Arknights: I became an NPC in the online game

"My sister told me to find the path I want to take."

"Her path… isn't for me."

Loughshinny spoke softly, sitting upright on the bed, her long tail resting gently atop the covers. There was only calm in her eyes.

"What do you mean?" Felix frowned, not quite understanding. Since when did Loughshinny start speaking like a riddler?

Felix's understanding of Victoria's plot came entirely from the players. As a lore enthusiast player, most of his time online was spent watching other players' live streams or scrolling through forums. You could say he had one of the deepest understandings of the storyline.

In his previous life, he had died near the end of version 3.0—right around the time Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals got involved in Victoria's storyline. Back then, players had just begun making contact with both Victoria and Tara. Information about Mandragora had only started surfacing at that time. As for the true identities of the leaders on both sides, the players hadn't yet uncovered that information.

Or rather… Felix had died before he could find out.

"Teacher Felix… can I trust you?"

Felix returned to the present, meeting Loughshinny's gaze with a calm expression. "Although we're about the same age, since you call me teacher, I naturally treat you as my student. And how could a teacher not trust his student?"

Loughshinny let out a faint hum. "My race… isn't Vouivre."

"…It's Draco."

At first, Felix didn't register the significance of the word. But a moment later, realization struck like lightning. He remembered that before he started playing Ark, he'd researched all the playable races on the official website, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses—but he had never seen anything about a race called "Draco."

He had known their identities, sure—but had never thought deeply about their races.

It wasn't until the late stages of Civilization 2.0, when players became eligible to enter the National Library in the capital, that the word Draco appeared briefly in scattered entries.

The Dracos, a race of ancient blood, were the original inhabitants of Victoria. They had once stood as one of the two royal families—symbols of power and ambition. But over time, their bloodline waned. They were believed to have gone extinct some twenty years ago. Today, only a handful of pure Dracos remain.

The Dracos are also Victoria's nominal royal lineage.

If Loughshinny was a Draco, then her sister Eblana must be one too. And from that standpoint—anyone with a bit of historical knowledge, or anyone who had played a Paradox game—would immediately understand what their teacher, Earl Warwick, was trying to do.

He wanted to be more than a great educator. He wanted to go down in history. No—he wanted to be second to none. He wanted to carve the words "King's Teacher" onto his own tombstone.

There was nothing inherently wrong with ambition like that.

But Loughshinny was here. And from the tone of her voice, it sounded as if Eblana had orchestrated everything and sent her here.

Had something gone awry in Warwick's tutelage? Or had Warwick always harbored ulterior motives? Felix couldn't say. Education had the subtle power to shape someone—even without their awareness. Perhaps Warwick himself had changed… without realizing it.

Whatever the case, Felix knew one thing for certain:

Warwick had failed.

From the moment Loughshinny left the Earl's mansion, Felix knew—Earl Warwick had lost completely.

As a student, Eblana had orchestrated everything. And yet, she remained in Earl Warwick's residence.

Why hadn't she killed him to vent her anger?

Felix found it surprising. Based on their daily interactions in class, he knew Eblana was strong-willed, ambitious, and full of foresight. She knew when to advance and when to hold back. He had always suspected she wasn't just a noble lady, even though she insisted otherwise… and now, it was clear. She wasn't. That level of restraint—was the mark of someone aiming for kingship.

Was she planning to keep Earl Warwick around… and make use of him?

A spark of realization flashed in Felix's mind. Why hadn't he seen it sooner?

Eblana wasn't yet well-known within Tara's political circles. If she were to kill Earl Warwick and raise a banner of rebellion now, it would spark open war—exposing her too soon and squandering any opportunity to grow in secret.

By allowing Earl Warwick to "use" her, she could stay hidden in the background. All eyes would be on Warwick—not Eblana.

No wonder she'd asked him that question about how to use a villain.

It was clear now. In Eblana's eyes, Earl Warwick had already become that villain.

Loughshinny noticed the shift in Felix's gaze and was quietly impressed. Though a reserved person by nature, she was far from naive. She could tell that Teacher Felix had seen through Eblana's intentions.

She herself had been shocked when she first discovered the truth… but to think Felix had deduced it so quickly…

With such wisdom and insight, she thought, he truly is the teacher my sister chose for a reason.

"So… one in the light, the other in the shadows. Loughshinny, what about you? What do you want to do?"

Felix stepped closer. Loughshinny was slightly shorter than him, but her long black horns towered above his head. He lowered his gaze gently to meet hers.

A trace of confusion flickered in Loughshinny's eyes. She lowered her head, staring at her own chest.

In truth… she didn't know.

Gentle and quiet, she had always followed her sister—obeying her wishes, living under her guidance. Only during Felix's lectures did she have the rare chance to think for herself, to act based on her own thoughts rather than someone else's will.

"Your sister, Eblana, chose to remain at Earl Warwick's side. I believe she intends to stay there, using him to achieve her ambitions—to become a leader. But that path… it will be soaked in blood, hardship, and shadow."

"This burden… she chose to carry it alone. By sending you away, she made it clear—she doesn't want you to suffer the same fate."

"In other words, Loughshinny… you are free. Your future belongs to you. If you wish, you can even cast off the title of 'Draco' and live simply as a Vouivre here on Terra."

"The choice is yours, Loughshinny. What do you want to do?"

Loughshinny looked up at Felix, who spoke so calmly and clearly. She was silent for a long moment, then finally asked:

"…Is there any way I can help my sister?"

"Do you know what your sister wants to do?"

"…"

Loughshinny opened her mouth… but no words came out.

"That's a bloody road to becoming a king," Felix narrowed his eyes. "Of course, Earl Warwick is still alive now, so he won't start a war recklessly. But in the long run… it's hard to say."

"..."

