Zeke was taken to the infirmary immediately so his wounds could be addressed. His endurance levels were so low that they couldn’t use healing skills on him, so they went with traditional treatment. Thanks to the work of an exceptional doctor, he was stable in no time. After a day of rest, he could be treated with healing skills.
He looked like a mummy with all the bandages covering his body, and he looked up at me from his bed with a critical glare.
“I knew you were cunning and crafty, but I never thought you’d do something that cruel…”
His begrudging tone made me laugh. It was just the two of us in the room because he’d sent everyone else away.
“You made your own decision,” I said. “Don’t go pushing the blame off on others now.”
“Nothing I can say when you put it like that…” muttered Zeke, admitting to his own mistake before letting out a long sigh. “First loss ever. Easier to accept than I thought it would be.”
“You deserve an apology. I’m sorry I used you.”
“Forget it. I feel even more pitiful now.” Zeke’s face twisted into an uncomfortable snicker. “Answer me one thing, though. When did you first come up with this grand scheme of yours? You already had the plans written in your head when you came to me about the Seven Star Cup, didn’t you?”
“I did. I had them drawn up a long time before that.”
“How long?”
I paused for a moment, but ultimately decided to tell Zeke the truth. “When I first came to the empire at fourteen.”
“You mean you had this idea before you were even a Seeker?”
I nodded. “I researched the ins and outs of the entire empire—its Seekers, the economy, its politics, culture, population, and the underworld—and this was the plan I came up with. Admittedly, there were a few revisions along the way.”
“You weren’t even a rookie back then and you came up with your plan through research?”
“Yep. I figured there wasn’t any other way to get to the top for a buffer like me.”
Zeke turned away. “To get to the top? Get the heck out of here. The moment you came up with that grand scheme, you were already at the top. At just fourteen years old, you were the strongest in the empire…”
“There were lots of failures along the way,” I said. “I wasn’t the strongest right from the start.”
“Then how about this?” said Zeke, looking back at me. “You were the most notorious. The most notorious buffer.”
I chuckled at Zeke’s joke. Before I could reply, there was a hurried knock on the door, which flew open a split second later. The members of Wild Tempest spilled into the room.
“Noel! It’s terrorists!” Leon shouted.
“As we suspected,” said Hugo, “they waited for the Seekers to tire out before launching their attacks.”
“But something’s weird,” Alma added.
I looked at her, puzzled. “What? Tell me.”
“It’s not happening here at the colosseum, but in the city.”
“What? But everyone of importance is here. Causing trouble in the city is little more than an attempt at intimidation.”
“Not exactly,” said Koga, his face hardened with concern. “You’ve heard that the terrorists are mostly just ordinary folks. The police could handle that and the human explosives ’cause they had warning, but that’s not all we’re dealin’ with. There’re all kinds of weird buglike creatures and parasitic things with tentacles too.”
“We are dealing with the Lord of Flies as well,” said Hugo.
I still had it out for the Lord of Flies, so it was hard for me to remain calm—I couldn’t hide the rage bubbling up within me.
“The Lord of Flies is making things difficult at the scene. They need reinforcements on the ground immediately.”
“Understood. Let’s get out there,” I said.
Leon then took out a piece of parchment. “I received this from Prince Caius,” he said. “It’s proof that the emperor hereby gives you temporary and total command of the empire’s Seekers. It will be yours until the Valiant is felled.”
I couldn’t hide my glee at seeing the emperor’s own signature on the document. “The prince is wilier than I thought, taking the opportunity to have this put on paper.”
“All the Seekers still here at the colosseum are awaiting your orders. What would you have us do?”
I looked at each member of the clan in turn. “Here’s the plan. The four of you will form units with the other clans. Using Link, I’ll keep everyone updated on the situation while we put a stop to these terrorists. Don’t back down—Wild Tempest will have everything under control!”
“Got it!” everyone shouted in unison.
After that, my clanmates ran from the room. Before I could join them, Zeke called out to me.
“Noel,” he said. “I’m looking forward to fighting under your command. But I will have my revenge. On you, and on Leo.” His voice resonated with strength.
“Can’t wait,” I replied, turning my back and leaving the room.