Arknights: Mobile City

"All right, I'll go with you."

Heal smiled, then strode ahead of the two Confessors, speaking calmly,

"I know what you're after… and as it happens, I have my own interests in that area. Let's go—if you would, please lead the way."

The two Confessors exchanged a look. As they watched the woman walking before them, hands clasped behind her back, posture upright and aura aloof, they found themselves unconsciously lowering their heads and quietly taking the lead.

In that moment, they could feel an invisible pressure—something innate to those long accustomed to command… a natural, effortless nobility.

"Please, this way."

They spoke softly at last, guiding the unruffled Heal onward.

…

Theresis tapped his fingers on the desk as he worked through his documents, but his hands betrayed a certain restless impatience, revealing his unsettled mood.

In the end, he simply put the paperwork aside, lifted his gaze, and stared at the door.

He was waiting—the "doctor" said to possess a panacea, just as his subordinates had described…

Whether she brought a true miracle or a clever hoax, Theresis knew either would be valuable.

So now, he waited with something like anticipation.

Just then, there was a sharp knock at the door. Before Theresis could even call out "Come in," the doors swung open and a silver-haired woman entered, her lips curled in a relaxed smile, with two anxious Confessors trailing in behind her.

…

Theresis frowned at the sight, but Heal only lifted her head and, still smiling, greeted him:

"Greetings, Lord Theresis. I heard you wanted to see me?"

How insolent. How brazen…

Theresis glanced down at Heal, only to find her as nonchalant as ever, meeting his gaze with a teasing, almost irreverent smile.

Utterly independent, bound by nothing.

"With such disrespect, are you not afraid I'll punish you?"

"This body is me, and yet not me. What is there to fear?"

Heal replied, still smiling.

Though the City's current power was weak, she had no intention of backing down. She had plenty of leverage: a body she could revive, the Well, Singularity tech… With so many cards in hand, a little arrogance was not just permitted, but necessary—to ensure the City projected the proper image to outsiders.

These things would all be needed later. Might as well start setting the tone now…

Besides, this manner of speaking was exactly the "Identity" Obsidian had crafted for Heal.

"Heh. Very well, then. Your name and your purpose, Miss 'Panacea'?"

"I come from the City—founder of K Corp, Heal. As for my purpose, naturally I'm here to promote our company's products. I'm sure you've heard plenty of news about us recently, haven't you, Lord Theresis?"

Heal said this with a sweet, almost mocking smile. Theresis ignored the tone, only nodding calmly.

"That's our goal: sell our products, in exchange for sufficient funds. We're a company, a 'Wing'—profit is, of course, our top priority."

Theresis closed his eyes, then reopened them, speaking in a deep voice:

"May I see this panacea of yours?"

"Oh, I'm running low, I'm afraid. Still searching for the next buyer."

Heal's smile only deepened, now with a hint of mischief.

"K Corp's ampoule is a rare commodity, you know."

She tilted her head, her blue eyes fixed unblinkingly on Theresis.

Theresis said nothing, but looked toward the Confessors.

His gaze was loaded with silent questioning. The Confessors understood at once.

Their lord was asking if the so-called panacea really worked exactly as reported, without a shred of exaggeration.

Both nodded in firm confirmation.

"Very well, then…"

Theresis looked back at Heal. After a moment's thought, he asked:

"So… what is it that you want? In this deal, what are you after? Trading rights? Title? Land? Influence? Or—"

"No, none of those. Neither I nor my company want any of that."

Heal's smile never wavered as she replied:

"As I said… we're a Wing. What we need is money."

"So, if you're truly interested in a deal, all you have to do is offer a better price than those wealthy buyers after my ampoule."

"And just so you know, after my recent… publicity, the panacea is in high demand. I've already had five different tycoons tell me they'd pay any price for just one dose."

Heal explained cheerfully, then let out a soft chuckle.

Theresis was silent for a while, then finally sighed.

"You really are… a shameless profiteer, aren't you?"

"Thank you for the compliment."

Heal replied without missing a beat.

"So, how much do you want?"

"Hmm… I've changed my mind. Let's settle it with the items on this list."

Instead of answering directly, Heal pulled out a sheet of paper and handed it over—clearly prepared ahead of time.

Theresis glanced at the list and found it full of production equipment and basic supplies…

And nearly all of it carefully selected to operate without relying on Oripathy-based industry.

"What do you want all this for?"

"To fulfill the needs of the Wing, of course. If you're not interested, I can always sell to someone else. There's no shortage of buyers… I've even met people from Babel recently."

Theresis's hand tightened on his cup, cracks spreading across the surface. Heal noticed the damage out of the corner of her eye but didn't let it show.

Theresis finished his tea in a single gulp.

"Your terms are accepted. I hope your ampoule is worth the price."

He met Heal's gaze.

"If you agree, the deal can proceed at once. I believe you'll find me more sincere than Babel in these matters."

"Of course, Lord Theresis—you're the very soul of sincerity."

A smile appeared at Heal's lips—and with her, unseen in the distance, Obsidian smiled as well.

After all…

She was a merchant. So was Obsidian.

And a two-sided deal—selling to both sides—was just the mark of a true merchant.

---

T/N: PANACEA?? FROM WORM??? REFERENCE