"My head..." the brown-haired man groaned, stirring on the hospital bed.
Two men in military fatigues immediately approached him.
"Sir, are you alright?" asked the one with neatly combed hair.
Zigh adjusted himself into a sitting position, his gaze fixing on the man. "Devin... I am fine."
"Sir, what exactly happened back there?" the curly-haired soldier beside Devin interjected, his brow furrowed in concern.
Zigh let out a heavy sigh. "Lex, what—"
The sharp trill of his phone cut him off. He glanced at the screen. Lian? he thought, quickly pressing the phone to his ear.
"Hello," Zigh said softly.
"Zee, you're finally awake?"
Zigh took a steadying breath. Beside him, Devin and Lexin exchanged wary glances, closely observing their superior's uncharacteristic tension.
"Lian... was this your doing?"
"Oh, keep your voice down. You wouldn't want your subordinates to overhear, would you?"
Zigh clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Why?"
"Because you overstepped, Zee."
"What?"
"You honestly thought I would stand by and watch you detain them?"
Zigh ran a hand through his hair. "You know why I did it."
"Perhaps. But you didn't care to discuss it with me."
"They weren't being cooperative."
"And what about you?" Lian's voice was cold. "Demanding private information without so much as a greeting. You lack finesse."
"The direct approach is faster."
"You are always like that, Zee."
"Lian, for the last time, do not call me by that name."
"Fine. On one condition."
Zigh rose slowly from the bed. Lexin and Devin moved to assist him, but he raised a flat palm, signaling them to stay back. He paced slowly toward the window, looking out at the horizon.
"Your silence is taking too long," Lian remarked.
"What is the condition? And for the record, your reasons weren't enough to justify making me kiss the hospital floor."
"Not enough? Do you forget who I am to you?"
Zigh stiffened, the words catching in his throat.
"Answer me, Zigh Eosvile!"
"Your... bodyguard," Zigh muttered under his breath.
"Exactly. So, in my eyes, you are no different from the others."
"The others who clearly despise you," Zigh countered.
"Of course they hate me."
"You knew? Then why keep them on your payroll?"
"It's irrelevant."
"It is relevant to me! As a fellow bodyguard, I need to understand their motives."
"If I told you they intended to kill me, would you believe it?"
"What did you say!?"
Zigh's sudden outburst made his two subordinates flinch, their eyes widening in shock.
"You're being far too loud," Lian said.
"Lian, you're allowing people who plot your assassination to work for you? Have you lost your mind?"
"They were the ones who insisted on following me."
"And you just... agreed?"
"You know what happened to them, don't you?"
Zigh fell silent as the memory of his conversation with Ron and Nox resurfaced.
"That... wasn't that the fault of the Syntax Military?"
"Even so. I wiped a city off the map, leaving nothing behind. Am I not the villain in their story?"
"Lian..."
"Enough. Rather than debating why you fainted, send your men to meet me."
"Huh?"
Lian sighed. "I'm bored of being alone."
Zigh turned back to face Devin and Lexin. "You can watch TV or do whatever at my house."
"That's the problem. The electronics here are different from those in Syntax."
Zigh rubbed his temples. Right... I forgot to tell him.
Lexin nudged Devin's ribs. "Dev, what's wrong with the boss?" he whispered.
"Shh... keep quiet. Don't get involved."
"You're no fun," Lexin grumbled.
They both returned to a disciplined silence, watching Zigh intently.
"Fine," Zigh said into the phone. "But I need a logical explanation for why everyone in Room 404 ended up on the floor."
"I believe I already told you."
"Not sufficient."
"You truly are as rigid as Asley says."
"Lian, leave others out of our business."
"Funny. We're more alike than I thought."
"How so?"
"Do I really have to spell it out?"
"Get to the point."
"You brought me up during your debate with them earlier," Lian said, his tone sharpening. "Zigh Eosvile, you used my name as a shield when you refused to let them join the operation against the Orleander organization."
Zigh's eyes widened, his left hand clenching into a tight fist. "That... I only said that because I only need your help."
"Then why disclose our plans to them?"
Zigh's voice trailed off. "You said yourself, they could help—"
"Why stop? Keep talking."
"I..."
"You understand now, don't you? Is that logical enough for you?"
Zigh exhaled slowly, conceding. "Fine. I'll send Devin and Lexin to accompany you."
"Spoken like a true Colonel. You catch on quickly."
Zigh let out a long, weary breath.
