Chapter 180: A Tour Around Kazuichi Stronghold

As Kazuichi, Arisu, and Lea walked through the gates of the Kazuichi Stronghold, they were greeted by familiar faces and the comforting sight of their home. The stronghold was a bustling hub of activity, with people going about their daily tasks and the sound of machinery humming in the background.

"Welcome to the Kazuichi Stronghold, Lea," Kazuichi said, his voice filled with pride. "Let’s give you a tour and introduce you to the residents." He didn’t waste any time to offer her a tour since he was also excited to do so.

Lea nodded, her eyes taking in the sights. "I’m looking forward to it. Thank you for having me."

In silence, Arisu silently smiled as she tagged along. It’s been so long since she had personally toured someone of the stronghold. As for Kazuichi, this was a first for him so she was looking forward to it.

They began their tour with one of the stronghold’s most iconic features—the waterwheel. As they approached, Lea could hear the steady creak and splash of water. The waterwheel was an impressive structure, standing tall and turning with the flow of the river that ran alongside the stronghold.

"This is Jurou’s masterpiece," Kazuichi said, gesturing to the waterwheel. "Jurou is a Bulwark Hybrid, just like you. He was my butler before the apocalypse, and he’s one of the most skilled engineers I know."

With admiration, Lea admired the splendid waterwheel with awe.

The waterwheel slowly rotated as the waters flowed underneath it, creating a scenery that could rival any description of a fantasy world in the middle of an apocalypse. It’s as if it belonged to the nature, an untouched piece of art.

Kazuichi smiled. "Jurou takes great pride in his work. The waterwheel provides power to the entire stronghold. It was one of the first projects we completed when building this place."

As they continued their tour, they passed by gardens and workshops, each area buzzing with activity. People waved and greeted Kazuichi and Arisu, their faces lighting up with smiles. It was clear that the community here was close-knit and supportive.

"Everyone here works together to keep the stronghold running smoothly," Arisu explained. "Each of us have roles to fulfill, and the residents play a big part in those roles."

They made their way to a central courtyard where two people were practicing martial arts. Upon closer inspection, Lea noticed that the woman was probably their age, but she was sparring with a much younger girl who was holding a dagger. "That’s Tris and Amaya," Arisu said, pointing them out. "Tris is a skilled fighter, and Amaya has a rare ability called The Canary, which makes her a natural repellant for zombies."

Noticing the group, Tris stopped the sparring, waving at Kazuichi and the others in greeting. As for Amaya, she happily smiled before running towards Kazuichi, giving him a big hug. Kazuichi patted her on the head before urging her to continue her training.

"Kazuichi, Arisu! Welcome back," Tris said with a broad smile. "And you must be Lea. It’s great to meet you."

"Thank you," Lea replied, smiling back. "It’s good to be here."

Tris nodded in agreement. "You’re in good hands with Kazuichi and Arisu. This stronghold is a safe haven, thanks to everyone working together."

They continued their tour, moving towards the fields of wheat. The golden expanse stretched out before them, swaying gently in the breeze. It was a beautiful and vital part of the stronghold’s self-sufficiency.

"This is where we grow our wheat," Kazuichi explained. "It’s essential for making bread and other staples. We have a dedicated team that tends to the fields. And if you noticed, on the other side, we have rice paddies. It’s connected to the river so we don’t have to work on watering them all the time.

Lea marveled at the sight. "It’s amazing how much you’ve accomplished. This must have taken a lot of hard work."

Arisu nodded. "It has, but it’s worth it." She commented, remembering the good old days when they first established the Kazuichi Stronghold.

Next, they made their way to the mountaintop, where a reservoir had been built. The view from the top was breathtaking, with the entire stronghold spread out below them. The reservoir was a crucial source of fresh water for the entire stronghold.

"This reservoir was a massive undertaking," Kazuichi said. "But it ensures we have a reliable water supply. Jurou played a significant role in its construction as well."

