Arknights, but the sickly pretty girl starts

Kuro blinked, then realization dawned on him.

"...I see." She nodded and glanced at Shadow with a half-smile. "Shadow, interesting name."

"...Are you making fun of me?" Noah was not happy about it. She had thought about this name for a long time. And although it was just translated into Victorian, it was still very catchy to read, right?

"..." Shadow, or rather Margaret, knew that she had been exposed when she saw Kuro's eyes. It was very difficult to hide one's habits in front of a warrior. Perhaps the other party could tell one's style from the way one walked.

However, the other party did not intend to expose himself. It was better to say that she did not care. She had always been by Noah's side, and now he could also come to her side through the Sword of Martyr.

In a sense, this is actually a draw.

Margaret met Kuro's eyes without hesitation. After a brief exchange of glances, they tacitly looked away.

"What are your plans for today?" Kuro asked, "Do you need me to accompany you?"

After all, Rhodes Island is safe. Kuro has recently been arranged by Noah to do what she wants to do, so she will take the initiative to ask Noah in the morning if she needs company or help. If Noah refuses, she will probably spend a long time in the trainer to torture the elite operators on duty, so that she can rush to the scene as soon as something happens in Rhodes Island.

And now——there was a [Shadow] beside her.

Knight Yao, you can’t be unable to protect even Noah, right?

Perhaps Margaret noticed this somewhat provocative thought, but Kuro saw Shadow turn his head and look at him meaningfully.

"I'm going to see Dr. Kal'tsit for a checkup. It should be like this lately. It's safe. There's no need to follow me. Just go do what you like." Noah shook his head. "I've been very cooperative with the treatment lately."

"Well, good luck to you," Kuro said, nodding his head.

Seeing Kuro leave, Margaret's first reaction was relief, then she turned to look at Noah who was standing there in a daze. In fact, she was still very curious about whether there was any progress between Noah and Kuro during the long time she was away... Although it was normal even if there was, she was still a little anxious.

But from the current perspective, the way they get along hasn't changed... Maybe? I still have a chance?

Well, there was no point in worrying so much. Margaret still had some things to do on her own side, so she nodded and temporarily returned to Noah's shadow.

Margaret returned to her body as if awakened from a nap. Looking at the mountain of work in front of her, she sighed softly.

The Sword of the Martyr can allow him to come to Noah's side, but his body seems to be in a deep sleep in the eyes of others.

But now in Casimir, she was not worried about being attacked. On the one hand, few people dared to attack the Knight of Glory. On the other hand, the Knights had recently stationed armed forces in the Great Knight Territory.

Under the threat of force, no one dares to touch him.

With the support of Ms. Russell and the Knights Association, and the huge popularity and assets Noah left for her, Margaret now even has a good chance of running for the next Grand Knight.

But she obviously won't go down that path, and hasn't responded even to Ms. Russell's repeated hints.

She wanted to take a more difficult path, but one that was more in line with her style: coming from the people and going back to the people. This was also Noah's reminder to herself: if she wanted to truly change Casimir, she had to start with the next generation.

It is very difficult to change adults' minds, but it is not that difficult to change children's minds.

Therefore, Margaret has recently been accepting invitations to various schools in the Grand Knight Territory, and has also contacted the department in charge of compiling textbooks, hoping that through her own efforts, these children will know the chivalrous spirit of Casimir.

This may take effect slowly, but Margaret believes that one day, the Casimir that Noah hopes to see will be realized in the hands of these children.

Her actions have never been a secret. There are even special newspapers reporting on the actions of the Knights of Glory. No matter which side they are on, they all know her actions. She wants to do them for everyone to see.

The road is difficult, but it is definitely not impossible.

Of course, in addition to betting on the next generation, she also has various ideas. Many of Noah's ideas are consistent with hers, and some have even been halfway implemented. Margaret often sighs that without Noah, her progress would never have been so smooth.

If Noah could come back...

She had thought about it more than once, but she had also reminded herself more than once.

Noah has done enough, now it’s his turn.

Although I am very tired, I can still hold on... One day, this country will once again become a country of knights.

Chapter 13: Precious

The cold instruments dissected Noah's body inside and out with the same indifference as always. Noah, who felt like he was lying on a cold operating table, actually didn't like this feeling.

Perhaps it was because when she was in Casimir, those powerful people who tried to manipulate her had always tried to make her let down all her defenses and become their tool. But now, she had no way to resist and could only reveal everything about herself.

