Arknights, but the sickly pretty girl starts

Although she wanted to use words in her usual way, her words seemed to have lost their original effect in front of Federico. Federico, who was so straightforward that people suspected that he was actually a robot in the appearance of a Sakota, seemed to avoid the White Queen's verbal temptation in a unique way.

"I understand. I will abide by the laws of Letania as much as possible—" Federico nodded. The two did not communicate much and ended the conversation quickly.

After Federico left the palace, the White Queen rested her chin on her hand, muttering to herself thoughtfully. "The Saint of Lateran, the traitor of Casimir, the wanted criminal of Lateran, and the bloodline of the Witch King, the illegitimate daughter of the Elector… Trilinterme hasn't been this bustling for ages."

"Isn't this just what you want?" At this moment, a voice rang out from beside her, on the side of the throne. "Lizelotte, you don't have to compromise for Rutland."

"This isn't a compromise." Liselotte shook her head. "This is just a warning."

"Oh?"

"I'm just warning this saint to be prudent and minimize any interference he might cause. You know, what we're dealing with now is much more difficult than a saint from Lateran."

"If he really comes back." Hildegard Helinmart, the Black Queen with various titles such as the deep black blade, "ruthless authority" and "black goat", said so. They overthrew the rule of the Witch King and opened up a new future for Leithania, but this did not mean that the troubles brought by the Witch King were over.

For these two people, this may have just begun.

As Federico emerged from the tower of the White Queen of Letania, sunlight streamed through the tall, arched windows, framing his slender figure. He didn't dwell on the conversation; to him, it was meaningless. Regardless of the White Queen's response, his goal remained clear: to capture Arturo Giallo, no matter where he might have fled to on Terra.

—Arturo…

He suddenly recalled some events in the past, or rather, things that happened when he was still a child.

Arturo is a musical genius, a talent she has shown since childhood. She can play the cello quite smoothly just through simple practice. At that time, she could be said to be the center of attention. She was well-known in the Lateran at a young age, and many people praised her performance for being "touching the soul."

As his sister, he had naturally heard Arturo's performance. At that time, the surrounding people, whether adults or children, were praising her performance.

It's so wonderful! Every time I listen to it, it reminds me of happy things!

Arturo would smile and say, "Hey, if you like it, I'll play a few more songs, right?"

But before playing the next piece, Arturo would often look at Federico and ask, "Federico—what kind of music do you want to hear?"

"I don't have any special ideas." Federico then was no different from now, and his response to Arturo's question was very calm. "Because it sounds the same, and because you play it well, sister."

Although he meant no harm and was being sincere in his praise, his overly cold words still made those around him unhappy. They were clearly siblings, yet they were completely different... Even though they were distant relatives, it wasn't unreasonable for others to lament this.

But the relationship between Federico and Arturo, at least at that time, was still very good.

After all, Federico was often taken care of by Arturo's parents. They attached great importance to Arturo's education and treated Federico equally. Although it was not nice to say this, Federico did think so at the time. Arturo had a perfect family.

When Federico was a child, because his parents had both passed away, he often stayed at Arturo's house, and Arturo's parents treated him as their own child. Whether it was playing with water guns or listening to bedtime stories, they were basically together.

And everything may have to start from a fable...

Federico remembered the name of the book... He walked down the street and passed by a bookstore. He caught a glimpse of three people buying books inside, and one of these books happened to be - [The Giant and the Silk Thread].

But compared to the book, he cares more about the person who bought it...

"Noah Kyrielight."

Casimir's wanted criminal is here too?

Federico subconsciously gripped the handle of the gun, not knowing if it revealed a hint of his presence. Mace, who was standing next to Noah, suddenly raised his head and looked in this direction. Their eyes met, and even the air seemed to stagnate.

After noticing Mace's vigilance, Noah followed Mace's gaze and saw Federico standing on the street, out of tune with the others.

Another Sakota?

Noah and Federico had never met each other. Although they both worked in Rhodes Island, even Noah could not know everyone on Rhodes Island - Federico happened to be outside this range.

Although he didn't know them, Noah didn't think it was a good thing for the two of them to be so murderous, so he took the initiative to pat the mace beside him and said, "We just got here, don't cause any trouble, it will be difficult for Viviana."

"...Okay." Jian nodded, his aura subdued, while Noah waved to the strange Sakota as a greeting. After instructing the clerk to pack up the books, he left the bookstore and approached Sakota.

"Hello, what can I do for you?" she asked politely. "I don't think I've met you before."

