Inside the clock tower, Zigh met with the bomb disposal squad leader, his eyes scanning the secured members of the Oleander syndicate.
"What's their status?" Zigh asked.
The squad leader offered a crisp salute. "Reporting, Sir. They are currently unconscious. The cause remains unknown, and they require immediate medical attention."
Zigh nodded. "What model of firearms were they carrying?"
"Long-range sniper rifles, Sir. And it appears they were utilizing these."
The officer handed Zigh a transparent evidence bag containing a single bullet.
Is this the same ammunition the sniper used back at the clinic... when Lian and I were there? Zigh thought, studying the round before handing the bag back to the officer.
"Judging by the design, these are no ordinary rounds," Zigh remarked.
"You are correct, Sir. The ammunition used by the suspects doesn't match any record in our security database."
Zigh ran a hand through his hair, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Good work. Transfer the suspects to the military hospital."
The officer blinked. "Does that mean they will face a military tribunal, Sir?"
Zigh let out a heavy sigh. "You do realize Begepe Pier was completely obliterated by the bombs they planted, right?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Taking them to a civilian hospital would be a security nightmare."
"Understood, Sir. We will execute your orders immediately."
"And one more thing—if the media catches wind of this, emphasize that the case is still under active investigation."
"Understood, Sir."
Stepping out of the clock tower, Zigh looked up at the sky. Asley, this time, you're going to rot in prison for the rest of your life.
Approaching Nox and Ron, Zigh gestured toward the vehicle. "Let's head home."
The two brothers nodded in unison. Once they climbed inside, Zigh cranked the engine, and the sleek sports car surged forward, leaving the clock tower behind.
"Zigh, what about the other Oleander members?" Ron inquired from the passenger seat.
"Likely in the same state as the four men we discovered back in Scorpio Room 07."
"I see..." Ron muttered.
Nox crossed his arms, his brow furrowing. "Colonel, is it really fine for us to just leave like this?"
"Relax, champ. The perpetrators are completely neutralized, and the evidence is secured. I've personally inspected every single crime scene. Now, we just wait for those jerks to wake up and give their statements."
"But is this really enough to uproot the entire Oleander Organization?" Ron pressed.
Zigh smiled, flicking a switch to engage the vehicle's flight mode. "Ron, everything is already wrapped up. In fact, I already know the exact location of their transaction logs and operational blueprints."
"Lian told you, didn't he?" Nox interjected.
"Spot on, champ."
"But what about the mass media, Zigh?"
Zigh engaged the autopilot, setting the coordinates to his home. "Think about it. None of the evidence matches the established security database. Masking the incident at Begepe Pier will be a walk in the park for me—"
"By making Oleander the scapegoat. Am I right, Zigh?" Ron cut in.
"A hundred points for Lieutenant Colonel Ron Eosvile."
Nox scoffed. "So you have a devious side to you too, huh."
"Let's look at the facts," Zigh analyzed. "They planted explosives at multiple nodes across Begepe Pier. Lexin, Devin, and the Begepe police department are bound to realize this eventually."
"Can it be detected that easily?" Ron questioned.
"Of course not. However, once the coordinates are known, tracking them becomes significantly easier using the advanced detector systems developed by our military."
Ron's eyes narrowed. "So you intentionally let the entirety of Begepe Pier be destroyed?"
"Isn't this exactly the kind of tactical maneuver you guys used to pull back in Syntax?" Zigh countered.
The sibling duo fell into a tense silence. Nox averted his gaze, staring out the side pane, while Ron stared down at his clenched fists.
"Champ, Ron—there is one crucial thing you must remember," Zigh said, breaking the silence. "There were zero civilian casualties at Begepe Pier."
"What about those who were injured?" Nox challenged.
"They've already been treated by the medical staff. You were right there with me inspecting the aftermath, champ."
Turning his attention back to the window, Ron watched the sprawling cityscape blur beneath them. "Zigh... why did Begepe Pier have to vanish entirely?"
"That... well, I could have ordered Outer to neutralize the specific nodes Lian provided, but our window of time was too narrow. Besides, a certain champ here was busy arguing with me."
Nox clicked his tongue. "Colonel, just admit that you wanted to show them the terrifying reality of that bombing, didn't you?"
Zigh stiffened, keeping his gaze locked onto the horizon ahead.
"Drop it, Nox," Ron sighed. "What's done is done. Zigh calculated the risks. The most important thing is that no innocent lives were lost."
A faint, tight smile crossed Zigh's face.
"Hah... whatever," Nox muttered, leaning back.
The sports car soared effortlessly through the sky, crossing the city borders and leaving the towering skyscrapers behind. After a two-hour flight, they finally entered the airspace above Zigh's property.
Will everything truly be alright? Zigh thought, glancing at the rearview mirror. The two brothers had remained completely silent for the remainder of the trip.
Ron kept his eyes on the sky, which was now bleeding into shades of deep orange. I'll be seeing Lian soon.
Nox closed his eyes briefly, a lingering memory surfacing. Lian... ever since that incident at Rhea's house...
Disengaging the flight mode, Zigh guided the vehicle into a flawless landing on the asphalt. They pulled up right in front of his house.
