whispered, "You dance very well. It's a pleasure to dance with you."

Skadi raised her head, a faint sense of dependence in her eyes. She nodded gently, still silent, as if Noah's voice had brought her a long-lost comfort. Her steps gradually became softer, her movements more fluid, no longer as stiff as they had been at the beginning.

The night breeze gently ruffled their hair. Noya's eyes swept across Skadi's face, and she felt a familiar tenderness flowing between them. Although she had noticed the other party's strangeness, she still maintained a peaceful smile at this moment, as if everything was normal.

"You look a little different, Skadi." Noah said softly, with a hint of gentle temptation.

Skadi looked up at her, a complex expression in her eyes, but she remained silent, simply moving closer. Her movements were childlike, as if she longed for Noah's acceptance and approval. For a moment, she seemed to forget who she was, simply savoring this moment of intimacy.

Noya spun gently, leading Skadi to follow her steps. Their clothes fluttered lightly in the air, like dancing butterflies under a silver light. A faint sense of unease surged in her heart, but at this moment, she did not show the slightest hesitation.

Skadi's eyes never left Noah, her expression of dependence and intimacy as if she had retrieved some fragment of the past. She stared at Noah quietly, as if this former dance partner had allowed her to see a part of herself in a moment.

Noah held her hand and gently turned her around, as if this duet could bring them closer together, but it also made the doubts in Noah's heart even heavier.

"That's a great dance, Skadi." Noya smiled, his tone soft and reserved. "If you like, we can do more dances like this in the future."

Skadi responded in a low voice, her voice low but with a hint of childish softness: "...Is it really okay?"

"Of course," Noya replied softly, maintaining a gentle expression. However, her heart was already disturbed by the emotions hidden behind this abnormal dance. She could feel that the person she was holding was no longer the Skadi she knew.

After all, the little killer whale he knew wouldn't be able to perform the dance so perfectly... She was surprisingly clumsy outside of combat. But who could this person hiding in Skadi's body be?

"...I don't know what to say, but..." At this time, Skadi finally held Noya's hand and placed it on her chest, "I hope to stay by your side."

"...Skadi?" Noah blinked. In the previous moment, she caught the other party's emotions - different from the previous inorganic and unresponsive one, this time, she could feel the other party's subtle emotions. Perhaps it was because everything she said resonated with Skadi herself, or her own emotions were too intense to conceal, but this sentence was undoubtedly sincere.

Noah, still smiling, gently brushed her fingers against Skadi's cheek. Her expression seemed gentle and composed, yet a turbulent tide surged within her. Skadi's movements were soft and dependent, as if she were expressing an inexpressible emotion for Noah. It all seemed both strange and familiar, and Noah felt she was inching closer to a truth, yet she remained cautious, unwilling to easily upset this delicate balance.

Skadi continued to gently caress Noah's hand, like a child longing for comfort. Her eyes lowered, a familiar intimacy emerging from her expression. Noah had never seen this kind of gesture from Skadi before. In the past, Skadi had always been tough and calm; even though they had been close friends, he had never seen her show such a soft side.

——Who is she?

Noya asked herself this question, but she didn't show the slightest doubt. Instead, she gently put her arm around Skadi's shoulders and danced with her again, as if to adapt to the atmosphere of the moment, or perhaps to ease Skadi's almost helpless dependence.

Moonlight shone on them as they twirled slightly, their skirts fluttering in the wind as they danced. Noa's movements remained fluid and graceful, as if she were acting out a perfect dream. Meanwhile, Skadi's expression held a strange fusion of feelings, a lingering feeling between attachment and repression, as if deep within her heart, she harbored an unspeakable secret.

After the last spin, Skadi faced Noah's gaze, closed her eyes, and her eyelashes trembled, as if waiting for something.

"...It's time to rest. There are still many things to do tomorrow." But... Noah did not respond to this emotion. After all, she would not take away the kiss when Skadi was likely controlled by some force. The existence hiding in Skadi's body was very likely to be the same as Prisses in her body. They were all attached to Skadi's body because of some obsession. It was even very likely that it was the [God of the Sea] that Skadi killed.

Noah had guessed this possibility early on, but this Haisi was originally a creation of the previous civilization, and was also one of the plans at the same level as the Originium. So since there is a Originium female ghost in the Originium, the possibility that there is a Haisi female ghost hidden in the Haisi is not impossible.

What she had just done was actually to try to calm the Haisi ghost's emotions and try to find out more clues. However, it was obvious that the other party was unwilling to communicate more with her, and instead kept playing the role of Skadi, trying to deceive her.

Unfortunately... her abilities have completely exposed her.

After she said that, Skadi slowly loosened her grip, leaving Noah's side reluctantly, her eyes filled with deep longing. She said nothing more, silently taking a few steps back, her gaze still following Noah's figure, as if wanting to etch this moment into her heart.

Noah looked at her, smiled and nodded goodbye: "Good night, Skadi."

