Poseidon in Arknights

The Emperor's power was used perfectly; the two photos stopped just as they reached Yuuki's face.

Xi Yue looked down at the photos, which showed a blue bird standing on a blue cross with a twig in its beak, painted on his train carriage, and the vow he had written inside the carriage.

"Weren't there pictures and vows on my train carriage before? What's the use of this?"

"You really don't pay any attention at all. In a sense, 'Xinyi' is no longer a code name that belongs exclusively to you. Or rather, this name has become a kind of medical organization."

"???" The three question marks above Xiyue's head grew even bigger.

"Practicing medicine is a special profession, a respectable yet also very tragic one, and so are those who hold this profession. They deserve respect, but unfortunately, very few practitioners are able to retire completely from the medical field."

"Giving up the generous treatment you could receive, giving up the safe medical environment, and voluntarily entering the wilderness—people who normally have no access to good medical care—what they have to face..." The Emperor paused slightly at this point, and Xi Yue's voice rang out at that very moment.

"Raiders on the wasteland, wild beasts, natural disasters, and mercenary groups who want to take over the medical skills of a healer. Even if you enter the city, you may face the malice of patients and persecution from the authorities."

The emperor took the cigar from his mouth, flicked off the ash, and stubbed it out.

"That's right. I've sponsored a few doctors, but they all ran into some trouble and chose to give up practicing medicine."

"I see. However, isn't this sponsorship a bit too much? It goes directly against the country. If, as Mr. Emperor says, it doesn't involve my other identity, I don't think I deserve such an expenditure."

The Emperor waved his hand: "No need to be so modest, you've done more than you realize."

The Emperor pointed to two photos in front of Yuuki: "Look at these two, you've done too much."

???

The three question marks that had been floating above Xiyue's head since the beginning were now almost touching the ceiling.

"Let me interrupt you for a moment. These two things were not made intentionally, but rather as a casual act of interest. In my view, a crest is merely a symbol of identity, and this oath... is just a form of remembrance. What meaning could these two things possibly have?"

"Ten dollars that are useless to the rich may be a life-saving meal for the poor. It's the same here. Doctors practice medicine on their own, but you appeared, or rather, this emblem appeared."

"A kind of celebrity effect?"

"Pretty much. At first, it was just two doctors who happened to be in the area where you were active. They started imitating you, but they unexpectedly found that your identity was surprisingly useful. At least the mercenary group didn't treat the two of them badly at the beginning."

At this point, having been exposed to big data in her previous life, Xiyue understood what it meant, and the three question marks above her head turned into three glowing light bulbs.

It's very simple: the idol effect. A key part of her rumor is that a Liberian with blue ear feathers drives a car painted with a blue bird standing on a cross.

Xi Yue's efforts laid a certain foundation of trust for the identity of Xin Yi, and also gave credibility to this rumor.

This is why the two doctors who initially borrowed her crest enjoyed a different level of friendliness than before.

The characteristics of those two doctors and their subsequent actions further solidified the identity of the "believers in medicine" and the corresponding rumors, and should be discussed together.

It even spread to other medical practitioners he knew.

Xi Yue opened the system and looked at the code name column, where the words "Xin Yi" were shining with golden light.

When the code name "Xin Yi" was first obtained, the font used to write those two characters was just the most ordinary black Song typeface. Now, the font has turned gold and is full of special effects.

[Code Name: Trusted Doctor]

[Deeds: After his messenger mission, the healer stayed in various cities for 15 days, providing mobile medical care to the poor, infected individuals unable to access regular hospitals, and mercenaries. Word spread among the homeless, mercenaries, and other healers, who combined one character each from his messenger and physician identities to form the code name "Messenger-Healer."]

Although the system description remains unchanged, and the biography seems to simply include the stories told by medical practitioners, the golden radiance of the lettering on the title already conveys its preciousness and esteem.

“It’s really remarkable.”

The Emperor chuckled twice, looking at Xi Yue who had suddenly realized what was going on, and reached out to pick up a photograph on the table: "...Great Physician of the Common People, Xi Yue, you may not know how many doctors today also regard these words as an oath to be upheld throughout their lives."

"The physicians of Liberi would paint one of their ear feathers blue, while other physicians would wear blue feathers in their hair, and they all wore their emblems on their bodies in various ways."

Xi Yue took a deep breath. She had never imagined that the code name she didn't particularly like now represented so much: "Thank you, Emperor, for clearing up my doubts. I never realized I had done so much."

"After all, these things happen outside your field of vision, so it's normal that you don't know about them."

The Emperor waved to the door, but without making a sound, Is pushed the door open and handed the folder in his hand to Yuuzuki.

Xi Yue opened the folder, and as expected, it contained a contract.

"So? Shall we sign?"

Xiyue reached out and picked up the pen that had been placed on the table when the folder was handed to her.

After a while, Yuuzuki snapped the folder shut and handed it to Is standing to the side.

“Good, Is taking Miss Yuzuki for testing. Just come to our own place.”

Yuzuki smiled and stood up, following behind Is. Just as they were about to leave, she turned around and asked.

"The Emperor didn't know about my other identity before, which is why he offered such generous terms to protect me. But now the Emperor should understand that I don't actually need this contract. So why is that?"

"Because there aren't many people as interesting as you. I've seen plenty of people with ideals, and even more people with naive dreams."

"I don't think I'm the only one on earth who 'believes in medicine'."

The Emperor laughed undeniably: "Of course, you are certainly not the only one who 'believes in medicine,' but they are all dead. There are many ways to die, so I was pleased when I learned of your other identity just now."

