Arknights, I'm going to beat Kal'tsit, really?

Page 23

However, the difference in their basic physical abilities is vast. Lappland's talent lies more in swordsmanship and Originium Arts; her punches and kicks are ineffective against Kane, while every seemingly casual counterattack from Kane forces her to mobilize all her strength just to barely parry.

In just a few moves, Kane's heavy and powerful straight punch completely shattered her defensive stance, and his iron-like hand then gripped her slender neck, pinning her firmly to the sofa!

“Just as easily I subdued you right now—the so-called families of Syracuse are nothing but a rabble in my eyes. Lappland, do you think I underestimate Syracuse? Ha—does it deserve my high regard?” Kane’s voice was filled with undisguised contempt.

"Each nation in Terra has its flaws, but at least most of them can still be called nations. Ursus, despite its internal corruption, still knows how to shift its problems to external wars; Kazdel, even after being shattered a thousand times, still commands the fear of the Sarkaz royal court. Even the most closed-off Sherag has been seeking reform and strengthening in recent years."

"Only Syracuse! It has a long history, and even once enjoyed glory and splendor as part of Letania, yet now it can't even build a mobile city-state of its own! Colombia has only been a colony for a century, while the families of Syracuse have merely changed their fine clothes for Western suits and their carriages for land vehicles; deep down, they still engage in those shady dealings!"

"Twelve families? They can't even muster a decent army! All they do is stare at the meager sums in other people's pockets, scheming to scrape scraps from the teeth of commoners! I haven't bothered with such stupid things since I graduated from elementary school!"

Kane's contempt was genuine. If it weren't for Syracuse's unique geographical location and its delicate relationship with Letania, it would have long been crushed by the surrounding powers. Not to mention the "wolf lords" behind the scenes, who treated human lives as pawns and manipulated the game.

"Lappland, don't you think so? Favorite shops, burned to the ground in the blink of an eye; bosses you got along with, their bodies found in the sewers the next day. What did they do wrong? They were simply unlucky enough to be dragged into the gang wars. And what did the gang wars bring? Nothing more than allowing the little wealth and power that Syracuse had left to concentrate even faster in the hands of a bunch of cowardly good-for-nothings!"

Lappland's struggles gradually weakened. Kane had initially needed to exert force to restrain her limbs, but now, the will to resist seemed to be dissipating within her.

“I admire your idea even more than I admire Cellina’s choice—she chose to escape, while you chose to give Syracuse a complete new life. Coincidentally, I also plan to settle some scores in Syracuse in the future.”

Kane wasn't exaggerating. Because of his agreement with Cellina and his grudge against Zaro, he'd inevitably cross paths with Syracuse again sooner or later. When that happened, he might as well turn it upside down.

"So...you want to collaborate with me?" Lappland scoffed, finding it hard to believe that Kane's grand narrative ultimately targeted her, an insignificant little character.

"Cooperation? You're not qualified. What I want is your loyalty—Lappland Saluzzo. I admire your madness, so I'm giving you this opportunity to join my family." Kane's attitude was extremely arrogant, more haughty than any other family patriarch.

Lappland didn't believe that such a person would really be bound by the so-called family games of Syracuse.

Their gazes clashed again in the air, each trying to see into the deepest recesses of the other's soul. Ultimately, Lappland was the first to succumb. She thought she had been mad enough, but in the depths of Kane's golden eyes, she saw an arrogance far beyond anything any Syracuse chieftain could have imagined. She couldn't comprehend what Kane ultimately wanted to destroy, but that target was certainly far larger and more terrifying than the entirety of Syracuse itself.

“Ha… loyalty?” Lappland’s voice carried a bitter self-mockery.

"I once possessed it, but it was repeatedly used, trampled upon, and betrayed. Now, do you still want it?"

“That’s only because of your father’s incompetence—he’s so bound by the shackles of Syracuse that he can’t see his daughter’s true talent and worth. In my hands, you will get everything you want. And the price is simply your loyalty.” Kane’s tone left no room for argument.

