Arknights: Studying medicine can't save Terra

However, Russell was still puzzled as to why Rhodes Island was doing this.

Disgusting Kazimir?

But what benefit would this bring to Rhodes Island?

Could it be that the Doctor was just using this as training material? Or was he enraged because his own scheme was used against him to achieve diplomatic relations between Kazimierz and Letania?

"No, that's not right. He's not the kind of person who's controlled by his emotions."

Russell's unease grew stronger.

Just then, a staff member rushed into the office without even knocking.

"Grand Knight Commander, something's happened!" A staff member handed Russell a report. "Just now, news of the power armor appearing in Kazimierz spread, and then Beach Umbrella Corporation immediately released a statement."

"It's the identity of the person who hired the killer, the very person we've been pressing for answers to!"

Russell's heart skipped a beat. He stared intently at the report, then gasped in a low voice:

"The murderer is Kazimir?!"

"How is this possible!" Silver Spear Pegasus exclaimed in shock.

“How could it not be possible?” Russell’s expression was as ugly as could be. “The payment that the murderer provided to the beach umbrella company was a batch of gel material with a unique anti-counterfeiting mark in Casimir!”

Now, we have no evidence to accuse Rhode Island, but evidence to accuse us has emerged.

Silver Spear Pegasus: "..."

He realized that the situation was starting to get out of control.

"Grandmaster, we should act immediately," Silver Spear Pegasus urged.

"Action?" Russell frowned. "What kind of action do you plan to take? Go and confront Rhodes Island?"

The Doctor's move was very shrewd. He manipulated Kazimierz perfectly, while simultaneously extricating Rhodes Island from the situation. Do you think Letania, after investigating the matter, wouldn't understand Rhodes Island's role in all of this?

As Russell spoke, he picked up the terminal and issued a command.

Soon, staff members pushed open the door and handed Russell the materials that had been prepared over the past few days.

Russell quickly glanced through the document and then handed it to the silver-speared celestial horse in front of him:

"It's no use. Rhodes Island has really just been on vacation these days. Everyone, including Qi Yan, is just having fun."

Silver Spear Pegasus carefully read through the documents, his expression obscured by his helmet, yet the aura around him grew increasingly oppressive.

Rhodes Island was clearly involved, yet they couldn't find a single flaw in their strategy.

Russell tapped his fingers on the table for a moment, then suddenly clenched his fist:

"Lym, I'm afraid there's no time for you to rest. At the press conference this afternoon regarding the establishment of diplomatic relations with Letania, you Silver Spear Pegasus must personally protect us. There can be no mistakes."

As long as we keep Letania in check, there's still a chance things can turn around.

"But... Master, won't the Beach Umbrella Company matter affect Letania's attitude?" Silver Spear Pegasus asked worriedly.

“I will try to give Letania an explanation.”

Russell sighed, a hint of pain flashing across his face: "Unfortunately, the cooperation terms that have already been agreed upon will probably have to be sacrificed to appease Letania's anger, which is using this as an excuse."

Silver Spear Pegasus was clearly hesitant about the decision, but his duty as a soldier prevented him from speaking out. He simply saluted and accepted Russell's order.

Soon, a staff member left the Supervisory Council in a hurry, carrying Russell's newly drafted documents to the hotel where the Earl was staying.

Russell had expected the matter to drag on for a while, and it might even lead to a postponement of the press conference. But to her surprise, the staff member returned to report on his work shortly after she had finished dealing with some official business in the office.

"The other party accepted the new documents, but did not sign them immediately. They only said that they would attend the afternoon press conference as usual."

The staff member recounted their experience in detail.

Russell looked up from the pile of documents on his desk, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes:

"It's so peaceful. Could it be that the count understands he has no right to interfere in this matter and therefore needs to report to his superiors?"

The staff members, of course, dared not speak up about such a question and obediently lowered their heads and remained silent.

Russell waved his hand to dismiss the man.

When Russell was alone in the office again, she gradually fell into deep thought, and her unease grew stronger.

"Doctor, aren't we going to the press conference?"

Amiya, under the doctor's instruction, turned on the TV and looked at the lively press conference on the screen. She asked, "Did Ms. Russell write the invitation herself?"

The doctor leaned back on the sofa, swiping his terminal and chuckling:

"Russell actually held a press conference as usual. It seems that she did not realize the seriousness of the problem and her vision was still focused on her own little corner of Casimir."

Why should we get involved in such a dangerous place?

"You mean... there will be an unexpected event at the press conference?" Amiya asked worriedly. "According to the Doctor's plan, the situation shouldn't escalate internationally. Why would it affect such an insignificant press conference?"

The doctor put down the terminal and turned his gaze to the television:

"Everything starts small and grows big. Back then, Gaul never imagined that they would be surrounded and beaten to death by three countries just because they were fighting a war."

Russell doesn't seem to have learned any lessons from history.

On television, a large number of citizens had already gathered in the spacious square in front of the Control Yuan building to watch the press conference. Around the booth set up in the center of the square, the newly dressed Silver Spear Pegasus patrolled back and forth.

That silvery sheen seems to be the safest color for Casimir.

As the clock on the Control Yuan building struck the hour, its chimes echoing, Russell, dressed in a well-tailored suit, slowly walked onto the stage.

On the other side, the elegant count also slowly walked onto the stage.

Countless flashes went off, capturing this historic moment.

Russell watched as the count drew closer and closer, and slowly extended her hand. Normally, the count would also extend his hand to shake hers, and then, under the flashing lights and the gaze of the people, the two would begin to formally announce the joyous occasion of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

But when Russell had already raised his hand in front of the Earl, the Earl still did not make a move.

Russell's expression was somewhat stiff, his hand hovering in mid-air, unsure whether to offer it or not.

