I was raised in the simulator, and I’m really not a bad woman in Ark!

"Ikaros, they don't seem to have any ill will towards us." After seeing the actions of several Sarkaz mercenaries hundreds of meters away through the sight, Arturo spoke to Ikaros with some uncertainty.

"No ill intentions?" Hearing this, Ekalos narrowed his eyes and looked at the blurry figure in the distance. Indeed, with the blessing of the power of the Demon King and the fragments, he vaguely saw the mercenaries who had laid down their weapons and raised their hands to show goodwill.

But for the sake of caution, Icarus continued to ask Arturo,

"Then Arturo, can you take a closer look at whether there are any uniform symbols or something like that on their clothes? Or accessories that indicate their identity?"

"Hmm...it seems like there are some, but they are all covered up by their tattered clothes. However, compared to their outer clothes, their weapons are obviously standard weapons, and they look basically the same type."

Arturo observed carefully, but unfortunately due to her vision problems, she still couldn't see clearly the appearance of the emblems similar to armbands on the chests and arms of these Sarkaz mercenaries.

But not everything was gained.

"That's it..."

"Then perhaps, they could be the people sent by Babel to ensure the safety of Luciana's mother."

Touching his smooth chin, Ikaros looked at the Sarkaz mercenaries in the distance who had laid down their weapons and looked like they were ready to be slaughtered. The only other mercenaries who would do this were the mercenaries sent by the Tower of Babel.

Ikaros didn't think that the Sarkaz mercenaries, who had to hide daggers under their pillows when they slept, would abandon all their weapons and equipment when they realized that they were being targeted by snipers.

Compared to giving up their weapons and thus the ability to resist, Sarkaz mercenaries would be more inclined to use the bodies of their teammates as meat shields to avoid sniping and spells. Even if they die, they will never give up their weapons.

Combined with the vague information provided by Arturo, Icarus finally came to this speculation.

But it is only possible that they are mercenaries from Babel.

After all, honey traps are not uncommon in Kazdel.

Pretending to be weak to lure people off their guard, and then being counterattacked as soon as they get close, Ikaros had seen this before when he was wandering at the border of Kazdel.

Therefore, caution is the top priority at the moment.

"Eh? Are they from the Babel Tower? I told you that Mom has someone to protect her when she goes out this time, so I told you not to worry too much."

However, after hearing Ekalos's speculation, Luciana, who was also on guard with her submachine gun, popped her head out with a cheerful tone, completely different from the dejected look she had just shown after being glared at by her good daughter Arturo.

Her energetic tone and excited look don't sound like that of a wife, but rather like that of a slightly mature girl.

But after saying this, he was once again met with Arturo's cold gaze, and Ikaros's somewhat helpless smile and explanation.

"It's just possible that they are mercenaries from the Tower of Babel, Mother Luciana. After all, you should know that the customs of the people in Kazdel are relatively... um~, 'simple'."

"So, while it's not good to assume bad things about others, to be safe, we still need to consider the possibility that they might be trying to gain our trust."

"Besides, even if you really have someone protecting you, it's really hard for Arturo and I to feel at ease with you in this state."

After saying these words, Ikaros couldn't help but sigh.

Although Luciana was not directly pointed out by Ekaros as being unreliable, she could intuitively feel Ekaros's concern for her from the girl's words.

But because of this, Luciana felt that Icarus's attitude had brought trauma to her fragile heart that Arturo could not have caused.

Even though he was extremely helpless, he still tried his best to be gentle for his own sake. Isn't that really too much?!

"Well, I, I understand. I will be careful next time." Finally, Luciana, feeling a little ashamed, made such a promise with a bitter face, without any dignity of an elder.

"I hope so."

Arturo obviously didn't quite believe it. After all, her mother was too deeply influenced by her, and coupled with her mother's original personality, she felt that her mother would probably forget her promise tomorrow.

"Then do your best." Icarus was a little more optimistic. He gave Luciana a cute and gentle smile like an angel, which made Luciana feel warm in her heart. If she hadn't felt that the situation was inappropriate, she would have hugged Icarus against her chest and rubbed him hard against her.

Of course, this has to be when Arturo is not around, otherwise his daughter would probably be jealous of him.

"But, Ikaros, what should we do next? Should we take the initiative to go over? They don't seem to have any intention of getting closer to us."

After this episode, Arturo put another question in front of Ekalos.

Ikaros's attitude towards this is also clear.

"They will come over when they get tired of waiting. We are not familiar with the situation over there. At least the area around here is safe. With the Originium Technique I have arranged, it is safe enough."

