Herrscher of Reason's Arknights

Respect, humility, maintaining a perfect distance, yet there was no respect to be found in his deep red eyes; hidden within them was a wild beast.

"Is there a problem."

The Sarkaz captain, even after being exposed, did not rush to attack. This was not Kazdel; he needed to think things through before taking action.

So he ignored the other party's provocation, just like someone would instinctively ask questions when encountering a stranger.

However, in Piana's eyes, the man in front of him never took his hand off the hilt of his knife.

They really are a wary bunch.

However, she prefers vigilant people, because that's what makes a beast, and only beasts can live on this land.

Rather than unsuspecting prey.

"You seem to be hiding some new business, but you certainly won't tell me. But that's alright... I believe you'll be willing to tell me."

Humble and polite, the girl clasped her hands together and gave an expectant look.

It's hard to believe that the person with a smile as warm as a spring breeze, capable of melting glaciers, is actually a Sarkaz girl.

Unfortunately, all of this was just basic courtesy to a stranger of low status.

Exquisite and masterful – this is the standard demeanor of an aristocrat, a flawless performance.

It's a pity there's not much music.

The next moment, as if by magic, the black glove suddenly shattered! It was the heat that had instantly ignited the glove.

However, what was revealed when the glove burned away was not human skin.

Instead, it was a mechanical arm that had entered a state of charging up, bursting with electric arcs as it was surrounded by Originium energy!

That glove is just a smokescreen to obstruct the view!

In the short time it took to speak, the other party had already activated Originium Arts!

They're still using... that mechanical prosthetic limb, which is actually an Originium artifact!

madman.

This is an even crazier act than those Sarkaz mercenaries.

"Alright, gentlemen..."

The smile faded, replaced by cold, crimson vertical pupils, a gaze that was alluring yet carried a hint of murderous intent.

Sharp, decisive, the cold muzzle of the gun and the girl's stunningly beautiful face were like a venomous snake.

At this moment, she was no longer the quirky and clever Pianna, but a ruthless killer.

"—Now is the time to rob, or rather, to buy intelligence for free."

P.S.: Volume 1 is almost finished! I'm so conflicted about whether to write about Frostnova as an adult or continue writing about her as a child. [collapses]

Section 71, Chapter Sixty-Nine: Family Affection

"So this is your plan?"

Let's see what kind of people live here.

Those Ursus mercenaries from earlier appear to be part of Kosich's main hand.

And what else, oh right, there's this group of gangsters who just surrendered their loyalty to Kosiche.

There are quite a few of them, but their fighting ability is probably not as good as these few mercenaries.

And finally, there was the mysterious-looking Ursus mage who had just arrived.

Just this one group of people, all for a kidnapping?

What a joke.

"Kosich, you probably need to go to a neurosurgeon to see if your brain is rusted."

It felt like I'd accidentally wandered onto the set of a comedy film next door. Sodium chloride suddenly felt that this group of people's class had dropped so low that there was no room for them anymore.

Even when committing evil, one should have the principles and ideals of a wicked person.

Like her, although she is just an ordinary villain, she longs for an ordinary life and will never lose to anyone.

"Haha, my ally is really good at livening up the atmosphere. It seems you've misunderstood..."

Kosiche clapped his hands, a subtle smile on his face, but the deathly stillness in his eyes told everyone that he was serious.

Is this guy really planning to kidnap someone?

"This is only part of the plan, my ally. Rest assured, I am not the kind of person who is greedy for money and has no taste."

Kosich said this.

So, what are you planning to do?

Without asking, sodium chloride simply looked at everyone present.

The recent shocking child abduction case in Lungmen was the work of Koschei, or rather, his most capable subordinate.

That mysterious Ursus mage.

That's normal. If this guy did it, then it's understandable that the Lungmen Guard Bureau couldn't catch him despite all the effort they put in. After all, his magic seems to be hallucinogenic and doesn't leave any traces easily. In the end, all that's left is the helpless crying of the person who called the police, and he doesn't even leave any evidence at the scene. It would be a miracle if they could catch him.

But what is the point of doing this?

The deal between the two should have been completed; she had already brought the portrait here, and Koschche was willing to do him a favor, since if he wanted to go back on his word, Sodium Chloride could definitely force him to fulfill his promise.

