Arknights, but the sickly pretty girl starts

"...Damn it, you make it sound so easy. There's also that guy's spell at the entrance of Ludwig University, which can make the armor on the street jump up and do a breakdance - but does it make sense? Didn't Helinmart say that? That's not some random spell, it's a magic weapon that Herhunzoren developed throughout his life to defeat the most powerful enemy!"

A chuckle came from Herhunzollon himself. He certainly knew what it was. It was more like some kind of trophy of Herhunzollon than a weapon.

Because the so-called copy of the Golden Rule refers to the only change to the Golden Rule since the birth of the Leithanian Empire. Helhunzoron single-handedly challenged all the Leithanian sages of the past, all the masters of Originium who had infused their power into the construction of the Golden Rule. And he won.

Even now, Herhunzollon thinks it was a very meaningful victory.

The reason why Fremont was so angry was probably partly because part of this victory also belonged to him. At the beginning, Herhunzollon and Fremont worked together to rewrite this most complicated and sophisticated technique in human history. They removed Syracuse's voice without affecting the use of other voices. This was not a simple division. The difficulty was that the heart could be removed from the human body while keeping the other parts alive.

"It's actually something like this..." Noah felt a little numb, "Shouldn't this kind of thing be kept in the capital?"

"...Originally, it was supposed to be kept in the Twin Towers, but the knowledge that the copy was in the Elector's possession was not to be shared with anyone else. The original plan was to keep it secret..." Brant added, "But... word eventually leaked. We're still investigating who leaked it."

"Hmph, investigate, investigate! By the time you find out, it'll be too late." Frémont fumed. He was already furious about Gerhard taking Black Key away today, so he smoked to relieve his anger. Unexpectedly, this would add fuel to his fire. "What the hell is today?"

"In addition to reporting this incident, we're also looking for your student, Gerhard Hoffmann. He was once the Witch King's musician, but later betrayed him and became your student. He's probably the person who knows the Golden Rule best besides the Witch King and you. We hope to get his help," Viviana said again. "I know you're angry, but the most important thing right now is to find the person involved. We need help."

"—Oh, you guys are here just in time." Frémont laughed in anger. "Just a while ago, he ran away from me with Herhunzollon's great-grandson."

"What did you say?!" At this point, even Brandt, who had been standing at attention and being scolded, couldn't hold it in any longer. "Mr. Gerhard and... that person's great-grandson ran away together?"

"Why are you reacting so strongly?" Frémont frowned. "Although this guy's actions were a bit reckless, they shouldn't cause such a big reaction from you, right?"

"...No, you don't understand. Part of the reason we're looking for Mr. Hoffman is because he's likely to be targeted by the Witch King's remnants!" Viviana explained quickly. "The Witch King's remnants killed my father and two others who participated in the coup d'état twenty-three years ago. We suspect their next target will be Mr. Hoffman!"

"Can you please explain your purpose clearly in one go? Is it necessary to explain your purpose three times?!" This time, Frémont was dumbfounded. "Gerhard is involved with the remnants of the Witch King? Those guys who experimented on Herhunzoren's great-grandson now want to get their hands on the Golden Rule?!"

"Probably..." Noah, who had been listening for a long time, finally understood the whole picture. The Witch King's Echo targeted all those who participated in the coup, and Gerhard, as a warlock who betrayed the Witch King and also understood the Golden Rule, was naturally likely to become their target. And now... he was still with Black Key, a traitor to the Witch King, and the Witch King's great-grandson. It would be strange if the Witch King's Echo did not hunt them down.

"Actually, at first, I didn't expect there would be so many connections..." Viviana was a little embarrassed. "We really only came here because there's a pipe organ..."

Viviana and Brent pieced everything together bit by bit on the way. After arriving here, they saw a tower with a giant organ structure, which was related to the technique used to attack the Baron. After arriving here, Brent integrated everything. The attacks of the Echoes of the Witch King during this period had a pattern. The targets of the attacks were basically people related to the night of the Witch King's fall, and Gerhard was one of them.

After putting the Golden Rule, Gerhard, and the Witch King's death together, they decided to come see Flemont.

Although their idea was correct, they were late.

