Arknights: Studying medicine can't save Terra

Page 749

"Thank you. My name is Shuiyue."

Shuiyue smiled and took Haimo's hand, using the leverage to climb onto the small wooden boat.

He shook off the seawater and looked at the old man at the bow of the boat, whose skin had a strange bluish-green hue.

The priest's robes clearly identified the old man as a member of the Deep Sea Church. His loose hood covered half of his face, and between the brim and his thick beard, his eyes, with their faint wrinkles, shone with an unsettling bluish-green hue.

“Grandpa Cicero, I was planning to visit you when I passed by your place, but I never expected to meet you here again.”

Shuiyue waved her hand, refusing the handkerchief Haimo offered, and casually brushed her wet hair away to prevent the seawater from wetting her face again.

Haimo held a handkerchief, her two small fists raised in front of her white bra.

She knelt on the boat, her lower body covered by a black coat and white skirt, revealing only her slender legs clad in white stockings. Her sandals couldn't hide her toes, which were slightly curled up due to nervousness.

Shuiyue noticed that Haimo's gaze towards her always carried longing, anticipation, and a hint of pain.

She seems to be going through some unknown torment.

“Grandpa Cicero, is she like me?” Shuiyue asked.

Cicero laid the oar flat on the bow of the boat and sat down beside the two men.

He looked at Shuiyue with satisfaction and replied:

"She was a pitiful child. Her father was taken away by the court under the pretext of investigation in his early years and never returned. As a result, she and her mother were hated by the residents of the same town."

Shuiyue, you should be familiar with this story by now. You should have witnessed this kind of clichéd story many times. When disaster strikes, ignorant people need an outlet, and her mother becomes that target.

By the time I passed through that town, the tragedy was nearing its end; all I could do was rescue her, bound and gagged, from the flames.

Shuiyue remained silent for a moment.

When Cicero recounts this story, Haimo, as the protagonist, displays an unusual calmness, but Shuiyue can capture her emotions from subtle expressions.

"I hope hatred and the past won't drown your damp dreams," Shuiyue tried to comfort her.

Hai Mo shook her head and said timidly, "I did not hate the Tribunal."

"But……"

“She’s perfectly lucid,” Cicero explained. “Her hatred and remorse aren’t directed at the courtroom; she simply can’t accept the townspeople’s false accusations against her father in self-defense, and she can’t forgive them for spreading baseless rumors about her mother…”

...and herself, powerless against everything yet unable to let go.

Shuiyue silently added the aftermath of Cicero's timely stop in her heart.

He gazed silently at the girl in front of him, who was clearly nervous but was trying to appear calm.

“So she accepted your experiment,” Shuiyue said softly.

Through the sense of blood ties from the ocean, Shuiyue clearly recognized that Haimo was also a sea creature, a sea creature transformed from a human.

This kind of approach was exactly the kind of experiment that the deep-sea bishop Cicero was most skilled at.

"Shuiyue, you seem to have some ideas?"

Because of his understanding of Shuiyue, Cicero saw through Shuiyue's heart at this moment.

“Her current condition is dangerous,” Shuiyue admitted. “Haimo’s body is undergoing a transformation as she receives the gift from the messenger of the ocean.”

"Yes, no one can decide where she will ultimately go—whether she becomes a Terrorfish, or some kind of incomplete sea creature, or evolves perfectly like you and me. I'm just giving her a choice."

When Cicero spoke, a strange kind of compassion shone in his green eyes.

He genuinely loved Shuiyue, one of his children, and sincerely hoped that Haimo could maintain her human nature during Haisi's assimilation process.

Cicero asked, "You feel sorry for it, don't you? You want to protect the sea foam."

Shuiyue did not answer immediately, but turned to look at the shore.

Texas called Exusiai and the others back to the beach from the sea. The group did not show any strong reaction, but they all stood guard on the shore, watching the wooden boat from a distance.

“It seems you’ve experienced a lot on land and made many friends during this time,” Cicero said with satisfaction.

"Yes, this period of time has been...exciting."

Shuiyue withdrew her gaze and earnestly pleaded with Cicero, "I have also met many talented and extraordinary people. Grandpa Cicero, could you let me take Haimo away? I believe my friends can help her."

Hai Mo listened to their conversation, her glassy eyes widening slightly:

"I...I can do it. I've only just accepted all of this, and I believe I can do it!"

“I’m not denying you; I just want to make you safer,” Shuiyue reassured her.

Just as Cicero understood him, Mizuki understood Cicero.

Haimo remained by Cicero's side, and regardless of whether he succeeded or failed, Cicero would not interfere. Cicero's compassion was reserved only for successful individuals; for those who failed, Cicero simply believed that they were not good enough.

Haimo's story was already sad enough; he didn't want it to have the same tragic ending.

“Seafoam, go,” Cicero reassured her. “Wherever you are, I look forward to the day we can meet again.”

Children, I am getting old, but I see hope in you.

Perhaps through my efforts, all humans who taste the fruits of the gods will become as wise as you.

Shuiyue stood up and invited Haimo to leave with her.

But as the two turned around, Shuiyue turned to Cicero and said:

"You once asked me a question: how to become a better human being."

I couldn't give an answer then, but now I can give you, and the blueprint of human evolution depicted in your experiments, my own answer.