The night breeze blew gently, and the moonlight still quietly sprinkled on the balcony. The two figures appeared particularly quiet and mysterious in the moonlight. Noah stood there, watching Skadi leave, and the doubts in his heart became even deeper at this moment.

Skadi closed her eyes again. This time, she shook for a while, and when she opened them again, they belonged to the real Skadi. She had just woken up and was still a little confused. Then, she found that it was Noah's face in front of her, and they were very close. This distance - it was either a kiss or a fight. But Skadi had no idea why she was in Noah's arms. She screamed twice, and her whole face turned red.

"No...Miss Noya!"

She didn't know why this happened, but she felt a certain joy in her heart. This complex feeling made her not know how to react for a moment. She could only cry out in pain.

"Welcome back, Skadi." Noah felt the familiar wave of emotion and finally breathed a sigh of relief, saying sincerely. "You might have been drunk just now, running over here drunk, so I took the opportunity to invite you to dance, but I guess you don't remember?"

"...I...I actually danced with Miss Noah?" Skadi knew how poor her dancing skills were, and she was even more annoyed. "I didn't step on your foot, did I?"

"——Well, not really." Noah smiled, "But I'm very happy, Skadi."

"Eh?"

"Let's forget about everything else for now, Skadi. Now that you're sober, do you want to continue dancing with me?"

"...Is it really possible?"

Skadi asked tentatively, but Noah did regret it later - Skadi's dancing skills were really poor.

written request for leave

Take a break, adjust your state, and plan to finish the book you haven't finished reading first.

But this book is almost finished. After Deep Blue Tree Laboratory is finished, there will probably be only one chapter left to complete it.

over!

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Chapter 88: Exile

On the other side of the banquet, Helatia was not idle - she stood in front of the window of the command room, staring at the outline of the building looming in the lights in the distance. She was thinking - thinking about a problem that seemed particularly difficult even to her.

As the Archon of Agor, she now has two tasks: to ensure the success of the operation to the Deep Blue Tree Laboratory, while avoiding putting the entire country into potential crisis.

——The threat from Hai Si has not completely subsided.

Despite signing a twenty-year non-aggression pact, Helatia never truly believed it would hold true. She knew that every move forward had to be carefully planned—too cautious to make mistakes.

Fortunately, she is not alone, she has a trusted advisor by her side.

She turned to look at the man standing beside her in silence. He had his hands behind his back, his face stern, like a silent statue.

Ulpian, the former consul she had just dismissed, was also the advisor she suddenly recalled to her side to help her make decisions.

"Ulpian," Helatia finally spoke, breaking the silence. "Who do you think should accompany Noya to the Deep Blue Tree Laboratory? Tell me what you think. Anyone can do it. I trust your judgment on this matter."

As he spoke, Ulpian clearly realized something. He didn't respond immediately. His gaze lingered on Helatia's face for a moment before turning away, as if lost in thought. This silence made the air grow heavier, as if every passing second was tightening the invisible strings between them.

After a long moment, as if he had made up his mind, Ulpian whispered the name: "Skadi."

Helatia raised her eyebrows slightly, a faint smile playing across her face. Her fingers tapped lightly on the edge of the table, a glint in her eyes seeming to catch something. She asked softly, "Oh... why?" Her tone sounded casual, as if she were simply curious. "Can you give me a proper explanation?"

Ulpian turned to face Helatia, his gaze unwavering, as calm as the deep ocean. He knew what Helatia was expecting. This question wasn't a genuine inquiry, but a test. His conversations with Helatia were never simply orders and executions, but more like a game of chess. While their general goals were aligned, they had subtle differences of opinion, and this difference manifested itself on the issue of Skadi.

"Rather than being the most suitable candidate, it's better to say this is the one you most want," Ulpian spoke slowly, his voice low, as if he'd seen through Helatia's thoughts. "You simply needed someone else to bring it up for you. You never believed Skadi was free of her influence. No, you were certain long ago—Skadi is Agor's biggest ticking time bomb right now. Am I correct?"

Helatia narrowed her eyes slightly, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips. That smile was both an acknowledgment of Ulpian's situation and perhaps also an expression of her amusement at how he could see clearly but could do nothing about it. Her fingers stopped tapping, her palm resting lightly on the table. Ulpian's words had completely exposed the tacit understanding they had maintained for the past few months, bloody and without hesitation.

"Ulpian, you're truly a clever person." She nodded, as if examining a handy tool. "But the fact that you can say all this only proves that you and I are thinking exactly the same thing. You should be well aware of Skadi's [weakness]. It's not really [weakness]. It's that Skadi's mental control is no longer able to control her body. If the body doesn't obey, it naturally can't exert its full strength - this is the truth, right?"

Ulpian's eyes flickered slightly. Perhaps only with Skadi did this iron-clad man waver. It was as if a sense of helplessness surfaced beneath his calm exterior, but he maintained a calm tone: "...Indeed."