Lea looked out at the expansive view, feeling a sense of awe and gratitude. "It’s incredible. You’ve truly built something remarkable here."

They descended from the mountaintop and headed towards the farm where meat and poultry were produced. The sound of animals and the smell of fresh hay filled the air. It was a bustling area, with people tending to livestock and ensuring everything ran smoothly.

"This is our farm," Arisu said. "We produce our own meat and poultry here. It’s a vital part of our food supply."

Lea watched as workers moved efficiently, caring for the animals and maintaining the farm. "It’s impressive. Having a sustainable source of food is so important."

Finally, they arrived at the field where most vegetables were grown, along with a plot of land dedicated to fruit-bearing trees. The vibrant colors and the fresh scent of produce filled the air, creating a sense of abundance and life.

Lea looked around, feeling a deep sense of appreciation for the stronghold’s self-sufficiency. "You’ve created something truly special here. It’s an honor to be part of it."

As they finished the tour, they returned to the central courtyard. Kazuichi and Arisu shared stories of their past adventures, their bonds with the community, and their hopes for the future. Lea felt a growing sense of belonging, grateful to be among such dedicated and caring individuals.

Just as they were wrapping up their conversation, a figure approached them, her presence commanding attention— or so that’s how she wanted to appear.

Mizunochi Ayaka, the stronghold leader of the Scarlet Blood Stronghold, had just arrived at the stronghold. She was relieved to be on time since Kazuichi just returned from his undertaking.

"Kazuichi, Arisu," Ayaka greeted them with a nod. "It’s good to see you both again. I heard about your recent mission. Impressive work as always."

Kazuichi smiled before letting out a chuckle. Quite frankly, he had been feeling the nerves ever since he started the tour. He wasn’t the sociable type, after all.

However, after seeing Ayaka’s face, and remembering that she was also a Dement, his nerves somewhat calmed down, and his tense shoulders relaxed as he addressed her. "You left your stronghold again, I thought you won’t be visiting for a long time." He teased.

Puffing her chest, Ayaka ’hehe-ed’ at Kazuichi before looking at Lea with interest. "So you’re Lea, I just heard from Jurou that we have a visitor, another Bulwark just like him. By the looks of it... you’re pretty strong, huh." She mentioned. "Well, welcome to our Kazuichi Stronghold!"

"Our stronghold?" Kazuichi repeated, but Ayaka paid her no mind.

As for Lea, she nodded her head as she responded. "Thank you, Ayaka. I’m honored to be here."

Ayaka turned her attention back to Kazuichi and Arisu. "I have some matters to discuss with you regarding the Omega Gigantic Zombie. Let’s find a more private place to talk."

They made their way to a meeting room within the stronghold, the air filled with a sense of purpose and determination. As they sat down, Ayaka began outlining the latest developments and strategies for tracking and confronting the monumental threat.

"The Omega Gigantic Zombie’s movements have been erratic," Ayaka explained. "Our scouts have been tracking its progress, and we’ve implemented new precautions to ensure we’re prepared for any sudden changes in its path." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Kazuichi nodded, his expression serious. "Is it still evolving? And what do we know about its current location? We better hope it’s still falling for our baits."

Ayaka pulled out a map, pointing to several marked areas. "It’s currently moving through this region. We’ve set up monitoring stations and have teams ready to respond. But we need to be vigilant. Its unpredictability makes it a formidable threat."

Although Lea had no idea what the Gigantic Omega Zombie looked like, she knew that it was the worst threat a stronghold could face. In silence, she intently listened in to the meeting, hoping to get as much information as she could.

The discussion continued, with each member contributing their insights and strategies. The room was filled with a sense of urgency, but also hope. They knew the challenges ahead were immense, but they were determined to face them together.

As the meeting drew to a close, Ayaka stood up, her expression resolute.

"I guess we have a lot of work ahead of us. Speaking of work... are you going to the Hybrid Mountain Stronghold, Kazuichi?" She asked but her sparkling eyes implied that she didn’t want a ’no’ for an answer.