Arknights, but the sickly pretty girl starts

So, he once again faced a problem - where to sleep tonight?

The Nightmare Chaser Knight was not short of money, but not many hotels were willing to accept him in his current condition, and he was also an illegal resident.

Dragging his bleeding blade, the Nightmare Chaser left the two unconscious bodies behind and once again fell into a state of mindless worry. This man was probably the most relaxed person in all of Casimir. Although he was still worried about where to stay and what to eat tonight, at least he didn't have to worry about anything else.

-

"Infected people sparked riots—many injured. Are they a cancer or a disease of society?" The doctor, watching the report on TV, was inspired. "How could it be written this way? Is this the style of the Spring and Autumn Period?"

"Not entirely." Li shook his head helplessly. "It's true that many infected people banded together to carry out terrorist attacks. They didn't lie, they just [selectively reported] a part of it."

"That is to say, our movements... may be restricted from now on, right? This is a very good reason. In order to prevent us from being accidentally injured, our movements are restricted. By the way, I will also add that if you insist on leaving our designated safe zone, Casimir will not be able to guarantee your personal safety. You see, I can already predict it." The doctor curled his lips, as if he was mocking, or as if he found it ridiculous.

"...Doctor, I think...this situation."

"Thinking of the Reunion, Amiya?" The doctor turned to look at Amiya, his expression finally softening. "Don't overthink it. This is just the infected banding together for warmth. Operator Lin Guang won the match, and as an infected person, they're encouraged. It's not surprising they did this. But their rebellious spirit wouldn't have led to something like the Reunion unless someone was willing to lead... well, they're just scattered guerrillas."

"...Yes, Operator Linguang..." Amiya lowered her head. "I thought Casimir... was supposed to be a country of noble people."

"It's Operator Lin Guang who is noble, not this country," the doctor said. "Just do good things and don't worry about the future, Amiya."

"Yes, Doctor, I understand." Amiya finally recovered from her depression. The moment she saw the news, she thought of Lungmen, Misha, Broken Bones, Frost Star, and Talulah. All of this was still circulating in her mind.

They shouldn't have been Rhodes Island's enemies—

They should have been the best of friends and allies. She didn't want, and absolutely didn't want, the tragedy of the Integration Movement to happen again.

However, the doctor once again used a few words to clear up her confusion. She looked at the doctor and gave him a somewhat forced smile, "I will do my best, for Rhodes Island."

"Look, my little rabbit has grown a little bit bigger." The doctor pointed at Amiya's smile and boasted to Li beside him, "What do you think? My little rabbit is amazing, right?"

"Yes, Mr. Doctor." Li also agreed with a smile, but Amiya's face turned red in an instant, and she shyly stepped forward to pat the doctor's back, but the force was very light, almost the same as a back massage.

So the doctor just smiled, but his smile did not contain the reassurance in his words.

-

"Margaret?" Noah pushed the wheelchair and slowly came to the living room. Shining had already returned to the villa. Judging from his emotions - he was right.

After truly witnessing what happened at Plot Zero, any person with a conscience would have only one thought: this cannot go on.

"It's still early, do you want to go out for a walk with me?" Noah took the initiative to invite, "Miss Shining and Miss Nightingale can also come, just think of it as a way to digest the food after dinner."

"At this time... going out?" Margaret looked at Noah and said with some concern, "It's not that I don't want to go out, but judging by the current situation... it's not safe for you to go out."

"I have the invincible Brilliant Knight by my side. Being by your side is already the safest place in the world." Noah smiled. "Or do you think you can't protect me?"

"...I'm just worried about you." Margaret sighed, "But if you insist."

"It's okay, Margaret." Shining placed a hand on Nightingale's shoulder. "With you and I here, there won't be any danger. Maybe it's time to go out and take a look, even though I just got back."

"Then I'll trouble you, Miss Shining?" Noah responded with a smile. "Did you get the answer you wanted?"

"As you expected, Miss Noah." Shining nodded, "I saw something... even more cruel than I imagined."

