<b>Chapter </b>248 Bound by Loyalty.
Chapter 248 Bound by Loyalty
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“Landon, would you be willing to join my squad? Serve <b>under </b>me?” Theresa asked.
She had been observing him along the way. Landon was indecisive, not the kind of man cut out for leadership. But his character–solid, dependable–was beyond question.
Otherwise, so many people wouldn’t have entrusted <b>their </b>loved ones to him with their dying breaths.
The truth was, even among leaders, a lot of them were pretty ordinary.
Some had decent values and solid skills, but they simply <b>weren’t </b>fit to <b>lead </b>a team. All they could do was y the peacemaker, trying to keep the group from falling apart, smoothing over every conflict like wet y filling <b>cracks</b>. They wanted to protect everyone, but in doing so, they ended up protecting no one. And the team would inevitably copse.
After Isabelle’s betrayal, Theresa finally understood why Landon had be a lone wolf in his past life. He must have realized, painfully, that he was never meant to lead. That he’d been betrayed by the one person he trusted most–his partner. That betrayal had pushed him down a solitary <b>path</b><b>. </b>
Theresa saw potential in him–not as a leader, but as a loyal, capable general.
Landon heard her words and asked quietly, “What about them?”
Your people?” Theresa replied. “Ill take them too, but they won’t follow you. I’ll ce them where they fit best in our alliance.”
Each person had to be used wisely. A powerful team only thrived when every bolt and screw turned to its fullest.
After her words settled, Landon turned to thest few people still standing by his side–just three now.
Amelia was gripping Rhett’s hand tightly. She met Landon’s eyes, took a deep breath, and said, “Landon, I’m sorry. I’m <b>a </b>space–based ability user. I never trusted anyone in the group, <b>so </b>I hid it all this time. Sometimes, when supplies went missing from the camp… that was me. I stole them. I’m sorry. And… I was the one who killed Tanner. If you <b>want </b>revenge, I won’t resist.”
Rhett gave her a tug. “Landon, <b>no</b>. That <b>was </b><b>me</b>. Tanner made a move on my girl, so I took care of it. If someone <b>has </b>to pay, it’s me.”
Landon looked at the young couple in front of him for a long time before saying. “If you two cause trouble again, there’ll be no one left to <b>protect </b><b>you</b>. No one left to forgive you. You better watch yourselves.”
The two of them <b>nced </b>at each other. “Landon! Are you really leaving us behind?” Amelia cried.
“It was my fault before,” she said, eyes wet. “I was suspicious<b>. </b>I doubted everyone. Please–just this once, forgive me!
Julian walked over then. “Landon, my brother asked ine to stick with you.”
“Please don’t leave us,” he added. “You’re the only one we’ve ever truly trusted.
KS 74<b>% </b>
12:27 Fri, 15 Aug to
Chapter 248 Bound by Loyalty
“You once said our squad would never break <ol><li>up. </li></ol>
<b>+5 </b>Free Coins
Landon stayed quiet for a long moment. When he finally turned to go, all three of them grabbed hold of
his sleeve.
Right then <b>and </b>there–after all the death, the suspicion, the trials–they were still together. Still–a team.
A sudden smile broke across Landon’s face. The bitterness of Isabelle’s betrayal melted away in an instant, warmed by something real.
Ms. Hall,” he said, turning to Theresa. I’d like to keep my squad together. I remember you said your group was part of an alliance. Would you allow us to join as a unit? There’s only a few of us. We’ll take care of ourselves in the field, never slow you down. As for supplies, just enough to eat and drink, that’s all we
ask
It was the most modest offer <b>he </b>could make
In essence, Landon was offering himself just to earn his team a ce at the table.
Life and death–they’d take full responsibility. All they asked was to be allowed to fight alongside Theresa’s people and scrounge enough to survive.
Theresa narrowed her eyes slightly at that. “You really won’t consider just joining me directly?”
Landon shook his head. “No. But thank you, Ms. Hall. You’ve helped me more than once on this road. As long as I have even one teammate left, I won’t leave them behind. But if one day, they’re all gone and I’m still standing… then my life is yours.”
He was trading himself in for their ce.
Theresa saw the steel in him then–this quiet, unshakable resolve. She made a quick decision.
“All right, she said. “You agree to serve under nte, and I’ll let you lead your own squad. Operate independently. You’ll be responsible for your own safety.”
Landon nodded, “I ept. I’ll serve under you, Ms. Hall.”
As his wordsnded, a soft chime echoed inside Theresa’s <b>mind</b>.
Ding Camp guard detected: +1!
Reward: 1,000 points! Combat suit x1! Loyalty increased–current loyalty level: 90. Special ability replicated. Congrattions, you’ve acquired: Aeroshield!
Finally
All that effort she’d poured into Landon <b>had </b><b>not </b>gone to waste.