After this, Ulpian remained silent for a long time. Admitting this wasn't easy. He wished he could trust Skadi, but he couldn't deceive his own mind. The conflict between his emotions and his rationality left him somewhat bewildered. His rationality told him that Helatia was right, and that she should do this. However, his emotions, which rarely came online, prevented him from making the right decision.

——Because that was Skadi. One of his teammates.

"Skadi could become a member of the Sea Heir at any moment," Ulpian continued, his words filled with a sense of helpless oppression. "So I must recommend her to go there—because only there is hope of resolving Skadi's problem."

Helatia nodded slightly, a hint of appreciation flashing in her eyes, but also a hint of coldness. She tapped the table with her fingers again, as if to confirm whether the rope had been stretched to its limit.

"At the same time," she whispered, her tone gentle but with a sharp edge of determination, "keep Skadi away from Agor. Kill two birds with one stone. I will not allow a threat to continue to exist in Agor, especially now. Before we can completely guarantee the end of Haisi's threat, Skadi must leave Agor."

Ulpian's face showed no emotion; he simply looked at Helatia calmly, as if he had already expected all this. The conversation between the two ended surprisingly quickly, but the invisible pressure that permeated the air did not dissipate.

Helatia turned and gazed into the distance again, her stern face appearing even more profound under the silver light. She didn't ask about the other candidates, because she knew that no matter how she looked at it, Ulpian's choice was exactly what she had planned.

Even though she had just returned home, even though she had just fought a battle for Agor, she had become a threat herself, so she could not stay in Agor.

You are a hero, a brave warrior, and a noble warrior. But the world you protect has shown you its final mercy—exile.

It can be said that after Skadi killed the spirit of Hai Si, everything was destined. The mover of fate pushed this poor girl to the position she should be in step by step.

Fate... is really ridiculous...

Ulpian has been fighting against fate all his life, but in the end, he still has to personally push the team members he cares about into their own destiny.

-

When Skadi received the news that she would be traveling to the Deep Blue Tree Laboratory with Noa, she felt an inexplicable wave of doubt. Logically, the stronger and more experienced Laurentina should have been in charge of this mission. In comparison, she herself had become much weaker, both physically and mentally, feeling unfit for this adventure. Her mind swirled with doubt, but she could find no logical explanation.

Her gaze fell on Ulpian, a look of confusion and hesitation on her face. She broke the silence, "Why me?" Her voice was low, but filled with questioning and bewilderment. Her tone wasn't accusatory, but rather a genuine sense of bewilderment. She instinctively believed Ulpian would have the answer, because the captain had always been the one to guide her.

However, Ulpian didn't intend to give her an explanation. His expression was calm and composed. He simply placed a notice on the table and pointed at the words on it. "You should prepare first. Noya still needs to go to the surface. Noya will tell you what to do." There was no trace of emotion in his voice, as if this decision was carefully considered and non-negotiable.

Skadi stared at the notice, her doubts still lingering. She blinked, as if trying to discern more from Ulpian's expression, but his stern expression remained unchanged. She bit her lower lip softly, burying her questions and doubts deep within her heart. She knew that further questioning would be futile and would only further confuse her.

"...Oh," Skadi finally murmured, choosing not to pursue the matter further. She had never been one to ponder complex issues; for her, excessive contemplation only brought added burden. Since Ulpian had no intention of offering an answer, she didn't need to delve into it. Regardless, she had received her orders, and her mission was to carry them out.

She clutched the notice in her hand and gently turned to leave the room. Although she still felt a little doubtful, the thought of being with Noah gave her a strange sense of anticipation. For Skadi, spending time with Noah always made her feel at ease, like a long-lost safe haven.

After taking a few steps, she suddenly stopped and turned to look at Ulpian, a complex emotion in her eyes. She took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind. "Captain—I won't ask why you made this decision, but... thank you."

Upon hearing this, Ulpian's brows furrowed slightly. He turned his head, a subtle flicker of emotion in his eyes. "Thank me for what?" His voice was as calm as water, as if this were just an ordinary conversation.

Skadi pursed her lips, seemingly pondering the reason for her thanks. Honestly, she had no idea; it just suddenly struck her. She considered making up some excuse, but ultimately shook her head. She didn't want to waste her brain cells; intuition just didn't make sense. She said, "I don't know... but the captain's decision must be the best one, for me and everyone else. So I figured I'd just express my gratitude first, before I miss another opportunity."

These simple words were sharper than any blade and pierced Ulpian's heart in an instant. This pain came from the depths of his soul and even with Ulpian's willpower, he could not suppress it.

Perhaps Ulpian was a tough guy who could scrape bones to treat poison without anesthesia, a man of tempered steel, but it was only for a moment - only for a moment, he began to question his decision.

Ulpian was silent for a moment, his eyes involuntarily avoiding Skadi's. He had never imagined that this taciturn girl would say something so difficult for him to respond to at this moment. Ulpian had always been a calm and rational person. He made the decision to exile Skadi, but he never thought that Skadi would express his gratitude.