Arknights, but the sickly pretty girl starts

He looked at Maritus, his doubts growing stronger. These changes in the sea didn't just happen out of thin air. Where did they learn this? Who was guiding them on this evolutionary path? A bold and terrifying hypothesis emerged in his mind.

"This... doesn't seem like something that can be accomplished in a short period of time." Ulpian's voice was low, his eyes filled with serious alertness. "What did you... get from her?"

Maritus remained silent, but Ulpian noticed a subtle admiration in his gaze. Clearly, he was pleased with Ulpian's perceptiveness. Ulpian had already guessed part of the truth, a truth far more complex and profound than he had imagined.

Maritus finally spoke, his voice tinged with mystery, as if he was enjoying the secret that was about to be revealed: "You are indeed a clever hunter, Ulpian."

His words didn't directly answer Ulpian's question, but they implicitly confirmed Ulpian's suspicions. It was Noa Kyrielight who had guided the evolution of the Sea Si. This former ally had now become a crucial factor in the evolution of Sea Si civilization.

Ulpian's heart sank. Noa Kyrielight... what role had she played in this whole process? Was her sacrifice more than simply protecting Miriam? Or had she already been influenced by the power of the Kaiji, even actively participating in their evolution?

Just as Ulpian was trying to make sense of it all, Maritus smiled and interrupted his thoughts: "Don't worry, Ulpian, the truth will soon be revealed."

As he finished speaking, the silent beacon suddenly lit up, emitting a faint, soft glow. The light flickered in the darkness like a firefly, appearing and disappearing, as if conveying some kind of message. Ulpian tensed instantly, his body subconsciously entering combat mode, and the anchor in his hand trembled slightly.

However, what followed was not the signal for battle, but something unexpected - music.

A beautiful piece of music slowly emanated from the beacon tower, seemingly traversing endless time and space, drifting across this underwater world with an indescribable melody. The music wasn't just a simple sound, but a deeply refined movement, accompanied by a faint glow, slowly seeping into every corner.

Ulpian's expression shifted slightly. Although he had experienced countless battles in his life, at this moment, he felt not tension or oppression, but a strange tranquility. This tranquility did not come from relaxation, but from a deeper feeling of emotion.

That is the power of music. It penetrates the darkness of the seabed and the barrier between the sea and humans, as if connecting the two together.

"This is..." There was a hint of disbelief in Ulpian's voice. He had never thought that at such a moment, such a beautiful melody would be heard in Hai Si's nest.

"This is a piece of music—a piece of music she created." Maritus' voice rang out again, almost reverently. "Noa Kyrielight... She is not only the guide of the Sea Heir's evolution, she is also the conductor of this great symphony."

Ulpian's pupils narrowed slightly. He had never imagined that Noah would have such a profound influence in such a field. Music, this pure and elegant art form, had become an integral part of the evolution of Haisi civilization, and all of this was because of Noah.

The beacon's light grew brighter, and the music reached its climax. Each note seemed to carry endless emotion, resonating in the dark underwater space. Ulpian felt something deeply stirred in his heart, a power he had never felt in his many years as a deep-sea hunter.

This wasn't just a battle, nor was it just a struggle for survival. It was a higher level of existence, a spiritual pursuit that transcended the material world. And Noya was the bridge that connected Haisi to this pursuit.

Maritus closed his eyes slightly, as if savoring the beauty of the music. His voice softly echoed in the air, carrying an inexpressible depth: "You think the Haisi are just monsters, ignorant creatures, unable to understand what you call civilization and art. But in truth, art and beauty have never belonged to any one race. It is a resonance of the universe, and Noa has simply found the melody that connects you and the Haisi."

"Do you understand, Ulpian? Hai Si wasn't forced into the Great Trench by you. Rather, we can gain more here—it was Hai Si who voluntarily gave up most of the ocean."

written request for leave

Yesterday I accidentally set the wrong update time and sent out the saved draft.

In that case, I might as well take a day off. I'm actually updating two books lately, but the other one isn't doing so well, so I don't think it'll be released. Of course, it all depends on the situation.

