Arknights' Lock of Heaven

"Why are you all gathered here? What about the original plan? Why aren't you carrying it out?"

"Just because I got caught, you've all become headless flies?"

Bound into a human stick by the Heavenly Lock, she could only stand up with Xia Yu's support, but this did not diminish the majesty in her words.

At least that's how Xia Yu sees it, since she doesn't know her.

However, even Mephisto, who was overjoyed to see Talulah awaken, was stunned by the direction of the Reunion Movement.

This isn't the usual Talulah...

At least not in the influence of most of them.

But some people still remember what she used to look like. Even though she looks very different now, you can still vaguely see a trace of her.

"Little Tower..." Froststar froze Mephisto's foot, which was struggling even more violently after reacting, and was about to step forward with a hint of joy and disbelief in her eyes.

"Didn't you hear what I said?!"

"Go and carry out the original plan!"

Talulah turned her head, her voice trembling slightly, "The rest is up to you, Patriot."

"I cannot let my failure ruin the future of those infected."

"..."

Patriot stopped Froststar.

He gazed in Talulah's direction for a long time before giving orders to the various officers.

His prestige was absolutely sufficient, and with Talulah's permission in front of everyone, no one would disobey his orders.

Except for Mephistopheles.

So he was carried away.

-

After taking one last look, even Frostnova left the plaza.

"I always felt there was something hidden in your words."

Looking at Talulah, who was trembling in her arms and trying hard not to look at Frostnova's back, Xia Yu said thoughtfully.

In those few short sentences, Talulah seemed to have reached some consensus with Patriot.

Although it was only her issuing the order unilaterally.

"Have it?"

Talulah flatly rejected it.

The huge square was left with only the two of them; it wouldn't make sense if they hadn't reached a consensus.

But it doesn't matter, what do I care about the fate of the Reunion Movement?

All I want to do right now is drag the black snake out and beat it up, to see its 'niche' in the Terra world.

I have never been a noble person. Even though I knew that Chernobog was going to suffer a disaster, I never thought about the possibility of saving it.

I'm not a hero.

Xia Yu admired heroes, but she never wanted to become one.

A true hero is one who disregards all considerations of self-interest and acts according to his own will.

Like Arash who sacrificed his arrow to achieve justice, he was willing to give his life for it.

Xia Yu asked herself honestly, and realized she couldn't do that.

Therefore, I am not a hero.

As for Talulah's unusual behavior?

It seems as if they have shaken off some of the black snake's influence, but this is just an illusion.

If Kosic's methods were a disease, she would be terminally ill.

The chains of heaven may have awakened a bit of her former self, but it was completely futile; it was merely a side effect of overcorrection.

The Lock of Heaven only severed the internet cable that Kosiché was controlling.

Once the Chains of Heaven are released, she will revert to being the tyrant of the Reunion Movement.

That sliver of former will that has been awakened will vanish into thin air.

Her personality has been reshaped into something else entirely, and she can never go back.

Xia Yu had no intention of saving her.

What kind of values ​​follow physical appearance? Sorry, when it comes to beauty, you can't beat me.

“Alright, Miss Tyrant,” Xia Yu stood up, picked up the Lock of Heaven, “we should go too.”

Talulah silently stood up and walked ahead of Xia Yu towards the direction of leaving the city.

One person walked in front, carrying chains, while another person walked behind, holding the chains.

Just like being paraded through the streets.

The ruins of this city are all a testament to her sins.

The two walked one after the other without exchanging a word.

Looking at the dilapidated city of Chernobog, neither of them had the energy to speak.

Talulah was lost in thought, and Xia Yu was too lazy to criticize her crimes.

It's just a trace of will awakened from the past; no matter how much criticism it receives, it's all just empty talk.

As for the Talulah who exists in the present, does the distorted version of her really believe that she did something wrong?

It's a complete waste of breath.

Soldiers from the Reunion Movement also passed by and watched them leave with strange looks in their eyes.

There were also Chernobyl residents struggling to survive amidst the ruins, cowering in the shadows and casting their gazes at them with curiosity or fear.

Until the very end, no one bothered them.

37 rings

"Ah, it seems we don't have to walk back," Xia Yu sighed, looking at the brand-new vehicles left behind at the evacuation point.

Of course, it was just for Talulah's benefit.

After all, he can fly, and if he flies at full speed, he might be able to get back to Rhodes Island before Amiya.

Xia Yu opened the car door and raised her hand to remove the restraints from Talulah.

Unexpectedly, as the heavy chains loosened, she grabbed them.

"Can I see the sunset?" Talulah lowered her head and said sadly, "This is my last request."

She seemed to know something.

Seeing her downcast look, Xia Yu hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

The next time we meet, I'll probably take her life.

After leaving the place where the vehicle was hidden, Xia Yu led her to a hillside.

The sun was slowly setting in the west; dusk had just begun.

Talulah sat on a jagged rock, hugging her legs and curling up into a ball.

He said he was watching the sunset, but he kept staring at the old ring he had pulled out of nowhere.

That must have been something very important to her.

After all, it has been preserved intact even now that it has been distorted.

Xia Yu had no intention of prying into other people's private affairs.

He simply sat on the ground, feeling the magic flowing into his body like a continuous stream.

Sometimes, being too familiar with something can make it difficult to get started.

I am not someone who can become a hero; I lack that selfless spirit.

But she is a soft-hearted person.

It's like being unable to bring yourself to harm Fujimaru Ritsuka, whose leg is broken right in front of you.

Why was that girl being so cheeky in front of me? Why was she going to such lengths to get close to me?

It's all about getting herself into her camp; it's all about saving the world.

Faced with Fujimaru Ritsuka, Xia Yu softened and simply hung her up without any real pain.

In the end, even Mashu got used to it and would bow and apologize to Xia Yu every time.

What if you learn a touching story about the past from Talulah and then can't bring yourself to do it?

I'll say as little as possible, so as not to disturb her memories or affect my plans.