The Empire’s military system was different from the peacetime system hundreds of years ago. Although those with great military merit could indeed obtain military ranks, the rank only symbolized honor, not real power.
Neither the members of the Senate nor the representatives of the Citizen Assembly included any sentinels or guides.
Even the highest Military Management Council was composed of ordinary people who were neither sentinels nor guides. Only the Legion Guild allowed sentinels and guides to express their opinions and interests and participate in decisions regarding internal military affairs, but their influence on the entire Empire’s political system was limited.
Sentinels were born for battle.
Undifferentiated ordinary people were both grateful for them and wary of them.
The difference between sentinels and monsters was only a thin line of reason. A sentinel who lost control and rampaged would no longer be regarded as belonging to the human category.
In other words, even with the rank of Imperial Lieutenant General, Wei Zhuo was still a frontline senior operative under Legion A within the Combat Division, and his work was several times more dangerous than that of ordinary soldiers.
He took orders from the Military Management Council. This time, his mission was to go to the Northern Frontier to receive and escort a special supplies train.
On the plains and mountains beyond the safe zone’s Northern Frontier, large amounts of mineral resources were buried.
Iron ore, oil fields, coal mines… all were indispensable for building the Safe Zone.
However, the vast majority of land beyond the Northern Frontier’s boundary line had already been completely covered by Folded Zones.
No. 391, the Ankuer Iron Mine, was a Folded Zone only purified earlier this year. After purification, the Empire stationed part of a legion there, established a living area, and attracted workers to migrate in with generous subsidies to mine the ore resources. But since the Ankuer Iron Mine was still a hundred kilometers away from the Northern Frontier, there was currently only one repaired rail line running a train between these two isolated Safe Zones.
On both sides of the track were Folded Zones full of hidden dangers, not yet deeply purified.
Sending a 3S-level sentinel to escort the train showed how important and dangerous this mission was.
At the North Gate of the Central Military District, a sentinel with naturally curly hair like lamb wool curls was checking the chassis and tires of a military off-road vehicle.
He was almost propped on his body, lying on the ground to look.
In the distance, military boots crushed dry branches, making a sound.
A sentinel’s five senses were sharp. Lamb Wool Curls immediately noticed the person approaching.
“Brother Wei!” Lamb Wool Curls greeted him. He tilted his head, but his gaze went past the tall sentinel’s figure to the young man following behind Wei Zhuo.
Lamb Wool Curls realized he was still awkwardly lying on the ground, so he immediately pushed himself up, but because he moved too quickly, he bumped his head.
He rubbed his hands together awkwardly and brushed off the dust in his palms. “He-Hexue, why did you come here?”
Lamb Wool Curls was an S-level sentinel and used to be a member of the Honeysuckle Squad. The reason he was called “used to be” was because the Honeysuckle Squad had lost one of its two main forces, and the squad’s core guide had transferred to the Logistics Department, so the squad had disbanded.
On the mission in Folded Zone No. 122, he had originally been responsible for staying by Xin Hexue’s side at the final moment, while the others cleared the way to the strangling tree. Lamb Wool Curls only needed to ensure Xin Hexue’s safety.
But the rainforest’s offensive was too fierce, and he had failed to fulfill his duty.
Lamb Wool Curls always believed that his fall had caused a flaw in the squad, indirectly leading to He Botian’s demise.
He did not quite know how to face Xin Hexue.
The young man wore a pure white down jacket, looking as if he had grown even thinner than before. His chin pressed into a thick scarf, and his pale lips were exposed to the cold air.
Compared to the sentinel in a full tactical combat uniform, a guide’s physical constitution made them more reliant on extra layers to keep warm when autumn and winter came.
Xin Hexue lifted his gaze, stepped out from behind Wei Zhuo, and greeted Lamb Wool Curls naturally.
Lamb Wool Curls: “You’re here to see Brother Wei off?” He and Wei Zhuo had been assigned together to the Northern Frontier.
Xin Hexue’s hands were tucked into his down jacket pockets, but the sentinel behind him carried a backpack on his back and held another one in his hand.
Lamb Wool Curls suddenly felt unsure about his guess.
Xin Hexue replied, “No. I’m going with you both to the Northern Frontier.”
Lamb Wool Curls still wanted to say something more to Xin Hexue, but the sentinel with the cold and distant expression lowered his brows. “Get in first. Don’t delay the departure time.”
Lamb Wool Curls shut his mouth.
Xin Hexue walked beside him and explained, “I finished this month’s guidance quota ahead of schedule. I wanted to go see the Northern Desert Welfare Home.”
When Lamb Wool Curls heard about the Northern Desert Welfare Home, he immediately understood Xin Hexue’s intention.
After a lover’s death, returning to the lover’s childhood hometown…perhaps one could catch the departed’s lingering thoughts in the wind or rain there.
Lamb Wool Curls was just about to board the rear passenger cabin with Xin Hexue.
