Ark Chess Player.

"..."

Are you going to answer the question with silence again?

Lin Lu sat back heavily in the main seat, raising his left hand to tap the black hood, making a soft sound.

After witnessing Natasha's true character, Lin Lu abandoned his original plan and instead tried to win her over with sincerity—including but not limited to repeated, heart-wrenching questions and the Chernobog survivor meeting ceremony that caused Natasha's stomach to rupture, constantly striking her on the heart and slowly cutting her flesh with a soft knife.

Lin Lu waited, anticipated, and gazed at the Valkyrie before him...

Will she erupt from silence, or will she perish in silence?

Chapter 155 Venting

Natasha took a deep breath, her mind reeling.

“Every Ursus person should be proud of their country and their emperor.”

This is the education Natasha received from childhood, and the belief she swore every morning and evening when she became a soldier.

Now, that belief is crumbling in the face of harsh reality. She once fought for it, but now she has lost her passion and feels as empty as a prisoner.

Everything she experienced, everything she strived for, her identity, her duties, her mission, her retreat, her helplessness... Natasha could not forget the look in her niece Natalia's eyes—cold, disappointed, a reunion after a life-or-death separation that could not be shared again.

She also couldn't forget the girl in the intensive care unit who had to sacrifice her life to survive.

These children could have been spared this suffering.

And there are so many more children... They don't even have the chance to choose their own lives. When the seeds of evil take root and sprout within them, are they still dreaming? Or do they watch helplessly as they transform into a hideous form, devouring flesh and blood, and do they still have any awareness?

Do manipulated monsters also dream about the past?

Natasha envisioned a scene: Ivan, the deputy commander of the Second Army, leading his troops to block their path, loudly proclaiming an order from the Emperor of Ursus.

Any military support to Chernobog is prohibited; any violation will be subject to military law.

This was her nightmare, and also the nightmare of the Third Army Group.

"because……"

Natasha trembled all over. She vaguely understood what she was about to say, but she knew she must not utter a sound.

Once you reveal your true inner thoughts, there's no going back.

Perhaps the people of Rhodes Island will record her conversations and use them as a tool to frame her.

Natasha's current identity is the head of the Ursus delegation. She came here to carry out a mission, a despicable and shameless one.

Ursus had long coveted Rhodes Island's medical technology for Oripathy. If they could monopolize this medical advancement, their treatment of the infected would become even more ruthless. Essentially, they would treat people as tools, using them until they broke, then repairing them, and pushing them back up until the infected died.

Dealing with Rhodes Island is just a matter of needing an excuse, an excuse for sanctions.

For example, Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals Inc. is suspected of threatening the national security of the Ursus Empire and leaking data on the health and safety of the Ursus people, etc.

The Ursus delegation's mission was to find a breakthrough. Using Rhodes Island's frequent appearances after the Chernobog incident as grounds for accusations of collusion with the Reunion Movement, or even a frame-up, they would find a way to smear Rhodes Island, no matter the method—even if it was just a bottle of laundry detergent presented as evidence. This way, Ursus could seize the moral high ground and launch a righteous attack.

After completing this task, Natasha can retire from the front lines and no longer be at the mercy of others.

But can she do it?

"because--"

Natasha clenched her fists.

She told herself, she couldn't say it, she couldn't say it, she couldn't say it...

However, if you don't say it, no one will ever know.

Today is Chernobog.

What about tomorrow?

Irkutsk? Nikolayevsk? Khabarovsk? Or perhaps... St. Peter?

Which monarch will next use the territory and people of these border cities as bargaining chips to trade away?

If this happens again, should we, as an army group stationed on the frontier, turn a blind eye to the soldiers’ orders to obey their superiors?

"Ha...hahahaha...ahahahahaha!!"

Natasha touched her forehead and laughed, a laugh so carefree.

She had never laughed so freely and easily since the Reunion Movement incident.

"Because the current emperor is incompetent! He is unworthy to be emperor!"

She said it.

She finally spoke up.

"Twelve years—these are my twelve years in the army, and also twelve years of Ursus's long history of war. The flames of war have raged on, and every soldier in Ursus has persevered year after year of arduous fighting only because of their belief in protecting their homeland. And the result? One war ends, and another begins! The war seems never to end! Since the current emperor took office, the economy has been in a state of depression, and the lower classes are struggling to even afford food. Instead of striving to develop agriculture or purchasing grain, the national treasury is being used to smelt steel; the thick smoke billowing from the Originium Industries factories almost turns day into night!"