I will try my best to finish it after it is put on the shelves, and it will not be as completely backstabbed as the previous one.

By the way, this book seems to have successfully backstabbed Zhou. The Unicorn is really the Grand Duke of Victoria, and similar to the Black Snake, he is the Protector of the Country.

Hehe, I'm pretty good.

Chapter 78: Love, Death and Haisi

As the beacon's music faded, Ulpian's heart felt heavy. He still held the four-clawed anchor tightly, but the urgency now stemmed not just from the enemy before him, but from a deeper crisis. This silent symphony had brought about a complex situation he had never anticipated.

After a moment's silence, Ulpian finally asked, his tone filled with barely suppressed doubt and anger: "This music... What did Noya do? What did she do to Haisi?"

Maritus didn't rush to answer, as if savoring the scene before him. After a few seconds, he said softly, "You shouldn't just focus on appearances, Ulpian. Noa's music is just the beginning. She has unintentionally done far more than you can imagine."

Ulpian narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing a hint of danger. "What are you talking about? You're saying Noah changed them, but what exactly is that change? You'd better explain it clearly."

Maritus smiled slightly, his tentacles fluttering casually, and his tone was a little playful. "She didn't need to do it intentionally, Ulpian. After Noya and the Hai Si coexisted, her emotions, memories, thoughts—everything about her—slowly merged into the Great Trench. This was not her choice, but a kind of...natural resonance. The Hai Si are beings that can imitate and absorb, and now they are learning everything about Noya."

Ulpian's face darkened. He gripped the anchor tightly and whispered, "Learning... emotions? Is that what you mean?"

Maritus chuckled softly, his voice echoing in the deep sea. "Yes, the sea creatures have never possessed emotions. They rely solely on instinct to survive, but Noya brought something different—she showed them no longer just how to survive, but... how to exist."

Ulpian's brow furrowed deeply, his thoughts in disarray. He instinctively retorted, "Existence? She's not here to change Haisi, and she wouldn't have taken the initiative to do these things."

"You're right," Maritus nodded, his tone becoming increasingly mysterious. "She certainly didn't do it intentionally. This change is more like... a gradual process. Her existence and her emotions have silently merged with the collective consciousness of the Haisi. The Haisi don't understand human concepts like love, pain, and sacrifice, but now—they are imitating her emotions and even trying to understand them."

Ulpian's fist trembled slightly, and with it came a deep unease, not anger. Hai Si mimicking emotions—what would that mean for all of Agor? If these monsters learned the complex emotions of humans... he could hardly imagine what would happen next.

"This isn't simple imitation," Ulpian whispered, a mixture of shock and confusion in his tone. "The Haisi are learning incredibly quickly... and they've already changed their behavior."

Maritus' voice deepened, a faint smile lingering in his voice. "They're not just imitating, they're transforming. Noya has inadvertently become their mentor. Her every emotional fluctuation, every memory, is influencing this vast trench and changing every one of its members. She has uploaded her inner thoughts to this world, and the members are learning from her emotions and her thoughts. They're gradually moving towards true wisdom."

"So, this is your purpose?" Ulpian looked at Maritus coldly, his voice unable to suppress the anger, "You are using Noya to turn her into Haisi's tool?"

"Tool? No, Ulpian, you still don't understand." Maritus's tone suddenly became deeper, as if stating some irreversible fact. "Noya isn't a tool, she's a bridge. She connects you and the Haisi, showing them a world you can't understand. And the Haisi—they're no longer the monsters you see. They're becoming a brand new existence, just like you humans, with their own thoughts and emotions."

Ulpian's eyes were icy, the doubts in his heart becoming increasingly difficult to resolve. "You want to tell me that the Haisi have become sentient, intelligent creatures? That's impossible. Their essence is still invaders and destroyers!"

"Haha, invaders?" Maritus smiled slightly, his voice tinged with mockery. "You only see one side of them, and never consider why they act the way they do. They are simply learning how to survive, and you humans have only given them war and hostility. But Noa has given them something different."

