Arknights, but the sickly pretty girl starts

"He is not you!" Ulpian growled, his eyes filled with cold determination, "I will kill Him, just like I should have done! If you are still there, give me a signal... let me know you are still there!" His voice was heavy and firm, and every word seemed to carry a heavy responsibility and mission.

Skadi struggled violently, but her movements grew weaker under Ulpian's iron grip. Her eyes gradually grew empty, as if some strength was leaving her. Ulpian could sense her vitality draining away at an alarming rate. If this continued, he would end her life himself, losing her completely.

Just as Ulpian was struggling, a familiar light suddenly flashed in Skadi's eyes. It was a look that Ulpian knew well, a look that truly belonged to her. For a brief moment, as if something had awakened in the darkness, her hand gently lifted and touched Ulpian's wrist.

"...Captain...Captain..."

"..." That's not her, Ulpian said in his heart, but when he heard the captain's words, he still hesitated. "You are not her..."

"…Why…why can't I be her?"

Sure enough, a smile appeared on that face.

"--Those are fragments of your past. Now, they all belong to me. Therefore, I am Skadi."

——I am——Skadi.

-

It was unknown how long it had passed before Godetia woke up from her slumber. After being pushed out of the nest by Skadi, they followed the ocean current away from the beacon. Perhaps because they were far away from the signal source, their vitality was gradually awakened and they gradually woke up from their slumber.

"...Skate..." Gloria clutched her head, the sleepiness still lingering, but she knew it was no longer time to sleep. So, she drew her weapon and stabbed her palm hard, where it wouldn't interfere with the fight. The pain awakened her nerves, and she finally woke up completely. Immediately, she grabbed Laurentina beside her, "Wake up, Shark!"

"...Captain?" Laurentina was pushed awake. They were already far away from the beacon and would not fall asleep again, but Skadi did not leave the nest...she was still there.

"Captain! Skadi!"

"I'll get her out. Just be patient." Laurentina determined the direction. The beacon's signal had previously hypnotized her without her knowledge, so she wouldn't be so easily fooled now. Gloria confirmed her direction and immediately activated her communicator, signaling Miriam.

"Operation failed, there's a problem with the beacon. Repeat—Operation failed, shut down the beacon signal. Shut down the beacon signal."

——…

...Something happened to Miriam.

Gladia quickly figured out the reason. Sure enough, someone had tampered with the beacon's programming—and that person was probably Brandus, the man who had performed the surgery. Damn it, she shouldn't have trusted him the moment she realized he'd tampered with their gel.

If anything happened to Skadi, she would definitely take Brandus's head off with her own hands.

"Transfer to Archon Miriam's meditation room line—" After thinking for a moment, Gloria moved to the inside line, and this time, the opponent finally responded.

—Gladiya!? Are you okay?

"It's a long story. What happened to Miriam? The signal has been lost," Gloria inquired. "I need your help in shutting down the beacon tower. We need to get my team back."

"...I'm so sorry, Gloria." Clemenza's tone was a little lost. "I just received news that the beacon tower's instructions have been locked by the Supreme Archon... No one can stop the channel plan, not even someone with my authority..."

"...Supreme Archon..." There was only one person worthy of that title. Gloria couldn't help but tighten her grip on the communicator. "Is it her?"

"……Yes."

"...I'm going to go find Skadi first. I'll come back as soon as I find her." After weighing the pros and cons, Gloria decided to go get her teammates first. "Clemensa, after everything is over, I need an explanation."

"I understand... I wish you good luck." Clemenza was no longer able to stop Gloria from doing anything. After confirming that the beacon tower could not be shut down, everything was irreversible.

She is the governor of Agor, but at the same time, she is also a friend of Goletia and the lord of Miliarum. She must do something. She must take control of the current situation and minimize the losses.

"Recall all fleets, pass on my orders, activate the flagship's main guns—aim at the beacon!"

If the beacon tower was destroyed, she would most likely be dismissed for damaging an important strategic unit, but she had no choice.

She didn't even dare to think about what would happen to Miriam if there was no way to shut down the beacon tower.

She really didn't have much courage, but she was now carrying the fate of a city on her shoulders.

She is no longer allowed to be cowardly!

"I will take full responsibility if everything is irreversible! Destroy the beacon tower!"

