The Council’s Dilemma

Easier said than done, for who could truly know how many living corpses lurked within this infected zone, making any attempt to traverse it exceedingly difficult?

And even if they managed to cross, what then? The kingdom’s military defenses, capable of holding back the living corpses, would naturally also repel their group of survivors.

Indeed, the moment they showed themselves, they would likely be instantly cut down by the soldiers manning the defensive line, mistaken for the very monsters they sought to escape.

For Yodel Finn, Yali Miller’s safety and his own were paramount; as for the other survivors, he would help if he could, but if not, there was simply nothing to be done.

Traversing the infected zone and the defensive line alone would pose no significant challenge for him, yet rescuing Yali Miller and the large group of people behind them would make the success rate virtually zero.

Moreover, he still wished to avoid disturbing Thanatos unless it was absolutely the last resort.

However, Yodel Finn currently perceived no death premonitions from anyone present, indicating that the East Academic Building was, for the time being, free from immediate danger.

—From what I’ve observed, the kingdom’s government should have already contained the spread of infection.

With external order not having collapsed, they are likely to dispatch rescue forces.

For now, we should hold our ground and await assistance.

****

In the west of Landon City, within the City Hall’s council chambers.

Yelica Cooper, Archdeacon Sasha, clergy of the state religion, Mayor Gris of Landon City, and other prominent figures had gathered, all present to deliberate on solutions for the unfolding crisis.

Mayor Gris was the first to speak:

—Thanks to the assistance extended by all parties, we have successfully contained the living corpses within the encirclement.

Our defensive lines are now stable, and the most perilous period has passed.

The expressions of the nobles and wealthy merchants present softened slightly, yet the representatives from the church and military maintained their profoundly solemn demeanor.

Mayor Gris continued:

—Here, on behalf of the citizens of Landon City, I extend my most sincere gratitude to Ms. Cooper.

It was her decisive action that prevented this catastrophe from engulfing the entire city.

—Archdeacon Sasha and Chief Abbas Heliq also played crucial roles in mitigating this disaster, and I offer my thanks to both of you as well.

Thunderous applause erupted within the council chambers, yet not one of the three individuals being honored displayed any sign of joy.

Yelica Cooper was the first to speak:

—Thank you for your praise, but forgive my frankness, this is far from a time for celebration.

We must immediately organize rescue teams; there are undoubtedly many civilians still awaiting our help within the infected zone!

—I agree.

If possible, please allow me to join the rescue team, Principal Heliq immediately stated, offering his support.

Archdeacon Sasha also nodded in agreement.

A surge of delight filled Yelica Cooper; her proposal to dispatch rescue teams served a dual purpose: to save the surviving civilians, and to extract Yodel Finn and his sister from the danger.

For now, everything seemed to be progressing smoothly.

However, the matter was not destined to conclude so perfectly, for a dissenting voice suddenly drew the attention of everyone present.

—My apologies, but I do not endorse sending rescue teams into the infected zone.

The speaker was a man clad in military uniform, his face marked by a scar, and a single eyepatch covering one eye.

He was none other than General Melson, the supreme commander of the Royal Capital’s Garrison.

—Why? Are we to abandon the citizens of our kingdom to their fate? Yelica Cooper demanded, glaring at the general.

She had never imagined that even a rescue proposal would face such opposition.

General Melson rose to his feet, meeting Yelica Cooper’s gaze directly:

—I swear upon my honor as a soldier that this decision is not born of personal motives, but rather from a rational assessment of the situation.

His forthright declaration momentarily stunned Yelica Cooper, causing her to swallow the reprimand she had been on the verge of uttering.

—Bishop Cooper, you and I have both commanded operations on the front lines.

You must be aware that living corpses can infect both transcendents and clergy.

What’s more, those infected do not lose their original abilities…

—According to a police officer, the infected do not completely transform into mindless lunatics; they retain the ability to use firearms and other weapons.

Furthermore, numerous soldiers have reported being attacked by transcendent living corpses, resulting in heavy casualties.

General Melson’s expression grew grim as he continued: