Arknights, but the sickly pretty girl starts

"Tell me more?"

"Very beautiful."

"...Is that all you know?"

"But I prefer looking into your eyes—"

"...Okay, this sentence does make some sense."

Noya paused, a blush spreading across her face. She slowly tilted her head and adjusted her hair, as if shy. Or perhaps she was trying to form her words. Perhaps she was somewhat accustomed to Kuro's straight-woman mannerisms, but for Kuro, who usually spurted and prodded her, to suddenly say something that made her feel a little embarrassed was truly unexpected.

"Thank you for liking my eyes." Although shy, Noah's answer was clear. "I'm very happy, really."

"It's my great pleasure."

Kuro pushed Noah's wheelchair and walked slowly. The girl in the wheelchair had a smile on her face. There was no light in her dark eyes under the glasses, but it was still enough to make people fascinated.

-

There are always reasons why people go to the battlefield. Some do it for the sake of their country, some for honor, some for the lights of the thousands of homes behind them - and some just to muster up the courage.

Just like Maria Linguang, who took a deep breath and patted her cheeks before stepping onto the court, the atmosphere of the court made her feel a little suffocated, but the side effects of the tension quickly dissipated from her. Perhaps the brilliance she had seen in her sister Margaret was still imprinted in her eyes, at least now Maria Linguang didn't feel the tension making her movements stiff.

On the contrary, when she stood on the field under the name of [The Return of the Radiant Knight], only one sentence seemed to remain in her mind -

Can't embarrass my sister!

She held her head high and chest out, with a serious expression. Compared to her sister, her figure still seemed a little thin, but she did have the dazzling color of the Linguang family. This brilliance came from the era of the gods and people, and it traveled through time and history. Even now, it can still shine in this era. It belongs to the bloodline of the Golden Pegasus. For a long time, the two words "Linguang" were the symbol of Casimir's most dazzling star.

Margaret Linguang successfully became the youngest champion of the Knight Competition. So what kind of prospects will her sister, Maria Linguang, bring to the Knight Competition?

No one knows, and no one can predict.

But there is no doubt that the moment she stepped onto the field, she had already stepped out from behind the stage to the front of the stage - just like a noble's first debut was at a ball, a knight's first appearance was also worth remembering.

"How is she? It's a bit noisy, I can't hear clearly."

"Her? She looks... a bit like her sister."

"...That's a shame. I really want to see it like this." Noah said with a smile, "It must be impressive, right?"

"maybe."

——Buzz buzz buzz——

A ringtone rang in Noah's headphones. Noah smiled bitterly for a while, then answered the call.

"How could you let Maria play on the field!!!"

Although she had been mentally prepared, the sheer volume of her voice still made her pause for a moment. It was the first time she had heard Zofia speak so loudly—a discovery of a hidden side of the esteemed Miss Zofia. She shook her head, letting the dizziness dissipate before speaking.

"You'll understand after this game is over. Believe me, Miss Zofia."

"...You better be!"

The other party hung up the phone. Noah blinked, then shook his head with a wry smile.

"Maria better win beautifully... otherwise I'm going to be scolded to death."

"You deserve it."

Chapter 9: Maenna doesn't know how to manage money

"I always thought that at least you, Noya, are a trustworthy person who knows your limits! Why are you also accompanying Maria in making trouble?" Zofia said angrily while sitting opposite Noya. After learning that Maria entered the knight competition under the name of Xia Guang, she became anxious and ran all the way to Noya at lightning speed. As for why it was Noya - if Noya firmly opposed Maria's participation in the competition, and according to Maria's obedience to Noya, such a thing would not happen.

The only possibility for Maria to successfully compete is that Noah also agrees to it.

"Zofia, calm down first—" Noah knew the three-way trial would be a scene after the match. In reality, Zofia was simply worried about Maria and was furious. The most troublesome thing—though he wasn't saying anything at the moment, his expression was completely gloomy—was the current head of the Linguang family. Because of Mr. Mainna's presence, their trial was even delayed until he got off work. "I just think it's necessary for Maria to temporarily take on the position of long-rider of the Linguang family."

"..." Mainna didn't say anything, but the sideways glance he gave still made people feel scared - well, Noah couldn't see, he simply felt the gaze.

Noya's perception was vague, but she could at least sense a person's mood and attitude, which made her quite useful. Few people could conceal their feelings under her observation, and this ability often gave her an advantage in business negotiations. While it wasn't quite mind-reading, it was more like a form of emotional perception, and it was always active, making it impossible for Noya to shut it off.

Just like now - Noah could clearly feel that the head of the Linguang family must be quite dissatisfied with him.

Although it was Maria's own decision to go to the competition, in the eyes of Zofia and Mainna, it seemed even more strange that they did not stop Maria. In a sense, this also meant that they treated Noah as their own family.