Chapter 67: Defense of Miliarum

The water was icy cold, a chill like death seeping into every inch of her skin. Gloria's face paled, her lips slightly pursed, her brow furrowed in a veil of anxiety. She and Laurentina navigated the pitch-black waters, each second a race against time. Laurentina followed closely behind her, their movements swift and coordinated, like a pair of beasts hunting in the darkness, sharp and silent.

"Skadi..." Goletia whispered softly, her breathing rapid, the image of Skadi constantly floating in her mind. Every breath felt like a deep scar carved into her heart. Laurentina looked at her, a hint of unease in her eyes. They had to prepare for the worst.

When they finally approached Nest 38, the sight before them made Gloria pause, as if struck by a heavy blow. The outer walls of the nest were shattered and shattered, like a lacerated wound, revealing the darkness and chaos within. The floating debris drifted in the murky waters like a silent scream. The jellyfish-like sea creatures that had been hovering around the nest now scattered, as if terrified of the chaos.

Laurentina's eyes widened, her fingers unconsciously clenched around her weapon, and she lowered her voice: "What... happened here? Who would be here..." Her tone was full of disbelief, and her eyes scanned the surroundings nervously, appearing extremely alert.

"Let's go in and take a look." Gloria gritted her teeth, then she slowly approached the entrance of the nest. The silence around her seemed to swallow them up, causing her to quicken her pace.

The damage inside the lair was even more severe. Deep scratches marked the surrounding walls, as if ruthlessly torn apart by immense force. Metal wreckage and twisted fragments of equipment lay scattered across the ground, and the air was filled with a chilling atmosphere, as if death had once lingered here.

"It was a battle... and a fierce one at that." Gloria crouched down slowly, her gaze fixed on the wreckage of the destroyed beacon. She reached out, her fingertips gently touching the shattered metal. It felt cold and sharp, as if the aftermath of the battle had still not dissipated.

"The beacon...it's been destroyed." Laurentina stood behind her, a hint of disbelief in her eyes. "Was it Ulpian?" she whispered, as if she couldn't believe what she was saying.

"Only he... could cause such damage." Gloria raised her head, her eyes heavy, her tone filled with bitter helplessness. "He's been here, that's right." She slowly stood up, her hands subconsciously clenched into fists, her knuckles turning white from the force.

Laurentina looked at the devastation around her, feeling a surge of unease. "Skadi...will she..." She tried to continue, but her voice grew hoarse, as if something was stuck in her throat.

Goletia's expression darkened. She took a deep breath, a flicker of pain and confusion in her eyes. She knew Laurentina's worries and what she wanted to confirm, but she couldn't waver at this moment.

"We must trust Ulpian," Gloria said slowly. Although her voice was low and even a little labored, her tone remained rational. "The situation is out of control now. We must return to Miliarum immediately. We are needed there."

Laurentina nodded slightly. Although she was still anxious, she chose to trust Gloria's judgment. She knew they had to prioritize the greater situation and that Skadi's problem would have to be put aside for the time being.

Atop the beacon tower, the cold air was thick with tension, and Noya's face betrayed an unprecedented level of fatigue. Her hands tapped relentlessly on the console, her eyes etched with anxiety and helplessness. "Damn it..." she whispered, a flicker of resentment in her eyes. She had tried countless times, but the result was always the same. Every reaction from the system reminded her that her permissions were locked, preventing her from shutting down the beacon tower.

Amaya stood behind her, arms folded, her gaze indifferently fixed on the towering building. Her lips curled up slightly, a hint of mockery in her voice. "How sad, Noa. You humans are always so self-righteous, believing you can control everything. Even if there are some clear-headed people among you who want to make amends, they will be stopped by the foolish." She laughed softly, her voice as icy as ice and thick with regret.

Noya didn't turn around, her lips pursed tightly together, her brow furrowing even deeper. She knew the sting in Amaya's words, but now was not the time to argue. She didn't have time to waste on pointless arguments; everything depended on her next decision.

"Don't you think I understand?" Noya's voice was low, filled with suppressed anger. "Heratia, she should have known the beacon had been tampered with, yet she still refused to let go. This isn't arrogance, this is... madness."

Amaya raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of contempt in her eyes. "Perhaps, but that's also human. The only lesson humans have learned from history is that they never learn." She stepped forward and stood beside Noya, her gaze turning to Miriam in the distance.

Noah paused, slowly turned his head, and looked directly into Amaya's eyes. Her gaze was filled with a complex mix of anger, confusion, and exhaustion. "Are you saying we should give up everything and surrender to Haisi?"

