Arknights: Studying medicine can't save Terra

"Wow, that's quite a generous gesture. Let me guess, did His Majesty personally send you here to handle such an extravagant reimbursement amount?"

Begler didn't hide anything and said it directly:

"His Majesty's meaning is simple: you are the envoy stationed on Rhodes Island, and Letania can give you the best treatment, but... don't come back and interfere with Letania's decisions."

Chapter 1040 Old Mo: Today, I'm going to perform a double whammy for you all!

"To falsely convey His Majesty's imperial edict is a capital offense."

Murphy sat down on the sofa, his expression completely calm.

"Alright, alright, His Majesty didn't say anything," Begler said with a smile. "But for those of us working down here, figuring out what the higher-ups are thinking is standard practice. Guess if I guessed right or wrong this time?"

Murphy suddenly changed the subject:

"What's the situation in Kazimir?"

"A team was sent north as a token gesture, but the main force remains stationary. I heard they are trying to secure a spot to go south."

"Where is Sherag?"

"They shout slogans louder than anyone else, but... they really can't muster many people."

What about Colombia?

"Qi Yan personally called their names, would they dare to refuse?"

In the exchange of questions and answers, Begler roughly revealed the current trends of various countries.

He crossed his legs and asked in return:

"Should we ask Letania next?"

“I know without you even asking,” Murphy said calmly. “Nobody wants to get involved in the dangers of the Wuyan Kingdom and the Ice Plains.”

"So you're here as Rhodes Island's envoy, trying to persuade Letania to move north?" Begler asked.

"It has nothing to do with Rhodes Island; I made this decision based on my own considerations..."

Murphy stopped talking.

There was a knock on the door of the private room, and the deluxe meal that Begler had ordered was delivered.

After waving away the waiters who wanted to speak, Murphy continued after the door to the private room was closed again:

"I will not deny the risks of going north, but going south is no less risky for Letania than going north."

Don't forget what the catastrophe caused by Hai Si was called, and don't forget that Letania's Originium Arts are powered by music.

Begler remained unmoved: "But Qiyan is in the south."

"That's precisely why we can't go near him!" Murphy's tone became more serious. "Who gave you the courage to get close to my brother? Besides Rhodes Island, which organization would fare well if it fell into his hands?"

Begler: "..."

He dared not accept that reply.

After hesitating for a long time, he asked tactfully, "Aren't you afraid of the consequences of saying these things?"

Murphy was not joking at all:

"What's there to be afraid of? If I tell you the truth, I might get a beating at worst, but if I don't, and things get chaotic in the south, a lot of people in Letania will die!"

"With Qi Yan in charge, can things really get chaotic?"

"It's because my older brother is here that things have gotten chaotic!" Murphy said irritably.

Begler felt a little sweaty and took off his coat as well.

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Begler forced a dry laugh:

"Perhaps you have a point, but His Majesty's decision has already been made, and I can only say that you have returned too late."

“I still hope to have an audience with His Majesty and explain the seriousness of the matter in person,” Murphy said solemnly. “This is a decision that concerns the fate of Letania and this land, and we cannot afford to make any mistakes.”

Begler also became serious:

“You’re right, so we can’t just take your advice because you have some personal relationship with Qi Yan.”

We must consider the impact of these decisions on Letania, and on Qi Yan's attitude.

"What kind of attitude is that!"

Murphy didn't hold back and directly retorted: "You don't actually think that we in Letania are some important figure, do you? Let me tell you bluntly, in Qi Yan's eyes, this land is a place where all living beings are equal in a certain sense."

Those countries that try to go south to curry favor with Qi Yan are, in my opinion, all clowns, and I don't want Letania to become one of them.

At the World Summit, Qi Wen had already laid everything bare. Now, this land is at a critical juncture of life and death. I know that with its limited national strength, Letania is destined not to be the shining presence at the forefront, but I hope that Letania will at least demonstrate the magnanimity and responsibility befitting a great power in Terra!

"Murphy! Watch your words!"

"Even if His Majesty or my elder brother Qi Yan were to stand before me today, I would still maintain the same attitude!"

Murphy slammed his fist on the table and stood up angrily, saying, "At a time like this, you are still thinking about those petty and despicable interests. When the nest is overturned, how can the eggs remain intact?"

Begler, if you're unwilling to do such an offensive thing, then I will!

My older brother once told me that when the end of the world comes, it will be my turn, Murphy, to make a decision! Now! Yes, right now, today, no one can disobey my decision, not even His Majesty…”

Begler curled up into a ball, constantly giving Murphy meaningful glances.

Murphy suddenly felt a sense of familiarity with this situation, a chill that slowly crept up his spine when he once made the foolish move of rejecting the Queen's Harmonica.

The door to the private room was opened from the outside, and the elegant and noble White Queen appeared in Murphy's sight without warning.

"Viscount Murphy, please continue. I'm listening." The White Queen gave an elegant yet menacing smile.

Murphy immediately knelt down, tilted his head back, and continued:

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong, but I still want to continue. Even if you order my death today, I hope you will change your mind!"

