Arknights, but the sickly pretty girl starts

"..." Noah was silent for a while, then smiled and shook his head gently, "It's not the time yet."

"I can protect you." Margaret continued, "I just want you to stay with me..."

"That will distract you. As long as I'm here, I'm your biggest weakness, and you don't need a weakness like me right now." Noah emphasized again, "Besides, I don't need your protection. I can protect myself."

"...I know, I know." Margaret closed her eyes and showed an uncomfortable expression, but Noah, who felt Margaret's emotions, had to resist the urge to comfort her and forced herself to turn her head away.

"This is just an accident. I won't stay in Kjerag for long, and you won't be able to find me then. When I think the time is right, I'll return to Casimir on my own, without your invitation." Noya finally relented. "Casimir is still my home, but I can't go back now. Margaret, you don't have to feel bad for me. I just can't go back to Casimir, but I can travel the world. I plan to walk the same path you walked, and that's a good thing."

"Then how many chances do we have to meet each other?" Margaret Linguang's words made Noah fall into silence. Indeed, people in the world will always meet by chance a few times. Perhaps this is the last chance encounter. For Margaret, this is probably fate.

Just because my condition is stable now doesn’t mean it will remain stable in the future. People will always develop drug resistance. What should I do then?

Would he turn to dust without Margaret knowing? Or would he die in an accident during the journey?

No one knows, least of all Margaret.

That's why she appeared in front of him and tentatively asked him if he wanted to go back. Of course, she wanted to be with her childhood sweetheart and take care of her. With her around, Margaret didn't feel any uneasiness.

Noah Kyrielight is a necessity for Margaret Linguang.

Just like air and water, losing them will cause pain, discomfort and difficulty breathing.

She had been patient for a long time. When they met again, she could feel that the missing part of her was complete. But not long after, her soul became incomplete again. She was forced to leave with the hatred of everyone, but she had to stay in this city that cursed the other half of her soul and try to make this city a better place. To be honest, Margaret could not think of a more difficult test than this.

That's why she appeared here, that's why she wanted to seize this opportunity——

"Noah, I need you."

She spoke without hesitation, even grabbing Noah's hand, which had nowhere to go. "I need your presence. Come back with me? Okay?"

"No one is inseparable from anyone else." Noah lowered his head and whispered, "Margaret, this is just your illusion."

Noah was not unmoved. Since her childhood sweetheart had asked her for a favor, she was easily persuaded and almost agreed without thinking. But the next moment, a voice sounded in her ears.

"Go back to that country of knights? Do you just want to be a burden to her?"

The voice came from the Witch King Herhunzoren. She was very satisfied with Noah's talent and was looking forward to how Noah would write his next piece of music, so how could he possibly let Noah return to the country of knights again?

What Noah has to do now is to travel around Terra and compose more music - these music may be the true sounds of the world.

She had such a great achievement to accomplish, how could she possibly let this little knight take it back?

There was no way the Witch King would agree to this.

"Remember, if you go back now, you will only be a burden."

"...Margaret." Noah sighed, "I refuse to return to the present Casimir. I still have things to do and dreams to fulfill. I've already fulfilled your dream, so please fulfill mine as well."

This sentence blocked everything... There was no mercy at all.

After all, they shouldn't have met so early. Nothing has changed, and it's not time for them to compromise.

Now, they should go their separate ways.

"...Noah, I'll see you tomorrow." Margaret's expression was gloomy. She stood up and prepared to leave. Noah did not stop her. She just listened to the door closing, and then she collapsed powerlessly.

"See you tomorrow... If I get asked like this again tomorrow... I don't know if I can..." Noah said, then stopped talking. "Tomorrow... Well... I can only..."

Although she wanted to stay a little longer, Noah knew that she was not that determined, so she decided to leave early tomorrow morning.

There's a train leaving Kjerag tomorrow, leaving around five in the morning. As long as I'm on the train, Margaret can't chase after it and stop me, right?