Lappland couldn't understand how things had gotten to this point. Her initial goal was simple and straightforward—to find out who this so-called "Cellina's husband" really was.

She had thought Cellina had completely distanced herself from the vortex of Syracuse, but she hadn't expected the other to take the step of marriage. The information provided by Madame Sicily was vague, and she needed to confirm it herself.

So she came to Columbia. If "Kane Mordred" was just a boring, ambitious man eyeing the Texas legacy, she would kill him without hesitation; but if he was truly the one Cellina loved… then she wouldn't mind having another "friend," and was even willing to help Kane clear some troubles from Syracuse. Protecting the hard-won love of her best friend and nemesis, Lappland felt this was perfectly reasonable.

But in the end, Kane gave an answer that exceeded all expectations. He was not a pawn at all, but rather very likely the "master" who would also bring Cellina under his control.

"You must be wondering why I dare to be so flamboyant," Kane delivered the final blow.

"Why don't you guess whether the henchmen of those families in Syracuse dare to cause me trouble? They don't. Even the giant wolf mouth directly under the Sicilian lady's command must remain respectful before me."

Lappland's dreams and world were still too small in Kane's eyes. When Theresa and Kal'tsit, who harbored feelings for Terra, first met Kane, they could sense his weight and threat to this land; but for Lappland, the gap was like an ant looking up at an elephant, too vast to comprehend.

Therefore, Kane could only showcase the most insignificant achievements.

Combined with the recent unusual silence within Syracuse, Lappland's thoughts finally clicked. After the immense shock and cognitive upheaval, a strange sense of rebirth followed. She heard her own voice say:

"...I am willing to offer my...loyalty."

Seeing Lappland as if she had undergone a soul tearing and then rebuilding, Kane decided to put her in complete shackles.

“Very good, then this is your reward for your loyalty.”

Kane leaned down, their faces rapidly approaching. A faint blush even rose on Lappland's pale cheeks; she thought it was going to be a kiss.

But Kane quickly tilted his head to one side and bit her bare neck precisely!

"Ugh!" The sudden attack made Lappland cry out in pain.

In the social behavior of wolves, actively exposing the neck, a vital position, signifies "submission," "weakness," and "loyalty"; while when the wolf king bites the neck of his subordinates, it symbolizes "acceptance" and "control over their life and death."

However, with Kane's "kiss," an indescribable, strange feeling, as if it had seeped into her very bones, instantly spread throughout Lappland's entire body! The feeling was so intense that she almost wanted to tear her own flesh apart!

But then, an astonishing scene unfolded—the black Originium crystals on the surface of her skin began to tremble slightly, and then fell off one by one like scabs!

On the pale skin, only some slightly darker marks remained, like old scars that had healed long ago.

Thus, the first person cured of Oripathy was born on the land of Terra.

Chapter 63 The Future Chief of the Defense Department (4k)

Lappland's Oripathy was completely eradicated under Kane's authority. The Originium within her body was completely deactivated, and the concentration of Originium particles dropped to a level indistinguishable from that of a normal person. This was undoubtedly Kane's most astonishing trump card—everyone, from Terra's royalty to street beggars, knew what this meant. Oripathy was the most vicious and incurable curse on this land, dragging all those infected equally into the abyss of despair. Yet Kane possessed the power to easily eliminate it. This alone made it far more valuable than the entirety of Syracuse.

Reborn, Lappland abandoned all her arrogance. She was still unsure of what being had chosen her, but in any case, it was an unprecedented opportunity for her.

Kane was fair in his rewards and punishments. He knew that Lappland's greatest pain at this moment wasn't the old grudge from Syracuse, but her terminal Oripathy—caused by the impact of an Originium bomb that had been delivered almost face-to-face. The flying fragments were all lesions, far exceeding the number of ordinary Infected individuals. Coupled with the lack of proper treatment afterward and her own reckless use of the Originium Arts boost from the infection, her body had already been pushed to the brink of collapse. This was perhaps the fundamental reason why her father and even the Madame Sicily dared to use her so casually and then abandon her: who would bother with a person destined to die?

