Arknights' Lock of Heaven

You're an employee of a big company, you come here with an invitation from your own company, and then tell us that if we feel uncomfortable, we don't have to go?

This……

“Actually… I know about the situation in that area,” Markowitz said, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat. “To be honest, if Miss Maria goes there, not only will she gain nothing, but she might even…”

"Because of the urgency, the company's invitation is not mandatory, and there is no time to ensure that all knights obey. At least not this time. And I am just a small employee, with little influence, so this is all I can say."

"Hey, isn't that easy to understand?" Hearing this, Xia Yu walked over and said with a smile, "I get paid by the boss, so I have to come and deliver this invitation."

"But conscience is one's own, so it's normal to remind others of certain things in private."

He walked over with a smile and patted Markowitz on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, brother, we appreciate your kindness, but we won't leak your words and make you lose your job."

“Oh, I see,” Maria said, suddenly understanding. She then thanked Markowitz, “Thank you so much for reminding me.”

“No, you’re welcome,” Markowitz hurriedly took two steps back, his hands waving uncontrollably, “I just… I just…”

“I could tell you were a nice person when we first met,” Zofia said, walking over as well. “Anyway, thank you so much this time.”

If it were someone else, for the sake of their own job and performance, they might just lie and say it was mandatory.

Even the well-informed Zofia might not be fooled.

However, since someone was willing to risk losing their job to tell me this, I should of course be grateful.

After all, they meant well.

“This is…” Markowitz looked at Xia Yu beside him.

“A friend,” Zofia replied, “a friend from Yan Country whom I knew before. He came to see the Knights’ Gathering and is staying at my house.”

“Hello, my name is Xia Yu,” Xia Yu said, extending her right hand toward him.

“Hello, hello,” Markowitz quickly shook hands. “I am Markowitz, an ordinary employee of Swoma Corporation.”

He was somewhat flattered by their attitude.

After all, as an ordinary office worker, I have suffered countless scornful looks over the years.

Few people were willing to look him in the eye.

She thanked him so solemnly.

He only mentioned it briefly.

“I have a feeling,” Xia Yu looked at him meaningfully, “that one day you will become a big shot.”

-

Markowitz was unaware that Maria's publicity slot had been personally secured by the Grand Knight Commander.

After all, such a major event wouldn't be told to an ordinary employee who would be used as a scapegoat.

Yes, take the blame!

No one knew why the Grand Knight Commander had become interested in Nearl again; it was unclear whether it was a sudden whim or something else entirely.

Although it was agreed at the meeting that Maria would participate in the publicity campaign, it was clear that no one wanted to take responsibility. What if there was some scheming behind it? If they took charge of the matter, wouldn't they be the ones to bear the responsibility?

After all, the business federation is a loose organization and doesn't have a dedicated department to handle this kind of matter.

So the blame was passed down layer by layer until finally, it ended up on Markowitz's boss.

His boss had some influence, and someone had subtly warned him not to get too involved in this matter.

So he dumped this unfortunate task on Markowitz, who was the least popular person in the company.

They didn't give anyone a single hint.

So Markowitz genuinely believed that Maria's participation was a normal business activity, and even did some research to confirm that it wasn't mandatory before reminding them.

If something goes wrong, he'll definitely be the one to take the blame.

If Maria doesn't go, and the Grand Knight Commander asks about her later but can't find her, then... tsk tsk tsk.

However, the Grand Knight Commander still relies on Margaret, so he will not have any objections to the Nearl family because of this.

But some people are making a mountain out of a molehill.

Ultimately, after all the layers of accountability, Markowitz will inevitably be the one to take the blame.

He was essentially just a tool.

What a miserable word.

"Sister Zofia," Maria said weakly, slumped on the sofa after a day of training, "I want to take a bath."

Hearing this, Zofia raised an eyebrow and said, "Go ahead and try it if you want, I'm not stopping you."

"But my whole body aches," Maria looked up at her pitifully. "Sister Zofia, could you give me a massage?"

"Huh? I need a massage too?" Zofia raised an eyebrow. "Don't you think I'm tired after training with you all day?"

"I can give you a massage too," Maria said, reaching out to hug Zofia's arm and pleading, "Please..."

"We haven't showered together in a long time."

Seeing her like this, Zofia sighed.

"Fine, I'll grant your wish this time."

The reason the two girls were talking so intimately in the living room was because Xia Yu had gone out.

When there are no outsiders present, one can naturally feel unrestrained.

……

"You did a great job," Xia Yu said, patting the lion scorpion's head. "If it weren't for you, I might not have been able to find this place."

Upon hearing this, the lion scorpion lowered its head in embarrassment.

"Alright, go back and rest. Leave the rest to me."

As soon as he finished speaking, the lion scorpion obediently retreated into the darkness and disappeared completely a few breaths later.

Xia Yu asked her to investigate the infected in the Great Knight Territory.

And this is one of the strongholds she found.

Something interesting seems to be happening at this outpost tonight.

"...Do infected people cry?"

While hurrying along, the current Platinum-ranked member of the Unarmored Alliance asked the member beside him.

"......What?"

The members of the Unarmored Alliance around her did not understand what she meant at first.

"Infected. Not those knights who suddenly had the courage to oppose the Federation for some unknown reason, but the ordinary infected."

Platinum looked at the infected hiding in the abandoned city, unaware of the impending doom, and said, "They just have Oripathy, right? Just a bunch of poor patients, aren't they?"

"Uh...is that right?"

The Unarmored Alliance members around her were somewhat puzzled by her words.

"They are not monsters, nor are they heinous criminals. I don't really like this mission."

Platinum spoke frankly to his subordinates.

But what he received in return were indescribable looks from his subordinates.

Yes, they are not monsters! They are not sinners! Everyone knows that!

But what does this have to do with our Unarmored Alliance?

Does that mean we're good people?

"You must not let Lord Qingjin hear these words!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than someone nervously reminded him.

Some people began to question, "Your Excellency Platinum, are you feeling sorry for them?"

After all, the current Platinum was hastily promoted after the previous one defected, which caused some dissatisfaction among many members of the Unarmored Alliance.

After all, her behavior was somewhat inconsistent with the Unarmored Alliance's operating principles...

"Compassion? ...Not really, I'm too busy taking care of myself."

Platinum casually responded to the deadly accusation, "Compassion is a luxury these days."

She knew very well that Qingjin and Xuantie wouldn't get rid of her just because of those two sentences she said.

At least not in the current situation.

Hinterlea felt that the first half of her life had been absolutely terrible.

In Kasimir, students have a wide range of life options after graduation.

Participate in the annual nationwide campus recruitment of large companies, compete with the best talents in all of Kazimierz, and obtain a tiring job that barely makes ends meet.

Or perhaps join the army, undergo a year of hellish training, and then pray on the border that war will not break out.

Ah, of course, working for the Supervisory Council would be very promising, but she has absolutely no interest in that kind of work.