Arknights' Lock of Heaven

Isamara entered Skadi's body in a purer way.

This method is completely undetectable by contact alone.

Before Xia Yu's transmigration, the Arknights storyline had only progressed to Under the Tide. Although it hinted at the relationship between Skadi and Hai Zi, the analysis at the time was based on the fact that Skadi and Hai Zi shared the same bloodline.

Because the Deep Sea Hunters are biological weapons created from the blood of the Sea King.

So Xia Yu didn't think much of it.

Although Skadi has a faint divine aura, she has also killed gods, so it's perfectly normal for her to leave behind some trace of her divine power.

So he didn't understand why Skadi was so insistent on staying by his side, only assuming that she was simply doing it because of Specter.

The two of them chatted idly as they walked around the village.

The rough plan that I discussed with Coral and Big Bob that day has not yet been implemented.

The plan will only begin after they leave and head to the Great Knights' Territory.

Only when the integration movement starts finding fault will it begin.

Only in this way can the impression that the Reunion Movement is afraid of Rhodes Island be left in the minds of the villagers, and only in this way can Chlor's credibility be increased.

According to the plan, today is their last day in Dishui Village.

Xia Yu looked at the off-road vehicles that had been prepared outside the village, and waved goodbye to Korol, Grani, and the Reunion Movement members behind her.

Then he began his journey with Skadi.

161 Maria Nearl

Grand Knight Commander Kavaleriagi.

This is the heart of Kazimir, a place that countless Kazimirians desperately want to get into.

The long-awaited grand alliance of the four cities is about to begin.

"Good morning, Casimir, you all know what I'm going to say, right?"

The ubiquitous TV walls and billboards broadcast news uniformly, and the flashing neon lights around them create a cyberpunk atmosphere.

"That's right! The three city-states that have emerged victorious in this bidding process will have the honor of becoming part of the Great Knight Territory of Kavaleria, which also marks the official start of the selection phase for the 24th Kazimierz Knights Special Tournament season."

"Apart from the specially invited knightly orders and the Grand Knightly Order, this selection will still adopt an individual points system. The final interpretation of this system rests with the Kazimierz Knights Association. Meanwhile, the Knights Association will begin accepting registrations for independent knights this afternoon. The first batch of untitled independent knights participating is as follows: Maria Nearl—"

Lin Guang.

Come on!

What a glorious name!

Cyril Nearl, once the greatest hero of modern times in Kazimierz.

Every Qasimirian should have heard that story.

The story takes place outside Linhe Lake, in a garrison area composed of fortresses and city walls.

As night falls, torches light up the sky, the armor of the knights gleams in the moonlight, and the blades of their silver spears point at the enemies lurking in the darkness.

Those ruthless invaders, the Lytanians who turned the sky black, obscured the moonlight, and Ursus's terrifying army trampled over the city walls.

Several city-states were humiliatingly taken to the borders of Ursus, and the defenses were forced to retreat again and again. The "Silver Spear" became a joke used by those war profiteers to mock the knights.

Until the outskirts of the city-state, where there was nowhere left to retreat, until the last line of defense on the desolate land—at the last stronghold of Kazimir, appeared an old, blond Pegasus.

On the dawn of the day when the Ursus suffered their first defeat in the war, two suns rose on the distant horizon of Kazimir.

And Margaret Nearl, the granddaughter of that old Pegasus, proved her strength by winning the championship in the Knights Tournament.

Unfortunately, shortly after winning the championship, she was exposed for concealing her identity as an infected person and was exiled.

Several years have passed, and a new generation has replaced the old. Nearl hasn't appeared in the news about Casimir for a long time.

But now, a young woman named Nearl has stepped forward and signed up for the Knights Tournament in order to preserve her family's knighthood.

Maria Nearl.

Margaret Nearl's sister.

Look at this, it's such a hot topic!

This news was immediately reported by major media outlets.

Central News, Four Cities Sports News, Wine News...

Countless media outlets, large and small, voiced their opinions, generating a huge amount of traffic.

Some are happy while others are sad.

