Arknights: Studying medicine can't save Terra

“Perhaps you could go to Qi Yan,” Vina suggested.

"I'm not going to see him!" Mandela turned around angrily, her eyes reddening. "It's all because of him that I've become like this, it's all his fault, it's all... Waaah, why? Did I really do something wrong?"

Seeing his childhood sweetheart in such a state, the 'spy' felt equally heavy-hearted.

He said softly, "Let's go see Qi Yan. Just keep me company. I have something I want to say to Qi Yan."

“I…okay…” Mandela’s voice trailed off, “I…want to find him too, I want…I want to…”

In the end, Mandela couldn't give a clear answer either.

At that moment, she was like a kitten abandoned in the rainy night, surrounded by the inky darkness, completely disoriented.

Vina stepped aside to make way for the two, watching them walk away before turning her head to look in the direction Abrahana had gone.

“Perhaps I am still inferior to you as a leader, but I do not agree with you,” Vina muttered to herself. “Whatever your reasons, your actions are a betrayal!”

After saying that, Vina turned and left.

The next steps are the focus of the doctoral program; she still has a lot to do.

Although Vina was walking alone on the road, she felt more determined than ever before. Abrahina's words did not shake her resolve; instead, they made her even clearer about what she wanted.

In the distance, Vina saw the golden figure flash by once again.

Chapter 693 Qi Xiaobai: You make me look stupid

In a building in the Norbert district, Qi Yan sat in a chair, silently watching the airship sail away, as if he were looking at his lost youth.

"My Twin Towers, my plan to become the best pilot in all of Terra, are all ruined."

Qi Yan couldn't help but lean forward, pressing his hands against the glass.

Behind him, a Sarkaz hunk stood silently.

There were only the two of them in the room; Huang and Amiya, who had been keeping an eye on Qi Yan, had already left.

"Xiaoman, do you Sarkaz have any other flying devices?" Qi Yan asked the person behind him, leaning against the window.

Manfred remained silent.

He had no intention of resisting. Even though he had been traveling with Rhodes Island these past few days, he was well aware that Qi Yan was strictly forbidden from taking any more action.

Manfred felt a surge of excitement because he felt he had discovered Qi Yan's weakness.

But after calming down, he hesitated again.

Qi Yan seems to enter a weakened state after the battle, but not completely so.

"Thinking about me?" Qi Yan turned around with a smile.

“No, I just think that Princess Theresa shouldn’t have come in person,” Manfred replied.

He was well aware of what Sarkaz was about to face.

A lone demon lord, a vital Sarkaz flying weapon, a 'Sarkaz general' who had just been traded back, and only a small group of Sarkaz soldiers by their side.

This is a golden opportunity to cripple Sarkaz.

No one would willingly and obediently watch the airship return to Londinium.

Manfred could almost see countless armies closing in on the airship, even though the airship's altitude was a headache, and even though the Shard could bring natural disasters.

There was a moment of silence between them.

But Manfred soon spoke again: "What exactly are your intentions in keeping me in your hands?"

"It was Hedley who caught you, and you're asking me?" Qi Yan shrugged. "Besides, I never intended to keep you here. I know your position very well, and you can leave at any time now."

Manfred frowned, and though he didn't speak, his skepticism was evident.

Qi Yan continued to explain:

“These arrangements have nothing to do with me; they were made by the doctor.”

Manfred's gaze sharpened.

He hesitated for a moment, and seeing that Qi Yan really didn't intend to stop him, he tentatively turned around and walked towards the door.

"And one more thing."

Qi Yan's voice came from behind him, which made Manfred breathe a slight sigh of relief.

“You may speak frankly, sir,” Manfred said frankly.

“It’s not a request, just a small suggestion,” Qi Yan said to Manfred’s back. “I know your Sarkaz forces are ready to strike, and they will attack the first Duke’s forces to arrive in the Norbert District.”

"It could also be any power."

In this matter, Manfred showed no nervousness at being seen through; instead, he was filled with extreme confidence.

"Yes, the two royal kings, along with the direct forces of the Absolution Master, are more than capable of swallowing up those hesitant forces."

Qi Yan agreed, but then changed the subject: "But what I need to remind you now is that I have given all this information to the Doctor, and he will be in charge of the next battle. On the other side of the chessboard... is Theresa, who is completely unaware of this."

My advice is that you should abandon the Sarkaz attack plan and contact your own people as quickly as possible to have them turn around and relieve Theresa.

"you……"

Manfred's expression finally changed.

"Didn't expect that, did you, Xiaoman!" Qi Yan grinned mischievously. "While you were eyeing the others, I had already set my sights on Theresa!"

Manfred panicked for a moment, but quickly forced himself to calm down.

He frowned as he analyzed the information Qi Yan had provided, and questioned:

“I admit that the doctor’s involvement is alarming, but I am clear about two other points.”

Rhodes Island will not allow Princess Theresa to be in danger. You can't fool me. The worst outcome is that Theresa will be protected by you and will not be returned to the Sarkaz.

