Beast Tamer's Rebirth National Treasure Edition novel Chapter 74

Chapter 74

Chapter 74

After Sierra left, Ryan couldn’t wait to follow her.

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He was still buzzing from watching Sierra go head-to-head with Nick, Clara, Jonathan, and Shawn in Robert’s office.

“Sierra, why didn’t you let me admit I was the one who hit Nick? I’m not afraid of getting in trouble,” Ryan asked.

Sierra turned back to look at Ryan and said, “You’re still a student. If Nick really wanted to go all out against you, even if you’re tough, you wouldn’t get anything out of it.

“But I’ve got something on him. As long as we clear you of any blame, he just got beaten for nothing. And honestly, isn’t the outcome pretty great?”

Nick’s admission to Northbel University proved he was far ahead of most people academically. Now that he’d been kicked out, no one knew what he was feeling.

Ryan felt a bit regretful. He said, “But Sierra, the evidence you have could’ve sent him straight to jail.”

Sierra curled her lips into a light smile and said, “You actually believed me? I was just messing with you.”

She did have some evidence, but Jonathan had smashed the phone where she’d kept it, and all she had was a recording. Legally speaking, that doesn’t really count as evidence. She only said that to freak Nick out, knowing he’d get scared.

Seeing Ryan’s innocent look, Sierra explained, “I don’t actually have any real evidence. I was just bluffing. Nick saw Charles end up in jail and got spooked, so he didn’t dare push it.

“Otherwise, after beating him up today, we’d have been in a world of trouble. It isn’t a huge deal, but it would’ve been a real pain.”

As Sierra spoke, she noticed the graduates inside already picking up their diplomas. She said, “I’m heading out. Since you’ve got a fox now, if you ever have questions, just hit me up.”

With that, Sierra dashed off like the wind, leaving Ryan standing there, looking all pitiful and dejected.

Ryan called out, “Sierra, at least give me your number or something.” But all he got was her back as she hurried away.

*****

Sierra headed to the counselor’s office, grabbed her graduation documents, and then went to the main hall to pick up her diploma.

By the time she was done, it was already two in the afternoon.

Sierra was just stepping out of the campus gate with her diploma in hand, about to get in her car, when she spotted Sophie. Ethan, and the others waiting there.

Sierra rushed over.

Ethan called out, “Sierra, something urgent’s come up. Get in the car.

Sierra got in the car right away.

Ethan drove up front, while Timothy explained the situation. He said, “Thomas got word this morning. Usually, the Kaelenridge Sheep in Mount Kaelenridge would migrate to Lake Sylvemmir around this time to give birth.

“But this year, the staff at the Mount Kaclenridge nature reserve noticed they didn’t follow their usual route, and there are way fewer sheep than usual. We’re worried they might’ve been taken by poachers.”

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The Kaelenridge Sheep was listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act in 1993, and specific populations were also included on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Their fine wool was highly sought after overseas. Just the hair from two or three Kaelenridge Sheep could make a single shawl, which could easily sell for as much as 100 thousand.

These days, the country had set up plenty of nature reserves in every region, and laws had gotten stricter since the 2000s. Poaching wasn’t as rampant as it was last century, but honestly, things hadn’t really improved all that much.

Whether in Kham, the Coliburg region, or even Kashuk, Kaelenridge Sheep were still being hunted and slaughtered to varying degrees.

This was the first time they had observed Kaelenridge Sheep changing their migration route on such a massive scale.

Sierra took a moment to think, and she could tell something was seriously wrong. She asked, “So what’s our mission this time?”

Ethan glanced at the rearview mirror and said, “Thomas wants us to help the Kaelenridge Sheep get back on their usual migration path, and if we can, see if we can find out why there are fewer of them now.”

With Sierra able to understand what animals were saying, this really shouldn’t be too hard. But as for what was actually going on, they had only talked about it over the phone so far. They’d have to see for themselves once they got there.

Sophie had already taken care of packing Sierra’s stuff.

After a five-and-a-half-hour flight, they finally landed at the local airport.

But the region spanned a vast area, and even after getting off the plane, they had to endure a grueling ten-plus-hour drive before they could reach the Mount Kaelenridge reserve.

Luckily, by the next morning, just as the fog was still hanging in the air, the group finally rolled up to their destination.

As soon as they arrived, a staff member from the local nature reserve came over to greet them.

His name was Quinn, a local who spoke with a lilting tone. He said, “Finally, you guys are here. If you hadn’t shown up, we honestly wouldn’t have known what to do next.”

He spoke with a strong accent, but everyone could still understand him.

It was already August, but the Mount Kaelenridge was still pretty chilly, with snow lingering on the mountaintops.

Sierra wore a fleece-lined, insulated windbreaker underneath and a black outer shell on top, making sure she was bundled up tight so the wind couldn’t sneak in anywhere.

Sierra went over to Quinn to get the lowdown on the Kaelenridge Sheep.

Quinn looked worn out as he said, “I’ve been watching over the Kaelenridge Sheep here for twenty years. Every May, the pregnant ones make their way to Lake Sylvenmir to give birth, drawn by the fresh water and lush meadows. It’s always been like that.

“But this year, something’s off. The herd didn’t migrate like they usually do, and even changed their route. Since you folks are experts from the city, you know animals rarely change their migration routes this drastically.

“Even when we tried to steer them back, they just wouldn’t follow the old trail. And honestly, we have no idea where they’re going now.”

Sierra jumped to her feet. She said, “Don’t worry, that’s why we’re here, to help get the herd back on track.”

Quinn exclaimed, “That’s awesome. You guys should get some rest tonight, and we’ll head out first thing in the morning.”

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After spending a whole day and night just getting here, everyone was totally wiped out and needed some serious shut-eye.

The facilities at the Mount Kaelenridge reserve were way more solid than the makeshift shelters they’d had back in Coliburg.

After washing up, Sierra didn’t head to bed. Instead, she decided to go out and see what was going on.

Sophie saw Sierra heading out and immediately said she’d join her.

Sierra was about to say no, but Sophie got all serious and said, “Sierra, you’re my responsibility. As long as we’re on a mission, I have to be by your side every moment. That’s my job, and it’s my duty.”

Sierra was caught off guard. She was used to flying solo, so even though she worked smoothly with the wildlife team and Sophie, there was always this thin veil between her and everyone else, like she just couldn’t fully blend in.

But Sophie’s words just now were a real eye-opener for her. These people were her teammates, and in the future, they might be facing life-or-death situations together. Teamwork alone wouldn’t be enough.

Sierra looked at Sophie, a new spark in her eyes. She said, “I understand now, Thanks, Sophie.”

Sophie gave a small smile and patted Sierra’s shoulder. She said, “Glad you’ve realized it. With so many of us on the team, you don’t have to take everything on by yourself. We have got your back.

“And don’t forget, you’ve got the whole country behind you, too.”

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