Arknights, but the sickly pretty girl starts

The Golden Law Guards were responsible for escorting him out of the city. According to the agreement with the Gemini Queens, his men must return to their territory.

He needed to be out of the city before noon. The other elector's armies were watching his reaction.

Shi Tongling's safety... no, Leitania's safety, depends on him alone...

Leithania cannot afford another civil strife. Shi Tongling needs an elector who can win the support of the people.

They don't need a poet everywhere, they need an Elector.

Walter, he is no longer a free nobleman.

The alleys in autumn are always golden...

Viviana believed that her mother must be in the depths, but she just didn't get there in time.

However, what she saw was not the Marigold Alley of the past, so she could not stop the shadow of history, nor could she redeem her own tragedy.

Year after year, the surrounding golden flowers absorb the city's joys and sorrows, and remain brilliant.

But some hopes that once shone brightly have remained forever twenty-three years ago.

She paused. Unbeknownst to her, she had wandered to a manor. Korra looked up, her mind reeling from the regrettable past. Coming towards her was a Golden Law Guard. His black and gold armor, gleaming in the sunlight, made his face invisible, like a statue. He stood in front of the manor, silent for a long moment. Korra remained silent for a moment before approaching him.

"Brant."

"... Cora." As if responding to Cora's words, but also as if lamenting, Brent, the Golden Rule Guard who had a very good relationship with Viviana's father, was the culprit who forced the Elector to leave the city, causing the two lovers to be forced to separate.

"You often come here, to this place of separation, and now... I've brought her here." Cora looked at Viviana beside her, who, somewhat bewilderedly, looked at the man before her, named Brent, with a look of confusion and curiosity. Of course, Brent saw it. Like Lucinda, Viviana had striking eyes. Brent Reiner. You can't avoid choices forever.

Twenty-three years ago, my father did not wait for my mother, and they missed each other.

That morning, before coming to the studio, Lucinda went to the spice market. She had been feeling lethargic for a few days and wanted a new scent to perk her up.

At that time, she didn't know that she and her lover had a child.

Ten minutes. If Walter had stayed ten minutes longer, he would have seen Lucinda. He would have known that she was willing to face it with him, to fight it with him.

But during these ten minutes, Brandt himself...

Brent still regrets it to this day. He was just doing his duty, but it also brought a lifetime of regret to his best friend.

Brandt came here to actually face Viviana directly. He wanted to say something. While waiting for Viviana to arrive, he had been thinking of words but he could not say them.

This Golden Rule Guard, in front of Viviana, acted like a pedantic elder who didn't know how to get along with the younger generation... If they were to talk about their relationship, perhaps he could call Viviana niece, but he hesitated for a long time and finally could only utter one sentence.

"Your Excellency the Elector."

"..." Cora suddenly kicked him. Brent knew why, but he couldn't say it out loud. It was probably because they looked too similar - between Viviana's eyebrows, he could see the shadow of Werner, the nobleman who claimed to be a poet, who seemed to be still alive in front of him.

So stupid...

Brent blamed himself inwardly.

"...Mr. Brant, we...are here to investigate the case."

Chapter 37: Did you do this on purpose?

After the concert hall incident, at least one-third of the entire Letania aristocracy went to see the Witch King during that incident. This was a very exaggerated event for any country. It was precisely because this incident was identified as a terrorist attack by the Witch King's remnants that those who were originally wavering on the Witch King's remnants immediately changed their tone. Most of these people planned to use the Witch King's remnants to contain the Twin Queens' fence-sitters. Under this situation, continuing to maintain the Witch King's remnants is no longer profitable, and it is even likely to bring trouble.

Everyone is smart, so it is not surprising that they all defected. However, it is precisely because this incident was too serious that one third is not a small number. Not to mention that it completely changed the situation in Leithania, it can also be said that it made these old nobles realize the seriousness of the situation.

