Arknights, but the sickly pretty girl starts

Chapter 28: Pull

Almost no one can lie in front of Noya. Even if she doesn't deliberately check, Noya's ability will faithfully tell her whether the person in front of her is telling the truth.

The woman before him was clearly the type of madman who unabashedly displayed her ambition, eager to realize it the next day. However, Noah hadn't anticipated that behind Christen's seemingly conspiratorial schemes, she was actually simply aiming to pierce the sky and physically travel to outer space.

I understand the logic behind this, but this is definitely a situation she has never encountered before.

Don't laugh. When you find out that your boss is actually an astronaut, your expression won't be much better.

But she quickly gathered herself together before asking seriously, "Even if you break through the flight limit, there are still dangers lurking outside. What's out there, or what's needed, how can you guarantee this isn't a one-way ticket?"

Noah's original intention was to let Christen think of a retreat plan and not charge forward blindly, as such a charge would most likely result in her crashing into a wall and being unable to get out. However, when she sensed Christen's emotions, Noah fell silent.

The other person had no fear of this feeling in his heart...he didn't even hesitate.

She really intended to use this one-way ticket to realize her dream...

She didn't even know what to say for a moment. Encourage? Persuade? Stop?

No matter what actions or words were taken, they seemed to be ignored by the commander-in-chief who had entered an unstoppable state. The commander-in-chief was undoubtedly doing a high-risk business that could easily lead to death on the spot, but she chose to move forward while being sober.

Knowing it is impossible to do it, but still doing it——

"...If Saria were here, she would definitely persuade you..." Noah said, "A true pioneer should pave the way for all of humanity, not be the first to jump into the abyss, never to return. I think she would say that."

Did Tyra need this kind of breakthrough?

It is undoubtedly necessary. When this land can no longer accommodate people's tiny ambitions, when people face imminent crises, when Terra is no longer a suitable home for survival, people certainly need to look up at the sky. Beyond the sky, there are dangers, but also full of hope.

But now, Christen has chosen to go beyond the horizon one step ahead of everyone else for her dream.

To be honest, Noah felt that it was unreasonable and wanted to stop Christen, but she couldn't say it out loud.

Yes, anyone could stop Christen, anyone could have a reason to stop Christen, except her.

Because, after Noah heard what Christen said, her heart, or rather, she herself did not think there was anything wrong with such an action.

Like Icarus leaning on wax wings to reach the sun, Noah, to be honest, harbored a similar sentiment: "If I hear the truth in the morning, I'd rather die in the evening." She had a gentle personality, but a radical nature. She was pessimistic about Kristen's outcome, but her nature strongly supported her.

"...I..." Noya opened her mouth, but realized she could only use pale words to try to stop Christen, so she changed her tone. "You are Terra's most important scientist. You should shoulder the mission and lead humanity forward. You already have so much Singularity technology, and Rhine Life's technology is far ahead of this era. You could have waited... until Terra needed to pierce the sky."

She said this, but Kristen seemed to see through the beating heart behind her words and spoke. "I'm not the one who will lead people forward step by step. I'm just a pair of eyes, a pair... a pair of eyes that look into the depths of space for all who live on this earth."

After you've tried your best and even used all your singularity technology, this is all you want?

Do you only ask to be able to see the real starry sky for the first time?

For a moment, Noah even wanted to blame her, but she still couldn't say it.

Ultimately, what right does Noah have to ask Christensen to shoulder the mission of leading humanity forward? She is just using moral coercion. People can make their own choices. She doesn't need to be a great person.

She doesn't owe anyone...

This was probably the first time that Noah felt caught in a dilemma. In the past, the environment did not give her the right to choose, so she could only go with the flow and respond to situations as they came. But now... when the world gave her the right to choose, she was once again caught in a dilemma.

more importantly……

"Why are you telling me?" Noah asked. "Even though I know nothing, I can still help you achieve your dream. All you need is energy, right? You don't have to worry so much. You can always accumulate enough energy."

Christen didn't explain immediately, but her eyes looked at Noah with a hint of complexity, "Because your presence is indispensable."

"……Why?"

"The technology of mind manifestation can transform a person's inner thoughts. In other words, the energy generated by your emotional fluctuations far exceeds even that of those contained objects—" Christen said, "You are the true main source of energy."

"...I..." Noah didn't know how to answer, "It's me?"

"Since you came here, the rate at which you accumulate energy has doubled. That's the only conclusion I can make. Your emotions are more unstable than you imagine, and unstable emotions can bring me more energy. If nothing unexpected happens, you will contribute even more energy to me after our conversation. Because your emotions are fluctuating so much right now—" Kristen said very frankly, "I need you. You are indispensable. The answer is that simple."

"...I didn't realize it was essential as a living battery." Noah couldn't help but complain, "But how can I help you? I can't just stay in the containment area all day and night and daydream, right?"

