Arknights' Lock of Heaven

"Hmm? Something's not right?" Ifrit was stunned when she heard this, wondering if this person was about to see the error of his ways.

Is she afraid of me? Haha?

Just as Ifrit was chuckling, Surtr said in a serious tone, "You're a girl, so you can't call yourself a 'grandpa'."

"She's just an old lady at most!"

Upon hearing this, Ifrit was completely stunned.

"What did you say?" She was somewhat incredulous. How could this person... dare to talk to her like that?

“I’m telling you, it’s wrong for you to call yourself ‘Grandpa,’ you should call me ‘Grandma,’” Surtr said with a wicked grin. “Who told you to call me ‘Big Sister’ just now?”

They're not that old yet, okay?

"You, you, you..." Ifrit stammered. Seriously, since leaving Rhine Lab, who had ever seen her not obediently coaxing her? This was truly the first time someone had dared to tease her like this.

"I'm going to get angry!" Her eyes blazed with a fierce fire—literally a fierce fire. "I'm really going to get angry!"

"Come on, come on?" Surtr's eyes lit up when he saw this. "Don't hold back, fire this way!"

She was just itching to have a fight when someone unexpectedly came to her door. This little brat may be young, but he's definitely a formidable opponent.

Of course, if you can't beat yourself, then having some entertainment late at night is a good idea.

"You, you, you, you..." Ifrit was shocked when she heard this.

How can there be such people in the world?

Although she was always rebellious, impulsive, arsonist, and rude, she was truly a good girl.

If the Balrog doesn't cause trouble, at most she'll burn some homework or burn a hole in clothes, and so on.

If it were to be burned... under normal circumstances, one wouldn't dare do it without an adult's permission.

Logically speaking, anyone who knows her situation should comfort her at this point; she can just vent her anger and it will pass.

But now Surtr's aggressive demeanor has caught Ifrit off guard.

We can't really fight... After all, we're all from the same company, and we were fighting side by side yesterday.

If a fight really breaks out, how am I going to explain this to Himer when I get back...?

As for Surtr... well, she didn't think that much about it.

She was unaware of the child's special nature and thought he was a gifted Sarkaz child. In the Sarkaz community, teasing children like this is not uncommon.

After all, they are a race known for their fighting prowess.

Even with Surtr's strength, if any tribe's child could be teased by someone of her power... that child's parents could go back and burn incense in gratitude.

To celebrate the auspicious smoke rising from their ancestral graves.

This in itself is an affirmation of the child's talent.

As for Ifrit... well, she's a Sarkaz who has absolutely no recollection of Kazdel, having grown up in a laboratory since childhood, and knows nothing about these intricacies.

So naturally, they were completely confused.

On one hand, she really wanted to fight, but on the other hand... she had promised a lot of things in order to get Himer to release her!

It was understandable that the doctor burned someone yesterday, but now...

"I'm very powerful, you know!" She looked at Surtr suspiciously, trying to intimidate him, "I can burn this place down with a flick of my finger!"

"Mmm, yes, yes, yes," Surtr said with a listless expression, "So, are you going to fight or not?"

“I…” Upon hearing this, Ifrit opened her mouth, then suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

She turned around and ran with her short legs towards the croissant stall where she was enthusiastically setting up her stall.

"Hey!" Ifrit grabbed Croissant and pulled her directly toward Surtr.

"Come and help me make a witness!"

"Wait, wait, wait! My stall!" Croissant cried out as she looked at her neglected stall, helplessly being dragged away by Ifrit.

Although Ifrit certainly couldn't pull her away with her strength, since she was just a child, that is, assuming she really wanted to resist.

This is the boss's son; he can't be allowed to get hurt.

Dr. Hamer paid for it!

"She wants to fight me!" Ifrit dragged Croissant to Surtr without saying a word, pointing at him and saying, "You be my witness, it wasn't me who started it, was it?"

As he spoke, the flames on his body gradually became uncontrollable.

