Arknights, but the sickly pretty girl starts

The question is, what exactly threw the Void Relic into the Warp?

What exactly is this thing?

Why do these walnuts contain one core technology after another, allowing human civilization to advance almost at a rapid pace?

It's like some kind of civilization gift package...

No, a civilization gift pack?

Noah slapped her head. She had never thought about this before. The human civilization that advanced because of the Void Relics was almost like it was being forced to mature. Someone deliberately let human civilization pick up the Void Relics... allowing humans to grow rapidly to a level that they could not originally reach.

"...Void Relics... Could it be... left behind by a civilization destroyed by loggers in the past..."

Could it be that human civilization accidentally licked the bags of its teammates?

If this is true, then everything seems to explain why the Void Relics were fished out of the Subspace. Because of the nature of the Subspace, if the things thrown in can essentially maintain their own concept, they can gain eternal existence in the Subspace where there is no concept of time. It is simply a huge refrigerator. The things in this refrigerator can be preserved completely and will not be interfered with by anything unless someone can extract this concept from it.

Humans who can extract this concept have obtained this perfect gift package, shortening the technological progress of mankind.

So if that's true... the civilization that might have been destroyed by the loggers' attack obviously had technology that was unattainable even by previous civilizations, but before that, humans were targeted by the loggers first?

why?

What is the reason why humans are being targeted?

Possibilities emerged one after another, and were denied one after another, because the progress of the previous civilization might be comparable to that of the more ancient civilization.

unless……

"It wasn't just one civilization... that decided to send a message in a bottle into the Warp. Those walnuts, perhaps, weren't gifts at all. Instead, they were monuments... In desperation, they sealed their civilization and sent it into the Warp, like messages in bottles, conveying to the future the fact of their past existence."

No wonder the appearance of those walnuts varies so much. No wonder the technology inside is not continuous, and not even on the same technological line. Some walnuts can even cause disasters just by opening them.

In essence, it was a message in a bottle thrown out by countless civilizations before they were destroyed.

Just as the Originium of the previous civilization could pose a life-threatening threat to the Terra civilization, some advanced technologies of some civilizations could very well cause damage to the previous civilization.

If this is true... it will be a disaster that countless civilizations will not be able to survive.

Can the Terran civilization really survive?

The more she thought about it, the more desperate she became. Noah gritted her teeth, but she didn't think this was the result.

She should still have time... still have a chance.

If this is true, then... there should be countless remains of civilizations in the subspace.

"I will investigate the gaps in your memories. Before that... I hope we can work together. Since that destruction erased your memories and made you undetectable, destroying you would be easy. So—just like before, I believe our enemies are the same, and there's room for us to cooperate."

Noah took a deep breath, suppressed his inner anxiety, and spoke to the beast masters in front of him.

"And you also reminded me that perhaps we are not completely helpless."

Chapter 51: The Ceremony Begins

The feast continued. People sang and danced around the bonfire, welcoming the coming tomorrow. In their minds, tomorrow would be bright, festive, and joyous, making them want to dance and sing from the bottom of their hearts. Harold thought that perhaps he was the only one who couldn't imagine it that way. He suddenly felt a little cold. The last time he felt cold was when he first arrived in this land. He felt that he needed a bottle of wine, or more than one bottle.

"Harold, I've been waiting for you for ages, hiccup!" Seeing him in a daze, the enthusiastic Kjerag immediately stepped forward and hugged his neck with great force, but he didn't dislike the feeling. "If you don't come soon, I'll finish all the wine!"

"Hahaha, look at me! With all the good wine, how could I be missing out?" Harold wouldn't let on. Throughout her time as a noble, she'd long ago learned to conceal her emotions, to be two-faced, to say one thing in public and another behind the scenes. This was a fundamental skill of nobility, almost an instinctive reaction for the species. Just like how Liberi beasts can fly and pack animals can shed their fur. "Come on, come on, tonight, we won't leave until we're drunk!"

He had somewhat forgotten what he had done specifically.

Maybe he'd danced his homeland around a campfire? Or maybe he'd grabbed a hapless person and sang Kjerag's folk songs with him?

Oh, and he seemed to have a serious discussion with a railing about Kjerag's veterinary skills for a while.

How did he get out?

Never mind, who knows.

Anyway, he remembered the way back.