"Don't worry, Master. We may not be on the defensive." Noah could only speak at this time, "Before I left, I set a tracking spell on Black Key. Although it was just a precaution at first, I never thought it would actually work one day."

Noah had sensed Gerhard's strange mood swings before, and to be on the safe side, she'd naturally made some backup plans. This had become a habit for her: always having a backup plan, never letting herself be at a disadvantage. And this time, her backup plan had worked.

"Well, Viviana, come with me to find Mr. Black Key. Master, please hold your ground for now. I'll contact you if anything arises. After all, the situation isn't critical enough for you to intervene. As for Mr. Brant... you go back and report to Her Majesty the Queen. According to the beacon I left behind, they probably haven't left the academy yet. It's most important to seal off the academy and prevent them from escaping."

Noah didn't use a tone of command, only a tone of inquiry. However, Viviana would naturally listen to Noah and nodded immediately to show that she understood the situation. Although Brandt wanted to say something at first, after Viviana nodded, he could only sigh and said, "You all should be careful. I will report first, and then immediately have the military police seal off the academy."

Although Noah did not have the authority to command, the method she proposed was indeed the best solution at the moment, and Brandt could not think of a better solution.

If he had to say anything, it was probably because he was worried about Viviana's safety. However, at this moment, sealing the academy was the most important thing. Only he, as a Golden Rule Guardian, had the authority and say to do so. After all, most people didn't even know Viviana, the new Elector, but his armor spoke for itself.

To make the best judgment in such a short time...should I say that he is worthy of being someone the Queen values?

Brent couldn't help but wonder.

After Brandt left, Noah looked at Frémont. From Frémont's reaction, it could be seen that he really couldn't act at will. He must have been restrained by something, or there was pressure from the Queen.

So now only she and Viviana can take action, but she is still very curious... why Master Fremont let Gerhard go at that time.

Frémont had no explanation then, and now...

Seeing that Fremont still had no intention of explaining, Noah could only look away regretfully.

"Let's go, Viviana, now... we probably don't have much time."

Chapter 39: Three-party Calculation

Viviana is not stupid. She has been thinking about what kind of situation she has gotten herself into.

She always thought that Noah came to Leithania for vacation and didn't want to get involved in anything, so she took the initiative to stay away from Noah and chose to investigate the case herself, but accidents again and again made her a little uncertain. If she thought it was just bad luck that got Noah involved, then now, she doesn't think so anymore. It's obviously not a coincidence that Noah has been at the center of the incident.

If going to the concert hall to confront Arturo was a coincidence, and if appearing in Ludwig's Tower was also a coincidence, then could the tracking spell set on Mr. Black Key, the great-grandson of the Witch King, really be summarized as cautious?

Did Noah take on some kind of responsibility again without knowing it?

She peeked at Noah's profile. Her expression was not much different from usual, except that it was a little more urgent. Viviana didn't know when she started to have trouble understanding the girl in front of her.

It seemed that since a certain day, Miss Noya had often been in an elusive state. Viviana felt somewhat uneasy. She felt like a complete outsider, unable to help Miss Noya at all. Even now that she had become the Elector, this feeling of powerlessness still followed her like a shadow. She always felt a sense of crisis of being left behind. It was just like when she had gone to Casimir alone...

This feeling of loneliness drove her to try to do something, to prove something, but whether it was Brand, Korra, or even Noah, they all seemed to be trying to keep her away from the real truth. They were all protecting her with good intentions. Viviana could understand, but understanding did not mean accepting. She was no longer the little girl hiding in the attic, she was the Elector of Leithania, the Candle Knight of Casimir, and she had the ability to protect herself.

So, she finally took the initiative to reach out and hold Noah's hand. This action made Noah look back at Viviana in surprise, but Viviana did not avoid Noah's sight, but walked up to him and spoke.

"Ms. Noah, I don't know what your purpose is, or if you're hiding something from me... I believe you have no ill intentions, and certainly don't want to hurt me. However, we are friends, and we've always been friends. From the first day we met, I've always admired you, and I've always had... trust in you. I didn't quite understand the source of this trust at first, but now it's very clear..."