"...It has nothing to do with Sister Noah. I wanted to participate in the knight competition on my own..."

The one who was most scared at this moment was definitely not Noah, but Maria, who was shaking like a sieve. Although she easily defeated her opponent on the field, and although it was not a crushing victory, but a serious suppression, which made the audience who were looking forward to the reappearance of the myth of the Knight of Glory somewhat disappointed, but victory is victory. She could be said to have jumped in front of Noah, and then was arrested on the spot by Zofia, who had been lying in ambush for a long time, and then sent directly home to wait for the joint trial by her uncle and aunt.

Noah came to the scene as Maria's defense lawyer. Although Zofia and Maina both had complaints about Noah's support for Maria to go to the game, they still did not stop her from participating in this scene, which was essentially a family meeting.

Noah's unwavering care for the Linguang family over the years is obvious, and her family, the Kirilet family, is also the eternal friend of the Linguang family recognized by Cyril himself before he left. With these two relationships, even Mainna would not say anything to Noah Kirilet.

"That's what I'm angry about. Why would you support her to participate in this kind of...competition, Noah?"

Zofia was once a competitive knight, her best performance being a top-sixteen finish, earning her the title of Whiplash Knight. However, an injury sustained during that tournament forced her to retire, and she has never regained her former strength. Zofia knew firsthand that knightly competitions, while seemingly entertaining, were actually extremely dangerous. Her injury was proof of this, and Margaret's expulsion from the championship only solidified her resolve.

Maria must never participate in such a barbaric competition!

"Because I think Maria is serious," Noah replied. "When she discussed this with me, her tone was very serious. It even reminded me of Margaret's tone when she decided to participate in the competition."

"...Margaret..."

"It was like the past all over again. The two sisters even had similar attitudes towards participating in the knight competition. I suddenly had no way to stop her, just like I couldn't persuade Margaret back then. I knew it was useless to persuade someone like her, so I asked Kuro to help train Noya. Every morning, for about three or four hours. Maria is very strong and trains very hard. Now, I think she can survive in the knight competition—"

"This is meaningless," Mainna said for the first time. "The glory of the Linguang family will not be dimmed by the loss of a long-horse and the stripping of the knight's title. Knights are not commodities to be admired. Participating in knight competitions will not bring honor to the Linguang family."

"..." The light in Maria's eyes, which had originally brightened with Noya's support, gradually dimmed. As the most powerful guardian of the Linguang family, Mainna's lack of support meant her eligibility could be revoked at any time. After all, Mainna was the guardian, not Noya. Noya's support could only go so far. The rest of the story was Maria's own.

However, without a knight family like the Long Cavalry, the Linguang family would be stripped of their knight nobility status due to bankruptcy...

Although Maria didn't know what the so-called knight nobility qualifications were for, and she had never experienced the so-called aristocratic life, she felt that this was something that Sister Margaret had won for her, and she couldn't lose it. This was why she felt that this matter was so important.

"Aren't you usually working on those useless inventions? Why are you suddenly picking up the sword and shield again? Are you bored? If you're bored, then find another way. If you really can't stay at home, come over to my place. I have quite a few properties under my name, right? Besides, the guy next to you is richer than me and is an old friend of your sister's. I guess even moving into his villa wouldn't be a problem. We can still look after each other."

Zofia pointed at Noah, who was standing beside her with a confused look on her face, and spoke earnestly.

"Why bother becoming a jousting knight? Think about it, if your big family hadn't refused our investment, would your family have gone bankrupt?"

"...Ahem." Mainna coughed. For some reason, Noah seemed to hear some emotional ups and downs in this cough... It must be said that Mr. Mainna actually has no idea how to manage money... Even though he has become a corporate slave, he has never known the importance of financial management.

Chapter 10: Sister Zofia~

Maria Linguang said something in an interview before the game. No one thought much about it at the time, but it later became one of the famous sayings in knight athletics.

At this moment, she said the same words in front of everyone - exactly the same.

"My uncle has always said that even if we're stripped of our noble status and the Linguang family crest disappears, it doesn't mean 'Linguang' will cease to exist... But I still want to protect those things, protect my sister and grandfather... the things they've always defended. My sister is gone, and as the youngest generation of the Linguang family, I can't sit idly by and watch the Linguang family decline! Restoring Linguang's glory is our responsibility!"

These words were so powerful that the two people who had originally planned to force Maria to withdraw from the competition fell silent. After a long time, Noah slowly spoke.

"...Maria, your sister is just traveling, she's not dead yet... What you said is a bit..."

