Chapter 249
Chapter 250 The Purification Trial
As Marcel’s older brother, he was definitely on her side.
Freeing the Sentinels locked inside Black Spire meant freeing his own younger brother.
Then there was the man joining the meeting over the video feed.
Judging by his uniform, it had to be the commander Hadrien had spoken of before.
If he had once been Hadrien’s superior, surely he would not stand by and let his former subordinate suffer.
Rainer said nothing. He had no clue Lyra was already plotting to win him over. He quietly observed the subtle, unspoken exchanges between her and Yoren.
What secret were those two keeping?
Lyra was led by the secretary into another room.
It was a dining hall. A long table was covered with elaborate, carefully-prepared dishes. A striking floral centerpiece sat at its middle; every detail of the space felt thoughtfully arranged.
Looking at the artfully plated food, Lyra wished she could snap a photo and send it to Rhys.
If he saw she was doing alright, he would worry less.
She took the picture, only to watch the loading icon spin endlessly on her screen.
It dawned on her. Secure facilities like this ran signal-blocking fields.
But if communications were jammed, how had the commander’s video call worked?
She did not dwell on the puzzle for long.
Back on Earth, her tech skills barely extended to connecting to Wi-Fi, streaming movies on her laptop, and playing casual browser games.
Lyra had the whole dining room to herself.
Staff waited outside; she only needed to call if she required anything.
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So even in this unfamiliar place, she could relax.
When she finished eating, the secretary offered to show her around the compound.
Lyra glanced at the time.
“Have they reached a decision yet p>
“I could not say,” the secretary replied. “It is only right for leadership to weigh every choice with care p>
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Chanter 250 The Purification Trial
“Then please keep showing me around p>
course, follow me p>
Lyra trailed behind him, half-hearing facts about each building’s purpose and history.
At the next corner, she watched a convoy land in the distance. A familiar figure stepped out and hurried into a lavish manor-style building.
Nael?
He was a doctor.
It was obvious who in this compound needed medical attention most right now.
So Nael was also treating the prime minister. That explained the special respect Yannis and Lior showed him.
“Ms. Kaelin, this way. Mind the steps p>
Lyra pulled her gaze away and followed the secretary upstairs without giving anything away.
Dinner time drew near, and they had still not finished touring the massive grounds.
Just as Lyra figured she would get no answer today, the secretary guided her back.
The same room. The same men. Only the frail, elderly prime minister was gone.
“Ms. Kaelin, after careful deliberation and taking your circumstances into account,” one man began. “We acknowledge Black Spire holds many unstable variables.
“Hadrien is not only a Tier-3S Sentinel; his spirit animal, a nightmare beast, naturally suppresses other spirit animals.
“Having him nearby would genuinely improve your personal safety p>
Lyra’s heartbeat quickened.
They were leaning toward yes.
“Still, the court has already handed down its verdict. A direct release would spark public criticism and make citizens doubt the fairness and authority of federal law p>
Lyra nodded.
They needed a plausible official justification.
She waited for the final terms.
“Therefore, we have ruled Hadrien may leave Black Spire. But he must wear a restraint device at all times p>
Lyra frowned at the unfamiliar term.
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Chapter 250 The Purification Tria!
What exactly was that thing?
No one offered any explanation.
“As for your proposal, we are eager to see it put to use.
“First, however, we must verify your body truly works as you have described p>
Lyra was completely confident. Her ability was real, no bluff.
“Please run whatever tests you need p>
The head of the Legislative Council nodded and pressed a button built into the tabletop.
A team of attendants marched in carrying strange pieces of equipment. Some began fitting gear onto several Sentinels.
Readings popped up on nearby instruments, displaying each subject’s current contamination value.
Their spirit animals materialized, sitting calm and obedient beside their hosts.
Once preparations wrapped up, one attendant bowed toward the assembled officials.
The person who had spoken earlier spoke again. “Ms. Kaelin, you may begin whenever you are ready p>
Lyra nodded.
She drew a quiet, deep breath. Under every pair of watching eyes, she walked toward the closest Sentinel and his spirit animal.
It was an enormous elephant, its skin crisscrossed with deep cracks. Lyra was smaller than one of its thick legs.
As she drew near, the elephant stamped its feet softly. Its fan-sized ears flapped. Its long trunk dragged across the floor, writhing like a giant python.
Even more eye-catching were the thick, upward-curving tusks on both sides.
Lyra felt as if one tusk could skewer several of her.
Facing such a giant beast, anyone would inevitably feel nervous.
One careless step could flatten her like a cracked screen.
She steeled herself and slowly laid her palm against the elephant’s massive, pillar-like leg.
The elephant did not pull away. Beneath its brush-thick eyelashes, its gaze rested on her, peaceful and steady.
The instant her hand made contact with the spirit animal, every eye in the room shifted from Lyra over to the monitoring instruments beside the Sentinel.
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.