By then, seven or eight other volunteers had arrived, with only a few still to come. Claire Sinclair’s arrival took them by surprise.

"Reporter Sinclair, I didn’t expect to see you here!"

"Haha... What a wonderful surprise! Reporter Sinclair, I had no idea you were so kind-hearted on top of being a great writer. On behalf of the disaster victims, thank you!"

Claire Sinclair smiled shyly. "Please, don’t say that. I’m just an ordinary person, doing what little I can to help those in need. Society needs this kind of positivity."

"Right! People are so apathetic these days. We have to do our part, act with kindness and integrity. That’s the only way to awaken the consciences that have gone numb."

"Reporter Sinclair, welcome to the volunteer team!"

"Thank you, everyone." Claire Sinclair smiled, suddenly feeling full of energy.

A few minutes later, everyone had arrived.

Led by Julian Holt, the group split up, five people to each of the three SUVs. With their trunks and roof racks packed with relief supplies, they followed the main rescue team and set off for Garlan Town!

After a journey of two days and a night, the volunteers followed the rescue team deep into the Southern Frontier Mountains.

Garlan Town was located in the heart of the Noval mountains, nestled between eight peaks of similar height, from which it took its name.

Garlan Dam was Aridia’s second-largest dam, and its collapse was the culprit behind the recent Great Garlan Flood.

The rescue team led the volunteers to the entrance of Garlan Town, only to find their path blocked by a vast expanse of murky, yellow water.

Everyone got out of the cars and walked to the end of the road. As they gazed ahead, their expressions turned grim.

The rescue team’s captain said, "Garlan Town is up ahead. See that tree? That’s where the town is. Right now, that tree is the only thing visible. All the residents have been evacuated to the mountain on the other side. Our mission is to deliver supplies to them."

Julian Holt couldn’t help but ask, "With so much water pooled here, why don’t you release it?"

The rescue captain replied with a helpless expression, "You saw it on the way here—the floodwaters downstream haven’t fully receded yet. If we release the water from up here, it would undoubtedly cause a secondary disaster for the people downstream. We can only consider discharging the floodwaters once the victims there have been properly resettled."

Hearing this, Claire Sinclair couldn’t help but step forward. "Captain Shaw, do you know where Adjutant Hawkins and his team are?"

"Adjutant Hawkins?" Captain Shaw looked at Claire Sinclair with curiosity.

Claire Sinclair quickly explained, "I mean Aiden Howkins, and Nancy Lockwood’s team. Do you know where they are?"

Realization dawned on Captain Shaw. "Oh, you mean the team from Quincy Manor! They’re the main rescue unit for this operation. See those eight mountains across the way? They should be somewhere in between them right now. They’re responsible for draining the floodwaters from Garlan Town, and we’re responsible for getting supplies to them."

"Is the drainage mission difficult?"

"If it were easy, it wouldn’t still be unresolved after all this time."

"So... it’s dangerous, then?"

"Danger is a given. Why? Are you scared?"

Claire Sinclair shook her head gently. "My husband is on their team. I’m worried, not scared."

Hearing this, Captain Shaw said in surprise, "Reporter Sinclair, you’re married already? You seem so young!"

"I’ll be twenty-three in a few months. That’s not that young, is it?"

"Haha... Fair enough. Who’s your husband? I might know him."

Claire Sinclair smiled. "I’ll tell you who he is when I see him."