Arknights' Lock of Heaven

"Even when I asked some small businesses I knew in the past for help, she politely declined."

“They’re all trash, it’s better to refuse,” Koval muttered upon hearing this.

"That's why Zofia was defeated by someone like 'Rift'!"

Old F glared at him when he heard this.

"My aunt..."

Hearing this, Maria lowered her head.

This was the first time she had heard about Zofia's past.

“Maria, you don’t understand how many resources a competitive knight needs... The gap in weapons and equipment is insurmountable.”

Bald Martin said with a sigh, "Look at the plastic knight you defeated. Why would the vanguard of a hundred-strong knight order be so humiliated by you?"

"I won't ask where you got your armor from, but think about it, if you didn't have this armor, could you have won?"

"It must be very difficult..." Maria recalled the scenes from the previous competition.

The Plastic Knight... an absolutely formidable foe I've encountered, if it weren't for my armor...

“No, I think you can win,” Xia Yu patted her shoulder upon hearing this. “Don’t underestimate yourself.”

"I don't even have that confidence myself."

Maria lowered her head in embarrassment.

"Zofia was facing such an opponent: perfect armor, weapons, and logistical support. The gap between the two sides was enormous."

Bald Martin said calmly, "She built her own equipment, honed her own skills, and built her own network. She was fighting for her life all alone."

"Is it really that hard for my aunt?"

Upon hearing this, Maria turned around and stared blankly at the place where Zofia was resting.

“Mr. Xia Yu,” she turned to look at Xia Yu beside her and asked softly, “You said you could use your Originium Arts to restore my aunt to her former state…”

"Is that possible...?"

She still remembers the look of excitement on Zofia's face when she heard the suggestion that day.

But for some reason, she still refused.

“That’s possible,” Xia Yu said, looking at Maria. “Besides, her hand injured a nerve, right?”

“Ah, yes,” Maria nodded upon hearing this.

“Maybe Rhodes Island has a doctor who can cure her,” Xia Yu said to Maria with a tempting smile. “After all, there have been precedents of successful cures.”

"Huh?" Maria's eyes widened instantly upon hearing this. "Can it be cured? Really? Ah, I'm not doubting you, I mean... I mean..."

She was so shocked by the news that she was somewhat incoherent.

"What can cure it?" Old Fu asked curiously from the side.

“We’re talking about Miss Zofia’s left hand,” Xia Yu replied upon hearing this. “Actually, it’s not that difficult to treat.”

Of course it's not difficult; after all, you can cure Oripathy if you have it in your hands.

It's just that it's inconvenient to show it directly.

Just go to Warfarin and get some 'miracle drugs' yourself. You won't even need surgery. You can cure it just by drinking water and vitamins, believe it or not?

If all else fails, have you ever heard of a dragon? Bring the dragon into the picture, claim it's from a centuries-old traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, and force-feed it all sorts of fancy, supposedly harmless tonics, then subtly manipulate the process...

It's very simple.

"What? It can be cured?"

Upon hearing this, Koval immediately turned around and looked over, completely disregarding Zofia who was still resting, and his voice boomed from the top of the sky.

Bald Martin also curiously came over.

“Don’t underestimate Rhodes Island,” Xia Yu laughed upon hearing this. “After all, we’re the kind of company that Margaret is so devoted to keeping her friends at headquarters. We have our own trump cards.”

"Although Rhodes Island mainly focuses on Oripathy, we are not without research in other areas as well."

"It can be cured... if that's the case..."

The men were momentarily speechless.

After all, the news came too suddenly.

"But if it can be cured, why has my sister never told us?"

Just then, Maria asked timidly.

Ah this...

Girl, you've discovered the blind spot.

"Ah," just then, Xia Yu pretended to suddenly realize something and slapped her forehead.

“Sigh, drinking leads to trouble,” he said with a face full of regret. “Actually… this was a surprise Margaret prepared for Zofia… she specifically told me not to tell anyone, and that she would tell Zofia herself.”

"Oh dear, look at my mouth, I can't keep my mouth shut!"

"However, Rhodes Island didn't have the treatment method from the beginning; it was only recently developed."

"Besides, Rhodes Island is heading towards the Grand Knights, so Margaret didn't plan to make Zofia go through all the trouble of traveling to Ursus and then coming over with Rhodes Island."

"Oh, so that's it."

No matter what doubts arise, everything becomes irrelevant once Margaret is involved.

Seeing the group of people who suddenly realized what was happening, Xia Yu smiled slightly.

The matter has finally been resolved.

"Ahem, actually, Margaret meant well," he coughed, putting his fist to his mouth, and then looked in Zofia's direction.

"Or perhaps everyone should..."

“Oh, I understand, I understand,” Old F and the others nodded in agreement. “We didn’t hear anything.”

“I haven’t heard of it either,” Maria said, straightening up with a serious expression.

Just then, the door to the bar rang.

"It's surprising that there are other guests besides you..."

Bald Martin was greatly surprised.

This bar, well... it's very retro, not popular with young people.

After all, that's the current trend in the Grand Knights, haha.

Only some old guys and people like Zofia would come.

"I'm also curious, why haven't you gone out of business yet?"

Old Fu said quietly.

Bald Martin ignored him and instead greeted the new guests.

“Hey, that’s…” Maria turned around and was surprised to see a very familiar figure.

It was Markowitz who came to deliver the invitation that day.

He was lucky, to be honest. The Grand Knight Commander, to my knowledge, didn't want to get involved with Maria's affairs anymore, so he didn't lose his job.

"It's nice to meet you again, Lady Maria Nearl."

Upon seeing Maria, Markowitz greeted her very politely.

But Maria clearly didn't remember the name of this person she had only met once.

“You are…are…”

“Your name is Markowitz, right?” Xia Yu stood up from next to Maria and extended her right hand towards him. “Do you remember me?”

Markowitz was flattered to hear him call out his name without the slightest hesitation.

“Ah, you still remember me, Mr. Xia Yu,” he humbly stepped forward, bent down, and took Xia Yu’s hand. “Really, really…”

“Of course,” Xia Yu gently helped him up, looking into his eyes and said, “Didn’t I tell you, you’ll become a big shot someday?”

"How could I forget such a promising stock?"

"Besides, don't you remember my name?"

“Ah, you flatter me,” Markowitz said, somewhat flustered. “I am unworthy of such praise…”

"Trust me, I have a good eye for people," Xia Yu said, looking at him meaningfully.

Markowitz seemed even more flustered, unsure how to respond.

"You came here today because of Maria?" Xia Yu asked, starting the conversation. "No wonder, after all, she just made quite a splash."

“Oh, yes, Miss Maria,” Markowitz said quickly to Maria, “Do you have some time now?”

“It’s alright, how can I help you?” Maria replied.

"Hello, I am a representative of Swoma Company... This is my business card... Please take a look, Sir Knight," he said, still handing over his business card formally even though he knew the other party's name.

"So, why are you looking for me?" Maria asked, taking the business card with some confusion.