"Because there will be more interesting people on this land?"

"No, no, no, it's just that this land has gained an interesting doctor."

Chapter 19: Test

"Miss Yuzuki, do you need me to help you bring your daughter over?" Is asked casually as he stood by the door.

"It's nothing, it's actually downstairs. I drove here. That kid inexplicably likes to touch people's tails, and I was afraid of scaring Miss Texas."

Is nodded, having no other questions. He was the one who had investigated the fact that Red was a werewolf hunter, and he also knew that the werewolf hunter's aura would frighten the Lupo tribe.

"Don't worry about such trivial matters. Just remember to hold back a little later, don't drown my good girls." The Emperor jumped down and walked to the two of them in his office chair.

"Hmm? Is a combat test required?"

"Otherwise, the necessary tests still need to be conducted. After all, Penguin Logistics' mission is to transport life and death, so kid, remember to hold back later."

"Where do you find a messenger company whose mission is to transport life and death? Shouldn't that be described as an assassin group?"

Yi Si, standing to the side, explained, "Penguin Logistics' work is not just regular cargo transportation. Penguin Logistics also engages in underground work such as intelligence trafficking, armed escort, and secret transportation. For legitimate logistics companies, please go to Feng Chi Logistics next door."

"Is, don't advertise for other people's companies!" The Emperor patted Is on the waist.

Is smiled apologetically before continuing, "So a combat strength test is still very necessary. Of course, I think there is no doubt about Miss Yuzuki's combat strength, but we need to know about those four girls."

“I understand.” Xi Yue nodded, indicating that she understood.

"Alright, Is, enough nonsense, enough talk." The Emperor pushed open the door.

"Boss, would you like an apple pie?" Exusiai peeked out from the kitchen after hearing the voice. A constant buzzing sound came from the kitchen, and judging from her words, it seemed that Exusiai was heating up an apple pie in the microwave again.

"Leave me a piece later, and also..." The Emperor patted Xi Yue's leg behind him. If it went any higher, she might have to stand on tiptoe, which wouldn't be befit his status as the boss.

Although, the height of the person who can only be photographed in terms of legs doesn't seem to be much better.

Xi Yue didn't say it out loud, after all, he was the boss on the contract, and she had to save face for him.

"She will be your new colleague from now on, so get along well with her."

Following the Emperor's words, Xi Yue said, "Hello everyone, I am Xin Yi, and Xi Yue will be your colleague in the end."

"Huh, so suddenly?" Croissant, who was watching TV, suddenly turned around after hearing the Emperor and Yuzuki's words.

"Hey, our benefactor is going to be our colleague?" Exusiai came out of the kitchen carrying an apple pie.

After putting down the apple pie, Exusiai walked over to Nishiki's side in a very familiar manner and even put her arm around his shoulder.

However, due to the unfortunate height difference, Yuuki has to bend over so that Exusiai doesn't have to stand on tiptoe in an awkward way.

"From now on, I'll be your senior, so I'll be taking care of you from now on~"

"Is that so? Then, I'll leave the business matters to Exusiai."

Just then, a red figure rushed in through the doorway and grabbed Xi Yue's waist.

"A little too hard, Hong." Xi Yue scooped Hong into her arms and patted her head.

Red's rocket headbutt is getting stronger every day, is it because his body is gradually transforming into a sea creature?

Xi Yue touched Hong Ri's hair, which was gradually turning grayish-blue.

"I'm sorry, Mom."

"It's okay, just be careful."

Red-faced Xiyue glanced at the other people in the room.

'A fluorescent light tube, a wolf with a strange smell? A black and white ball, a person without a smell? A person with horns on their head.' Red, in her own way, labeled everyone with an initial set of tags.

This is Red's unique way of remembering people; by gradually adding impressions along this label, Red can remember anyone.

This was another room. Texas came out after changing into her casual clothes, and Red's gaze followed the sound.

"Whoa~~" Red's gaze swept over Radex's tail and was immediately drawn to the swaying tail.

Just as Hong was about to make a move, a hand pressed down on her head.

"Red~" Yuzuki's voice came from above. Red immediately stood still and stopped moving.

“Hmm…” Texas frowned, staring intently at Red who was standing properly. She had just felt a sense of fear.

“I’m sorry, Texas, this child is very interested in the Lupo’s tail. I will do my best to keep an eye on her.”

“No, this child…” Although she had doubts, Texas did not dare to ask directly.

Yuuki also turned her gaze to the Emperor and Is. The Emperor walked to the side without caring, while Is shrugged, indicating that it was none of his business.

"Did Miss Texas just want to ask about the child's aura to make you feel a little creeped out?"

"Hmm." Although Texas had just decided to wait until their relationship was better before asking, since the other party had brought it up, Texas was naturally eager to know the answer.

Xi Yue smiled and patted Hong's head: "According to you, this child is what you call a wolf hunter."

Texas was slightly taken aback upon hearing this: "This child is the werewolf hunter?"

Croissant nudged Kong next to her with her elbow: "What's a werewolf hunter?"

"How should I know? If you ask me, who should I ask?"

"You and Texas are both Luper. Texas knows this, so shouldn't you know it too?"

"Are you looking for trouble, Croissant?" Sora looked down and saw Croissant's mocking expression. Obviously, Croissant hadn't expected Sora to be able to answer.

Seeing Yuuki nod, Texas also nodded: "That explains it."

Texas knew something about the werewolves, so she was aware of the aura emanating from them that instilled fear in the Lupo.