Besides, she is the Demon King, not a weak woman who needs protection. I trust Princess Theresa's abilities.

After retorting to Qi Yan's threats, Manfred immediately realized something else:

"You're thwarting the Sarkaz's plans. It seems there's someone you care about among the forces arriving on the battlefield next... The Iron Duke is currently confronting the Carrion King, and given Kester's cautious nature, he wouldn't be here. We can rule out the other dukes for now..."

"Is what Your Excellency Qi Yan wants to protect—Duke Windermere, who has returned from the border?"

Although it was a tentative tone, a knowing glint appeared in Manfred's eyes.

Qi Yan: "...You make me look stupid."

"I was right?" Manfred was somewhat surprised.

He was merely stating his guess, unsure whether it was accurate, but that didn't stop him from habitually projecting an air of confidence in order to mislead his opponents.

Generally speaking, those who are qualified to be Manfred's opponents would not be so easily fooled.

But Qi Yan is clearly not within the scope of 'usually speaking'.

Qi Yan: "..."

Damn, I feel even more stupid now!

Qi Yan's face darkened, and he slammed his hand on the armrest of the chair and stood up angrily.

Manfred instinctively took a half step back.

How come we can't afford to play this game?

I've suffered so many setbacks at your hands before, Qi Yan, but I've never gotten angry or embarrassed even once.

This has absolutely nothing to do with whether I can win or not!

Manfred was torn between his conscience and his own mind.

Should I now be more assertive and rise up in resistance, living up to my status as the Regent's disciple, and bravely face death?

Or should they preserve their lives in order to continue contributing to the rise of the Sarkaz?

Just as Manfred hesitated, Qi Yan had already hurriedly brushed past him.

Manfred: ?

"Where are you going, sir?" Manfred asked instinctively.

“Go find Theresa,” Qi Yan snorted. “I’ll personally take action and see if you kill Windermere first, or if I take Theresa down first.”

"Aren't you incapable of making a move?"

"Is there a possibility?" Qi Yan said seriously, "that I would be in more danger after becoming a summoner? After all, I myself would still hold back, but it's not certain if my two old men were to take action."

Manfred: "..."

The threat of Chi Guoguo!

After the Blood Demon Lord's crushing defeat, although he became withdrawn, he eventually told everyone about Qi Yan's condition.

This includes the two outrageous accessories Qi Yan was wearing.

Manfred took a deep breath and said with a frustrated expression, "I promise you, but I can only guarantee that I will convey this matter to the two royal kings and the troops of the absolutioners. I have no authority to order them around."

"enough."

Qi Yan stopped in front of the door and opened it for Manfred himself: "Just as you trust Theresa, I also trust the Doctor's arrangements."

Manfred, somewhat flattered, stepped out of the room under Qi Yan's watchful gaze, only to see two figures rushing towards him from the corridor.

"Qi Yan! It's all your fault!"

Mandela's voice arrived before he did.

Manfred stood sideways in the corridor, watching the little cat with slightly red eyes walk quickly past him.

The two had a long history of animosity, and during their journey from Londinium to Norbert, Mandela always found opportunities to mock Manfred's status as a prisoner.

This time, however, Mandela didn't even glance at Manfred and walked right past him.

The 'spy' followed behind Mandela, his expression somewhat complicated. He hesitated slightly upon seeing Manfred, but ultimately nodded gently as a greeting.

Immediately, the 'spy' hurriedly caught up with Mandela, fearing that the silly cat's unstable emotions might really anger Qi Yan.

Manfred stood there watching the two enter Qi Yan's room.

He sensed no anger in Mandela's nitpicking remark, only the kind of joy that comes from a helpless person grasping at their last vestige.

(I'll only post one update today. My understanding of the new plot seems to be a bit off. I'll go check the plot again.)

Chapter 694 Qi Xiaobai: Great, I've found someone even dumber than me.

Aside from Mandela's minor emotional outburst, before Manfred turned to leave, he inadvertently caught a glimpse of Qi Yan's expression behind the door.

It was a joy that was clearer than Mandela's.

"Does Qi Yan really like Mandela that much?"

Manfred muttered something to himself, then turned and strode away.

He dared not take Qi Yan's advice lightly. Next, he had to contact Sarkaz as quickly as possible to discuss countermeasures with the Blood Demon Lord and others.

Manfred walked down the stairs alone and made his way to the street without any hindrance.

Even now, looking at the Victorian-style dark clouds overhead, Manfred still feels a little unreal.

He was actually let go by Rhodes Island so easily?

In a daze, Manfred saw a disheveled figure approaching.

The poet's clothes had several tears from the free fall from a great height and were also stained with suspicious oil stains.

Even more outrageous, the poet walked along in a daze, carrying a wrench in his hand.

Manfred: ?

The poet also noticed Manfred on the street.

The two exchanged a glance. In the past, given their status, any encounter between them would inevitably lead to a fight and a desperate escape.

But at this moment, both of them were clearly preoccupied with their own thoughts, and they passed each other without saying a word.

Manfred even heard the poet muttering to himself.

"That doesn't make sense, why would this happen?"