Chapter 288
Chapter 289 A Calculated Gesture of Goodwill
Lyra also blamed the people in power on Core Prime.
Fashed
They sang her praises to her face, calling her the Federation’s savior, the hope for the future.
Yet behind closed doors, they were planting a ticking time bomb right beside her.
They craved the aid of her psychic power, all while fearing the day she might slip out of their control. So they kept a lethal weapon at the ready, one they could turn against her at any
moment.
Cunning. Self-serving. Greedy. Two-faced.
Perhaps that was exactly what they wanted.
They hoped to whip public sentiment into a frenzy using ordinary citizens, forcing Lyra to turn to Core Prime for help once more.
But Lyra would not fall for their trap.
They had created this problem, so they could suffer the consequences themselves.
Nothing would shake her resolve.
Faced with the sea of skeptical stares from the crowd below, Lyra put on an even warmer, gentler smile.
She typed out her message and triggered the audio playback.
“It warms my heart to see how much everyone cares about me.
“It reminds me of the kindness strangers showed me back when I was nobody special.
“Even here, I get to experience such genuine warmth from those around me.
“Truly, under the leadership of Prime Minister Thorne and all administrative officials, the Federation is a utopia full of compassion and harmony.
“I am proud to call this place my home. To be valued and cherished by all of you is the greatest fortune of my life p>
Watching from behind their display screen, the men broke out in laughter.
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CINES A Deleruten Gesture of Goodwill
“Does she feel nauseous typing all that flowery garbage p>
“If it didn’t sound so unbelievably fake, I might actually buy it p>
༢
Fimonew
“It rings false to us, but look at them. They’re eating every word up, completely flattered p>
“Most Guides stick rigidly to scripted, formal speeches. Hardly any would humble themselves like this. No wonder they’re blown away p>
“This Guide really is something p>
Lyra did not feel nauseous from her own words, but her face was growing sore.
Holding that bright smile non-stop had left her facial muscles tight and stiff.
She tossed aside the prepared speech Lior had written for her and spoke her own version of “sincere thoughts p>
“From my very first day arriving on Core Prime, I swore I would give everything I have to serve the Federation and all its people.
“I know many Sentinels across our Federation are family members of those sitting here today, as well as viewers watching through the cameras.
“They have sacrificed everything for our Federation’s peace and stability.
“You must be proud of them, yet you live in constant fear for their safety.
“The Sentinels we have lost are heroes we must honor and remember forever!
“I never want to see more families torn apart, loved ones ripped from one another.
“That is why I have submitted a formal request to the prime minister and administrative officials. On top of my regular purification work for Sentinels in stable condition, I will offer extra support for the Sentinels detained within Black Spire p>
A wave of shock rippled across the entire venue.
Earlier, when Lyra acknowledged the bonds between Sentinels and their families and paid tribute to those who had fallen, she had already won plenty of goodwill from the public.
Now she spoke from their perspective and volunteered to address the contamination levels plaguing the imprisoned Sentinels inside Black Spire.
Her announcement hit like a thunderclap out of clear skies.
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Chapter 8 A Cat ulste Gestiment Goodwat
Emined
Up until this point, Guides always followed assignments handed down by the White Citadel and Core Prime authorities.
Guide resources were prioritized for Sentinels with manageable contamination who could be deployed for active duty at any time.
The Sentinels locked inside Black Spire were treated as afterthoughts. They only received minimal, token care whenever someone happened to remember them.
Lyra set aside the prestige of her status as a Guide. She stood on equal ground with grieving family members, voicing sympathy and concern.
She had turned her attention to the Black Spire Sentinels, a group nearly forgotten by both the White Citadel and Core Prime.
This move earned her immense favor from relatives whose loved ones were imprisoned there.
To these people, Lyra was the savior for their sons and brothers.
Some grew teary-eyed with hope, dreaming of the day their family members might finally walk free from Black Spire.
Both the live audience and viewers watching remotely had completely shifted how they saw Lyra.
And they were not the only ones. The Sentinels watching the broadcast from the Black Spire cheered and roared like wild gorillas.
Who did not crave freedom?
They had grown sick of their de facto life sentences disguised as protective custody.
If she could get them released, Lyra would be their goddess.
Ordinary citizens praised her kindness and noble spirit.
Meanwhile, high-ranking officials on Core Prime had very different thoughts swirling through their minds.
According to the original speech draft, the subject of Black Spire Sentinels would have come up too. The scripted line read: “The prime minister and administrative officials have decided that I will do my best to purify contamination for Black Spire Sentinels and help them escape their suffering p>
What Lyra had actually said was: “I have submitted a formal request to the prime minister and administrative officials p>
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Chapter C&A Calculated Gesture of Goodwill
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Finished
That small shift in subject completely changed the meaning.
Lyra had not lied about anything.
But the government had planned to milk this moment for public approval, to gain the public’s goodwill and secure stronger political support.
That would also make it harder for the rebels to sway people to their side.
Now all the praise and gratitude belonged solely to Lyra.
Whether she intended it or not, she had thrown off their carefully laid plans, leaving several officials simmering with quiet discontent.
Elsewhere, in a distant military district within the quarantine zone, Rainer sipped coffee while staring at the electronic screen.
Standing beside and behind him were his most trusted officers, sharp and crisp in their formal military uniforms. They watched silently as the new Guide typed out her statements for the whole galaxy to see.
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Createned obey Only E-
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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.