A Precarious Alliance and a Foolish Boast

The two remained locked in a tense standoff, neither willing to yield.

“Both of you, may I present my proposal?” Mayor Gris interjected, stepping in to mediate.

The Mayor first addressed General Melson:

“General, what is the absolute deadline for the army to commence its bombardment?”

The General lowered his gaze, his voice grave as he replied, “Before 5 PM tomorrow. Exceeding that time, our defensive line will face dire peril.

“Mr. Mayor, I am not exaggerating the danger. The enemy’s sudden halt in their assault surely indicates a period of recuperation or reinforcement. Should they regain their strength and mass all their transcendent living corpses for a concentrated strike on a single point of our defenses, they could very well breach our encirclement.”

“Thank you for that warning; I understand the gravity of the situation,” the Mayor acknowledged, turning to Yelica. “Bishop Cooper, do you believe you can complete the rescue mission before 5 PM tomorrow?”

Yelica’s brow furrowed, a plea escaping her lips. “5 PM? We certainly won’t be able to save everyone by then…”

Archbishop Sasha interjected, his voice firm, “Yelica… we were never destined to save everyone. In our current predicament, every single life salvaged is a triumph.”

Seizing the opportune moment, the Mayor continued:

“Bishop Cooper, I propose that you lead a rescue team, tasked with rescuing as many citizens as possible before 5 PM tomorrow. Regardless of the progress made, however, the rescue team must withdraw punctually at 5 PM. After that hour, the military will initiate an indiscriminate bombardment of the infected zone.

“How does this proposal strike you both?”

General Melson and Yelica exchanged a pointed glance, a silent acknowledgment of mutual concession passing between them. Both recognized that any further wrangling would only afford the Eternal Life Society more precious time to consolidate their forces.

“Agreed!” they concurred, a unified front finally forged.

With the meeting hastily concluded, Yelica swiftly organized an assault team, comprising monks from the Chant Church (TL Note: A religious organization in the story), national clergy, and elite royal infantry.

Though modest in size, this unit concentrated the elite fighting prowess of all major factions.

Regrettably, Archbishop Sasha and Principal Heliq were unable to join the rescue team.

As the only two powerful forces with mobile capabilities, they were indispensable as a ‘fire brigade’ on the defensive line, poised to counter any sudden assault by the Eternal Life Society’s transcendent living corpses.

Thus, the assault team completed its assembly on the eastern flank of the infected zone and began its infiltration into the living corpse-controlled territory.

Their movements swiftly drew the attention of the Eternal Life Society.

****

The Elder reported to Balin, “My Lord, we have noted a bishop leading a small contingent across the defensive line, penetrating the infected zone.”

“Oh? Have you ascertained their objective?”

“Not yet, but I possess another crucial piece of intelligence.”

“Speak quickly.”

“A report has come in: the God-favored one with whom I clashed has infiltrated the university and already dispatched a living corpse.”

A shadow of worry crossed Balin’s face. “The God-favored one and the bishop, cooperating from within and without? Are they initiating a full-scale counterattack?”

“Not necessarily. If it were truly a full counterattack, that force would be far too modest in scale. I surmise they are conducting an advance reconnaissance; the true offensive is likely still being prepared.”

“Nonetheless, they are bound to come for us eventually, aren’t they? How are our preparations for the breakout progressing?”

“My Lord, we have more than enough ordinary living corpses, but to break out, we require more transcendent living corpses and additional weaponry. In my estimation, that assault team presents an excellent target.”

“You intend to strike at them? Wouldn’t that be too risky, considering a bishop is leading the force?”

A flicker of grim determination crossed The Elder’s face. “To my knowledge, that particular bishop has only recently taken office and has not yet truly attained full bishop-level strength. Moreover, our supply of ordinary living corpses is more than sufficient. Sacrificing these expendable living corpses to acquire a squad of transcendent living corpses would greatly aid our breakout.”

Balin, swayed by the logic, nodded his assent.

“Proceed as you’ve outlined. Find an opportunity to encircle them and transform them into living corpses.”

Despite having secured Balin’s agreement, The Elder showed no intention of departing.

“My Lord, this matter is of paramount importance. I implore you to act personally.”

While Balin, as a leader, was lacking in temperament and strategy, in terms of sheer power, he was undeniably the strongest within the Eternal Life Society.

Only with his personal intervention could The Elder guarantee the plan’s flawless execution.

Balin, naturally, harbored no desire to place himself in peril. Yet, the thought of the assault team escaping, potentially leading to a failed breakout and the ruin of the Eternal Life Society’s foundation under his leadership, weighed heavily upon him.

After much deliberation, he grudgingly acceded to The Elder’s request.

Time flowed onward, and the sun ascended, banishing the night.

****

Within the East Academic Building, the survivors had erected a makeshift barricade from desks and chairs. Though exceedingly crude, it was undeniably better than nothing.

“Hey, where’s this rescue you spoke of? It’s already dawn, and there’s not a soul in sight!” Bob, still smarting from the humiliation of the previous night, began to voice his grievances.

He continued to seethe over Yodel’s power grab, which had caused him to lose face so spectacularly.

Trapped in peril yesterday, he had been unable to erupt. Now, with a measure of temporary safety, his suppressed fury surged uncontrollably.

Yodel cast a dismissive glance his way. ‘The barricade has only just been secured, and order within the city remains precarious,’ he thought. ‘How could a rescue team possibly arrive so swiftly?’

Nevertheless, he had no desire to waste words on such a man. He simply ignored Bob’s provocations, leaving him to yelp and bark in isolation.

Seeing Yodel disregard him, Bob continued to fan the flames.

“You probably don’t even know if a rescue team is coming, do you? Honestly, were your words yesterday just a pack of lies to us?”

Upon hearing this, Yodel felt nothing but utter exasperation. ‘How could someone so utterly incompetent dare to provoke and mock others so brazenly?’ he mused.

Fearing that this fellow’s continued bluster would undermine the survivors’ morale, Yodel seized Bob by the collar, delivering a stark ultimatum:

“If you utter another word, I’ll send you down to keep that living corpse company.”

“No, you wouldn’t dare!” Bob crowed triumphantly. “You yourself stated yesterday that throwing someone down would create a disturbance and attract the living corpses. If you kill me, this place will be swarmed immediately!”

Yodel rolled his eyes. “Is it not, perhaps, conceivable that my desire to kill you isn’t limited to merely throwing you over the edge?”

“Heh heh, if you lay a hand on me, I’ll scream, drawing every single living corpse our way. If I’m going to die anyway, I might as well drag all of you down with me!”

‘Alright, alright, so that’s how you want to play it,’ Yodel thought, his patience wearing thin.

The moment those words left Bob’s lips, Yodel mentally condemned him. ‘This madman cannot remain with the group; I must find an opportunity to dispose of him,’ he resolved.

Observing Yodel’s hesitation, Bob concluded his threat had worked, and thus continued to unleash more aggressive remarks:

“Do you even know who I am? Young man, I advise you not to be so naive. When you’re out in the world, connections matter. Do you know what kind of power stands behind me? Once I get out of here, I’ll make sure someone teaches you a proper lesson!”

“Pfft…” Yodel nearly burst out laughing.

‘My backer is Thanatos herself. No matter how formidable you are, could your connections ever be as strong as mine?’ he mused inwardly.

With a smile playing on his lips, he inquired:

“I’m quite curious, actually. What kind of backing do you have? Do tell.”