Arknights: Studying medicine can't save Terra

That is the greatest insult to a soldier!

Ernesto listened to the two men's discussion about his father, his lips filled with bitterness.

It is said that it is impolite for a son to scold his father.

But he couldn't feel angry; all he felt was bitterness.

"Father, what should we do?"

Ernesto turned his head to look in the direction of the artificial ocean liner, hoping someone would appear and answer his question.

Unfortunately, no one can do it.

Even a PhD couldn't help.

This is a problem that only he can find out.

Ernesto turned his gaze away and looked ahead, raising his voice:

"Gentlemen, my weapon shop is just around the corner. Hold on for a little while longer and you'll get your supplies!"

His words gave a jolt to the unarmed civilians in the ranks.

The team sprang into action again, heading towards the weapons shop at top speed, while everyone remained vigilant, preparing for the difficult battle that lay ahead.

However, when they turned the corner, the scene before them stunned everyone.

Even Patriot and the Doctor exchanged glances, their eyes showing a hint of surprise.

The streets were deserted, with no sign of any rebels.

Ernesto took two steps forward and looked at the familiar weapons shop, but now the signboard had been taken down and the roller shutter door was locked tight.

Chapter 258 Retreat

"Are you sure this is your weapons shop, and you haven't come to the wrong place?"

The doctor looked at it carefully for a few moments and couldn't see that the shop in front of him looked like a weapons shop.

After all, in a city like Dosoles, a weapons shop with such a shabby decor would probably not get a single customer in a year.

Ernesto frowned, stepped forward, and opened the roller shutter:

"This is my weapon shop. I could walk into it with my eyes closed and not get lost. But I don't know why it was modified like this. It was fine yesterday during the day."

The roller shutter door swung up with a whoosh, revealing the interior of the shop to everyone.

The weapons, displayed in a dazzling array, were neatly arranged on the shelves, showing no signs of being looted.

The unarmed citizens cheered and rushed into the shop to fight for the most powerful weapons.

Ernesto did not stop them, but silently stepped back a few paces and came to the side of the doctor and the others.

The patriot surveyed his surroundings and concluded with certainty:

"Someone is deliberately covering up this weapons shop for you."

“...It was my father, and only he would do such a thing.” Ernesto’s expression was complicated.

The professor rested his chin on his hand and pondered for a moment before offering a reminder:

“Since your father did this, he must have had his reasons. Go inside and look for clues he might have left for you.”

Ernesto nodded and pushed his way through the crowd into the shop he knew.

He pushed his way through the chaotic, scrambling crowd to his office deep inside his shop.

At this moment, the office door had been kicked open by someone, but after noticing that there were no weapons inside, they all gave up.

Ernesto walked to the desk in the room and saw the letter on the table, which was covered by a book. His heart skipped a beat.

He reached out and picked up the letter, immediately recognizing the handwriting as his father's.

Ernesto, after you told me about your meeting with Qi Yan last night, I thought about it for a long time and finally made this decision.

Perhaps Qi Yan is right; everything he says could become fact, as you and I both know.

But things have reached a point of no return. I will still proceed according to the original plan and carry it out steadfastly. However, you, my child, I will prevent you and Rafiela from successfully boarding the ship.

You will remain in the city. Do not cooperate with my actions, and do not approach the rebels. You only need to protect yourselves.

The weapons shop was sabotaged by my men to prevent greedy people from taking advantage of the chaos to destroy your last stronghold. You must hide well. If I succeed, I will come looking for you; if I fail, I have already prepared an escape route for you.

Take Rafiela and leave this place, leave Bolívar. I don't know where you should go, but at least you shouldn't waste your youth in this dark and gloomy country.

I used to tell you so much with great ambition, but now that I think about it, maybe I was too arrogant and too self-centered back then, putting too much pressure on you. You shouldn't have to bear that kind of pressure.

Forgive me, Father, I realized this too late.

We should not allow the grudges of the previous generation to be passed on to the next. Bolivar's problems are deeply entrenched and beyond our control.

It may be hopeless, but you are still young and have a long road ahead of you. I just hope you can live a good life.

At this moment, my heart is filled with countless emotions, yet I don't know how to express them. My child, this is the last task I give you and your sister: you must live on.

Ernesto took a deep breath, his breathing trembling slightly.

"Father...you're wrong again."

Ernesto's voice choked up: "I've never felt pressured while I've been by your side. Maybe I've been confused, maybe I've been powerless, but I've never regretted it."

You love this country, and so do I. This is my country, how could I possibly abandon it?

What you conveyed to me was not hatred, but a sincere patriotism. My future is indeed a long road ahead, but no matter where I am, I will be on the journey to save Bolivar.

Because I am also a Bolivarian.

Inside the room, the man, who usually had a sunny smile, was now somewhat hunched over, clutching the letter tightly in his hand.

He remained silent, seemingly out of place amidst the noisy surroundings.

