Arknights: Studying medicine can't save Terra

"Not as good as I was back then. Are you still a spokesperson at work?"

After being bombarded with fatherly love, McGee gradually couldn't take it anymore and quickly spoke up:

"And you, Father, where are you now?"

"Colombia."

When are you going back to Kazimir?

"It's not yet time."

“Alright, McKee,” Kane quickly corrected himself. “I can’t go back to you and your mother right now; Columbia is important.”

Those with short-sighted views cannot see that Colombia is the real enemy threatening Casimir; they have been eyeing him with predatory intent and ambition.

Our newspapers haven't even reached their cities yet, and our voices haven't reached the ears of Colombians.

Their growth rate is alarming; we must curb it... and seize their market share.

This speech, which was almost a complete reversal of expectations, left McGee speechless.

Kane, at the end, couldn't resist showing off in front of his son:

"The rivalry between nations is so fascinating, McKee."

But those nobles, those in power, ah, so closed-minded and ignorant, like those so-called powerful nations of Ursus, are pitifully foolish.

McGee obediently kept echoing his father's words.

After Kane finished his rant, he unexpectedly brought up Markowitz again:

Are you willing to dedicate everything to the Business Federation?

Markowitz: "..."

Kane wasn't angry at his silence, and patiently said:

“You are a capable person, I can see that from the reports about you, but at the same time I can also see that you still have compassion for those knights.”

Child, please think about this question.

When the number of high-speed warships in Casimir far exceeds that of Ursus, when Colombia is filled with Casimir's caravans and goods, when the number of border fortresses is double what it is now.

Is war still ongoing? Is the external enemy still a threat? Will Kazimir still show weakness?

“Mr. Kane, you have great courage,” Markowitz praised.

Kane clearly wouldn't react much to such flattery.

He gave a curt reply and continued:

"I already know about the Special Championship. Heh, the Supervisory Board thinks they've gained a lot of face and won all the benefits... Heh."

Let them have as much glory and face as they want; our focus shouldn't be on such limited things, Markowitz.

Come, tell me your choice.

“Before I answer, can we talk about something else?” Markowitz suddenly asked.

"What you just said reminded me, and I suddenly understand why things are the way they are."

Markowitz's lips gradually curled up, like a child who had finally solved a difficult problem assigned by his teacher: "Columbia, yes, Columbia is the real enemy that can threaten Casimir."

They are ambitious, they act ruthlessly, and they will not let any opportunity slip by.

“Markowitz… what did you find out?” Kane’s voice also became serious.

Markowitz took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled.

His gaze passed over McKee, over the phone, over the room, and through the window toward the Grand Knights outside.

Gazing at this land called Kazimir, Markowitz murmured:

"Sir reporter, please act immediately, Colombia may be about to declare war on Casimir."

"What do you mean?"

Even just hearing his voice over the phone, one could still sense the authority that Kane had cultivated from his years in a high position.

Markowitz praised himself:

"You are a true entrepreneur, a person who can make real decisions in the business association, and you have the courage and ability to do great things."

However... this land does not entirely follow the rule of the capable doing the right thing.

Some people chose the Oversight Council rather than the Business Federation.

Kane fell silent on the other end of the phone.

However, the faint sounds coming from the phone confirmed that Kane was neither angry nor lost in thought.

He chose to take immediate action.

Knocking on the door, footsteps, the rustling of documents and papers—a wealth of information converged before Kane's eyes at his command.

Kane flipped through the papers quickly, making one sound after another.

Markowitz didn't rush to speak, silently waiting for Kane's response.

"...Count Letania attacked... Beach Umbrella Company... Columbia... Hmm? Powered armor?!"

Kane finally saw the latest news.

The message had just arrived and was reported to Colombia by phone from Casimir. When it was printed out and handed to Kane, the paper was still smelling of ink.

Kane's heart sank.

Since he has already received this message, it proves that Colombia has also received it.

“Markowitz”.

Kane spoke again: "Power armor is a weapon of war manufactured by Rhine Labs for the Columbia military. In other words, power armor represents Columbia, is that what you mean?"

“I don’t know,” Markowitz shook his head.

"Of course you may not know, but you need to know that during the divine intervention incident that happened to Columbia, the power armor in Rhine Labs' warehouse was stolen." Kane's voice suddenly rose. "Do you know what that means?!"

"...The force that truly possesses divine power is finally about to surface," Markowitz said calmly.

Faced with Markowitz's indifferent attitude, Kane suddenly didn't know how to start a conversation.

Everyone in this land knows that Colombia has been bullied by the gods, and everyone in this land also knows that the beach umbrella company, which was jointly accused by Colombia and Rhine Life, was just an unfortunate scapegoat.

Now, is Kazimierz going to be the next one?

“Markowitz, tell me who they are,” Kane said in a deep voice.

“I won’t tell,” Markowitz shook his head. “They have no intention of hiding their identities, and Mr. Kane can easily guess, or has already guessed.”

"What I want is not to guess."

Markowitz is not prepared to change his stance: "I know he doesn't mind me doing this, but... I've already disappointed him once, and this time, maybe I should show some backbone too."

"Is this your choice...? I understand."

Kane hung up the phone.

The room echoed with the busy tone of a communication outage.

