Arknights' Lock of Heaven

Because they're afraid of killing people, they only surround and don't attack... Is this still the Sarkaz I know?

But the Sarkaz mercenaries also have something to say: We bully you because you're weak!

Logically speaking, would anyone with real power hire Sarkaz mercenaries?

If they were truly capable, they would solve any problems themselves.

There's only one reason why people like that would hire them: to do the dirty work that they themselves are not comfortable doing. But even for such dirty work, it's unlikely that the person in question would do it personally; they would hire someone else to do it.

Sometimes, mercenaries complete their missions without even knowing who hired them.

And now, look, look at the shocking scene before your eyes, the Sixth Army Group, which could easily crush their eight hundred mercenaries, has been crushed to death.

How could they not be well-behaved?

The Sarkaz are ancient and conservative, and they have always believed in things that outsiders consider myths and legends.

So when they saw this shocking scene, they naturally thought of it as the power of a person, rather than the wonders of nature. After all, they had seen many natural disasters, but none like this.

After all, such things are not uncommon in their history.

"But what if the higher-ups become dissatisfied if this drags on?" someone said worriedly.

"If you think we can't even handle this simple thing..."

"That doesn't mean we have to kill us all, but what if there are people from higher up here who die in the chaos? We would be held responsible."

It's no wonder they're so worried, even to the point of being overly anxious.

After all, the legend had just unfolded before their very eyes, and now that curtain wall, seemingly connecting to the heavens, still stood on the earth. Any Sarkaz would think of the enduring legends of their people.

For example, in the war to defend Kazdel two hundred years ago, the Blood Lord single-handedly annihilated an entire fully armed Victoria Legion, and the resulting crimson glow even outshone the sun.

Ridiculous, right?

outrageous.

But can you say it's fake?

Which Sarkaz would say that?

Two hundred years... some long-lived Sarkaz might have even experienced it firsthand.

And now, the Blood Demon Lord is also in the royal court under Theresis's control.

Why was Theresis's royal court able to draw away most of the Sarkaz's power to distant Victoria?

The fact that even an ancient being like the Blood Demon Lord gathered under his command was a major reason for this.

If you, Theresis, say it's for Kazdel, perhaps some will believe you, but not many. The Sarkaz are very pragmatic. But if even an ancient being like the Highlord believes it, then everyone will be willing to believe it too.

However, since we've mentioned the Blood Lord, his brutality and power are etched in the hearts of every Sarkaz.

Now, someone whose achievements can rival those of the Blood Demon Lord has appeared. W has climbed up to his high branch, so he can confidently boss everyone around.

But can you not listen to her?

What if they blame you...? How many lives do you have to be so arrogant?

It can be said that the reason why these Sarkaz are so timid now is because of the Blood Lord's actions over the past few hundred years, which are so brutal that even the infamous Sarkaz find them extremely cruel.

Aside from the Blood Demon Lord, are other powerhouses at this level also like this?

Look at the Witch King of Letania back then, brothers.

With these two cautionary tales in mind, who would dare to break the law?

Given that they were still reeling from the shock of what they saw, it was no surprise that the Sarkaz chickened out.

"How about we try calling out to them to surrender?" Yan Ke couldn't contain himself any longer and tentatively suggested.

"Good idea," several leaders nodded in agreement as soon as he finished speaking. "Since you're so smart, then you go and tell them to surrender!"

Hearing this, Yan Ke was stunned. You guys really don't treat people like human beings at all. Tsk, it's my own fault for being so talkative. Why did I have to say these things? These old hands who have been around all their lives would know this.

They were shocked, but not dumbfounded.

They simply don't want to take the blame, and they're all at a stalemate, waiting to see if someone will step forward.

I miscalculated. It seems I still can't outmaneuver these seasoned veterans who've spent their entire lives in the mercenary world.

But faced with the gazes of the crowd, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go up to negotiate.

Yan Ke walked towards the front of the formation, and the Sarkaz around him automatically parted to make way for him, making him look very impressive.

"Tsk tsk tsk, how pathetic," he said, feigning arrogance. "Good morning, everyone."

