Arknights: Studying medicine can't save Terra

"It seems that what was bound to happen has finally arrived."

Caster took a deep breath: "We can't fall into Wellington's rhythm. He can ensure that he can retreat after making a rash advance. We can't. If we try to outmaneuver him in terms of control over the war, we'll die a horrible death."

"I ordered a tightening of the battle line, with all warships firing at full power to repel the Sarkaz's charge. We must hold out until the Breath of Kings returns."

On the outskirts of the battlefield, Vina held the Breath of Kings, her body covered in dust, and a trace of weariness from the battle lingered in her eyes.

The horn provided cover for Vina's side, and the cannons tore through the Sarkaz lines, leading the troops behind them forward together with Vina.

"Captain, the situation has changed!"

After taking down a Sarkaz, the cello player immediately noticed the Wellington team's movements.

Horn and Vina simultaneously rushed onto a boulder, risking exposure to gaze into the distance.

The two witnessed Wellington's troops abandoning their allies and launching a desperate charge towards the Sarkaz rear.

"Why would Wellington do this?" Horn frowned. "Once the Breath of the Kings arrives as agreed and begins to function, the Sarkaz will be unable to withstand Victoria's combined attack."

Vina didn't rush to speak; she recalled the information the doctor had summarized after the meeting.

A sudden flash of inspiration struck Vina.

"Wellington is the most unique among all the Grand Dukes of Victoria!"

Vina said in a deep voice, "I'm not referring to his leadership skills, but to his bloodline. Wellington is a Tara."

For this reason, even though Wellington had repeatedly distinguished himself in battle and become one of the Grand Dukes, he was still constrained at every turn. The Grand Dukes wanted to use this to wear down his spirit, but now it seems that the Dukes have failed.

Wellington's decades of silence had finally given him the opportunity to retaliate against Victoria.

"Wellington is going to betray the country?!"

Horn exclaimed in alarm: "At a time like this? Isn't he afraid that the Sarkaz will really flatten Victoria?"

"What does flattening Victoria have to do with Tara?"

As the Crown Princess of Victoria, Vina told a truly awful joke.

Horn: "...It seems you already have a solution."

Vina's answer made the bugle almost break down.

Just as the horn was about to check if Vina had injured her head, Vina spoke again:

"I don't need to come up with any way to control the overall situation. Compared to me, who only has the title of crown prince, there are too many forces in this Victorian conflict that can easily crush me or firmly control me."

"Hail, do you think a so-called king should be omnipotent?"

"This... surely no one could do that, right?"

"Yes, that's not something that can be achieved in the first place, so I don't need the strategy of the Doctor, the interpersonal skills of the Curst, or the war control ability of the Wellington."

Vina held the Breath of Kings before her, examining the national sword that was already stained with a great deal of blood.

She revealed her innermost thoughts for the first time:

"I finally realized that what I wanted to be was never a perfect king, and the Victoria I wanted was never a puppet with only my voice."

Who should define Victoria?

No one can define Victoria, including me!

"The bugle call, I now... no, we, we now only need to do one thing."

"doing what?"

"Wait for people to come and reach out their greedy hands."

Vina said calmly, “If the dukes want the royal breath, then give it to them. If the dukes want the throne, then give it to them. I can give the dukes anything and any status they want, as long as they are still defending Victoria.”

However, this is the only way; no one may cross this line!

Victoria, she can only belong to Victoria!

The horn was awestruck by Vina's imposing presence, but couldn't help but raise questions:

"Just as you just said, you are in a completely weak position in front of these dukes, so how can you talk about controlling them?"

"Use their ambition, use their greed."

Chapter 777 I used to hold you when you were little.

The bugle gazed at its comrades before it.

She noticed that Vina was different from before.

When I first met Vina in Victoria, the girl, though she held firm to her determination, always went with the flow in her actions.

Unlike the Doctor, who followed the situation in Victoria, the Doctor observed and summarized intelligence, while Vina was always caught up in other people's rhythm and powerless to resist.

Now, Vina has stepped onto the stage of this conflict, standing before everyone.

“Vina, I respect your decision and agree with it. I will follow in your footsteps.”

The horn made a promise to Vina.

Vina and Horn exchanged a smile. Both of their faces were covered in the dust of war, yet their genuine emotions were clearly visible.

The cello player approached the two and spoke:

"Although I know I shouldn't disturb you at this time, I want to say that someone is coming."

"Who is the other party?" Vina asked.

“Judging by the insignia, it’s Duke Godotin’s army.” The cellist pointed to the outskirts of the battlefield. “He comes from outside the battlefield.”

Triangle Iron also came over to report the situation: "Within the battlefield, a fleet of Duke Castle is on its way."

The horn looked toward Vina, awaiting her decision.

"Shrink your forces and defend in place, waiting for them to come to you."

At Vina's command, her team immediately halted their breakout attempt and began to tighten their defensive line.

The commander of the Castle fleet, who was rushing to the battlefield, received the intelligence immediately. His brow furrowed, and he said with displeasure:

"This princess really thinks she's a prince. The situation is so critical, yet she's still hesitating and trying to preserve her pitiful number of troops."

The staff officer next to the commander pondered for a moment and analyzed:

"His Excellency the Duke's order is to bring back the sword, but this prince doesn't seem prepared to hand it over easily. You understand what I mean, right?"