Natasha growled, expressing her discontent with the current emperor as a noblewoman, a soldier, and a Ursus.

"Whenever suppressed public opinion is about to explode, the current emperor finds a new target to divert the people's attention. He deceives them with lies and misleads them with hypocrisy. He deceives himself, telling the people that the outside world is dangerous, that other countries are living in dire straits, that the Ursus Empire is the best place to live, and that there are Oripathy infected people to bully. Domestically, he lets the people vent their anger on the infected. Internationally, he sends soldiers to fight against other countries, trading their lives for a mere semblance of survival."

As if freed from her shackles, Natasha slowly straightened her back, her sitting posture no longer proper, but rather she boldly crossed her legs.

The heavy burden that had always weighed on her shoulders remained, but she seemed to have become much more relaxed and was able to face the weight of it.

Natasha gritted her teeth and said, "To the current emperor, we are nothing but numbers, nothing more."

“…I take back what I said earlier. You’re not just a reckless fool.” Lin Lu looked at Natasha calmly, his hands slightly relaxed, and a faint smile appeared on his face behind his mask. “You’ve thought about it, but you’re just afraid to think too much.”

"My identity doesn't allow me to think that much."

"Would you be willing to try a different identity?"

"What did you say?!"

Natasha's eyes widened.

Lin Lu slowly shook his head. He raised his hands and lifted the hood of his head, revealing a slightly scholarly face.

"you……"

Natasha stared at Lin Lu's face. It felt familiar, as if she had seen it somewhere before, but she just couldn't remember where.

“What I mean is…” Lin Lu smiled gently and said sincerely, “Are you willing to give up your status as an Ursus soldier and join Rhodes Island?”

"I will not betray my country."

Natasha's face darkened as she looked directly into Lin Lu's eyes.

Lin Lu did not avoid the other party's gaze, but said even more enthusiastically: "Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals is just a private company. We are not a country. We are just dedicated to creating a society where infected and non-infected can coexist peacefully, and to resolving various incidents caused by infected. We will take the lead in fighting against extremist infected organizations, whether it is the Reunion Movement or individual independent organizations."

"Unless the Ursus Empire is determined to destroy us, how can it be called betrayal?"

"Don't you think so, Natasha?"

Chapter 156 What exactly is meant by Terra's Top 500?

Natasha silently shifted her gaze.

This girl really doesn't know how to lie. If it weren't for her martial arts skills, she might have been sold out long ago and would still be helping to count the money.

It should be noted that after seeing the delegation's one-sided letter, Lin Lu's foresight was enough to see through the essence of the matter and immediately understand the other party's intentions.

The delegation was merely a front; their true aim was to bind the politically neutral Rhodes Island to the Ursus Empire.

Lin Lu asked, "Natasha, do you think you have a way to change the current situation of the Ursus Empire?"

“…Does Rhodes Island have a solution?” Natasha asked, her eyes wide.

"Yes."

Lin Lu raised his coffee cup, took a sip of the warm, bitter liquid, and savored the rich aroma of coffee beans on his tongue.

"Who were the people who resisted the Reunion Movement during the Chernobog incident?"

"Amidst the constant distress communications from the military and police, who responded to Zoya's calls?"

"Who was it that fought to the death against a terrifying monster capable of devouring steel and crushing city walls?"

"Hmm? Who is it? Who is it?"

Lin Lu's questions struck Natasha deeply, forcing her to confront the truth.

While the Ursus soldiers were doing nothing, Rhodes Island stood on the front line; it was this private company that was pouring its blood and sweat into the fight.

"The Ursus Empire currently faces countless problems, and Rhodes Island can solve the most pressing and urgent one. We are experts on the Infected, and we will not allow the Reunion Movement to continue to lead the Oripathy Infected step by step to the opposite side of society. However, we will not accept the Ursus Empire's attitude and methods towards the Infected. We have our own planned path."

Lin Lu put down his coffee cup, a confident smile playing on his lips.

He saw hesitation and confusion in Natasha's eyes.