Amaya smiled softly and shook her head. "No, Noa, I never asked you to surrender. In fact, sometimes I even find your persistence... admirable." There was a hint of mocking tenderness in her voice, as if mocking the coexistence of human foolishness and bravery.

Noya took a deep breath and wiped the sweat from her forehead. She didn't argue with Amaya anymore, but turned and picked up the communicator. "Clemenza, how are you doing?" There was a hint of urgency in her voice.

On the other end of the communicator, Clemenza's voice was a little tired, but she remained calm. "Noa, I tried, but I couldn't unlock the beacon. Helatia's order is the highest authority, and no one can interfere."

Noah gritted his teeth, fists clenched at his sides. "What the hell is she thinking? Doesn't she understand that this will put Miriam in a desperate situation?"

"I don't understand either." Clemenza's voice was filled with a hint of helplessness, but she quickly regained her composure. "Noya, we've activated the flagship's main guns and are targeting the beacon. If we can't stop the beacon's operation, we'll have no choice but to destroy it."

Noah was startled, then frowned. "Clemensa, do you understand the consequences of doing this? The beacon tower is a vital facility in Agor. Destroying it will only lead to the complete failure of the channel plan. Clemensa might even be held responsible."

Clemenza was silent for a moment on the other end of the communicator. Then, her voice was remarkably firm: "I understand, but compared to the survival of the entire city, I have no choice."

Noya's breathing quickened, her anxiety instantly magnified. She clenched the communicator in her hand and said through gritted teeth, "I understand, but we have to find a better solution."

Amaya had been standing nearby, listening to their conversation and chuckled softly.

"I must praise this commander. At least, she was very courageous in making such a decision."

"Perhaps you're right. Humans never learn from their mistakes and repeat them again and again." Noah turned and looked at Amaya, "But there will always be someone who steps forward to clean up the mess for humanity."

At this time, Noah finally calmed down. She has always been good at adjusting her mentality. If it were not for this ability to adjust, she would have become a regret in history in the various crises in the past.

"I'm going to at least do...what I can do..."

Beneath the surface, a vast swarm of sea monsters swept in like a black tide, enveloping Mirialum. The city's outer walls trembled under the pressure of the water and the impact of the sea monsters, as if they would collapse at any moment. Mirialum was now on high alert. Every defensive post was on edge, like a string stretched to its limit, ready to break at any moment. The protective membrane of the dome isolated the external seawater pressure, making the city seem to float in a giant bubble on the seabed. If this protective membrane were breached, Mirialum would be instantly swallowed by the merciless sea, becoming a vast underwater tomb.

Sikunda stood in the command center, her fingers sliding across the console. The screen displayed the defense system's weaknesses. Though her face was tense, her eyes were determined. Commands flowed out of her mouth in an orderly fashion, quickly distributed to the various defense units.

"Team Three, block the southeast corner; the pressure there is too great! Team Six, support the north! Remember, no damage to the dome!" Her voice was low, yet remarkably calm and powerful. Everyone knew that the key to holding this city wasn't just to stop Hai Si, but to prevent any damage to the dome.

“If the dome breaks, the whole city will become a huge fish tank.” Sikunda muttered to herself, with a hint of anxiety in her voice.

Every soldier understood this truth. The dome was Miriam's last barrier. If it collapsed, no one would be able to escape the oppression of the deep sea. The endless onslaught of the sea creatures put the Coast Guard under unprecedented pressure. This time, the number of sea creatures gathered was far greater than usual. Those silent shadows gradually surrounded the entire city, as if to engulf it completely.

"There are too many enemies!" A coast guard member's anxious voice came from the communication channel, and there was a hint of panic on the battlefield.

"Don't panic! Hold the line and wait for reinforcements." Xikunda responded without hesitation, with a calm and determined light in her eyes.

Their goal wasn't just to stop Hai Si, but to buy time, waiting for the fleets they had already dispatched to return, thus forming a two-pronged attack. Miliarum was now like a stranded warship: sturdy yet incredibly fragile. Any mistake would crumble the defenses, creating an opening for Hai Si to exploit.

However, even as the defenses were being maintained, signals of chaos within the city reached Xikunda's ears. The sewage system—a component usually overlooked by everyone—had unexpectedly become another avenue for Hai Si's breakthrough.

"The city's sewage system has been compromised! A Haisi has infiltrated through it!" Sikunda's expression darkened. She quickly pulled up a map of the sewage system, a red warning signal flashing across it. She realized the pressure on the front lines was already immense, and now the city's defense seemed even more pressing.