The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Noah immediately contacted Enchiotis. After all, leaving the country would require this big boss's clearance. Enchiotis was still awake, and after the call was connected, Noah's slightly nervous voice came through the receiver.

"Enthyodice, could you please arrange a ticket for me on the earliest departing train tomorrow?"

"...?" Enthiotis, still a little sleepy, suddenly woke up. "What's wrong? Is Kjerag's hospitality poor?"

"no……"

"So you're done shopping? Lost interest in Kjerag?"

“That’s not…”

"Did someone mess with you, Kjerag?"

"…sort of, but not a Kjerag."

"Whoever it is, I'll deal with it." Enthyotis said, even with a bit of momentum in his voice.

"Margaret... Lin Guang."

"..."

"..."

Soon, the sound of someone trying to suppress laughter filled Noya's headphones. After a while, Enchiodis finally calmed himself down. "Ahem, that's troublesome. He's a diplomatic envoy after all."

"...Were you snickering just now?"

"No."

“…I heard everything.”

"Then just pretend you didn't hear me." Enthiotis said seriously, "Also, I'm not going to buy you a train ticket."

“…Then I’ll buy it myself.”

"There will be no passenger train service tomorrow."

"?"

"Yeah, I just decided."

"???"

"Since you haven't lived here long enough, then stay a little longer. Don't be so anxious." Enchiodis has always been shameless. "Besides, can you hide from Margaret's affairs forever?"

"I..." Enchiotis knew the relationship between him and Margaret, so this time he must have guessed the reason why he ran away. After saying this, Enchiotis hung up the phone, leaving Noah in a daze.

Can I escape forever?

Escape? Who escaped?

Noah gritted his teeth. That's right. He ran away the moment Margaret showed up. What kind of thing is that? He was worried Margaret might kidnap him. As long as he didn't give in, Margaret wouldn't be able to do anything. She could stay a few more days. Who's afraid of who?

Since all trains will be suspended tomorrow and he can't leave, Noah has only one choice.

Dingling... Dingling...

Noah rang the holy bell, and the next moment, Yaer appeared in the room. "What's wrong? My little saint~"

"I'm planning to stay at Manzhuyuan for a few days. Is that convenient?" Noah said seriously, "Just as a refuge!"

"Ah?" Ya'er didn't expect Nuoya to actually plan to seek refuge in Manzhuyuan, but she didn't ask any more questions. "Then I'll have to ask Enya. If she has no objection, then it's fine."

"Then please tell me something—" Noah clasped his hands together, "Please, this is really important to me."

——After all, I’ve already hidden myself away in Manzhu Courtyard. How could Margaret still come rushing in to find me?!

If she really needed refuge, then Manzhuyuan was her best choice. This was the center of Kjerag's faith, a place not accessible to ordinary people!

Chapter 51: The Saint's Secretary

"Okay, we're here. Oh, don't worry, I'll bring Kuro back with me. You can just rest in my room."

As the scenery twisted, Noah and Yaer appeared in a room inside Manzhuyuan. Noah, who had experienced space travel several times, no longer felt any discomfort, and Yaer also knew what Noah was worried about. She quickly waved and disappeared again. After knowing that she went to find Kuro, Noah also breathed a sigh of relief. Yaer's room was very clean and equipped with a heater, so it was not cold.

I'm going to hide here for a while now -

But in this world, I am probably the only one who would avoid the Knight of Glory.

Noah couldn't help but laugh at herself, but there was nothing she could do. Her reunion with Margaret had come too soon, as if fate had brought them together again. Noah figured if she could wait a few years before meeting her again, she wouldn't be so flustered.

I was so uneasy at the other person's words that I didn't know why I was shy... It was normal for Margaret to care about me. She just felt guilty about what I had done for her. Although it was all my own will, for the Radiant Knight, who had always been upright and had no room for change, my behavior was obviously unacceptable to her. I guess this was also the reason for looking for me...