But Kane couldn't bear to let her die like that. He returned Lappland's remaining years to her, but the price was that she would have to pay for the rest of her life.

In a sense, she had become Kane's pet dog.

When Kane returned home after a day of classes, he found Lappland had already prepared dinner in the kitchen—mostly Syracuse-style dishes, including her signature mille-feuille. It's hard to imagine how the Syracuse mob raises its offspring; they can be ruthlessly exploitative, betraying, and murderous, yet also able to enjoy life elegantly and luxuriously when necessary. At least Cellina and Lappland possess skills that many traditional heiresses would never acquire.

“Although I don’t have any tasks for you right now, it would be a waste to have you act as a maid.” Kane glanced at Lappland, who was dressed in home clothes and an apron, busily working in his kitchen, which he had never used before.

“I’m sorry, my master.” Lappland continued her work without turning her head.

"Since I've recovered from Oripathy, my body is now as weak as a child's. And I also have to figure out how to deal with the aftermath—you don't want this to become common knowledge, do you?"

She has indeed changed her style of dress. Previously, she didn't mind exposing her skin covered in black Originium crystals, making it easy for anyone to recognize her as an Infected. Now, to avoid being discovered by her old acquaintances, she has deliberately worn high-necked, long-sleeved clothing to carefully conceal the "crystals" that have now disappeared.

Kane tasted her cooking and found it surprisingly good—at least better than the local dishes he had tried during his brief stay in Syracuse.

After being subdued, Lappland naturally understood Kane's current situation—no overt power, and a daily routine befitting an ordinary student. This didn't disillusion her; instead, it made her realize even more deeply Kane's hidden talents. The Texas family's inheritance would be his first step to success, and what she herself needed to do was crystal clear.

"Most of the Texas family's physical businesses are still concentrated in Orleans. Do I need to go there to manage them?"

"If you're interested, of course you can."

Kane doesn't need Lappland by his side right now, but when he needs her in the future, he will naturally call her back.

Lappland served as Kane's "silver wolf maid" for a week until she readjusted to her healthy body. Afterward, the silver wolf of Syracuse returned to the wilderness and vanished without a trace.

The two sides exchanged contact information, but this is only valid within Colombia's intercity network. For cross-border communication, reliable professional messengers are still necessary. Kane has not yet ventured into this area and will have to find someone suitable later.

Lappland was extremely efficient. Within just half a month, she had clarified the current state of the Texas industry and submitted a detailed report to Kane.

Currently, the Texas family's business empire appears to have shrunk significantly. The primary reason is the complete shutdown of its gray-market activities, such as counterfeit money printing and smuggling—the previous head of the family went too far, and these businesses have been completely seized by the Colombian courts. However, the trade routes for luxury goods such as wine, bespoke suits, cigarettes, and high-end vehicles remain largely intact.

Besides, they even retain the Originium trade route? Kane noticed this unexpected surprise.

The Texas family once acted as a key bridge between Colombia and Syracuse, responsible for transporting Colombia's high-tech products and refined Originium to Syracuse, while dumping Syracuse's luxury goods into Colombia's high society, making huge profits in the process.

This model is not unreplicable—any force could potentially intervene, provided they have sufficient connections and channels in both countries. However, the Texas family has historically used its ruthless methods to ensure that no one else gets a piece of the pie, and anyone attempting to take a share will quickly be met with a Texas-style "greeting."

[Now that the Texas family has changed hands, everyone is watching. If we show weakness, they will definitely pounce on us to seize the market. If needed, I can go and "warn" them on your behalf.] Lappland's message carried a familiar ruthlessness; she bore the indelible shadow of Syracuse, such as her way of dealing with the Syracuse.

"No need to rush into action. Wait for the first impatient challenger to appear before you act. We need a sacrifice of sufficient weight to establish new rules," Kane replied.