"...That's not what I meant!" This interruption instantly pulled the atmosphere back to the atmosphere of a family quarrel from the tragic and heroic atmosphere just now. Maria's words at least touched Zofia, who had always opposed Maria's participation in the competition. After all, she was also the Whip Blade Knight who walked onto the field with high spirits. Compared to Mainna, she actually didn't want to see Maria get injured, or like her, suffer from injuries and pain until now.

But if Maria insists on doing so...she, as her aunt...sister, must support her family's decision.

However, her skill was indeed far inferior to Margaret's... Zofia had tried to stop Margaret at the time, but after being defeated in a one-on-one duel, she no longer had the reason to do so. After all, Margaret was indeed too strong... Even though Mainna disapproved of Margaret's actions at the time, she never questioned her strength. Although Margaret had left Casimir, the legend she left behind still shone brightly.

Even Zofia had to admit that Margaret had inspired her...but the final result was not ideal.

Back then, when God Marsiliel was still around, Margaret was exiled. Now, can Maria really be safe?

Zofia's worry was palpable, but Mainna looked weary. Margaret and Maria, these two nieces, each one a formidable opponent... He'd assumed Maria would give up on these silly knightly competitions after falling in love with the mechanic, but he'd never expected Margaret to bring her down this path. This whole thing had left the middle-aged office worker feeling exhausted, both physically and mentally. He glanced at Noah. Perhaps it was Noah's presence that had given Maria the courage to speak up for herself in such a situation.

She did change a lot of things...both Margaret and Maria.

The armor and sword she was wearing were all left behind by Margaret. Unexpectedly, they still fit her perfectly...

"You are unworthy of the knightly tournament, and the knightly tournament is unworthy of the Linguang name—" Mainna began, instantly pouring cold water on Maria, who was still rebuilding Linguang's glory. "Even if we are stripped of our nobility, our creed will not waver in the slightest. There is nothing to protect."

"……Can."

"There's nothing you need to protect, Maria." Maina's expression was serious. "Don't be like Margaret, who easily broke the reserved state just because of youthful impetuosity—"

"……I……"

"Can I interject?" Noah felt it was about time, so he raised his hand. "Regarding Margaret's part, I want to explain that she didn't participate in the knightly tournament out of competitiveness, nor did she in any way dishonor the Linguang name. I hope Uncle Mainna will retract his statement. As a close friend, I want to help her explain her perspective."

"...Speak." Mainna stared at Noah. The pressure was truly suffocating. No wonder Maria and Margaret were both somewhat in awe of Mainna. Compared to the sunny and bright Linguang parents, Mainna was now a terrifying figure. But Noah remained composed. "Margaret's participation in the knightly competitions was an act of resistance. She advocated for what a knight should do, attempting to awaken the spirit of chivalry in this country. Although she failed, I don't think she was narrow-minded, nor did she dishonor Linguang's name. Her actions were also approved by her grandfather, Mr. Cyril!"

To deal with an elder who is difficult to talk to, you have to bring up an elder who is more majestic than him!

Cyril Linguang, the mainstay of the Linguang family, the collective idol of the older generation of Casimir, and a true legend.

He represents Lin Guang and Lin Guang's will. It is a belief recognized by Cyril Lin Guang. Naturally, Mainna cannot deny it. After Noah spoke, Mainna had nothing to say.

"...We're talking about Maria now..." This statement made it clear that Mainna had lost the argument, but he didn't say Margaret was right. Instead, he returned the conversation to Maria. "Maria, I hope you can be more sensible. I have some company matters to attend to, so let's stop here for today."

Maria got up and left, but Noah and Zofia stayed where they were. Zofia was still struggling with her conscience, so Noah pushed his wheelchair over and touched Maria's head. "Don't worry, baby, I'll always support you."

"Sister Noah... wuwuwu." Maria threw herself into Noah's arms. Just then, she was about to cry because of Mainna. Such pressure was indeed something not everyone could bear. Even Noah now, if her legs could move, would have been trembling just now. Noah couldn't help but wonder how Margaret had been able to convince Mainna back then. But there was no point in overthinking it. Noah rubbed Maria's head. "Now this level is temporarily passed. From now on, you still need to train actively and study your next opponent. I can't always be with you. After all, I have other things to do. If you need anything else, just call me..."

"But...but training..."

"Although Kuro probably doesn't have much time left, there's still a top 16 Whip Knight here," Noah said with a smile. "Zofia, can I ask you for Maria's help?"

"...Why do you sound like you're Maria's older sister? According to kinship, shouldn't I be the one saying this?" Zofia looked puzzled. "Never mind. I've known for years that Maria is closer to you. Don't worry, leave the training to me."

"You're so reliable - Sister Zofia." Noah's tone instantly changed and she called her sister sweetly, and pinched Maria's hand by the way.

"Sister Zofia!" Maria immediately knew what to do and immediately changed her tone to a sweet one. The tacit understanding between the two sisters had already reached this level, which made Zofia, who was standing aside, unable to bear it at all.

