Poseidon in Arknights

If there's anything that can truly forge a deep friendship between two people, it's undoubtedly protecting each other's lives.

However, regarding Alfonso and Garcia...

After watching the two hesitate for a moment, Carmen could only speak in a tone full of blessings: "Then, in my personal capacity, I wish you both happiness."

"Thank you, Saint." Compared to the unpretentious Alfonso, Garcia was clearly more polite. He immediately expressed his gratitude for Carmen's blessing.

After exchanging a glance and a brief silence, Alfonso and Carmen burst into laughter.

"Hahahahahaha!"

Red, who had finally escaped the cultists and slipped back, and the two of them, who were laughing heartily, tilted their heads.

"Two strange middle-aged men."

--------------

"Mom!" Hong pushed open the door, spotted Xiyue sitting on the sofa drinking coffee, and pounced on her.

Upon hearing Hong's voice, Yu Yue's eyes narrowed. She quickly released her coffee cup, held it up with water, and reached out with both hands to intercept Hong in mid-air.

He then placed the red cup in his arms and rubbed it vigorously twice. With his free hand, he precisely caught the coffee cup that was being dragged by the water.

"Such skillful technique." Ulpian watched Yuuki's smooth movements and could tell at a glance that they were the result of extensive practice.

"Because this little guy never learns his lesson," Yuzuki said, rubbing his reddened head. "And this time too. How about it? Are the followers enthusiastic?"

"Mmm." Hong nodded, while at the same time showing an expression as if she had eaten a bitter melon. "They are so enthusiastic, but too enthusiastic."

"I can understand that." Yuuki rubbed her red head, a slightly mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Oh, by the way, have the followers given you any title like 'Saintess' or anything?"

"Mom did it on purpose, didn't she?" Hong playfully nudged Xiyue's chin with her head. "No, they were very polite. They just looked at me and left satisfied after a while."

"Is that so?" Xi Yue nodded. Fortunately, the people from the Medical Association were still sensible and didn't turn it into a pilgrimage.

Although the recruitment event didn't happen, judging from Hong's appearance, she must have been quite exhausted.

With that in mind, Xiyue patted Hong's head: "What kind of reward does Hong want?"

After a brief build-up, the red map finally came to an end, and at the same time, Yuuki stepped forward to examine it.

So Hong looked up at Xiyue and said, "Mommy, let me touch your tail~"

"Oh~" Yuzuki drawled, pinching her red cheek. "So that's what you were thinking. Your map is a bit short."

"Hehe." Hong nuzzled against Xiyue's chest. "Mom said it herself, so it's a reward~"

"I just can't do anything with you."

--------------

"Hmm?" Yuuki looked at the doorway and saw Carmen and Alfonso coming in with Kal'tsit, and Garcia coming in with crutches.

Specter looked at the group of people who came in, stroked his chin, and patted Skadi on the shoulder: "Skadi, it's been a while since we swam, hasn't it?"

"Hmm?" Skadi tilted her head in confusion. "No, we did something similar recently..."

Before Skadi could finish speaking, Ulbian grabbed her and lifted her up, saying, "Just go outside. This isn't something we should be discussing."

“That’s true.” Goredia stood up in agreement. “Please continue your conversation.”

"Huh? Why are you carrying me?" Skadi was still confused when she was carried away by Gretia and Ulpian.

"Sigh." Yuzuki shook her head as she looked at Skadi, who was still in a daze. "Even with an internal brain, her reaction time is still not quite there."

"Mommy, can I go out too?" Red, who was still stroking Yuzuki's tail, looked up at Yuzuki. Although she had only just started stroking it, Red knew that she should go out now.

"It's alright, you can stay." Yuzuki patted Kurenai's head. "Ghost Shark and the others left to avoid suspicion from Agor, so it's fine for Kurenai."

After comforting Red and letting her continue petting her tail, Yuuki looked up at Carmen and asked, "Are we done talking?"

"We had a brief exchange of information and opinions," Carmen nodded, "and a few needs, perhaps requiring assistance from the Medical Association."