It was a long way from the banquet venue back to the barracks - he first had to walk along the lakeside path back to the central avenue. Along the way, he would meet many old people taking a walk after dinner, and also see children playing on the ice.

From here, the statue of Yelagunde can be seen in the distance. A dedicated viewing point has been set up along the road, where people always gather to pray to Yelagunde or take selfies. These two distinct lifestyles sometimes clash, but more often they coexist harmoniously, like so many things in this land. Next, he'll cross the increasingly bustling central avenue. He clearly remembers that several shops are no longer the same as when he first arrived in Kjerag.

In a small alley near the middle of the street, there's a restaurant he's recently come to love. He enjoys the cuisine's perfect blend of Victorian and Kjerag styles. The restaurant is owned by a young couple. The wife, a Kjerag native, met her lover while studying cooking in Victoria. They started a family and returned to Kjerag to run this small restaurant, hoping for a better life in this thriving land.

Then, he would cross an unfinished road through a forest. On a hillside overlooking the land, a stove had been built for him. The moment he stepped onto the soft earth from the edge of the road, he could clearly see that this country was still a long way from being developed. However, the tranquility of walking through the woods quickly overwhelmed this thought.

Although he still gets loud and noisy when he's with his old friends, he's recently been thinking back to his childhood more and more often. The evening breeze blew across the golden wheat fields, and the young boy ran carefree in them, as if he had no worries at all - no, he had no worries at all.

As he walked through the snow, as the silence enveloped him, he would realize that he was no longer young.

His return did not cause much commotion. The veterans had learned to enjoy life. Some drank, while others were addicted to the Beast of Prey blind boxes. He had already opened three identical sets, but there was no hidden edition. They had suspected several times that this was a conspiracy of Kalan Trade, because they would not leave Kjerag until they collected a hidden edition.

He walked to the back of the room, picked up the remote control, and kept changing the content of the projector.

Each sheet contained intelligence related to Kjerag: possible marching routes, locations of military bases, distribution of sentries, and investigations into the mountain snow ghosts. Within a week of his arrival in Kjerag, all this intelligence had been compiled and placed before him, but he repeatedly told himself to forget it, to the point where he had memorized most of it.

He threw away the remote control, grabbed the folding chair next to him, unfolded it, buried himself in it, and closed his eyes. Compared with maps and sand tables, he preferred to listen to the rustling sound of snow falling from the branches, which reminded him of the sound of wheat waves.

Finally someone noticed that something was wrong with him, but when he ran over to ask, he was stopped by the veterans nearby. It seemed that they knew better...that Harold needed to think now.

Things in the world are always the opposite of what one wants, just like his father always sternly asks him to leave the wheat field and go home to continue his training.

It's like a pipe handle with a piece missing from it.

Just like his broken leg will never come back.

"Hey……"

"...Boss, I'm coming over to use the stove, okay?"

"You're already here, do you still need to pretend to ask for my opinion?" Harold sneered. "Come closer, or you'll catch a cold."

"Haha... Boss, do you remember when we came here?"

"Last year, right? We haven't been here that long."

"Yes, last year. Why did I feel like... I've been here for several years."

"Because a monotonous life is unbearable for young people. But for people of our age, monotony is best. When we get old, we can't keep up with the changes of the times. There used to be a saying that the days pass by like years, but after our age, time seems to slow down..."

Harold sighed. He was old, his father gone, and he had his own family and children. The night he reconciled with his father, his aged appearance was still fresh in his memory. He spoke to himself weakly, rambling on about insignificant things. He was peeling an apple, something he was usually terrible at, often breaking the skin. But this time, strangely enough… he peeled it slowly and carefully, the skin drooping and curling around the edge of the porcelain plate in a gentle spiral—like a vine climbing an old wall in spring.

At that time, his heart was as calm as it is today. Alcohol did not destroy this inner peace, but made him more sober.

People always reconcile with many people. Those things that they don’t understand, those things that make their younger selves angry, when they are old, that passion will be extinguished, and they will eventually reach a reconciliation with everyone.

He was already a very lucky man, as some people couldn't even see their fathers for the last time. The war had brought him honor, but it had also taken away his brothers. Now, the old wounds left by the past war were also taking away his father.

If he could help it, he would never want to join the next war.

But the day after his father passed away, he received a transfer order that brought him to Kjerag...

