Arknights: I became an NPC in the online game

"Teacher Statue… the Arts you taught me—can I really use them?"

"—Yes."

The statue spoke again in that strange, hollow voice. Its wings shifted ever so slightly, stone grinding against stone. Its eyes, void of any substance, gazed fixedly at the black-robed Mandragora.

"My clan… is known as the Gargoyle Sarkaz."

"Gargoyle Sarkaz…?"

"...You only need to remember my name," the statue—no, the Gargoyle Sarkaz—said calmly. The twin horns atop his head subtly revealed his identity. "My race… is Sarkaz."

Mandragora's expression shifted. She instinctively stepped back a few paces.

"What's the matter…?"

"Although I'm grateful for the guidance you've given me," Mandragora said cautiously, "my brother is Sankta. Whatever it is you're planning, I'll do everything I can to stop you."

The Gargoyle Sarkaz stood unmoving. Around them, the night seemed to grow even darker. Faint tremors echoed from deep beneath the earth, like something ancient and immense stirring beneath the surface. Gritting her teeth, Mandragora gripped the staff Brother Felix had given her. The ground at her feet trembled—stones and soil rising slowly, beginning to shape themselves into a humanoid form.

"You would use… the very Arts I taught you… against me…?"

"…Hmph."

Mandragora said nothing more. From the very beginning, she had stayed vigilant while learning from the Gargoyle Sarkaz. In this land, no one offered help without expectation. There was no such thing as a free gift. Nobles acted on mutual benefit. Even commoners socialized to compare and boast.

Moments later, the clay giant took form. Mandragora raised her staff and leapt backward. The giant swung its massive fist and brought it down with a thunderous crash toward the stone figure.

A flash of white light sliced through the darkness, accompanied by a harsh, grinding screech. In an instant, the clay giant was reduced to dust. Mandragora had expected this, but she moved swiftly nonetheless, retreating from the cemetery, prepared to call for help.

"…Forget it. It was only a joke," the Gargoyle Sarkaz muttered with a faint sigh, curling a finger. The once-turbulent ground stilled, as if all the earlier disturbance had been nothing more than an illusion.

"I don't understand, Mr. Gargoyle," Mandragora said, her breath steadying. She frowned. "What exactly is your purpose? I don't have anything of value, nor do I have the strength to help you achieve whatever it is you're after."

"Your brother, Felix… he's quite an interesting person."

"If you're so interested in Brother Felix," Mandragora narrowed her eyes, "why not go speak to him directly? Even though he's Sankta, he's never shown any prejudice toward the Sarkaz."

When Brother Felix and the others had traveled to Kazdel, Mandragora had still been living a difficult life in Oak Grove County. She had only learned of it later, from her close sister, Senomi. At the time, she had been astonished… A Sankta who harbored no hatred toward the Sarkaz—that alone set Brother Felix apart.

He was the one who had saved her, the person she deeply respected—and the one she had fallen in love with.

"We merely wish to observe from the shadows... This Sankta has potential."

The Gargoyle Sarkaz paused mid-sentence, its gaze resting on Mandragora with a detached calm.

"My clan keeps its distance from war... You must ensure that no one learns the Gargoyle Sarkaz are in Victoria."

"Of course, I'll keep it a secret," Mandragora replied, nodding. Her eyes flicked with curiosity. "But… can I tell Brother Felix?"

"...When you feel the time is right—then tell him."

The Gargoyle Sarkaz's form grew gradually larger. Where once it resembled a stone figurine no bigger than a pet, it now took the shape of a grand sculpture—like one that might perch solemnly atop a building in Londinium's central district. Majestic. Regal.

"Let's begin our final few lessons… kitten."

---

Three days later, there were minor complications as they left the city. Every convoy entering or exiting was being stopped and searched by the mounted police assigned to the local noble estate. It was clear that Earl Warwick had not yet abandoned the search for Loughshinny, convinced she was still hiding somewhere within Oak Grove County.

However, the mounted police handled their duties sloppily. Being native Victorians, they held little regard for Earl Warwick—a Tara noble and symbolic figurehead of his people. Their inspection process was brusque and careless, often bordering on rude.

Felix had initially prepared five separate contingency plans to smuggle Loughshinny out of Oak Grove County. These included, but weren't limited to: having Degenbrecher escort her via the waterways; deploying drones to distract police with a staged explosion; and taking advantage of the ensuing chaos. Yet, none of these strategies were necessary.

In the end, he simply had Loughshinny hide among the cargo in the trunk.

When the police opened it, they were stunned to see Earl Bolton's token among the goods. Felix explained that this shipment was destined for Earl Bolton himself. The officers quickly became deferential, bowing and offering flattering words before sending them on their way with utmost respect.

Loughshinny had been in the trunk for less than ten minutes when Felix invited her into the back seat. She held a book about military affairs and national governance in her hands. Yet as they drove, her gaze often drifted to the window, lingering on the passing scenery... She knew it would be a long time before she returned again.

She understood her sister Eblana's decision, though it still left a bitter taste in her heart. But she respected her sister's choice. It didn't mean she could run from her responsibilities—only that, for now, her sister had given her the chance to walk freely beneath the sun.

Her mind wandered back to that night.

---

"Sister… do you trust Teacher Felix?"

"In truth, I no longer trust anyone—except you," Eblana had answered, extinguishing the flames in her hand. Drawing her sword, she sliced shallow wounds into her own skin, letting blood drip to the ground. Her eyes were sharp, clear—like polished glass. "But compared to Earl Warwick, Teacher Felix's background and movements are far more suitable for you."

"…Isn't this just using him?"

"You're right, my sister. But such things are unavoidable on this land. Cooperation and exploitation are interwoven into everyday life. Whether in social relations, economic exchanges, or cultural interactions… people are always connected—interdependent, transactional, and sometimes mutually beneficial."

