Arknights: Studying medicine can't save Terra

Seeing that Qi Yan was puzzled, the doctor explained: "Theresis's goal is very clear. He knows what he is responsible for. On the other hand, even though I have set a goal for myself, I don't know what the meaning of what I am responsible for is."

I'm hesitating, but you said that hesitation leads to defeat.

"White-haired dog, this isn't a game. Just follow the main storyline after you start. I'm a living, breathing person; I think, I feel lost. I hope my choices are all based on my heart and that I don't let myself down."

Qi Yan also tilted his head back and drank a mouthful of the sanity potion, then smacked his lips without saying anything.

He knew the doctor hadn't finished speaking.

At times like these, all he needs to do as a friend is listen quietly.

"From the time I awoke in the sarcophagus until I sit here today, the race I have encountered the most is the Sarkaz."

The doctor, as expected, continued speaking on his own: "Those Sarkaz mercenaries in Chern City, who ask no questions and numbly wield their butcher knives for their commissions."

Sarkaz operators on Rhodes Island, of different bloodlines, united by a common ideal.

Victoria and her group of Sarkaz soldiers answered the call, yearning for a future they themselves did not even know what it was.

Therese was a ruthless and powerful figure who carried the weight of the oppression of his past and the will to survive of his race. I understand him to some extent now, but unfortunately, he doesn't need to be understood.

Sometimes I think the Sarkaz are really pitiful. Most of them don't even know what their ancestors did, and they're unwittingly ostracized by all races. Any sign of them gathering together is ruthlessly crushed.

At this point, the doctor took a big gulp of sanity potion and then let out a long breath.

“White Dog, I can’t say that the Sarkaz were not wrong in starting the war. The fact that they tore Victorian families apart and separated people by life and death is undeniable.”

The doctor spoke a little faster: "But I can't say that the Sarkaz shouldn't have done this, because this land simply didn't give them another choice."

"Theresis was outrageous, but I also admired him. Of course, when he tried to kill me, I wondered if he could at least die."

Qi Yan: "..."

He looked at the doctor with a strange gaze, which made the latter feel a chill run down his spine.

"No, just say what you have to say, or shut up," the doctor said irritably.

“Actually… Sarkaz once had another option,” Qi Yan said tactfully. “Although the success rate was almost zero, Theresa really tried her best, but you ended up nipping it in the bud.”

PhD:"…………"

Tiny Originium particles have begun to appear in the howling wind, symbolizing the approaching crisis.

The doctor tugged at his hood, his body hunched over slightly.

"Could you tell me briefly?" the doctor asked.

"Hey, so our high-end players are finally not against using cheats to get through the storyline?" Qi Yan joked.

“…I am guilty,” the doctor said weakly.

“No, you are innocent.” Qi Yan shook his head. “At least I don’t think you are guilty, and I don’t think anyone can accuse you of anything, but you have indeed hurt a lot of people.”

This time I won't tell you the truth, but I will bring Theresa back. You can reconnect with her, get to know her, and then make your own choice. Whatever your final choice is, I will understand.

Don't make choices to atone for your sins; make choices about what you want to gain.

The doctor fell silent, simply sipping the sanity potion.

This time it was Qi Yan's turn to speak her own opinion:

"Theresia's dream is beautiful, but a little too beautiful. Even to me, an outsider, it seems too unrealistic."

To be honest, as an organization born from Theresa's will, I also feel that Rhodes Island's ideals are somewhat exaggerated.

"Is this your reason for being so rebellious and constantly betraying others?" the doctor couldn't help but retort.

"Watch out or I'll sue you for defamation!" Qi Yan punched the doctor. "I didn't say I disagreed. Isn't the beauty of a dream precisely in its perfection?"

If even dreams born from the depths of our hearts have to consider various realities, then we are truly pathetic.

Difficulties are unavoidable; what we need to do is to do our utmost to transform this imperfect story into the one we aspire to.

Chapter 710 Let's Be Friends First

"What if our new choices actually make the story worse?"

The doctor suddenly spoke in a somewhat pessimistic tone.

“If it really turns out that way, I, Qi Yan, will give you another chance to choose again.” Qi Yan smiled, “Just like Theresa did back then.”

"What...does that mean?" A sudden, overwhelming sense of crisis welled up in the doctor's heart.

Qi Yan tilted his head back and drank the last drop of sanity potion in his hand, then stood up and casually threw the empty bottle away.

"I'll beat you until you lose your memory, then plant you in the soil so you can grow back."

Under the doctor's astonished gaze, Qi Yan stretched:

"I need your help urgently, we'll talk when I get back."

The next second, Qi Yan leaped into the air and streaked across the sky like a shooting star, disappearing into the distance.

The doctor stared blankly at Qi Yan's departing figure, his hand gripping the sanity serum tightening unconsciously.

He realized what a heavy promise Qi Yan had just made in a joking tone—a promise made in his own name.

"Theresia...she's left us."

The doctor sipped the sanity potion slowly until it was empty, then stared blankly at the empty bottle in his hand.

Suddenly, he stood up, threw away the empty sanity potion, ignored the bewildered looks from Windermere and the group of sword guards on the other side, and raised his middle finger to the sky.

"Qi Yan, you stupid dog, I know you can hear me!"

The doctor roared at the top of his lungs, "Stop talking nonsense! Even if you're going to make a decision, you have to ask for our opinion first!"

Just like all that bullshit you just spouted, if you want to make a choice, you need to truly get to know us, connect with us, and become friends with us first, you bastard!

Stop acting all high and mighty like some god, offering blessings as if saving lives were a divine gift. We are human beings too; what we truly want is for you to be by our side, not to see a heartless life-saving machine!

A cold wind, seemingly coming from nowhere, swept past the professor, ruffling his clothes.