At this moment, Maria Nearl, who had already become famous before even stepping onto the field, was feeling melancholy.

"Maria? How is she?"

Koval, the craftsman who had watched her grow up, shouted at Maria below the jukebox, urging her on.

Because this record player is so heavy, it's not an easy task to carry it around.

"Just a moment—it'll be done soon! Just one screw is missing!"

Maria snapped out of her reverie upon hearing his urging and checked the record player.

"Tighten it a bit!" Koval shouted. "I don't want to have to fix it a second time!"

"Ah, okay," Maria hurriedly started tightening the screws, then her keen eye discovered the root of the problem, "Ah, wait! I think I know why the battery compartment at the bottom is making poor contact!"

"Hurry up!" Koval said through gritted teeth, his voice strained. "Quick, this record player is so heavy! I can barely lift it!"

"Keep your voice down!" The shop owner, bald Martin, glanced at Koval with disdain. "There are still customers here."

As he spoke, he glanced at a table of guests, seemingly casually.

As a once-glorious competitive rider, although he retired due to injury, he is confident that he has not lost sight of the sport.

These three people are clearly not ordinary.

You want to ask why?

Appearance, temperament, habits...

If you really want to talk about it, he can tell you a whole lot.

But none of that matters; sometimes, all you need to do is go with your intuition.

Although there were three people at that table, one would easily overlook Mantico if they didn't look closely.

Logically, this shouldn't be the case. Mantico's big tail is the most eye-catching thing in the crowd, so how could it be ignored?

But that's the truth. If her companion hadn't specifically emphasized her presence when ordering, bald Martin wouldn't have even noticed that there was such a customer in his restaurant.

Such a person is a natural-born assassin, and judging from his manner of action and habits, he is clearly a seasoned veteran.

Her companions were no ordinary people either.

The woman wearing a large, exotic hat and carrying a greatsword—just looking at that sword, it was clear that it wasn't something an ordinary person could wield.

And that look in his eyes—indifferent yet exuding unparalleled confidence—he's definitely a tough nut to crack.

As for the other one... although he has nothing unusual about him except for his striking appearance, he must be someone important to be able to walk with them.

Moreover, his gaze frequently drifted towards Maria.

This is something to be wary of.

Old Martin picked up a plate of cheese slices, concealed a dinner knife in his wrist, and walked toward an old knight who was watching Koval and Maria with great interest.

“Your cheese slices, old freak,” Old Martin said, placing the cheese slices on his table and sitting down opposite him.

"Hey, this time it won't explode, will it?" The knight, known as Old F, glanced sideways at his friend who was holding onto the jukebox with all his might and complained.

"Isn't it a bit of an exaggeration to say that fixing a jukebox can cause an explosion?" Old Martin, used to their banter, chimed in.

"It's hard to say. Old Koval can mess up anything related to Originium."

Old Fu shook his head and said in a serious tone.

"Master Koval! Be careful! Don't move around!" Maria's panicked voice came as soon as she finished speaking.

"Oh, sorry Maria," Koval apologized to Maria first, then turned to his friend and started yelling, "Old F! You're done for once I get my hands free!"

"Alright," Old F slapped his thigh upon hearing this, "I'll be waiting!"

“You guys,” Old Martin said with a smile, shaking his head, then subtly pointed to the table of the three men opposite him.

"My bar depends on you two to liven things up, but don't fight, or you'll have to pay for the broken glasses."

Seeing this, Old F narrowed his eyes, but kept talking, "He's been nagging for decades, when have you ever seen him beat me in a fight?"

“Last time!” Old Martin replied with a smile.

“That doesn’t count!” Old Fu seemed to have been hit where it hurt, and immediately stood up and shouted, “Uh… I was drunk last time and had arthritis… that doesn’t count, and he wouldn’t have dared to talk to me like that when he accompanied me to the frontier back then.”

Taking this opportunity, he turned his head and glanced at the person Old Martin was pointing to.

They noticed a green-haired man who kept looking in Maria's direction.

Even though his back was to me, he was watching so intently...