Chapter 145 – Cracks Within the Iron Fortress
In the central command chamber of the human military’s main headquarters, the air was heavy and hot, even though no fire was burning. The scent of sweat, metal, and tension hung thick in every corner. A world map covered the wall marked with red and black symbols denoting lost territories, undead-controlled zones, and places deemed unsafe. At the center of the vast room, generals and high-ranking officers sat around a round table, their faces as stiff as metal shields forced to hold back cracks.
The debate was boiling over again.
"If we let the city of Nocture continue to grow, they’ll win the hearts of what’s left of humanity!" barked Colonel Marron, slamming his hand on the table. "We the military are the last bastion of human civilization! And now they want to live alongside zombies? That’s blasphemy!"
"And you want to attack that city?" a young lieutenant shot back, bitterness in his voice. "They’ve never attacked us. They even sent diplomatic communications—"
"Silence!" Marron roared. "You’re green! You don’t know what the world used to be! Our power is the only reason civilization is still standing! If that city is allowed to thrive, everything we’ve built will crumble! Discipline! Obedience! Hierarchy! It will all collapse if people start believing that coexistence with zombies is a choice!"
Other voices rose in response. Some agreed with Marron. But many simply remained silent. Not because they were cowards but because they were tired. The war had gone on for too long, and now before them was a place more stable, more secure. But to say such a thing here... was like sticking one’s head into a lion’s mouth.
In a corner of the room, General Ludovi sat quietly. His face betrayed no emotion, but behind his aged eyes, something churned something he could no longer suppress. He had seen too many wars, too much blood. But it was human greed the corruption of power over one another that sickened him most.
He turned the ring on his finger, the symbol of his service for over three decades. But now, he no longer wore it with pride.
"Ludovi!" Marron barked suddenly. "You haven’t said a word! Don’t tell me you still believe in negotiating with that Zombie Queen? Don’t tell me you believe in her sentimental ideals!"
All eyes turned to him.
Ludovi gazed at them one by one. Officers he had once trained. Some who had once been idealists now nothing more than extensions of human greed. Men who once raised weapons to protect humanity... now driven by nothing but their own lust for control.