Arknights, but the sickly pretty girl starts

——Amaya...is a Deep Sea Cultist.

Noya had already smelled Haisi's scent when they were on land, but because Amaya had no hostility towards them, she had temporarily considered it a misjudgment. However, she had not expected that after arriving in Agor, she would reveal her identity so quickly.

So, if Amaya is a Deep Sea Cultist, these researchers who can sit with Amaya...

"what happened?"

Ulpian noticed that Noah had suddenly fallen silent, and immediately realized that Noah had discovered something, so he asked.

"——Deep Sea Cultists, mixed in with Agor's researchers."

"..."

Ulpian didn't ask why he was so certain; rather, he had long suspected this. Noah's words only reinforced his conviction.

"Golatia is being targeted by the Deep Sea Church. This is not good news—and we have no concrete evidence."

Noya knew that directly pointing out that these people were members of the Deep Sea Church was pointless. She had no evidence, and her ability wasn't enough to convince them. It might even alert the enemy, who might turn the tables and accuse her of slandering them to protect the true Deep Sea Church members, including Goletia. Compared to them, Noya, an outsider, was powerless.

However, these researchers have a very high social status among the Agors, and not many of them can trust Noah.

Whether it was because Noah's gaze was too direct, or because Amaya had been observing Noah from the beginning, she noticed that Noah had noticed her presence. She smiled and waved, as if meeting an old friend. Unfortunately, Noah was not in that mood. She looked away, feeling as if a huge stone had been lifted from her heart. Precious, who was standing nearby, noticed this and asked with a smile.

"You see, things don't always go so smoothly - do you need my help?"

"It hasn't gotten to this point."

Noah responded that if such difficulties required Priss's help, then no amount of wishes would be enough.

Moreover, there are still people here who stand on Gloria's side. Clemenza saw that the situation was not right and immediately spoke up.

"In fact, we have reached sufficient conclusions through this review meeting."

When Clemenza's voice sounded, the entire arena fell silent, showing the majesty of the consul.

"Golatia, Skadi, Laurentina, and the other deep-sea hunters have made tremendous sacrifices and contributions for Agor. Five years later, we still have the opportunity to draw new insights from their observations and experiences. This is an honor for Agor. Now, they have proven their innocence and safety, proving that their return at this critical juncture of the Passage Project is not a threat, but a help. However, at the same time, countless doubts are focused on the other surviving deep-sea hunter, Ulpian."

——Indeed, the suspicion wasn’t focused on Gloria and the others, but on Ulpian, who provided this information.

Clemenza didn't want to put the blame on Ulpian, but judging from the current situation, she had to focus the attention of the Agor society on this mysterious deep-sea hunter in order to save Gloria, so she had no choice but to resort to this last resort.

"For unknown reasons, he's hiding and attempting to influence the other Deep Sea Hunters—these actions clearly violate his responsibilities as a Deep Sea Hunter. Based on the information currently available, we're unable to determine his true motives or goals, or even whether he can still be called an Agor. Ulpian must be found as soon as possible. Even if he truly harbors no ill intentions, as Goletia claims, he must be questioned to clear himself of the numerous suspicions."

Clemenza noticed that Gloria was looking at her. She knew that Gloria did not agree with her words, but she had no choice.

We have to protect the Deep Sea Hunters in Agor first... After Ulpian shows up, we can think of other solutions...

"Those whose doubts have been answered may leave. For those who still have questions, you may continue your questioning."

She lowered her head and met Goletia's gaze.

"Archon Goletia, do you have anything else to add?"

Under everyone's spotlight, Goletia's expression was complicated. She believed in Ulpian. Clemenza's words just now clearly showed that she had abandoned Ulpian in order to protect herself and the others—this was unacceptable to her. However... she had to admit that Ulpian's lack of appearance was itself extremely suspicious.

"I have told you everything I know. I have no objection to the council's decision, nor do I dispute Ulpian's suspicions."

Her face was expressionless, like a piece of ice that had never melted.

"But as a colleague, I am willing to believe him. This is my personal opinion."

This was the only explanation that Gloria could offer to exonerate Ulpian. Noah sighed as he sat in the witness stand.

"Unconditional trust, cherishing each other like family, this is the deep-sea hunter, is it blood?"

"The connection between us is far stronger than you realize, Noah Kyrielight."

