Chapter 770: The General and The Major, A Talk Inside the Infirmary (1/2)

Day 162 - 11:42 AM - Infirmary, Military Encampment, New Infanta Settlement, Infanta, Province of Quezon

The military lost all its high-ranking officers but two. Major Bautista was absent from the settlement. It was only General Faustino who was holding up the military from collapsing thoroughly. And he was severely injured.

Without a concrete foundation, the military would slowly collapse. It would already be good if that was all. However, it was very likely that the people lurking in the dark would hold power with what remained, putting everyone's safety to risk.

That was why even if General Faustino was not in shape to lead at all, he was still doing so, using Jones as his hands and feet.

It was not like there were no capable people left within the ranks of the soldiers. Nonetheless, being in the position of leading a group and being one of the settlement's pillars could not be based on a soldier's rank alone. They needed experience was a very crucial aspect for a person to lead people. It was one reason why only those who aged enough were in those positions.

In the current situation, it would be hard to just pick anyone from the remaining soldiers and promote them. After all, a soldier's rank was earned and not just given abruptly. Giving a soldier a rank unbefitting would cause more trouble as it would plant discord among the soldiers.

Still, Major Bautista returning alive would cause the situation to turn for the better. It would be hard to lead the soldiers with nothing but a disabled General and his proxy.

At this time, General Faustino turned to Mark.

”Looks like your managed to fulfill your end of the deal, bringing Alfonso back completely fine, despite what happened in the world. How about Chervil and the others?”

General Faustino asked.

”They are fine. Chervil is busy studying new things in the base. The others are also enjoying their stay.”

Mark replied, causing those that heard his words to stare at him.

After all, he said that they were enjoying their stay. Who would enjoy what in this world at its current state?

Major Bautista could only smile bitterly. Mark was not joking, after all. Joash and the others were indeed enjoying their stay there. There were many new things that they had not seen in Mark's base and a few facilities unavailable in the settlement.

Especially a bathhouse.

Looking at it, every soldier here did not seem to have any proper bath for a long time. However, Mark's group, even Major Bautista, looked neat and clean. Even his uniform was washed properly.

”Ahem.” General Faustino coughed a bit, making those staring look away. ”It is good then. But it looks like it's only Alfonso who you brought back.”

”It's not easy to go here, you know,” Mark replied. ”The amount of radiation in the surroundings is not safe for travel. Although I have methods that I used to go here, that can only be used on a small number of people. Or did you not know?”

”Of course we knew.” General Faustino said. ”Although we haven't known yet why the area around the settlement seemed to be protected. It was as if we are covered by a barrier we cannot see.”

Mark shrugged to the General's words. He was right, but not just anyone would be able to sense this barrier. The only indication of the barrier was the difference in the state of the land inside and outside.

Inside the barrier, everything remained the same as before. It might already be destroyed, but the farmlands, landmarks, and even other landforms remained the same.

Outside the barrier, however, everything was changed. It looked like a world alien for everyone in the settlement.

There was no need to see the actual barrier as the border could easily be seen.

Mark kept his silence at what the General said, which made Major Bautista sigh inside.

Noticing that Mark did not seem to want to talk too much and appeared to be in a bad mood for a long conversation, he diverted the topic.

”Actually, Mark, we need your help with something.”

General Faustino said.

”What is it?” Mark asked. ”I'm willing to hear, but it doesn't mean I'll agree to it right away.”

”We know.” The General nodded. ”Though I'm quite confided that you will also be interested.”

Then, General Faustino turned to Jones Galley and nodded.

”A group of people... Well, I don't know if we can call them people, really.” Jones stated. ”They arrived the other day. But they were speaking a language none of us knew. They set camp inside the safe area. We don't want to just chase them away since they seem to have strange abilities and didn't seem to intend to bring any harm. But the people were being too wary of them.”

Jones explained.

”Hmmm?” As the General stated, Mark would be interested in this. ”Strange people? So, what do you guys want me to do with them? Chase them away?”

”No. It's not that.” General Faustino replied. ”We just want to know their intentions. They did not do anything aggressive to us so far. We actually suspect that they also helped us when some robots appeared outside the safe area. Wait, did you already know about those robots? In any case, we just want to converse with them. I don't really know if you can help us with this, but I feel that you could do something.”

”Well, let me see them first.” Mark shrugged. ”Although I can't just promise that I will be able to do something.”

”That is enough.” General Faustino replied with a grateful tone before turning to Jones. ”Bring Mark to where those people are staying.”

”Okay, General.” Jones nodded. ”Follow me.”

As Jones began to take the lead, Mark turned to Major Bautista and the others.

”You're going to stay here, right, Major?” Mark then turned to Karlene. ”How about you?”

”Why are you only asking me?”

Karlene grumbled.

”Your father will stay behind. Spera and Karla will surely come with me. So you're the only one to ask.”

Mark explained.

”Of course, I'm going!”

Karlene exclaimed as she went to push Mark to follow Jones.

Soon, it was only General Faustino and Major Bautista who were present. Along with the injured soldiers and medical workers in the infirmary.

”Your daughter is the same as ever, huh.” General Faustino said with a smile. ”It is a good thing. If not for the side effect of the experiment, she could stay here without problems. It's just the people were afraid that she would just lose control and began to kill.”

”Actually, General...” Major Bautista spoke hesitatingly. ”My daughter is cured. Although I doubt she would want to go back here anymore.”