At first, he'd assumed it would be the same as before. After all, a small nation like Kjerag couldn't compare to Victoria in terms of equipment, economy, or logistics. Their move to Kjerag was just the first step. Sooner or later, they would be engulfed in flames, burning everything in Kjerag. However, once he truly set foot on Kjerag's land, he found peace instead.

Here, he doesn't need to be a Viscount Victoria, nor does he need to consider so many aristocratic etiquette. All he needs to do is be himself, be Mr. Harold. Being an ordinary veterinarian is also a kind of healing for him.

"Boss, just tell me the truth, should we... take action?" At this time, the old soldier finally lost his patience. It was true that these old soldiers were not patient. Harold looked outside and saw that most of the people in the barracks were peeking over there. It seemed that they had sensed it a long time ago. After realizing that they were abnormal, they seemed to realize that something was wrong. Although they liked this place... they were soldiers, so as long as Harold gave an order, they would load their guns and do things they didn't like.

"Everyone, get back! Who said we were going to fight? No! Especially you, Lisbon. Put down your rifle. It keeps exploding. You're more of a threat to us than to Kjerag!" Harold laughed and quickly waved his hand, signaling everyone to lay down their weapons. "We won't fight. The Duke of Caster is at the banquet. If we do, won't we be holding him hostage?"

"...Who let you come in with such a sad face? I thought you had received orders." The soldier named Lisbon finally breathed a sigh of relief and put down the rifle in his hand. Of course, he had turned off the safety at the beginning so that it would not go off accidentally.

"Lisbon, after a month of rest, can you still hold your weapon?"

“…very heavy.”

"Charles, how are you?"

"...Ah, I almost forgot how to load my weapon, but I've gotten much better at flipping the ladle."

"We've all been soldiers for decades. If you can forget to load your gun, then I'd rather believe your pack animal can climb a tree."

"Pah, pah, what bullshit."

"Don't worry, old friends. I've figured it out. Victoria is no longer the Duke's world. Even if the Duke gives orders, we have no reason to obey! In Victoria now, there's only one voice we need to obey." Harold glanced at everyone in the military tent. "We must fight for Victoria, not for Victoria's Duke."

"For Victoria!" No one knew who started it, but the soldiers in the barracks seemed to be infected and shouted Victoria's name together.

"For Victoria!"

-

"Everyone, it's almost time." At this time, Yaer, who was in charge of hosting the venue, hurried back. After finishing the meeting there, Yaer and Noah teleported to the nearby area together. Noah also came to Margaret's side very naturally, and nodded to the mace next to Enthyotis from a distance. After the mace responded, Yaer's voice also attracted all the guests participating in the opening ceremony.

"The Saint Lady has arrived!"

Enya came on stage. Compared with the Enya in the past, the current Enya has more of a leadership temperament. Although her clothes have not changed much, her temperament and behavior reveal a subtle affinity. Although she is not mature enough, she is already developing in the best direction.

"Everyone." Her voice was transmitted to everyone's ears through the Originium technique. "It has been three years since Manjuyuan accepted the foreigners' belief in Yelagund."

"Kjerag's current development is inseparable from the hard work and dedication of all of you present here, and all the people of Kjerag. I believe you have all witnessed the changes in Kjerag over the past few years. We have already answered the challenge that Yelagund has placed upon his people, his children. And these three years are just the beginning."

She paused. Speaking in such an occasion was actually a challenge for her. She had revised the speech countless times, but she was still not satisfied. In the end, she had no choice but to go ahead and make half of it impromptu.

"In the future, we will face an even more complex situation than we have now, and Kjerag will also face more crises and challenges. However, I hope you will all believe that Yelagund will not abandon Kjerag's land, and Yelagund will certainly not abandon the people who live and love this land. This statue of Yelagund will be Kjerag's first symbol to the outside world. At the same time, it will become a symbol of faith for all who love and respect Yelagund. From now on, believers can pray to Yelagund here without having to go up to the holy mountain."

"I hope that devotion to Yelagund will not be formal."

"I believe that true faith is rooted in the heart of every Kjerag person."

"Now, please follow me, under the watchful gaze and witness of Yelagund, as we approach the holy image and pray for Yelagund's blessing upon Kjerag!"

"She's quite good at public speaking..." Noah commented to herself, "Could it be that Enchiodis helped her with the training?"

