Chapter 77: Chapter 66: Azuregard City Crisis

Azuregard City was bordered by the mainland on three sides and the sea on one. It was the only naval base with a waterway route to Morhaven.

It was once a bustling coastal metropolis, home to a district famously known across the country as the "city that never sleeps." By day, its people hurried about their business; by night, they lost themselves in the district’s dazzling lights and revelry, a release from the pressures of society.

But today in Azuregard City, the streets were a scene of utter devastation. The roads and walls were spattered with filth and blood, and mangled vehicles blocked every path, from major avenues to narrow alleyways.

On streets that should have been teeming with life, only a few zombies with unrecognizable faces now wandered aimlessly, searching for their favorite meal: flesh and blood.

Outside the gates of the Azuregard City Naval Base, a long line had formed. On both sides of the line, armed soldiers maintained order.

Inside the Naval Base stood the city’s tallest observation tower. Located right on the coast, it sometimes doubled as a beacon for ships at sea.

"Command, Command, based on the last known signal from our dispatched support vessel, their position was in the Gorgon Sea."

"Please try the satellite channel again."

"We’ve tried. All signals from the support team have vanished. The cargo ship’s signal is gone too. Should we dispatch another team to search?"

The Azuregard City Naval Command Center fell silent. General Lynch, a man in his late sixties, wore a dark blue military uniform. His hair was impeccably combed, and his face was a mask of grimness and grief.

"Dispatch another twelve-man team for a sea rescue. We must bring our soldiers back!" His voice was resonant and powerful, betraying none of the weariness expected of his age.

The communications officer on the other end hesitated for a moment, then asked, "And... should we still search for the cargo ship?"

Sherman Lynch fell silent.

Azuregard City was a coastal city with a booming trade industry. But just a short while ago, the unthinkable had happened: a virus emerged in the city proper, turning the infected into bloodthirsty, cannibalistic monsters.

The most terrifying part was that any person or animal bitten or scratched by these monsters would gradually turn into one of them, and then go on to attack the living.

The hospitals were the first to fall. By the time a military squad arrived after receiving the news, the entire hospital had become a domain of monsters. Of a twenty-man armed unit, only five returned.

Within days, all of Azuregard City had become a paradise for these monsters. They were everywhere—on every major street and in every back alley, lurking in every corner of every market.

Not even one in ten survived. The remaining few flocked to their Naval Base.

The food and supplies at the Naval Base had been sufficient for its soldiers and officers, but the constant influx of civilians seeking refuge was rapidly depleting their resources.

After they requested a supply drop from high command, the cargo ship vanished into thin air as it approached the waters of Azuregard City. They dispatched a team to search, but the search team’s vessel also disappeared without a trace, all communication lost.

"I disagree with sending more personnel to search the sea."

Although Milton Adler held the same rank as General Lynch, he was his second-in-command and held less authority.

"Azuregard City is in crisis. We don’t have many soldiers at the base to begin with. Sending more men out to sea is too risky. I believe we should focus on securing and stabilizing order in the city before making any other plans." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Sherman Lynch looked at Milton Adler in surprise, his expression shifting from astonishment to anger.

"Vice General Adler! Those are our soldiers! We can’t just leave them to die!"

Milton Adler sneered, the sarcasm in his expression unmistakable.

"Is it that you can’t abandon the soldiers who risk their lives for you, or that you can’t abandon the food supplies that were coming to support us?"

"You! Don’t you know how important food and resources are for Azuregard City right now? Without that food, how will our soldiers and officers at the base, and all the civilians who came from the city, survive?"

Milton Adler suddenly stood up and looked at the others in the room. Besides Sherman Lynch, there was Chief of Staff Hugh Warren, two colonels, and a captain.

"Have you forgotten what times we’re living in? Go and look outside! Ninety percent of Azuregard City’s population of over a million have turned into zombies! We might be able to provide for these refugees for now, but can we do it forever?"

No one refuted him. Everyone lowered their heads.

"Our Naval Base is relatively safe for now, but what if a zombie appears among the civilians? How would we handle that? And don’t forget, we’ve nearly exhausted our ammunition saving those people."

Milton Adler continued, "Therefore, my recommendation is to halt the sea rescue. We should organize teams to scavenge for supplies at nearby farms. There’s also a large flour mill close by. If we can bring back even some of that flour, it would solve our base’s most pressing problem."

The officers nodded in approval of Milton Adler’s words, but when they looked at Sherman Lynch, they didn’t dare to meet his eyes.

"You! Have you forgotten? Among those men out at sea are your former comrades-in-arms and friends! How can you be so heartless as to disregard their safety at a time like this?"

The room fell silent. Then, Milton Adler suddenly said, "If you insist on assembling a sea rescue team, it’s not entirely out of the question. How about this: let’s put it to a vote. Should we go out to sea for the rescue, or should we follow my suggestion and scavenge for supplies nearby?"

"All in favor of General Lynch’s plan, raise your hand."

As soon as Milton Adler finished speaking, Sherman Lynch raised his hand. He scanned the room, counting. One... two... three. Only three voted in favor of the sea rescue. Adler’s proposal, however, passed unanimously.

"Sigh... Fine. Since none of you agree to the sea rescue, I’ll wait for Evan and his team to return, and then I’ll lead a mission out to sea myself."

Having said his piece, Sherman Lynch rose from his seat and started to leave. But just as he reached the doorway, Milton Adler blocked his path.

"General Lynch, times have changed. A soft and indecisive temperament like yours is no longer suited to lead the Azuregard City Naval Base. From now on, I will be taking full command. I trust you... won’t have any objections?"

After speaking, Milton Adler waved to someone outside the door. Two soldiers armed with rifles came in, their muzzles aimed squarely at Sherman Lynch.

"Milton Adler! Are you staging a mutiny? The Adler family may be powerful, but they don’t run the Azuregard City Naval Base! I was appointed directly by national command to lead this base. You have no authority to relieve me of my command!"

Sherman Lynch’s eyes blazed with fury. The sheer force of his presence as a general made the two young soldiers pointing their guns at him weaken at the knees. This was, after all, a general forged in the crucible of battle, not someone who could be intimidated by mere power-mongers.

"What are you afraid of? Escort General Lynch to his quarters to rest! If you’re scared of an old man with no gun and no soldiers, how are you going to fight the zombies outside?"

Milton Adler’s words gave the two soldiers a backbone. One of them pointed his rifle at Sherman Lynch’s head, and as if to embolden himself, said rudely, "General Lynch, let’s go. Don’t make us use force, alright?"

Sherman Lynch looked at his former subordinates and comrades sitting around the table. All of them sat in silence, heads bowed, not saying a word. He finally understood.

"Good. Good! Just wonderful! With such brazen ambition, isn’t the Adler family afraid their schemes will one day be exposed?"

"Hahaha, and you don’t believe me when I say you’ve gone senile! So what if our schemes are exposed? The Adler family has money when we need money, and soldiers when we need soldiers. Besides, the apocalypse is here. It’s time for a change in the masters of this world."