Seed of Titan-Chapter 225: Noise in the Cell

"Thanks for the offer, but I’m good," Drai flatly rejected.

"...Well, if you say so," Alancho said, secretly questioning Drai’s manhood. He was sure any other teenage boy would be drooling if they were given the same opportunity. After all, not only were the two young ladies very fair, the connections they brought were also invaluable.

"Anyway," Alancho then continued, "please forgive me for not being able to help you with your detention this time around. Even though I’m sure the details haven’t been leaked, news of your transgressions has spread to many officers and probably soldiers too, so I don’t want to give the impression that military command is easily undermined by pushing for your release. Moreover, if we simply release you after what you’ve done, your case will set a dangerous precedent for future acts of disobediences, and I’m sure those who are vying for my fall will use it against me."

Drai sighed, somewhat fed up with the intricate world of adults.

"Uncle, even if you don’t explain it in detail, I understand your decision. As long as I’m not branded as an insurgent, traitor, or anything like that, I’m fine with being detained. Of course I’ll be missing a lot of training, but I could use the downtime to reflect and contemplate, and at least it’s better than going on a date with Auri or Nat."

Hearing Drai’s response, Alancho couldn’t help but smile a little. Although he was puzzled by the young man’s peculiar preferences, he couldn’t be more sure of his lack of ulterior motives.

After a few seconds of silence, the general eventually said, "Alright then, I must go now. Try not to go crazy from boredom if your detention turns out longer than expected. I’m pretty sure you haven’t done anything that warrants a court-martial, so don’t worry too much."

Following this, Drai sent off the pair with a smile that instantly faded the moment they left. He then sat cross-legged again on the floor, not to meditate but to review his harvest and plan out his development. After all, he had a new goal now—taking down the insurgent group that was behind the smuggling, and if possible, eliminate their leaders with his own hands. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

At the same time, Ailem was in the front seat of an unassuming military jeep, driving Alancho back to his office.

"Honestly, that was a lot tamer than what I expected," she suddenly mentioned.

"What did you expect?" Alancho asked from the back seat.

"Definitely a lot more scolding, and maybe a bit of you mentioning the reason for his enlistment."

"Come on, I’m not that heartless. How could I have scolded him when he’s like that? You must have sensed it too, right?"

"I did. That’s why I kept quiet."

"I thought so. He was trying so hard to appear fine, so I didn’t want to bring it up—or reprimand him. And I’m sure I would’ve acted the same too had I been in his shoes at his age."

"Really? Are you saying you could slay more than twenty adults when you were eighteen?" Ailem questioned with a doubting grin.

Despite the obvious teasing, Alancho wore a serious expression when he replied, "I could, but not in a spectacular way like how he did it."

Ailem was astonished, not because of the statement itself but because she sensed that Alancho was telling the truth, which meant that he was either delusional or actually capable of achieving that incredible feat. However, she didn’t pry further since she knew it should be a highly personal matter, otherwise the general would have mentioned it to her at least once.

"Speaking of, has Drai told you about the agreement between us that made him enlist?" Alancho asked.

"Technically, yes, but he only mentioned it in passing. Don’t worry, I still have no idea what it’s really about."

"Who’s worried? There’s nothing questionable or illegal about it. I just think it’s better to keep it a secret.

"...Because of the colonels?"

Alancho’s face darkened slightly. "That, and several other reasons—but enough about that. Now, tell me, did you spot any lies earlier?"

"Yes, but nothing too concerning. They were mostly about his refusal of a leave and counseling."

"I knew it. He must still have a masculine pride despite his aloofness."

"Huh? How is masculinity even related to this?"

"Heh, you wouldn’t be asking if you were a man."

Noticing Ailem’s eyeroll through the rear mirror, Alancho hurriedly explained, "Men are conditioned to not show too much emotions, so a counseling session is like a nightmare to us. Besides, those with narrow mindsets may also think that such endeavors are signs of weakness. We’ve basically been expected to deal with our feelings on our own throughout our lives. It’s not all that bad though—if not for this, I probably would’ve skipped my duties back then and just cried all day for who knows how long."