Viviana's words were very sincere. Noah could feel the emotional fluctuations coming from Viviana. It seemed that this girl had made some kind of decision.

Or perhaps she had already made up her mind, but she had been ignoring the other party's awareness.

"Ms. Noah, I hope to be your strength. Just like you saved me from my own solitude in Casimir, I also want to... help you in some way." Viviana squeezed Noah's hand, firmly, as if she wanted to pour out everything she had. "Please don't abandon me. Please don't keep me away from everything for my own good. I can't continue to be that little girl in the attic, powerless. I've already lost my father and my mother, and I can't lose you again. You are so important to me—even more important than Letania. I hope to be your strength."

At this point, Viviana felt a little relieved. She had finally told Miss Noah all her feelings. But the next moment, she became uneasy again. Would her sudden confession bother Miss Noah?

But no matter what, she always has to muster up her courage. She is a knight, a warrior. She will not miss her mother like her father, so she does not want to miss Noah either.

She wanted to shoulder Noah's responsibilities, to be her strength, and to act for Noah. Her previous shyness had prevented her from saying these words, but now, she had to muster up the courage.

"What can I do, Miss Noah?"

"...Viviana." Noah was certainly not unmoved. "...Okay, I did hide some things from you, but please believe me, these are just my private matters...so I didn't plan to tell you at first."

"...Please tell me, I want to know."

Looking into Viviana's eyes, Noah knew that she was serious. If she continued to hide it from her at this time, it would not be for her own good. It had come to this point... She didn't want to hide it from Viviana anymore.

"I'm here to look for my parents," she began. "During my investigation, I discovered that my parents disappeared in Leithnia. I said I was here for vacation, but more fundamentally, I'm here to find my parents' whereabouts."

"Your parents?" Viviana was indeed surprised. "But I remember your parents have already been confirmed..."

"Long-term disappearances are considered deaths, but that doesn't mean they're truly dead," Noah explained. "It's hard to explain in detail, but my parents must have participated in an exploration of another world, which our master calls the subspace. They disappeared after entering the subspace. And it wasn't just them, Margaret's parents also disappeared in the same incident. The only clue I have now is the subspace—"

"Subspace?" Viviana was a little confused by the term, after all, this was her first time encountering it. So Noah explained.

"The so-called Warp is a projection of the real material world. While it's not accurate, you can also think of it as a world in a mirror," Noah offered an analogy. "But time, space, and matter in that world are all in chaos, making it extremely dangerous for ordinary people. According to records, aside from my master, Mr. Fremont, whom you just met, and His Excellency the Sorcerer King... few people know anything about it. Of course, the Twin Queens certainly know something about the Warp, and my parents and Margaret's parents were also involved for some reason. I believe there must be a greater secret..."

"So, Miss Noah, what are your plans?" Viviana understood Noah's motives, but although she knew the cause, she still couldn't grasp the current situation.

"I...actually I don't know the specific situation very well, but I do have some guesses, including the plans of the Witch King Echo." Now that Noah has said this, she will naturally not hide anything. She and Herhunzoren had discussed it before and studied the various actions of the Witch King Echo, including the reason for taking away the copy of the Golden Rule. Soon, the two came to a conclusion. If the purpose of the Witch King Echo is really to return the Witch King to the world, then there is only one way.

Subspace——

Time in the Warp is discontinuous. In other words, the Sorcerer King Herhomzoren, who was confirmed dead in material space, could possibly still be alive in the Warp. These remnants of the Sorcerer King may have discovered certain secrets of the Warp he studied from various records, and are attempting to retrieve historical fragments of the Sorcerer King from the Warp, bring them into the real world, or perhaps... acquire the Sorcerer King's power.

Although there is a Herhunzoren in Noah's mind, in fact, the essence of this Witch King is a personality with the characteristics of the Witch King that Noah rebuilt through the echoes of the mortal world. In other words, although the Witch King in Noah's mind has independent consciousness and almost all the knowledge and power of the Witch King, in essence, he is just a shadow, not the Witch King himself.

But the silhouette in the subspace is the real me...

