Cero sat in his chair in the command room, his eyes fixed on the report he had just received from Victor. Kole's actions in the field had angered him at first. The soldier had acted outside protocol, defying clear orders to ensure that the capture was carried out without unnecessary violence. Yet, as Cero delved deeper into the background of the incident, his initial fury was replaced by curiosity.
Standing nearby, Sarah observed him cautiously. "Director, you seem... uncertain. Shall I prepare the documentation for Kole's disciplinary action?"
Cero shook his head, letting out a long sigh. "Initially, I thought of punishing him. But now, I realize I misjudged him."
Sarah raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Cero glanced at the report again and took a sip from the coffee on his desk before responding. "Kole isn't just a soldier. He's someone carrying the weight of a past we don't fully understand. I requested additional information about his background, and do you know what I found?"
Sarah remained silent, waiting for him to elaborate.
"Kole was part of a French military mission in Africa—a liberation operation. During that mission, they were ambushed by an armed group disguised as civilians. Kole lost nearly all his teammates in that attack. He survived, but the trauma left a lasting mark. He became hyper-vigilant, even overly cautious," Cero explained.
Sarah nodded slowly, beginning to understand Kole's reasoning. "That explains his actions. He wasn't defying protocol out of malice—he was reacting based on his experience."
"Exactly," Cero said in a calm tone. "I called him foolish earlier, but in truth, he was more alert than anyone else on that team. I won't punish him. Instead, I'll commend his vigilance, though I'll make sure he understands his boundaries."
A few hours later, Cero summoned Kole to his office. The soldier entered with a firm stride, his uniform impeccably maintained despite the mental exhaustion evident on his face. He stood at attention before Cero's desk, his hands at his sides.
"Director," Kole said in an even tone.
Cero studied him for a moment before speaking. "Kole, I've read the report about your actions in the field. You know that you violated protocol."
Kole lowered his head slightly, his expression steady. "Yes, Director. I acted based on my assessment of the situation. If you believe my actions were unacceptable, I'm ready to face the consequences."
Cero regarded him with intensity—not anger, but a probing seriousness. "At first, I thought of disciplining you. But after learning about your background, I realized I was wrong to judge you so quickly."
Kole raised his gaze, surprise flickering across his face. "Director?"
"I know about the mission in Africa," Cero said evenly. "I know what you experienced there—losing your team to an enemy that disguised itself as innocents. That explains why you acted as you did today. You didn't want history to repeat itself."
Kole remained silent, but the tension in his shoulders eased slightly.
"I won't punish you, Kole," Cero continued. "Instead, I commend your vigilance. But you need to learn restraint. Being cautious is one thing, but overreacting can jeopardize the mission. Do you understand?"
Kole nodded slowly. "I understand, Director. And thank you... for your understanding."
After Kole left, Cero exhaled deeply and turned to Sarah, who was still standing by the desk, organizing documents.
"Contact the army commander," Cero instructed. "Tell him to come here immediately. I have something important to discuss."
Sarah nodded without hesitation, retrieving the communication device from the corner of the desk. Within minutes, the sound of military boots echoed through the corridor, followed by the arrival of Commander Ragner, the leader of Cero's army.
"Director," Ragner said, saluting crisply. "I'm here as requested."
"Good," Cero said, leaning back in his chair and gesturing for Ragner to sit. "We have something critical to discuss."
Ragner took a seat across from Cero, folding his hands on the table as he waited for instructions. Cero, calm but assertive, began speaking.
"Commander, I want to establish a new unit within our army," he said, his sharp gaze fixed on Ragner. "An elite unit tasked with serving as my personal guard during field operations."
Ragner raised an eyebrow, visibly intrigued. "A personal guard unit? Don't we already have enough personnel to accompany you on missions?"
Cero shook his head slightly. "Not just any personnel, Commander. I need a team that isn't just physically strong but also possesses sharp instincts and heightened vigilance. Their duty won't be limited to protecting me—they'll also anticipate threats before they arise."
Ragner nodded slowly, beginning to grasp the vision. "I understand. What will this unit be called, Director?"
"High Guard," Cero replied with a faint smile. "I want them to be a symbol of discipline and vigilance. Only the best will qualify."
Ragner considered this for a moment before responding. "Very well. I'll begin recruiting immediately. Do you have any initial recommendations?"
Cero's lips curled into a small smirk. "Kole."
Ragner paused for a few seconds, visibly weighing the decision. "Kole, you say? He's certainly a skilled soldier, but—"
"But what?" Cero interrupted, his tone sharp yet curious.
Ragner sighed. "He's impulsive, Director. His actions often push the boundaries of protocol, as we just saw. That said, I have to admit—he has exceptional instincts on the battlefield."