Ulpian's heart was filled with anxiety. He had heard these words before, but coming from Maritus, they carried a far more disturbing meaning.

Haisi is like a student of human beings. Whatever humans have, Haisi will have too. It’s just a matter of time to learn.

Students always surpass their teachers, don't they?

In fact, Ulpian had already understood everything, but he would never agree with Maritus's statement, nor would he approve of it.

The Haisi are indeed learning from humans, but they are definitely not good students. They have learned the bad habits of humans, but have not learned what humans should learn. Although Noah seems to have given the Haisi a tutoring now, it is not enough - if it is just like this, there will still be no room for maneuver for humans and the Haisi.

Such is the blood feud—

"Ulpian, have you ever thought that you claim to be the guardians of civilization and look upon these beings called monsters, but among the destroyers of the ecology, you humans...are also the best?" As if he had already sensed Ulpian's thoughts, Maritus' voice was coldly blunt, as if laying the most untouchable facts nakedly before Ulpian.

Ulpian frowned. He had certainly heard these arguments before, but hearing them from someone like Maritus made his heart feel heavy.

"What are you trying to say?" Ulpian's voice was filled with suppressed anger, as he remained steadfast in his position as a deep-sea hunter. "Are you defending these monsters? Human civilization far surpasses them, that's undeniable."

Maritus smiled softly, as if he had anticipated such a response. He raised a transparent tentacle and gently waved it. His voice seemed to come from the distant stars: "You humans have indeed built a glorious civilization, but at what cost? You destroy forests, pollute the oceans, and plunder nature. Is all this more just than the Sea Si? You never stop expanding, and you never question your actions. And the Sea Si—they are simply surviving, Ulpian. They are simply imitating everything you do."

Ulpian fell silent. He couldn't deny Maritus's words. Though filled with hostility towards the Sea Si, as a deep-sea hunter, he knew that the Agor's expansion and struggles had never ceased. The ocean's resources had long been overexploited, and the Deep Sea Church's power wasn't simply malicious, but a continuation of survival and development.

"Are you saying that there's no difference between the behavior of humans and Hai Si?" Ulpian asked coldly, trying to get the conversation back on track.

"Difference?" Maritus's laughter was tinged with sarcasm. "You are just standing on different standpoints. Your human civilization claims to be the ruler of the ecology, but have you ever considered that you are actually part of the ecosystem? Have you ever destroyed less things and sacrificed more lives than Hai Si? If you think Hai Si is an invader, then what role do you humans play?"

Ulpian's fists trembled slightly, the rage in his heart barely contained. Every word Maritus said was like a cold knife cutting through the position he had always held, forcing him to face a truth he had never been willing to admit.

"You are making excuses for Hai Si." Ulpian whispered, but this argument seemed so fragile and powerless to Maritus.

Maritus remained silent, seemingly chuckling. "I'm not defending Hai Si, Ulpian. I'm simply exposing a fact—you humans are no more righteous or noble than Hai Si. You both fight for survival and expansion. The only difference is that you stand on the side of humanity, while I stand on the side of Hai Si. Neither is nobler than the other, and there is no right or wrong between us."

Ulpian took a deep breath. Although he still couldn't fully agree with Maritus's statement, he knew that Maritus was right. Humanity's destruction of the ocean and nature was indeed similar to the invasion of the Sea Si.

Yet, he remained steadfast in his convictions, his voice low but filled with determination: "Even so, my duty is to protect the Agor, to protect our civilization. I don't need to understand their actions from the perspective of the Hai Si. They are a threat, and they must be stopped, no matter what."

Maritus's eyes still held a mysterious smile. "Perhaps you're right, Ulpian. But remember, this war isn't just yours. Noa has changed the Haisi, and the Haisi may be heading towards their own path of civilization. You humans may not be able to stay out of this evolution. Ulpian, you should understand that there's no right or wrong in this world, only positions."

Maritus' smile gradually faded, his tentacles swayed gently, and he even made a very human gesture of pushing up his glasses.