"Okay... okay, then Maria, remember to gather at the Garden Training Ground tomorrow morning... I... I can teach you how to fight one-on-one."

Chapter 11: Welcome Uncle Maenna

The transition to the role of spokesperson for the Chamber of Commerce was far more complex than Noya had imagined. While Maria toiled through training with Zofia, Noya struggled with a mountain of reports and other documents. She truly wished she had a capable assistant. She couldn't see, and Kuro had to read all the documents for her. Kuro was practically exhausted after reading them all day. Compared to those who could just read the reports, Noya truly needed a capable subordinate.

So where can he get this capable subordinate... Speaking of which, Noah remembered that the young man named Markowitz who worked under the spokesperson seemed quite good... He was just a subordinate of the previous spokesperson. It seemed a bit inappropriate to poach him, and his trustworthiness was also questionable... If he missed a few numbers when reporting the report, his judgment of the situation might be seriously affected.

Although this kind of mistake is easy to catch and she can easily tell when someone is lying, she still doesn't want this to happen... So although Markowitz is capable, she definitely needs a better... subordinate.

"... Kuro, who do you think I should ask to help me with these...trivial matters?"

"you ask me?"

"… Mainly because I was talking to myself and it was weird, so I just asked you."

"..."

"First, they have to be reliable. Second, they have to be patient and obedient. Finally, they have to be capable..." Noah said, and the feeling of familiarity grew. She slapped her head and said, "...I suddenly thought of someone."

"..." Kuro shuddered as he looked at Noya's smile. This girl always smiled like that when she was thinking of something bad.

-

"...Transfer?" Mainna was working on a report in his office and had just made a cup of coffee when his boss called him over. After hearing his boss's instructions, he asked with some confusion. "A transfer to another department?"

"No, strictly speaking, this isn't a normal personnel transfer... I'm sorry, but we can no longer employ you." The boss was clearly frustrated. While Mainna wasn't always likable, his work ethic and attitude were excellent, making him one of his favorite employees. If it weren't for his sullen face, he would have been promoted long ago. More importantly, Mainna didn't like taking vacations; in all those years, he hadn't even asked for one.

Which boss wouldn’t like such a worker?

As a result, this time the other party personally asked to poach Mainna and paid him a reward that he could not refuse, so there was only one answer!

"Although I am heartbroken, Maenna, I hope you will make some sacrifices for the sake of the company. Starting today, you are fired."

"..."

"But there's one good thing. Although you've been fired, another company is very interested in you and has already sent you an employment contract. Take a look, the salary is very generous. You'll be the personal assistant to a high-ranking CEO." The boss handed the contract to Mainna. "I don't know why such a big boss chose you. Perhaps they value your abilities... Well, what abilities are they not sure about?"

"..." Mainna didn't answer, instead carefully reviewing every clause of the contract from beginning to end. Sure enough, the salary was significantly higher than the original salary, and the benefits were excellent, including two days off a week, regular overtime pay and bonuses, and a full year-end bonus. The contract itself was flawless, notarized, and even had the official seal of the Chamber of Commerce.

The question is... who is this boss who hired me?

What was the real reason for wanting to poach him? From what he knew about his boss, the only way he could relent was if the price he was offered was simply too good to refuse. He couldn't help but wonder what he would do next. Of course, he couldn't quit his job; he still had to earn a living to support his family. Even the most arrogant Ranger would have to keep his edge to himself in this city.

Mainna looked at the job location. It wasn't far from home, only about a ten-minute walk away. So, at this point... there was no need to refuse.

Mainna nodded and took the contract from his boss, but did not sign it immediately. He planned to first see what the company that poached him was up to.

After leaving the company where she had worked for several years, Mainna soon came to a new company for an interview. The company was located in a newly built office building, and every aspect felt advanced and fresh. When she entered the workplace, Mainna's first feeling was actually - warmth.

In Casimir, few workplaces offer dedicated employee facilities. Upon entering, Mahenna noticed a stark difference in temperature between inside and outside, suggesting a constant temperature system. After a few steps, he saw the employee cafeteria. While it wasn't lunchtime, the mere presence of one was a welcome addition. He then walked a few more steps and found an area dedicated to coffee and other beverages, apparently free for internal employees.

Free coffee...Maenna was somewhat tempted.

My original company also has a coffee machine, but in most cases you have to pay to use it. Here, it is not only free, but there are also special clerks to help you prepare it, make coffee and milk tea for you. Just now, Mainna saw a little girl holding out a strawberry sundae from inside.

The further he walked, the more confused Manna felt. Was this place really a workplace? He had just seen a game room, an indoor sports arena, a library, and even dormitories with attached bathhouses. The dormitories were all single rooms, and there was even... a dedicated cat cafe?