Arknights: Studying medicine can't save Terra

"Why should I worry?" Qi Yan retorted. "Even if the Sarkaz side wins without you, the Doctor can still organize everyone to retreat."

"Only you, the sixth son, the dignified Regent, would secretly lie in wait on the battlefield, only to jump out at the crucial moment and bully the weak, stabbing them in the back."

Therese ignored Qi Yan's sarcasm:

"The most important thing on the battlefield is to achieve victory."

"I don't think winning or losing is important; what matters is what you gain after the battle."

Qi Yan pointed to the city of Lontinim behind him and laughed, "You think you've won, but in my opinion, Amiya will have to face Theresa sooner or later. It's better for her to be mentally prepared first."

Besides, the 'Spine of Life' isn't even inside the city; everyone will have to leave the city to find it sooner or later. So, losing this battle and then making a clean retreat, gathering troops and intelligence, and then attacking again won't result in any losses.

Therese didn't look at Lentinium, but calmly looked at Qi Yan:

"Similarly, as long as I send you and Rhodes Island out and draw the dukes' attention outside the city, I will have the time and energy to complete the final pre-battle preparations."

Winning this round only exposed the 'life spine' that had already been used up, but the benefits I gained far outweighed those gains.

"Win-win, I like that."

Qi Yan laughed heartily, withdrew his arm, and turned to look at the nursing home: "Speaking of which, as the regent, you must know more about urban planning than I do. Can you lend me a hand?"

Tracy: "..."

"Consider it practice for when you build Kazdel later."

Qi Yan nudged Theresis with his elbow, which landed right on the wound, causing Theresis to frown immediately.

He took a breath and turned to look at Manfred, who was still engrossed in 'Gavial's One Hundred Facts':

"You'll take responsibility."

This day was like a dream for the survivors on the nursing home site.

They thought that being saved from the clutches of the Heavenly Calamity and the Blood Demon Lord by Qi Yan was already the most dreamlike thing ever.

But who could have imagined that one day they would witness the Sarkaz Regent personally leading the generals of the Sarkaz Military Council to this dilapidated site, where he would plan the future construction of the nursing home with Qi Yan, who claimed to be their future director.

The survivors harbored resentment towards the Sarkaz, but the two before them were of such high status that they dared not even harbor hatred.

With the survivors watching from afar, their emotions a mix of feelings, Manfred finalized the details of the land division:

“A landing port will be built here in the future, and a highway can be built directly to the reserve area of ​​the site… In my memory, Kazdel is designed like this.”

Manfred suddenly recalled Kazdel from his memories, and couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

“This is also Kazdel. I’ll have the construction team add your name to the list of designers.” Qi Yan said with a grin, putting his arm around Manfred’s shoulder.

Manfred was clearly uncomfortable with Qi Yan's overly familiar attitude, but he didn't want to offend Qi Yan, so he could only grit his teeth and bear it.

Therese suddenly spoke up from the side:

“I can have the Sarkaz bring some soil and gravel to the landing port to temporarily cope with the situation. Otherwise, because you forcibly cut off this piece of land, it will be impossible to complete the flow of supplies and ordinary people.”

He turned his head and scanned the crowd watching from a distance, then continued:

"These people probably didn't stay on the land voluntarily. Only a few realized that there was no threat of Originium or war on this land. Most people still wanted to escape."

But they were just ordinary people, unable to land safely on the edge of the towering hill.

"Why is Teacher Da Te suddenly so enthusiastic?" Qi Yan asked, somewhat surprised.

“This plot of land has been damaged in battle, the buildings are severely damaged, and survival supplies have become scarce. It will be difficult for these survivors to survive in the long run.”

Therese did not answer, but continued making arrangements: "I can order the Sarkaz to bring some supplies and tents to help these survivors get through this difficult time."

Even Manfred was surprised, but unlike Qi Yan, he didn't ask a question. He simply silently noted down Therese's order.

Therese looked around and then gazed at the battle situation within the city of Londinium.

The battle over there had clearly reached a fever pitch, with all sorts of Originium Arts flashing incessantly. Among them were the Absolutioner techniques that Theresis was familiar with, small natural disaster clouds that seemed to be summoned by shapeshifters, and giant stone golems that he couldn't quite figure out, which seemed to be Sarkaz techniques but that he had never seen before, rampaging through the city.

Furthermore, a black, illusory mist continuously surged across the battlefield.

Theresis knew that the carrion army he had been longing for had finally made its move.

But this is far from over.

Therese closed her eyes, quietly sensing the surging emotions above Londinium.

That was the pent-up emotion of the Sarkaz souls accumulated over millions of years, the unwilling roar of the Sarkaz race, all of which was now summoned by a single force and pressed down upon this land.

Theresis was well aware of the impact this method would have on the Sarkaz within the city, and even more so of the mental pressure the Sarkaz souls would exert on the young demon king.

With the Sarkaz employing so many tactics, Theresis didn't believe the Rhodes Island squad inside the city could withstand them.

He was confident he would win this battle.

Even Qi Yan has given up, voluntarily admitting that this battle was a win-win situation where both sides took a step back.

"Qi Yan, are you the Demon King?" Theresis suddenly asked.

What's going on lately? Why is everyone asking him this question?

Qi Yan finally sensed that something was wrong.

Could it be... that I really am the Demon King?!

(I'm back. The first day back to updating is the same old routine: eating, playing with the cat, and writing.)

(Love you all~)

Chapter 632 Qi Yan's Win-Win Understanding

Qi Yan was plunged into deep self-doubt by a sudden question from Theresis.