Ulpian did not refute it and admitted it frankly.

"Furthermore, what the Archon said is correct. I am indeed a strong suspect. Being able to protect Gloria and the others is already a demonstration of her best efforts."

"Now, it seems there's no point for me to show up. After Mr. Brandus showed up—the situation was already one-sided. They just pointed the finger at you."

"Indeed...but our communication is not meaningless."

Although Noah did not play the expected role in this council meeting, Ulpian would not be so stupid as to think that Noah did nothing.

This council meeting went too smoothly. There were even fewer difficulties than Ulpian had imagined. These subtle changes... were most likely the work of Miss Noah.

"—Anyway, after the council meeting is over, I'll take you out for a Krabby Patty."

Noah wasn't being polite. She was doing this for her friends, and friends should be equal - she wasn't someone who would seek repayment for a favor.

Before the council meeting ended, many nodded in greeting to Gloria. Despite the PTSD induced by the Sea Si, most Agorians were rational, aware of the sacrifices made by the deep-sea hunters to hunt the Sea Si. One moment they were engaged in a heated exchange of words, the next they were thanking Gloria for her dedication to the Agor—this seemed perfectly normal in the Agor.

"They are sincere. Science requires people to separate emotions from facts, and they did it." Ghost Shark couldn't help but complain, but Skadi on the side was not so easy to accept.

"Of course I know these people are sincere, I just... well, forget it."

Miss Skadi, who used to be just a technical worker, could not agree with this attitude of classifying things separately. She was essentially a sentimental person. She could not classify things separately, nor could she judge the matter fairly, rationally and objectively.

Maybe it's because she doesn't look like an Agor?

And… those words just now were directed at Captain Three, her captain. Of course Skadi was upset. She didn't think the captain would do anything bad, nor did she think the captain would betray Agor.

But she couldn't do anything for Captain Three, let alone refute...

"Don't worry, Swordfish will find a way. At most, Captain Three won't go back to Agor. Don't you know Miss Noya? Ask her to open a backdoor for Captain Three and bring him into Rhine Life as a security guard, saving him thirty years of detours in life."

"...That makes sense... Do you think I can still work under the captain if I apply for the position?"

"I'm just kidding……"

"……Oh."

Laurentina speechlessly used her hand as a knife to hit Skadi's head, making a very crisp thud.

"I always feel like there's nothing in there. If you move around, you might even hear water sounds—"

"Even I know you're calling me crazy!"

"Hey, that's progress."

Laurentina and Skadi were playing around when they saw Clemenza and Gloria walking side by side. However, Clemenza's height was not as high as Gloria, the woman among women. She even looked a little like a little bird. It was hard to imagine that the two were actually two consuls of equal status.

"You guys are having a great time chatting—"

Gladia looked at the two of them and spoke.

"Skadi, I'm sorry I can't help Ulpian clear his suspicion—"

"This isn't the Second Captain's fault." Skadi knew the situation was special and needed special treatment, but she didn't mean to blame the Second Captain. "The Captain..."

"He's fine. I'll try to contact him later. Maybe he's already sneaked into the city—after all, your captain's ability to hide is incredible."

"That's right." Skadi nodded. "If the captain comes back, he will definitely look for me first!"

-

"When I came here, the first person I thought of was you. You are very special—"

At this time, Ulpian was sitting in the box seat and talking to Noah who was taking a bite of the Krabby Patty.

"You've helped Skadi many times on land, and I'm grateful for that."

"Wuwuwuwu——" Noah had a crab patty stuffed in his mouth and his speech was a little unclear. Ulpian could only vaguely hear the four words "it's a piece of cake".

"Eat slowly—" Ulpian looked at Noya's excitement as she devoured junk food, holding his forehead helplessly. "You don't look the same as I imagined, or rather... my previous impression of you was a little off."

"Who wants to eat bland soup every day unless they have to?" Noah swallowed the Krabby Patty and wiped his mouth contentedly. "Now that I'm back to health, of course I have to make it up to myself."

"...That's right, do you need another one?"

"Two more, please." Noah, who had just helped Gladia, raised two fingers with a smile. "The burgers here are really delicious."

"I used to eat here often, sometimes bringing Skadi along." Ulpian nodded in agreement. "The pickles here are incredible. I suggest you ask Bob to give you a double portion."