Compared to Margaret and Shining, Nightingale's reaction was more direct. She moved her wheelchair and quietly approached Noah, looking him up and down. When Noah felt that her gaze was a little strange, she spoke. "Your wheelchair looks very powerful?"

"...Um..." Noah didn't even know what to say for a moment. She nodded first, then asked, "If Miss Nightingale likes it, we can switch."

Nightingale's wheelchair was not much different from Noah's, except that Noah's was white, while Nightingale's was black. Seeing the two people wanting to exchange wheelchairs, Margaret and Shining exchanged a glance, each with a hint of resignation. But they each took one, picked up the two children with limited mobility, and swapped wheelchairs. As if enjoying the new wheelchair, Nightingale took the initiative to experiment with its various functions.

Since they wanted to try out the new wheelchair, they had to go out. Margaret and Shining each took care of one, while Noah taught Nightingale how to use his wheelchair, which he found a bit funny.

Does this count as communication among fellow patients?

Maybe we can even start a wheelchair drifting competition in the future...

Chapter 159: Opposition to the March

"Noah, why did you suddenly drag us out for a walk?"

As they walked, Margaret suddenly asked. After all, knowing her childhood sweetheart well, she knew she wouldn't do anything meaningless. Especially today, when it looked like a storm was brewing. She had seen Shining's expression when she returned. Something was definitely going on, and Noah was definitely not doing anything meaningless.

"Well, did you find out?" Noah smiled. "I just came here to witness some things. After all, I can't see the whole picture if I stay at home."

"Will anything else happen tonight?" Margaret pondered for a moment. "Speaking of which, where's Kuro? Why isn't she with you?"

"I have something for her to do." Noah didn't tell Margaret directly about his plan, but kept it a secret. "Don't ask about the details, okay?"

"...Noah, you're always so secretive." Margaret sighed. She completely trusted her childhood sweetheart, but she was always worried about him doing dangerous things. But now that she was by her side, and since Kuro wasn't around, she was her last barrier, so she was wary.

"Mystery makes women more attractive, doesn't it?" Noah said with a smile, "Besides, I feel at ease around you."

"...Maybe that's the case." Margaret's eyes suddenly softened. When he was with her, he seemed to have never had the upper hand in a quarrel. As long as the other party showed such an expression, he would not be able to continue talking and could only follow her thoughts.

Not long after they left, they encountered a group of—protesters? Some of them were knights from the tournament, while others were ordinary civilians. They held high banners and signs with a large red cross painted on Margaret's portrait with red paint. They were filled with passion, and under the leadership of the knight, they issued a unified cry.

"Let the Knight of Glory withdraw from the competition!"

"The infected shouldn't and can't become competitive knights!"

"The Knights Association is unfair!"

"Let the Knight of Glory withdraw from the competition!"

Wave after wave of shouting followed, the group marched forward, chanting slogans. But all of this came to an abrupt halt when they encountered Margaret and her group. Seeing the very person they opposed appear before them, the marchers suddenly paused. Several people looked at each other, and finally the leader stepped forward and spoke.

"...Good evening, Knight Yao."

"...Good evening to you too." This was a novel experience. He was being opposed by the parade, but the leader was surprisingly polite. Seeing the Glory Knight surveying the procession, those holding signs guiltily put them away. Actually, this group of people knew that the infected attack had little to do with the Glory Knight, but they had to use an example to criticize, so they hung up the Glory Knight. "This is..."

"This is a registered, legal and compliant parade." The leading knight was sweating profusely. They never expected to run into the real person.

"Oh..." Margaret's expression was complicated, but she also found it a little funny. "Can I ask why you are marching?"

"We...we just want to expel the infected. We believe that the infected should not participate in the Glorious Knight Competition, nor should they enter the Great Knight Territory—" The leading knight's voice gradually faded. "Of course, I don't think you should leave, Knight Yao, but...if you continue to compete, it will only give those infected a false impression. I used to be your fan."

