Zombie Domination-Chapter 55- War

Lucia sat motionless in the corner of her cell, her mind racing, when the cell door clanked open without warning. Two guards stepped inside, their expressions unreadable.

"You’re free to go," one of them said simply.

She blinked. "What...?"

Before she could process it, Marek appeared, his presence sharp and cold as ever. He stepped forward, his boots echoing against the metal floor.

"The general has decided to give you a second chance," Marek said, his voice laced with disdain. "Though I still don’t understand why he’d waste military resources on a traitor."

Lucia’s eyes narrowed. "I’m not a traitor. I did what I had to do to protect—"

"Save your excuses," Marek cut her off. "I’m not here to argue."

He raised his hand, glowing faintly with a bluish hue as he activated his skill: [Tracking]. A thin, searing mark shimmered into existence on Lucia’s upper arm, an intricate, glowing tattoo-like sigil.

"This mark will let me find you anywhere," Marek warned. "If you try to run or do anything stupid, I’ll know. And I’ll come for you myself."

Lucia looked down at the mark, jaw clenched but saying nothing.

Marek turned to the guards. "Escort her to the front lines. She’s to be deployed immediately."

As the guards prepared to move, Lucia took a step forward, her voice quiet but tense. "What about Elien? And Claus? Are they free too?"

Marek paused, but didn’t answer. He simply walked away, his silence louder than any reply.

Lucia stood in place for a moment, her fists tightening at her sides, the mark on her arm still glowing faintly. Then, without another word, she followed the guards out of the cell.

Her fate now led to the battlefield.

-------×-------

Julian sat on a bench near the barracks with the others gathered around. Celestia stood before them, arms crossed behind her back, her voice calm and composed.

"Mr. Elien will be released temporarily," she said. "He’s being sent to the frontlines."

Aya’s eyes widened, her voice trembling. "W-What about my little brother? Claus?"

Celestia shook her head gently. "Claus is still under observation. They haven’t made a decision about him yet."

Julian narrowed his eyes slightly, voice low and thoughtful. "I’ve been wondering something. Why is this base constantly at war? You have massive walls, it should be enough to keep the zombies out."

Celestia sighed, her tone shifting. "That’s the problem. The undead don’t just wander here. They charge in waves, relentlessly. It’s like something’s drawing them here. The walls can’t take too much of it, so we fight them outside before they reach the base. That’s our battlefield."

Julian’s eyes flickered with suspicion. Something is wrong here... Zombies never act with purpose. They always move on instinct. Unless... something inside this base is attracting them.

Clarissa tilted her head. "So... does that mean we can go visit Mr. Elien?"

Celestia nodded slowly. "You can, but he’s already been sent to the battlefield. If you want to see him, you’ll have to go there yourselves."

Julian leaned back slightly, one hand resting on his knee. "Then let us join the deployment. More firepower can’t hurt, right?"

Celestia hesitated, then gave a small nod. "I’ll pass that on to my captain."

Aya fidgeted nervously next to Julian. "A-Are you sure it’s okay for us to go to the battlefield...?"

Julian turned to her, calm and unwavering as always. "It’s fine. I have business there too. After all..." He paused, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "I’m going to visit my father-in-law."

Aya’s face turned a deep shade of red. "W-What...?!"

Emma and Clarissa giggled quietly behind their hands, while Veronica rolled her eyes with a scoff.

Celestia’s lips twitched ever so slightly, just short of a smile. "Then we should prepare. It won’t be long before we move."

------×------

The battlefield was quiet now, save for the groans of the wounded and the urgent footsteps of medics weaving through the rows of injured soldiers. Blood stained the soil, the scent of gunpowder and scorched flesh still lingering in the air.

Elien moved quickly among the wounded, his coat soaked in blood, none of it his own. His eyes were sharp, focused, and his hands steady as he crouched beside a soldier whose arm was barely attached.

"Stay calm," Elien said, voice low and reassuring. "You’ll be fine."

He placed both hands near the torn limb and activated his skill: [Nerve Grave].

A soft, ethereal glow emerged from his palms as the magic surged through the shredded nerves and veins. Threads of silver light traced along the exposed muscles, knitting tissue back together, bridging torn fibers, and reattaching nerves. The man gritted his teeth, his face twitching from the pain, but the worst was passing.

"There," Elien whispered as the final strands sealed the arm whole again. "You’ll need rest, but you’ll keep it."

He nodded to the attending nurse before moving to the next patient. There was no time to pause.