He had no intention of persuading Ulpian, nor did he ever intend to change the deep-sea hunter's unwavering convictions. In truth, Maritus had long understood that no matter what he said, Ulpian would not be easily swayed. His duties as a deep-sea hunter had determined his stance from the outset. Regardless of whether Ulpian agreed with the evolution of the Sea Si, Maritus knew this man's will would never yield easily.

"I don't expect you to understand or accept all this, Ulpian." Maritus' voice was low again, with a hint of elusiveness. His tentacles swayed gently again, as if the ocean currents were silently telling Hai Si's fate. "In fact, even I never expected Noa's influence on Hai Si to be so profound."

Ulpian stared coldly at Maritus, his inner vigilance undiminished. His hand remained firmly gripped on the anchor, his expression unwavering. He knew this strange sage was more than just a contemplative figure on the surface; beneath the surface, Maritus was constantly manipulating something.

"What do you want to say?" Ulpian asked, trying to find the key clues from Maritus' words.

"It's simple." Maritus' voice remained calm, yet held a certain hidden power. "Noa Kyrielight—what she did was more than a simple sacrifice. She not only changed herself, but also subtly altered the entire population structure of the Sea Si. Her existence has been deeply embedded in the collective consciousness of the Sea Si, becoming the core driving force of their evolution."

Ulpian's heart trembled, his brow furrowed slightly. He had already vaguely sensed Noa's influence from various signs, but Maritus' words made it all seem even more incredible.

"In my opinion, you're simply exploiting Noya," Ulpian said coldly. "She wouldn't teach you these things on her own initiative. You're simply using her to achieve your own evolution."

"Whether she's used or not is no longer important." Maritus's gaze was as deep as the stars in the darkness. "Noya's emotions, memories, and thoughts have somehow seeped into the collective consciousness of the Haisi. She didn't intentionally change them, but she has unknowingly become an object of their imitation and learning. The Haisi have never stopped their pursuit of survival, but Noya has given them a goal beyond survival."

Ulpian was silent for a moment, then murmured, "A poor imitation."

"Perhaps." Maritus' voice carried a hint of calm acceptance. "But Noya's existence has steered the Haisi's fate in a different direction. Originally, they were forced to become the ecological disaster they are today because of the hunting and oppression of you, Agor. The Haisi's violence was simply a struggle for survival. But Noya has given them another possibility. Her emotions and her memories are subtly rectifying the chaos and reshaping them."

Ulpian's eyes grew even colder. He didn't entirely agree with Maritus's argument, but he couldn't ignore its truth. The Hai Si had once been a threat to Agor, but now, they were being led in an unknown direction. Perhaps Noa's sacrifice wasn't simply to protect Miriam, but rather to inadvertently implant a part of himself into this collective consciousness.

"Is this what you call 'setting things right'?" Ulpian asked with a cold tone.

Maritus smiled faintly, his eyes as deep as the sea. "Yes, Ulpian. The evolution of the Sea Si was originally suppressed by madness and fear. Now, Noa is guiding them towards a more rational, even wise, path. This is not the result I foresaw, but I gladly accept these changes."

Ulpian's heart surged again. Noah had inadvertently altered this race, and yet Maritus, the self-proclaimed sage, had accepted it all with equanimity. The Haisi's evolution had far surpassed Agor's expectations, and all this stemmed from Noah's unconscious influence on them.

Ulpian's fist trembled slightly. He had realized that the enemy in front of him was no longer just a simple Hai Si, but a being that was rebuilding itself and even evolving into a civilization.

Chapter 79: Time Passes, Death Remains

Just as Ulpian's thoughts were still unraveling, Maritus suddenly raised his hand, as if silently summoning something. With his movement, the surrounding water trembled slightly, as if the entire seabed were responding to his call. Then, a slender figure slowly emerged from the shadows and gradually stepped into Ulpian's sight.

At first, Ulpian thought she was just an ordinary Agor, perhaps a follower lurking around Maritus. But when she fully revealed herself, Ulpian's heart seemed to suddenly stop.