This feeling is not good -

The Chamber of Commerce had originally treated itself as a blade, a sharp, poisoned blade pointed at the knights, trying to weaken her will with preferential treatment, trying to make her forget that she once hoped to embark on the path of knighthood, trying to completely turn her into a cancer.

Although in the end, this group of people did not succeed, but it also left Noah with a sequelae -

She had a strong aversion to anyone who tried to control her, but this thought only flashed through her mind, and soon, Dr. Kal'tsit let her out of the instrument.

Through instrumental examination, Dr. Kal'tsit finally saw the specifics of Noah's body. The Originium crystal clusters were becoming a second skin for Noah, and even Noah's spine was covered in a layer of Originium crystals. The CT scan showed Noah's entire spine appearing almost pitch black, a sign of abnormality. Noah's bones and flesh seemed to be transforming into Originium, but blood tests revealed no further fusion.

Noah is now a collection of contradictions. The Originium content in Noah's heart and blood is very stable, but his body has been largely transformed into Originium. This situation usually occurs in late-stage patients, but the blood test results tell Kal'tsit that Noah's symptoms have actually regressed to the middle stage.

There was nothing wrong with the heart, blood, and most of the internal organs, but the bones, muscles, and skin began to turn to Originium—what was the reason for this?

Why does Originium avoid the heart, blood, and other organs? Why does it focus on assimilating the skin, bones, and muscles?

All of this seemed so magical that Kal'tsit felt confused. She had thought that there would be a result after the CT scan, but it brought more mysteries.

"Noah, have you been feeling unwell recently?" She put down the CT scan in her hand. These records must be kept strictly confidential, not only to protect Noah, but also to protect Rhodes Island.

"...Uncomfortable... Not for now." Noah thought for a moment, then shook his head. "During my time in Rhodes Island, my sleep and diet were regular, I was in good spirits, and I also got some exercise."

"So, nothing unusual?"

"...No..." Noya hesitated. She couldn't possibly say she and Kuro had sex once. No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn't openly say that. She could only blush and shake her head. "At least as far as I know...there's nothing unusual."

"That's strange... This situation won't develop overnight." Kal'tsit thought for a while. She has been studying Originium for many years. Although she can't say that she knows everything about Originium, she at least has a certain understanding of its properties.

Originium's erosion of organisms is by no means so gentle and gradual. Originium treats organisms like fungi treat rotten wood, taking root in life, absorbing its power, and then multiplying itself infinitely.

Most of the patients with Oreopathy died from the explosive growth of Originium. Some of them suffered internal organ damage, abdominal puncture, or even their entire body was blown up by the explosive growth of Originium. Kal'tsit had seen it all. The explosive growth of Originium often occurred when the patients with Oreopathy used Originium skills beyond the limit.

So she spoke again, "Before you came to Rhodes Island, did you overuse your Originium skills?"

This time, Noa was silent. Before arriving in Rhodes Island, she had played the Nameless Harp. It had devoured a portion of her life force, along with the negative emotions she had harbored. Later, she was even imprisoned in the Deep Pool camp, where her Originium skills remained semi-deactivated. Perhaps, in her attempt to fight the Draco sisters, she had indeed used Originium skills beyond her capacity.

"...Yes." Noya didn't hide it from Kal'tsit, "I used Originium Technique on...Operator Reed. I used my Originium Technique to control Operator Reed's body and made her kill...A Deep Pool Officer."

"Control the body..." Kal'tsit looked at Noah who was sitting on the edge of the bed, with a hint of worry in her eyes. She knew that Noah was not someone who would abuse his talent. If even she was forced to do this, then something must have happened that forced her to do so.

When Outcast returned to Rhodes Island to report on her work, she mentioned that she used the Originium technique of Judgment to kill five Deep Pool cadres. The battle report also mentioned the existence of a sixth Deep Pool cadre, and this Deep Pool cadre was killed by Operator Reed controlled by Noa.

Outcast's Originium skill is Judgment, which is to judge others and also to judge oneself. If there is one more person in the judgment...

Kal'tsit knew very well that Rhodes Island would most likely lose this humorous elite operator.

So, in a sense, Noah's actions saved Outcast, and she couldn't blame Noah, but she was still worried about him.

She reached out, pressed Noya's shoulder, and whispered, "That's not your fault, and Operator Reed didn't blame you for taking such action without authorization."

