There's No Love In the Deathzone (BL) novel Chapter 369

Chapter 369: Chapter 361. Playing Field

When Zein arrived in the Peak, Senan and Cohen were already there to accompany him as his bodyguards. Interestingly enough, Jock was also there.

"It feels like it’s been such a long time," Zein greeted the man, whose position had been replaced by Bassena for the past few weeks.

And honestly, the only reason Bassena wasn’t there with him right now was because he had another stuff tasked by Radia.

"It is," Jock smiled amiably. He had gotten fond of going around with Zein and learning about the world’s conspiracy--more or less. "And I have a feeling you won’t need my service anymore in the future," he said while glancing at the Kovacs.

"It was hard to tell the Elder to stay home," Senan said, shaking his head. "But it’s not like we’re going for leisure, so--"

"So we bribe him with your pictures, Young Master--if you would," Cohen raised his arm, pointing his commlink’s camera toward Zein, who just chuckled lightly as he let the police snap some pictures of him smartly dressed in the suit Radia carefully picked for him.

"Can a police officer have a side job?" Zein tilted his head. The time during the night ambush on the lakeside was a secretive move, so Cohen being there wasn’t such a big deal, as long as he wasn’t found out.

This one, however, was an official public appearance. Well, although it was secretive too, in nature, since it was the Houses meeting.

"Oh, I quit," Cohen said lightheartedly, with a grin. "I only became a police officer to get access to registered citizens--which you weren’t a part of, unfortunately. Never had a heart for that, I’m afraid, so..."

"Huh? What are you doing now, then?" Zein asked curiously.

"He’s preparing himself for another tower’s trial," Senan said. "And then he’ll join the brigade."

"Your wedding--"

"No wedding," Cohen crossed his arms. "Girl only wants a police officer, turned out."

Senan smirked and patted the younger man’s back. "Better know now, don’t you think?"

"I guess," Cohen shrugged. The man didn’t look heartbroken or anything, so perhaps he was only accepting because the girl was being persistent, and feelings hadn’t grown too much yet.

"Well, if it’s what you want to do," Zein peered at Cohen’s eyes.

Cohen shrugged, smiling a bit loosely than when he was an officer. "It is, for now."

"We always welcome new workers--I mean, members," Radia said as he walked down the stairs with the matriarch. "In case you want a chance of pace."

Cohen smiled and bowed politely. With Zein and Arlo in Trinity, it almost felt like the Iron Shield became the guild’s association. He went outside with Jock then, to prepare the portal they were going to use.

"Aren’t you looking dashing, Young Head," Ludya Mallarc said with a subtle smile, as Radia relayed his grandmother’s hand to Zein.

"Your turn, Young Head," he said. "Now, I have to fly. Goodbye, Grandma," he gave the matriarch a quick peck on her cheek, before dashing toward the door.

"He put his old grandmother to work and just went away like that," Ludya shook her head and sighed exasperatedly.

Radia turned his head with a grin on his face. "I love you ever so much," he said cheerfully, before vanishing behind the door.

"Still a rascal," the matriarch grumbled lightly while holding onto Zein’s elbow.

"Well, at least he’s a lot cheerful now," Zein commented. Even though he had a mountain of things to do for this counter-operation, Radia looked more energetic than ever.

"Love truly does wonders," Ludya muttered. There was a hint of solemnity and respect in her voice, as if she was proud of something--which, Zein had a feeling, wasn’t about Radia. He stared at the matriarch inquisitively, but the old woman only smiled with a cryptic twinkle in her eyes. "Shall we?"

* * *

"You know him, don’t you?" Zein asked in the middle of the quiet drive, inside the limousine they used after they arrived in Rexon.

He didn’t specify who, but he didn’t need to. Ludya glanced at him briefly, before responding with an amused smile. "I do. Well, I did," she said. "He came to me boldly, in secret, making such an outrageous proposal that I would have thrown him away if it wasn’t so amusing."

"May I know what?"

She let out a long, nostalgic sigh. "He told me he wanted to make a trade," she started. "He said he would protect my grandson, and destroy the device that would harm him continuously in the future."