The heavy silence of Room 404 finally shattered when Ron broke his stillness.
"I shot Lian. Right in the forehead," Ron stated, his voice devoid of emotion.
Zigh's eyes widened. In a flash, he lunged forward, seizing Ron's collar and jerking him upward. The fabric groaned under the strain.
Nox bolted to his feet, his posture bristling with aggression. "Hey! You lay another hand on Ron, and I'll make sure you never walk out of this room!"
Ron merely shifted his gaze toward Nox. It was a silent, chilling look that instantly quelled Nox's outburst. The younger brother fell silent.
Zigh snorted, his breath hot against Ron's face. "Lieutenant Colonel Ron Eosvile... give me one good reason why you did it."
"A trial," Ron replied simply.
Zigh shoved him back, releasing his grip with enough force to make Ron stumble.
"Ron!" Nox gasped, reaching out.
Ron exhaled slowly, smoothing his ruffled clothes. "It's fine."
"Are you sure?" Nox asked, searching his brother's face for any sign of distress. Ron gave a small, reassuring nod.
Zigh turned away, pacing three steps forward. Damn it... the more I learn, the more irritating this gets.
"Is there anything else you wish to ask, Colonel Zigh?" Ron asked, fixing his collar.
The image of Lian in the hospital flashed through Zigh's mind, his knuckles whitening as he balled his hands into fists. "What did you two do to Lian at the hospital?"
Nox's gaze sharpened, focusing on the empty air where Outer stood, right in front of Zigh's face. "I slammed Lian to the floor while he was ill."
"Nox..." Ron murmured.
"Incredible," Zigh sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What a pair of devoted brothers you are."
Ron and Nox remained silent, offering no excuses.
Zigh turned back, eyeing the two brothers. He crossed his arms over his chest, his expression shifting to one of reluctant pragmatism. "Fine. You're coming with me. You'll help me dismantle the Orleander."
"Is this Lian's command?" Ron inquired.
"Precisely," Zigh replied. "Without his request, I wouldn't dream of accepting help from someone capable of such violence and attempted murder."
Nox let out a weary sigh. "At least we aren't the type to exploit others."
Zigh stepped forward, pointing a finger at Nox. "Watch your tongue."
Nox swatted the hand away, his eyes defiant. "You think I'm afraid of you?"
Outer drifted toward Nox, his presence an invisible weight. "Champ. Stop. Lian will be angry."
Nox clicked his tongue. He turned his back on the Colonel and slumped onto his bed. Both Zigh and Ron stared at him, bewildered by the sudden shift.
"Champion? What did Outer do?" Zigh asked.
"None of your business, Colonel," Nox snapped.
Ron patted Nox's shoulder. "You alright?"
"Yeah, Ron. Thanks."
Zigh ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "Decide now. Are you in or out? The longer I stay here, the more my head throbs."
Ron looked at Nox, who gave a brief, firm nod.
"Alright, Zigh. We accept your offer."
"Good. Now, provide your details for the documentation."
Ron provided his information first, followed by Nox. After jotting down the notes, Zigh pulled out his phone and opened the camera.
"Ron, stand against that white wall by the window."
"For what?"
"ID photos."
Ron complied, standing tall with a composed expression.
Click.
The shutter sound echoed as the camera captured Ron's stoic face.
"Champion, you're next."
Nox took a deep breath and stood up, his face set in a flat, disinterested line. With those bruises, he looks like a common street thug.
"Ready. Three, two, one."
Click.
"Wait here. I'll bring the official documents tomorrow," Zigh announced.
Nox looked up. "Tomorrow?"
"Problem?"
"You're using an inside connection, aren't you?" Ron remarked.
Zigh offered a thin, knowing smile. "The sooner, the better." With that, he turned and left the room.
Nox turned to Ron. "Ron, why do you think Lian told that Colonel about us?"
Ron tilted his head thoughtfully. "Perhaps he didn't tell him our story. He might have just informed him of our existence."
"What do you mean?"
"If Lian had told him everything, Zigh wouldn't still be asking questions, would he?"
"Fair point," Nox admitted.
"But..." Ron trailed off, rubbing his chin.
"But what?"
"It seems Lian has grown very accustomed to using Outer."
"Yeah..." Nox whispered.
"Wait, is Outer still here, Nox?"
Nox shook his head. "Outer is stuck to that Colonel like a postage stamp."
I see, Ron thought.
"Ron, do you think Lian doesn't trust Zigh?"
Ron sat on his bed. "It's possible."
"Then why make him a bodyguard?"
"Nox... look at us. We've done worse."
"Ah. Right. Sorry."
"Forget it. Let's just rest. We get discharged tomorrow."