Then, the tent flaps shifted.

Lucia stepped inside, her military uniform torn and soaked in dried blood, the sharp scent of battle still clinging to her. Her expression was stern, but her eyes held fatigue.

"The fighting’s over," she said simply.

Elien looked up and gave her a grateful nod. "Thank you for your hard work, Lucia."

He turned back to another soldier, already preparing for the next healing.

Lucia folded her arms, leaning against a nearby table. "We’re lucky to be standing. Maybe we’re just too valuable to throw away."

Elien chuckled softly, pressing his hand against a wounded soldier’s side. "Then I’ll use that value. I’ll finish this war... and bring Claus home."

Lucia gave a faint smile. "Looks like your optimism’s finally resurfacing."

Before Elien could answer, a young soldier rushed into the tent and stood at attention before Lucia.

"Ma’am, there are visitors asking to see Mr. Elien."

Lucia raised an eyebrow. "He’s busy. Tell them to wait."

But before the soldier could respond, a series of steady footsteps echoed outside. The tent flaps parted again.

Leading the group was Lieutenant Celestia in her pristine uniform, followed by a group that needed no introduction.

Julian. Clarissa. Emma. Veronica. Aya.

Elien froze.

His eyes locked onto the girl in the back, the young woman with trembling lips and wide, glassy eyes.

"Aya...?" he whispered.

Without a word, Aya rushed forward. She collided with him in a tight embrace, burying her face in his chest as her shoulders shook with quiet sobs.

Elien wrapped his arms around her tightly, his body stiff at first, then trembling, overwhelmed by the reunion he had longed for.

"I’m sorry," he whispered into her hair. "I’m so sorry, Aya."

And for the first time in what felt like forever... he let himself breathe.

In the background, Aya sat beside her father, her hands clutched tightly in his as they spoke in hushed, emotional tones. Their reunion was gentle, month of longing crumbling away in the warmth of each other’s presence.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the field tent, Julian and the rest stood face to face with Mayor Lucia.

Lieutenant Celestia stepped forward, saluted with precision, and spoke in her usual composed tone, "Congratulations on your release, Mayor Lucia."

Lucia raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. "Was that sarcasm?"

Celestia blinked, her usual cold façade cracking just slightly. "That’s... not what I meant. I meant it in a more respectful way—"

Lucia chuckled softly, a rare glimmer of amusement flickering across her face. "Relax. I get it. You haven’t changed at all, Celestia."

Celestia cleared her throat, regaining her composure as Lucia turned her gaze to the group standing behind her.

Her sharp eyes scanned over them before she asked, "And these people are?"

Celestia began the introductions. "This is Julian. Emma, Clarissa, and Veronica."

Lucia gave each of them a short nod, then looked past them to the young woman sitting with Elien. Her eyes softened slightly.

"So... that must be Aya?"

Celestia nodded. "Yes. She is."

Lucia folded her arms across her chest and leaned slightly back. Her voice dropped into a more serious tone. "So... what brings you all here? You do realize civilians aren’t permitted in the warzone."

Celestia responded calmly, "They came to reunite Aya with her father. And... they’ve requested to assist in the battlefield."

Lucia’s expression darkened. Her eyes sharpened as she swept her gaze across each of them. Her voice was firm, commanding.

"Let me be clear: the battlefield is not a playground. It’s not a place for sentiment or pride. You should all go home and value your lives while you still can."

Her words struck like a cold wind.

Veronica’s smirk faded. Emma’s eyes narrowed slightly. Clarissa lowered her gaze. Julian, however, remained still.

He looked,Lucia’s sharp gaze without flinching.

"We may not be official soldiers," he said calmly, his voice steady. "But we’ve taken down more mutated zombies than we can count. The more hands that can fight, the more lives that can be saved. You know as well as I do, refusing capable help is a reckless risk."

His words hung in the air like a drawn blade.

Celestia, who had been silent, blinked in surprise at Julian’s boldness. Even she hadn’t expected him to speak so directly to a superior officer.

Lucia stared at Julian for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, unexpectedly, the corners of her lips twitched into the faintest of smiles.

"You’ve got guts," she said. "Fine. You can join."

She stepped forward, her boots crunching lightly on the dusty ground as she looked at each member of the group.

"But if any of you prove incompetent," she added, her voice cold again, "I’ll personally drag you off the battlefield myself. Understood?"

Julian gave a curt nod. "Understood."

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