"I have a suggestion."

Felix spoke softly.

"Your current identity isn't suited for staying in Victoria. Once Eblana moves completely into the shadows, anyone with ulterior motives will target you the moment you appear alone. It's time for you to disappear."

Loughshinny nodded.

"...Alright, then."

"Come with me to Trimount, Columbia. While science dominates Columbia, you, Loughshinny, are clearly more suited to the battlefield. You can consider applying to Trimount Military Academy." Felix glanced at Loughshinny's slender hands—hands that could wield a spear with surprising strength.

"Once your sister gains a certain degree of influence and fame, whether you choose to stay or leave will be up to you."

"You call me teacher, and so I naturally regard you as a student. This is my advice to you. But you're an adult, Loughshinny. I respect your choice."

Loughshinny pursed her lips, then looked up at Felix.

"...It'll trouble you, Teacher."

"Don't think about it. Honestly, I already have too many kids at home… and I desperately need another adult to share the burden with me... ahem."

Loughshinny let out a quiet hum, her emerald-green eyes as clear as glass. She looked directly at Felix.

"...Teacher, I'll be counting on you from now on."

The decision was made. Loughshinny lay down again to rest. If she were an ordinary person, she'd likely be bedridden with a pale complexion from such severe blood loss. But as a member of the Draco race, although she couldn't walk yet, she was still in far better condition than most. Felix had to gently persuade her back into bed.

After making sure Loughshinny was settled, a task window popped up before his eyes.

---

[You have triggered the A-level Series Mission: "Draco Division"]

Mission Details:

One of your students, Loughshinny, is among the last remaining Draco in the world. If she remained with Earl Warwick, she would face manipulation, confusion, and despair. Fortunately, you successfully persuaded Eblana—who refused to sacrifice her sister—to entrust her to you... As a teacher, you understand both the power of the Draco bloodline and the weight your choices carry. Your guidance will shape Loughshinny's future.

[Mission Objective: Guide Loughshinny as her teacher and help her grow step by step.]

[Reward: 200,000 Experience]

---

So, personal-character-related tasks are actually part of a series. Felix closed the system prompt bar. Series tasks were interconnected. If a link in the chain failed, one might have to start all over again… But NPC-based series missions were different. Sometimes, failure in a single step could mean the death of the NPC. Once they were gone, the mission would fail completely.

Considering Loughshinny's sensitive identity, it wouldn't be easy for her to find success in a foreign land. What's more, Columbia and Victoria shared a strained relationship. Columbia had once been a confederation of city-states in Victoria's northwestern region. During the Gaulish invasion, Victoria was unable to maintain control, and Columbia declared its independence. Later, the Columbian army even managed to repel an invasion from the Duke of the Border Territory.

Taking her to Columbia was still a dangerous move—but relatively safer than the current situation.

Of course, if Earl Warwick were to die at Eblana's hands, it wouldn't be impossible for her to strike from the front and Loughshinny from the shadows. But Eblana had already made her decision—and now, Loughshinny had too.

Felix had no intention of becoming a royal tutor to any future king. As a player, his only goal was to become stronger—so powerful that he could destroy an entire nation with a single Originium Arts. Royal authority meant nothing to players. It didn't interest them, nor could it make them submit. In fact, any attempt to force their submission would only backfire.

After Degenbrecher returned, Felix revealed Loughshinny's true identity to her. Degenbrecher merely blinked in response.

"Boss, are you going to teach that little girl how to be a king?"

"Do I look like I have that much free time or interest?" Felix replied with a rhetorical question. "Besides, I've got no desire to rule a country. Being a king is tough work. Honestly, if I ever had that kind of ambition, I would've joined some sort of king election long ago… Actually, I probably could've just become king without any election."

A snake-type player never bowed to anyone in life.

Degenbrecher was silent for a moment, then smiled. She had always held strong confidence in her boss. If he claimed he could become king, then it was simply a matter of time before he became one for real.

---

Late at night, at the cemetery.

Mandragora left home shortly after dinner, clutching her Originium staff tightly, and made her way along a familiar path to the cemetery. During dinner, she had overheard talk that Sister Loughshinny would be joining their team soon. She was a few years older than Mandragora, and seemed quiet and gentle. For reasons she couldn't quite explain, Mandragora felt an obscure sense of crisis welling up inside her.

She had always seen Senomi as an older sister figure. Though she never conceded defeat when it came to vying for the attention of Brother Felix—her teacher and mentor—in the end, both she and Senomi had ended up in Felix's bed, and Mandragora hadn't objected.

But if Sister Loughshinny joined this invisible, bloodless battle, Mandragora wasn't sure she had what it took to win.

Even though… even though she had developed well physically, having grown taller and with decent curves, she still felt dissatisfied with her slightly chubby figure. She'd been considering working out to slim down.

Loughshinny, in contrast, had the elegance and allure of a grown woman—not quite the same as the mature presence of Sister Degenbrecher, but something different. Loughshinny had the quiet grace of a young lady, always looking lonely, evoking a protective instinct in others.

Next to Loughshinny, Mandragora felt like a child.

"...You're here..."

The night cemetery was shrouded in mist. A voice—dry and hoarse like stones grinding against one another—echoed eerily in the darkness, ghost-like.

"I'm leaving Oak Grove in two or three days."

Mandragora looked through the thick fog toward the stone statue sitting atop a tombstone. Wings carved in stone spread from its back. She didn't know the statue's true identity or its ultimate purpose. All she knew was that one night, after using Originium Arts related to stone and clay, the statue had spoken to her.

Since then, she had become its student, learning Originium techniques related to rock attributes under its strange, silent tutelage.

"...This is enough time... Watch closely, and learn well."

Mandragora gripped her staff firmly and thrust it forward.