Kane knew that dealing with these Syracuse-based mafia families and hoping for peaceful competition and business cooperation was utterly foolish. The Texas family's former formidable reputation still lingered, and Kane would only surpass them.

After settling matters related to the Texas family's businesses, Kane's focus shifted to paving the way for the establishment of Rhine Labs. In the original timeline, Rhine Labs was co-founded by Christensen and Saria, with Muirses joining in its early stages. Now that Kane was involved, he didn't intend to exclude Saria and Muirses—on the contrary, he hoped to bring these two rare talents under his wing.

It's time to play the role of a "headhunter" and start recruiting.

Muirsey is currently in a phase of enjoying life to the fullest, and it's not yet clear what profound life goals she has; but Saria's direction is already clear—her goal is to cure Oripathy. And for Kane, Oripathy is precisely the easiest problem to overcome. Bringing Saria into the future Rhine Lab should not be difficult.

"Alright, that concludes today's lesson. There are no written assignments this time, but each person needs to submit a controllable Originium circuit model by next week—group collaboration is allowed."

Professor Bennister's resolute words still echoed on the podium. After giving her instructions, she left the classroom with lightning speed.

As the rhythmic sound of her high heels faded into the distance, a collective sigh of relief filled the classroom. Kane glanced at Saria at that moment.

"Saria, do you have time?"

"Is something wrong?"

Saria, who was tidying up the documents, stopped what she was doing and looked directly at Kane, waiting for him to continue.

Kane was momentarily at a loss for words. Compared to Muirsey and Kristen, his relationship with Seria was the most delicate and difficult to describe.

Muirsey is a seasoned socialite with many friends. As a blogger, she interacts frequently with her peers and is also active in the fashion design club at school—but Kane knows he's special to her. Both the distance they maintain in their daily interactions and her invitation for Kane to spend time alone at her home indicate that Kane enjoys a very high priority in her life.

Kristen is even more obvious – aside from Kane, she has almost no friends. If Kane hadn't genuinely considered her a friend, some of the information she inadvertently revealed would have been enough to completely bring down the already declining Wright family.

Only Saria—the two were always seatmates in class, but in Professor Bennister's classes, there was never a chance to whisper to each other; their communication was limited to subtle glances and gestures. As for after class… Kane never went out for entertainment with Saria—of course, if you include the time they spent training together at the boxing gym, then Kane probably spent the most time with Saria.

Oh, right, the boxing gym.

Kane knew how to communicate most effectively with Saria. There was nothing more direct than a fist.

"Would you be interested in practicing later?"

"Huh? I remember I should have shown you all my trophies and certificates." Saria rarely joked. She admitted that Kane was extremely talented, but in less than a year, he wanted to catch up with her, a veteran of many years? That was a bit too impatient.

"How will you know if you don't try."

To be honest, Kane did want to seriously assess how much of a gap there was between himself and Saria.

The two quickly got ready and headed straight to their familiar boxing gym. They were both regulars there—Kane, though lacking Saria's illustrious achievements and record, was one of the few members in the gym who could spar with Saria for extended periods. Everyone knew that if he chose to enter the professional league, his achievements would be remarkable.

After quickly donning their protective gear and completing their warm-up, the two men swiftly entered the arena. Following a symbolic fist bump, the match began immediately.

Saria's fighting style is just like her personality: calm and composed, like a rock fortress, she can calmly parry her opponent's attacks and then launch a thunderous counterattack.

Kane's style is more flexible and adaptable, adjusting in real time according to the opponent's characteristics. If the opponent's physical strength is inferior to his, he will adopt a tactic similar to Saria's, taking the attack head-on and then counterattacking with wide-ranging attacks. Miss Lappland, who recently experienced this firsthand, must have a deep understanding of this.

If his opponent's physical abilities are equal to or even stronger than his own, he will skillfully dodge and exhaust the opponent's stamina, eventually seizing an opening and striking a vital point.

As Kane's long-term sparring partner, Saria is very familiar with this tactic.

