Eric did not want to disturb Michelle. Leonel, spotting him staying silent beside the opened door, watching Michelle noting the foods and water jugs on the other side, sensibly placing the water jugs and foods without disturbing Michelle.
Michelle nodded and said, "Thank you." Leonel nodded and said, "Welcome," and went to the door, greeting the Emperor, and left, wanting to finish the task as soon as possible.
After all, he did not want to keep the Emperor waiting.
Eric, meanwhile, waited in silence for another minute until Axel entered and gasped in shock to notice the Emperor on his side. In fact, he was deeply startled by the Emperor's stealthy presence.
He was about to put down the water jugs and bags and greet the Emperor, when the latter swung his hand and pointed at Michelle with his mouth. Axel was sensible and nodded, walking towards Michelle.
Michelle, on the other hand, heard Axel's noise. She instantly turned around and gasped in surprise to see the Emperor, smiling at her. She stuttered. "E-Emperor… You are here."
Eric nodded. "Yes. I've just finished training the new survivors with exercises so they will be ready for their awakening. How is progress?"
Michelle professionally replied, "The food will last us a month, considering we don't hold back to providing food for others. As for the water jugs, I still have to ask Samantha about their purity, but I believe, compared to other water jugs that were contaminated, it also should last us a month for consumption."
Eric nodded. "Good work." He paused for a while, watching Axel place the water jugs and pour the food onto the mountain of noodle packs and canned goods, and continued, "I plan to clear the other blocks. So, our work will not stop. I will bring you all to fight outside."
Axel hastily turned around. His eyes sparkled in excitement, sharp winds began to manifest around him. He said, "Really?!"
Eric smiled and nodded. "However, we will not have lunch. It's alright to skip lunch. After all, you already have breakfast, right?"
Michelle and Axel nodded. They remembered the Emperor rarely ate, so he did not join them eating breakfast earlier. Now, he's skipping lunch, too. Did he want to die? However, no one wanted to question the Emperor's action.
After all, every two days he would only eat once full meal, and he was fine, then. He was also fighting zombies while rarely eating. They even speculated that the Emperor's secret to being strong was not eating three times a day, or even two times.
Eric said, "However, finish this task first. I plan to finish clearing the blocks within a day since I have you all. You better not disappoint me."
"Yes, Emperor!!!" Axel and Michelle said simultaneously, while the former saluted in a military salute.
Eric smiled, nodded, and left. He said, "I will just be in my room, or observing the other survivors train. Call me when you're done."
"Certainly!" Axel said.
The candle lights illuminated around, dancing seductively, reflecting the shadows of the Emperor, leaving the house. Eric glanced at it and thought. During the establishment of the Empire, electricity should already be accessible. He thought of Andrew.
He gave a greenlight to Andrew earlier to bring his pc to his room, as well as any electrical devices used while providing him grey crystals. Eric believed his capabilities. Hopefully, Andrew was able to create a portable station. He did not care if it would attract the zombies.
I'm not alone…
…
Fifteen minutes later, as Eric decided not to proceed to his room and kept observing the exercises and meditation of the other survivors, he perceived footsteps behind him echoing ten meters away at nine o'clock. He turned his read to his left and already knew it was Zoe.
Birdy flapped his wings from his nest and flew towards Zoe, landing on her shoulder, while nudging his head to her cheeks. Zoe smiled and caressed his cheeks.
The pink gate was already opened, as though there were no zombies to be feared. With the Emperor guarding the gate, the survivors felt safe when they closed their eyes to meditate.
Zoe entered and informed the Emperor they were ready.
Eric nodded and left the pink gate, he turned around and saw Axel, Andrew, Leonel, and Michelle were already waiting outside the gate of the other house. Two more houses away was the intersection—the vertical, being Zone 3.
Eric walked towards them and Zoe followed him behind. She communicated with Birdy, asking if he was ready to fight with her, and he nodded vigorously. Zoe smiled, taking out the brass knuckles on her pocket and wore them.
Eric noticed her actions and smiled. It was not only her who already had their weapons. Andrew already wore brass knuckles, Axel was clutching two kitchen knives he found on other houses, Leonel was grasping a steel staff on his right hand—a meter long, and Michelle was gripping a Y-shaped Slingshot she personally made.
On her belt, there were two pouches. The left pouch was filled with stones and the right was filled with nails with different sizes.
Just as Eric was staring at her, thinking about explosive pellets, his eyes lit up. He thought. What if combining the Unyielding March to my Pyromancy could ignite a flame on their attacks? Of course, Eric's pyromancy should only be directed to a person one at a time, or lest he wanted to exhaust his energy in an instant.
In addition, providing flames on Leonel's attack would negate his ability. Hence, he was only planning to mix fire elements on Michelle's rocks, so it would explode upon impact.
It might also worked on Axel too, since wind and fire element compliment each other. If Axel could produce a sharp wind while he could supplement it with fire, it would double the lethality.
However, he had to be aware of his plans first, so they wouldn't be surprised if their attacks were suddenly ignited with flames.
Alright, let's experiment later. For some reason, Eric was looking forward to fighting with them…