Arknights' Lock of Heaven

Be open and honest.

"There's no need to cash it in," Xia Yu shook her head upon hearing this. Everyone understands the principle of reciprocity, and she couldn't let her own affairs implicate other Rhodes Island operators.

Moreover, to be honest, I'm no longer in the state of being penniless when I first arrived in Terra. Although the magic power in the Holy Grail is only less than a finger's width thick, it's enough to deal with the current situation.

Ultimately, Originium is not magic. Although the power of the Holy Grail can convert it, there is always a cost involved in the conversion.

The energy that allows a mobile city to travel hundreds of kilometers is converted into magic, but at least half of it is lost.

This efficiency is only achieved with refined Originium Ingots, let alone unrefined Originium Ore. Getting 20% ​​or 30% is already a blessing from heaven.

Even so, in just a few months, Xia Yu amassed a considerable amount of magical power, all thanks to making a fortune unexpectedly.

As the old saying goes, "A man cannot get rich without unexpected wealth, and a horse cannot get fat without night grazing."

But Xia Yu doesn't urgently need magic right now, so there's no need to resort to any means to obtain Originium.

There's not much need to cause trouble by selling your book collection.

“Could you find me an empty room on Rhodes Island?” Xia Yu thought for a moment, then said to Kal'tsit, “These books are quite valuable, after all, they are the treasures of the Tower Nobles for hundreds of years. Let’s find some trustworthy people to sort them out, and then we can keep them for ourselves.”

"Although I really look down on those high-ranking nobles, knowledge is always innocent. The fact that they have been able to pass down their knowledge for hundreds of years shows that it has its merits."

"Given that Letania is famous for its Originium Arts, it wouldn't be a bad idea to keep it here to train talent."

“In that case, I won’t stand on ceremony,” Kal’tsit said with a smile and nodded.

"I will find trustworthy people to do the book verification, and we need these things now."

After saying that, the two tacitly avoided the topic.

If someone else had brought back such a valuable book, Kal'tsit would have undoubtedly given them a few more words of encouragement, and then arranged for a promotion and a raise.

However, this is not necessary for the Xia language.

Because his existence is the greatest guarantee for Rhodes Island.

Rhodes Island always has a trump card to turn the tide in any situation.

In other words, for someone else, that would mean making a huge contribution to the company at work, and a promotion and a raise would be the most basic thing.

But Xia Yu is essentially a franchisee with investment, and all of her assets are high-quality, the kind that Rhodes Island simply can't refuse.

At this point, it would be a bit inappropriate to promote someone or give them a raise, since they are also part of the boss's team and can't really live off your meager salary.

So Kal'tsit won't talk about these things, but she will definitely give you what you're supposed to.

Perhaps the rumors that Xia Yu was a Rhodes Island veteran were just that—rumors—but from today onward, no one will bother to debunk them.

"Now, let's talk about the special operations team you're going to form."

Kal'tsit picked up a long list from the table.

"First, there's the vice-captain you chose, that little girl named Niyan, right?"

Xia Yu nodded upon hearing this.

"I think she's quite capable. After all, you know my situation. Her presence helps me manage the whole team."

Upon hearing this, Kal'tsit's lips twitched.

She doesn't deny Mudrock's abilities, but it's not particularly impressive for Rhodes Island.

If you want management talent, Kal'tsit can send him a bunch of them anytime, anywhere.

However... Xia Yu is different from other elite operators; he is destined to have considerable freedom within Rhodes Island.

Putting everything else aside, just look at the pile of priceless books he brought back. You can't even grant him this request?

Of course, Kal'tsit didn't object to Xia Yu's decision; she just felt sorry for the girl named Mudrock.

I'm destined to be a tool for life.

Judging from Xia Yu's behavior, you can tell he doesn't like to get involved in things. To be honest, this is good for Rhodes Island, since the power structure of Rhodes Island is very stable now and there's no position to give him.

Besides, given his usual capricious nature, Kal'tsit wouldn't feel comfortable entrusting him with managing the department...

Therefore, the future affairs of this squad are destined to be the responsibility of the vice-captain, Mud Rock.

Moreover, Kal'tsit was quite tempted by the Doctor's suggestion.