But today, Kane clearly wasn't planning on hit-and-run tactics. He chose the same aggressive approach as Saria, and the two clashed head-on without any fancy moves, the dull thuds of their punches echoing throughout the arena. Saria clearly sensed Kane's growth.

This guy's trip to Syracuse was definitely not just a simple family visit.

As the person who knows Kane's training best, Saria can personally feel the magnitude of his improvement. This level of progress cannot be achieved through daily training alone; he must have experienced a great deal of real combat and accumulated rich experience in life-or-death battles.

Kane unleashed a heavy straight punch, which Saria once again parried steadily. Similar exchanges had been repeated several times, with neither side managing to truly defeat the other.

"Saria, you said before that your goal is to cure Oripathy?"

"Yes."

Saria wasn't distracted by the conversation; instead, she suddenly changed her pace and lunged forward, trying to disrupt Kane's rhythm. But Kane had already anticipated this, nimbly retreating and always keeping the distance within his advantageous range.

"So what are your plans after that? Join a tech company and climb the ladder step by step? Or accept sponsorship and start your own lab?"

"or?"

Saria was familiar with Kane's speaking style; the options mentioned earlier were often just preludes, and what he really wanted to say was always the last sentence.

"Start your own company, and then pursue research and overcome challenges entirely according to your own ideas."

"You want to invest in me?"

Seria never doubted Kane's potential—he was quick-witted and adaptable, destined for rapid success once he entered the workforce. She simply hoped he wouldn't lose sight of his principles along the way. If he were willing to invest in starting his own company, their long-standing relationship would make collaboration much easier.

"No, it's a collaboration. I and a friend I trust very much are planning to start a company. But right now, the two of us are a bit weak. I think you are an extremely suitable candidate, so I am formally inviting you."

Before she could finish speaking, Kane unleashed a powerful straight punch in a style reminiscent of Saria! Perhaps because Kane's words had momentarily distracted her, Saria's defense showed a slight opening for the first time, which Kane successfully broke through!

opportunity!

A swift uppercut followed immediately! Saria had already honed her boxing skills to the point of instinct; even with a slight lapse in thought, her body reacted before her mind—she quickly brought her arms together and pressed down, barely managing to block the tricky uppercut. However, the immense impact, coupled with the fact that she hadn't fully neutralized the previous blow, caused her to lose her footing, stumbling backward several steps before regaining her balance.

"*Columbian profanity*! Saria was defeated!?"

"My God, who exactly is Kane? How long has he been training? How can he already defeat Saria head-on?"

The surrounding crowd gasped in astonishment. Although it was just a simple repulsion and far from deciding the outcome, Saria's unwavering composure meant she was rarely forced to retreat by her opponents—which made the scene all the more astonishing.

Does this mean that Kane, with his pure physical strength alone, is already capable of fighting against Saria, an adult Vayvan?

"Starting a company... is a good idea. I trust you, but I need to think about your friend."

"Don't worry, I'll introduce you two. Trust me, you'll definitely appreciate her then."

Although Seria rarely mentioned them, the Wrights were also scientists she admired. As human beings, the desire to break free from the shackles of the earth and conquer the sky is an ideal that can be considered great from any perspective.

Chapter 64 Meeting

Faced with Kane's invitation, Saria naturally agreed to meet him. If he was just a good-for-nothing with empty titles, she would never consider cooperating with him.

Kane immediately relayed the message to Kristen.

So, are you free this weekend? Trust me, the other person is absolutely reliable and not the kind of person whose judgment is easily swayed by news or public opinion.

Kane was well aware of the biggest obstacle preventing Kristen from interacting with others—as long as the Wright family remained stigmatized, she would never receive fair treatment. But Seria was clearly not one to readily believe rumors; she only trusted her own eyes. And Kristen's genius would soon earn her her approval.

Kane, I didn't think this matter... would be on the agenda so soon.

It is indeed too early now, but a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Every talented partner we acquire brings us one step closer to realizing our dreams.