"I've seen you on the international wanted list," Federico said straight to the point. "At the execution center, we are obliged to review the international wanted list. Your name and portrait are on it. Although the hair color is different, I believe I'm not mistaken. You are Mr. Noah Kyrielight."

"...I see." Noah nodded. Casimir hadn't withdrawn his wanted notice yet, so it wasn't surprising that he'd found his name on the wanted list. "So, you want to arrest me?"

Federico was silent for a moment. He rarely saw anyone as cooperative as Noya. It was as if, with just a nod, Noya would automatically put on the handcuffs and follow him to deal with the wanted matter. But he quickly shook his head. "My mission isn't to arrest you."

"...I see." Noah breathed a sigh of relief. Although she didn't think there was anything wrong with the other party, it was still very troublesome to explain. It was better to have less trouble than more, and she didn't want to cause trouble for Viviana. However, she changed the subject. "In this case, it can be considered as fate. Since you already know my name, as a courtesy, you should also tell me your name?"

"...Indeed, my name is Federico Giallo, a legal professional executor of the Lateran Notary Office. I'm from Lateran, and I'm currently on the way to hunt down a fugitive." Federico confirmed Noya's statement and carefully reported his name and position. It didn't seem like he was introducing himself, but rather reporting his ID card. This made Noya wonder that if he asked him about more private matters, he would be able to answer him casually.

But she didn't have such a bad taste, and she didn't sense any malice towards Federico.

No... To be precise, what she felt from Federico was similar to what she felt from Arturo...

I met two Sakotas in Trilin Terme, and both of them had similar characteristics. Could this be a coincidence?

Noah couldn't help but feel a little confused, but Federico didn't intend to waste time. Although he confirmed that Noah was indeed Casimir's wanted criminal, Noah was not his target, so he didn't intend to waste time on Noah and spoke immediately.

"If there's nothing else, I'll leave first."

"Okay, Mr. Federico." Noah responded casually. Federico immediately turned around and left without any hesitation. At the moment he turned around and left, Noah noticed the small drone following him. Immediately, a voice sounded in her ears.

"Ok?"

"what happened?"

"...Nothing, I just think this drone..."

Precious curled his lips and appeared beside Noya, staring at Federico's departing back and the small drone behind him, and said thoughtfully.

"It's very similar to something I know..." she said, "but of course it's not this shell, but a certain quality, or... a certain feeling?"

"You're being too vague," Noah complained. "Could this thing be from your previous civilization?"

"Hard to say."

"?" Noya blinked. Precious was saying that this little drone on this Sakota was related to the technology of a previous civilization? And it wasn't just ordinary technology, otherwise she wouldn't have appeared at all, let alone communicate with him.

"If I'm not mistaken, this thing might be related to the [Heaven's Fulcrum]."

“…Heaven’s Fulcrum?”

Chapter 6: Surrender?

If Noah remembered correctly, the Heaven's Fulcrum seemed to be one of the previous civilization continuation plans, alongside the Deep Blue Tree, the Originium Project, and even the Preserver Project. It had never been mentioned before, and I didn't expect it to be mentioned here.

"You mean, that little drone?"

"I'm just guessing. I don't know the details." Precious shook his head. "I'm not deeply involved in the Heaven's Fulcrum project, so I don't know much about it. I just have this... feeling."

"...I see." Noah blinked. Although she was also curious about what the so-called Heaven's Fulcrum was, she knew that now was not the time to pursue this question. After arriving in Leithania, she had not been in a hurry to investigate her parents. After all, if it was so easy to find out, Noah would not have heard anything about her parents until now.

So far, the only clue she has is that her parents were involved in some kind of plan and came to Letania. As for what happened afterwards, Grandma Russell did not tell her, but just asked her to forget about it and live a good life.

Not only Russell, but even Herhunzollen remained silent when this matter was mentioned. If it is possible that Grandma Russell was unwilling to tell the truth because she was concerned about her situation, then the teacher's attitude is very interesting. He is different from Grandma Russell. The reason why he is unwilling to tell his own story is mostly because he has not yet reached the level to pursue the answer. After leaving Agor, Herhunzollen took the initiative to tell her that the time is ripe.

As for what the timing was... and why it was ripe at this time, he said nothing.

However, during her investigation, she heard something that concerned her...

"The echoes of Herhunzoren... the remnants of the Witch King?" Noya narrowed her eyes. From the stories she knew, there were always remnants of the Witch King. They called themselves the echoes of the Witch King, collecting scattered melodies related to him, convinced that these melodies held the treasures and power left behind by the Witch King—the echoes of the mortal world. And what impressed Noya most about this group of people was that her own disability was very likely related to them.