"Good. I'm sick of hospital food."
Ron let out a soft chuckle. And yet, you're the one who eats the most.
For a brief moment, the tension in Room 404 was replaced by the quiet bond of brotherhood.
***
Meanwhile, Lexin and Devin arrived at Zigh's residence.
"So this is the boss's place? It's massive," Lexin remarked.
Devin handed the keys to Lexin. "Open the gate."
"You're ordering me around now?"
Devin just smiled.
Lexin clicked his tongue but got out to swing the gates open. Once Devin drove the car inside, Lexin locked up behind them.
"Dev, here are the keys. Keep them with the others."
"Got it."
They approached the front door and knocked.
Tap, tap, tap.
"Excuse us, we are Sir Zigh's subordinates," Lexin called out.
"Come in. It's unlocked," a voice replied from inside.
Lexin pushed the door open to find a slender, dark-haired youth sitting on the living room sofa.
"Dev, that's him," Lexin whispered, nudging Devin's ribs.
"I see him."
"Let's go."
The two approached the youth. "I'm Devin, and this is my colleague, Lexin."
"Lexin. Nice to meet you."
"Lian," the man replied.
A heavy silence followed. The two men traded glances. Lexin signaled Devin with his eyes to take the lead.
Devin cleared his throat. "Are you Leuliang Esculenta?"
"Yes."
"So... Lian is what we should call you?"
"Exactly."
Lexin smiled awkwardly. This is going to be a long day.
"Sir Zigh said you needed assistance. May I ask what it is?" Devin asked politely.
"Turn on the television."
Devin blinked in surprise, while Lexin slapped his own forehead.
"That's it? Just... the TV?"
Lian nodded.
Lexin's shoulders slumped. We came all this way just to turn on a TV?
"Where is the television, Sir Lian?" Devin asked.
"Just Lian."
"Er... Lian. Where is the TV?"
"In Zigh's bedroom."
Oh boy, Lexin groaned internally.
"Why do you want the TV in Sir Zigh's room?"
"It's the only one in the house."
"I see. However, could you call our superior to ask for permission first?"
"You have phones," Lian replied. "Call him yourself."
Devin smiled and glanced at Lexin.
"I—I'll do it," Lexin muttered. He stepped out onto the porch and dialed Zigh's number. After a few rings, Zigh picked up.
"Yeah, Lex? What is it?"
"Boss—I mean, Sir Zigh. Devin and I have permission to enter your room to turn on the TV for Lian, right?"
"Oh, sure. But if anything is missing, broken, or even scratched, the repair costs are coming out of your and Devin's salaries."
Lexin exhaled a long, weary breath. "Understood. Are you still out?"
"Yes, I have matters to settle. Don't forget what I said." Zigh hung up.
"Bosses... they never make it easy," Lexin grumbled.
He walked back inside to find Lian and Devin. "Dev, we have permission. But if anything gets damaged—"
"Yeah, I get it."
"You're annoying. I wasn't finished."
"The point is to be careful, right?"
"No! The point is our salaries are on the line!"
Devin sighed.
"You two are very noisy," Lian remarked.
Devin offered an apologetic smile. "Forgive us. Could you lead us to the room?"
"Follow me."
They followed Lian, keeping a respectful three-step distance.
"Here. Go ahead."
When the two men entered the bedroom, their jaws dropped as they scanned the room's interior.
"Hurry up. There's the TV," Lian said, pointing to a sleek LED screen mounted on the wall.
They approached the unit. "Lian, do you have the remote?"
"No."
"I see..." Devin muttered. He looked at Lexin. "Lex, help me find it."
"Dev, just use an app. It's safer."
"Good idea. Do you have one?"
Lexin squinted at the logo on the television. "Wait, my app isn't compatible with this model. Look at that—it's an Estogazt Corporate logo. My app doesn't support their electronics."
"That means we have to find the physical remote."
Both men sighed in unison.
"I'm calling the boss again," Lexin said.
Devin nodded.
The phone rang again.
"Lex? Now what?"
"Where is the remote, Sir?"
"In the drawer next to my bed."
"Thank you very much."
"Whatever."
Zigh cut the line.
Lexin rushed over and opened the drawer. In the second compartment, he found it. "Got it!"
He hurried back to Lian and Devin. "Lex, turn it on."
Lexin pressed the power button, and the screen flickered to life. "Lian, you just need to press this center button to turn it on and off."
"And to change the channel?"
"Wait... like this—wait, why isn't the channel changing?"
Devin looked at Lexin. "Lex... when was the last time the boss actually stayed here?"
"Ah, damn it."
"You both are pathetic," Lian complained.
To be continued...