He could leave, because right in front of him, on the desk, lay two train tickets.

That was the capital that allowed him to leave safely; it was a gift from his father.

But he didn't even glance at it, and straightened his back with all his might.

Ernesto stuffed the letter into the inner pocket of his clothes, close to his skin.

Then he resolutely turned around, took unprecedentedly firm steps and left the weapon shop, returning to the doctor and the others to wait silently.

The chaos inside the weapons shop lasted for more than ten minutes before gradually subsiding, with each citizen holding the weapon they had snatched.

Some of the more physically robust individuals even carried several weapons by themselves.

They slowly walked out of the weapons shop and stood facing Patriot and the others.

"Where should we go now?"

The doctor gestured with his chin toward the city hall and replied, "Go to the city hall and help your mayor quell this rebellion."

His words silenced the citizens.

A moment later, a group of people quietly walked over and returned to the back of the Patriot.

But many more people stood still, their expressions showing some resistance.

One of the men, a burly fellow who single-handedly seized four weapons, shouted:

"Why should we risk our lives to help Candela? Now that we have weapons, we can seize a safe stronghold and wait for this rebellion to end."

Candela will definitely give us a large sum of compensation then.

Behind the burly man, a series of voices echoed in agreement.

Upon hearing these people's decision, Chen felt a surge of anger rush to his head.

She stepped forward, ready to reprimand these people, but Lin Yuxia stopped her with her hand.

As if he had expected this, the doctor turned around and waved to Chen, signaling her not to act impulsively, and then turned to look at the silent Ernesto.

Noticing the doctor's gaze, Ernesto understood that the choice was in his hands.

Because he is the true Bolivarian, and because these weapons are his assets.

“If you don’t want to continue fighting, you are free to leave. I won’t stop you,” Ernesto said slowly.

Seeing that Ernesto was so easy to talk to, the people opposite him were delighted and took steps to leave quickly.

But the next second, they stopped abruptly, their faces filled with terror.

Ernesto slowly drew his weapon from his waist in front of all of them.

"What...what are you going to do?"

Those people showed a hint of panic on their faces and subconsciously pulled out their weapons to fight back.

Ernesto held his sword in one hand, his gaze sharp. Although he appeared to be holding a sword, his aura was more like that of a sharp blade that had been honed for ten years and was finally unsheathed.

He raised the sword, pointing it directly at the crowd in front of him.

Ernesto said in a chilling tone:

"You can leave, but leave your weapons behind. I gave you weapons so that you could fight back, not cower like cowards."

Traitors, why should I tolerate you?!

Chapter 259 Traitors Should Not Be Forgiven

Ernesto's words caused those who wanted to protect themselves to change their expressions drastically.

They wanted to seize the stronghold and hide until the rebellion ended, relying on this set of weapons and equipment.

Seeing that Ernesto disagreed, some of them immediately backed down, smiling and trying to return to Patriot's side.

"We're not leaving. We're willing to stay and protect this city with you."

“Yes, yes, maybe when we get to the city hall, Candela will find us in the way and give us a place to rest.”

As more and more people backed down, the citizens who had just united immediately began to disintegrate, and more and more people chose to walk into the ranks behind the patriots.

But the next second, a flash of sword light appeared.

A deep sword mark was drawn on the ground beneath their feet.

Ernesto's expression remained cold, and even seemed to be getting colder:

“You are already traitors, and I will not allow such people to appear in my ranks.”

Lay down your weapons and leave.

At that moment, the expressions of those citizens who had chosen to betray the government completely changed.

They never imagined that by merely showing a hint of their intention to leave, they would find themselves with no way out.

Immediately, someone roared in anger:

"How dare you be so cold-blooded? Didn't you just say you wanted to save Dosoles and save us? Now you've turned your back on us so quickly?"

This roar instantly drew a chorus of agreement.

Despite numerous accusations, Ernesto felt an unprecedented sense of calm.

His gaze was cold yet clear as he slowly spoke:

"Everyone must take responsibility for their words and deeds. You are not ignorant children. Do I need to teach you this principle?"

To save Dosoles, I need companions I can entrust my back to, not short-sighted, self-serving scoundrels like you.

If you disagree, you can resist. I will show you my determination and strength on this path of salvation.

His gaze swept across the faces of the people in front of him, his tone revealing undisguised murderous intent:

"I don't want to solve problems with violence, but sometimes violence is necessary!"

Seeing that Ernesto was serious, the citizens who had chosen to betray him were completely panicked.

They didn't consider resisting; their eyes darted around, trying to find an escape route.

But upon closer inspection, they were horrified to discover that Patriot had already silently directed his troops to block all escape routes.

After hesitating for a moment, these people ultimately lacked the courage to fight back to the death, obediently surrendered their weapons, and then fled the scene with ashen faces.

After these people had gone far away, Ernesto sighed and slowly sheathed his sword.