There's no other reason than a lack of manpower! A lack of talent!

Rhodes Island is short of people these days.

Xia Yu's team, therefore, was destined not to be a proper team.

Kal'tsit felt bad for putting in the talent she had worked so hard to cultivate!

The professor's suggestion is excellent; just stuff all those problem children in there, since Xia Yu can keep them in check anyway.

Those who are considered problem children but haven't been fired are naturally quite capable.

Like the Lion Scorpion, although it is a special power of Rhodes Island, it has been corrupted by Xia Yu in the Doctor's description, so it would be better to just give it to him directly.

Moreover, the personality of the lion scorpion means that she cannot join a regular team, and her social anxiety cannot be ignored if she does not interact with people more.

But Kal'tsit and Ascaron tried everything to no avail. Now that they finally have Xia Yu who can communicate with her, why don't they hurry up and give her over there?

Moreover, given that he is a Lion Scorpion, this would also demonstrate that Rhodes Island does have some oversight of Xia Yu's team, thus silencing certain people.

Xia Yu probably wouldn't refuse.

Take Skadi, for example. She has a fearsome reputation on Rhodes Island, and almost no one dares to team up with her.

Why? It's because her fighting style... is a bit too aggressive and unrestrained.

But Kal'tsit believed that this would not be a problem for Xia Yu.

Okay, we have a new team member.

However, there's a problem: Skadi's fighting style isn't one where she completely ignores her teammates. Just look at how much she cares about Specter to know that's impossible.

Kal'tsit knew that she was simply using this method to make others fear her, stay away from her, and also stay away from the curse that clung to her.

It's obvious that he's been wronged before, which is why he's acting so coldly.

But is Xia Yu afraid of this?

Obviously, they are not afraid.

But the problem lies with Skadi. How can we get her to accept joining Xia Yu's team?

Kal'tsit racked her brains for a solution and finally decided to target Specter.

“You’re quite familiar with Manticore as well,” Kal’tsit said, handing over Manticore’s file. “Her abilities are excellent for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.”

Xia Yu took the file and casually put it aside.

This was something he had anticipated; even if Kal'tsit hadn't said anything, he would have gotten the Manticore anyway.

“Next is this,” Kal’tsit handed over another file, “Her case is somewhat special.”

"This operator suffers from a memory and cognitive disorder, which is different from ordinary memory loss, but rather multiple memory confusions over a period of time."

"In her description, she has a variety of different memories and experiences in her mind, and she is in different places with completely different interpersonal relationships."

"It was as if the memories of several people were superimposed and poured into her mind."

Upon hearing this, Xia Yu knew exactly who this person was.

Sister 42, the only true god in Arknights, has saved her own life multiple times in Contingency Contract.

Why would Kal'tsit send someone with such talent to her?

Although story-based strength is not the same as game-based strength, Sister 42 is quite strong even in the story, right?

"This operator is not currently on Rhodes Island. Instead, she has accepted a mission and is heading to a place from her memories to search for something."

“She is an infected person named Surtr, of the Sarkaz race,” Kal'tsit said, brushing a stray hair behind her ear, her tone hesitant. “This operator is extremely powerful.”

"But she didn't join any fixed squad, and we couldn't force her to join any squad."

"So, you mean I need to talk to her?" Xia Yu raised an eyebrow and said, "That's not a problem."

Just kidding, who wouldn't want a free 42-year-old?

"She's not on Rhodes Island right now, but she'll probably be back soon, so it's all up to you then."

"The next one will also be a lone wolf."

“Name: Skadi, race: Agor,” Kal'tsit pulled out a file and handed it to Xia Yu. “Both her combat strength and combat experience are top-notch.”

"There's only one problem: she never teams up with anyone."

Xia Yu was naturally familiar with the famous Titi.

He probably knows why they don't team up.

but……

"I need to negotiate that too, right?"

“Of course,” Kal’tsit nodded matter-of-factly. “After all, to become an elite operator on Rhodes Island, you must have teammates who have helped you all the way up. But your situation is different.”

"If we send you ordinary operators, they will only slow you down, so we can only find these powerful lone wolves."

"Only people like them can keep up with you."