"Doctor, what do we do now? We have invaders." She immediately relayed the message to the doctor at the command center. The doctor was the temporary commander of this battle, granted full command authority by Clemenza. Although she came from land, all the soldiers in the Coast Guard must obey her orders at this moment.

The doctor stood before a massive tactical screen, her face calm, but her eyes etched with undisguised fatigue. Her sharp gaze quickly scanned the current battle situation. On the screen, red Haisi signals blanketed nearly the entire perimeter of the city, while the internal sewage system began to flash numerous warnings.

"Send the mace to patrol the city and kill any enemy on sight." The doctor gave the order in a deep voice, without a trace of hesitation. "Jordi will lead the residents to evacuation. Elini, you will come with me and guard the dome area."

Elene stood beside the doctor, nodded calmly, and quickly readied her weapon. Her knowledge of the sea creatures allowed her to make quick judgments and provide the doctor with real-time tactical advice. She knew that the battle now involved far more than a direct confrontation. The sea creatures were elusive creatures, always seeking out weaknesses in human defenses and exploiting them.

"Our primary objective now is to hold the line, minimize losses, and wait for the fleet to return." The doctor continued issuing orders, her hands manipulating the tactical screen, mobilizing the city's limited defensive resources. Despite the difficult situation, her command remained orderly, and every soldier was clear about their mission.

Following the order, the Coast Guard soldiers sprang into action. Under the Doctor's command, the first wave of the sea creatures' assault was successfully repelled. The dense swarm of sea creatures surged towards the defenses like a tide, and the soldiers, with their weapons and courage, built an impenetrable barrier. Explosions echoed muffledly in the seawater, and the battlefield was a sea of ​​fire and smoke.

"Hold on! Hold on!" Sikunda's voice echoed across the communication channel, inspiring every soldier. Her hands tightly gripped the edge of the command platform, a thin layer of sweat dripping from her forehead. Her mission was to maintain the defense of the entire city, and the difficulty of this task had exceeded her expectations.

But even under such pressure, the Hai Si still looked for opportunities to break through. Several Hai Si successfully broke through the defense line, rushing into the city like sharp arrows, and quickly infiltrating every corner of the city along the sewage system.

"Hai Si has entered the city!" The city's alarm rang out, and the chaotic sound reached the doctor's ears. Although the residents of the city had begun to take shelter, the sudden invasion still caught them off guard.

Mace received the Doctor's orders and quickly began patrolling the city. Her figure moved like a ghost through the shadows of the city, each swing of her weapon accurately slaying any infiltrating sea creatures. She wasn't adept at naval combat, but on land, she was an unmatched warrior. Every sea creature stood little chance against her.

Meanwhile, Jody was also moving swiftly, leading the residents to safety. A hint of anxiety crossed his face, but his steps remained steady. The evacuation corridor was crammed with panicked people, and Jody shouted, directing them to evacuate in an orderly manner. He knew that the more urgent the moment, the more important it was to remain calm.

"Don't panic, everyone! Line up in order and enter the shelter quickly!" His voice was unusually clear in the chaotic environment.

However, as critical as the situation was, the real threat had only just begun.

"Doctor, we've detected a massive sea attack on both the front and rear of the city!" Elini reported quickly, a flicker of unease in her eyes. On the screen, dense red dots represented an endless stream of sea attacks, like an endless tide, assaulting every corner of Miriam.

The doctor's face became increasingly stern. She knew that this battle was not just a simple defense. What they were facing might be an unprecedented all-out attack by Hai Si.

"Adjust the defense line and strengthen the defense of the sewage system." She quickly issued new orders, her eyes fixed on the screen, thinking about every next step in her mind.

"If we can't hold on during this period and wait for the fleet to return, then... Miriam will fall completely." The doctor muttered to himself, his fingers unconsciously clenched into fists, and a determined light flashed in his eyes.

Chapter 68: Gray Matter and Preservers

As the sea swarms into Miliarum through the sewer pipes, tensions rise within the city. Though anxious and concerned for Noya's safety, Mace, tasked with defending the city, is aware that only Clemenza knows Noya's true whereabouts. Noya's reluctance to reveal these secrets suggests she's headed for a place where force alone is unresolved. Mace understands Noya, knowing she always finds herself in the most dangerous places, shouldering the most difficult responsibilities. Despite her doubts, Mace has no other choice but to focus on the task at hand: protecting Jody as she evacuates the civilians and defeating the sea swarming the city.