McKee was dumbfounded; things had developed at a completely unexpected pace.

Markowitz walked past the phone to the window and gazed outside.

“McGee, did you see that?” Markowitz asked.

“The edifice is about to collapse.” Markowitz even revealed a slight smile. “In this towering building that the Oversight Council and the Federation have carefully constructed, some things have been quietly removed and some things have been quietly inserted. Now, Kazimierz is like a domino-like structure.”

A single finger gently pushed over the domino that triggered the chain reaction.

“I…I don’t understand.” McKee gritted his teeth. “You mean, the gods will descend upon Kazimierz?”

"No, what is coming is war."

As Markowitz uttered an answer that sent a chill down McGee's spine, a look of utter fascination appeared on his face.

"McGee, did you see that?"

Before McKee could answer, Markowitz continued, "I saw the true method of control. He only needs to reveal a few pieces of information, and the rest will naturally be handled by others."

This was a transaction; he didn't promise any benefits, nor did he need to promise any benefits.

This is a feast for the senses, a feast without invitations, where guests and hosts arrive automatically.

This is a scene of onlookers watching someone about to drown—is it a rescue? Or a gentle touch?

McGee's back was soaked with cold sweat.

But he still held onto a sliver of hope: "Even if it really is the work of a god, Casimir shouldn't be afraid. He can just like he did with Columbia, obediently admit defeat, and let the god leave after reaping enough satisfactory benefits."

“McGee, you’re still caught up in self-interest.” Markowitz turned around. “God isn’t the main character in this whole affair; He’s just a pawn.”

Colombia can choose to give up resistance because the god's strength lies in its unparalleled combat power. When there is only one god on the chessboard, Colombia can freely give away pieces and let the god eat to its heart's content.

But what if there are more than two players on the chessboard?

When Kazimierz is targeted by the forces of the gods, and when Kazimierz chooses to obediently give up resistance, will Letania, which is now trying to establish diplomatic relations with Kazimierz amidst the conflict, choose the more lucrative benefits?

With the advent of power armor, can Columbia, which has a legitimate reason to join the game, suppress its wolfish ambitions?

When war breaks out, will the nations eyeing Kazimir choose to stand idly by? Will they send troops to support him? Or will they wait for an opportunity to strike?

McGee's breathing grew heavier and heavier. The room temperature should have been incredibly comfortable thanks to the air conditioning, but McGee felt chilled all over, while his back was already soaked with sweat.

"No, this can't go on!" McGee roared. "Markowitz, you have to stop Rhodes Island, even if you choose to side with Rhodes Island, you can't..."

“Rhodes Island?” Markowitz chuckled. “Brother McKee, you’re mistaken. I never chose to join Rhodes Island. I will always be a Casimir.

McGee was so anxious he was scratching his head and cheeks:

"That's not the point. You don't have a close relationship with the Doctor from Rhodes Island. If you were to step in, he might give you some face."

Markowitz slowly turned around and met McGee's gaze.

Even though they were about the same height and standing on the same ground, McGee felt as if Markowitz was standing on a higher place, looking down at him.

“Brother McKee, you’ve got it wrong again.”

Markowitz spoke slowly: "The decision of how things develop has long been handed back to Casimir, and I have made my own choice."

Chapter 500 The building will collapse

Russell sat in his office, his expression shifting between light and shadow.

A silver-speared winged horseman stood opposite her, his once-shining armor now covered in battle scars and dust.

"Grandmaster...we've been ambushed." Silver Spear Pegasus's voice was filled with utter frustration. "It was an unidentified team, even...a team mixed with veterans and new recruits. We were used as sparring partners for those new recruits!"

Russell didn't speak, but she knew the anger and frustration in Silver Spear Pegasus's heart at that moment.

Silver Spear and Pegasus represent Kazimir, Kazimir's true defense-level combat power, yet they are being toyed with at this moment.

Even if they were defeated by Qi Yan like a child on the night of the finals, it would be better than this humiliation.

Russell forced himself to calm down and reassured her:

"Calm down, Lem. Power armor is, after all, equipment of the Colombian military. Plus, the enemy set up an ambush. It's good that you weren't injured."

Furthermore, have you discovered anything? I don't believe anyone can operate truly without leaving a trace.

"...Yes, although the other party concealed their identity, I would never mistake their battle formation and command style!"

Silver Spear Pegasus gritted his teeth and said, "It's Ursus!"

“But is it possible?” Russell countered. “This is the heart of Kazimierz, and the situation between Kazimierz and Ursus is irreconcilable. It’s impossible for them to break through layers of defenses and come to the outside of the Great Knight’s territory to set up their forces.”

“I know, Grandmaster, that’s why I’m puzzled.”

“There’s nothing incomprehensible about it, it’s Rhodes Island.” Russell rubbed his temples. “Those power armors… there are only two possibilities for their existence: Columbia, or that god.”

“Rhodes Island…is the power of that god?!” Silver Spear Pegasus exclaimed in shock.

"The answer is obvious, but unfortunately, we can't produce any evidence. No matter how clear the clues are, without evidence, we can't prove the answer."

Russell let out a soft sigh.

The Doctor's move was insane, but Rhodes Island now has the right to be insane.