After all, it was something that existed in a small world opened up by the Witch King in the subspace. It was no longer something of the same level as the aftereffect. Theoretically speaking, it was the Witch King himself in a certain period of time.

So the question is, how does the Echo of the Sorcerer King locate the silhouette of the Sorcerer King from the Warp? This isn't some Heroic Spirit summoning technique, something you can summon with just a relic. This requires a very sophisticated sorcerer, something that ordinary people simply can't achieve.

So… if someone really wants to resurrect the Witch King, his abilities must be extraordinary, and secondly, he must have a deep understanding of the Witch King himself.

That eliminated a significant number of candidates. Now, Noah's suspicions were limited to three. The first was naturally Gerhard, the sorcerer who had met the Witch King and served under him during his time, only to betray him. It was for this reason that she held back, placing a tracking spell on Black Key. Secondly, there were the Twin Queens. These two had killed the Witch King himself, and they were among those who knew him best. If any of them were seeking to seize his power or inheritance, they were very likely the ones orchestrating the entire situation.

Then the third...

Noah paused. In fact, the third candidate was Noah's own idea, and she didn't want to think that way...but since it was just speculation, she naturally had to pick out all the suspicious people.

"Third, the person who knows the Witch King and the Golden Rule best, and who has some knowledge of the Warp..." Noah sighed, "That's Mr. Fremont. He has the ability and the motivation to do this..."

This is also one of the reasons why Noah did not let Fremont get involved. She was suspicious of Fremont's behavior.

From a rational point of view, Noah's speculation is very complete, and even Viviana can't find any fault with it. However, because she doesn't know much about the subspace itself, she can't draw any conclusions. But as a warlock, she also has new ideas because of Noah's speculation.

"...Ms. Noah, is it possible...that you guessed it all correctly?"

"Ok?"

"Ms. Noah, you are not a warlock in the traditional sense. You may not understand me very well, but I... or rather, I have received a special education in the Leitania model, so I can think... that the warlock's pursuit of power is endless. The three suspects you mentioned may have done something corresponding." Viviana explained. She had received a complete warlock education in the Leitania model, and she knew how much a warlock would pay for power.

Whether it's the Queen, Mr. Frémont, or Mr. Gerhard, they all have a sorcerer's background. Although I don't think Mr. Frémont was involved, he may have allowed certain things to happen...

allow?

Noah blinked, as if he figured something out.

If you think about it this way, Gerhard's actions may have taken place with Frémont's acquiescence, and the Twin Queens are unlikely to be completely unaware of it... At least one of them is definitely involved. Although the three parties may have acted for their own purposes, different purposes do not mean that the three parties cannot cooperate. In other words, they may choose to allow certain things to happen in order to obtain greater benefits.

Indeed, Noah's thinking is limited by herself, and she would not do this, so she did not think about the complexity of people. It is very likely that the three parties have different goals, but the process before they want to achieve their goals is likely to be the same.

Then... the goals of the three parties are likely to be focused on the [Witch King].

Speaking of which, when he brought the Black Key to Ludwig's Tower, Fremont took the initiative to leave the scene in order to look for something. But in fact, the warlock was in his own tower. If he wanted something, he could ask Gerhard or Noah for help. He could even use magic to achieve the purpose of taking things from a distance. But he didn't do so. Instead, he left the room on his own, as if giving Gerhard a chance.

Seeing this opportunity, Gerhard naturally chose to send Noah away and then kidnap Black Key... But why did Black Key return to this place?

Noah's thoughts have become clearer...

The main reason why Black Key wanted to come back must be because of the Gemini Queen. If someone from the Gemini Queen didn't want Black Key to return to Trilinterme, he would not have been able to enter.

"That's right. The Twin Queens asked Black Key to return to Trilinterme. In order to resolve the issue of the echoes of the world in his head, Black Key would inevitably seek the help of Mr. Fremont, who knows the echoes of the world best. Gerhard, who is by Mr. Fremont's side, is naturally the easiest to contact Black Key. So from the very beginning, it was Mr. Black Key who joined the game..."

