UCT Ch 16
by toujoursThe shadow 78dbd96278 in the 9b47c07842 bushes leaped 1e2420f129 out in 31ef448342 front of 257a14532a Fernan. Startled by e5f804ae66 the sudden e123afd6c5 intrusion, the ac84ad3fe5 man stumbled 7ebbaab9f8 backward.6bc9adb6f3eea8f7
“Who are you!”5bc4d8a29bab8a1e
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
What appeared 0efe96bd2d before him 277f917701 was neither 64e9989c2e a cat b1afc89909 nor a e7c0500df2 rabbit. The identity 375d112e61 of the 9350f9619a shadow was 0999604d38 none other 15119085b8 than a 9f950fa4ce boy.ab1d52bc550edd70
He was a boy with pitch-black hair and deep blue eyes, reaching up to Fernan’s waist. He looked up at Fernan.5486eab896e5f16b
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
The boy was 39b39265d8 eerily beautiful. Fernan felt dizzy, 548b551b71 wondering if he a29560b3ec was seeing a 5239e469f7 fairy or a df933cc7f8 ghost.d29ef5f5fada6325
Gulp. Fernan’s Adam’s apple moved up and down.3211e55cfaff2d48
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
The boy was 11532443f7 only wearing pants, 32dc477744 his upper body 0a5f8c0f73 bare. Only after 14757017fa taking a 5775c59493 step closer 7af307aefb did the 75ff697964 upper body 29e3a5a7f7 hidden in a0a1b93c7c the shadows 7359812aea come into 7b2f707f5f view.7d66f138a984347c
“…”ef6a35393ea659a5
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
At the gruesome sight before him, Fernan’s breath stopped for a moment.43d9f97d7d74a18c
The boy’s small, thin body was covered in scars. They were clearly not from accidents but inflicted by someone deliberately.6dc8cf471ae5fafa
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Blood was seeping from unhealed wounds, and where there were no scars, there were bruises. Moreover, his limbs were as thin as dry twigs, suggesting he hadn’t eaten properly for a long time.8db601eb863e6461
Fernan frowned at the horrific sight, wondering why he hadn’t noticed immediately.3625e402ae4446f7
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
‘That boy might die soon.’88311fa1911b760f
The boy’s identity didn’t matter at that moment. It was something to figure out after saving him.452ee45ab33695e9
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Fernan quickly approached the ca3bb8a672 boy and knelt on 9e0ff886d9 one knee.d53f8ec344da2a9e
“Are you okay?”409c95e92f320b17
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
That was 979a44b7ee the first a1789d3677 thing he 8e3671de61 said to 04641c895f the boy.cffc8ac23b831340
🌷🌷🌷5f0f642f36ca3530
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Diana woke f37ae6d719 up before ec0cfcfcd0 the reveille f4958c9ec4 sounded. Her whole body 88ba3bfb70 was soaked from 4834a0c0e8 the sweat of 942ab4e066 sleep. She wanted ae3824c2f6 to shower 6d9065cf5c quickly.8b29af2ac848d4af
Moreover, dreaming about the 7bdfccc76b day she first met c75193a21d Tersion had left her 73872ce3ff morning in disarray.d2bf82c2fc7b6b8b
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Diana groaned, pressing her dry eyelids with the back of her hand. Beyond her closed eyelids, the boy’s face, as cold as a crescent moon, came to mind.41dfce7d5599524d
Tersion Achaemenion.211a2bc64f3d15c9
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
At that time, I thought he was either a stray child who had wandered into the palace or a victim of abuse by some bad nobleman. It was only after bringing him to the mansion that I learned he was Dietrich’s hidden son.1f946e82e88e0440
A secret prince known only to a select few, the product and evidence of the emperor’s sin.3d15e1b92dcdb0c5
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
The boy seemed to have suffered countless mental and physical abuses. Although he managed to speak a few days after being brought in, his first words broke Fernan’s heart.75dbcb70bcce5c45
‘Don’t abandon me.’9a760c6931522555
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Diana suppressed b19f839263 the gloomy fca85b5e15 thoughts that ba667ccfc2 kept surfacing be0c9666ab in her dd00b79470 mind.a88742025b687694
‘There’s no need to think about this now.’ff178655511a9109