Dr. Scumbag perked up; whether he could take down Natasha depended on his next move!

“Natasha, I can see your dissatisfaction with the current Emperor of the Ursus Empire from your shouts. You have successfully taken the first step, but that does not change the fact. If you really want to do anything, in your current position, you are nothing more than a caged bird.”

Lin Lu put away the big stick he had been waving and began to prepare to offer Natasha empty promises and sweet talk.

"The information on the monsters collected in Upper Chernobog is valuable intelligence for Rhodes Island, and I will not give it to the Ursus Empire lightly. I don't want it to be used by those with ill intentions and cause the chaos I mentioned earlier. I don't want my good intentions to become a tool for the powerful to slaughter the infected for their own wealth and glory."

Just as Natasha showed a sad expression, the scumbag Law brewed her another cup of hot coffee and placed it on her table.

"However... if it's you, I'm willing to share the information with you, but only for you to access."

"real?!"

Natasha tilted her head back, and her lake-green eyes regained their color.

She was almost driven to despair by Lin Lu's constant mental attacks; even a Valkyrie's heart is made of flesh and blood.

“Of course.” Lin Lu began to relax the conditions. “You can sign a diplomatic agreement with Rhodes Island as a Major of Ursus and reside on Rhodes Island temporarily. If you are unwilling to continue working for the Ursus military, the doors of Rhodes Island are always open to you. What we need are partners who can change this unjust society and work together for equality. If you find Rhodes Island’s actions unacceptable, you can also terminate our employment contract at any time.”

Lin Lu's tone was very gentle, like a man skilled at flirting in a relationship, assertive at the right moment, yet knowing when to relax and soften, with a rhythmic quality. His intonation was deliberately melodious, like giving a speech, ensuring the other person remembered his words.

Natasha seemed drunk, blinking her hazy eyes as if she were being captivated by Lin Lu's words.

“No, no, I am…” Natasha hesitated for a long time before whispering, “How could an Ursus soldier possibly give up his duties to take on a position in a private company?”

"is it?"

Lin Lu took out his mobile terminal and pressed the communication button.

Several seconds later, less than a minute later, there was a gentle knock on the office door.

Lin Lu called out loudly, "Please come in."

"Doctor, what can I do for you?"

Herag gently pushed open the door. His task for the day was to serve as the doctor's assistant, having previously conducted patrols within the ship's perimeter.

“General, I heard that Nain has reduced her playtime with the other children since arriving at Rhodes Island, and she also finds the repeated medical examinations tedious. I have some books here; please give them to her to pass the time. Don't worry, this is a proper rest period and won't cause any work-related conflicts. If she finishes reading, she can also come to my office to browse the books on the bookshelf.”

"Thank you for your concern for Nain. Don't let her current mischievousness fool you; she used to be quite quiet. I'm sure she'll like it."

Herag smiled kindly and gently, as if imagining Nain's expression upon seeing the book, and couldn't help but smile slightly.

"You, you, you are..."

A trembling voice of surprise came from the sofa. Natasha stared straight at Herag, her face filled with shock.

Herag shifted his gaze slightly, and upon seeing Natasha, he nodded slightly in acknowledgment, naturally bidding farewell to Lin Lu.

Lin Lu saw Herag off, pretending not to know anything under the other's helpless gaze, and returned to his seat.

"What did you just say? What's wrong with Ursus soldiers? What's wrong with Rhodes Island? Huh?"

"He...he...how could he be here!?"

"As a Fortune 500 company in Terra, what's wrong with Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals recruiting retired veterans as security directors? If you want it, I can arrange for you to be a lifetime assistant to a doctor at Rhodes Island right now. Let me tell you, this position isn't something anyone can just decide to do. First of all, you need to have a 36D... okay, you already have an E, so you qualify."

Lin Lu glanced at Natasha's voluptuous breasts without leaving a trace, then slowly tilted his head back and took a deep breath.

That's impressive.

Natasha clutched her head in disbelief, her small head filled with a huge question.

When she was a captain, she had fought alongside the general, so she naturally knew who he was.

That's why she felt incredulous, as if a character from a history book had come to her side, and she had an indescribable feeling.

Lin Lu extended his hand to Natasha: "Now, do you still have any complaints about Rhodes Island?"