But Wei Zhuo called him.
“Kuike, front seat.”
It took nearly ten hours by car from the Imperial Capital to the northernmost Northern Desert City.
Someone had to sit in the front passenger seat to watch the road and remind the driver during the long drive to avoid accidents due to fatigue.
But for a sentinel, would ten hours of driving even cause fatigue?
Lamb Wool Curls looked surprised.
Xin Hexue was just about to step into the back passenger cabin when he heard this and paused, asking Wei Zhuo, “Then how about I sit in the front?”
Wei Zhuo’s voice was indifferent. “No need.”
After the three of them each took their seats, Wei Zhuo spoke from the driver’s seat. “Recline the backseat.”
When the off-road vehicle started, the engine roared. Xin Hexue had not paid much attention to Wei Zhuo’s words at first until Wei Zhuo repeated, “Recline the seat. You can rest.”
Xin Hexue: “…”
So not letting him sit in the front seat meant this.
If it weren’t for the love value reminder from K, anyone seeing this would think Wei Zhuo’s attitude toward Xin Hexue was cold, even a bit rejecting.
Lamb Wool Curls scratched his head, not understanding, but agreed, “Brother Wei is right! You finished this month’s guidance work early, you must be exhausted! Get more rest!”
……
It was only the season when autumn turned to winter in the Imperial Capital, but as the off-road vehicle drove north, the scenery outside the window changed from the yellow of withered vegetation to a frosty white world in just a few hours.
Among the vast mountains, the endless road stretched straight ahead. The barbed wire on both sides of the road was rusted, and the white paint on the guardrails fell off, looking like snow fell on it and did not melt.
The Northern Frontier was bitterly cold.
They would soon reach the area of Northern Desert City.
Xin Hexue was rummaging through his backpack when Lamb Wool Curls heard the sound, turned around, and asked, “What did you pack in there? It looks heavy.”
“He Botian’s belongings.”
Xin Hexue said with his eyes downcast.
Lamb Wool Curls immediately wished he could go back five seconds and slap himself twice.
‘Serves you right for being nosy! Serves you right for being nosy!’
Saying “condolences” felt so pale.
Lamb Wool Curls had attended He Botian’s funeral, so of course he knew Xin Hexue had not gone that day.
It was easy to imagine how hard it had been for the young man to accept.
Xin Hexue’s voice was very light. “I want to build him a cenotaph in the Northern Frontier. Northern Desert was his hometown…maybe he would be happy about that.”
Lamb Wool Curls grew solemn. “……He would be.”
Xin Hexue showed his backpack. “I also brought my combat uniform.”
Sentinels’ and guides’ combat uniforms were specially made. The material was unique, heat-resistant and cold-proof, so it was very expensive. Usually there were only two sets to rotate, and only when severely damaged could they request a new custom set from the Logistics Department.
Wei Zhuo spoke up. “You can’t enter the Folded Zone.”
He reiterated what he had told Xin Hexue before.
Xin Hexue: “Mm, I know.”
He found the monitoring earpiece in his combat uniform’s pocket.
This was the earpiece issued for guides, used to monitor a sentinel’s heartbeat and confirm their status. The device that detected the heartbeat was sewn inside the sentinel’s combat uniform lining.
The earpiece looked just like an open-ear clip-on earbud.
Xin Hexue tucked away the strands of hair at his ear and hooked them behind.
The earpiece still worked, and it was connected to the Honeysuckle Squad’s channel.
One of those channels had been permanently disconnected.
After adjusting it, he leaned forward, bracing himself on the edge of the driver’s seat. “Can you say that sentence again?”
Wei Zhuo frowned. “What?”
The faint cold fragrance hit his nose. Wei Zhuo glanced at the rear-view mirror; Xin Hexue was right behind him, his elbows propped on the back of the driver’s seat.
Wei Zhuo’s grip on the steering wheel tightened.
The cold fragrance seemed stronger because of the closeness, making it impossible to ignore.
Xin Hexue: “‘I won’t be like He Botian, protecting you every step of the way.’”
Xin Hexue: “That’s what you said the day before yesterday.”
“Eh?” Xin Hexue’s final tone lifted slightly, as if he had found a new world. “Why is your heartbeat so fast? So you were lying?”
Wei Zhuo avoided answering. “You’re distracting me from driving.”
Xin Hexue sat back properly.
Whether Wei Zhuo answered directly or not didn’t matter, he was only testing the other party’s attitude.
Xin Hexue: “I don’t need someone to protect me every step of the way.”
He spoke calmly. “If there is a special situation, I can help you.”
[Wei Zhuo Love Value +1]
Wei Zhuo didn’t comment, still not giving a clear answer about whether he could go along.
He silently gripped the steering wheel, sitting with his back straight.
Lamb Wool Curls had been half-listening with his left ear while watching the scenery outside, but when he turned back, his peripheral vision caught something, and his pupils contracted in shock.
