Chapter 123: “Aztec is not a place!” (1/2)

With the palace already in sight, Caspian and the group increased their speed.

They had already reached the palace gate when they heard a large explosion coming from the direction they had just escaped from.

They didn't need anyone to tell them that the cause of the explosion was Sia and that she was most likely dead!

She had probably sacrificed herself to take down the zombie and buy them some time.

Seeing their relaxed expression, Caspian urged them, ”Keep moving. The zombie lord is definitely not dead. The durability of zombie lords, alone, is able to guarantee its life, but I'm sure that it would be massively injured right now.”

One of them asked the king, ”If it is injured, can't we take advantage of that and end it, once and for all?”

He was reputed by Caspian, ”No, we wouldn't survive any type of attack from it. The zombie was merely playing with us. Also, even if we managed to kill it, we would surely be surrounded by a horde of zombies.”

Caspian had also thought of that. However, he knew it would be a mere wish as there were still other zombies in the vicinity.

Getting to the palace entrance, Caspian spotted his brother who had hand-signaled for him to remain quiet.

”What is it?” Caspian whispered as he walked closer to Conan.

He noticed that Conan had brought a large group of survivors and was even happier when he saw that they were normal citizens.

All sorts of individuals filled Conan's group; babies, mothers, fathers, kids, teenagers, and young adults.

Judging by the trail of blood on his armor, it seemed that Conan had gone through great lengths to safeguard them.

Communicating with Caspian, Conan whispered back, ”There are zombies in the palace hall. I don't know how to proceed without jeopardizing their safety.”

In his group, Caspian was the strongest one. However, he couldn't duplicate himself into multiple copies.

If he advanced, there were sure to be at least two people dying in his group.

He had only managed to rally old veteran soldiers who were still at [Realm-2]. So, it wouldn't help much in the grand scheme of things.

Everyone knew this!

Someone would die in the quest to enter the palace hall.

The problem was whether it was worth the risk or not. The death would be random, so, they didn't know whether they would be the ones to die.

After everything they had sacrificed to get here, it might all prove for naught.

This caused the combined group to descend into chaos.

They were selfish, rightfully selfish. They had followed the king and his brother all the way here, without knowing anything and now, they were still viable to death!

Understanding the reason for the disorder, Caspian tried to calm them down.

Right now, what they needed was a leader, a king to guide them.

”Silence. I'm sure you are all thinking of leaving. However, I can assure you that this is our best chance of success.” Caspian shouted at them, knowing fully well that his voice might be heard by the zombies.

”So, what if some of us die? At least, we die fighting, rather than wasting our time here.”

He continued, ”Some of you might be wondering what my--our plan is. It is quite simple. We are leaving Aztec today! Taking an emergency route out of the kingdom!”

His words only further fueled the chaos, but it was what he wanted.

In a kingly manner, Caspian berated them, ”Aztec is lost!”

His slack expression managed to convey his emotional state to all of them.

He, too, didn't want to leave the home of his ancestors. He didn't want to abandon it, but it was necessary for survival.

”I'm sure that they are still many people fighting out there. Our soldiers are still at the battlefront, trying to give us enough time to evacuate. We can't waste it!”

”We can't also risk going back there. We have to survive so that in the future, we can always remember the brave soldiers that laid down their lives for our survival. We have to salvage what is left!” shouted Caspian.

His speech calmed down everyone and made them think of the present!