"Of course not—" Kristen nodded, "Besides, I have something more important to ask of you than this."

"...I didn't agree to join your crazy plan." Noya emphasized, "I still think you should be a pioneer, not the so-called eye. Although I can't force you, I don't have the right to force you."

"You'll join."

"..."

"You and I are essentially the same kind of people." Kristen took a sip of black tea and waited for Noah's response.

"...I really don't want to be compared with you." Noah smiled bitterly. She was just an ordinary person. She had thought that this was the case. Even if she had done many things that others thought were great, it was only because the situation at the time forced her to make such a choice. In other words, she was the hero among the heroes created by the times, who became the core of the event because of coincidence. The only thing she planned herself was the one with Casimir, and the rest were just things she was pushed by fate.

She has lost a lot and gained a lot until now, but she has never forgotten what her essence is.

I was the guardian knight who had protected me for just one night when I was thirteen. I was a cunning businessman, calculating and calculating, a man who considered Rhodes Island his second home. I was a member of Rhodes Island. I was Noa Kyrielight.

She is not a hero, a warrior, or a knight. She is just a weak person pushed forward by fate.

She has always had this kind of self-awareness, so she can always maintain a calm state of mind. Most of the time, she thinks this way.

But now, a true pioneer told her.

I am the same kind of person as her.

Are you kidding me?

This kind of talk... is too much of a cheat.

Noah felt his heart beating violently, something that hadn't happened in many years.

Just like the knight thirteen years ago, the fire in her heart began to burn again. She never felt that she had done anything great. Even if she had, it was not her original intention.

But now, she has this chance...

"...I won't tell Saria." Noah raised his head and replied to Kristen, "Saria will definitely stop us. She's not wrong, so there's no way I can convince her."

"[We]... Ha, can I take this as a sign of your agreement?" Christen smiled. She wasn't surprised by Noah's choice. As she'd said, Noah and she were essentially the same kind of people. They were both people who, given their position, would do what they were supposed to do.

"I still can't rationally accept your actions. But my heart tells me..." Noya's expression was complicated, but her eyes were unwavering. "Why do I have to be so hesitant? Fate has taught me time and again that even the most perfect plans can have unexpected consequences. Since everything involves gambling, why can't I be the banker? Commander? No, Kristen, are you ready to go all in?"

Thirteen years old, thirteen-year-old Noah became the knight in his mind. Even if it was just one night, the scene of that night was unforgettable.

And, did Christen, who also witnessed the death of her parents when she was a child, also plant a seed that night?

Kristen has never changed, she is still the little girl looking up at the sky.

Noah has never changed. She is still the knight who protected Margaret on that rainy night.

Time had covered up almost everything about the little knight, but it had never killed her. And at this moment, when another child in need reached out to her, Noah found that she had no way of refusing the other's request for help.

So, the two children finally held hands -

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Saria was a little uneasy. Ever since Noah and Christen entered the containment area, even with her hearing, she would not be able to hear anything through such a heavy door.

Kristen... Noah...

She had confidence in Noah. Noah was a rational person. She should understand that most of Christen's plans were the nonsense of a madman and she would not agree with them.

She thought she understood Noah, Noah knew the consequences of recklessness, and she also knew what was best.

But the more she trusted Noah, the more uneasy she became.

This uneasiness had no reason, and she couldn't find the reason until the door to the containment area was opened.

"Noah..." Saria looked at Noah Kyrielight in the wheelchair. She suddenly felt a little strange, but she still took the initiative to step forward and greet Noah's return. "I was worried about you."

"The Commander-in-Chief isn't some monstrous creature. There's nothing to worry about." Noah smiled and shook her head. "He just told me about the future development of the Special Containment Procedures Department. It's nothing serious."

"...Then why are you avoiding me?" Saria frowned and asked with some confusion.

"Well... the commander-in-chief should have her own ideas." Noah turned to the commander-in-chief beside her. Although she wanted to hide it from Saria, it was better to let the commander-in-chief, the culprit, think of the reasons.

After all, I am not a good teller of lies.

Kristen said calmly, "She's right. As for why I'm avoiding you, isn't it because you've always liked to avoid me?"

"That's not what I'm talking about." Saria frowned. "I want to ask you, what did you say to Noah?"

"Well..." Christen looked at Noah who seemed to be indifferent to the matter, and suddenly a good idea came to her mind. She stepped forward, took control of Noah's wheelchair from Saria, and then turned around and said provocatively.

"I have a crush on Miss Noah Kyrielight. I just confessed my feelings. Are you satisfied with this answer?"

"……what?"

"?"

Now, not only Saria, but even Noah was stunned. She quickly understood Christen's idea, which was to put the blame back on herself.

"I didn't agree." She could only fight back like this, "I already have someone I like."

"I know, it's Saria."

“…I…” This was the first time that Noah really wanted to curse.

But what she said was true for Saria. Saria would not be shaken by such a thing... This kind of topic was impossible...