"Oh, and one more thing," Lian added. "Watch out for the blond one."
Zigh narrowed his eyes. Ron. "Why?"
"Ask him what he did to me at the Vellion Crater. If he's honest, then bring him and the champ along on your mission."
"How will I know if they're telling the truth?"
"Outer will be with you."
Outer, huh... Zigh thought.
"You're being quiet again. Just send your subordinates to the house. I'll be waiting."
The line went dead.
"Lian, you are truly insufferable," Zigh muttered, staring at the darkened screen.
He walked over to Lexin and Devin, looking at them in turn. "Dev, Lex. I have a critical assignment for you."
"Yes, Sir?" Lexin chirped.
Zigh pulled out a set of four keys attached to a nametag keychain. "Take these. Take my car and head to my residence immediately."
Lexin's eyes sparkled. "Boss—I mean, Sir, are you certain?"
"Hurry up. Give me the keys to your patrol car."
Devin pulled the keys from his pocket, looking hesitant. "Are you sure you don't mind us using your personal vehicle, Sir?"
Zigh snatched the patrol keys and traded them for his own. "It's fine. But be warned: this task is heavy."
Lexin leaned in, his excitement undiminished. "What's the mission, Sir?"
Zigh took a deep breath. "Keep my acquaintance company. He's alone at the house."
"Eh?" Lexin blurted out.
Devin pocketed the keys, his expression turning serious. "Do you mean the man you brought in for interrogation?"
"Correct, Dev. His name is Leuliang Esculenta."
Lexin tilted his head. "That's an unusual name," he murmured.
Zigh offered a faint, knowing smile. His personality is even more unusual, he thought.
"Are we just observing this Leuliang? Or should we interact with him?" Devin asked.
"Good question. Interact with him if he requests it. Otherwise, stay out of his way."
"Understood, Sir," Devin saluted.
"And this is vital: do not argue with him. Be polite, and do not ask too many questions," Zigh said, boring his gaze into Lexin. "Especially you, Lex."
"Understood, Sir."
"That is all. Dismissed."
Lexin raised his hand. "Wait, Sir?"
"Yes, Lex?"
"What about your case? And the two others who collapsed with you?"
Devin remained silent but kept his eyes locked on Zigh.
"Disregard that for now. Just focus on your current task."
"But..." Lexin started, but Devin gave him a sharp nod and turned to leave.
"Hey, Dev! Wait up!" Lex shouted, scrambling after him.
Silence returned to the room. A moment later, a nurse entered.
"Excuse me, I'm here to check your vitals."
"No need. I'm fine."
The nurse lowered her head. "But, Sir..."
"Don't worry. I'll settle the bill for my treatment."
The nurse smiled in relief. "Thank you very much."
"Before you go—how long was I unconscious?"
"We aren't entirely sure. It was the relatives of the family in Room 404 who found you."
"I see. Thank you."
The nurse took her leave, and Zigh followed shortly after. He walked down the corridor toward the room where Ron and Nox were being treated. As he approached, Lena stepped out.
Lena? Zigh noted.
Lena spotted him, her eyes widening. she hurried toward the brown-haired man. "Sir Zigh! Are you feeling better?"
Zigh's expression softened into a smile. "Yes, I'm much better. No need to worry."
Lena sighed, placing a hand over her heart. "Thank goodness."
Zigh glanced toward the door. "How are Nox and Ron?"
"They just regained consciousness."
"I see..." Zigh murmured.
Lena watched him for a long beat. "You won't... argue like you did yesterday, will you?"
Zigh smoothed back his hair. "I didn't come here to fight, Lena."
"Are you sure?"
Zigh let out a short, dry laugh.
"What's so funny, Sir?"
Zigh took a breath, the smile returning to his face. "Don't worry about it. Where are you heading?"
"Home."
"I see. Get back safely."
"Thank you. Sir Zigh... please, no more arguing."
"Not this time."
Lena smiled and bid him farewell. Once she was gone, Zigh stepped into the room.
He found the two brothers sitting up in their beds. They immediately fixed him with a piercing, hostile glare.
Zigh scoffed. "I'll get straight to the point, Ron Eosvile. What exactly did you do to Lian at the Vellion City crater?"
Both Ron and Nox froze, their eyes stretching wide in shock. Ron's hands clenched into trembling fists.
Beside Zigh, a presence shifted. Outer leaned forward with a wide, predatory grin, revealing rows of sharp, white teeth.
To be continued...