"..." Noah didn't answer, but nodded silently. After a long moment, he continued. "Afterwards, I helped the local garrison evacuate from the military camp, and was eventually abducted by the leader of Deep Pool. That's what happened."

"Deeppool Leader...Is she Operator Reed's sister?" Kal'tsit had actually seen this in Noah's report after he returned to Rhodes Island, but Noah added some details now.

"Yes, Abrana." Noah nodded. "She tried to get me to join the Deep Pool, but I refused and found a chance to escape. That's it."

"So, Mandela is the one chasing you?"

"She must have left the Deep Pool camp without permission and was in pursuit," Noah explained. "I used hypnosis to get around her. She probably thought that letting me go would cause the leader to lose trust in her, so she came after me."

"That's right. Although Mandela isn't a patient with Ore, her frequent use of Originium techniques has left her in very poor health. She's been recovering fairly well lately, but she's also been suffering from sleepless nights. Do you have any clues about this?" Kal'tsit asked. "You're the one who interrogates her most often, right?"

"Yes—" Noya nodded. "After leaving the Deep Pool, I realized that my mental state might have been negatively affected by excessive use of Originium techniques. To relieve the mental stress, I used my Originium techniques on Mandra."

"...Use?" Kel'tsit nodded in understanding. It seemed like she had hit the nail on the head. "The person you most often use your Originium skills on is Mandra?"

"Yes." Noah nodded, "I will go to see Mandela regularly."

"What about her reaction? After being affected by your Originium skills, her spirit is too good, isn't it?" Kal'tsit frowned. She knew how terrifying Noah's Originium skills were. Noah's regular influence would even drive ordinary people crazy or become neurotic, but Mandra didn't. Her mental state was not bad. Apart from occasional insomnia, she seemed to be unaffected.

"I've restrained my power, which is also a way to exercise control," Noya explained. "I just feel that regular use and practice of Originium techniques will help me better master this power and prevent it from losing control."

"I'm not blaming you." Kal'tsit shook her head. "You're right. Originium skills themselves require training and research, and your actions haven't caused irreparable harm to anyone. I just want to remind you that when you made this decision—were you really not affected by your Originium skills?"

"...Me?" Noya pointed at himself in confusion, "Why would I be affected by my own Originium skills?"

"It's not uncommon for telepathic Originium skills to be used. In fact, when we were in contact with Lateran, we received information from him about a user of telepathic Originium skills. She, like you, was born with this ability, and she... is now one of Lateran's most wanted criminals."

Noah was suddenly stunned, and then she quickly explained, "Then... and me?"

"According to our communications with Lateran, the black-haired Sakota named Arturo not only possesses powerful telepathic Originium techniques, but can also expertly use them to analyze others' hearts and intensify their inner impulses. Anyone who hears her music is likely to act impulsively, even perniciously. We call her the Instigator, although according to her own description, she simply forces these people to confront their inner selves."

Kelsey looked at Noa. "Latlan didn't kill Arturo. Although she was accused of being involved in a number of cases, there was no solid evidence to prove it. Then, according to the law, she was exiled and is no longer in Latlan."

"Latlan shouldn't have exiled him—" Noya said solemnly, "Arturo's Originium skills are extremely dangerous. If he is allowed to act in other countries, it is very likely to cause more tragedies."

"That's true, but laws are laws, and Lateran has its own rules." Kel'tsit nodded. "Also, Arturo's example proves one thing: users of telepathic Originium techniques are also affected by their own Originium techniques. It's no exaggeration to say that most users of telepathic Originium techniques become their own first victims."

"...What do you mean?" Noya raised her head uneasily. "In fact, the reason I used Originium Technique on Mandela... was because I was affected by my Originium Technique?"

"I didn't say that. I just raised a possibility." Kal'tsit calmly stated her point of view. "After all, from what I know about you, you would never have chosen Mandela as your experimental target in the past. Now... when you use your Originium skills on Mandela, you seem to have become even more indifferent."

"..." Noya also felt uneasy. She hesitated for a long time before speaking, "Doctor Kel'tsit, do I need to be locked up in a cell? If, as you said, Arturo's exile was a mistake, then Rhodes Island shouldn't make the same mistake as Lateran. If I really lose control, I hope Rhodes Island can put me in solitary confinement. It's for my own good, as well as for the good of Rhodes Island."