Mace darted through the city streets, her twin maces slicing through the air in swift arcs. Her movements were so crisp and smooth that few, if any, could withstand a single blow. The dry air sluggished the sea, a circumstance in which the mace excelled. Each swing of her mace struck the sea's vital points with pinpoint accuracy, making her movements almost unnoticeable. Her gaze, sharp as an eagle, scanned the battlefield, ensuring no sea could penetrate her defenses.

"Jody, how's the progress?" Mace asked through the communicator while keeping a vigilant eye on the surroundings.

"Most of the citizens have evacuated to the shelters, and some who are slow to move are still being relocated." Jody's voice came from the communicator, with a hint of anxiety.

"Speed ​​up, the number of Hai Si is still increasing." Jian's tone was firm and calm. Her mission was very clear. Protecting the safety of citizens was her primary responsibility.

At this moment, the doctor's voice came through the communicator with a hint of urgency: "Mace, Jody, start the second phase of the mission immediately. The sewage pipes are being invaded by a large number of sea creatures, and we must go and stop them immediately."

Jian frowned slightly and responded quickly: "Understood, take action immediately."

Without hesitation, she immediately headed towards the sewage pipe. Although her abilities were limited in seawater, in the dry waters of Miliariam, her strength was fully utilized. No matter how strong Hai Si was, he couldn't stand against the mace's attack.

But, she is just a person after all, her mind has long drifted away, and she is still worried about Noah... Is Noah in danger now?

With this mood, the two maces in her hands became even more swift. Only after she solved the problems at hand could she be able to help Noah.

Meanwhile, Noya, atop the beacon tower, a look of deep exhaustion and anxiety on her face. She'd tried countless methods, but neither Clemenza's authority nor system manipulation could unlock the beacon tower. Helatia's orders were like an invisible chain, firmly controlling the tower's operations. No matter how hard Noya tried, she couldn't change this fact.

Amaya stood behind her, arms folded, a look of sympathy in her eyes. She sighed softly, a hint of helplessness and sarcasm in her voice: "Noya, you've tried very hard, even more resilient than I expected. Unfortunately, Helatia is a dictator, and she will never allow anyone to go against her plans."

Noya didn't look back, her hands still tapping away at the console. Her face was shrouded in fatigue, her brow furrowed, her eyes filled with resentment and despair. She knew Amaya's words had some truth, but she wouldn't give up so easily. She couldn't accept the people of Miriam being sacrificed in a power struggle.

"Was it worth it?" Amaya's voice was low, with a hint of confusion and indifference. "Noah, it was clearly their own choice to perish. Don't you think this is ridiculous?"

Noya suddenly stopped, her fists clenched tightly, her eyes blazing with fury and determination. She slowly turned and looked directly at Amaya, her voice thick with questioning, "What about the people of Miriam? Were they involved in this decision? They are innocent! They shouldn't have to pay the price for these power struggles!"

Amaya's gaze remained calm, as if she were observing a stubborn child. She shook her head gently, as if she felt a sense of helplessness at Noya's persistence. "Even if you have a lot of sympathy, it won't change this. Once the beacon is locked, it can't be stopped unless it's physically destroyed. You should know this. Noya, the best thing to do is to evacuate this area immediately and have Clemenza issue an artillery bombardment to destroy the beacon. Then, the Hai Si besieging the city will disperse, and everything will reach the so-called 'best outcome.'"

Noya gritted her teeth, a flicker of pain and helplessness in her eyes. She knew Amaya's words made sense, and physically destroying the beacon tower was indeed a solution. However, the cost was too high, and she couldn't accept such a simple and crude solution.

Amaya looked at Noah's silence, a faint smile curling up at the corner of her mouth, with a hint of mockery: "Humanity has chosen these things, chosen arrogance, and chosen to be enemies of nature. It has always been like this. Fate has given humans several chances, but they just gave up. You are afraid - Noah."

Noya's gaze became more determined, and her voice was low but full of power: "I'm not afraid of anything, I just... don't want to give up any hope."

Her voice echoed in the silent tower, carrying an invisible power. Amaya raised her eyebrows slightly, sighed softly, and a complex emotion flashed in her eyes.

"Noah, do you really think you can change anything?"

"As long as there is hope, I will never give up." Noah's brain was still thinking rapidly. She was thinking why Amaya seemed to have been encouraging her to destroy the beacon tower, and why she came here before her, as if she knew that this was the final key.