"Alright, you two can head out first," Zigh announced.
The two passengers stepped out onto the driveway.
Letting out a breath, Zigh followed them and unlocked the main gate. "Welcome to my place."
They both nodded in acknowledgment.
Damn it, why does the atmosphere feel so suffocating all of a sudden? Zigh thought. "Wait for me by the front door. I'm going to pull the car into the garage first."
"Sure. Thanks, Zigh," Ron replied.
As the brothers walked toward the entrance, Zigh maneuvered his car into the garage.
"Nox, are you ready for this?" Ron asked.
"Yeah. Not like we have a choice anyway."
Ron took a deep, steadying breath. "Nox, keep your temper in check."
"Depends. If he acts smug, then all bets are off."
"Nox—"
"Did I keep you guys waiting?" Zigh interrupted, catching up to them.
Nox shook his head.
"Not at all," Ron answered.
"Let's head inside then," Zigh said, unlocking the front door.
Stepping through the threshold, Ron's eyes scanned the interior. "Spacious place you got here, Zigh."
"Not really. I rarely buy furniture," Zigh replied.
Nox's gaze drifted toward the staircase at the far end of the living room. "Rarely home, colonel?"
"Yeah, something like that. Anyway, make yourselves comfortable. I'll head upstairs first; Lian is in the bedroom."
"Got it," Nox muttered as they took their seats.
Zigh hurried up the stairs and approached his bedroom door, knocking lightly. "Lian, are you inside?"
"Yes."
Opening the door, Zigh found Lian sitting at the edge of the mattress. He walked over to the solitary youth.
"Lian, are you holding up okay?"
"Did you bring them here?"
"You mean Ron and Nox?"
"Who else?"
"Are you angry?"
"What if I am?"
"I'm sorry."
"You're annoying."
Zigh rubbed the back of his neck.
"What exactly do you want from me now, Zigh?" Lian asked.
Strangely, I don't feel any chilling aura or anything, Zigh noted internally.
"Zigh?"
"Ah, right. Let's grab something to eat first."
"Why?"
"I haven't had a proper meal since that whole Oleander fiasco started."
Lian stood up, fixing his gaze on the colonel. "Zigh, if you were to fight Nox, could you win?"
"Lian, I'm not sure where you're going with this."
A faint smile crossed Lian's face. "Outer told me that Leyra possesses something very similar to what I have."
Zigh's eyes widened. "What did you just say?!"
Lian clicked his tongue. "You're too loud."
Instantly, Zigh gripped Lian's shoulders, his gaze turning incredibly sharp. "Could you repeat that?"
"Win against Nox first, and then maybe I'll tell you."
Loosening his grip, Zigh turned around, aggressively running both hands through his hair. "Lian, wait here. I'll go order some food."
"Fine."
Zigh swiftly exited the room, clicking the door shut behind him.
"Lian, that Eosvile guy seems pretty ticked off," Outer whispered.
"Let him be. It's his turn to be annoyed."
"Smart Lian."
"Only because of you, Outer."
Outer grinned widely, revealing rows of sharp, gleaming white teeth.
Downstairs, Zigh practically marched down the steps and stroached over to Nox. "Champ, care for a spar with me?"
Nox's eyes widened. "Huh?!"
Ron stood up. "What is wrong with you?"
Zigh raised his hands. "My bad... let's just eat first. What are you guys in the mood for?"
Ron and Nox exchanged a bewildered look.
"Are you actually alright, Zigh?" Ron questioned.
"Perfectly fine," Zigh replied, quickly scrolling through his phone screen.
"Did Lian do something to you?" Nox pressed.
"No, it's nothing like that... Let's just order. We can talk afterward," Zigh insisted.
Sighing, Ron sat back down. "Is Lian refusing to see us, Zigh?"
"To be precise... it seems he's currently holding a grudge against me."
"Meaning what, colonel?" Nox asked.
"Drop it for now. What do you want to eat?"
Nox exhaled. "Nothing too greasy."
"Are you sure it's not a bother?" Ron added.
Zigh gave them a reassuring thumbs-up.
"In that case, maybe some meat," Ron suggested.
Zigh typed the keyword into his food app. "How about some smoked meat?"
"Yeah, works for me," Nox agreed.
Ron nodded.
"Alright, ordering now." Zigh sat down next to Ron, facing Nox across the table.
"Colonel, what's the plan with Lian?"
"Don't worry. Once the food arrives, I'll bring him down to join us."
"Are you certain he'll even agree, Zigh?"
"Honestly, I'm not—"
"Zigh," a quiet voice called out from the stairs.
The three men snapped their heads toward the sound.
Lian was slowly walking down the steps. His eyes were locked onto Nox, his gaze piercingly sharp.
Ron bolted to his feet. "Lian, I... we are truly sorry."
Lian didn't give Ron so much as a glance. His intense glare remained locked on Nox, who immediately glared right back at him.
"You say you're sorry, blondie," Lian spoke, a hollow, vacant smile creeping onto his face. "If this champ of yours can win against Zigh... then perhaps, I just might forgive the both of you."
To be continued...