She was a seemingly ordinary girl, delicate and youthful, her skin radiating a healthy glow, her eyes shone with a sense of innocence and innocence. Judging solely by her appearance, she looked almost indistinguishable from an Agor, or even a human. However, Ulpian's long battles with the Hai Si instantly triggered a warning bell within him—she was not human, not even an Agor.

He subconsciously tightened his grip on the anchor, his brow furrowing slightly. This incredible shock made it impossible for him to ignore the facts before him. The girl's aura carried a subtle strangeness—the aura of a sea heir. Although she looked indistinguishable from a human, her essence was still that of a sea heir.

"This is impossible..." Ulpian muttered to himself, his gaze fixed on the girl, as if trying to discern something from her appearance. She looked so harmless, like an ordinary girl just entering the world. But Ulpian knew she was Haisi, and her existence was beyond his previous understanding.

Maritus's voice softly rang out, breaking Ulpian's shock. "Surprised, Ulpian? Do you think that the Sea Si can only be those ugly, dangerous monsters? Do you think that they can only prove their existence through destruction and ruin? Then, perhaps now is the time to re-evaluate your understanding."

Ulpian's eyes were filled with mixed emotions. He couldn't connect the girl before him with those hideous, terrifying sea creatures, but he couldn't ignore the aura of sea creatures in her. Was this the evolution of sea creatures? Or had Noa's influence been so profound that they were already beginning to change in the direction of humans?

"She..." Ulpian's voice was filled with a hint of disbelief, "She looks... no different from us."

Maritus smiled slightly, a smile that seemed to carry a certain all-knowing meaning. "Yes, Ulpian. She has almost completely transformed into a human. Her appearance, her behavior, and even her thoughts are gradually becoming more human. And all of this is the change brought about by Noa."

The change in appearance was obviously more shocking than Maritus's empty words that Hai Si had begun to transform into a human. Ulpian, who saw it all with his own eyes, had to admit it.

Maritus did not lie...

Maritus looked at the girl with satisfaction, as if admiring his own masterpiece. This was the change that Noah had given to Hai Si, and it was also the [variable] he hoped to see.

——Yes, variables.

Because of the creature Haisi's terrifying learning ability, in Maritus's opinion, Haisi's form depends on the environment it wants to adapt to. Previously, it turned into a biological disaster for the purpose of survival and continuation, and now it has turned into a human form because of Noah's teachings. In his opinion, this is all an adaptation, but compared to before, Haisi chose to evolve convergently with humans.

Maritus was of course happy to see this scene. He even felt a little regretful that he should have set his target on Noah Kyrielight from the very beginning.

But it’s not too late now, fate always stands on the side of the wise.

The girl's gaze shifted gently toward Ulpian, a hint of curiosity and innocence in her eyes. Her face held no hostility, as if she were truly a newborn, filled with innocent curiosity about the deep-sea hunter before her. However, the murderous aura emanating from Ulpian deterred the newborn from approaching.

"She can't speak yet," Maritus said casually, "her consciousness hasn't fully formed. But her existence is proof that the Haisi are evolving, moving beyond what you consider a mere ecological disaster and towards becoming intelligent creatures."

Ulpian gripped the anchor tightly, his eyes filled with barely concealed shock and anger. He couldn't accept this fact—the Sea Si had evolved to this point, even beginning to mimic and become closer to humans. What did this mean? It meant they weren't just a biological threat, but a completely new species, one with thoughts, consciousness, and even emotions.

"If you deep-sea hunters continue to treat them as simple monsters," Maritus said with a hint of subtle mockery, "then perhaps, in the end, you will be the ones who are truly eliminated."

Maritus' words made Ulpian's face darken. "That doesn't mean they can truly understand humans. Imitation is just imitation after all."

"Do you really believe that? Or are you simply denying the answer you've given yourself?" Maritus's gaze was calm, as if he were observing a slowly progressing experiment. He gently waved his hand, signaling Ulpian to relax. "You shouldn't deceive yourself. You should trust your own eyes and the answers you've come to. Haisi is no longer a threat to Agor."