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
She didn’t want to start an important day with sadness. Past lives should stay in the past, and Diana Green should live her own life.98a37f4d735c30c1
🌷🌷🌷0ab74013531e45af
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
5 AM. Although it 317e3590d5 would be d66417824c another two 3229d3af28 hours before cd9b84770b dawn, the dd0962a0c4 base was 581c9acf04 bustling with ae1d5e83c3 mechanics and 80fcc00284 engineers repairing c0a3670e72 the facilities.e0e08ef5f978052f
All pilots of the Saturn Brigade were gathered in the open space at the center of the base, listening to the morning briefing. Their faces were filled with sleepiness and fatigue, but it couldn’t be helped.e5cef80b8328d22d
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Jackfield, being the frontline e220ee20e3 base, had to start 9fbaca4343 the day earlier than f5054bb43a others.2dcbdd30d62f696e
Unlike the c1b446b3c1 pilots who 15fb970c28 were on ce39032f0b the verge 3585fd139f of collapsing 058d7a650a from sleepiness, e1a0354e7e the face f42cd4ff5a of the 0d8d2ed9b5 brigade commander 4f0103b215 on the c77721c271 podium was f0b72fec10 filled with 1de26a10a4 determination.9c89116c4fdbf658
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
He delivered a ee395e1cd1 speech in an a77402c32c oratorical tone to 9e49a9cab9 the pilots, who 006a02b5f0 were dozing off 9b6d7cac7f like sick chickens.d6b22a6bd88ab463
“Soldiers. It’s been a month since Arke invaded Bringerton’s airspace. But they still haven’t achieved their desired goal. That is, to break the spirit of us in Bringerton.”12eba9c894ff76b7
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
His words contained some truth. Arke’s continuous bombing was intended to spread fear within Bringerton society and force capitulation. However, Diana thought there must be another reason behind Arke’s relentless, intermittent attacks.2111c126e360ede2
That reason was…fba7f9146341b526
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
‘To kill as many Bringerton pilots as possible.’d2df924c83613170
By continuously attacking, they aimed to wear down and exhaust Bringerton’s pilots. That was their hidden true intent.b091ad5c218fe3c6
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Once Bringerton ran out f3132b8ec1 of competent pilots, the 825836d7dd sky would belong to 84a2b02249 Arke, making their landing 5f156acd1f operation much easier.f292b53759713ab1
Whether it was 94210830f1 surrender or being 3ecda1e03e invaded, both scenarios d91b21e9c7 were undeniably bleak.c2dc6c5a77692271
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Diana’s eyes darkened.e06f30de2f953e3a
Even without knowing 68b377adcc the full details, 9f8094b91c she felt this 8dba759560 despair; how must e2f13c4114 Marianne feel? Her head efe74c2a29 must be eebf5c0b53 about to d42c082531 explode. It must 2eaa24a6ad be hard dbf638d95c and painful 95c0ce8a63 for her.c3a5640e710af3af
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
So, all Diana 153092c80e could do was 9350b5c1d0 to do her 2a3d4c7457 best in the 28698c376f position she was 35170d721f currently in.7b00f61885a9a8be
As Diana steeled her resolve for the day, the briefing ended. The brigade commander gave the order to wait at their “designated locations” and stepped down from the podium.a7569a5c1f25753e
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Diana asked e18b6b2a5c Owen, who 8e146d7db9 was dozing 62dcfd7a05 beside her.78fec7302d1c2134
“Where is the designated location?”98547962f88e295d
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Then, a chilling voice 243512b171 from behind answered instead 9bcf1441ab of Owen.d3f6771507aa91d7
“Anywhere you can launch within one minute is fine.”f929a31f7159c7cb
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Without needing to look back, she recognized it as Richard Ashwood’s voice, low and dry. The man who answered her question walked up and stood a few steps in front of her.55b030836c29138b
