"Attention! The tsunami will arrive in five minutes. There are only five minutes left before impact!"
The broadcast from the Ark Base echoed throughout the facility, reaching every corner.
Belle's expression tightened. "There are still so many people outside who haven't made it in. Do you think these leaders will let them in?"
Fenric smiled faintly. "That's none of our concern. We're just passing through."
Hearing his words, Belle fell silent and simply nodded.
She was smart enough to understand her place. Though she felt sympathy for those outside, Fenric's word was final. She wouldn't argue.
When you're following someone like Fenric, you need to have the right mindset.
"Want to go see the tsunami?" Fenric asked casually, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Belle's eyes brightened. "Sure!"
Their attitude was almost surreal.
While most people were trembling in fear, these two were treating the end of the world like a vacation.
Others watched sunsets by the sea—Fenric and Belle were about to watch a tsunami.
When Fenric led Belle downstairs, everyone who saw him instinctively moved aside. They didn't even dare to meet his gaze.
In the command center, the elderly woman and her prime minister were present.
Seeing Fenric approach, they stiffened and forced themselves to step forward.
"Your Excellency, is there something you require?" the elderly woman asked, her tone cautious.
"No," Fenric said with a dismissive wave. "Just here to have a look. Continue with your work."
He then took Belle to the prime viewing area—a spot with a massive glass wall offering a clear view outside.
This was also the elderly woman's favorite spot.
the elderly woman: "…"
The viewing platform was designed for one person. With Fenric and Belle standing together, it was slightly cramped, and occasional contact was unavoidable.
Belle could even catch Fenric's scent. Her face turned slightly pink, and a strange feeling welled up in her chest.
At that moment, a voice came from the command center speakers:
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is Dr. Adrian Helmsley, chief scientific adviser to the late President Wilson Sun.
"In order to preserve humanity, we have made difficult choices. But as humans, we should care for one another. Civilization is about working together to create a better future.
"Right now, our actions lack compassion. They are inhumane. Can we truly stand by and watch those people outside die?"
The words were stirring, almost identical to the original plot.
Just as the ordinary people outside were falling into despair, this scientist delivered a heartfelt speech. His passionate plea moved the leaders and convinced them to open the Ark gates.
This heroic act saved countless lives—and earned him the title of a savior.
Fenric chuckled softly. "Belle, compared to this hero, do I look like the villain here?"
Belle glanced at the man on the screen and snorted. "That's just a tired, sentimental speech. Honestly, I find it strange.
"These heads of state—aren't they supposed to be shrewd and ruthless? Who among them isn't a cunning old fox with a heart of iron? And yet, a single speech can sway them? It feels ridiculous."
Fenric laughed. He wouldn't tell Belle that this was merely how the "script" had to unfold.
However, because of the delay caused by letting the ordinary people board, precious time was wasted.
"Thirty seconds to tsunami impact! Brace for collision!" shouted the Ark captain.
Fenric and Belle turned their heads. Through the glass, they saw it—a monstrous wave, towering like a wall of water, rushing toward them.
"Oh my God, protect us…"
Cries of fear and prayers filled the hall.
"Belle, hold on tight," Fenric murmured calmly.
Belle nodded quickly and grabbed the handrail with both hands.
BOOM!!
The wave slammed into the Ark base with devastating force.
The colossal structure shuddered under the impact. The vibrations were so strong that many people lost their footing and fell.
Belle almost slipped, but a firm hand caught her in time.
"Careful," Fenric's voice murmured near her ear.
Her heart skipped a beat, and her ears turned pink.
The first wave of the tsunami was deadly. Several arks suffered ruptures and sank instantly.
Each vessel represented the last surviving population of a nation.
In other words, entire countries were wiped out in that single wave.
Fortunately, Fenric already knew how events would unfold. The Ark No. 3, blessed with luck, endured the impact with minimal damage and successfully stayed afloat.
The hardest part was always the first wave.
Once you survived that, the worst was over.
Two hours later, the Ark resurfaced.
Through the glass, they could see an endless ocean stretching out in all directions.
This was Mount Everest, the highest peak on Earth—now submerged beneath water.
The scale of the disaster was beyond imagination.
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister… we've lost contact with the other arks," the captain reported gravely.
the elderly woman and her prime minister exchanged a solemn glance and nodded.
After a pause, the elderly woman approached Fenric.
"Your Excellency," she said respectfully, "you are a man of extraordinary abilities. Would you… advise us on what we should do next?"
Fenric raised an eyebrow.
Was this old woman treating him like some sort of god?
A quick glance around the command center revealed that everyone—leaders, officers, and crew alike—were all staring at him expectantly.
Well… looks like I am a god to them.
After a moment of thought, Fenric said, "Survive. The sea will eventually recede, and when it does, new continents will emerge.
"Until then, do everything you can to live."
This was not just empty talk. In the original course of events, after a few months, the waters would recede slightly, and due to tectonic shifts, parts of the land would rise—offering humanity a final chance of survival.
Hearing Fenric's words, hope returned to the people's eyes.
The human spirit is resilient.
As long as there's even a glimmer of hope, they will fight to survive.
"Thank you for your guidance!" the elderly woman said gratefully.
After discussing with the prime minister, she issued a strict rationing order: from now on, each person would receive only two pieces of bread and one bottle of water per day.
Fenric gave a faint smile and turned to Belle.
"Let's go. Time to head back to our room."
"Okay," Belle replied softly.