Ulpian clenched the four-clawed anchor, his heart restless. He finally spoke, his voice icy, "You want me to believe that Haisi has become an intelligent being like humans? And that he intends to reconcile with Agor?"

"Maybe?" Maritus chuckled softly, her voice carrying an indescribable weight. "But I don't think this can be considered a reconciliation. Instead, I think the Haisi have just accepted these changes. They need time to consider the possibility of coexisting with humans. They simply intend to cease hostilities with you."

Ulpian frowned and whispered, "Ceasefire? Do you think a ceasefire can be accomplished so simply by saying it?"

Maritus's eyes flickered slightly, and he slowly shook his head. "No, Ulpian, I'm not begging you, nor am I pleading for Haisi. It's just that this is also an opportunity for Agor. You can be a qualified teacher. Haisi is trying to understand humans and try to get closer to them. However, they have learned beauty and kindness from Noya, but what about Agor? What can they learn? Destruction and ruin? Or peace and understanding? It's up to you to decide."

"...Noya has left me with a huge dilemma." Ulpian suddenly understood what Maritus meant. Yes, Haisi had been changed by Noya, but Agor's attitude would determine Haisi's future. If Agor used violence against Haisi, Haisi would retaliate in order to survive.

"So, I said, I'm not begging you, nor am I pleading for mercy. This is an opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You can teach Hai Si peace and tolerance. You can even teach Hai Si what love and humanity are. They are simply imitating what Noah conveyed. Whether they can become good teachers will determine the outcome of the next hundred years."

A complex emotion flashed in Ulpian's eyes. He pondered for a moment and said, "So they imitate Noya's emotions, but they don't understand their meaning. They just copy them, without understanding what they are doing."

"Yes." Maritus nodded gently, a subtle admiration in his eyes. "Noya brings them precisely these contradictory emotions. They won't fully understand, but they are learning and exploring. And this exploration is the beginning of evolution. Haisi will no longer be satisfied with just survival. They will seek more—including what you call love, even if it is just an illusion."

Ulpian gripped the anchor tightly in his hand. He was silent for a moment, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes. "You don't seem to think this is the wrong direction."

Maritus smiled faintly, his voice like an echo from the deep sea: "Right and wrong are merely differences in perspective. Human love has made you the creators of civilization, but it has also cost you an immeasurable price. Your world is beautiful because of love, but it is also broken by love. The sea creatures cannot learn to love, but they will find their own path. We are merely witnesses."

Ulpian's face remained expressionless, but the turmoil within him was unstoppable. Maritus before him seemed to stand at the crossroads of history; his calm and resolute demeanor made him uneasy. Ulpian knew this wasn't just a conversation, but a prophecy foreshadowing the future.

Maritus's gaze fell on the innocent and naive Haisi girl. His voice rang out again, calm and powerful: "There's nothing wrong with evolution, Ulpian. The future of the Haisi has already begun. They won't remain in their past forms, just as you, the Agors, are no longer the same as you were thousands of years ago. Time will tell, and they will forge their own path."

Ulpian stared at him coldly, the anchor he held tightly trembling slightly. He knew that Maritus had said everything he wanted to say - these words carried an irreversible sense of fate, as if they were a dividing line in history, and Maritus stood at this dividing line, witnessing everything that happened.

"Do you think this is the right future?" Ulpian's voice was cold, but the doubts in his heart made his words a little unstable.

"Right?" Maritus's gaze shifted from the girl to Ulpian, his eyes as deep as the seabed. "Right or wrong has never been what I pursue. I simply bear witness, witnessing how all this unfolds. Noya's sacrifice allowed Haisi to take the first step towards becoming a 'human.' As for how things develop from here—time will tell."

Ulpian didn't respond, his heart awash with mixed emotions. Noa's sacrifice had not only changed Hai Si, but it might also have shaken Agor's centuries-old understanding of Hai Si. He hated to admit it, but the facts before him left him no room for rebuttal.

Maritus' voice was as deep as the tide, yet it held undeniable power. "You too will witness this, Ulpian. No matter what the fate of Haisi and humanity, you will stand on this line and bear witness to the end with me."