Although almost no one would believe that there was no trickery in this attack, the person was already dead and the knife was already on his neck, so no one cared how deep the trick was.

Nobles are creatures that value seeking benefits and avoiding harm. The reputation of the Gemini Queen, who personally took action to resolve the incident, has once again risen. These people no longer have the chips to continue to fight against the Gemini Queen.

The participants in this incident, namely Noah and others, gave all the credit to Viviana according to their personal wishes. It was also for this reason that Viviana was rewarded by the Queen and continued to be responsible for clearing out the remnants of the Witch King's echo as expected. Brent Wright, the Golden Law Guard, was also arranged by the Queen to be Viviana's bodyguard. Of course, Viviana also knew that this might not mean that the Queen had placed spies around her, but open spies are always better than hidden ones. As an elector, Viviana also understood this.

"Baron Peter Lucas is seventy-three years old. He inherited the title from his uncle three years ago. The cost of repairing the Lucas family's ancestral tower was so high that he had to move six months later. He loves Carl Schmidt's music, but hates the street that now has the same name. He can play eleven instruments, ten of which he learned during the time of the Witch King. The victim once made a public speech expressing his nostalgia for the music of the Witch King's time, but after investigation, it was found that he had no connection with the remnants of the Witch King—"

Brent recounted the victim's life story to Viviana word for word. "Baron Lucas didn't escape the attack by the Witch King's remnants. He was magically transformed into a sculpture."

"……sculpture……"

"This is a common tactic used by the remnants of the Witch King, a punishment from the Witch King's time," Brant replied. "We've captured a piece of music from... a giant organ during the on-site reconstruction. We've preliminarily determined that the Witch King's remnants used this music to attack the Baron."

"A giant pipe organ? This kind of thing can't be moved casually. Is there a giant pipe organ nearby?" Viviana grasped the doubt. Of course, she didn't think Brent was unaware of this, but he seemed to be deliberately guiding her to discover the truth. After saying this, he kept looking at her.

After hesitating for a moment, he spoke.

"We should search for places that play giant pipe organs...like?"

"Ludwig University."

"...a school?"

"To be precise, it is the highest institution of learning in Leitania."

-

"..." Noah and the others were naturally not idle either. After a little lich discovered how reckless her behavior of opening the warp was, she decided to learn from her mistakes and first study ways to open it safely for research. Noah brought Black Key, also known as Franz, to Ludwig's Tower. There was no other reason. The only two people here who could solve the echoes of the world were the Witch King himself, Herhunzoren, who was not convenient to show up, and... the Witch King's teacher, who was also the teacher of the young man next to Black Key, Fremont.

After the concert hall incident, Franz's attitude towards Noah also changed slightly... He actually hesitated for a long time about Noah's invitation, but finally agreed.

But after being sent here, he soon fainted, perhaps because of the pain brought by the touch of the echoes of the world.

"Master, is it all right?" Noah looked at Franz, who looked distressed and seemed to be talking to himself, and couldn't help but feel a little worried. "He looks very uncomfortable. Can he really make it?"

"Tsk, after all, he is the blood of Herhunzollon. He can't even endure this little bit of hardship. Ivignad deliberately let people raise him into a waste." Frémont was always unforgiving in his words, but seeing his serious look, it was obvious that he was also very cautious. It was not a simple matter to solve the echoes of the world engraved in Franz's mind.

"He is still very young, but has suffered a lot. If he can't bear the ritual, the performance of the Sound of the World will be interrupted, the arrival of the "Horn of Origin" may be out of control, and the whole Ludwig will be affected." Gerhard, the teacher of Zhisong who was responsible for assisting, also spoke. It was he who sent Zhisong to pick up Franz. This was also the first time Noah met him, but for Franz, it was not the same. He once met Gerhard when he was commemorating someone.

"As long as I'm here, the tower won't collapse." Frémont curled his lips. "Even if the Witch King himself comes and wants to tear down my tower, he'll have to think twice."