"...Is that so..." Margaret suddenly glanced at Noah beside her, as if she suddenly understood something. "Then you can continue. Since it is legal and compliant, I will not stop you."

"...Ah, this." The leading knight and the people behind him exchanged glances. They hadn't expected Knight Yao to allow them to continue the march, considering it was slandering her reputation and threatening to expel the infected. After all, in the eyes of most people, Knight Yao was one of the infected. "So... shall we continue?"

"Go ahead. I have no reason to stop you." Margaret pulled the others out of the way. "But it's getting late. If we go to a residential area, please keep your voices down so as not to disturb those who are already planning to rest."

"...I understand." The leading knight bowed to Margaret, then, perhaps out of guilt, added, "Knight Yao, I don't think you're a bad person. I just think the infected went too far this time. Personally... I still like you very much. I wonder if you could give me an autograph so I can bring it to my son."

"...Okay." Margaret smiled helplessly for some reason. After taking the pen from the other party, she asked curiously, "Where do you want to sign?"

"Sign my shirt." The leading knight peeled off his coat, revealing a limited edition T-shirt for Shining Knight fans, and then showed his back to Margaret. Margaret was silent at first, but then signed.

After getting the autographs, some people in the group behind them were eager to join the parade. However, not everyone was as shameless as the leading knight. Furthermore, the group opposing the Knight of Glory's continued participation would be embarrassed if their encounter with the Knight of Glory turned into a book signing. So, they ultimately didn't have the courage to stand up and ask for autographs. After Margaret made way, the parade continued on its way. However, after Margaret could barely see them, they could hear them shouting slogans from a distance.

So, Noah finally couldn't hold back his laughter, "Pfft..."

Not only Noah, but Shining and Nightingale beside him couldn't help laughing. Only Margaret was so embarrassed that she wanted to find a hole to crawl into. When had the Knight of Glory ever been so embarrassed?

My own fans gathered to march against me. What a humorous title. Looking at Noah's smile, she asked helplessly, "Isn't this the reason why you asked me to come out?"

"No, it was just an accident." Noah waved his hand, "Let's continue walking. You don't mind anyway, right?"

"If they can speak their minds and voice their opinions, they might be able to help us in the future," Margaret said helplessly. "I'm afraid they'll continue to remain silent."

"Yes, in a sense, this is what you want to see?"

"I guess so." Margaret did not object to Noah's words. "As long as someone dares to stand up, it's better than drowning in silence."

Chapter 160: Uninvited Guests

"Margaret, do you still want to oppose the Knights' Games?" Noah finally asked after she had finished laughing. "Or, if you had the power, would you end the Knights' Games? Would you drive the capital out of Casimir?"

"...If it were me in the past, I would." Margaret had to admit, "But now..."

"You've clearly seen by now that Casimir needs knightly competitions," Noah responded. "Knightly competitions attract capital and tourists, turning Casimir into a prime tourist destination. This boosts the economy, creates idols, and makes the long-peaceful Casimir begin to embrace martial virtues. This, while stimulating domestic demand, also eases the incompatibility between domestic capital and the Crusaders."

"...It sounds like the knightly competitions are indeed indispensable." Margaret shook her head helplessly. Although she had lived in Casimir, she had never considered the significance of the knightly competitions, or why the Supervisory Commission allowed them to exist. She had thought that knightly competitions were something that needed to be opposed and abolished. That was why she had thrown herself into the knightly competitions, won a meaningless championship, and then, with the tacit approval of the Supervisory Commission, was expelled and stripped of her citizenship.

But after traveling abroad, she suddenly realized that compared to many countries - such as Iberia and Kjerag, having a golden signboard like the knight competition is something that cannot be obtained even if you ask for it.

Without the knightly competitions, a tiny place like Casimir wouldn't have flourished commercially today, and would likely have long since become a commercial colony of Colombia. Casimir is a tiny place with few assets. In the distant past, it was even a nomadic people, pursuing pasture and water. What has enabled it to achieve its present state? Is it the knights? No, the true driving force behind Casimir's development is the very business association that Margaret detests.

