Chapter 225
Chapter 226 A Mix-Up
Once contamination values climbed past 70, mental stability began to fray. For that reason, the men kept a five percent safety buffer for themselves.
To maintain that state, they reduced how often they went out on missions. Even without merit points, they absolutely could not let the numbers rise again.
Because once it rose above 70, they could be assigned directly to the Black Spire.
To ever get out again, their contamination level had to be below 50.
And there were no Guides inside that facility.
It amounted to a death sentence.
Lyra understood. In a strange way, they were practicing self-preservation.
Yet a thought crossed her mind.
If they could keep their readings stable on their own, then her help hardly mattered.
They were already holding themselves together.
“So what you’re saying is you don’t actually need a Guide. Did I throw off your whole rhythm p>
Garen and his squad members’ expressions shifted sharply.
“No!
“You’ve got it wrong, Ms. Kaelin. That is not what I meant.
“Your work carries enormous weight for the entire Federation.
“We do need you. I only said that to reassure you. We won’t spiral into psychic frenzy and hurt you because of our contamination levels.
“I phrased myself poorly. My apologies, please forgive me p>
Garen and his teammates felt as though the sky had caved in.
They would never have such thoughts even if they died!
They were completely misrepresented.
Seeing them bow and scramble to clear up the mix-up, acting as if they had broken some sacred rule, Lyra quickly lifted a hand to stop them.
She had misread the situation.
“I didn’t mean anything bad. I was only saying I thought what you were doing was smart.
“This whole thing is just a silly mix-up. My bad, really.
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Chapter 226 A Mix-Up
Please don’t dwell on it. Treat it as an off-hand question p>
Gaen lifted his gaze slowly. His earlier agitation had not faded; his chest rose and fell heavily.
Standing well over six feet tall, with broad shoulders, power-coiled muscle, hard, rugged features, and a split eyebrow scar, he cut the image of a hardened combat veteran.
Right now, though, he looked like a chastised puppy, watching her with guilty, uneasy eyes.
An invisible arrow seemed to pierce Lyra’s heart. She looked away awkwardly and scratched the back of her head.
She typed, “I like to joke sometimes. Please ignore my careless remarks p>
She noticed every member of the squad staring at her with those same sorrowful, pleading eyes.
She added another line. “And all of you too p>
Garen hurried to respond. “You do not owe us an apology, Ms. Kaelin. We misinterpreted your words and caused you discomfort. We are truly sorry p>
“Forgive us, Ms. Kaelin p>
His squadmates echoed his sincere apology.
Lyra grew even more flustered.
“Whoa, hold on. It was just mutual misreading. No more apologies.
“Let’s pretend this never happened and move on.
Shall we talk about something else p>
Garen lowered half his lids, shielding part of his sight.
He resembled a docile panther, keeping its claws carefully sheathed.
“What would you like to discuss p>
His straightforward reply caught Lyra off guard.
She first asked, “You haven’t seen Gideon in a while. Is there anything you want me to pass along to him, or anything you want to ask him?
“If the chance comes, I can deliver your messages p>
Garen fell silent for a moment. He glanced toward his men.
Taking their captain’s cue, one member worked up the courage to speak to the Guide.
…How is Gideon holding up? Is he alright p>
Lyra nodded.
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Chapter 226 A Mix-Up
Fin shea
“He’s doing fine. When I left, his contamination value sat at a reasonably safe level. He can’t get released yet,
at least he hasn’t slipped into feral transformation.
“Staff bring clean laundry and meals every single day. If he gets bored, he can also apply for free time outside and for some items that will not cause danger to pass the time p>
Relief washed over the group.
As long as he was alive, that was enough.
Another man spoke up. “We heard many people are housed together. Is that how you know so many different squad names p>
Lyra nodded once more.
At that moment, the first group of squad members who had gone to deliver gifts returned.
They gave a quick greeting to their captain and the Guide, then hefted the next batch of supplies and headed back out.
Watching their busy retreating backs, Lyra suddenly remembered to ask. “Have you eaten yet p>
Garen pressed his lips together, ready to answer that they already had. But his honest stomach rumbled loud and clear before he could get a single word out.
Gurgle-rrr.
Awkward silence crashed over the scene.
Garen hung his head in shame.
The rest of his squad stared daggers at their captain out of the corners of their eyes.
Of all the times for his stomach to growl. Right when the Guide asked about food.
He had embarrassed their whole squad.
Now she would laugh at them.
Garen’s gaze darted away, his cheeks flushing a dark, mortified red.
Lyra bowed her own head, hiding the tug of amusement at the corners of her mouth.
“I’m safe right here in this ward. Nothing will happen to me. Go get something to eat p>
Garen’s eyes sharpened. His tone turned stern at once. “Absolutely not.
“A Guide’s safety is our highest priority. We will never leave you unattended p>
At his words, the others straightened their backs, wordlessly showing their firm resolve.
They looked utterly earnest and a little clumsy
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Inishirt
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26 A Mix-Up
Lyra sighed mentally. Then can you have some of your returning men bring you back food p>
ren shook his head. This is active guard duty. It is not meal time p>
Lyra stared. So stubborn.
“But you’re obviously hungry p>
Garen held his chin high, stubborn. “I am not hungry! Neither are they p>
None of the squad said a word, but every face broadcast the same stubborn denial: We are not hungry!
Lyra felt equal parts exasperated and amused.
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Feral Sentinels Obey Only Her
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.