Chapter 12 Loyalty and Submission

Outside the ICU at Woodland Hospital, Zachary gazed at Viviana's pale little face. His usually cold expression softened. In the adjacent room, several doctors and specialists were deep in discussion, consulting one another, and conducting experiments. At that moment, a doctor with severe burn scars covering the left side of his face stepped out. He was stunned when he saw Zachary, his expression shifting from shock to disbelief and then to overwhelming joy. Their Holy Sovereign had returned! Once he was certain, he rushed and greeted Zachary with his left hand pressed to his chest. "Carlo Theisen, reporting from the Medical Corps, at your service, Holy Sovereign!" Zachary turned his head to see Carlo looking at him excitedly. "It's been a while, Dr. Theisen," Zachary said with a faint smile. Carlo was the chief doctor in the Medical Corps, and with him here, Viviana's chances of survival had just increased significantly. Zachary shifted his gaze back to the ICU and asked, "How is my daughter?" Carlo was startled when he realized that the patient they had been consulting on was Zachary's daughter. It all made sense now. No wonder the shadowguards had dragged me out of bed and brought me here. Everything fits together perfectly. No one else had the authority to mobilize shadowguards, and no one else would dare treat a member of the Medical Corps this way. After calming himself, Carlo looked at the little girl inside and sighed. "Holy Sovereign, we've already run forty-three simulated trials. As long as we can secure a liver, I guarantee the operation will succeed, and the Princess will recover!" Zachary nodded, satisfied. "Very good." Then his mind drifted back to Carolina. This matter would eventually involve her ... "Holy Sovereign, Madam has arrived at Woodland." As Zachary was lost in thought, a shadowguard interrupted him. Zachary blinked in surprise. He had expected that he would have to use force to bring Carolina here to save Viviana. He hadn't anticipated that she would come on her own! She had made it clear before and had even given him child support. It was clear that she was ready to leave him and their daughter. He wondered why she had suddenly changed her mind and come all this way. Was it because she couldn't bear to leave Viviana behind? What does she have on her mind? Zachary felt his heart stir, unsettled by Carolina's unexpected move. Pushing these thoughts aside, Zachary ordered, "Bring her here. Explain Viviana's condition to her ... and see what she decides." The shadowguard nodded and left. Zachary walked into the hospital's stairwell, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. His thoughts were a mess. She had turned my world upside down once more, just like six years ago. I was supposed to be decisive and ruthless. I had already decided back at the café that if Carolina remained so cold-hearted, I wouldn't hesitate either. If she refused to cooperate, I would use force to capture her and use her liver to save Viviana. What should I do now? Ever since Zachary saw Carolina being kidnapped, his heart has started beating for her again, just like it did six years ago. He understood why she had pushed him away and why she resented him. But he didn't know what he was supposed to do if Carolina had already chosen another man. As a Holy Sovereign who was invincible in battle, he was now completely thrown off balance by a woman. Suddenly, Zachary's phone rang. His expression turned solemn as he heard the special ringtone, indicating new developments. He answered the call, and sure enough, the voice on the other end reported, "Holy Sovereign, we've found medical records from two years ago that match the timeline of the Princess's liver condition, according to the report from Ninth Base!" Zachary responded coldly, "Continue." "The person involved is Dr. Otis Burns from Phoenix District Fourth Hospital in Bilchester." Zachary took a deep breath, his voice seething with anger. "It's Bilchester again! Very well! Prepare the car—we're going there!" Five of Zachary's shadowguards, fully armed, followed closely behind him. As Zachary passed, people gasped in awe. "It's the Holy Sovereign! The Holy Sovereign has returned!" Faces lit up with fervor as everyone greeted him respectfully. "Beau Lambton, Commander of the Wolf Guard, at your service. Welcome back, Holy Sovereign!" "River Brooks, from the Wolf Guard, at your service. Welcome back, Holy Sovereign!" "David Turner, from the vanguards, at your service. Welcome back, Holy Sovereign!" "Charles Francis, from the Ironclad Legion, at your service!" "Peter Ryan, from the vanguards ... " "Jake Knight, from the military logistics ... " "Hugo Jones, from the Desert Eagle Legion ... " One by one, they appeared and greeted Zachary with devotion. Wherever Zachary set foot or wherever his gaze landed, there was nothing but loyalty and submission. Zachary paused to look at his people. Though he was focused on seeking revenge for his daughter, he couldn't help but be moved by their unwavering faith in him. He was their Holy Sovereign and their beacon of hope. Zachary surveyed the crowd and commanded calmly, "At ease." "Understood!" Their synchronized voices seemed to shake the very sky. As they raised their heads, a path was cleared, and passionate gazes were fixed on Zachary. The Holy Sovereign had returned!