Global Awakening: Apocalypse Ender's Chronicle - Chapter 976

Chapter 976: The True Enemy
Unfortunately, Shane was still busy since he had plenty of things to do and couldn’t help Fiona for now. He had several shelters under his command, and it wasn’t easy for him…

What he was worried about wasn’t just the threat of the zombies. He also checks the progress of the roads being built to connect the shelters or even bridges, so caravans can pass safely. Furthermore, to increase the coverage of his land, he had to place checkpoints to prevent ambushes and ensure safer roads.

Aside from that, Shane also had to check the living conditions of the survivors…

He remembered the cramped tents of Springriver Manor, the endless noise of families packed together, and their hygiene.

After all, even if they had high Loyalty Points to him thanks to his Talent, that didn’t mean that they were happy in their lives and that they wouldn’t complain.

The Loyalty Points just basically ensured that they wouldn’t betray him, and it didn’t mean that they couldn’t think for themselves.

Houses had to rise, kitchens had to feed, and water had to flow clean… Survivors needed more than walls, they also needed dignity.

With better living conditions, the reputation of his shelter would naturally go high, and thus, it would increase the chance of attracting highly talented Survivors through the Fog.

Then, food supplies were another constant worry. Fish farms were only the beginning. The Animal Husbandry was also just a couple of months old.

Grain had to be traded as well with their Zombie Cores and other resources since what they were producing was really not enough, and even storage had to be protected against rot…

A hungry shelter was a restless shelter, and Shane knew morale could collapse faster than any wall if that happened..

It didn’t end there, resources for development were stretched thin. Stone from quarries, timber from forests, ores from mines… all had to be distributed carefully.

Then there were also those people who had fallen… If they had left behind their families or even if not, compensation had to be given, not just in coin or rations, but in recognition. He wanted everyone to know their sacrifices were not forgotten, that their loved ones had died for something greater…

This would also increase the morale of those soldiers fighting on the frontlines…

Then, beyond these obvious burdens were also the unseen threats. Shane also had to be cautious of Wild Shelters, Clan Shelter, Neutral Shelters, and others. After all, diplomacy was as dangerous as any battlefield, and one wrong word could spark conflict.

Even culture and morale demanded his attention… Based on his limited knowledge about running a territory, survivors needed other things, not just necessities for survival; they also needed hope.

Markets, festivals, even music and games had to be encouraged, for a hopeless population was as dangerous as the zombies themselves.

And always, in the back of his mind, Shane would think of their future. With the revelation of the unexplored zones in the sea, if he didn’t prepare fleets and expeditions, others would seize those opportunities first…

***

“Shane… I’m not a Territory Commander… I’m not trained for this.” Fiona commented as Shane had barely trained her to run a territory.

Furthermore, she was not used to handling people. She’d rather meet them through her rats…

Still, since a special Warden Unit with Cloud’s access was always beside her, she could always ask the A.I. for assistance.

Hu~

After taking a deep breath, Fiona went to meet them all.

Outside the gates, Fiona could see the whole caravan…

Wagons creaked under the weight of crates and barrels as they were pulled by sturdy horses bred for endurance.

Guards armed with spears, crossbows, and handguns surrounded the convoy.

These merchants hadn’t arrived by sea or aboard a ship. They had come from the west, likely passing through Hound Shelter… the same place where she, Shane, and Alex once stopped to buy their pizza.

The caravan leader, a broad-shouldered man with a trimmed beard and a long coat, dismounted from his wagon.

He seemed to be a warrior, but he didn’t look unfriendly… He wanted to talk to Fiona, but before she allowed them inside, she raised her hand.

Even if the gates were already opened for them, they still had to be checked.

“Hold. No one enters without inspection.”

At her signal, several physicians and Warden Units stepped forward.

A large tent had already been prepared just outside the gates…

The guards and merchants weren’t clueless about this since all shelters with good leaders would obviously care about the spread of the virus.

To be honest, Fiona’s rats could easily detect if someone got infected by the Zombie Virus.

However, it was better to have these people checked by physicians instead of rats that would come close to their bodies. That didn’t feel right after all.

So, even if she also wanted to use her rats to inspect their goods, she decided against it as it might cause some issues if they complained that her rats contaminated their products instead.

“Every caravan must be checked,” Fiona said firmly. “We cannot risk infection spreading inside our walls. Your people will enter the tent one by one. Physicians will examine you, and only then will you be allowed through.”

The merchant leader gently nodded, showing no resistance. “Fair enough. My name is Brock, leader of the Owl Tale Caravan. We brought weapons, fabrics, medicines, and rare materials. If inspection is the price of entry, we will comply.”

His words eased the tension, and the escort warriors or guards lowered their weapons slightly. One by one, the caravan members were guided into the tent.

Physicians checked their eyes, skin, and pulse, while Warden Units scanned for traces of infection. Crates and barrels were also inspected, lids pried open to ensure no hidden corpses or contaminated goods had been smuggled in…

However, as one of the physicians was checking an armed escort warrior, he noticed an injury on his body! Before he could ask anything, he realized that there was already a knife stuck to his throat!