Ark Chess Player.

The Kingslayer hugged Amiya from behind, burying her little head in his chest.

Given the Queen Killer's height, she could easily hold the 1.4-meter-tall Amiya in her arms.

"Breathe, Amiya, breathe deeply."

The Kingslayer covered Amiya's eyes with one hand and raised the other to block Gavial's eyes, signaling her to be quiet.

“Yes, just like that… Keep breathing. Come on, do it with me, inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale… Take it slow.” The Kingslayer embraced Amiya, whispering gently in her ear like a mother, his voice steady yet powerful, ensuring it reached Amiya clearly.

Amiya's head was buried deep in the Kingslayer's full breasts. Her nearly numb brain was like a drowning person trying to grab onto the last straw, desperately trying to stick her head out of the water. She had never felt that breathing was such a happy thing.

Everyone present fell silent, even the injured operators, their gazes fixed on the young commander who was nearly suffocating from the pressure. It was hard to imagine that the once war-torn Lungmen Outer Ring Fifth District was now so peaceful that the girl's breathing could be clearly heard.

"Haa...haa...ha..."

Once Amiya's violently heaving chest had calmed down, the Kingslayer whispered in her ear, "It's alright, Amiya. It's nothing. Everyone makes mistakes, as long as you can make amends next time. We haven't lost yet, we still have a chance to save Misha. If you give up now, then no one will be able to bring Misha back. Amiya, as an operator, I believe in you."

"But... but I..."

Amiya's body trembled uncontrollably, and the Kingslayer could clearly feel the dampness spreading from his palm.

Amiya, this strong girl, never cried, even when facing crazed thugs, confronting self-important Lungmen freshmen, dealing with aggressive Royal Guard officers, or repelling Mephisto's madness... But now, she blames herself for her imperfect command, feels guilty for the casualties caused by her momentary carelessness, and feels heartbroken for breaking her promise to guarantee Misha's safety.

The kingslayer knew that this was just a necessary setback in Amiya's long life, and that an even more arduous road lay ahead for her.

But if it's Amiya...

The regicide believed that this minor leader would be able to persevere.

"Amiya, when you're feeling lost, take a good look at what's around you." The Kingslayer brushed away the tear stains on Amiya's face without leaving a trace. She rested her chin between Amiya's long rabbit ears and pointed forward with her finger.

“They’re all worried about you, they’re all waiting for you, they…” The Kingslayer shook his head and said softly, “No, it’s us. We are all your agents. We believe in your decisions, and we are willing to go through fire and water for you. We also hope… that you can believe in us. How could we bear to blame you? We haven’t lost yet, we can win, we must win.”

"Miss Kingslayer..."

Amiya slowly opened her eyes.

Her eyes, as clear as the sea, were red from crying, making her look somewhat childlike. But no one would laugh at Amiya for that, because she was, after all, a child. She was bearing a burden far too heavy for her age, and her courage deserved everyone's praise, not blame and abuse. Anyone else present might not have done as well as she had.

The Rhodes Island operators were all watching Amiya, waiting for her instructions.

Even without using her mental powers, Amiya could sense the will of each person; they seemed to be saying—

"Please give your command, Rhodes Island."

Amiya's eyes welled up with tears again, but this time it wasn't from self-doubt, but from affirmation.

She is trusted and recognized by the Rhodes Island operators.

She is a leader in every sense of the word.

"Go, Amiya."

The Kingslayer gently pushed Amiya's shoulder, as if time had rewound five years ago, when she gently pushed Lin Lu's shoulder.

That time, after the failed rescue operation for Elmoni, Lin Lu became withdrawn. He couldn't leave the mine, scarred by natural disasters, and remained there ever since he awoke. Until the Kingslayer, disregarding everyone's objections, resolutely entered the Originium radiation zone and brought him out.

"Thank you, Miss Kingslayer."

Amiya whispered to herself, and stepped forward to meet everyone's gaze.

Behind her, Gavial stared in disbelief as she poked the Kingslayer, nearly knocking the agile creature over with a single finger. Gavial hurriedly grabbed the Kingslayer's arm and pulled her back, the movement so forceful that the Kingslayer's body crackled and popped.

"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry." Gavial apologized somewhat flusteredly, while asking the question that had been bothering him, "Um, may I ask how you did that?"

"Wha, what?"

The regicide, pushed and pulled, felt an instinctive fear for some reason. She shrank her small hands, her aura of imperial majesty shattered by the iron-willed Gavial.

“It’s that one, that one…” Gavial pointed at Amiya, then at the Kingslayer, and asked curiously, “Why does a hug cheer Amiya up? I know that child has always worked very hard. Sometimes she works too hard, and her tense nerves snap when stimulated. Amiya will fall into self-doubt for a long, long time when she does that, and it takes her a while to recover.”