Mr. Black Key is a bit pitiful for being able to make three parties plot against him together... But Mr. Fremont's feelings are real. He has no ill will towards Mr. Black Key, and the same goes for Mr. Gerhard. Therefore, this action will most likely not harm Mr. Black Key himself... Their goal will eventually fall on the Witch King.

"Thank you, Viviana. Your speculation is very important to me." Noah thought everything through and finally found some patterns in this chaotic context.

"I am lucky to be able to help you."

Chapter 40: Advent

The entire college was blocked off, and the students who were originally studying in the college were also controlled. They had no idea what was going on. They only knew that the gendarmerie suddenly rushed into this sacred campus and controlled them all. There was panic, anxiety, and rumors everywhere. This had never happened before in Lugvid University.

"What's going on? I saw a bunch of military police surrounding the Sonata Tower!"

"Haven't you heard yet? It's the remnants of the Witch King! They're hiding in our school, researching those harmful spells! What a horrible thing! We didn't even notice it before!"

"I... can't believe it. Could it be that the military police are lying? Her Majesty has long disliked our school and is looking for a reason to destroy Ludwig University..."

"How dare you question Her Majesty the Queen?! I see, you were also influenced by the remnants of the Witch King, right? No, maybe it was you who lured them to the school, and you became one of them!"

"How could you slander me like this? We've lived in the same dormitory since we started school. During the summer vacation, I even brought you back to my lakeside estate..."

"Haha, how many things in that beautiful manor were the rewards your grandmother plundered during the time of the Witch King?"

"Are those magic crystals in the basement used to observe natural disasters made from the ashes of the infected?"

"What did you say? Just curse me, but don't bring up my grandmother! She was once the most powerful Scourge scholar in the Envard region. She died for Leitania on the battlefield north of Shi Tong Territory!"

"My eyes!!! I'm going to find the military police and the Queen's Voice to expose you and your family!"

"You damned... remnant of the Witch King...!"

"What about you? You idiot who climbed here by climbing the skirts of the Twin Queens. If you hadn't stood on the right side twenty-three years ago, your family would still be boatmen picking up nobles!"

"What do you know... What do you know about respecting knowledge? You don't even know which musical instrument is suitable for which banquet..."

"I knew you looked down on me! Come on, let's duel!"

Suspicion, suspicion, and panic spread throughout Ludwig University, turning it into a chaotic mess. A chain of suspicion spread throughout everyone, and everyone viewed each other as remnants of the Witch King. Panic had swallowed up their reason. Although the military police controlled all entrances and exits, prohibiting everyone from leaving Ludwig University, the feelings of the students under lockdown were beyond their control.

Coupled with the previous terrorist attack on the concert hall, the panic of these students is understandable. Today's Ludwig University has entered a state of chaos. The barriers between nobles and commoners, which were originally buried, have now been magnified without limit, and have even led to mutual hostility and fighting.

Flemont stood on the tower, looking at the chaos below, smoking silently.

We worked hard for hundreds of years to finally gain the right for commoners and nobles to sit in the same classroom. However, the gap between the nobles and commoners has never been completely resolved.

At the beginning, everything that Herhunzollen and he had talked about fell apart before his eyes, and he couldn't help but begin to doubt whether what he insisted on really had any meaning.

Maybe... I really have stayed in Leitania for too long...

Firelight, ice crystals, strange energy balls, frantic flower beds, upside-down fountains... all the Originium techniques taught in class intertwined at the same moment.

The students were in a panic, attacking, blaming, and doubting each other. For these people, small things that were once tolerated were now magnified infinitely. Even without Arturo's music, all this would still happen. If Arturo knew this in prison, he would probably laugh out loud.

Chaos? No, this is reality...

People always have to face their true selves at some point.

With a loud rumble, a scurrying stone figure knocked over the signpost. The gleaming emblem of Ludwig University tumbled into the dust.

Gerhard saw all of this, of course, but he didn't say anything, not even his expression changed.

Franz, on the other hand, noticed the chaos below. "I think I heard some fighting on the ground. Is it the remnants of the Witch King and the people in the school fighting?"

"You are too weak. Let others fight this battle first." Gerhard remained calm. There were no remnants of the Witch King. It was just the intensified conflict between a group of feudal remnants and the common people. He was no longer surprised.