Admiral Eroz produced a datapad and began her questioning. "You were discovered in the dangerous part of the Dark Forest where Plant Kings dwell. Do you recall how you arrived there?"
Mira tilted her head slightly, feigning a look of innocent confusion. "I… I don't remember," she said softly, her voice laced with a delicate tremor. "I woke up in that forest, disoriented and alone. I have no memory of my past or how I came to be there. All I remember is my stay in that forest. When I woke up, a mutant phyton captured me and brought me into its cave. I lived there for maybe many days; I don't know how long it was because it was dark in there with only a bit of light, and..." Mira didn't need to act because now that she was recalling her experience, she really wanted to complain to someone and curse whoever brought her to that place, although she survived and awakened her companion spirit, it couldn't change the fact that she suffered a lot. Her voice low, soft and trembling, "there were a lot of eggs, so maybe I was a food reserve. When it went out to hunt, I took the risk to escape, and after running, I was abducted by a winged tiger, and then it brought me into its nest, but something happened, and it had a fight with a mutant bird." Mira explained almost everything she'd done in there, including how she awakened her companion spirit, what she ate and drank, and where she slept and lived. After telling all that, Mira felt a sudden relief, like a burden in her heart was gone. It really works talking your grievance to someone. She was feeling relaxed now.
But those who heard her experience felt bad for her, including the stern-looking admiral. No one can imagine how much hardship this female guide had experienced before and after she arrived at that Dark Forest, that even the strongest Sentinels would have a hard time surviving for many days, but she managed to survive for months in there. She couldn't say the accurate days, but after she found a good place to live, she started counting the days, and it was 35 days, so she might have been in that place for more or less two months.
Although the Admiral felt sympathy and pity towards this guide in front of him, his gaze remained fixed on her, unwavering. It's not that he suspected her of lying; every Sentinel respects females, especially Guides; it's ingrained in their genes, but he was accustomed to being stern and stone-faced, and it was really hard for him to look gentle even if he tried his best. "You possess Guide abilities, yet you are not registered with any known Guide facilities. According to the law, you have all the rights to choose in which galaxy you want to be registered with, but the East Federal Alliance wants you to stay in our Galaxy. If you have any condition, you can say it to the president of the Guide's committee, and we will try our best to fulfill it. Is there any more information you can give so that we can find what happened to you fast?"
"Conditions?" Mira echoed, as if thinking about it. "I don't have any conditions in mind right now; I will tell it once I think of it. About other information, I only know that I don't live in that Dark Forest, not on that Dark Planet." She lowered her gaze, as if ashamed of this pointless clue.
The interrogation continued for what seemed like an eternity. The Admiral probed every aspect of Mira's story, searching for even the smallest details. He asked about her origins, her family, her training, but Mira's answers remained consistent: a blank slate, a void where her past should have been.
Despite the Admiral's relentless questioning, Mira maintained her composure. She knew that her greatest weapon was her appearance, her ability to project an image of vulnerability and innocence. She was a delicate flower, lost and confused in a world she didn't understand. How could anyone suspect her of deception?
As the interrogation drew to a close, the Admiral's expression remained unreadable. "We will need to conduct further investigations, and we will help you find your origin and those people behind why you ended up in that dangerous place," he said finally, his voice still devoid of emotion, but she could sense that it was much gentler now. "In the meantime, you will remain under the care of the Guide's Management Committee. You don't have to worry about danger anymore, and all the best of things will be given to you from now on, so we truly hope you can choose our Galaxy."
With a curt nod, the Admiral turned and left the room. President Morse and the young committee member rushed to Mira's side, their faces etched with concern.
"Are you alright, Miss Guide?" President Morse asked, his voice filled with genuine worry. "That Sentinel is a stone-cold interrogator. Don't let him scare you."
Mira offered a weak smile. "I'm fine," she said softly. "Just a little tired."
The young committee member, unable to contain his anger, spoke up. "The Federal Alliance is overstepping its bounds! You're a Guide, not a criminal. They have no right to treat you like this."
President Morse sighed. "Unfortunately, the Alliance has jurisdiction over unregistered individuals. We need to cooperate with them, but don't worry, even though they might be strict and stern, they won't do anything that might hurt you, and we will do everything in our power to protect you."
As they continued to reassure her, Mira couldn't help but still feel a slight sense of unease. She had successfully navigated the first hurdle, but she knew that the investigation was far from over. The Federal Alliance Agency was not easily fooled, but as long as she didn't blow her cover, no one can find that she's not from this world.
Later that evening, as Mira lay in her comfortable bed, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. The White Palace, with its pristine white walls and advanced technology, felt more like a gilded cage than a sanctuary. She was surrounded by people who were eager to protect her, to help her, but being in a strange environment makes her uneasy and vulnerable.