"Hmm, is it that ship?" Yuuki looked at the group. "Does Iberia need some kind of boost?"

“Yes.” Carmen nodded. “Sixty years of silence is enough to wear down the spirit of Iberia, even the youth. Iberia needs a boost.”

Then, Carmen looked at Alfonso, who seemed to be doing nothing, and said, "As a hero who is still in the textbooks, Alfonso's return and the return of the Fool are undoubtedly the most suitable."

“That’s no problem.” Xi Yue nodded. “I’ll also have the Sea Heirs help you retrieve all the Pure Originium stored on the Golden Fleet.”

"I'll also tow the boat back for you, so we can solve everything at the same time."

“Then I’ll have to trouble you, Miss Yuzuki.” Carmen nodded. “And then there’s that great lighthouse. The Inquisition can’t find even a suitable technician for it…”

"As for the technician..." Yu Yue stroked her chin, "I know someone who could be the best candidate. I'll take you to see him later."

Chapter 188: Historical Issues

"And another thing!" Carmen was surprised when he heard Yuuki's words. He had only said it casually, and his original intention was just to ask Yuuki to inquire whether the Deep Sea Church had the technical blueprints for the lighthouse.

Because the great lighthouse was not entirely built by Iberians; many of its components were completed with Agor's help.

Even the most important component of the lighthouse, the lighting unit that allows the lighthouse to fully illuminate the sea area it is responsible for, comes entirely from Argonaut's technology.

It was precisely because of this that, after that great period of silence, Iberia's hostility and persecution of Agor led to the persecution or departure of a large number of Agorian technicians.

The lack of a large number of technical personnel has made it impossible for Iberia to start up those coastal lighthouses, especially the large lighthouses.

However, he did not expect that Yuuki seemed to know a qualified technician.

“Yes.” Yuuki nodded, but she also understood what Carmen originally wanted to ask. “I’ll also ask the Medical Association. Logically speaking, they should have it, right?”

"But it's hard to say, since that's not their original business, so it's hard to say whether they would have the technology or engineering blueprints for the lighthouse?"

“I understand.” Carmen nodded. Even without it, they could make the lighthouse work by slowly studying it or by directly replacing the original components. The only problem was that the lighting units they manufactured wouldn’t be as powerful.

It's just a lighthouse. Iberia has many ways to solve this problem, but the original Iberia didn't have time. They had to face many problems, and the whole country was just barely surviving.

The golden fleet, built at great cost and symbolizing the pride of Iberia, vanished silently due to a disaster without any apparent cause.

It was at that time that the entire ocean began to boil silently, and Iberia began to face the attack of the Deep Sea Church, which had appeared in the country at some unknown time, and the Sea Heirs they led.

So at that time, Iberia had no energy to repair these lighthouses along the coast, but now, this stagnant country needs a powerful boost.

"Any other questions?" Yuuki smiled at Carmen. "We have plenty of time."

Carmen stood up and shook her head at Yuuki: "No need, this is enough. Thank you for your generous help, Miss Yuuki and the Medical Association."

“Hmm.” Xi Yue stood up and nodded. “As for the rest of the questions, you can talk to the person in charge of the Medical Association. I remember they gave this task to, uh, that communicator who was originally in your underground prison.”

“Yes.” Carmen nodded. “We have taken good care of the communicator.”

“I know.” Xi Yue nodded. “Alright, since there are no other questions, and it’s getting late, let’s go. I already know where the child is.”

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Miss Yuzuki."

——————Iberia Granfalo Nursing Home——————

"Where is this?" Carmen looked up at the huge blue cross hanging on the house and the sign with a small blue bird standing on the cross.

“A nursing home.” Yuzuki turned to look at Carmen. “It was set up by the medical association. Its purpose is to provide caregivers for the families of the workers, such as children or the elderly, while the workers are away at work.”

"But Carmen, you don't know?"

“I don’t do everything myself,” Carmen shrugged. “The surveillance is done by others; I just gather intelligence.”