Did he see that right?! What happened?! Why did Brother Wei’s Little Brother Wei set up a tent in the car?!
Lamb Wool Curls looked back at Xin Hexue, hesitating to speak.
Just now……
Brother Wei probably only said a few words to Hexue……
He could only make a kind guess that Wei Zhuo’s mental landscape was highly polluted so his mental state was relatively turbulent, so the external symptoms were manifested as heightened sexual desire.
But even so, it didn’t fully make sense, right?!
Lamb Wool Curls felt he had stumbled onto an unspeakable truth. If he said it out loud, Wei Zhuo would definitely deal with him first.
……
Ever since the Eleventh Seat Guide appeared on the Black Tower System’s guidance application list, the niche section with a grey interface on the Deep Sea Forum was unprecedentedly active.
[I won the opportunity for the Major General’s mental guidance session but I want to shoot myself in the head]
OP: Please, someone send me to the Folded Zone at the border, I can’t show my face in the Imperial Capital again.
OP: I got selected for the Major General’s mental guidance this month. I swear, before going to the treatment room, I did thirty laps with a weighted vest and fought four rounds in the simulation combat room.
But, brothers, I was still too full of energy. The moment the Major General said the first word, my little brother saluted him！:) I want to die.
OP: I originally wanted to present myself as a sunny, cheerful big boy, and keep up that good image, but when I saw the Major General, all I could think about was having him.
5L: My reading speed is too fast……
Fuck, compensate me for my eyes!
7L: I’m about to say five words, ** **, ** ** ah!
113L: Why is everyone just scolding the OP?? Seriously, none of you do this? Every time I see the official broadcast of the Major General I…
150L: Didn’t he destroy your mental landscape during the guidance?
231L: OP? Give us the follow-up.
OP: Here, here, I went for another ten laps just now.
OP: Nope 🙂 OP is still alive and posting, doesn’t that prove my mental landscape is intact?
OP: The Major General was very gentle…… How to say it, even though he looks like a high mountain flower on the official broadcasts, he’s actually really gentle. I almost wanted to kill myself then and there, but the Major General just said it’s normal, because my mental pollution level was already at 70%, so not being able to control my desire well was normal and there’s no need to be ashamed.
He even told me to first go handle it in the bathroom……
OP: So I went in the Major General’s treatment room bathroom and……
Mm……
Helped my little brother relieve the pressure……
OP: The hand sanitizer smelled just like the Major General’s scent, I completely lost control, I’m sorry……
OP: The mental guidance went really smoothly. I feel great now. My pollution level went from 70% down to zero. Do you know how happy I am?! Do you know how refreshed I feel?! It’s so cool, so cool, so cool!!!
366L: Damn it! I’ve had enough after reading all this! Why didn’t the Major General beat you up?!
OP: Ah… I was actually really looking forward to the Major General maybe showing a cold face, calling me a ” horny dog”, and it would be best if he looked at me like he was looking at garbage…
OP: But instead, the Major General comforted me gently. So happy, woof woof (*^ω^*)
377L: Child, you’re looking for a beating.
401L: Don’t beat him up. He’ll enjoy it too much.
Yan Ji clicked his tongue and tossed the communicator aside with a disgusted expression.
Another sentinel at the Northern Desert Watchtower had died, killed during a patrol by a sudden monster attack.
The body was discovered by Yan Ji while he was wandering along the border.
He reported the coordinates to the watchtower.
Finding a missing body ought to warrant some gratitude. Since the owner of the body couldn’t thank him in person, Yan Ji didn’t mind taking some compensation himself.
He took the communicator. After dismantling it, the parts should fetch a few hundred yuan on the black market.
He just hadn’t expected to see a thread like that after unlocking the communicator.
Absolutely disgusting.
Were all these sentinels animals that couldn’t control their lower halves? Groveling at guides like dogs.
Yan Ji sneered.
With sword brows and phoenix eyes, his features still held the sharpness of just reaching adulthood, his silver-gray messy hair cut clean.
A white off-road vehicle stopped on the white hillside in the distance.
Sentinels had excellent vision and hearing. Yan Ji narrowed his eyes and clearly saw the people getting out of the vehicle from dozens of meters away.
The last person to get out from the passenger compartment was a black-haired young man.
Dressed in a pure white down jacket, his figure was slim and upright, and between the strands of black hair, an earpiece could be seen hanging on his ear.
His eyelashes were long, his expression calm and detached.
Yan Ji saw him skillfully loading a med-gun. Even with leather gloves on, his fingers looked slender and long.
His demeanor was composed, the movements clean and efficient.
For some reason, Yan Ji licked his dry lips.
He suddenly thought, if it were this kind of person and with that kind of face…grabbing a sentinel by the neck, straddling his hips and cursing him as a “horny dog” would be very exciting.