Upon hearing this, the remnants of the Ursus Sixth Army looked at each other in bewilderment, but no one responded.

Yan Ke saw all this and then calmed down a little.

The fact that they didn't immediately shout "Long live Ursus!" and charge towards him means there's still room for negotiation.

"Why is everyone so quiet? Weren't you all chasing after us so enthusiastically before?"

"Why are you mute now?"

"Enough, Sarkaz, what exactly do you want?" Franz couldn't hold back any longer and stepped forward to face Flame.

However, although he spoke loudly, he didn't seem to have much confidence.

"What do I want to do? Heh, shouldn't you be asking that?" Yan Ke chuckled. "You've been following us suspiciously for a whole day and night, what are you planning to do?"

"Our Orville has a license personally signed by the Emperor of Ursus; we are a royal merchant! Does your Sixth Army intend to rebel?"

First of all, you can't be weak when negotiating with others in this situation, no matter how much you're worried. If you're weak, others will feel that they can take advantage of you.

Therefore, you must be firm in your attitude, but not too firm. If the other party feels there is no hope and the only option is to fight to the death, you will be in trouble.

Because this balance is difficult to strike, mercenary leaders pretend to be foolish and wait for someone destined to take the blame.

392. Lying through one's teeth

There's no way to respond to that.

Rebellion... well, if the Sixth Army's actions are brought into the open, labeling it as rebellion doesn't seem wrong.

Everyone knows perfectly well that if it weren't for this, the Orville would have been attacked long ago in Cheprini, and there wouldn't be the situation we see now.

But it's best to keep these things unspoken; if you really want to bring them up in public... no one dares to say it.

If the Sarkaz on the other side are a bit sneaky and have hidden a recording device, then you're doomed.

Your whole family will die, and even the Duke won't protect you.

"What? Speechless now?" Yan Ke breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this, then shouted, "So what exactly are you here for?"

"..."

Franz looked helplessly at Jonathan beside him.

“We are from the Sixth Army of Ursus,” the latter said after thinking for a moment. “When we went out of the city to suppress bandits, we unfortunately encountered a natural disaster. Only about a hundred of us were lucky enough to escape; the rest of us died in the line of duty.”

He raised his head and said, "I request... no, I request that you provide assistance to us in accordance with the ancient international principle of mutual assistance in natural disasters."

Upon hearing this, Franz turned to Jonathan in disbelief.

No way, you can lie like that with your eyes wide open?

We chased them for a whole day and night, and they know that. Who do you think you're fooling with that?

These words are truly insulting to their intelligence. Are you trying to provoke them?

But he didn't notice that Sarkaz on the other side was equally dumbfounded.

“This guy is interesting,” Fariad said, stroking his chin and then winking at Yan Ke.

Seeing this, Yan Ke nodded, then said to the defeated troops in front of him, "In that case, we are willing to act in accordance with the ancient alliance, but given the Sixth Army's notorious reputation, we require you to lay down all your weapons first."

"We can guarantee your safety."

Upon hearing this, the Ursus soldiers opposite him couldn't hold back any longer.

Having just experienced such a shocking event, they actually had no will to resist. If the Sarkaz swarmed in, many would surrender immediately.

However, since the Sarkaz were also under the influence of the intimidation defense, they began to hesitate to act because of W's words.

Now that Sarkaz said those who surrendered would be spared, many people began to get restless, their eyes frequently glancing at the two senior officers.

Franz frowned upon seeing this and lowered his weapon... Wasn't this just leaving himself vulnerable to being slaughtered?

Although he didn't want to die here, what if the other side didn't keep their word if he gave up his last chance to fight back?

“Okay, let’s put down our weapons now,” Jonathan said, making the choice for him while he was still hesitating, throwing his own weapon on the ground.

Or rather, he knew very well that they actually had no choice.

Given everyone's current state of anxiety and unease, how could they possibly resist?

Then we might as well surrender and try our luck.

While Franz was still hesitating, the sounds of weapons hitting the ground echoed around them.

These voices reminded him that the soldiers actually had no morale to resist.

In the end, he could only dejectedly throw his expensive custom-made staff into the snow.