If this future rejects those who are not resilient enough, then it cannot be considered a successful process of learning and evolution for humanity.

Cicero pondered for a moment, not annoyed by Shuiyue's denial, but instead showing a hint of joy.

He nodded and said, “Indeed, indeed, my dear child, since this is the answer you have given, I will revise my research.”

Shuiyue didn't move, but earnestly reminded him:

"There's no rush to revise the research, Grandpa Cicero. I hope you'll move soon."

The topic shifted somewhat abruptly, and Cicero clearly hadn't caught up with Shuiyue's train of thought.

"Based on my understanding of a certain person, Iberia is definitely not peaceful lately."

Shuiyue, holding Haimo's hand, jumped into the water and waved goodbye to Cicero on the surface.

"While he might not specifically target the Deep Sea Church to cause trouble, a little mischief from him could easily wipe out all your years of hard work."

Chapter 1050 These days, who doesn't record their conversations?

Like a little prank played on Cicero, Shuiyue only offered advice without providing any explanation.

He held Haimo's soft little hand in the water, gradually moving away from the lonely little wooden boat, and swimming towards his companions on the shore.

Haimo was clearly at a loss and had no choice but to follow Shuiyue.

She became noticeably more uneasy as she saw Texas and the others on the shore.

Her past experiences have made her hesitant to place complete trust in humanity.

"It's alright, they are all trustworthy companions."

Shuiyue swam to the beach with Haimo, comforting him as they walked: "It's really dangerous to keep you by Grandpa Cicero's side any longer. I'll help you readjust to your new environment."

Seagull, I don't know what compelling reason you took to answer the ocean's call, but please remember, you accepted this gift not to escape, but to become a better version of yourself.

The two walked toward Texas and the others, and the people opposite them also came to greet them.

Haimo gripped Shuiyue's hand tightly, her voice trembling. "But...but we're different from them."

Shuiyue smiled: "No, we are all the same, we are all human beings."

"Ooi! As expected of Mizuki, you accomplished what we couldn't do with ease!"

"Shuiyue, how did you do that? You went out for a trip and brought back an adorable little sister!"

"Is it still possible for me to go for a swim in the ocean now?"

Rhodes Island operators gathered around, laughing and joking, while curiously examining Seafoam.

Exusiai fully embraced her Sarkazan-like social anxiety, bouncing around the sea foam twice, her eyes brimming with excitement.

She rubbed her hands together, eager to discuss it with Shuiyue:

"Great job, Shuiyue! You're already showing some of Qi Yan's style. Next time, could you help Penguin Logistics bring back a couple of girls?"

Shuiyue responded with a smile:

"It might be a bit difficult to introduce a sister to Penguin Logistics, but I can introduce you to a good buddy."

"Oh? Is he a handsome guy? Sure, he's fine too!" Exusiai was open to all comers.

"Of course, he's handsome when he's not talking!"

"...Let's forget about Qi Yan."

Seeing that Exusiai had taken the bait, Mizuki smiled without saying a word and looked at the other Rhodes Island operators.

A group of people simultaneously revealed sinister smiles that sent chills down Exusiai's spine.

"Hey! What did you do?" Exusiai was so frightened that her hair stood on end.

"It's nothing." A reserve operator took out his terminal. "I just recorded your disgusted remarks. I'm sure Qi Yan would be happy to take a stroll through Penguin Logistics after hearing them."

Exusiai was instantly dumbfounded and repeatedly admitted defeat:

"I was wrong. If the boss finds out I brought Qi Yan over, he'll deduct the same amount from my salary as Qi Yan's!"

"Great, another segment has been recorded."

"Who chats without recording these days? Ah Neng, you need to be more careful!"

A group of people burst into laughter amidst Exusiai's wails.

Haimo hid behind Shuiyue, watching everyone's daily antics in disbelief, feeling her fear of humans deepen.

These guys actually enjoy scaring their companions!

"scared you?"

A somewhat aloof voice came from beside Haimo.

Haimo shrank back and turned her head to look. She saw a very pretty girl named Luper, who was holding an open box of snacks and gesturing for Haimo to have one.

"Thank you... but I don't need it," Haimo shook her head in refusal.

Texas didn't insist, and withdrew the Pocky, explaining:

"Don't worry, it's just a joke between friends. Usually, these kinds of embarrassing past records are quickly forgotten, and then..."

After being discovered unintentionally, it was used to launch a new round of persecution. Unless the other side also finds something to use against her, they can offset each other. However, Exusiai is clearly not good at hedging this risk; she's an idiot.

Haimo: "..."

"Texas, I can hear you!"

“You see, when she hears me saying bad things, she just complains but doesn’t keep a record.”

Exusiai stood there dumbfounded, then realized what was happening and beat her chest in regret.

The beach was filled with laughter and joyful chatter.

Shuiyue smiled and said to Haimo:

"See, I told you everyone was friendly."

"Uh... um."

Haimo's agreement sounded somewhat reluctant.

Texas smirked, dangling a Pocky stick from her lips and waving to the crowd:

"Alright, stop fooling around. Rest time is over. Let's continue. We need to reach the next town before dark."

Laughing and joking, the group went back together to start the convoy.