"..." Noah blinked and used the voice transmission spell to say, "Well... I think the teacher would choose to overturn the ground as well. The teacher said... Your tower is impregnable, but your tower is built on the ground after all."

"Shut up that shameless guy!" Frémont slammed the table. "Quiet, everyone, be quiet!"

The two men shut up at this point. Fremont had a bad temper. If he got upset, he would just throw the two of them out of the tower, which would not be fun.

In reality, Frémont was never afraid of any challenge. Just as he'd said, even if the Witch King himself came, he didn't think he'd lose. This was the depth of his knowledge; a sorcerer in his tower shouldn't fear anyone. But he'd made a promise—he couldn't reveal his power in Leithania. If so many students learned his identity, the Twin Queens would be forced to take action.

By then, Ludwig University might be forced to close, and his subsequent relocation plans would be hindered.

Of course, this was all up to him. If he wanted to leave, no one in the entire Letania could stop him.

"...Trouble. Saving this kid's life is even harder than calling back the Horn of Origin." Frémont frowned. The echoes of the mortal world, although called echoes, were essentially just a meaningless noise. The only peculiarity of it was probably that it originated from the [Witch King].

Noah watched Fremont busying himself, but his eyes fell on Gerhard. This was the first time the two met. Gerhard was Lessing's (Zhisong) teacher and a famous scholar. The fact that he was able to enter the tower this time also showed that his research level had been recognized by Fremont. It could even be said that he was one of the best sorcerers in Leithania.

Theoretically, it was a good thing to have this person's help, but Noah sensed a strange...emotion.

"Forget it, isn't it just about protecting his consciousness from being torn apart? Where is the magic device I made for Bolivar and his group of lunatics last time..." Fremont turned his head to look for his own instrument, and at this time, just after Fremont left, Franz finally woke up.

"Are you okay?" Gerhard came to Franz's side.

"Heh..." Franz looked at Noah beside him and closed his eyes. "I know my situation best. You don't need to waste your time."

He should be the person in the world who knows the horror of the echoes of the mortal world best. He witnessed his friend turning into that monster with his own eyes. He knows who the things in his head come from, and even... Franz's eyes fell on Noah, because he could feel a similar aura on Noah, so he actually didn't like Noah very much, or rather, he didn't like the aura on Noah.

"...Ms. Noa, Mr. Franz seems unwell. Could you please step aside for a moment?" At this moment, Gerhard noticed Franz's gaze and turned to say, "Don't worry, Mr. Franz will be taken care of."

Noah hesitated for a moment, but she could indeed feel the vigilance coming from Franz. To be honest, she could understand it. After all, her skills were all trained by Herhunzolen himself. Her actions in the concert hall had more or less used some of the little tricks taught to her by the Witch King. This was unavoidable. Franz might not recognize that this was the Witch King's skill, but he was the Witch King's descendant after all, so he had some feeling about it.

Although Gerhard's mood was a little strange, he was a sorcerer recognized by Master Fremont after all, so Noah still gave him basic trust.

Besides, he didn't detect any malice in Gerhard's emotions.

Franz finally breathed a sigh of relief after Noya left. Just as Noya had guessed, his wariness of Noya stemmed from that duel in the concert hall. Certain techniques used in Arturo and Noya's duet had a tinge of disgust in him. While his intellect told him that Noya was merely a skilled sorcerer, this feeling of disgust had already etched itself into his heart...

His wariness towards Noah stems from this familiarity... this disgusting familiarity.

"It's okay. They've all left for now." Gerhard was still trying to calm Franz down. "We just met not long ago, remember?"

"The dense forest... the park..." Franz recalled the scene of their first meeting. "You... went to commemorate your teacher..."

"Yes. I wanted to remind you, but Lessing is here too. I can't take you away with him watching." Gerhard nodded with a smile. He looked very friendly and his conversation was extraordinary, making it difficult for people to feel annoyed.