Gavial recalled that Amiya's frequency of becoming withdrawn over the past three years was no less than Kiryu Sento's; basically, every now and then, she would be beaten down by the harsh reality to the point of questioning her existence. He had thought this symptom would subside after the Doctor returned to Rhodes Island, but he hadn't expected it to suddenly flare up today! The incident was sudden, and Gavial hadn't prepared any emergency sanity-boosting fluid. If the Kingslayer wasn't around, then the effects on Amiya would stay with her for life.

Imagine if Amiya were to give up here, she would inevitably miss the best opportunity to rescue Misha. It would also put the injured Rhodes Island operators in a dilemma, unsure whether to return to the Rhodes Island ship in a sorry state or stay here with their injuries awaiting instructions. Even if this incident passes, given Amiya's personality, she will definitely hold it in her heart; it will become a source of inner turmoil for her.

Therefore, Gavial genuinely admired the regicide, something even she, as a doctor, could not do.

The Kingslayer thought for a moment, then looked at Gavial and said seriously, "You don't actually have a boyfriend, do you?"

You don't actually have a boyfriend, do you?

Does she not have a boyfriend?

Surely she doesn't not have a boyfriend?

--Bar?

"thump."

Gavial knelt down on the spot.

The kind where both knees are on the ground, kneeling quite naturally.

"Big, master..."

Gavial's gaze toward the regicide gradually changed.

As an Adakris, Gavial possessed unparalleled combat skills, often treated as a warrior. However, after awakening her talent for healing magic, she resolutely chose to dedicate herself to saving lives, persisting on her path despite the objections of others. The ostracism she faced from her tribe for becoming a doctor, the cold shoulders she endured after contracting Oripathy—these were all trivial matters to her.

She's here now, healing everyone, and that's enough for her.

Gavial originally thought that this would be enough for him.

but now--

She realized.

Medicine wasn't created for this kind of thing; it was created to bring smiles to patients' faces.

What kind of medical care ignores people's feelings?

Chapter 320 An Eye for an Eye, and a Double Payback (4K)

"Hello, fellow operators, this is Amiya."

Amiya, facing the gazes of the Rhodes Island squad, momentarily faltered in the composure she had painstakingly cultivated. She gently shook her head, the movement barely perceptible. She knew very well that she absolutely could not show the slightest hesitation when issuing commands.

A leader can be blind, but he must never lose faith in himself.

Even if you're not 100% sure, you still have to pretend to be in complete control.

...Of course, if this tactic is overused, it can easily make one appear as a mentally immature, slacker leader.

Amiya spoke in a slightly hoarse voice, "Everyone, this was our mistake, and it's also my dereliction of duty as commander. But... I, I—"

—If only the doctor were here.

That annoying thought popped into my head again.

Amiya gritted her teeth; this time, she wouldn't obediently bow her head.

Yes, if the professor were to direct, he would surely be able to do it perfectly, right?

But...but...I'm not reconciled! What have all my efforts been for? Was it just to wallow in self-pity and shift all the blame onto the Doctor at a time like this?! No, no! I don't want to go back to three years ago, watching helplessly as the Doctor lay dying in his sarcophagus, unable to do anything about it! I promised Princess Theresa that I would accept the weight of the Sarkaz history, I would take over Rhodes Island. I will never let down any of the operators who entrusted their lives to me, I will—

Rebuilding the future, the Ark sets sail!

Amiya clasped her hands together, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled all the remaining unease and fear in her heart. She had cast those self-doubtful thoughts into the distance; she no longer needed them.

At this moment, Amiya was filled with determination.

"I will lead you to victory."

"Next, an even more arduous battle awaits us."

"I will stand with you to face any difficulties. We will use reason to fight against fanaticism and clever tactics to defeat hostility."

"Rock, you're in charge of assessing the wounded and escorting the incapacitated operators back to Rhodes Island for treatment. For the remaining combat-capable operators, I need you to take up arms and fight alongside me. This isn't just about the trade agreement with Lungmen; a female Infected woman, worthy of our respect, risked her life for us. She could have easily hidden herself until the end, but… to prevent further sacrifices, she stepped forward and left us."

Amiya's voice unconsciously became more varied and expressive, boldly speaking when she was firm and clenching her teeth when she was suppressed, making people involuntarily concentrate on listening.

She didn't use any mental power throughout, but rather evoked a sense of resonance in everyone through her own emotions.

"We don't know what she has that makes Reunion go to such lengths, and we don't care! Misha is our friend, our partner, and Rhodes Island's newest operator."

Amiya clenched her fist, raised it high, and the veins on the back of her hand bulged.

"We promise that we will never abandon any operator. Let's go together and bring her back!"

"—Woo woo woo!!!"

All the Rhodes Island operators present raised their hands, and even Gavial in the back row got excited and almost punched the air again.

The Kingslayer smiled as she watched Amiya's retreating figure. She seemed to see Lin Lu five years ago, and... Talulah three years ago.

Was Talulah like that back then? She was like the sunshine for the infected, shining on the frozen land of northern Ursus. Wherever she went, she would bring life back to the lifeless earth and give hope to the wandering infected.

Until that day... what happened in that obscure little village... completely changed Talulah.

Amiya might encounter something similar in the future?

I hope that day never comes.

