Chapter 62: Don’t Let Good Men Go Extinct!

Since there was a little time before the examination began, Lydia decided to text Zachary.

[Lydia: Halfway there. How about you?]

High ranked Sentinels sure had it rough. Most of them were under the Empire’s direct supervision, so they had to report at least once every few months.

Even if he was a Ludenberg.

[Zachary: I almost finished mine. Take your time, I’ll get something for us to eat. Fried chicken? Burger?]

[Lydia: Extra fries. Make it large.]

[Zachary: Your command is my pleasure, deerling.]

A moment later, the nurse came again to escort Lydia to the third floor. Unlike the previous room, this one was warmer.

The nurse tapped her access card against a holographic panel in front of large metallic doors before it slid open.

"Dr. Hauser is waiting inside."

A tall armadillo-like lady greeted her with a huge grin. Instead of two, she had four hands.

"Good afternoon, Lady Valendorf. My name’s Mia Hauser." Lydia decided to sit after she gestured toward a blue sleek couch in front of her.

"Lord Zachary already told me about what happened," Dr. Hauser continued. "And Lady Valendorf, the only thing I can say right now is..."

She scanned Lydia up and down, then suddenly raised all of her four hands several times.

"You are an amazing woman, boop! Not only you bagged the most wanted bachelors among humans in Adelstein, you managed to guide those high ranked Sentinels back from being Mindless as well."

"I’ll take that as a compliment." Lydia kept a deadpanned look on her face as she waved her hand nonchalantly. "Actually they’re just huge idiots that always have their way to get me in trouble."

"Of course. If only my luck in my love life was as splendid as yours, I wouldn’t be trapped here, beep boop. Men are always so suicidal. So we have to do our best to not let them go extinct."

Since the Emperor had opened an interstellar portal between planets five years ago, more and more Otherworlders lived among humans.

Thankfully, most of them were friendly. The Empire required every Otherworlder to undergo strict background checks and assessments before being allowed to settle among humans, ensuring they posed no threat to society.

With their skills and knowledge, many had found work in healthcare, technological development, and trade, contributing to the Empire rather than becoming a danger to its people.

Dr. Hauser reached for her tablet and studied several reports in it. Unlike humans, Dillon could read much faster. She swiped through the screens rapidly, like someone flipping through a deck of cards.

"Let’s start our examination, boop. Please kindly lay down on this bed here."

Lydia walked over to the examination bed and lay down as she asked her.

"Now let’s get down to the business. Lord Zachary just told me that you managed to guide him without any side effects—no nausea, dizziness, headaches, or unusual weakness afterward. His vital signs are off the charts. Even much better than what he did since his previous Gui—ahem. Sorry, beep boop."

Ah. Of course everyone here was aware of his past. This hospital belonged to House Ludenberg, after all. But I shouldn’t press this matter. I prefer to hear that right from Zachary when he was ready. Not others.

Dr. Hauser finally sat down in her chair and rolled closer to Lydia. After that, she picked up a scanner from the table beside her.

"My job is to make sure you’re doing well and healthy, Lady Valendorf." She paused before adding, "Lord Zachary insisted on me lots lots about that part, boop. But please don’t tell him, ’kay?"

"My lips are sealed then," Lydia nodded.

"Good. Keep it as tight as my bank account, boop. Okay, let me get straight to the point, did you feel anything after you did Deep Synchronization with him? Pain? Dizziness? Nausea? Or any discomfort after you slept with Lord Zachary?"

Lydia took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment.

Well, Dr. Hauser was a doctor anyway, and a patient was supposed to be honest with their doctor.

At last, she nodded. "Nope, I’m all good."

Dr. Hauser paused for a moment before asking, "Based on my reports, he did mention that he went raw and not under any kind of protection. Five times, to be exact. No strange feelings afterward?"

"Warm."

Lydia’s answer made Dr. Hauser squeal. "Girl! How could you stay calm after living the dream of my life? If only I can get myself a fine handsome Dillon man, boop!! Being friggin’ single is hard. Even my mom always nagged me about this!"

She cleared her throat and straightened her expression.