It’s not so much that he needs me... it’s more like he can’t let go of himself.

Noah sighed, but because of this, she couldn't return to Margaret at will.

While Casimir may seem prosperous now, undercurrents still surge. Will the Business Alliance, having lost some of its power, miss any opportunity to attack Knight Yao and the Knights Association behind her? While Knight Yao might be able to handle these attacks, what if they directly use him as a threat? Given Knight Yao's character, he would never sacrifice Noya for greater gain.

In order to prevent this from happening, how could he possibly go back to Casimir and create a weakness for Margaret?

Wasn't it because he was afraid of this situation that he asked Margaret to send her family to Rhodes Island? Although Margaret would definitely feel lonely fighting alone, it was necessary.

It is the necessary process to change Casimir...

Don't forget that Sintrea had even kidnapped Maria before. If Sintrea wasn't a bad person, Maria might have been killed.

Margaret should have known it herself...

She placed her right hand on the elbow of her left arm, frowning as she pondered the trouble Margaret's actions might bring her. However, the more she thought about it, the more she became determined not to go back. But why did she think so much about it...

"...Am I trying to find a good excuse to go back?" Noah twitched his lips, his tone full of self-mockery. "Sorry... Margaret."

"Ya'er?"

At this moment, the door was opened. Noah subconsciously turned her head and looked in the direction of the voice. The other party's voice was very familiar, and she soon knew who came here.

"Ms. Enya?"

"Noah?" Enya opened Yaer's room and saw Noah. She frowned in confusion. "What happened? Why are you here?"

"It's a long story, but please let me stay at Manzhuyuan for a few days." Noah couldn't explain his relationship with Margaret to Enya for a while; it was too complicated. "Just stay until Casimir's envoy returns, okay?"

"How many days will you stay..." Although Enya was confused, after all, Noya had the honorary title of Saint bestowed upon her by herself. Strictly speaking, there was no problem for her to live in Manzhu Courtyard. It was just a matter of preparing a separate room, which was not a difficult task. In addition, Noya also helped Shelag a lot, especially Enya who kept telling her how good Noya was every day. To be honest, if she was not too busy, she would also like to chat with Noya more.

"Well, I have no reason to refuse. It's great if you're willing to stay here," Enya agreed. "But you can't stay here. I'll prepare a separate room for you. Also, Manzhuyuan is not as convenient as down the mountain. Transportation may not be as convenient, but safety is guaranteed. After all, this is the place Yelagund cares about the most."

"Okay, I'll follow your instructions." Noah breathed a sigh of relief. As long as she could stay at Manzhuyuan and wait for Margaret to return, she would have passed this hurdle. "Thank you, Miss Enya."

"Compared to what you did to help Kjerag, this is nothing. But I heard Rhodes Island is about to return—isn't Miss Noya planning to go back with Rhodes Island?" Enya asked curiously. "Enshia did say that you have a good relationship with Rhodes Island."

"I am also a nominal operator now. Although I was recruited by the doctor without authorization, you are right - there is indeed a deep relationship between Rhodes Island and me. It is not an exaggeration to say that my life was given by Rhodes Island." Noah nodded in acknowledgment, especially emphasizing that Rhodes Island saved her life.

"This... is it possible?" Rhodes Island is a famous medical institution for treating oripathy. Since his life was saved by Rhodes Island, it is likely...

"As you can imagine, I have been infected with a very serious mineral disease. In fact, my body is disabled because of this." Noah was very calm when he mentioned this, as if he was talking about a daily topic, but Enya found it difficult to respond with a normal attitude. She took out the holy bell, and with a jingle, the sound waves turned into substance and swept across Noah's body. Soon Enya realized that what Noah said was true.

Noya's body was now severely infected. While it was unclear how someone with this level of ore infection could still move freely, the Originium crystal cluster within Noya had already taken over almost every part of him, most severely affecting his spine. It was likely this crystallization that had caused Noya's disability. "What a... dire situation."