"Lessing..." Franz closed his eyes, seemingly unwilling to speak. The echoes of the world in his head were still causing him pain, making him feel very bad.

To be honest, he didn't want to treat Miss Noya like this. Miss Noya should have no ill will towards him, but he could not get rid of the thought. That day, Miss Noya nodded in approval of the Twin Queens' murder in the concert hall. Miss Noya was not as simple as she seemed... He always thought so, and he felt an indescribable sense of familiarity with Miss Noya.

It's just like……

Franz closed his eyes, not wanting to mention the name.

"That kid isn't a bad person by nature, he's just a little stubborn." Gerhard smiled, thinking Franz was just upset about Lessing's recent behavior. "I used to be like him... but as long as people have the courage, they can change."

"Yeah." Franz nodded. It was true. If he hadn't experienced the incident in the Sunset Hall, he would not have mustered up the courage to come to Trinterme.

"Do you still have strength? Try it, hold my hand tightly." A gleam of light flashed in Gerhard's eyes, and he stretched out his hand.

But at this moment, the door suddenly opened, and Fremont and Noah rushed in almost at the same time - they both felt the fluctuation of the Originium technique in the room almost at the same time, and both of them were very familiar with this Originium technique.

"Gerhard, what are you doing?!" Fremont stared at Gerhard, the student he taught, but at this moment, there was a smile on the corner of his mouth that he could not understand.

"I'm sorry, teacher." Gerhard was surrounded by a special glow brought by the Originium technique. "I can't let you use Herhunzollon's bloodline like this. He is a living person and can have a brilliant future."

"...Spatial Defense Technique?" Frémont immediately recognized the structure of the technique, but it was too late. "—Damn it, I taught you this!"

"No matter how powerful the Originium technique is, it can't make up for regrets... This is what you taught me." Gerhard said with a smile, "I once used the spells you taught me to hurt many people. In the middle of the night, I often ask myself - if I hadn't done that, those souls that could have continued to shine wouldn't have disappeared in my hands. Then in this era we live in now, the people around us, including ourselves... wouldn't it be better? That's why I gave up my position as a tower wizard and became a scholar."

"Gerhard, what nonsense are you talking about?" Frémont had noticed that his student seemed to have changed slightly without him noticing. "Leave that kid here, don't make any mistakes—"

"Made a mistake? No, Sensei. I want to save him... precisely because I can't miss this opportunity again. I want to redeem you and me... the biggest mistake we've ever made."

Gerhard just disappeared like that, but Noah didn't move. She could have stopped him from moving, but she didn't.

Because she also knew...Fremont, her master, couldn't possibly be without such ability. In this situation, he had countless ways to prevent the two from leaving, but...

Frémont did not stop them...

She turned her head and looked at the silent Flemont.

"Did you... do this on purpose?"

Chapter 38: Tracking

When Viviana came to Ludwig University with the Golden Law Guard Brandt, she did not expect to see Noah here, but she should be used to it. Noah always appears at the center of events, as if everything is chasing her.

Brandt's purpose in coming here was to find the real founder of Ludwig University, the old professor next to Noah. At this moment, he was sitting in a chair smoking, with smoke rings rising from his pipe one after another, forming various shapes in the air. This seemed to be the effect of Originium skills, but transforming a pipe into a staff was something Viviana had never seen before.

"...We are here to discuss serious matters, Mr. Fremont." Brant spoke first. This old professor named Fremont seemed to be polite even to the Golden Law Guard. Viviana could see that Mr. Brant was not at ease at this time, and could even be said to be quite vigilant, as if communicating with Fremont itself was very dangerous.

"What a bummer, Reiner. You're not as cute as the pretty little deer next to you." Fremont didn't even turn his head, just smoking a cigarette, and seemed to have no feeling about the arrival of the Golden Law Guards. This was actually unusual. Among the countries of Terra, the Golden Law Guards were the existence that could match the high-level combat power of various countries, similar to Casimir's Silver Spear Pigassos, or Ursus's inner guard "Emperor's Blade", or Dayan's Heavenly Master-level existence.