"Which is exactly why I'm choosing him," Cero stated firmly. "He understands risk and acts decisively. Yes, he needs more discipline, but I see immense potential in him. His experience makes him uniquely suited for this role."
Ragner nodded slowly, though a hint of hesitation lingered in his expression. "Understood, Director. If that's your decision, I'll include him in the selection."
"Beyond Kole," Cero continued, "I want you to handpick five more of our best soldiers. They must have clean records, sharp reflexes, and the ability to think under pressure. Test them rigorously, Ragner. I want no weak links in this team."
Ragner jotted down notes in the small notebook he always carried. "Understood, Director. This will be my top priority. How long do I have to complete the unit's formation?"
"One month," Cero replied. "I know it's a tight deadline, but we need to move fast. Winter is approaching, and I won't risk heading into the field without maximum protection."
"I'll ensure they're ready in time," Ragner said confidently.
Cero nodded, rising from his chair. "Good. I trust you, Ragner. Don't make me regret it."
After leaving Cero's office, Ragner convened a small team of subordinates in the military's tactical room. In front of him, maps of the region and a list of the army's top personnel were neatly displayed.
"Listen carefully," Ragner addressed the group. "The Director has tasked us with forming a new unit called the High Guard. It will be an elite personal guard. Only the best of the best will qualify."
One of the officers, a captain named Marcus, asked, "Do we already have candidates in mind, Commander?"
"Kole," Ragner stated plainly, eliciting surprised reactions from the group.
"Him?" Marcus frowned. "With all due respect, Commander, Kole is exceptional, but he isn't exactly easy to control."
"It's our job to shape him," Ragner interrupted firmly. "Besides, the Director personally recommended him. We don't have a choice."
Marcus nodded, though skepticism lingered on his face. "Alright. Who else?"
"We'll select five others from this list," Ragner said, pointing to a prepared roster. "Each candidate will undergo rigorous tests for physical endurance, mental resilience, and strategic thinking. I won't tolerate any weak links in this unit."
Thus began the formation of Cero's personal guard. Meanwhile, in another part of the base, the captured adventurers sat awaiting their interrogation.
In a simple, sterile room, the adventurers sat with their hands bound. Their faces showed exhaustion but also sharp vigilance. Garran, their leader, tried to maintain his composure despite the dire circumstances.
Lyria glanced nervously around the room. "How much longer are they going to keep us here? They haven't even said a word."
Kellen, the group's swordsman, grunted. "Maybe they want us to stew in this for a while. People like them enjoy these power games."
Aldrin, the archer, shook his head. "I'm not so sure. These people are different. Look at how they captured us—that wasn't the work of ordinary soldiers. They're more… organized."
Garran lifted his head, his eyes filled with wary speculation. "They have technology I've never even imagined. Whatever they are, we need to stay cautious. Don't give them any reason to kill us."
The door to the room suddenly swung open. A man in military uniform entered, holding a clipboard and wearing a neutral expression. Unlike the guards the group had seen before, this man seemed slightly more approachable.
"Good morning," said Marcus in a calm yet authoritative tone. His speech was fluent in their language. He sat down with a relaxed posture, though his sharp eyes studied each adventurer carefully. "I am Lieutenant Marcus, from Director Cero's forces. I'm here to ask you a few questions. It's in your best interest to cooperate."
The adventurers, seated on simple metal chairs, exchanged wary glances. Their expressions reflected a mixture of confusion and anxiety. Finally, Garran, the group's leader, broke the silence. "You can speak our language?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.
Marcus gave a thin smile. "Is that so surprising?"
"Well, yes," Garran admitted. "The people we've seen before you spoke in a language we didn't understand at all. So... this is unexpected."
Marcus nodded, as if he had anticipated this reaction. "I understand your concerns. But let's get straight to the point. Who sent you here, and why?"
The room fell silent again, except for Lyria, who bit her lip nervously. Garran, however, gestured for her to remain quiet.
Seeing their hesitation, Marcus sighed and leaned back in his chair. "I don't want to resort to violence," he said in an almost casual tone. "But you must realize that cooperation is the easiest way for all of us to get through this."
When the adventurers continued their silence, Marcus raised his hand and gestured to someone behind the transparent panel on the wall.
In an instant, an electric current surged through the metal chairs the adventurers were seated on. Their bodies jerked violently as they screamed in pain, the shock forcing cries from even the most stoic among them.
"AAARGH! What is this?!" Garran yelled, gripping the sides of his chair in a desperate attempt to stabilize himself.
The current stopped abruptly. Marcus regarded them with a calm, almost detached expression, nodding slightly as if to confirm the effectiveness of the measure.
"As I said," Marcus began, his voice steady, "I don't want to use violence. But if you refuse to cooperate, you leave me no choice."