"I don't object." Noah didn't mind Enya's probing. "In fact, I don't care, so you don't need to come up with a special set of words to comfort me."

"Oh..." Enya was indeed thinking about how to comfort Noah, but she didn't expect that Noah saw through her.

"Everyone who knows my symptoms tries to comfort me. I've heard so many versions of the story, so—" Noa explained his reaction. "But I really don't need comfort anymore. I've accepted it and plan to continue traveling with this body. Kjerag is my first stop."

"So what impression did Kjerag leave on you? Taking part in a coup on your first stop must have left a lasting impression, didn't it?" Enya asked curiously, though her words also hinted at a subtle veiled criticism of her brother. "That guy's been giving you a lot of trouble."

“I don’t mind.” Noya shook her head. “And I’m glad that a leader who truly cares about Kjerag has taken the chairmanship.”

"Come on, even though I'm the chairman, most of the power still lies with my brother. I'll just supervise. This guy just loves gambling—what if he drags Kjerag into it someday?"

"Enthiotis does enjoy gambling, but I don't think he's prone to making bets lightly. If he feels the need to, it's usually when he absolutely must." Noya shook her head. As Enthiotis's partner, she understood his habits. "As a token of my appreciation for letting me stay, if you have any concerns, I'll handle them. I'm quite confident in my ability to use my brain."

"...Speaking of this..." Enya pondered for a moment, then suddenly came up with an idea. "Why don't you just work with me? You're a saint, after all, and Enthyodis trusts you. I'm sure he'll be willing to follow your advice."

"...Me, participating in Kjerag's national decision-making?" Noya was once again confused. "This...isn't good, right?"

"You've already participated in a coup, what's wrong with that?" Enya said with a sinister smile, "I haven't even liquidated you, the coup plotter, yet."

"...You should settle accounts with Enthiotis first. I'll take my time." Noya knew Enya was joking, but it was still surreal. "Although I'm an honorary saint, I don't think I have any political influence, right?"

"You don't need any political influence, just enough to convince Enthiotis with your advice." Enya spread her hands. "You're essentially an advisor. If you're willing, you can help with this. Of course, your authority depends entirely on whether Enthiotis accepts it. Akhtos would rather train his troops in the mountains than get involved in politics. Before Latatos returned from studying abroad, Enthiotis was in charge of Kjerag. As long as you convince him, there won't be any obstacles in Kjerag."

"...and by the way, can I also be the Saint's spy?" Noah asked cautiously.

"It's good that you know. You just need to know that you are not your brother's man, but mine." Noah has a special status. Enya immediately thought of this idea after being reminded. She is not good at negotiating with her brother, but she knows that Noah is one of the few people who can refute Enthiotis at the negotiating table. When cooperating with Casimir's company, Enthiotis personally came out and was suppressed by Noah.

Although the two men later colluded with each other, this was one of the few cases in which Enthiodis failed.

As the saying goes, "driving a tiger to devour a wolf", Noah is the tiger and Enthyodis is the wolf. It makes sense, right?

As the chairman, he shouldn't have to discuss things with the Prime Minister so frequently, so it was easy for him to let Noah, who was on his side, do it. After all, Noah was just an employee.

No real power, just a secretary...

But being Enya's secretary is at least better than being Margaret's secretary. After all, there shouldn't be many people who want to deal with Kjerag.

"Then... just for a few days." After weighing the pros and cons, Noah decided to accept Enya's arrangement. "After Casimir's envoy leaves, I'll apply for resignation."

"That's fine. I'll prepare a room for you first... It's next to mine. I can come to you if I have any questions." Noya's position suddenly changed from honorary saint to secretary of the chairman of the Kjerag Council. This jump still made Noya feel helpless. As expected... Enya and Enthiotis are siblings. Both of them like to take advantage of others... and they also take advantage of the people they know, and the more ruthless they are to those they know.

Was it a bit too much to choose Kjerag for recuperation?