Hearing this, Ailem fell silent. Even without Alancho mentioning it, she was aware what he was referring to, for the flavor he was emanating was one of their secret signals, the same one they used when they intruded Drai’s torturing session almost two weeks ago.

"And that’s probably why Drai refused the counseling offer. He just didn’t want to admit he’s currently emotionally vulnerable," Alancho concluded.

"I guess there’s nothing we can do if that’s really the case. Well, time will heal, so I hope he doesn’t grieve for too long."

Alancho suddenly straightened his posture, his face bright as he said, "Actually, I might just be able to do something to cheer him up, although that will require a lot of talks and preparation."

"Eh? What are you thinking of?" Ailem asked as she slowed down the jeep since they were about to enter the parking lot.

"Sorry, but I can’t reveal it now. There’s a chance it won’t happen, at least not this early. I need to see what the others think first before I can be sure."

After parking the jeep in a reserved spot, Ailem turned around and grumbled, "Why even bother mentioning it if you won’t tell me anything?"

"Because you asked, why else?" Alancho said before letting out a chuckle.

Ailem turned away and pouted, prompting the general to lean forward and peck her cheek.

"Come on, let’s go," he said after ruffling her hair a bit.

Blushing faintly, Ailem tidied herself and exited the jeep. While she followed Alancho’s steps as they headed toward the building’s entrance, she couldn’t help but wonder how the snide Lieutenant Blaise would react if he ever found out that the rumors he sometimes brought up sarcastically were, in fact, largely true.

***

Later that night back in the high-security ward at the detention center, the only two people in the corridor were cupping their ears while frowning. Contrary to what they were told by the pair of guards before them, their current inmate wasn’t quiet at all. In fact, he had been causing a ruckus since the evening, not long after he was served dinner.

Following a series of loud banging, the young man’s bellow was heard, forcing the two to cup their ears tighter.

"Fuck this kid," the shorter of the two cursed after the shouts finally faded, replaced by the usual muffled thumping and rustling, which were much more easy on their ears.

"Fuck his parents," the taller one took it a bit farther.

Not too long after, the howling resumed, and the duo once again assumed a deep frown. Luckily for them, it didn’t last too long this time.

"Fuck his neighbors," the shorter one cursed again, seemingly losing his mind.

"Are you sure he’s not faking it?" the tall one asked.

"I don’t think someone could fake this kind of thing for hours, unless they’re messed up in the head. If he were really in danger, medics would’ve arrived already, so he’s probably fine."

"Maybe he’s getting nightmares..."

After hearing this and noticing his partner’s change of expression, the short one asked, "What’s wrong? Do you know something about his situation?"

"You know he’s Monster, right?"

"Yeah, that special recruit who got famous after destroying a few machines. Honestly, I don’t see what’s so special about that. I could probably do the same, but I’m not so dumb to try that."

"Duh, you’re in your thirties already, while he’s not even twenty," the tall guard mentioned, not hiding his exaggerated eye roll.

"Oh. I didn’t know that."

Glancing at the cell door, the short one gulped in reflex before muttering, "Now that nickname makes total sense." He then turned to his partner again. "So what about the nightmare you mentioned? Is it because he’s still a kid? Don’t tell me he still pees in bed too."

"No, idiot! Not that kind of nightmare!" the tall one barked, startling his partner.

"So... what kind?" the short one nervously inquired.

"The kind of nightmares veterans still get from their war with the insurgents—you know."

"But how? Is it because of the recent mock-mission incident? It was his squad, the Cursed Seven, that trained that day, right?"

"Yeah, and maybe that contributed too, but early this morning when I went out for some air, I passed by some guys who had just returned from outside. And you know what they were talking about? The gruesome bodies they had to pack up. Only after I asked around later that noon did I find out that it was the Cursed Seven again. Those guys I saw were actually backups for their night raid."

"You think Monster did it?"

"Either he or Menace, but Menace hasn’t done anything too rash since last year, so I don’t know..."

Both their gazes drifted to the door again.

Just then, a loud slam on the metal door caused them to jump away in shock. Following that, a familiar alarm rang from inside.

Looking at each other, they both yelled, "The suppression rings!" before turning to the door, staring at it nervously.