"I guess the people monitoring this didn't think it was important, so they didn't report it, and naturally I didn't know about it."

"Now you see~" Xiyue smiled and led the group into the nursing home.

In the small square in the middle, several elderly people were lying on deck chairs, chatting and laughing, while several children were chasing and playing in the small open space in the middle.

Several caregivers leaned against a pillar, watching the children play and frolic, their laughter radiating a genuine sense of happiness.

Hearing the footsteps of the group of strangers entering, the children looked up at them.

Carmen looked at the peaceful scene before him in silence. He could understand why, despite his explicit order requiring all organizations and activities conducted by the Medical Association to be reported, Carmen was still unaware that the Medical Association had established such nursing homes throughout Iberia.

“Don’t disturb them, let’s go in. He should be right behind us.” Xi Yue patted Carmen, who was standing silently to the side. “Let’s take it one step at a time. We have plenty of time.”

"Hmm." Carmen nodded, but the moment she took a step, a slight change appeared in her eyes as she listened to the children playing and the old people quietly discussing their conversation.

After a moment of silence, Carmen looked at Yuuki and said, "Is that technician an elderly man who lives here? If so, I...we'd better not disturb him."

Carmen subconsciously assumed that the technician they were looking for, whom Yuuki had brought here, must be the Agor technician who had luckily escaped the Inquisition's pursuit years ago.

Carmen knew what the court had done to the technicians in Agor back then, and how difficult it was for an Agor technician to survive to this day.

Given the current situation, Carmen felt somewhat embarrassed to bother the other party, whether in her capacity as a member of the court or in any other capacity.

“You do need to apologize.” Yuuki glanced back at Carmen. “While what happened back then was Agor’s fault, the technicians and the Agor people who just live here are innocent.”

"However, the person we are meeting today is not the technician Agor from back then, but the child of the lighthouse engineer from back then."

“…” Carmen nodded. “I understand, Miss Yuzuki. I know what to do.”

"Now that you know~" Yuzuki smiled and quickly appeared behind Carmen with a speed that left afterimages, and gave her a hard push.

"Hey!" Carmen felt a sudden force behind him. Even though his warrior instincts made him subconsciously reduce most of the force, he still stumbled and broke through the door.

"Hiss..." Carmen rubbed his lower back, even though he knew that Yuuki had definitely held back.

Moreover, it was quite precise, using just the right amount of force, enough to make him crash in without getting hurt.

"Are you alright, sir?" Just as Carmen was rubbing her aching back, a voice full of concern and kindness rang out.

------------

"Done." Yu Yue clapped her hands proudly, then turned to look at the others who seemed still not quite understanding. "Let's go, let's go, this is none of our business~"

"I really didn't realize what was happening." Alfonso lowered his hand, which had been about to grip his sword. "But didn't Miss Yuzuki introduce him to Carmen before just pushing him in?"

“I’ve said everything I needed to say~” Yuzuki shrugged. “What happened back then isn’t something I, a doctor, can solve. It’s a historical issue left over from this country.”

“I have given the medical order to Carmen. How to use the order and whether to follow it is Carmen’s own business.”

"..." Kal'tsit, who was following at the back and trying to minimize her presence, breathed a sigh of relief. Actually, she should also be the one to avoid suspicion. This matter was a matter of national importance, and Kal'tsit should have left with Ulpian and the others.

But Kal'tsit was somewhat afraid that Yuuki would take a tough stance and forcefully resolve all the problems in Iberia, which is why she kept following her.

However, as things stand, it's clear that Yuuki has her own principles and knows when to do what. The Iberian issue still needs to be handled by the person in charge of Iberia.

Just as Kal'tsit breathed a sigh of relief, her heart suddenly tightened. She looked up and saw Yuuki looking at her with a smile in her eyes.

"When did I ever forget to count?" Yuuki walked to Kal'tsit's side and gently patted her shoulder. "Alright, we should be almost done with what we have to do here. We've been out for long enough."

"Now that this matter is settled, it's time for us to head back to Rhodes Island~"