"This is a battlefield, and anyone can make the necessary sacrifices for victory in the war."

The commander's lips curled into a cold smile.

Meanwhile, outside the battlefield, in the Gaoduoting team...

A slightly overweight, kind-faced Erafian man is leisurely enjoying a glass of wine, while elegant music plays from a small record player beside him.

The man swayed his head slightly to the rhythm of the music, and his two white antlers, clearly the result of years of meticulous care, reflected a faint fluorescence under the light amidst his short brown hair.

Despite being on the periphery of the battlefield, Duke Godotin maintained his extravagant lifestyle.

His trusted aides, seemingly accustomed to this, stood solemnly by his side and, upon receiving the communication from the battlefield, immediately stepped forward to report:

"Princess Vina has discovered our army's movements and has chosen to remain where she is, waiting for our army to pass by."

Meanwhile, Caesar's fleet was also heading towards Princess Vina's location.

Duke Godottin took a sip of his wine and said warmly:

"It seems His Highness still trusts us. Let's not disappoint him and speed up the march."

But we must also instruct our soldiers to remain cautious. After all, the main force of our army is under the command of Kast and is currently engaged in fierce fighting on the main battlefield. We cannot afford to attract the attention of the Sarkaz forces right now.”

The trusted confidant immediately accepted the order and stepped aside to direct the troops to speed up.

While Kester's fleet was still slowly approaching Vina, Godotin's forces had already arrived beside Vina's fleet.

Under the protection of his trusted men, Godottin gracefully walked towards Vina, who was covered in dust, through the battlefield.

Upon meeting, Gao Duoting immediately inquired with concern:

"Your Highness, I'm late. Are you alright?"

Vina looked at him calmly and gently shook her head.

Gao Duoting visibly breathed a sigh of relief and said thankfully:

"Actually, I've been following behind Your Highness's team the whole time, but the elite level of Your Highness's team is astonishing, and I haven't been able to keep up with you."

Fortunately, it's not too late. My troops have a considerable amount of medicine and supplies, which I hope can help Your Highness's... Exemplary Army.

As he spoke, Gao Duoting waved to his confidants, signaling them to provide supplies.

After doing all this, Godottin looked at the horn beside Vina and immediately smiled gently:

"Little Rita, do you remember me?"

I used to hold you when you were little, and you even tried to touch my horns back then.

"...Greetings, Your Grace, please forgive my rudeness back then," the horn greeted respectfully, yet with a hint of wariness.

A hint of regret flashed across Gao Duoting's chubby face, as if to say that a pitiful, thick barrier had already separated the two of them.

Horn couldn't stand Gao Duoting's gaze and subconsciously looked away.

Vina and the others looked at the horn in surprise, not expecting that this calm and composed girl was so mischievous when she was a child.

Seeing that everyone had settled into their own conversation, Gao Duoting smiled and maintained his smile:

"Speaking of which, Your Highness has had a long and arduous journey, but I have finally found you. From now on, you will no longer be fighting alone."

Vina showed a hint of surprise and said sincerely:

"If we could get His Excellency the Duke's help, it would indeed be of great benefit to us."

"Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Your Highness." Gao Duoting's smile grew even brighter. "Now, please allow me..."

"Now, Your Excellency the Duke, please take the lead in paving the way for us."

Before he could finish speaking, Vina made her request directly.

Gao Duoting's smile froze.

"What, Your Excellency the Duke is unwilling?" Vina asked, raising an eyebrow.

“No… I mean, I’m not good at leading troops in battle.” Godottin vaguely sensed that this prince was somewhat different from the rumors. “But I can offer Your Highness another kind of help, for example, in the capacity of the Victoria Council.”

I, Sean Godotin, a member of the Victorian Parliament, cordially invite Your Highness to join Parliament and bring your light to a new system for Victoria's future.

Furthermore, I can offer Your Highness's Exemplary Army a new identity. Let us abandon this outdated designation and, through the council's authority, re-enter this war.

"Are you also going to betray your country?"

Vina's words were always shocking; one sentence from her startled Gao Duoting, causing his face to change color for a moment.

"How could that be, Your Highness, you've misunderstood..."

"Sorry, I misspoke."

Vina suddenly admitted her mistake, leaving Gao Duoting speechless.

Before Godottin could reorganize his thoughts, Vina once again surprised everyone with her words:

"What I mean is, does His Excellency the Duke want to establish independence during the Victorian War?"

Gao Duoting: "..."

With Vina's two accusations, he successfully realized that the prince in front of him was definitely planning to make an exorbitant demand.

“Your Highness, it’s best not to make such jokes,” Gao Duoting said with an awkward smile. “I will definitely support whatever ideas you have. There’s no need to push me out here. I’m doing this for Victoria’s sake.”

"Has Your Excellency made a mistake?"

Vina said calmly, "You came to me, and you brought gifts and chatted with me when we met. So if you have any ideas, feel free to speak up. I will grant you what you want."

Gao Duoting: "…………"

While he remained silent, the Kester fleet, which had come from deep within the battlefield, successfully arrived.

The commander led a group of men to Vina, gave a casual bow to Vina and Godotin, and then went straight to the point:

“Your Highness Vina, we have come to escort you on the Duke’s orders. The battlefield needs the kings’ rest.”