Everyone turned toward the voice, which was Zeke returning after a reconnaissance of the neighboring terrain.
Phoenix gave him a curious glance. “Who are you? Are you talking to us?”
He nodded. “I'm their Centurion—Zeke Williams.”
Zeke Williams?
Phoenix's eyes raked over him.
Earlier, she thought Apollyon was their Centurion.
Truth be told, she was a little disappointed when she first saw Apollyon. She thought his rugged looks didn't suit such an elegant appearance. However, the unease in her heart was allayed once she finally met the real Zeke Williams.
Mhm, this is the appearance that the name should have.
Phoenix asked coldly, “Why did you call out to us?”
“I just want to say that you and my people are equally dimwitted,” he responded.
What the—
Anger rose in Phoenix's gut.
My first impression of you was favorable, but your first words were to refer to me as “dimwitted.” All right, I'll show you what a real dimwit looks like.
She bore holes through him with her glare. “I'll show you which one of us is the moron!”
“Do it, then!”
Zeke said, “You use your fists rather than your wits when problems arise. You are a bigger dimwit than I expected.”
I—I'll make you pay for that! I have never been insulted like this in my life.
“I have a general idea of what happened. Phoenix, don't you think someone is trying to drive a wedge between us?” he continued.
Her eyes lit up at the words “drive a wedge” as the proverbial light bulb clicked on over her head.
That's right. The situation does look like someone is sowing the seeds of discord.
The most important thing is that I fell for it hook, line, and sinker. If Zeke hadn't intervened... Damn it, who is behind this?
Phoenix drew in a deep breath and looked at Zeke. “Who do you think is it?”
“Do you mind talking in private?” Zeke inquired.
Phoenix contemplated it for a while. “Okay.”
He glanced at two of her subordinates. “Both of you can come with.”
She was suddenly nervous. “What is the meaning of this?”
Only one phrase came to mind—total annihilation.
“Would your subordinates be a concern to me if I really wanted to get rid of you?” he asked.
That seemed to assuage her worries.
She followed Zeke to a deserted location, her subordinates close behind.
“Would you like to know who the mastermind is?” He asked.
“Of course I would,” Phoenix replied. “But you have to prove that someone else is sowing dissent and not you. Perhaps you staged things to make it appear as if a third party is involved.”
Zeke was rendered speechless.
To put it nicely, Phoenix was a highly suspicious and overcautious person.
To be harsh, she was dense, truly dense!
He elaborated, “Firstly, you and I have no bad blood, and I see no reason to harm you. Furthermore, I'm a newcomer who isn't firmly established. I would have had a few loose screws in my head to tread on a Centurion's toes. Secondly, you wouldn't have stealthily killed two of my men to exact revenge instead of raising an army against us. Thirdly, you're straight as an arrow. You would have taken credit for it if it was really you rather than beating around the bush.”
She mulled it over. “Fine, what you said makes sense. I'll believe that there is a mastermind for the time being. What is your plan to flush him out?”
“It's simple,” Zeke answered. “My question for you is, what is the mastermind's true motive?”
Phoenix shook her head. “I'm not a parasitic worm living inside their body. How would I know their thoughts and motives?”
Words eluded him once more.
This woman is indeed dense.
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