"Your Excellency the Earl?" Russell asked tentatively in a low voice.

The count, expressionless and without any politeness, publicly and loudly rebuked:

"Mr. Russell, I think we shouldn't rush into establishing diplomatic relations for now, as there are still some things we haven't settled."

As the Earl's voice echoed, the atmosphere at the press conference froze, and the flashes stopped.

Russell's expression immediately changed:

"Is it because of the beach umbrella company?"

The new documents I sent already explained that there were some misunderstandings. Even if the person who hired the assassin used Kazimir's supplies, it doesn't mean it was the will of the Kazimir authorities.

"Where is the evidence?" the count retorted.

“You…” Russell was so angry that his breath hitched.

She took a deep breath, her gaze sweeping over the media reporters and citizens of the Grand Knights, realizing that she could not continue arguing and that she had to calm the Earl down immediately.

"Evidence is being collected, and once there are results, I will immediately give your country a satisfactory explanation."

Russell forced a smile: "To express Kazimir's respect and friendship for Letania, we are willing to temporarily suspend the progress of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries until..."

“No need for that,” the count said firmly. “I have already gathered the evidence.”

As he spoke, the count beckoned Alosia to the audience, took the documents from her hands, and handed them to Russell.

Russell looked grim. She glanced at the media reporters below the stage, knowing that the longer the delay, the greater the impact on Kazimir's reputation. She immediately began to quickly flip through the documents.

Her expression then turned even more unpleasant.

“Your Excellency, I am grateful for the intelligence you have gathered, but I believe that the company you accused in your documents is also a victim.” Russell insisted on Kazimir’s innocence. “Meschko Industries did indeed lose a batch of gel materials, which further proves that Kazimir is also a victim.”

After she finished explaining, the count was not appeased at all; instead, he revealed a cold smile.

Russell immediately sensed something was wrong.

"Is this your country's explanation?"

The count snorted coldly: "Your internal disputes in Casimir have nothing to do with Letania. All I know is that Letania's reputation has been severely damaged because of this establishment of diplomatic relations."

It turns out that the so-called unexpected establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries was actually Kazimir's doing all the planning behind the scenes.

"What do you Casimirs take Letania for? A clown you can toy with at will?"

"Your Excellency, please do not say such things that damage the friendship between our two countries..."

Russell tried to offer further advice, but the Earl interrupted him again:

"It is Lord Russell and Kazimir who have damaged the friendship between our two countries. Since Kazimir has this attitude toward Letania, then we have nothing more to say."

I have been waiting for a satisfactory explanation from Sir Russell ever since I received the news. Letania has already given Casimir a chance to explain, and it is Casimir's attitude that has led to the current situation.

Since Kazimir is unwilling to give Letania this way out, Letania doesn't mind proving everything with her own strength!

After finishing his sentence, the count angrily turned and left the scene.

At this moment, the scene, which had fallen silent due to the sudden change in the situation, completely erupted into chaos.

The media's flashbulbs overwhelmed the scene, and the crowd buzzed with discussion.

Russell stood on the platform, his face ashen, wanting to take control of the situation but feeling helpless.

She almost ordered the count to be stopped, but at the last moment, reason made her swallow the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

Forcibly stopping the Earl at this time would only make everyone think that Kazimierz was angry and embarrassed, which would lead to even more unfavorable public opinion.

She glanced at the crowd around her, gritted her teeth, lowered her head, and quickly left the scene.

Escorted by Silver Spear and Heavenly Horse, Russell returned to the Supervisory Council building, and his first action was to issue orders:

"Send someone to secretly protect that count; we must prevent unscrupulous people from using him for their own purposes."

Silver Spear Pegasus exchanged a few words via the team's internal communication channel, then reported in a deep voice:

“Master, it’s too late. The count fled with his entourage the moment he left. Our men didn’t dare to stop them... We could only watch helplessly as they escaped into the Rhodes Island hotel.”

"Rhodes Island again!"

Upon hearing the name, Russell felt so angry that his vision blurred.

"No, we can't dwell on Rhodes Island anymore. We must immediately try to save face for Kazimierz." Russell forced himself to calm down and ordered, "Contact Letania immediately and request, in my capacity, to speak directly with the Twin Queens!"

Before Silver Spear Pegasus could even take action, a staff member rushed in from inside the building.

"Grand Knight Commander, an urgent report has arrived from the border!"

Russell was greatly shocked. He stepped forward, snatched the document from the staff member's hand, and stared intently at it.

"Leytania, have you gone mad?" Russell gritted his teeth. "You're actually amassing troops on the border over something like this?!"

Russell then fell silent again.

Letania is not crazy.

This move is a testament to the Twin Queens' boldness. War may not necessarily break out, but this is Letania declaring its stance to the land.

No one can humiliate Letania!

National dignity must not be trampled upon!

Moreover, just as the conflict with the Earl ended in acrimony, intelligence arrived that the Leitanian army was gathering, indicating that Leitania had anticipated this situation and made preparations in advance!

Before Russell could recover from the shock, another staff member rushed over.

"Grand Knight Commander, the Colombian military has issued us a notification!"

A document was handed to Russell.

Russell glanced at it, and his anger immediately surged uncontrollably:

"What do you mean by suspecting that Kazimierz harbors a wanted criminal from Colombia? When did you list that god as a wanted criminal?!"

"And you want us to immediately return the powered armor belonging to Colombia, or else you'll take action to defend your country's property and dignity?"

In Russell's view, Colombia at this moment was like a shark that had smelled blood, ready to tear off a piece of flesh while Casimir was in trouble.

Russell took a deep breath, forcibly calming himself, and looked at the staff member who was standing there nervously, still wanting to say something.

Seeing Russell's signal, the staff member reported tremblingly:

"According to information received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Colombia has indeed amassed its troops."