I shouldn't have stayed here any longer, but maybe I've been relatively free lately? Or for some other reason, Sodium Chloride is actually considering what these people are planning to do.

Perhaps it's just simple curiosity.

If she, sodium chloride, wanted to carry out a shocking conspiracy, and didn't want to be disturbed by anyone beforehand, what would she need?

A bunch of tools, a bunch of tools to attract the attention of the Guard Bureau. It's best to muddy the waters, the muddier the better.

Therefore, a mysterious, unsolvable but insane case of child abduction and murder seems to have a good explanation.

A rehearsal before a grand performance.

Suddenly it got interesting.

She stared at Koschche, and the old black snake also noticed her gaze, but with a subtle, malicious smile, his hands crossed, as if he were the best embodiment of the person behind the scenes.

It's as if they are chess players on a chessboard, treating everything as chess pieces.

The meaning was obvious; he practically had "You guessed right" written all over his face.

With the mystery solved, the sodium chloride, suddenly feeling bored, got up and prepared to leave.

When the mystery is revealed, the things that were interesting before will lose their appeal, which is only natural.

This applies not only to secrets, but also to people.

·············

"Phew. Those guys' eyes were really scary."

Yelena, clutching the package, glanced back at the end of the alley, but it was empty. The villain she had imagined, who had failed to appear, had not materialized.

It seems I was being a little too vigilant.

Everything is peaceful and uneventful.

Then let's go home.

Ok.

Come back home.

A word that is both distant and familiar to Yelena.

The street looked rather deserted, but the girl didn't feel any chill at all.

This area is an old neighborhood, and compared to the new urban area, it clearly lacks vitality.

The streets and alleys are full of long-time residents, mostly elderly people, but the place is quiet yet not deserted.

Because this is home.

Pushing open the clinic's door, you see that the interior has been renovated due to previous events. The clinic is located in a courtyard that is neither spacious nor crowded.

Pushing open the door in the narrow passage reveals a bright and spacious little world.

It is said that this is a characteristic of Eastern architecture, a style completely different from Ursus. However, perhaps because Yelena is just a child and has no particular feelings for Ursus, she has never resisted these things.

There were two wooden dummy figures, one large and one small, standing in the yard. However, the smaller one was the one Yelena used most often.

There's nothing else besides that. My sister doesn't like complicated arrangements; just enough to meet her basic needs is fine.

Pushing open the inner door, a white figure suddenly leaped out.

"Yelena-chan!!!!!"

"Ugh!!"

The girl had already internalized the moves as instinct; her instinctive dodges caused her opponent to miss.

Of course, what followed was the expected counterattack.

However, Yelena did not do that, since the guy who pounced on her would basically do the same thing every time he came back.

She's used to it.

"I am back."

"Waaah, you came back but won't let me hug you. Yelena is so heartless, sob sob sob."

"White-haired idiot," Yelena thought at least.

This woman, who calls herself YJ, seems to have an extremely strong obsession with children; whenever she's caught, she'll keep rubbing against them.

Quite difficult to deal with.

"Ugh."

Seeing that the other person's crying voice was so fake it couldn't be more fake, Yelena had no choice but to feel around in the bundle in her arms.

Those were apples given to me by the old man at the newsstand.

He took out an apple, wiped it on his sleeve, and handed it to YJ, who was slumped on the ground.

"Eat up, it's a gift from your uncle."

"Ohhhhh!!! As expected, Yelena is the kindest."

Has my sister not come back yet?

He stared absently at the gate; it seemed his sister hadn't returned yet.

Pianna wasn't there either, and the streets were very quiet.

When will my sister come back?

Suddenly, Da was pushed aside.

The owner of this place has finally returned to the clinic.

"elder sister!"

"Ah."

The girl was always so aloof, looking like a ruthless character from a comic book who wasn't good with words.

However, unlike the villains in comics who coldly pull out cleavers from their pockets, the girl pulled out candy from her coat pocket.

"This is?"

"The roadside supermarket is having a big sale, take this and eat it."

He placed the exquisitely packaged box in the girl's hand, patted her head, and then went inside.

"I am back."

"Yes, welcome back... Sister."