A considerable part of the Echoes of the Witch King are made up of the old nobles of Letania, that is, those who were left over from the time of the Witch King's rule. The second part is some young people who worship the Witch King. Their worship of the Witch King is deep in their bones. They try to overthrow the rule of the Twin Towers, but unlike ordinary traitors, their goal is not to subvert Letania, but to recreate the Letania of the Witch King's reign.

Although the Witch King is recognized as a tyrant, all Letanians have to admit that it was the Witch King who brought Letania to the peak. If there was no Witch King, Letania might have been ravaged by war like Gaul, or even destroyed. In addition, the Witch King himself has extremely strong strength and personal charm. Even though he became a tyrant, there are still many people who believe that the Witch King is right, and these people can easily be absorbed by the remnants of the Witch King.

The Echoes of the Witch King are composed of a group of young people who are dissatisfied with the status quo, and a group of old nobles who are obsessed with the glory of the Witch King's reign. There are also quite a few small groups among them, and the attack on Noah and Margaret was most likely planned by one of these small groups.

They were dissatisfied with the fall of the Witch King while the neighboring country of Casimir was flourishing. These people united with some people within Casimir who were dissatisfied with the current situation of Casimir and launched a surprise attack on Margaret Linguang and Noah Kyrielet. Originally, they wanted to kidnap the two, but Noah's performance at the time was beyond their expectations and she escaped from the encirclement they had set, which made their plan fail.

However, it was also because of this attack that Noah contracted oripathy, which started her miserable journey.

So it can be said that... the remnants of the Witch King are the culprits for Noah's suffering, and the cause of everything.

Before coming to this land, Noah had thought about how to deal with the grudge between herself and the remnants of the Witch King. However, at this point, it was impossible for her to eradicate the remnants of the Witch King by herself... But if she wanted to cooperate with Leithania, she also had her own concerns.

The attitudes of the Gemini Queens, the situation of the remaining Witch King's followers—there are too many uncertainties.

Although the remnants of the Witch King are her enemies, they are not her main concern. If the other party did not block her way, Noah would not bother to track them down. Or perhaps, she has already looked down on this clown organization that blindly chases the Witch King.

The most important thing in her mind is the whereabouts of her parents——

And to find their clues... Herhunzollon pointed out a clear way.

"Ludwig University... Is this the place you wanted me to go to, Professor?" Noya entered the university's gates, now dressed in student attire. Though she had long since graduated, she still looked at home in Leithnia's uniform. The Ludwig University uniform was beautiful, primarily dark black, with a cape lined with red. The black and red cloak, with its delicate patterned edges, added a touch of solemnity and elegance. A gold chain adorned the shoulders, complementing the star-shaped ornament on the chest, lending a sense of solemnity. Beneath the cape, a black shirt and light-colored bow tie, the slightly sheer inner layer exuded a touch of elegant aloofness. A dark, knee-length skirt, paired with black stockings and black high heels, gave her a calm and dignified look without exaggeration.

This dress looked perfectly at home on Noya, and even suited her perfectly. Initially, she'd considered what would happen if she got caught cross-dressing, but it seemed she'd been overthinking it. She walked around the school without arousing suspicion, and even after just a short walk, many students saluted her—perhaps mistaking her for a senior.

Noah could only smile gently and nod in response. She didn't breathe a sigh of relief until she arrived at the bottom of the teaching building.

In order to be less conspicuous, she even asked Jiandu to wait outside. She came here alone according to Herhunzollon's instructions - her destination was not this teaching building, but the towering tower behind it.

Ludwig Tower, the true core of this academy,

Ludwig University—she had seen the name in many books. The more recent ones… were publications on the most advanced theories of Originium arts. And the earliest ones were still spell scrolls inscribed with esoteric rituals. Its crest shone brightly in the history of Leithania's magic. It was Leithania's first university. Before Elector Ludwig established his tower as a "university," knowledge was locked away within the tower by power. But now… everything pertaining to magic and Originium arts was taught without distinction within this university. This university was undoubtedly the cornerstone of Leithania's establishment as a capital of magic.

And this tower has countless legends——

The most eye-catching of these is probably that the Witch King also spent decades in this tower to modify the Golden Rule. Here, the Witch King demonstrated his unique talent, separating Syracuse, which had separated from Leithania, from the voice of the Golden Rule and reshaping the Golden Rule itself.

She came here for this tower, or rather, for the man in the tower... He was Herhunzollon's teacher and close friend, the Lord of the Lich King's Court of the Sarkaz - Fremont. This old man came to Leithania a thousand years ago when the city had not yet been built, and lived in Ludwig's Tower for a long time to study knowledge. He was the only person Noah could contact who might know the whereabouts of her parents.

