Viego in Arknights

Viego and his group moved through the post-battle ruins and wilderness. The surroundings were now quiet; the fervent sounds of clashing blades from the battle's start had gradually faded away. This wasn't just because the enemy had retreated, but also because the members of the mercenary company were almost all dead or wounded. The injured had been taken to Babel's ship for treatment.

"Theresa, they're catching up to us again." Kal'tsit, who was beside Theresa, looked at the flocks of birds startled into flight from the forest behind them. "…Their numbers are much greater than before, and they are making no effort to conceal themselves."

Viego raised an eyebrow. This cat-eared girl's senses were surprisingly sharp. He wondered if it was a racial talent, or if she was more than just a simple "doctor."

"It seems they contacted their superiors quite quickly." Theresa was not surprised, her voice ethereal and gentle. "Don't worry too much, Kal'tsit."

"I just don't want you to fall into the enemy's hands. That would put what we have to do on the brink of failure before we even begin." Kal'tsit looked at Theresa. "…If they really do catch up, I will try my best to delay them…"

"No, Kal'tsit." Theresa gently shook her head, interrupting her. "What I mean is, you don't have to think about sacrificing yourself, nor do you have to worry that we will fall into danger."

"Heavily is on his way with his men, and…" Theresa turned her head to look at Viego. "Mr. Viego can stop those warriors, right?"

Theresa could feel that Viego's body concealed a very powerful, even unfathomably deep and unpredictable force. If Viego wanted to, he was fully capable of wiping out all those Sarkaz warriors—based on her own perception, Theresa had made this judgment. That was why, before, Theresa had stopped Viego, requesting that he let those warriors leave. But she hadn't expected that after receiving orders and regrouping, they would pursue them so quickly. That was her miscalculation.

"Oh?" Viego seemed somewhat surprised. "This time, you don't mind if I kill them? Then why did you let them go before, knowing they might chase after us again?"

"I just don't wish for any needless casualties to occur. Of course, I am not naive enough to believe that everyone can live happily ever after," Theresa shook her head, her eyes tinged with a hint of sadness. "It was my miscalculation that allowed them to catch up again. My apologies, Mr. Viego."

Even before, Theresa had only requested that Viego "temporarily" give up the idea of killing those Sarkaz. So, now that the situation had developed like this, she would naturally not obstruct him any further. She was not a naive little girl.

"Alright… for the sake of your duty as my employer, I guess." Viego said nonchalantly, handing the unconscious Ines to the white-haired, cat-eared Kal'tsit beside him.

"You all go first. I will hold them off—there might be some scattered enemies who circle around, but that shouldn't be a problem, right? I can sense that you're not someone who is incapable of fighting either."

"…Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Viego." Theresa nodded, her attitude not at all like that of a leader… or an employer who should be giving orders. "Of course, it's no problem. Heavily's team is very close. He will support us—Babel's ship will be waiting to the northwest. After you've held them off, you can find us by heading in that direction."

"Understood."

"Then we shall take our leave first, Mr. Viego. Also… to compensate for my mistake, after you return to Babel, I will give you a handsome compensation."

Before Viego could respond, Theresa and Kal'tsit departed, carrying the unconscious W and Ines.

What did she just say? Viego's spirits were lifted. He automatically translated Theresa's words into a simple phrase—

More money!?!

Now that you mention it, I'm not sleepy anymore!

Although he didn't know how much the so-called compensation would be, seeing how Babel had hired so many people and seemed so grand, their assets were surely not small. For an organization like this to say they would add more money, it surely couldn't be just a few hundred or a few thousand. Viego hadn't forgotten that he still owed W three hundred thousand. This time, counting his saving her life, that would cancel out a hundred thousand, leaving another two hundred thousand… save that crazy woman two more times and he would be even.

Viego glanced behind him. The figures of Theresa and Kal'tsit had already become two small dots.

...

"Theresa, before this, we had never heard the name Viego." Kal'tsit said, carrying Ines, following behind Theresa. "You don't suspect him at all?"

"It's alright," Theresa looked back and smiled at Kal'tsit, appearing unconcerned. "Vigilance is a normal emotion, but I'm not too wary of him. I can tell that he hasn't told us any lies. I just don't know why, but I get the feeling he doesn't have a very good impression of me…"

"Perhaps he knows you," Kal'tsit said, her tone indicating she had no intention of letting down her guard against Viego. "…And, his strength is immense."

Kal'tsit did not question Theresa's decision to let Viego hold the rear alone. She knew the princess's perception abilities. Theresa must have sensed that Viego had the strength to deal with the pursuers, which was why she so confidently let him stay behind alone. Otherwise, with Theresa's goody-two-shoes nature, it was absolutely impossible for her to watch someone go to their death—even if that person was a stranger she had just met for the first time.

"Yes, yes, I know. But we still have you, don't we, Kal'tsit?" Teresa smiled as she looked ahead. In her field of vision, the figure of Heavily leading his team appeared. "Ah, Heavily has arrived. If you still have doubts, how about you ask him later?"

Kal'tsit was silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.

Heavily, after learning that Theresa and Kal'tsit had gone to rescue W and Ines by themselves, had immediately organized the remaining able-bodied members of the mercenary company and rushed over. Now that he had successfully met up with them and saw them carrying W and Ines, Heavily could finally rest assured.

"By the way, there's also Viego… Your Highness, have you seen a…"

"He stayed behind to cover our retreat," Kal'tsit said flatly, placing Ines on a stretcher that had been brought over. "Let's head back to Rhodes Island first. Your companion needs treatment. It just so happens I also have some matters related to him that I wish to ask you, Captain Heavily."

"Covering the retreat?!" Heavily's brows furrowed tightly. Kal'tsit's meaning was clear; she was not planning to let them go any further forward to find Viego. He didn't think Viego had the ability to cover the rear alone, face the pursuers, and survive. But why would Kal'tsit and the Princess do this…?

.....

On the distant wilderness.

Viego, holding a ghostly green longsword, looked at the dense crowd of Sarkaz warriors emerging from the forest. It was like a Nasus player seeing a long line of minions walking towards him from the enemy's crystal.

There's both experience and money. A good deal like this is hard to find in a hundred years!

Happy.

He just didn't know if this Blade of the Ruined King in his hand was worth consuming so much of the Ruination's power to bring it back. This was a good opportunity to test it out.

With the joy of harvest and a savage killing intent, Viego's lips curled up into a healthy smile, like a certain one-way street:

"My heart is a raging tide!"

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