What a joke! The Originium formation barrier specially arranged by Ekaros was waiting for these Sarkaz mercenaries to come in. How could it be possible that they went there specifically?

What if the other side brings out some big guns and they are in danger soon?

And not only did Ekaros want them to come voluntarily, she also wanted to minimize the risks.

Then the silver-haired girl looked at Arturo.

"Arturo, you don't have to keep watching them anymore, but can you and Mother Luciana drive to the hill over there?" Ikaros pointed to a commanding height a hundred meters away and suggested, "Your Guardian Gun is not very effective at close range. I'm worried about Mother Luciana, and my Originium skills can ensure that I can escape unscathed when facing danger."

"So... can you please go ahead? After all, I guess only if I'm the only one left will those Sarkaz mercenaries be willing to approach after disarming themselves."

Ikaros naturally had his own considerations for making this decision.

After all, the Sarkaz mercenaries on the opposite side have already laid down their weapons. If Ikaros does not show an equal attitude and goodwill, then even if the other party is really a mercenary from the Tower of Babel, it will be impossible for him to continue to approach.

Therefore, in order to prevent Luciana and Arturo from falling into danger, Ekalos wanted them to move to a commanding height a hundred meters away first.

It also means that Arturo can provide remote assistance when he is attacked.

After a week of training and traveling along the road, Arturo, who had a good talent and excellent shooting performance in school, has perfectly mastered the guardian gun that can decapitate a steel-armored Originium worm within a thousand meters.

Therefore, compared to letting Arturo hold the cello and perform Originium skills beside him, Ikaros prefers to let her provide remote support.

"This... Icarus, is it really okay for you to stay here alone?" Arturo hesitated after listening to Icarus' proposal and asked worriedly.

"Of course it's no problem. Don't forget how I dealt with the swarm of insects in that Originium insect nest. If I'm well prepared for an attack like that, I can guarantee three to five shots."

The calm and confident expression showed that Ikaros' words were not lies.

"Is that so? Then you must be more careful, Icarus." Seeing this, Arturo stopped pestering him. She believed in Icarus.

It was not only because of his unconditional trust in Ekalos, but more because Arturo had witnessed the terrifying growth of Ekalos' strength along the way.

So the tone became a burden around Ekalos, and Arturo hoped that he could help the other party as much as possible.

Therefore, it is enough to just trust each other.

Arturo will always trust Icarus, no matter what the situation is, what the matter is, or what happens.

...Well, forever.

Chapter 126: The Girl's Unknown Pride

……

"Captain, it seems that the group of Laterans have left, but one person has remained. Do they want us to approach them?"

Among the Sarkaz mercenaries in the distance, a Sarkaz dressed as a warlock looked at the only figure left by the boundary marker in the distance, and then looked at his captain and asked.

The Sarkaz mercenary looked at the distance and saw only one figure left. He thought for a moment and nodded.

“That should be the case, but the other two Sakotas definitely didn’t go far, but it doesn’t matter.

You guys stay here and guard our weapons, I will go over and meet the other party myself."

The mercenary knew very well that Sakota, who had left, must not have gone far, but the other party's behavior had undoubtedly expressed goodwill, so as a person who was entrusted by Her Highness Theresa, he naturally had to show corresponding magnanimity.

Therefore, after rejecting all objections, the Sarkaz mercenary came to the fully armed Ikaros alone without carrying any weapons.

The mercenary looked at the expressionless silver-haired girl of Sakta in front of him, whose height only reached his chest, and even with the pure white halo, it could only barely reach his pectoral muscles.

Originally, he was somewhat dissatisfied because he realized that he was still being targeted, and he wanted to give the Lateran in front of him a warning.

But now I don’t know why, the unkind words and Sarkaz swear words that I had already thought of in my mind and were ready to say in my mouth could not be uttered at all.

Even the resentment and instinctive disgust that the Sarkaz mercenaries had towards the Sakota race dissipated silently.

Just... weird.

He was obviously very unhappy when he was being targeted, and he thought that he had to scare this Sakota no matter what to vent his anger.

But when he really came in front of Sakota, the man with long silver hair.

That thought seemed to have vanished into thin air.

Instead, there was a desire to protect the Sakota girl in front of him and prevent anything from hurting her...

The Sarkaz mercenary couldn't help but think of his daughter who died in the war.

If this damn civil war hadn't broken out.

If only his farm hadn't been destroyed.

If his daughter had not died of Originium disease due to the civil war.

So now... she should be as tall as the girl in front of her, right?

"Nasha..."

For some reason, the Sarkaz mercenary suddenly whispered his daughter's name, and the silver-haired girl in his sight seemed to be replaced by his daughter.