Under Theresis's tense gaze, Qi Yan asked hesitantly:

"What kind of treatment does your Sarkaz demon lord receive?"

Tracy: "..."

"Are there any requirements regarding academic qualifications?" Qi Yan was also a little nervous. "I didn't graduate from high school, but I've always felt that this is my advantage."

Theresis: "…………"

"However, I have experience leading teams!" Qi Yan said, patting his chest. "Back in Chernobog, as soon as I took over those brats in Ursus, I implemented a policy of 'pacifying the internal before resisting external aggression,' and easily wiped out a large number of them without me having to lift a finger."

Theresis: "………………"

Seeing Theresis's increasingly dark face, Qi Yan showed a hint of shyness:

"Although I know that being parachuted into a leadership position is not a good thing, since everyone calls me the Demon King, it means I must have the qualifications to be the Demon King."

In short, thank you everyone for your recognition. I will do my best to fulfill my role as the Demon King.

"...I'm asking if you've ever been a demon lord," Theresis sighed.

Manfred also put aside his chaotic thoughts and stared intently at Qi Yan.

After learning that Qi Yan had once been a demon king, his opinion of Qi Yan became very complicated.

If Sarkaz truly had a Demon King like Qi Yan, possessing both strength and strategy, the burden on Theresis's shoulders would be greatly reduced, and Sarkaz's future... at least wouldn't be so crushed anymore.

Seeing Tracy openly confront Qi Yan, Manfred's heart couldn't help but beat slightly faster.

Qi Yan scratched his head, puzzled, and asked:

Why do you have this question?

"The shapeshifter once mentioned it."

"You actually believe what people who are just being funny say?"

"...You also know the Sarkaz exceptionally well."

"Who don't I know? Isn't that part of my public persona?"

"...You once said that because I've never been a Demon King, there are some things I can't understand," Theresis said through gritted teeth. "So, what you're implying is that you were a Demon King, which is why you understand those things so well?"

Seeing that Therese was becoming more and more determined, Qi Yan was a little dumbfounded.

He took a breath, patted Theresis on the shoulder, and looked at her with deep sorrow:

"Child, you're too attached to appearances!"

Next time you see a shapeshifter, I'll teach you a trick: just point at his nose and yell, "You cunning bastard!" and he'll reveal his true form.

Theresis: ?

"Is this sentence some kind of fatal flaw for the Shapeshifters?" Theresis's brows furrowed almost into a deep frown.

"Of course, I, Qi Xiaobai, never lie." Qi Yan said earnestly.

Therese was skeptical, but quickly came to her senses:

"you have not answer my question yet."

"The Demon King is not important."

Qi Yan strained her facial muscles with all her might, trying her best to appear sincere.

Hearing these words, which she herself had once uttered, Therese was startled and forcibly suppressed her urge to ask further questions.

He lowered his head, frowned, and pondered for a moment, then his brows relaxed.

Qi Yan had already given him an answer.

Whether Qi Yan is the Demon King or not is not important.

Even so, he used his own methods to remove the 'black crown' and completely shed this responsibility.

Perhaps Qi Yan didn't want to mention that past, but he had already revealed such a crucial weakness of the Shapeshifter lineage.

Only a demon king, and one who has emerged from a long history, could possibly know this special secret.

He only needs to find an opportunity to test the shapeshifters to get the information he wants.

Therese turned to look at Manfred, and the two, master and apprentice, nodded to each other in tacit understanding.

Qi Yan silently watched the master and apprentice, secretly biting his tongue several times to suppress the corners of his mouth that were about to turn up. He tried to tilt his head back, pretending to be seriously gazing at Lentinium in the distance.

Then he noticed a strange phenomenon in the distance.

"Look at that thing!" Qi Yan pointed. "Why does it look so familiar?"

Therese and his apprentice turned to look, and then their pupils shrank simultaneously.

Beneath the churning clouds in the sky above Londinium, a black meteor streaked across the distance and struck Londinium's already dilapidated city walls with pinpoint accuracy.

The roar was like a thunderclap from a clear sky. The city wall trembled violently under the impact, but it did not collapse.

Even though the black meteor flew from afar, its force did not dissipate at all. It concentrated on one point and easily pierced through the city wall, leaving only a huge hole several meters in diameter.

Manfred's heart was bleeding, and his eyes were filled with pain:

"What kind of method is that?"

Therese frowned:

"It was a long spear... It pierced through the city wall, in this direction... It was heading towards the battlefield inside the city."

"I recognize it! It's the old man's Patriot missile!"

Qi Yan belatedly recognized this familiar yet unfamiliar attack: "I've been killed by it countless times, but I never expected to witness such a scene firsthand. It pierced through the city wall in one go."

Therese watched as a new wave of dark red mist surged up within the city after the spears fell, clashing with the sorcery of the carrion eaters within.

Two ancient Sarkaz courts clash in this exotic city-state, using the oldest forms of witchcraft.

Therese's expression was neither sad nor happy.

When the King of Carrion went to Wendigo, he had already foreseen two possible outcomes, and now both have come to pass.

Good news! The King of Carrion has returned, and he has brought Wendigo with him.

The bad news is, Wendigo is here to help the other side.

Manfred then turned to Qi Yan and asked, "So this is the foreign aid you were talking about?"

"...That's right!"

Qi Yan, having already accepted the title of Demon King, figured one more wouldn't make a difference, and immediately accepted it without batting an eye.

"You'd never guess how many outside help I have," Qi Yan said proudly. "Because there are so many, I can't even count them all, do you understand?"