But the doctor did not feel the slightest bit of cold; on the contrary, his throat, which had been sore from shouting, was no longer uncomfortable.

He heard a strange voice in his ear.

"Thank you, his friend. He and I will keep your advice in mind."

The blade, gleaming with golden light, pierced through the body in front, and blood flowed continuously down the blade.

Shining lowered her eyes slightly.

She is about to atone for her sins and sever all ties with her own life.

As the absolution master felt the pain in his chest, he could no longer suppress the smile on his face and burst into maniacal laughter.

"Sister, accept our fate. You shouldn't have resisted in the first place."

He opened his arms, trying to pull Shining into his embrace.

"Try touching her."

A completely emotionless voice suddenly rang out beside the pardoner.

His hand, which was about to touch the hem of Shining's clothes, suddenly froze, and he slowly turned his head to look at his side.

Qi Yan watched him quietly.

Both sides on the battlefield instinctively stopped fighting, bringing peace to this chaotic little battlefield.

Until the sonic boom that roared across the sky finally arrived, shaking everyone's eardrums.

The gale, stirred up by Qi Yan's rapid arrival, finally reached the scene as if experiencing a network delay, and began its rampage, with dust flying and clouds dissipating.

The pardoner's throat was a little dry.

He suddenly realized something: Qi Yan was not the same as before.

Something new had emerged about Qi Yan, making him subtly more dangerous than he had been in the city of Lontinim, or even when he was traveling on this land.

"They're going to kill us." The shapeshifters disguised as 'Theresia' cried out in unison, "We're doomed."

The absolution master, as someone who directly confronts this state of affairs, feels the most terrifying oppression.

His body was young, but his soul, having possessed countless offspring, had long since decayed to the point of near numbness, rarely showing any reaction to external stimuli.

But at this moment, the pardoner could clearly feel a fear beyond death engulfing his soul, causing him to tremble uncontrollably.

Under the somewhat dazed gaze of the absolution master, Qi Yan slowly walked to Shan Ling's side, placed one hand on Shan Ling's shoulder, and grasped Shan Ling's hand holding the sword with the other.

Qi Yan gently rotated his wrist, causing the sword blade to churn within the absolution master's chest.

Intense pain coursed through the entire body of the absolution master, yet it paled in comparison to even a fraction of the fear instilled in him by Qi Yan's murderous intent.

"Come on, didn't you say you wanted to merge with Shining's soul?" Qi Yan said softly, "Try moving."

The pardoner's lips trembled slightly.

"You're really going to move?"

Qi Yan raised an eyebrow and, without warning, kicked the absolution master in the stomach.

Shuiyue, who was standing behind the absolution master, quickly jumped to the side to avoid being affected.

The absolution master's body grazed Shuiyue's fingertips and flew backward, smashing a boulder several meters high.

The entire place was deathly silent, except for the sound of shattering boulders mixed with the sorcerer's suppressed moans of pain.

Qi Yan gently patted Shanling's shoulder and said softly:

"Silly girl, haven't you considered how heartbroken Nightingale and we would be if something happened to you?"

“But this is… the sin I committed,” Shining whispered.

"Anyway, I don't care." Qi Yan shook his head. "You can ask Nightingale if she cares."

"I do not care!"

Without hesitation, Nightingale immediately spoke up: "Don't do anything foolish again. Even if we have to face it, it should be together, not just you alone."

Qi Yan chimed in from the side:

"Yeah, yeah, besides Nightingale, you should also think about Nearl. I want to see you three dance again. Last time in Kazimierz, I didn't get enough before that bastard Roy interrupted me."

No, the more I talk about it, the angrier I get. If I get lost again... I mean, next time I pass through Kazimierz, I have to beat him up!

Shining skillfully ignored the second half of Qi Yan's rambling and gently took Nightingale's outstretched hand.

After a moment of silence, she finally smiled with relief and nodded earnestly to Qi Yan.

Qi Yan took a satisfied breath, then turned to look at the absolutist struggling in the rubble. His expression turned cold again.

"You guys talk first, I'll go and have a heart-to-heart talk with him."

After uttering those words, Qi Yan strode towards the pardoner.

Just as he was about to get close, a voluptuous and graceful figure blocked his way.

At this moment, Salus was in a terrible state. He hadn't even had time to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, and the bloodstains on his neck had already stained his snow-white shirt crimson.

"You'd better not mess with me, my attack power is a bit high right now," Qi Yan warned. "Even if you're wearing my favorite black stockings, you'll still be able to break through my defenses."

Ignoring Qi Yan's reminder, Salus gritted his teeth and questioned:

"Qi Yan, this is a matter between our family members, why are you interfering?"

Qi Yan didn't rush to make a move, but asked with interest, "Since you said this is Shining's family matter, why did you get involved?"

Salus stared wide-eyed in confusion: "Because I am also a member of a family of pardoners!"

Qi Yan picked at his ear, as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world, and sneered:

"I am not unfamiliar with this term, and I have seen and experienced ethical dramas such as brothers killing each other and fathers resigning while sons laugh. But without exception, everyone has a legitimate identity to perform on stage."

Father, mother, brothers, sisters—which of these roles do you play?

Salus opened his mouth, completely at a loss for words to answer the question.

Qi Yan waited patiently until Salus's evasive gaze turned into one of embarrassment and anger.

“It’s truly regrettable,” Qi Yan said slowly. “You can’t even bring yourself to say that you’re just a pet. You know very well that no matter how hard you try, you’re nothing more than a dispensable clown.”

You are not even as good as a vase, a bed, or a servant.

A dog barks, and the owner will glance at it to see what's wrong; broken furniture makes the owner feel sorry; a dead servant makes the owner feel distressed about the loss of property… But if you think you'd die in front of a pardoner, would he even give you a second look?