"Okay, I'll try it later." Noah regained his usual serious expression while waiting for the food to be served. "What was the key thing you said you wanted to tell me?"

"I'm suspicious of Brandus."

"...?"

Noya was stunned. If she remembered correctly, wasn't Brandus the scholar who had helped Gladia at the Council? Why would he doubt her?

"Is there any reason?"

"intuition."

"...That's not really a reason, and no one says men's intuition is that good, right?"

Noah complained.

"And if it's all based on intuition, I think Mr. Brandus is pretty pitiful."

After all, Brandus helped him solve the gray matter problem, so Noah still said a few words on Brandus's behalf.

"Do you suspect he's from the Deep Sea Church?"

"Perhaps he himself has not sided with the Deep Sea Church, and may not even become our enemy."

At this point, Ulpian seemed to be explaining for Brandus, but he quickly changed the subject.

"But I know him. He's an excellent scientist, but he has an excessive affection for his subjects that scientists shouldn't have—"

What Ulpian said made Noah a little confused.

"This only shows that he is a scientist with a conscience."

"That's right, but in Agor, he was asked to lead the Deep Sea Hunter experiment."

"...Is this why Brandus is so concerned about the Deep Sea Hunter?"

"To him, most of the Deep Sea Hunters are like his own children—he always regrets and blames himself for robbing the Deep Sea Hunters of their future, turning them into pure killing machines. It's precisely because of this compassion that he's more likely to be terrified by the Agor people's current attitude towards Haisi."

Ulpian's words made Noah fall into deep thought. Indeed, if he thought along the lines of Ulpian, Brandus, who attached so much importance to the Deep Sea Hunters, would most likely feel angry and uneasy about the attitude of the Agor people towards the Deep Sea Hunters, which might be the reason why he turned to the Deep Sea Church.

"But you're just guessing. I think further judgment is needed... Uh... But I can't say my judgment is accurate."

Noya had already encountered a Deep Sea Cultist named Amaya who didn't seem hostile, which made her doubt her own abilities. Although it was possible that the other party didn't have any hostility towards her, this didn't mean that the Deep Sea Cult didn't pose a threat to humans.

Noah must think about this more.

"I know. So, what you need to do now is to determine whether Brandus has betrayed you," Ulpian said. "He will also be the one to adjust the Deep Sea Hunter's body. He has ample opportunity to complete this task."

"……I see."

Chapter 47: Women Dress to Please Themselves

"Besides that, I also have some questions for you—"

After finishing his questions about the suspect, Ulpian looked at Noya seriously and spoke again.

"How much do you know about the Passage Project?"

"..." Noah chewed the crab patty in her mouth and seemed speechless for a moment, so she gestured to wait. After chewing and swallowing it thoroughly, she elegantly took out a tissue and wiped her mouth before speaking.

"I thought you would be concerned about Miss Skadi first."

"She has her own ideas and is a mature deep-sea hunter. She doesn't need protection."

Ulpian is very patient, not only in waiting for Noya to swallow the food, but also in answering the questions of the deep-sea hunters.

"Neither you nor I have been followed or monitored, which means my whereabouts haven't been exposed. The previous council's main target was me. As long as I remain intact, the chances of them being in danger will only decrease."

After a pause, Ulpian felt that the previous question might be a bit abrupt, so he explained.

"The war between the Haisi and Agor has been going on for over two hundred years, but at almost the same time, both sides turned their attention from the ocean to the land. The sudden migration of an entire tribe and the shift of an entire nation to war may have the same underlying reason behind their actions."

"You really don't trust the Agor top management."

Noah couldn't help but complain, but she quickly reacted.

"Or perhaps you actually have more information channels than I thought... No, your attitude is unlikely to have any information channels among the upper echelons of Agor. You can't be asking Hai Si, right?"

"..."

"Okay, forget what I said. I was just guessing."

"Besides the discoveries I've already shared with Glacetia, I do know more hidden secrets, which compel me to be even more cautious about everything that has happened and is currently happening in Agor. However, this information is premature for Glacetia, and you have no right to know. I hope we can focus our limited time on more effective matters, such as the channel plan."

Ulpian didn't explain anything, but from the moment of hesitation just now, Noah seemed to have got the answer.

"I know very little about the Passage Plan, perhaps even less than you do—why don't you tell me what you know first?"

"...That's fine. Information should be exchanged."