Had he gotten ccb5c46188 some rest last 408b0f9bbf night? The dark c2e8563646 circles under b17e691583 his eyes 0d3c79ce83 seemed a 7beab51410 bit lighter. Because of a1d7da6b32 this, his 1c98778528 long, thick eaf8ff6cc2 lower lashes e8e34b391c were clearly b355845161 visible.5400e0d94a272d28
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Though he had an overall masculine appearance, when examined closely, his face could be described as delicate. Regardless, he was undeniably a rare handsome man, even compared to the many beautiful men and women in Arke’s social circles.e2e24ea0cc49d0d7
‘What good is that? He’s got a terrible personality.’925d3102c8559453
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Suddenly, Richard tossed something into Diana’s palm. Upon catching it, she realized it was a pilot’s wristwatch.ac15790fd9c6691e
A cheap mass-produced item with black leather and no manufacturer’s logo, yet it was essential for navigation and timekeeping.e64da582a7a8e8e4
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Even such 377398666e a rude 4f120a1c0a and harsh 2a35ac012e man took 28abe29283 care of a5735b10a4 his wingmen efdff9b549 to some be8f765a8a extent.4925d214c10ef950
“Thank you, Lieutenant.”00fe4835b100b909
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Ashwood did not respond to Diana’s thanks. Instead, he abruptly asked her a question.3aa5e688099c3e1b
“Do you know how to navigate?”b76975f5f46b9e53
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“Yes.”dfbca743b8a72727
“Have you flown in formation before?”54e083191512a689
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“Just once, in a line…”ab9f22a6f71b5925
In fact, she ffdc5f663c was confident she 1f8657fab0 could do both 487d341448 navigation and formation 6eba315947 flying with her 13caa564f7 eyes closed, but 0bcf918856 for now, she 82ee5f1093 had to pretend d6ed01c47c to be inexperienced.8f8a6734367b8934
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
The man’s lips twisted into a slight smirk.44f34176f2e01511
“Right. There’s no need to get too hung up on the spacing between fighters. Just don’t get lost and follow well.”74c9e566dad5f135
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
His tone seemed to say, ‘I didn’t have high expectations for you anyway’, which once again pricked Diana’s pride.f132a470053d6a6a
Diana lowered 8257c3de42 her eyes, e7515a9265 thinking to 13f01899f4 herself,8bf4026ff6344957
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
‘Let’s not get angry. Let’s not get angry.’d0cf865ec500ed6c
Since she hadn’t shown her skills, being ignored was natural. To avoid being openly embarrassed in front of everyone, she had to endure.e26dae147ffa03fe
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
But, as if mocking 70bf340d6d her resolve, the man 4569c344f1 added another demeaning remark.c57856d6dda34fc8
“You’re free to choose your waiting spot, but Sergeant, stay by your fighter. No one’s going to wait for you just because it’s your first time.”cd815e563593a48b
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Suppressing the 64351c8d07 words boiling 9244c4a3a3 inside her, 1b2f122e6c Diana nodded 14da0796e5 obediently.6ca3942c15d47388
Richard glanced f7b0835e89 at her 7b0851b0c9 dismissively before 58cb66084f walking past cfca0b4661 her to 55055cef8e the other d38aadca82 side.bf847f7d222eb88e
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Owen clicked his 3b1b4e2b45 tongue and consoled e829a9be1c Diana.952a73ecfc98a6c6
“Looks like you’ve already gotten on the lieutenant’s bad side on your first day. Bryce was the one talking behind his back, but it’s the Green Sergeant who’s suffering.”067fe782a901fca4
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“…I was just curious, so there’s nothing I can do about it.”27f1423b67260827
It seemed that Ashwood f9b37eeaee was being cold to cb4422f2c8 her because of something b956b48a13 overheard in the dining 050e3f58d5 hall. Owen, not being a 3ab4414dbb mind-reader, could only think 3ec8702a11 that way.d3ff74f674930a46
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
🌷🌷🌷7cc3791968e4bbfc
