Cocolia quietly looked at Zeig before her, then glanced at the Furongwang cigarette.
She remained silent.
This was the first time anyone had dared to offer the Supreme Guardian a cigarette in Qlipoth Fort.
The entire series of actions left the people standing below utterly stunned.
Especially Pela—her glasses nearly slipped off as she quickly pushed them back up:
Big bro, did she even invite you to step forward? This is the Supreme Guardian.
Stepping forward was one thing—but offering her a cigarette?
Even in this day and age, the Supreme Guardian wouldn't smoke Furongwang, right?
At that moment.
Bronya, Pela, and Gepard all instinctively took two small steps back in unison.
They were afraid of being caught in the crossfire if Cocolia suddenly erupted.
"What's wrong? Don't be shy—take it." Seeing that Cocolia hadn't accepted, Zeig extended the Furongwang a little further.
"…"
Silence.
The entire hall fell deathly quiet.
Only Zeig continued enthusiastically offering the cigarette.
Under the astonished gazes of the three.
Cocolia reached out and actually accepted the Furongwang.
"???"
Pela's eyes widened as if witnessing a once-in-a-century spectacle.
Bronya was stunned too—she had no idea her mother smoked.
Though Gepard remained silent, cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He understood even less than the other two.
While the three stood dumbfounded, Cocolia placed the Furongwang on the table and smiled:
"Furongwang—an old brand. According to Bronya, your late master loved it very much?"
Zeig paused for a moment, then nodded vigorously:
"Yes, Furongwang—adults and kids alike love to smoke them!"
Cocolia: "…"
The Supreme Guardian silently opened her drawer and pulled out a metal stick.
She then displayed it to Zeig.
"This is a Relx 5th Generation. Back when I was a student, practically all my classmates smoked this kind of e-cigarette."
Hearing this, Zeig sniffled.
Cocolia held the Relx 5th Generation and slowly walked to Zeig's side, speaking freely:
"The traditionalists are certainly respectable, but what's past is past. New things will eventually replace the old—try this."
Looking at the e-cigarette Cocolia offered, Zeig casually accepted it and frowned:
"Relx 5th Generation—I've heard of it. However, since traditional tobacco still exists, it must have its reason for existing."
Zeig smiled faintly and pocketed the Relx 5th Generation:
"Just like today—if I had brought a Relx, I wouldn't have had the chance to offer you a cigarette. I can't exactly offer you a pod, can I?"
Under Cocolia's gaze, Zeig slowly moved to her right side:
"Besides, new things aren't necessarily better than the traditional. The persistence of the old guard isn't without reason."
Hearing this, Cocolia finally began to seriously appraise the so-called reclusive physician before her:
"Perhaps the old guard's stubbornness is fundamentally wrong? There's plenty of evidence proving that traditional tobacco is harmful, isn't it?"
Zeig said calmly:
"Indeed, it might not be a good thing to begin with. But Your Excellency the Supreme Guardian—why assume that new e-cigarettes are definitely better than traditional tobacco? They might be even more harmful to the body."
Below, Gepard felt a slight stir in his heart, though he wasn't entirely sure.
He quietly asked the two girls beside him:
"Do the Supreme Guardian and he really research tobacco that deeply?"
But the two didn't respond for a long while—their expressions had grown even more solemn.
Pela said faintly:
"Gepard… what they're talking about might no longer be just tobacco."
On the platform, Cocolia suddenly let out a soft laugh.
"Heh, it seems you've done your homework?"
Zeig smiled:
"Your Excellency the Supreme Guardian, it seems you've long had your own insights. I merely voiced them for you."
Cocolia walked to Zeig's side, reached into his pocket, and silently retrieved the Relx 5:
"You're quite interesting, but I can't give this to you—it's a graduation keepsake from a classmate."
She returned the e-cigarette to the drawer and said melancholically:
"Sometimes, I don't even know whether the consequences of taking a new path are good or bad—but I've long since had no way to turn back."
Zeig pocketed the Furongwang and spoke freely:
"Whether it's Relx or Furongwang, both are ultimately bad for health. Perhaps from the very beginning, neither path was right."
Cocolia raised an eyebrow and asked with interest:
"Then according to you, the solution is simply not to smoke?"
"Not at all." Zeig waved his hand. "Certain things always need to be released. The key is whether the right method has been found—a path that solves the problem without too great a sacrifice."
Above in the hall.
Cocolia gently sat down, fingers interlaced on the table, and said faintly:
"As expected of a physician—able to maintain an optimistic attitude no matter the circumstances."
Then her tone shifted:
"However, I am the Supreme Guardian. Every decision I make must be grounded in reality. Indecision itself is the greatest mistake."
"Your martial prowess and medical skills have already been witnessed by Bronya and the others—I trust them. You are too young, just like I once was, always clinging to too many beautiful ideals. You must understand that the world rarely allows for having both."
Cocolia glanced at the people below, especially Bronya.
"Since even Bronya strongly recommends you, I naturally support it as well."
She slowly stood, gazing at Zeig with a calm yet authoritative tone:
"Starting today, you shall serve as Belobog's Executor. Your authority… will be equal to Bronya's."
Immediately, the three below were shocked.
"What?!" Pela's eyes nearly popped out.
She had worked for so long and was still just an intelligence officer.
Bronya was practically raised by the Supreme Guardian herself—that's how she earned her current position. Why suddenly grant such immense authority to a physician who'd only just entered the city?!
"Executor Zeig." Cocolia said indifferently. "From now on, you answer only to my commands—understood? Even Bronya has no authority to direct you."
Zeig was also stunned.
He had indeed wanted an official position, but he hadn't expected one this big.
According to Cocolia, from now on, aside from following her orders, he could basically do whatever he wanted—even ignore Bronya.
"Uh, you're not messing with me, right?" Zeig asked suspiciously.
Cocolia smiled faintly. "Of course not. The other three may leave—I'll speak with you alone about the relevant matters."
The three below exchanged glances, expressions varied, and withdrew.
Leaving only Zeig behind.
"Then… what do I need to do?" Zeig asked.
Suddenly receiving such great authority—if he didn't do something major for Cocolia, he'd feel a bit guilty himself.
"Executor Zeig, you must be very curious why I suddenly granted you such significant authority, right?" Cocolia smiled.
"Yeah."
"There are many reasons. For example, lately my dear daughter has been a bit disobedient—she even talked back to me earlier."
"I'll go vent your anger for you right now!" Zeig immediately pulled out his AK from his clothes, loading himself with ammunition and preparing to charge out.
"Ahem, that's not what I meant." Cocolia stopped him.
"Then what did you mean?"
"I want you to keep an eye on her for me."
Cocolia's voice was filled with melancholy:
"With equal authority, she won't be able to control you—you'll have much more freedom. Her safety will depend on you. No problem, right?"
"From your earlier words, I don't believe you're unaware of the lockdown order. You're from the Lower District, yet even so, you were willing to treat the Silvermane Guards and come to Qlipoth Fort—so I trust your love for this city."
"Now—are you willing to accept this position?" Cocolia looked deeply into Zeig's eyes.
Zeig pursed his lips.
"Then… does it come with meals?"
…