"Everyone, let's take action!"

Amiya finally broke into a confident smile. She could feel the hearts of the Rhodes Island members; everyone shared the same goal.

At first, some were reluctant, after all, Rhodes Island had suffered far more hardships than the mission itself in order to protect Misha. However, Misha, a small figure running alongside the medic Natalie, diligently bandaged the wounds of each injured operator, and did not back down even when she heard rumors. Even when the Bone Giants attacked and the Rhodes Island team was in dire straits, it was she who, despite her serious illness, offered to exchange herself.

Anyone with common sense would be furious to see such a young girl so selflessly throwing herself into the enemy's hands, let alone the Rhodes Island operators who have fought bloody battles for years.

Their beliefs will not be so easily broken!

"...That's really amazing."

Hoshiguma remained silently leaning against the door of the SUV, looking at Amiya, then at the Rhodes Island operators who had been lifeless just ten minutes ago. Now, these people were as energetic as if they had been injected with chicken blood. Some even picked up the hard upper fin of the giant mackerel to sharpen their weapons, which had reduced sharpness, preparing to embark on another three-cat journey.

Compared to the Guard Bureau squad, especially her group of spoiled young officers who consistently disrespected her, Rhodes Island seemed much more vibrant and energetic. Hoshiguma felt that her underlings were more like slackers working for unscrupulous pharmaceutical companies, while Rhodes Island was the epitome of upright and incorruptible police.

"Hey, you're here?"

Hoshiguma's sensory radar went live; she didn't even need to turn around to detect who was approaching on a motorcycle.

"...Is Rhodes Island throwing a party?"

The dashing Officer Chen gracefully stopped the Guard Bureau's police motorcycle, her long, beautiful legs slung diagonally across the seat before her feet touched the ground.

She could hear the loud shouts of the Rhodes Island people from a great distance; their voices were so loud that anyone who didn't know better would think they were bandits preparing to raid a village.

“No, this is a pre-battle speech, the kind that increases your hope by two points.” Hoshiguma smiled, but her smile quickly faded, and she said solemnly, “The giant monster we couldn’t stop attacked Rhodes Island’s position, causing casualties, and… our mission target Misha was kidnapped. The Infected from Reunion Movement also left with that monster. This was a targeted conspiracy.”

Chen Huijie's solemn expression immediately turned gloomy. She glanced at Rhodes Island again and said indifferently, "It seems they have no intention of giving up."

Hoshiguma said frankly, "Don't underestimate Amiya. Despite her young age, she is a qualified leader."

"You rarely praise people like this, not even Swire." Chen narrowed his eyes, his tone tinged with displeasure. "Back then, you were the same with that Rhodes Island doctor, practically worshipping them. All these years, why have I never heard you praise me?"

Hoshiguma blinked and said playfully, "Jealous?"

Superintendent Chen ignored her, instead rolling his eyes at her, and his dragon tail swept unceremoniously across Hoshiguma's calf.

Even a demon's body couldn't withstand such a blow, but because Amiya happened to walk by, Hoshiguma could only endure the pain and pretend to be fine. Chen was, after all, her superior, and she still had to give her face during formal talks.

"Amiya, why won't you hand over the mission objective to the Guard Bureau!" Superintendent Chen launched into a tirade.

If Amiya had been questioning her existence just minutes before, she would probably have been terrified by this outburst and cowered like a withdrawn rabbit.

But now, Amiya's heart is filled with Pava!

"If the Guard Bureau is not willing to provide even the most basic intelligence, then there is naturally no need for us to continue cooperating."

Amiya met Commander Chen's fiery gaze with an air of dominance, showing no sign of backing down, her eyes sharp and piercing.

"We witnessed Lungmen citizens indiscriminately slaughtering Oripathy patients in the Lungmen slums, and we also saw people in Guard Bureau uniforms wielding weapons and aiding and abetting the evildoers. We cannot stand idly by and do nothing about this. We have also tried to communicate with the Guard Bureau, hoping to reach a solution. Indeed, I can understand your thoughts, Commander Chen, and I can also guess that someone is trying to disrupt our communication and attempt to undermine the cooperation between Rhodes Island and the Guard Bureau."

Amiya hadn't forgotten what happened in the slums. She remembered her calls to Commander Chen being maliciously intercepted, and she knew that Commander Chen had tried to send a team to negotiate for support, but they were thwarted by the Reunion Movement's ambush. Therefore, Rhodes Island had to rely on itself in the slums. The Rhodes Island team, through sheer strength, traversed blood-soaked ground and successfully broke through the encirclement of Lungmen's new recruits and the Reunion Movement.

"But we cannot accept the inaction of the Guard Bureau!"

“The infected of Lungmen should belong to Lungmen, shouldn’t they?” Amiya took a step forward, her aura overwhelming, the presence of a leader. She stood straight like bamboo, unyielding and resilient.

"If Longmen is unwilling to take charge, then who should?"

"..."

Chen frowned. She felt like she was talking to Wei Yanwu, not the timid little rabbit she had been a few days ago.