Arknights: Studying medicine can't save Terra

The surrounding lights dimmed, and he squinted, looking ahead.

It was an industrial zone, quite large, also part of Dosoles, yet seemingly isolated from the bustling city behind it.

"At this hour, there are still workers at work." Jie was somewhat surprised.

Even though the lights in the industrial zone are much dimmer than in the bustling city streets, the factories are clearly still in operation.

No sooner had Jie finished speaking than a large group of workers emerged from the gate of a factory.

The three doctors stood on the street, watching the group of workers walk past them, their conversation reaching their ears.

"I'm exhausted, but I made a lot of money today. I'm going to go to the casino and have a good time. I have to win back the money I lost before."

"Going to the casino is not as good as betting on the recent Triathlon Grand Prix. I have high hopes for a team. Although they are not outstanding, I have a feeling that they may be the dark horse."

"What are you gambling for? I think you guys haven't lost enough yet. Why don't you come with me for drinks, get drunk, and then go to sleep? You still have to come back to work the next day."

The sound of their conversation gradually faded into the distance.

Jie frowned, puzzled, and asked, "Don't they save any money?"

"It might be local customs and traditions," the doctor said casually. "Or it could be deliberately misled consumer attitudes."

When people are living a life of pleasure and indulgence, they won't have any wild thoughts and will be very honest.

Some people are happy to see this, as it reassures them because these people have forgotten what resistance means.

Jie's eyes widened slightly: "You mean... Candela?"

But according to what you said before, Candela shouldn't care about these people's lives or deaths, so why would she do this?

This time, the doctor did not answer him.

The man, who always wore a black overcoat and hid himself under the hood, stood on the dimly lit roadside, silently raising his head.

He gazed at the starry sky above, lost in his own thoughts.

Mostima shoved the clothes he had specially chosen into Fiameta's hands and then pushed her into the fitting room.

After doing all that, she turned around to look for Ya'er and found Ya'er staring blankly at a piece of clothing.

"You don't seem very interested."

Mostima walked over and said.

“Qi Yan already said on our way to Dosoles that I am a god.” Ya’er put the clothes back on the hanger and smiled. “These things are hard to interest me.”

Mostima nodded, indicating that he understood.

Her little devil tail swayed gently behind her, and she suddenly asked curiously:

"I also have a guy with me, but he has a bad temper, and there are some questions I can't get answers from him."

Could you please help me answer this?

“Of course.” Ya’er’s blue lips curved slightly upward, her tone gentle.

Mostima seemed somewhat excited and asked:

How do you view us mere mortals?

Ya'er wasn't surprised by the question, and with a slight smile, she pointed to the street outside the clothing store:

"A group of creatures that can walk, talk, and think, you always make decisions that amaze us and create interpersonal relationships that we don't understand."

Take this city for example. It's just another community like Shelag, yet the difference between it and Shelag is so vast.

When I founded Sherag, I used my power to protect it from natural disasters, so they lived together for survival.

But this city is different. They live together in pursuit of fleeting pleasures, even if those pleasures are built on the sacrifice and death of others. People are endlessly drawn to this. I'm curious, so I've been observing this city.

Mostima seemed to understand somewhat, but not completely.

She looked Ya'er up and down, and asked in confusion, "But didn't you also come into this world to have some fun?"

“I appeared in Shelag because I was born there. I chose to protect that land. I feel a sense of kinship with the creatures that were also born on that land. I came here because Qi Yan invited me.”

As Ya'er spoke, she lightly tapped her finger, causing a passing tourist to feel a chill that made him sneeze several times.

After completing this prank-like act, Ya'er continued:

"Of course, we also have our own joys and sorrows, so you're not wrong to say that I'm doing this for fun."

Chapter 236 'Dosoles'

Mostima watched the chilled tourist hurry away, only letting out a sigh of relief once the tourist was completely out of sight.

"I almost thought you were going to freeze him into an ice sculpture on a whim."

“I don’t really like ice sculptures,” Ya’er sighed. “I was in a deep sleep for a period of time, during which an organization appeared in Sherag that promoted me and created a system for electing saintesses.”

Specifically, it involves sending a group of young girls to a snow-covered mountain, depriving them of food and water, and leaving them to sit idly in the snow. The one who survives is the saintess.

When I woke up, I found the doorway piled high with ice sculptures of young girls, and I had to waste my energy cleaning them up, which was a real hassle.

I haven't liked ice sculptures since then.

Mostima: "..."

What the hell is this joke?!

Ya'er suddenly turned to Mostima and said with a faint smile that sent chills down the latter's spine:

"This city vaguely reminds me of that time when those people in Sherag, in order to consolidate their rule, created a saint in my name and blocked my door."

The city's rulers, for their own purposes, made people blindly believe in a currency called money, which seems somewhat similar to me.

After this is all over, I plan to clean up the city too.

"No...it can't be that bad."

Mostima regretted bringing up the topic: "They were just trying to survive, and you can't just destroy things because you don't like them."

Ya'er smiled and waved her hand, saying, "Don't worry, I'll ask Qi Yan for his opinion first."

And if I'm not mistaken, Qi Yan specifically called me along because he needs my help in the later part of his plan.

Mostima's smile was somewhat forced.

She realized that this time, the trouble might really be a bit too much.