"Ahem. I mean... Okay, did you swallow him?"

"Swallow? Can I do that? I don’t eat men..."

After a few moments, Dr. Hauser leaned closer and whispered an explanation into Lydia’s ear.

And just like that, Lydia wished she could go back to five minutes ago, when she still had her innocence intact.

"Nooooo! We didn’t!"

"Noted, boop," Dr. Hauser said as she noted down her answer on her tablet. Her two upper hands were scratching on her head as she studied Lydia’s answers. "If you ever did, we could add that information for my further research."

The way that Dr. Hauser mentioned it so casually left Lydia speechless.

"Lie down, please," Dr. Hauser said as she stood up. "I’m going to do a full-body scan on you."

Lydia did as she was told and followed all the other additional procedures as well.

After almost an hour had passed, Dr. Hauser stared at her for a few seconds before resting a hand on her chin, while her other hands were taking notes on her tablet.

"That is exactly why you’re interesting," she said.

Before Lydia could answer, Dr. Hauser showed her the holographic results of the full-body scan.

At first, Lydia did not understand what she was looking at. There were too many numbers, lines, and strange symbols covering the green screen.

Then Dr. Hauser pointed at one section. "Your organs are fine, your blood looks normal, and there are no signs of damage from backlash or miasma," she explained.

Lydia looked at the screen, then back at her. "So I’m fine?"

"Yes, but that is exactly the strange part. Most Guides won’t be able to guide much higher ranked Sentinels without any backlash or painful effects. But you’re different."

Dr. Hauser enlarged another part of the scan. "Especially when they are engaging in Deep Synchronization with a Sentinel who was on the verge of becoming Mindless."

"Guides who are exposed to that much unstable Sentinel energy would show something. It could be exhaustion, fever, internal damage, or at least some kind of stress in the body."

She tapped the screen again. "But you have none of that."

"Is it a good thing?"

"Very much so. To be honest, I highly doubt you were a C-Rank Guide, Lady Valendorf. Especially since you can handle an SSS-Rank Sentinel."

Did this mean the reevaluation she had at Belfort University wasn’t accurate?

"Is it possible to conduct a re-evaluation to know my proper Guide rank in Ludenberg Hospital?"

"Yes, of course. But the doctor in charge of advanced reevaluation isn’t here at the moment."

Well, at least it was possible! Lydia made a mental note to get her Guide rank reevaluated later.

Dr. Hauser tapped a few things on her screen, and a notification appeared on Lydia’s bracelet.

"All right, then." She put her tablet aside and allowed Lydia to get up from the examination bed. "Everything else looks fine, Lady Valendorf. You’re good to go. I wish you the best of luck with Lord Zachary and His Highness Ephraim. They’re good men. Please don’t let them go extinct, beep boop."

That was such a strange way to wish someone well.

"His Highness was the one who allowed us Dillons to settle in the Empire. Although His Majesty granted Otherworlders permission to enter Adelstein, the final decision rested with His Highness as the commander of the Imperial Elite Sentinels. He gave us the chance to build a better life here."

Lydia got off the bed and straightened her dress. "Thank you, Dr. Hauser. And yes, I’ll do my best to not let them both... go extinct."

With that, Lydia left the examination room. The moment she stepped into the hallway, she saw Zachary was already waiting for her outside.

He was leaning against the wall with several burgers and fries inside a paper bag.

"You’re done?" Zachary grinned as he offered her a cheeseburger.

"Yeah. I just finished." Lydia unwrapped it as Zachary fed her fries. "What about your test results?"

"They’re good. Better than usual," Zachary replied calmly. "Thanks to your guiding. Never felt any better."

To make sure of his words, Lydia scanned Zachary with her bracelet.

[Resonance Stress: 2%]

"Much better. I’ll always help you, Zachary. Please never use any drugs again, okay?"

"....yes, my Guide."

"Ah, and about the examination results from last night..."

Zachary leaned closer and stole a kiss on her cheek, then grinned at Lydia.

"Worry not. If the worst were to happen, I’d be happy to have you as my wife, Lydia."

"Let’s not think about it for now."