Arknights' Lock of Heaven

It’s really nerve-wracking.

"So this thing is powered by, well, some kind of machine, but its energy is not inexhaustible."

“Rhodes Island will cover all the Originium consumed,” Xia Yu said, then looked at the Doctor, “Is that alright?”

"I knew there was no such thing as a free lunch," the doctor sighed upon hearing this.

"No problem! Definitely no problem!"

Upon hearing this, Amiya immediately jumped out, patted her little chest, and confidently declared.

What could be wrong with this?

There absolutely cannot be any problems!

"Also, due to material limitations and consideration of the operators' physical condition, it can only be used for one hour per day."

"However, I've added an overload mode. If you encounter an insurmountable threat, you can use it directly. The full-power spell will surprise you."

"However, the price is that the card will break down immediately after the overload is completed."

“Let’s discuss these things first,” Xia Yu said seriously. “Now, you can go and talk to the operators.”

"I need to return to the Great Knight's Territory; there are many things waiting for me there."

"It would be best to give me the operators' needs before Rhodes Island leaves the Grand Knights territory."

“Okay,” Amiya said excitedly upon hearing this, “I’ll go find Dr. Kal’tsit right now…”

"No need to rush," Xia Yu said, both amused and exasperated, as she gently pressed down on her daughter's head. "Didn't I tell you? She's busy right now."

"These things can be taken slowly; there's still some time left in the Great Knight Territory anyway."

-

After handing over the prototype card to them for experimentation, Xia Yu went alone to the place where Mudstone was located.

Bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun outside the porthole, Ni Yan lay quietly on the hospital bed, gazing intently at a book.

The golden rays of the setting sun shone on her pure white hair, and her serene expression and earnest attitude made Xia Yu stop and stare.

After a long while, seemingly tired, Niyan finally put down his book and stretched comfortably.

Then his gaze met Xia Yu's, who was leaning against the door frame.

In an instant, her entire face turned red.

"Captain, Captain..." Mud Rock said somewhat awkwardly, "Excuse me, I didn't notice you. When did you get here?"

"It's alright," Xia Yu chuckled softly when she saw this, then walked over, pulled up a chair, and sat down in front of the hospital bed. "I just arrived too, and seeing how engrossed you were, I didn't want to disturb you."

"Oh, I see," Mudrock said somewhat awkwardly. "By the way, Captain, the task you gave me..."

"The lady named Surtr hasn't returned to Rhodes Island yet, so there's not much progress, but according to her mission description, she should be on her way back."

“It’s okay,” Xia Yu shook her head upon hearing this. “It’s just something that happens on the side anyway. Your health is more important.”

“Ah, speaking of this,” Mudrock said with a hint of anticipation in his eyes, “I think my body is already very good, and I don’t need any more treatment.”

"But Dr. Warfarin still wouldn't let me leave..."

"Uh, you can't go out?" Xia Yu was slightly surprised to hear this. Even if he was a patient, given Ni Yan's physical condition, he shouldn't have to stay in the ward all day, right?

“No, it’s not that I can’t go out,” Mudrock said, lowering his head in embarrassment. “It’s just that I feel I should be discharged, but… but Dr. Warfarin won’t allow it.”

“I can go out quite often normally.”

“Then it’s alright,” Xia Yu reassured her. “Okay, listen to me, just stay in the ward obediently for now. Once Rhodes Island leaves the Grand Knight Territory and heads to the North, we’ll officially embark on our first mission.”

"This is a mission that involves crossing half of the Ursus snowfield; you can't do it if you're not in good health."

Xia Yu used this reason to force Ni Yan to stay in the medical department.

Because he knew that once the drugs he provided reached Kal'tsit, they would definitely undergo a round of clinical trials.

Both the operators and patients on the island received it.

To be honest, when it comes to treating and saving lives, he's completely clueless.

Let's leave it to the professionals.

"This is……"

Faced with Mudstone's expectant gaze, Xia Yu could only change the subject and look at the book in her hand.

"Ah, this is... this is Victoria's poetry collection..."

Hearing this, Niyan lowered his head shyly.

Someone who has hardly received any formal education, who learned to read on their own, is going to read a collection of poetry...

"I was just bored and browsing around..."

“Wow, poetry,” Xia Yu said with interest as she flipped through the pages. “It’s a nice hobby, perfect for a girl like you.”

"Um, it suits me or something..."

Mudstone was stunned when he heard this.

How could a collection of poems be suitable for a Sarkaz mercenary?

“Of course it suits you,” Xia Yu nodded matter-of-factly. “Just comb your hair, put on a long dress, apply some light makeup, grab your poetry collection, find a spot on the bridge of Rhodes Island, and with that kind of aura, who wouldn’t take a second look?”

Indeed, despite Mudrock's heavy armor making her look like a rough and tough guy, who would have thought that she was actually such a quiet and gentle girl inside?

Yes, Wenjing.

235 Night Talk with Tiamat

“Really, I’m not kidding you,” Xia Yu said sincerely, “From your temperament to your appearance, who wouldn’t take a second look at you?”

“Well… it’s not as exaggerated as you say,” Mudrock said, looking down helplessly.

It seemed to be the first time she had ever heard someone say that.

"Ahem," Xia Yu felt a little embarrassed upon seeing this.

"the weather is nice today."

"Ah."

"Want to go out?"

"Ah."

"Shall we go check out the bridge? The sunset over the Grand Knight's Territory..."

"Ok."

With just a few words, Niyan was "lured" away from the ward by Xia Yu.

Just like when they brought him back from Letania.

"call……"

Having been cooped up indoors for a long time, Niyan followed Xia Yu onto the bridge.

Her silver hair fluttered in the cool evening breeze of late winter.

The pair of obsidian horns standing tall on its head have clearly been carefully maintained, and the dark base color shows a bright luster under the setting sun.

The diamond-shaped hair clip in front of her pointed head added a touch of brightness to her already stunning look.

The fact that many passersby frequently looked at her along the way is proof of that.

This proves that what Xia Yu said was true.

It's hard to imagine that she, who is often seen in heavy armor, is actually a pretty woman who is only 1.63 meters tall.

Staring blankly at the mud rock that barely reached her shoulder, and gazing at the setting sun, Xia Yu felt somewhat dazed.

“Tell me about Kazdel,” Xia Yu suddenly asked, enjoying the warm evening breeze. “I’ve never been there before.”

"Kazdel..."

Hearing this, Niyan raised his head and looked at the horizon, which was dyed golden by the setting sun.

"Kazdel..."

"Kazdel was destroyed three times and rebuilt several times, with new royal courts and people building new homes on the ashes of their ancestors."

Mudstone said softly, "In destruction and rebirth, we have lost a lot..."

"History, culture, customs..." she looked at the book in her hands, "even knowledge..."

"Now Kazdel is nothing but a wasteland."

"The former kingdom is no more, and the fragmented Sarkaz tribes are now fighting amongst themselves..."

At this point, Niyan gave a self-deprecating laugh, "Actually, there's not much to say in the end."

"In short, it's just a terrible place."

"And what about you?" Xia Yu asked softly, "What about your past?"

"Me?" Upon hearing this, Niyan tucked her long hair, which had been blown about by the wind.