As she wiped the blood from her clothes, she calmly directed the men in black around her to finish staging the scene.

"In this arena of mutual exploitation, what I learned from Earl Warwick is that collaboration can lead to win-win outcomes. Or, as he phrased it—nobles should exploit one another. Through collaboration, people can create greater value and maximize their own interests."

"My methods haven't changed. It's just that after attending Teacher Felix's classes, I discovered a more convenient way to operate from the shadows." Eblana wiped the blood from her face and looked down at her blood-stained hands. "Go beyond Victoria's borders. See what this land truly looks like."

"Elder sister..."

"An uprising is inevitable—it's only a matter of time. The Tara people's oppression has reached its limit and is on the verge of erupting. At the same time, Victoria's neighbors are circling like wolves. In such a climate of internal unrest and external threat, if I were to rise up now, I would become the focal point of internal dissent. And while I long to take action, exposing myself too early would trap both of us in endless conflict."

"It is easy to seize power, but difficult to govern... Loughshinny, follow Teacher Felix. Learn from him. Absorb new knowledge. Tara's future will need a ruler who knows war, yes—but also one who can govern from within... and that person is you, my sister."

Loughshinny looked at Eblana. She knew her sister's goal had never wavered, only her methods had changed since encountering Teacher Felix.

"I understand... Please take care of yourself from now on, sister."

"I've never needed looking after, my sister," Eblana said softly. "The continuation of the Draco Race..."

Even now, Loughshinny was slightly baffled by her sister's words. It was clearly a moment of parting—why speak of such things?

Though Eblana trusted Felix, that trust was not absolute. But Loughshinny was strong. At the very least, she had the ability to escape on her own. Earl Warwick had not only educated the two sisters in literature and theory—he had trained them in combat, in the art of harnessing their inner strength to strike down enemies.

To Eblana, leaving Loughshinny with Felix wasn't a gamble. She had seen through much of Teacher Felix's nature in class.

The continuation of the Draco Race... Was she referring to another race?

It was said that if a Sankta man had a child with a woman from any other tribe, the child would belong to the mother's race. This wasn't mere folklore—it had scientific basis.

Of course, Loughshinny didn't know if she herself could give birth to a Draco. Most historical records about the Draco focused on war. There were no accounts of childbirth.

Felix drove the Military truck back to Londinium and reunited with his three students at the military factory. They had already packed their belongings and were ready to depart immediately.

Feist had successfully persuaded his grandmother to accompany him to Trimount for a vacation. Grandma Catherine had spent her entire life as a laborer. She might not easily adapt to life in Trimount, but once she made up her mind, she would certainly find meaningful work.

As for the Military truck—there was no space left. Over the past month, Feist hadn't been idle. Before leaving Londinium, Felix had told him to learn how to drive, noting that transportation roles would be important in the future.

Upon his return, Felix found that Feist had indeed passed his driving test.

Felix called upon the players who had been spending time in the slums completing quests, and with several convoys, they immediately set off for Trimount.

---

July was just around the corner. While players had enjoyed an unforgettable vacation in Dossoles last year, this year's Grand Prix still managed to attract plenty of attention. However, Felix had no plans to attend—he had his own itinerary in mind.

As the players rested, they noticed Loughshinny quietly sipping tea. The sight immediately stunned them. Whoa—when did our protagonist pick up another beautiful NPC companion? This elegant girl looked to be about the same age as him. Every gesture she made was refined and graceful, though her expression was aloof, the type that didn't speak much... and those long, spiraled horns were mesmerizing—almost too eye-catching!

Before Felix could say a word, one of the players had already pulled out the fun items they had recently collected and offered them to Loughshinny as gifts.

This was something all of Felix's companions had gone through—Degenbrecher had experienced it, Senomi had experienced it, Mandragora too... and now it was Loughshinny's turn.

Loughshinny was a bit taken aback by the adventurers' enthusiasm. She initially wanted to refuse their gifts, but when two players knelt and pleaded for her to accept them, she relented to avoid making a scene. Moments later, she watched those two jump up and high-five each other in celebration. She didn't quite know what to say.

In conversation, Loughshinny learned that Mandragora was also from Tara. She had heard Felix speak briefly about Mandragora's past. When these painful memories were mentioned, Mandragora leaned gently against Felix's chest like a kitten, her expression tinged with sorrow.

Loughshinny pursed her lips and stayed silent. She hadn't been in Oak Grove County when the fire broke out. She hadn't even known its cause or consequences. All she ever saw were cold, impersonal reports... and even those numbers had been falsified.

Mandragora is fortunate, Loughshinny thought. She could tell from Mandragora's content, dependent expression—nestled so trustingly in Felix's arms—that redemption like this could make someone follow another for a lifetime.

As for Loughshinny's own identity... within the team, only Felix knew the truth. Degenbrecher seemed to have her suspicions. From the beginning, she had sensed that there was something unusual about the race and background of the two sisters. But even if she had guessed the truth, she wouldn't say it out loud.

Along the way, Yang Yan XF from the strategy group temporarily parted ways with Felix and the others. With the current game version nearing its end, the strategy group was heading to Barichara Town to seize one last opportunity for profit. Maybe they'd strike gold?

In early July, Felix returned to his most loyal base—Columbia. As he drove into Trimount, the sense of coming home brought a slight smile to his face.

It had been nearly half a year since he'd last taken the reins. During that time, Muelsyse had been incredibly busy. As the third-in-command of Rhine Lab, she had handled expansion efforts on her own. She'd also been working on new patent applications from the Maylander Foundation and other pressing matters.

He was back—finally back. But this return wouldn't last long.

Because his next destination was already set:

Ursus.