"……I?"

"...?"

To Noah's surprise, Saria's reaction seemed different from what she had imagined. When Christen said that Noah liked her, Saria's brain seemed to have experienced a nuclear explosion.

Her mind told her that this was probably just a mental shock inflicted by Christen through words, but she subconsciously looked at Noah for confirmation.

Noah gritted his teeth and shook his head firmly.

"No, the Commander is joking."

"Indeed, I was joking." Kristen nodded with a smile. "But Noah Kyrielight is indeed a very beautiful girl. Is it any wonder that I'm attracted to her? Just like you, Saria, weren't you also shaken just now?"

"..." Saria stared at Christen intently, as if she could burst into flames at any time.

But Kristen smiled nonchalantly, and Noah, who was being roasted between the two of them, sighed helplessly...

You gods are fighting, don’t drag me into it.

Chapter 29: Withdrawal Reaction

Ever since Christen said that he had improper thoughts about Noah in order to involve Saria, Saria seemed to have a tantrum and began to guard Noah strictly, not allowing any biological species similar to Christen to invade within five meters of Noah.

How should I put it… It was like an old father seeing a yellow-haired man with will-o'-the-wisp eyes suddenly appear beside his beloved daughter. And what a coincidence! Christen was indeed a yellow-haired man. Saria's desire to kill someone was obvious.

"Kristen isn't a good person. I suggest you reconsider." Saria looked at the bewildered Noah and said, "She's obsessed with her research every day and can't offer you anything. Besides her good looks, she's not good at anything else, and her lifestyle isn't great either. Listen to me, find time to draw a line between you and her."

"Director Saria...I really don't have anything going on with Commander Christen..." Noah raised her hand weakly. "I just chatted with her for a while, and she said she was just joking when she confessed to me."

"Don't harbor any intentions to harm others, but be wary of them." Saria's expression remained serious. "She's not one to joke around. No one knows how much truth there is in her words. As the Director of the Special Containment Procedures Department, I, as the Deputy Director, also have a duty to supervise you."

"...That's what you said, but you wouldn't go so far as to fight the commander..." Noah whispered, "We just met in the corridor before, but you almost came to blows with the commander."

"..." Saria fell silent. She didn't really know why, but from that day on, whenever she saw Kristen, her fists would harden, and she'd long to punch something. This big golden retriever looked like the perfect fit, perfect for a couple of punches. "I'm just fulfilling my duty as a guardian."

"...Director Saria." Noah wanted to say something to Saria, but after thinking it over, she felt that her reaction didn't seem like she would listen to advice. She felt a little helpless. "I don't think Miss Christen is a bad person. There's no need to react so violently."

"She's already lusting after you, so she's not a bad person. Then what does it take to be a bad person?" Saria stared at Noah. "Miss Noah, I have no intention of restricting your freedom to fall in love, but Kristen is definitely not a good match."

"...I've already said that the Commander-in-Chief and I don't have that kind of relationship." Noah could only retort helplessly, but now the focus was no longer on Noah, but on the conflict between Christen, who would suddenly appear next to Noah at any time, and Saria, whose anger level would reach MAX when she saw Christen.

It's like Mars hitting the Earth...

Noah couldn't help but sigh, but recently she has been very motivated because Kristen gave her a new goal. What she fears most is having no goals. As long as she has a goal, she will appear to be very focused. When a person focuses on something, he or she will actually be more attractive in the eyes of others.

Especially Saria, who has been paying attention to Noah. Looking at Noah's positive attitude recently, she feels more and more that Christen must have said something at the beginning.

Even if he didn't really confess his feelings, he probably did something strange to Noah.

Well, after coming to Rhine Life, I initially wanted to monitor Rhine Life to prevent it from doing anything wrong to Noah. But I didn't stop the transmitter experiment, which led to the dangerous gray matter in Noah's body. I already felt guilty about that. And now, Saria has to be wary of Christen too.

In Saria's eyes, Noah has been deceived by Kristen, the cunning and calculating big dog. Don't be fooled by her cold and serious look, she is actually a black-bellied person in private. Saria knows Kristen too well. After all, they have known each other for much longer than most people think.

Kristen never says anything without a reason—

"Alright, alright, I'm going to work now. You can continue to worry about me—" Noah was helpless, expressing her frustration at Saria's chicken-protecting behavior. However, she still had things to do, such as going to see Alex first. In the previous incident, Alex's hair had caused so much trouble, but Alex herself was completely unaware of it. She had no idea that giving away a single strand of hair could cause such a disaster.

Alex was not wrong. The one who was wrong was Muirseth who took part of the containment out of the containment area at will. However, Muirseth has now realized the stupidity of his behavior and has been put in solitary confinement. In Noah's opinion, this is enough.

Punishment is not used to torture people, but to make them know that they are wrong.

She believed that a smart man like Muirseth would not make the same mistake again.

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