"Wait, wait, wait? How did things turn out like this?" Croissant looked completely bewildered. "Why are you fighting?"

Aren't you both Rhodes Island operators? I just saw the two of you sitting together, one grilling and the other eating, having a great time!

"She called me an old lady!" Upon hearing this, Ifrit pointed at Surtr and said emphatically, "Tell me, how can you tolerate this?"

"Of course not! No, wait! This isn't a question of whether it's possible or not, is it?"

Croissant was completely confused. She looked up and sized up Ifrit.

Yes, he's 159 cm tall, with a very childlike face, a complete little kid among little kids.

She turned to look at Surtr, her expression questioning.

Is something wrong? This child has always been short-tempered; perhaps she misheard...

“Who told you to call me big sister?” Surtr smiled and continued to tease the grumpy Sarkaz kid.

"Ah, this..." Upon hearing this, Croissant looked Surtr up and down a few times.

A shirt and shorts, a casual yet eye-catching outfit; the accessories, though not extravagant, are inexplicably suitable; and that gaze... simply amazing!

With looks like that and that outfit, Croissant dares to guarantee that this girl is definitely one of the most eye-catching people on the beach.

In fact, many people have tried to chat her up, but they all eventually gave up under her cold gaze.

"Calling her 'elder sister' isn't appropriate..." Croissant glanced guiltily at Ifrit. "At least call her 'elder sister'!"

“She’s older than me, so what else should I call her but ‘elder sister’?” Ifrit said matter-of-factly.

This……

Upon hearing this, Croissant's lips twitched. It sounded correct, but... that's not how it works.

But looking at Ifrit's childish appearance, Croissant didn't know how to talk to her.

For a moment, the three of them stood frozen, looking at each other, unable to utter a single word.

They didn't even notice that the sounds of battle in the distance had subsided.

"I don't care!" Ifrit finally broke the silence. "You testify, she provoked me first!"

Ifrit glared at Surtr, trying to intimidate him with her presence. "Go back and tell Himer that I didn't start this!"

"Yo, kid," Surtr said with a grin, gripping his greatsword. "Come on, I've been waiting for you!"

"Calm down! Calm down!" Seeing this, Croissant threw herself at Surtr, "Sister, please, please don't upset her!"

“It’s nothing, just playing around,” Surtr said nonchalantly. “It won’t hurt her.”

“No, listen to me,” Croissant said in a low voice, “this child… has a very serious condition.”

Upon hearing this, Surtr was stunned.

She looked at Ifrit, who was still glaring at her with a sullen expression.

Oh, I see.

The illness... No wonder. It makes sense. Although I'm somewhat out of touch with the news on Rhodes Island, I would have heard of such an outstanding Sarkaz child.

So all this amazing talent came at the cost of this illness?

No wonder I'd never heard of her; she must have been working in the medical department before.

Thinking of this, Surtr sheathed his sword.

"Hey! What do you mean?" Upon seeing this, Ifrit completely exploded. "Are you looking down on me?"

“No, no,” Surtr’s voice carried a hint of melancholy, “I’m just afraid of you.”

"You!... Uh?" Ifrit blinked upon hearing this. "Are you scared?"

“Yes, yes, yes,” Surtr nodded perfunctorily, “I’m scared, I’m scared.”

“No! You’re not being sincere,” Ifrit shook her head, then looked at Croissant. “Hey, what did you say to her?”

Why did you suddenly stop fighting?

“I told you Dr. Himer is your guardian,” Croissant said seriously, seizing on Ifrit’s weakness. “Dr. Himer wields a lot of power on Rhodes Island. Once I say that, who would dare to offend her?”

As he spoke, he kept winking and making faces at Surtr.

“Yes, yes, I dare not offend him,” Surtr sighed and said, “I’m just afraid.”

Sigh, I must have lost my mind. Why did I have to tease this little brat?

Severe Oripathy... Sigh.

Upon hearing Himer's name, Ifrit was indeed instantly stunned.

"Oh, is that so?" she pouted. "You're smart to know what's good for you!"