"Even if the price is loss of freedom?"

"Hmm..." Noah nodded, "If I were to use this power to hurt others, I would rather be imprisoned."

"Ms. Noah, I didn't misjudge you." Kelsey finally smiled, "You are still the same Miss Noah. I can confirm that you haven't become cold now—"

Kal'tsit was originally worried about whether the blood sample had a mental impact on Noah, so she used words to test him. The result made her feel a little relieved. The blood sample should not have had a big impact on Noah. At least the other party was aware of imprisoning him in this way.

Kelsey had to admit, she was very happy about this.

The doctor who was monitoring the situation in the monitoring room through the screen was slightly relieved at this time after learning that PRTS had actually given Kal'tsit a blood sample and that it had been injected when Noah was a child.

She had a strange idea...

After all, although Noah's appearance is about 70% similar to Lin Guang's mother Yolanta, in the doctor's eyes, that face is somewhat like... the woman in the archived video he saw in PRTS.

Precious——

The woman who seemed to have a close connection with him, he could see her shadow in Noah.

She also had to think more about why PRTS gave Noah this tube of blood, and why Noah looked more and more like Precious.

As well as the changes in the Originium in Noah's body, all of these seemed to be connected to each other in some way, like a very intricately woven spider web, binding the doctor firmly in place.

That tube of blood... should be from Prisseth.

So, now Noah has Priss's blood in his body, or at least part of it.

The doctor has conducted experiments on his own. Amiya can use her own blood directly. If Precious is of the same kind as himself, then her blood can also be used on other people without any rejection reaction.

——Then, what exactly does Precious, whose blood has the same effect as his own in suppressing oripathy, want to do?

Chapter 14: Bitter First Love

Viviana got up early at 5:20, did morning exercises, practiced swordsmanship, had breakfast, and then returned to her dormitory to study poetry. She left the dormitory at about 1:14 pm. Rhodes Island was currently on the move, so there were no missions outside. However, this did not mean that Rhodes Island's operators had nothing to do, such as patrol missions on Rhodes Island or refining their own lessons.

In short, Rhodes Island operators are also very busy, they don’t just stay in the dormitory doing nothing all the time!

Even with the recent haunted news, Rhodes Island did not change the schedule. After all, changing the already set schedule based on something groundless was a bit absurd.

So Viviana also maintained her original lifestyle habits and did not take these things to heart. Her life has always been very self-disciplined and healthy.

I was used to studying poetry, used to going to the cafeteria to eat at regular times and places, and used to the occasional little melancholy, but this habit was also quietly changed.

There is only one reason——

After turning the corner, Viviana suddenly stopped. At the end of the corner, Noah and Amiya seemed to be talking about something. She unconsciously shrank back to her original corner and quietly looked in.

Noah Kyrielight, his best friend, was one of the main reasons he came to Rhodes Island. He didn't know why he was hiding, perhaps it was a reflex or perhaps a guilty conscience.

Ever since she showed her poems to Noah, she would blush naturally when she saw Noah, and she didn't know what she was feeling guilty about.

Well, if you have something to hide, you will see something fishy in everything you see.

Even if Noah's conversation with Amiya didn't necessarily concern her, she would still think about it, wanting to know what Noah was like in his words. Although she was a little afraid, she would definitely regret it if Noah told her something she didn't want to know. Thinking about it carefully, her happiest period was when Casimir was always with Noah.

When she was with Noah, she would often read poems to her. She couldn't read poetry books directly, so Viviana learned Braille. Later, her poetry books often had Braille versions, just to share with Noah.

A young girl's mind is always so delicate and slow. At that time, Viviana did not realize that such a time would not last forever. So she did not know how to cherish it at that time. As a result, after separating from Noah, she realized how precious the time she spent with Noah was.

She always kept her time in Casimir in mind, although she knew that her position was different now and Noah would not always stay by her side.

But... she didn't want to be just a close friend.

She stroked her chest gently, then clenched her fists to give herself air. After calming down for a long time, she walked out of the corner with a smile and waved from a distance.

"What a coincidence, Noah, Amiya." She maintained a gentle smile, and as always, she walked with an effortless pace. Even her words maintained their original rhythm, but her disguise seemed to Noah to be defenseless. Although Viviana's complex emotions were difficult to interpret, it did not prevent Noah from understanding the fact that she was in a state of turmoil.