At least that's what my teacher said.

However, it is not so easy to enter this tower. Noah walked around the tower twice but couldn't find the entrance. She frowned and touched the wall of the tower tentatively. It would have been better if she hadn't touched it. The moment she touched the wall, a powerful repulsive force instantly blew Noah away. However, it was obvious that this magic was not lethal. Noah quickly adjusted her posture in mid-air and landed steadily.

This must be some kind of defensive spell. Noya felt the sensation of her hand against the wall. In a fraction of a second, she felt the flow of the spell. She knew it was confirming her eligibility to enter the tower. Apparently, without prior notice, she was considered an intruder and immediately kicked out. As expected of Leithnia, even entering the tower required a thorough examination of her spell-interpreting abilities.

Noah patted the dust off her body and approached the wall again. She stretched out her hand again, but this time she didn't touch it. Instead, she counted the wall with her fingers. The moment her fingers touched the wall, before the repulsion force had time to start, Noah moved her hand away. After confirming the starting mechanism of the repulsion force again, Noah already had a way to solve this mystery in her mind. In fact, it was not difficult. Before the repulsion force was activated, that is, within those few tenths of a second, it would be enough to destroy the spell within the detection period. Although the spell in the wall must have embedded protection, for Noah, or for the disciples of Herhunzolen, this degree of spell destruction is indeed not a difficult task.

So the next second, Noah pulled the shadow and actively penetrated into the wall, completely destroying the core of the technique in an almost strangling manner - then, the wall split to both sides, finally revealing the entrance.

This was just the first step, and Noah breathed a sigh of relief. This tower was obviously not that simple. Sure enough, when she took the first step tentatively into the tower, she immediately felt dizzy, as if she had been tumbled in a washing machine for more than ten times, which almost made Noah vomit. Fortunately, she reacted in time and supported herself with shadow magic. The next moment, several shadows turned into arrows, pierced into the ground, and swallowed up the dizziness spell in the steps.

——Isn’t it possible that there’s a trap at every step…

Noah found it a bit outrageous... Could there be magic in every place in this tower?

-

While Noah was breaking through the barriers step by step, Viviana was not idle either. After meeting Noah, she was called away by work shortly afterwards.

There is no way. After becoming an elector, many things are beyond my control. What's more, my identity was forcibly conferred by the Black Queen. Although I am called an elector, it is actually more like an [elector chosen by the emperor].

Fortunately, Kela at least made time for herself to meet Noah, but she had to leave Noah and return to work because this time, she was summoned personally by another queen.

When she arrived at the Twin Towers, Viviana looked at the two towers more than once. It was said that the queens crushed every brick and tile that might contain the witch-king's magic, and reassembled them to form the bones and blood of the Twin Queens' Towers.

The raw material of this twin tower is the [Horn of Origin], which is the tower of the Sorcerer King Herhomzoren.

One tower was torn down and two were built.

Two queens, sword and shield, majesty and grace.

One is a pitch-black goat, the other a pure white sheep.

They ended an era and rebuilt an era.

……

——Is that a song?

Viviana pricked up her ears and listened to the ballad. Obviously, it was a song praising the Gemini Queens, and the person singing it was a black-haired Sakota. At this moment, she was playing the cello in her arms, as if immersed in the music.

Viviana's attention was attracted by the singing, and the black-haired Sakota suddenly stopped playing - he looked at Viviana with a smile. His eyes reminded Viviana of her best friend, who also had such a pair of bewitching eyes that made people want to look at them a few more times.

"Hello, nice to meet you, Miss Viviana." The black-haired Sakota had impeccable etiquette. Holding a bow, she bowed and spoke.

"Do you know me? Did I interrupt your performance? I'm so sorry." Viviana was stunned at first, then thought she had interrupted the other person's performance. She said with some guilt, "You played very well, and the song you sang was beautiful, as moving as poetry."

"--No, no, no, I was just playing a song while waiting for you. It was an impromptu performance without any music score, and the lyrics were taken from a nursery rhyme." At this time, Arturo shook his head and stated his purpose bluntly.

"Wait for me?" Viviana was even more confused. "What exactly do you want to talk to me about?"

"—The Death of the Witch-King."

At this moment, the name that Arturo said made Viviana's pupils shrink slightly. This name... was the name of the painting in the case she was investigating.

However, the painting has never been published, and information about it is strictly restricted, making it impossible for irrelevant people to know about it. But Sakota in front of him said the name as if it were a joke.

"Who...are you?"

She became alert and put her hand on the hilt of the sword.

"—As you can see, I'm here to surrender."

"?"