The barren plains around him seemed to be replaced by the farm where he once lived.

Everything seemed to have returned to the peaceful days without the civil war. He sat in a rocking chair and watched his daughter playing in the fields. From time to time, he smiled with kind satisfaction because of her silly behavior, and from time to time he felt worried because of her bumps and bruises.

Those were the happiest days of his life.

"Hmm? Nasha?" Because of the Grand Duke in the first simulation, Ikaros also gained the ability to understand the Sarkaz language.

So even though the mercenary in front of him was whispering these words in ancient Sakaz, Ekaros, whose body had been strengthened three times, could still hear and understand them clearly.

"Uh... Nasha, it's... it's my daughter, a very cute and sensible girl, very similar to you... I'm sorry."

The Sarkaz mercenary was stunned for a moment after hearing the ancient Sarkaz language coming out of Ikaros's mouth, but he still explained under the influence of the girl's aura that made the Sarkaz subconsciously feel favorable.

Ikaros fell into a brief silence after hearing this.

Once upon a time? It really is an inexplicably heavy word...

There was no need for further explanation. All he needed to know was that the land beneath his feet was called Kazdel. From the few words of the Sarkaz mercenary in front of him, Ekalos knew the fate of the girl named Nasha.

Although her gentleness and kindness are always reserved for those who are important to her, leaving only indifference and coldness to others.

But it was probably a response to the friendly attitude of the Sarkaz mercenary in front of him.

Although the silver-haired Sakta girl did not show the gentle smile that was unique to her friends and family, her expressionless face was at least no longer so cold.

"You must love her very much." Ekalos spoke softly, his voice gentle and ethereal, like the clear and pleasant sound of gurgling water, as if it had some special magic that could touch people's deepest feelings.

After hearing these words, the Sarkaz mercenary's heart, which had been numb for a long time due to suffering and countless regrets, was touched, and he sighed with a slightly vicissitudes of life.

"Yes, I love her very much. She is the last treasure her mother left me. If nothing had happened to her, Nasha would probably be as tall as you now..."

There were no major ups and downs in the mercenary's tone, but his hoarse and old voice made his emotionless words tinged with an invisible sadness and regret.

Even Ikaros' heart sank. After all, the departure of a living life always makes people feel sad. Life in Lateran has changed Ikaros a lot after all.

But that was the extent of Ikaros's mood swings.

Because Kazdel has always been like this... full of betrayal, regret, sadness, death, and separation.

The color of blood has long been rooted in this land. After the earth became addicted to the blood of the Sarkaz people, the land called Kazdel has been cursed. As a Sakota who has personally experienced this, I am afraid that no Lateran in the world can understand this better than Ekaros.

However, proper comfort would not bring any loss. Ekalos could hear that the mercenary did not lie and saw the other party's sincerity. Although he was not sure when the Sarkaz mercenary became so easy to talk to, he always felt that the attitude of the mercenary in front of him was a little strange and his goodwill seemed a little abnormal.

However, Ekaros, who had indeed judged that the other party had no ill intentions, did not want to care too much about those strange things, so he spoke softly to the Sarkaz mercenary and comforted him:

"My condolences, but... I think Nasha must be happy to have a father like you."

“Hahaha, little girl, you are really good at comforting people, but…thank you anyway. By the way, my name is Karl Yin, little girl, what’s your name?

If you come to Kazdel at this time and get lost, it would be better to leave early."

Hearing Ekaros' gentle comfort, Carl's complicated mood suddenly eased a lot. He smiled and thanked him with a relieved tone. At the same time, he also subtly reminded Ekaros about some other things.

To be honest, although he really wanted to have a good chat with the little girl from Sakota, with whom he hit it off right away, the mercenary captain was still able to distinguish the importance of the matter.

What's more, it would be best if the girl in front of me was the one that His Highness had entrusted me to escort.

But if not, then persuading the other party to leave this troubled place as soon as possible is obviously the best option.

At this moment, based on the subtle hints in Karl's final advice, Ekalos had basically determined that the mercenaries in front of him belonged to the Tower of Babel.

So Ikaros also chose to answer the other party's question.

"My name is Ikaros. As for why I came to Kazdel..."

However, to be on the safe side, Ikaros still did not relax his vigilance, but stared at Karin with his pale golden eyes, and then asked him,

"Before I answer this question, could you please tell me if you are from the Tower of Babel?"

The originally relaxed atmosphere between the two of them suddenly became slightly frozen under the girl's question, causing the faint smile on Carl's face under the mask to gradually disappear. Then he asked abruptly: