Arknights' Lock of Heaven

A completely different technological path...

Highly efficient, pollution-free, and technologically mature...

Let alone wars fought on land.

Even in the battle where deep-sea hunters fight against the sea god, it can be considered the most advanced equipment.

If the hunters back then had had these things... they might not have had to pay such a terrible price.

Such a small bracelet can have such a powerful effect...

It's really... incredible.

Amidst Xia Yu's one-sided rambling, the two returned to Rhodes Island.

As soon as Xia Yu returned, she was invited directly to the conference room.

Skadi, led by Kal'tsit's student Aya, went to Specter's hospital room.

It wasn't the previous ward that resembled a steel cage, but an ordinary room, no different from the other patients' rooms.

Skadi pushed open the door and looked at the girl who was half-lying on the hospital bed, staring blankly out the porthole.

Her long, white hair cascaded down, and the soft moonlight shone through the porthole onto her.

"Ghost Shark..."

She called out softly.

Upon hearing her voice, Ghost Shark slowly turned its head.

Those dark red eyes were filled with a dreamy, alluring quality.

Upon seeing this, Skadi's heart tightened, and she clenched her fists.

"Ah, you are... Skadi?"

Upon hearing this, Skadi's eyes widened instantly.

Her voice trembled slightly.

"Ghost Shark...you...remember my name?"

230 Terra Cat Cult!

Is this how the world is supposed to be?

The laborers go hungry, the idlers have countless fields, the oppressors are high above, and the oppressed can only bow down and work like oxen and horses.

I despise this kind of world.

I want to change this world!

"..."

"Is this your reasoning?"

Kal'tsit's face was cold. "Is this what you planned to do?"

"Hey, isn't this great?" the professor seized the opportunity to sow discord. "I think he's absolutely right."

"What's that saying again? Those adorned in fine silks are not the ones who raise silkworms."

“I’ve been fed up with this kind of world for a long time too,” she said, giving Xia Yu a thumbs up. “I support you!”

"Don't come and make things worse!"

Kal'tsit turned and roared at the Doctor.

The latter shrank back in fright and dared not speak again.

This was the first time she had ever seen Kal'tsit like this.

After seeing the Doctor back down, Kal'tsit turned to look at Xia Yu.

Ugh……

Well, it's perfectly normal for someone like that to disapprove of the way things are.

only……

Ugh.

It's not that it's impossible to do it alone, but it really is...

“I understand what you mean,” Kal'tsit tried to soften her tone, “I know you’re angry.”

"However, you should know that, given the current situation, it is unrealistic to expect the infected, or rather the oppressed, to rebuild the world on their own."

"I know you are very confident in yourself. But if you really step forward, will the country you build on your own truly match your ideals?"

Kal'tsit is really worried sick.

Xia Yu's immense power is something she cannot relinquish. Whether it's fighting against those with ill intentions or preparing for the future of those things beyond the realm, his power is indispensable.

But this raises a problem.

What happens when you bring your own funding to a project? What happens when the funding is overwhelmingly powerful?

That is, of course, a struggle for the right to speak.

This is not about private power, but a clash between visions of the future path.

Simply put, it's a debate over policy directions.

Kal'tsit knew that, given Terra's current situation, the chances of the oppressed rising up were extremely slim.

She had tried her best, but everything was in vain.

However, it must be admitted that if Xia Yu were to rely on her own strength to protect them, she could succeed.

He has this ability.

But what happens after you succeed?

"Do you want to become a god?" Kal'tsit looked at Xia Yu seriously.

"Do you know what would happen if you rescued them all by yourself?"

"You will be elevated to a pedestal, and no matter how you explain it or how you forbid it, it will be to no avail."

"Religion exists because people who are still in ignorance need spiritual sustenance and to explain things they do not understand."

“You know what your power means, and you should know how the ignorant people will choose when you choose to display it among them.”

"Your idea is good, but do you know what choices people will make after they rescue those who are suffering from hardship without asking for anything in return?"

"They will worship you, sculpt statues of you, write long poems for you, and compose hymns for you, until, without realizing it, you will find that you have become their god."

"Being a god is not easy, especially being a god who chooses to protect all living beings."

"Natural disasters and man-made calamities will all find you, kneel at your feet, and beg you."

"They won't solve the problem with their own power, after all, there's a God, isn't there?"

"Perhaps you have temporarily freed their bodies, but their minds and their souls have been permanently imprisoned in place by your great power."

"Can this really be called liberation?"

Is it really as you wish?

Kal'tsit stared intently at Xia Yu.

After spending these days together, she realized that Xia Yu wasn't someone who wanted to become a god, high above others, enjoying a life of being worshipped.

"You've made it so clear, you wouldn't happen to have done something like that yourself, would you?"

Xia Yu didn't answer her directly, but instead looked at Kal'tsit with a strange expression.

"Hmm, you tried to save them? And then you were treated like a god?"

"What god?" he asked with interest. "A cat god? Is the religion called Terra Cat Cult?"

"you……"

Upon hearing this, Kal'tsit almost choked and fainted.

"Don't interrupt!" She glared at Xia Yu. "We're talking about serious matters!"

"Am I being indecent?" Xia Yu retorted confidently, "Didn't you start it first?"

"Seriously, you've gone into such detail, could it be that the Terra Cat Cult really did exist?"

"Don't change the subject!" Kal'tsit slammed her hand on the table in frustration!

We're talking about serious matters!

"Okay, let's get down to business," Xia Yu said with a regretful look. "Actually, I'm still very interested in the Terra Cat Cult. I love cats!"

"Who can resist a cat?" the professor chimed in from the side.

"That's enough for you two!"

Kal'tsit stared at the two of them with an unfriendly expression.

"Alright, alright, let's get down to business," Xia Yu said, pouting as she read this.