Chapter 138
“Ordinary people will no longer live under oppression, and Guides will no longer be imprisoned under the pretense of protection.
“Everyone will live in a world of freedom and fairness p>
Hadrien could listen no longer.
‘You make it sound so noble, but don’t you also need Guides to win over Sentinels for your own use and launch a rebellion where people fight to the death p>
Jessa shot him a sharp sideways glance. “What could you possibly understand!
‘We fight for every life across the star systems crushed and persecuted by your regime p>
Her eyes turned icy.
‘You ruthless monsters expand your territory under noble banners, burning, looting, and committing every atrocity imaginable on alien planets!
‘Once you seize other worlds and claim them as your own. you abandon those populations far away and leave them to fend for themselves.
‘Not until people like you are gone will the new humans across the stars ever know lasting peace p>
Hadrien’s sharp gaze locked onto her through his helmet.
“So you admit you ignore ordinary lives, spread chaos and terror everywhere, and abduct Guides against their will—all while hiding behind the claim that you act for everyone, when you only seek revenge for yourselves p>
Jessa let out a cold laugh. “Believe whatever you want. You loyal lackeys aiding tyranny are beyond saving p>
She turned toward Lyra.
“I advise you to open your eyes. Learn to tell who is genuine and who wears a mask beside you p>
Lyra sat on the frigid floor, her gaze fixed blankly on one spot, picking absently at her fingertips.
Her mind, never quick to begin with, moved even slower after hearing all their arguments.
It was as if gears inside her head had jammed somewhere, grinding and whirring without function.
She held no grand ambitions.
All she wanted was to return home to Earth.
If return proved impossible, she would have been content to live out her days quietly here, free of conflict.
At first, she had felt quiet joy upon discovering she was a Guide.
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Chapter 730 Threads of Boubt
3hr had hoped she could help the Sentinels in the cell blerks escape confinement.
Yet in this moment, she most wisfied she did not possess such powers.
At the very least, she could have gone on living simply and happily, sheltered by everyone’s lies.
Footsteps sounded, and someone lowered themselves to sit beside her.
Lyra remained vacant, staring into the distance without reaction.
Warmth suddenly spread across the back of her hand.
Her focus snapped back at once.
Finished
Hadrien took her hand, gently spreading healing ointment over her skin before tearing open an adhesive bandage to cover the small wound.
She had been so lost in thought that she had not noticed she’d torn her skin raw around her fingernail.
Lyra offered no resistance. She simply watched the side of Hadrien’s helmet.
It felt as though she could see his stern, thoughtful face beneath the cold, hard shell.
Was all the kindness shown to her only because she was a Guide?
Once he finished, Hadrien slowly set her hand back down.
He knew she watched him, her mind tangled in endless questions.
He offered no elaborate explanation.
He only spoke in a low, steady tone.
“Actions speak louder than words. If doubt gnaws at you, seek the truth for yourself.
“Until then, do not expect the best from everyone. You will only be disappointed again.
“No matter what questions plague you, a Sentinel’s core duty to protect Guides never wavers p>
Lyra dropped her eyes to her carefully bandaged fingertip.
She had not felt the ache until the ointment touched the broken skin; the pain registered only afterward.
She held up the injured finger and typed on her Star Brain.
“Would you protect me only because I am a Guide? What if I were not p>
Hadrien felt the quiet warmth lingering inside him from touching her hand.
“A Guide holds the highest priority for Sentinels. You hold the highest priority among all Sentinels at the Black Spire, whether you are a Guide or not p>
The gears in Lyra’s mind still refused to turn smoothly.
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Chapter) 30 threads of Doubt
Finished
His words left her confused.
“What do you mean p>
“Sentinels are human beings, not cold machines p>
Lyra wondered silently. Did he mean they would protect her even without her Guide abilities?
She quickly dismissed the thought, chiding herself for being overly vain.
If rumors were true, authorities on Core Prime would stop at nothing to bring her away once her identity became known.
If these Sentinels only followed orders, how could they openly defy commands just for someone as insignificant as her?
Lyra sighed and turned back to type on her Star Brain.
“Is everything Jessa said true? Did Hophrin people commit those atrocities on alien worlds p>
Hadrien answered plainly, “All official records from that era have been tightly sealed. I was still young when those events unfolded, so I do not know the full truth p>
He spoke earnestly, and Lyra chose to trust him.
As Administrator, Hadrien usually carried himself with an aloof, unapproachable air.
Now he sat beside her on hard stone steps without the slightest trace of arrogance, speaking calmly and telling her not to overwhelm herself with worry.
Even so, Lyra’s expression stayed muted, stripped of her usual liveliness.
Hadrien asked, “Beyond everything with Jessa, what else troubles you p>
Lyra finished typing her message on her Star Brain and lifted her gaze toward him.
“How much longer can my identity stay hidden here p>
Hadrien fell silent for a beat.
It seemed even he did not hold an optimistic outlook.
If someone like Jessa existed within the Black Spire itself, who could guarantee there were no Federal moles embedded among them?
Once rebel factions learned her secret, Federal forces would not be far behind.
Lyra had expected she could not stay concealed forever.
She only wanted a rough timeline.
Seeing her defeated mood, Hadrien said, “If you fear being helpless and out of place in unfamiliar
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Chapter 199 Threads of Doubt
roundings, build a personal guard with enrough strength and influence to stand behind you p>
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Finished
Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.