After listening to Layla, Lucas only moved his eyes slightly. His expression remained calm.
"Have a seat," he said. "Whatever you want to talk about can wait until after dinner."
As he spoke, he tied his apron again and returned to the kitchen to continue cooking.
"T-That wouldn't be appropriate. I—I'll come back tomorrow instead," Layla said quickly, trying to refuse.
Lucas replied without even turning his head.
"And if you come tomorrow and it happens to be dinner time again, will you come back the day after that?"
"I—I didn't mean that. I just…" Layla suddenly found herself unable to continue.
"Come sit down," Kara said gently as she walked over and guided Layla to a seat at the dining table. "Don't be so nervous. Lucas isn't as strict as he looks."
She even poured her a glass of warm water to help calm her nerves.
Although Kara didn't know who this woman was, she could clearly see the deep respect and awe in Layla's eyes whenever she looked at Lucas.
Soon Lucas finished preparing the meal.
Everyone took their seats.
After Lucas nodded slightly, they began enjoying the delicious food.
Only Layla remained stiff in her chair.
She squirmed awkwardly as if the seat were covered in thorns, barely daring to breathe.
Lucas placed down his utensils, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and looked at her.
"Is my food presentation so terrible… or does it smell that bad?"
"Why do you look so uncomfortable, as if you're sitting on needles?"
Earlier that day, this woman had personally killed seven criminals without her hands even trembling.
Yet now she looked more nervous than a kidnapped child just sitting at a dinner table.
Before Layla could respond, Kara scolded Lucas.
"Lucas! Why are you being so serious? You're scaring her."
Lucas chuckled.
"I don't believe a police officer capable of eliminating seven criminals alone would be frightened by a few words from me."
"You're a police officer?" Kara asked in surprise.
"Yes… I am," Layla replied. "I'm just wearing casual clothes since I'm off duty."
"Sister, are you really that amazing?" Wanda asked, her eyes shining with excitement. Pietro also looked at her with curiosity.
Lucas moved his mind slightly.
A holographic projection suddenly appeared in the empty space of the dining room.
It displayed the footage of Layla fighting the criminals earlier.
Alpha had automatically blurred the more violent scenes, but it was still enough to amaze everyone.
Although they all possessed powerful abilities themselves, the scene was still thrilling to watch.
"Officer Layla," Kara said after watching the footage, "you're incredibly brave and impressive."
After all, Layla didn't possess super strength or invulnerable skin like Kara.
She was a normal human being.
If a bullet had struck her—even a stray one—it could have easily killed her.
"Yes," Wanda added with admiration.
"This is the first time I've seen such a brave officer. In the place where we used to live, those people were all corrupt cowards who had been bought off."
"Thank you," Layla said.
"But compared to what Mr. Lucas has done, what I did was insignificant."
Hearing the praise helped ease some of Layla's tension. Her body gradually stopped trembling.
In truth, she didn't even understand why she felt so intimidated by this man.
Perhaps it was because when she returned to the police station, she discovered that this exhausted-looking man—who seemed like he had just come out of an ICU ward—
was actually America's protector.
Her idol.
The Terminator.
It felt like a mischievous child standing before their parents, or a student facing a strict teacher.
It was a kind of awe that came from deep within.
Especially those eyes of his.
Looking into them felt like facing the greatest fear she had ever known.
---
"Mr. Lucas… about the mysterious power you gave me earlier…"
Layla finally gathered the courage to speak.
Lucas answered immediately.
"It's called the Scarab."
"It's a special biological super-weapon created by an alien race."
"It can grant you strength, speed, and advanced weapon systems far beyond those of ordinary humans."
"It travels across planets searching for hosts and forms a biological combat armor with them."
Everyone at the table showed great interest.
Then Lucas suddenly changed his tone.
"But it's also a sweet trap."
"Every Scarab gradually influences the host's thinking through its abilities."
"And it contains a built-in backdoor."
"When the alien race that created it finds the host's planet through its signal…"
"They can take control of the armor remotely."
"The host then becomes the vanguard of their invasion."
"They could assassinate important individuals, sabotage key infrastructure, and prepare the planet for conquest."
Layla's eyes widened.
"Then why did you give it to me?!"
Lucas answered calmly.
"First, I already had Phastos dismantle and rewrite the armor's core program."
"It won't influence your mind anymore. Instead, it will fully assist you."
"And if that alien race ever comes looking for it…"
"We might even use the system to reverse-hack their spacecraft."
Kara smiled.
"And when that alien race finally shows up, there's no guarantee they'll even be able to beat us."
Layla finally relaxed after hearing this.
She wanted to use the Scarab's power to accomplish things she previously couldn't.
Lucas looked at her seriously.
"I gave it to you because of what you demonstrated today."
"Courage. Integrity. Fearlessness."
"Just remember one thing."
"Always keep your original heart."
"This power is a tool."
"Don't let it become something that controls you."
"I understand, Mr. Lucas," Layla said solemnly.
"I will always remember my purpose."
Lucas suddenly laughed.
"Relax. Words alone mean nothing."
Layla blinked in confusion.
Lucas continued:
"Because even if you ever changed and tried to do evil…"
"You wouldn't get the chance."
"If I sense something wrong, I'll immediately stop you and reclaim the armor."
Layla paused.
…He had a point.
"Lucas," Kara coughed lightly from the side. "Watch your tone."
Lucas laughed.
"It's fine. She understands."
"But actually, you remind me of someone."
"Who?" Layla asked curiously.
"You'll meet her someday."
Lucas smiled.
"You two might even become good friends."
Then he suddenly asked,
"By the way… do you want to join the Guardians?"
"I do!" Layla answered immediately without hesitation.
...
🔥 Can't wait for the next chapter? Read ahead! 🔥
If you're loving the story, you can unlock 90+ ADVANCE CHAPTERS right now for just $4/month on my Patreon! Not only do you get a massive backlog to binge-read, but you also directly support my daily translation work. ❤️
👇 Grab your early access here:
🔗 [patreon.com/user?u=79514336]
(Or simply search for Translator-Sama on Patreon!)