There's a saying in the Yan Kingdom: "The rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every citizen." Today, I, Murphy, am willing to sacrifice my life for righteousness!

The White Queen looked down at Murphy, and under her gaze, Murphy's pupils trembled slightly, but he made no attempt to look away.

With her long, beautiful legs moving, the White Queen closed the door behind her and sat down on the sofa.

She looked at the lavish meal that Begler had ordered and nodded.

"Not bad, I'm very satisfied."

"Xiao Wu, I'm not very satisfied with your attitude."

Qi Yan, holding Idia, sat opposite Ulbian and pointed at the desserts on the table with disdain, saying, "We only ordered so little. If outsiders see this, they'll think we can't afford it. Listen to me, let's buy all the ingredients in this restaurant!"

Ulpian: "...I really can't afford it; these desserts have already cost me half of my savings."

Qi Yan was dumbfounded: "There are actually people in this land poorer than me?"

He then looked at the somewhat embarrassed Ulbian, and his gaze softened immediately.

He picked up a cupcake and fed it to Idia in his arms, saying with satisfaction:

"I'm quite satisfied with your attitude now. Tell me, what brings you here?"

Ulpian silently adjusted his hat.

He had painstakingly killed Deep Sea Cultists to obtain his savings, but he spent half of it and was even criticized. Where could he complain?

And you even want to show off your superiority by stepping on my face just because I'm poor!

Ulpian, trying to calm his resentment, humbly asked, "What do you need?"

"Qi Yan, I hope to go to the sea to investigate the situation, but Kal'tsit said that I must get your permission first."

"Aren't we waiting for the second captain and the others?" Qi Yan asked, puzzled.

Ulpian paused for a moment, then asked in return:

"How much do you actually know about Agor and the Deepsea Hunters?"

What aspect are you trying to say?

"About the nature of deep-sea hunters."

"Oh, so it's just bio-modification by fusing sea creature cells with the human body," Qi Yan said dismissively. "You deep-sea hunters actually imprison sea creatures inside your bodies in exchange for the sea creatures' powerful vitality."

In other words, you are essentially humanoid versions of the Sea Siren, only temporarily acting with human thought processes and refusing to return to the main group. However, the Sea Siren and Agor went to war recently, and you and Idia sensed it at the same time, so it seems your integration process is not very promising.

Ulpian nodded, then shook his head:

“I’m safe for now, but I hope to slow down the Deep Sea Hunters’ return to Agor. I’ll go into the sea to gather more intelligence before making any further plans.”

Qi Yan thought about it and didn't refuse:

"Go ahead and rest assured. I will take good care of the three beautiful women you left behind. You don't need to worry."

Ulpian nodded again, then shook his head:

"It may be offensive to ask you a question."

"Since you've offended me, then don't ask anymore."

"...This is very important to me."

Faced with this silly Ulpian who had raised the silly Skadi, Qi Yan was somewhat helpless and waved his hand to signal him to continue.

Once Ulpian received permission, he immediately began to speak:

"I see that everyone seems to be wary of you. Although Carmen and others have said that you have the wisdom to see the big picture, I think that in addition to that, your personal strength must also be quite strong."

Presiding over such a momentous event as the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two races, which affects the fate of everyone, certainly requires an absolute force to suppress it, but you have never made a move in front of me from beginning to end.

Qi Yan, before I set off, may I witness your strength?

Ulpian said a lot, and tried his best to make his words more tactful.

In Qi Yan's mind, this series of remarks was automatically translated into a familiar format.

I've always had a slight doubt about whether your abilities surpass mine.

Qi Yan chuckled, got up and placed Idia on a chair, then walked to the open space next to him and waved to Ulbian.

Ulpian immediately went over and looked around in confusion:

"Sparring here? What if it causes damage?"

"Don't worry, it will be over soon."

Qi Yan raised his hand and snapped his fingers.

A powerful red spell descended, making Ulpian's eyelids twitch, but it wasn't aimed at him. Instead, it formed a barrier that firmly protected the surrounding buildings.

Ulpian: ?

He didn't know what Qi Yan meant, but he already regretted proposing the sparring match.

The second snap of the fingers rang out.

A chilling aura, so terrifying it sent shivers down Urbian's spine, descended, and this time it was indeed aimed at him.

But the chill did not harm him; instead, it formed a barrier that firmly protected him.

Ulpian: ? ?

He was acutely aware that this barrier alone was enough to trap him, and that he had no chance of breaking free with his own strength.

Just as Ulpian opened his mouth to admit defeat, the third snap of his fingers arrived as expected.

A faint black streak appeared in Qi Yan's hair.

"Third Captain, have you ever heard of a skill called 'The Path That Must Be Opened'?"

Ulpian: ? ? ?

Isn't that his trump card?

Before he could react, Qi Yan charged forward in his familiar posture, slamming his elbow into the ice barrier formed by the power of the giant beast in front of him.

The behemoth's power cracked inch by inch before Ulpian's horrified eyes.

The remaining power penetrated the ice barrier and slammed into Ulpian's chest.

On this day, everyone in Granfalo heard a loud bang.

People looked up in the direction from which the sound came.