In other words, the capital represented by the Chamber of Commerce.

The Supervisory Commission is no fool. They understand the importance of the Knights' Tournament. Even if the Chamber of Commerce collapses, the Knights' Tournament will not be abolished. It has become a pillar of Casimir's industry. If the Knights' Tournament were abolished, Casimir would face a true "Great Depression," with skyrocketing unemployment, a decrease in tourists, and a severe economic blow. In short, the result is one: the Knights' Tournament cannot be touched, and it cannot be moved.

In the face of the times, any honor and tradition must give way to survival and development.

I think that when my grandfather told me to think more and see more before he left, it was to make me understand this point.

But—what she was going to do would not change.

She still loves the land of Casimir, the fertile land where she was born and raised. This is her home and the place she longs for.

——Even if my fate is ultimately just an absurd adventure.

"—like feathers flying in the night wind."

"—like a friend full of ideals."

"——The knight sets out on his journey."

"—to find the love of one's life."

The charming voices of wandering singers drifted from the roadside, reciting ancient poems. Their songs melted into the blood, becoming a nation's memory. Like the jasmine flowers of Da Yan or the Katyushas of Ursus, there was always something flowing through the veins of the people who lived on this land.

"sounds so good."

"Isn't that a wandering singer?"

"Is there such a romantic place in Casimir?"

Nightingale asked Noah curiously.

Noah was silent for a long time before answering.

“Because people still live here, the romance will not disappear.”

This is also part of the sound of the city, which Noah has heard and hummed countless times.

"Hum...hum...hum..." The nightingale hummed slowly following the tune of the wandering singer, and Margaret's expression softened.

"Nightingale, do you want to dance?"

"...Huh? I'm like this..." Nightingale gripped the handle of the wheelchair uneasily. Seeing Nightingale's hesitation, Noah also spoke.

"Go ahead, Margaret will support you, don't worry." Noah's words allowed Nightingale to finally take Margaret's hand.

"it is good."

Margaret held Nightingale's hand and helped her up from the wheelchair. Shining also came to Noah's side at the right time and watched Nightingale stand up under Margaret's guidance.

She asked Noah curiously, "If you could stand up, would you dance with Lin Guang?"

"Yes." Noah nodded, "But unfortunately, I can't do it."

"...Yeah." Shining was silent, looking at the two people dancing under the street lights. The knight was holding Sarkaz's hand, and under the light, it was like a scene from a picture book.

Like—the noble icon of the Lateran.

"Beautiful," Shining commented, "It's hard to imagine that Liz will be able to dance one day."

"Thank you for taking care of Margaret." Noah suddenly spoke, a little abruptly, catching Shining off guard. But when she looked at Noah's expression, she suddenly felt relieved. She had thought this girl was someone who didn't care about anything. But this expression clearly showed that she did care.

But she herself may not realize that her expression is so lonely, but there seems to be a hint of relief in this loneliness.

The knight stopped and bent down in front of the Lantern Goddess.

Nightingale stared into Margaret's eyes. At some point, there was something in Margaret's eyes that she couldn't understand. She suddenly turned around and looked in the direction of Noah. She suddenly seemed to understand something and asked Margaret in a low voice.

"Actually, the person you want to dance with is... someone else, right?"

"...I can't hide it from you, Liz." Margaret nodded with a wry smile, "But it has to be a secret."

"Yeah." Nightingale nodded, a hint of regret rising in her heart. "I'll listen to you, Lin Guang."

The dance ended, and the wandering poet's song also slowly stopped. Noah lowered his eyes slightly, but suddenly felt a warmth on his shoulders——

She looked up and thanked him.

"Thank you, Shining."

"You're welcome. Caring for patients is a doctor's duty." Shining's warmth brought Noah back from his sadness. He moved his wheelchair again and smiled as usual.

But there are always some people who can't read the air. Noah just wanted to say something when his ears moved. He had no choice but to remind Margaret.

"A visitor is coming."