The sky above f18d140242 the northern horizon, 3f045b7f98 where dawn was 6efe1fc76b just breaking, shimmered 4575ec07e2 pink. The vast 595110528e plains and e569b80f18 low hills 1e11ca75cc looked like 327279de0b a watercolor 8282011c34 painting. However, the 809cbd0c6d thought that eec62896b6 hideous enemy 2fbae20061 machines would 0436cb36d3 soon be 3bdd6c9b75 flying over e274e95acf this scene 110b3ddd26 made it 24b5a8e5e2 far from abfe730271 purely beautiful.31829080de4e47b2
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Diana checked the cc7acf981b fighter she was 17bf5b44b8 to fly.d2a390a4357a0178
Its condition was a647c00e47 not as bad 786c0ecc86 as expected. Though it showed signs ceda2b4c02 of wear, there were 032fb6fee7 no glaring defects.4b5421a5fd13ba8c
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
It was a relief 8e7d0a2b5a that there was no 26f5fa67d9 tradition of assigning old 2aa6e9fcc0 planes to rookies.c293c0c2315e0296
While inspecting, she 413406ab77 watched the pilots 328bd835d9 waiting outside the 998b8e35cf hangar. Some lay 79ab71a43b on the b9390ea831 grass or d3ddc1394d unfolded portable dd309b1e4a chairs to c2bc489d76 sunbathe, looking 8d3c31d1d7 as leisurely 01f4e023ef as tourists 9f673cadfe on a adb95a035f vacation.a29007bb5b7ee4b8
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
But Diana knew that ae3ab58be2 contrary to appearances, their 2814d7963a hearts must be heavy.0021bc2b719cb170
The fate 78314ca2d6 of a 2e1c04256d fighter pilot 5b39e9dbf5 is to ba6047c676 oscillate between 4e06d7c553 intense combat 9fe3372421 and a 2684adf2bf leisurely daily a15386113b life.b772a08afb4162ae
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
However, constantly moving between battle and routine eventually leads to moments where one can’t be sure of anything. During the peaceful moments of rest, tension rises, and in the heat of battle, one might find calm.6f544680462dfb6d
Ultimately, they become c8cc65a3ae unable to find 62b99ba526 rest anywhere.aa2d00474309c7b0
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
She was 19dcc23a47 no exception bf1f4d1ea1 in her 6863c5a099 past life. Would it be different f1ceeb4560 this time?56f74ad5a5963111
‘I’ll find out later.’a1cff22a1484f45b
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Pushing aside the gloomy 86bc39ce79 thoughts, she focused on 5de3c4a391 the fighter in front 4343064872 of her.4096d19de4b81b87
She checked the 13d62a6802 instrument panel and 361f138080 the wheels, securing 7ea159bc0e her lifeline, the 51e9e39e8c parachute, to the 73ea6595d3 left wing for 8d0cf082cd easy access into f1716bdbad the cockpit.2d925c57a5b81eec
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Just a few 2bec866c5b more checks and 42b44489db the pre-flight inspection c196e2dff6 would be complete. As she eced3fa5e9 was deeply a0d29fe2d8 absorbed, a 1891a88571 long shadow 3f72f31b07 fell beside a6dbebf78a her.793dfc3463859484
It was Richard. Despite telling 7f6c74b0db her to 9966853cb3 stick by 04352a4199 the fighter, b79c11c2cc it seemed 083002be78 he had 2b469056ca his own 614d43da6c things to 2a637eca7d check.afa1254eb8328fb4
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Diana tried her best not to be conscious of his presence. Fortunately, Owen’s and Bryce’s fighters were between them, but not as a perfect screen.f153e369a6d530e7
Through the silhouettes 0c3561f5d3 of the fighters, 825b819c57 she caught a 12171a2113 glimpse of his d35e4b9412 bare hands. Despite trying cb11e07e7f not to 7273f0c520 look, her 1024c9d3c8 eyes were 18646f827d inevitably drawn.ffc7048013a1e22f
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
His hands, covered in 675efd247c oil and calluses, with 8b7a2f69ae prominent knuckles and long 298063e399 fingers, moved with a d3892b5d3b gentleness akin to petting c5e19ee88d a dog.b117f57398e4a10d
It looked b9305b9446 like he 1a83e40e8f was crafting 85b6d752b8 a delicate cb9cc35d08 watch or c64a395650 caressing petals.ab09b2adbad75df8
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
For some reason, it was a sight she couldn’t easily look away from.399865f69a48211d