At that moment, she suddenly felt that the madman Riddle God inside the black lock wasn't so bad after all. At least He hadn't shown any bloodlust yet; at most, He just liked to make prophecies about destruction.

"Nephew Chen, Nephew Lin, is there something you need that you're looking for me in such a hurry?"

Inside the mayor's office, Candela looked at Chen and Lin Yuxia, who had solemn expressions, while still wearing a relaxed smile.

Chen made sure there were no unauthorized personnel in the office before speaking:

"We have found out who the mastermind behind the Originium smuggling case is: Pan Qiao, who is by your side, Mayor, along with his son and adopted daughter."

Candela's face showed surprise.

“I never expected it to be him.” Candela scrutinized Chen. “But I’m even more surprised that Nephew Chen found out the truth so quickly.”

Chen shook his head and said bitterly, "It wasn't the truth I found, it was Qi Yan."

Upon hearing this, Candela nodded knowingly.

She pondered for a moment, not rushing to act, but instead began to ask Chen:

"So, have you figured out their entire plan?"

Should I begin purging Pancho and his cronies now?

“If possible, it would be best to eliminate this threat as soon as possible.” Chen looked troubled. “But now there is a very thorny problem. Qi Yan… has lost his mind and actually said he wants to join Pan Qiao’s team.”

"But mayor, rest assured, I will do my best to persuade Qi Yan and prevent him from causing trouble for Dosoles..."

"I see."

Before Chen could finish speaking, Candela nodded in realization.

Chen was somewhat bewildered.

She didn't understand why Candela was so calm.

He was even calmer than when he heard that Pan Qiao intended to rebel.

Chen hesitated for a moment, then asked:

"Mayor, are you familiar with Qi Yan?"

"Of course, I will naturally keep an eye on such a powerful figure who suddenly appeared and caused trouble at Governor Wei's Dragon Gate."

Candela chuckled as she opened the previously locked drawer and pulled out a thick stack of documents: "Even before you were on your way, Governor Wei had already informed me that Qi Yan was about to arrive in Dosoles."

So I did some in-depth investigation into Qi Yan and the pharmaceutical company called Rhodes Island, and the results surprised me.

Unbeknownst to many, that seemingly insignificant little company has grown to its current size.

“Rhodes Island will not pose any threat to Dosoles. Their development philosophy is actually very peaceful,” Chen said quickly. “As for Qi Yan, I will do my best to dissuade him from causing trouble for Dosoles. Mayor, you can rest assured to deal with Pan Qiao’s cronies.”

"No need, let him do it."

Candela's reply left Chen completely dumbfounded.

Chen instinctively wanted to speak up and offer advice, but Lin Yuxia stopped her, signaling her to calm down and wait for Candela to finish her sentence.

Under the watchful eyes of Chen and Lin Yuxia, Candela sat calmly in her chair, silently flipping through the document she already knew by heart.

After a long pause, she finally put down the documents, a faint smile still playing on her lips.

“I’ve been thinking about how to make the annual Grand Prix in Dossores even more exciting and intense.”

Pan Qiao's betrayal gave me an idea, while Qi Yan's sudden joining was a pleasant surprise.

Chen and Lin Yuxia's eyes widened, almost doubting that they had heard correctly.

Candela actually felt that Qi Yan, that scourge, could bring her some surprises.

"Aren't you...aren't you afraid he'll destroy Dosoles?"

Chen was so shocked that he stammered, "Qi Yan's strength is actually even more terrifying than what Longmen has shown. He... he really has the potential to destroy a city."

"Dosoles may be destroyed, but it has already left its own mark in the hearts of the people who live on this land."

Candela maintained her calm expression, even hinting at a hint of anticipation: "What do you think destruction is?"

Was the city razed to the ground? Or were all the people in the city wiped out?

No, not at all, Nephew Chen. True destruction is when people no longer have desires, when people no longer pursue pleasure. But you've worked in the Lungmen Guard Bureau for so many years, do you think that's possible?

Even if he is Qi Yan.

Chen fell silent.

She had no answer, but her silence was an answer in itself.

Candela chuckled to herself.

She continued, "The answer is no. This city will always exist. If Dosoles is gone, there will be Tresoles."

No matter how many you need, I can build them for you.

Even if I die, someone else will become me; this land will never lack the existence of 'Dosoles' and 'Candella'.

Chen's expression was somewhat stiff.

If it weren't for the fact that the woman in front of her didn't share Kosiché's beliefs, she would almost have mistaken the person sitting in front of her for the immortal black serpent of Ursus!

"Nephew Chen? What are you afraid of?"

Candela's call jolted Chen awake.

The woman sitting across from her, who had been smiling the whole time, was gently comforting her:

"Don't be afraid. I can see that Qi Yan has no ill intentions towards you. Even if he tears the earth apart, fills the sea, and turns mountains upside down, you will not be in any danger."

"No, I'm not scared... no, I'm scared!"

Chen gritted his teeth, his gaze gradually sharpening: "I'm afraid of you guys who don't know what's going on in your heads. In your eyes, there's only profit, the future, and all sorts of ideologies."

But you never care about the survival of individual living beings; life is nothing more than a symbol in your eyes.

If this city is destroyed, it may be able to rebuild itself, but what about the people who live in it?!