"Heinrich, what the hell is truly going on?" Gilbert asked, his expression one of frustration.
He looked around. They were now in an unfamiliar part of the hospital. Well, for people like them, everywhere in the hospital was unfamiliar.
He suddenly stood up and asked about the systems running through the hospital.
Heinrich looked around, his eyes scanning for something. Gilbert clenched his teeth. Heinrich was ignoring him, and it was making him angry.
"Heinrich!" Gilbert grabbed Heinrich's shoulder. Heinrich paused, his crimson eyes staring straight into Gilbert's. For a moment, Gilbert became flustered as he realized what he had just done.
"I'm sorry. It's just... this whole situation seems like one big mess that I can't make sense of, and I hate not knowing."
Heinrich looked at Gilbert for a moment before turning away. Gilbert gritted his teeth once more.
They were both from the same family, cousins from the Blackburn family. They grew up together and even attended the military exams at the same time.
Gilbert was the older one, but Heinrich was apparently the more talented one. Yet, Heinrich had always been like a younger brother to Gilbert, and they had been very close since childhood. Gilbert was genuinely happy for Heinrich.
But ever since Heinrich became a major four years ago, Gilbert felt like they had drifted so far apart that it was as if they weren't even related by blood anymore.
Whenever they saw each other, it was for work, and Gilbert hated it. He hated the wedge that the royal military had driven between them.
But as a member of the renowned Blackburn family, he was in no position to utter a single word of complaint.
And now, he realized that the space between him and Heinrich wasn't the only thing there. There were secrets too—secrets that made him feel weak and pathetic for not knowing them.
Gilbert looked at Heinrich once more. At that moment, he wished he could beat the truth out of him like the little cousin he used to be before marching to the HQ of the Blue Legion and doing the same to their boss.
But he knew it was a death wish. So he took a different approach instead; he decided to act like the mature one.
"If you won't explain what's really going on, can you at least tell me why we are here?" Gilbert sighed.
Heinrich paused. He turned around to look at Gilbert, a peculiar light flashing in his eyes before he spoke.
"The whole building is on lockdown, but in truth, there are ways into the hospital. Paths that remain open even in the most secure of buildings."
Gilbert's eyes widened in realization as he looked around the space, a new understanding dawning on him.
"I see. That's why you ordered some men to patrol the various pipelines. Electricity, water, and now, we're in the central control for sewage disposal."
"You catch on quick," Heinrich smiled at Gilbert. "In the past, there had been no need to seal these places. Apart from the fact that these paths must always be active in a building like this, there wasn't anyone crazy enough to try entering through them."
"But with the kind of technology we have now..." Gilbert didn't need to complete his sentence. The meaning behind his words was as clear as a day in Falnora could be.
Gilbert looked around. "There are no weapons to use. Our firearms might be useless against them."
"Well then, we'll just have to go barehanded. Like the old days."
Gilbert and Heinrich looked at each other, excitement evident in their red eyes. They could already feel their blood boiling for the fight.
"Just like the old da—"
Crash!!
***
"Sergeant Rhashan to the elite force, what's your status?" Rhashan spoke into the communication device on his shoulder.
He was now in the black hovercraft, his outfit changed. He still wore joint guards and a blue overall uniform made from thick material.
He wore a kinetic vest, boots, and gloves, and his neck and head were covered by a thick mask that looked like a ski mask. On his head was equipment with three lenses in a triangular formation.
They were tactical gear available only to members of the elite force.
"We read you loud and clear, Sergeant! We are on standby. So far, there has been no external activity, sir!" A crackling voice sounded from the other side of the comm.
Rhashan nodded, his eyes glancing at the two figures seated opposite him.
"Hang on! I'll be there soon. Keep an eye out for any surprises. The enemy is being too quiet."
Rhashan released his hand from the comm, cutting off the connection. He was about to check his gun and vision equipment when he heard a chuckle.
He looked at the figures opposite him. The chuckle had come from the shorter one.
He had black hair and purple eyes that resembled amethyst. He had looks that would put even pretty boy Heinrich to shame, and his lips were curled in a cocky grin. A greatsword was strapped to his back.
His legs were crossed, and he sat like he owned the place.
Beside him was a dark-skinned man who looked like a giant. His body was extremely muscular, and he had above-average looks. He had a gentle presence, but it was precisely this gentleness that made him terrifying.
Rhashan recognized them from the entrance exam; after all, he had been there too. On that battered train.
So they really became members of the special squad. I wasn't their match back then; I'd love to see how I stack up against them now, Rhashan thought.
"You should tell your men to get prepared. The enemy is already in the hospital," Percy said in an amused tone.
"What?" Rhashan asked incredulously, hints of disbelief in his eyes as he glanced at Lassen.
"You shouldn't be impolite, Percy," Lassen spoke like an adult scolding a child. Percy rolled his eyes in return.
"Yes, father!"
Lassen ignored Percy and looked at Rhashan.
"It's nice to see you."
Rhashan nodded, surprised at Lassen's politeness. Although he had looked at Lassen, it wasn't because he thought Lassen was nice or anything. It was simply because he trusted anyone who wasn't a noble.
"Unfortunately, Percy is right. The enemy is already in the building."
"How are you so sure?" Rhashan asked, his brows furrowed. But before Lassen could reply, the hovercraft came to a screeching halt.
A small window connecting the back to the driver's seat opened, and the driver spoke,
"Sergeant Rhashan, we have a situation."
"What is it?"
"The road has been blocked. There are vehicles with armed, masked men everywhere."
"We are under attack!"