"I also heard your speech at Rhine Life, wasn't it the same?" Margaret teased with a smile. "How did you give your speech then? Did you also have a written speech?"

"No, they did prepare a speech for me, but I ended up writing it entirely on my own," Noah explained. "I borrowed a few techniques from famous speakers in the past, but that's all."

"Really? But that was known as the most exciting speech at Rhine Life." Margaret's smile was quite impressive, as if to show off her impressive Noah. "And, you're leaving this time because of something important, right?"

"...This matter..." Noya looked around and said in a thin voice, "It involves a giant beast and its master, so we can't let too many people know about it."

"I see." Margaret nodded. "Is it dangerous?"

"What's not dangerous?" Noah said with a smile, "I'm back now, aren't I?"

"--If I could go with you... No, I understand. In front of the giant beast... I should know my place."

"No, Margaret, it's enough for you to be by my side." Noah shook her head. "The reason I'm standing there and not retreating is because you're behind me. Only with you around can I have this courage."

Noah reached out and held Margaret's hand.

"Just like now—"

Chapter 52: Opening the Cards

When the banquet ended, Duke of Caister did not leave. She seemed to be waiting for someone, or rather, she was waiting for a certain result.

Ever since arriving in Kjerag, she'd sensed something was amiss. It wasn't that the Faceless Man had made any mistakes; on the contrary, he was doing things too well, so well that it aroused suspicion. Years of planning under Kjerag had given Duke Kast a deeper understanding of Kjerag than even the average Kjeragan. After all, she'd already deployed more than one pawn—including Enthiotis.

The reason why she supported Enthiotis in the first place was naturally partly to prepare for a rainy day. To her, kinship was really just a very small part. After all, at her level, there were countless people who wanted to be related to her. She had seen people like Enthiotis a long time ago, but why was Enthiotis successful?

To be honest, it was an intuition, an intuition that is hard to describe in words.

This intuition often helped her and helped him maintain his position in Victorian politics.

In Enthiotis's eyes, she saw a familiar shadow, or more precisely, an emotion she had witnessed in the past... Back then, when her brother faced their father, the emperor who had lived his entire life under the shadow of the legendary emperor who started the War of the Four Emperors, there was a similar emotion in his eyes. It was precisely because of this similarity that she agreed to Enthiotis - or rather, she wanted to see what kind of answer Enthiotis could give her.

In many ways, Enthiodis was very similar to his brother. Both young men had lofty ambitions, were equally intelligent, and even had a similar appearance. Enthiodis Shivaash also had the blood of the Victorian royal family flowing through his veins. Although they were distant relatives, the moment they met, she realized that he was indeed telling the truth.

Maybe some things really do run through blood—

For example, appearance, for example...ambition.

"Your Excellency the Duke." At this moment, Enthyotis appeared before her as she had expected, holding a glass of red wine and smiling as before. "Are you satisfied with today's banquet?"

"It's a good wine, worthy of your hard work... It's called Snowland Spring?" Duke Caister smiled in response. She was no longer young, but her smile held a unique charm. It was hard to imagine how beautiful Duke Caister must have been back then. Even now, she still possessed a certain allure. "If it's for this wine, I'd be happy to let you hold off for a while longer."

"Did we treat you poorly?"

"No, of course not. I can see Kjerag's sincerity towards us, but this kind of sincerity may not be what I need."

Duke Caister smiled, drank the wine on the table, and pointed the glass towards the banquet scene.

"Just as I saw, you built statues to worship an ethereal god. I thought you'd surprise me after arriving in Kjerag, but instead, I saw the same thing—" There was a sneer on her face, as if she were teasing Enthiodis. "You should be thankful I came to Kjerag this way. If I hadn't come with our Lord Speaker, you would have seen an army."

"...If you intend to go to war with Kjerag, we will certainly not sit idly by and wait for death." Enthiotis remained calm. "But I'm curious why you told me this. If you're going to go to war, wouldn't you have been better off launching a surprise attack?"

"...When did you think Victoria needed a sneak attack to crush an ant?" Duke Caister shook his head. "Do you think I don't know what you're doing? Those weapons and parts you smuggled into Kjerag—do you really think your intelligence is flawless? Tell me, Enthiotis, where did you get the blueprints for the high-speed battleship?"