In Viviana's eyes, the Golden Law Guard was already one of the most powerful people she had ever seen, if the two Queens were not counted—

Of course, she also considered Noah, but she was not sure about Noah's strength. After all, she rarely took action, or it could be said that he rarely took action in front of her. The contest with Arturo was more on the psychological level, so Noah's strength seemed to her to be shrouded in a layer of fog.

"Are you casting a spell? Are you using your pipe as a staff?" Viviana was actually very curious about what kind of Originium skills were attached to Mr. Fremont's pipe, but with her eyes, she really couldn't see much.

"A staff? Don't be silly. Smoking is for rest. Who would think seriously while smoking? I just want to do an experiment to see if this smoke ring can float from here to the top of the Gemini Tower." Frémont shook his pipe, as if laughing, but soon turned his head and glanced at Viviana. "Is this the new Elector?"

"...Yes, we should have informed you," Brent said respectfully. "We're here on a mission as well."

"I suppose so..." Flemont took off his pipe and tapped it on a nearby tray, shaking out the ashes. "There's a glittering suit of armor nearby that's blinding me. Never mind, I'm not in the mood. Tell me, who asked you to come to me, the Gloomy Sheep or the Pretentious Sheep?"

"..." Brent naturally didn't dare to be as presumptuous as Frémont, so he had to respond seriously, "The two queens agree and both intend to consult you."

"...Excuse me, that's easy to say. If there's nothing troublesome, those two guys would wish I would never leave this tower. Just say it if you want to. If you have to fart, fart quickly." Fremont has always had a bad temper. Noah felt helpless watching from the side, so he had to give Viviana a look. Viviana understood and spoke directly to the point.

"Then I won't beat around the bush... This time we're here to ask you... about the Golden Rule."

"...Golden Rule?"

Frémont was not sleepy this time. He stood up and stared at the two of them. "What's wrong with the Golden Rule again?"

-

"...You mean...you mean, the copy of the Golden Rule is lost. And, it's the one that was placed in Storm City?" Now, Frémont couldn't hold it anymore. He thought it might be a troublesome matter, but he never thought that the foundation of Leithania would be in danger. The copy of the Golden Rule, although this thing is not equal to the Golden Rule itself that is still in use now, its importance is almost the same.

It can be said that if there is a problem with the Golden Rule Movement, there is no second Wizard King in the world to repair it, and the only option is to use the backup version prepared by the Wizard King in the past - that is, the lost copy.

"Are you all just eating and not developing any skills?! You're a Golden Rule Guardian, but you can't even keep an eye on the music. What use is this outfit other than being hung on the top of a tower as decoration?" Frémont's wrath was not something anyone could handle. Fortunately, Brant knew that this was indeed a problem at work, so he took the scolding very well. Frémont continued to scold, and then directly directed his words at the Queen who was not present. "Herlinmart is really something, saying that it's safer to stay away from the center of the vortex. I think she's just become stupid after being around you for so long! It's not true that the bigger the horns, the dumber the brain!"

After causing such a big mess, he still had to clean up the mess himself. You can imagine how angry Fremont was.

"The original copy was kept in Storm City...who was guarding it?" Noah asked curiously.

"...His Excellency the Elector," Brant replied, "that is... Miss Viviana's father."

"Is the stolen music so special?" Viviana finally realized it. She originally thought it was just a piece of music. Although it was named Golden Rule Music, the Golden Rule Music itself was also a piece of music. It's just that this piece of music was extremely complicated.

"Twenty-three years ago, Elector Count Walnar returned to Stornland from Trilinterme with this music book on his person," Brant explained. "No one except the Queen and the Elector Count himself can get close to it. I believe that, like many magical devices handed down from the Sorcerer King's era, it bears the Sorcerer King's spells."