Chapter 103
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Perai Sentinels Obey Only Her
Chapter 104 Unwrapping Gifts
“They said it’s a smart robot. Something to play with p>
Jessa curled her lip in disbelief.
Fitasled
She still couldn’t buy the idea that these dangerous Sentinels had suddenly turned over a new leaf.
“I still don’t get it. Out of nowhere, why would Mr. Vale volunteer to cover your
Lyra had asked Hadrien the exact same question before.
shift p>
His explanation had been simple. He’d only recently taken charge of the Black Spire, and aside from familiarizing himself with the facility’s operations, he wanted more direct contact with the incarcerated Sentinels.
Not long before, he’d fired a handful of incompetent staff members, leaving the rest of the crew on edge, convinced he was just another new boss out to crack down hard.
He’d wanted to set a softer example to ease everyone’s tension.
After reading Lyra’s written recount of the conversation, Jessa let out a vague, knowing laugh.
“I knew it p>
Lyra tilted her head in confusion, staring at her.
“I knew it,” Jessa said. “People in power never do a single favor without something to gain p>
Lyra remained half skeptical about Hadrien’s reasoning.
Did he really need to cover her shift just to learn about the Black Spire and interact with the Sentinels?
But high–ranking people always had far more complicated thoughts than ordinary folks like them.
Dropping the topic, Lyra wrote a new question on her note. “Wanna hang out at my place later p>
Jessa gestured toward the huge pile of gifts beside them.
“Absolutely. I’ve gotta keep an eye on you. Who knows if one of these things is a ticking bomb p>
Lyra laughed at her joke.
“If there’s a bomb, we’ll both get blown up together. No escaping it p>
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Jessa shrugged casually. “At least if it blows up and we get buried under the junk, I can still yell a few times and help them find where we are p>
The two chatted and laughed as they walked toward the dorm.
Back in his office, Hadrien prepared to pull up the Sentinels‘ files, but suddenly froze mid-
movement.
He pressed the intercom on his desk.
A staff member’s voice came through immediately. “Mr. Vale, what are your orders p>
“Who entered my office?” Hadrien asked sharply.
“That was Mr. Kent, sir,” the operator replied quickly. “He said he needed to report a few matters and wanted you to review a reception plan.
“I told him you were out. He left the documents here and took his leave right after.
“…Is anything missing p>
Hadrien stared coldly at his desk, his tone icy.
“Nothing is missing. From now on, if I’m not present, all pending matters will wait for my return. No one enters my office without permission p>
The operator felt confused. Hadrien had never been this strict before, but he complied at once. “Understood, sir p>
Hadrien skimmed through the documents Boren had left behind, frowned faintly, and set them aside. He then reopened the internal staff files of the Black Spire to continue his review.
“Whoa, even spinal fluid? That’s super nourishing. These Sentinels really don’t skimp on gifts p>
After messing around with the smart robot for a while, Lyra and Jessa started sorting through the mountain of presents.
Jessa randomly picked out a package from Arthur and let out a shocked gasp the second she opened it.
Lyra, sitting across from her, thought she had misheard.
What was that?
SA
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Chapter 104 Unwrapping Gifts
She looked at the clean, crystal–clear liquid in Jessa’s hand.
“Spinal fluid p>
“Yep,” Jessa smiled at her obvious bewilderment. “Don’t worry, not from humans p>
Lyra fell silent.
That didn’t make it any less strange.
“You just said it’s super nourishing p>
“It sure is p>
Finished
Jessa stared at the liquid for a moment before carefully sealing the box and setting it aside to unpack other gifts.
She explained as she worked. “This comes from an insectoid species on a distant planet. It’s able to repair almost any physical injury. A lot of medical medications contain traces of it.
“Pure, undiluted stock like this is reserved exclusively for the wealthy. They use it for body maintenance and anti–aging treatments. It sells for an outrageous amount of Credits p>
Jessa blinked at Lyra teasingly. “This single vial is enough to buy you a luxury mansion on Core Prime.
“You could drink half of it and sell the other half to stash a massive secret fund for yourself p>
Lyra stared at her blankly, fixated entirely on how expensive the gift was.
People thought the Sentinels could have whatever they wanted here, but that was only because all their Star Brain devices had been confiscated upon incarceration.
Every Credit they’d earned through years of military service was stored in those devices, and all their prison expenses were deducted directly from those accounts.
Arthur had spent his hard–earned military rewards on such an extravagant gift for her.
She could never bring herself to sell it.
If anyone needed this healing fluid, it was the injured Sentinels themselves.
What if they recovered and were sent back to the brutal battlefield?
Thinking this, Lyra shook her head, closed the box tightly, and placed it in a safe spot.
Jessa leaned back lazily. “I guess the only good thing about these Sentinels is how generous they can be.
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Chapter 104 Unwrapping Gifts
Finished
“Then again, aside from making military achievements, their biggest dream is to win a Guide’s favor.
“Now that they’re trapped in this hellhole, all those dreams are dead. If they can make you happy and earn a little leniency, their remaining days won’t be completely miserable p>
Lyra looked quietly at Jessa, who spoke so casually and dismissively.
“Not all Sentinels have cruel personalities. Why do you seem to hate all of them p>
Jessa’s gaze dropped to the note, a cold smirk tugging at her lips.
“Cruel? That’s being far too nice to them p>
They were nothing but beasts.
Seeing that her expression looked a little strange, Lyra tilted her head curiously.
Jessa quickly pulled her expression back and was amused by that slightly silly look on her face.
“I’ve just had some bad run–ins with them before. I’m a petty person.” She shrugged offhandedly. “So I lump them all in the same category p>
Lyra lowered her eyes and thought for a moment before writing again.
“But you said your brother attends the military academy on Core Prime p>
Jessa froze for a split second.
“…I’d still hate him even if he didn’t go to a military academy p>
Lyra fell speechless.
Was this some kind of innate blood–based rivalry?
She’d read countless stories online before–siblings fighting endlessly, older siblings treating younger ones like servants, siblings growing up like total strangers.
She’d always wondered what kind of deep resentment could breed such bitter relationships.
“Huh? What’s this you’ve got here p>
While unwrapping another gift, Jessa’s fingers brushed against a small mirror.
She’d assumed it was Lyra’s personal item and meant to hand it over.
But when she passed it over, she noticed there seemed to be another layer hidden inside.
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