"Is it alright to let them go? He is suspected of being Professor Tyler's killer. We will be in trouble after Tyler dies, then his disciple... If he chooses to leave, our base will be in trouble." Archibald, the captain of the third squad, folded his arms while watching the vehicles moving away.
"Damn, if it's like what Scientist Zayn said, it's getting complicated. Why are those idiots trying to do this? Quinn is a decent scientist but rotten from the inside." Jacob, the captain of the ninth squad, kicked the cart. He then ordered his men to check the body bag.
"We can't confirm the truth from Zayn's words, but I think he stated the fact because he didn't benefit from eliminating Professor Tyler. Tyler is Zayn's partner in making type II anti-zombification serum. Whatever it is, we can't let him go.
We are returning to base now to conduct an in-depth investigation and arrest the criminals involved with Quinn." Hendrix put his hand to his forehead and turned around. He didn't want to look at those corpses that were being identified.
"Prime minister, they are mixed members from anti-zombie squads. One of the bodies is Quinn. Wow, they beheaded many people..." Jacob was astonished.
"Zayn and his friends used to be a bunch of swordmasters. It's normal that they sometimes wield swords because of their skills. Bring them back. We have a lot of work that needs to be done as soon as possible. Those fools are tired of living, it seems." Hendrix sighed and walked away.
"..." All the elite soldiers from the third and ninth squads immediately carried out the prime minister's order. For some reason, they felt their base would do a rather brutal cleaning because of one person.
After all, the anti-zombification serum type II could have been better, and Zayn had many cutting-edge formulas. Wise leaders should protect him and give him full support for the sake of humanity, not try to harm him for personal gain!
While the situation at New Jersey's underground base is heating up, Zayn and the fifteenth squad continue to head away to the southeast.
"Boss, where are we going to spend the night? If possible, we hope to find a safe place because we want to dozed off with a barrel of wine. We need to throw a small party after hard days." Rick initiates communication via walkie-talkie.
"I heard that there is a unique village to the southeast of the base. It's probably on the city's outskirts, not far from the sea. If I'm not mistaken, that village is named Haven Garden. I've only heard rumors but never knew the truth. What do you all think?" Zayn changed the conversation to public chat for all cars.
"Haven Garden? Yeah, I heard about it from other soldiers too."
"I heard that the village is the only place avoided by zombies and monsters. The villagers are still living peacefully as if the zombie apocalypse never happened there."
"For real? Such a please really exist in this world?"
"Oh gosh, I want to go there now to rest. Hopefully the villagers will accept fugitives like us."
"Well, if they're not accepting visitors or visitors, then we can camp outside."
"Yeah, we just need a safe place to party all night until we get drunk. If the village is what the rumors say, then it's perfect."
Everyone immediately agreed with Zayn's proposal. They didn't know the truth about this unique village, but they would find out for themselves soon.
"Fwaaah..." Grisella yawned. She felt quite sleepy. A lot is going on today, but she can finally feel relieved and safe with Zayn's group.
"Hey, don't sleep yet. We need to find a safe place first." Zayn reminded the sleepy girl.
"I know." Grisella rubbed her eyes. She didn't want to be a burden, and she wanted to shower because she was sweating a lot. Warm water would be perfect if she could have that luxury.
"!~" Angie also felt enthusiastic. She wanted to hold a party and enjoy her newly acquired cheese with various delish.
About eight miles away, Zayn can see a village surrounded by gardens and forests. He and his people got lost for an hour, but they found the rumored village of Haven Garden.
That village was the only one lit by torches in the dark, so it was easy to confirm that it was inhabited by residents.
"What are they doing? A ritual?" Zayn used his binoculars. He could see villagers dancing around a big bonfire and occasionally throwing some dry plants into the flames.
"Perhaps, a cult ritual? They are in an open village without proper protection, but they are still safe from the threat of zombies and monsters." Rico tried to guess.
"So, the lord satan is the one protecting them? That can't be. Hahaha..." Rick laughed because he couldn't believe it.
"Hey, that place doesn't seem related to our base. They have guns, but no soldiers. What are we going to do? Stay there and try to talk nicely? They probably won't like newcomers." Steven took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
"Yes, we've arrived here. So, let's go over there and greet them." Zayn nodded in agreement and drove his car closer to the unique village.
The noise of an approaching vehicle's engine made the villagers alert. Some of them grabbed their guns and rushed towards the village entrance.
"Stop, where do you think you are going? What is your purpose in coming to our village?" The burly man in a gym shirt stepped forward, preparing his rifle.
Zayn got out of the car and stood aside. "We don't have any meaningful goals. We heard rumors that there is a village here which is surprisingly free from the threat of zombies and monsters. So, we came to visit with the intention of spending the night here. Would you be kind enough to let us in?"
"Go away. We don't allow outsiders in, let alone from the base. We don't have enough resources for outsiders like you." The burly man in a gym shirt snorted and shooed away the outsiders.
"You don't need to worry. We have our own food and drink. We also won't bother you with places or anything. It's safe to assume we're just sightseeing tourists." Zayn raised his palm.
"I said go, or we'll shoot!" An old man snapped.
"Hmm, that's no good. Is that how you treat guests? Did you chase away all the warriors this way? We fought to clear zombies and mutated animals from around here, and indirectly kept your small village safe." Zayn sighed and shook his head.
"We don't need despicable soldiers like you here. Our village will be safe forever even if the outside world is going to end!" A young man shouted in a high tone.
"It seems, you met some bad guys, huh. Hm? If you want to shoot fire with evil intentions, then we can serve you any time. Lower your guns or we won't hesitate either." Zayn pointed to some of the young men at the back of the line.
"Don't raise your guns when the adults haven't finished talking, brats!" An old man slapped a young man and scolded the other ones.
"Ouch!" Several inexperienced young men covered their heads.
"Excuse me, what's all the fuss over here. And, why are you all carrying guns in front of an unarmed man?" A lady clad in nun robes approached.
The armed male villagers immediately made way for the sister nun.
"Ah, Sister Nia. It's not- I mean, It's him! They are a group of soldiers from the base." The burly man immediately pointed at the person he was talking to.
"Hmm? So, you're soldiers from the base? My apologies, sir... However, we certainly can't let soldiers from the base enter because of the previous incident. If you can be kind, could you come back and not harass us?" Sister Nia clasped her hands together and asked politely.
"It actually hurts for us too. I know you have reasons to chase away the soldiers from the base, but we are the anti-zombie vanguard. We are fighting for humanity, but the ones we are trying to protect, want to kill us instead. We are humans, not zombies. We have been evicted and have no shelter now.
We will not disturb you, but we must borrow the empty field over there to spend the night." Zayn put his hand on his chest and put on a sympathetic expression. These villagers experienced bad things from some rotten people from the base, just like him.
"..." Sister Nia turned her head in the intended direction.
"..." Zayn went silent, but he treated the silence as approval.
"Yosh, men, let's set up the tents over there. We'll be spending the night there! Thanks for your understanding, dear villagers. We'll be leaving tomorrow afternoon, no need to worry." Zayn turned around and ordered his subordinates excitedly.
He rushed off with everyone without waiting for a response from the villagers. They would just be camping in an empty field outside the village, so it would be fine.
"Wha, I haven't even- Uuh, I hope they aren't bad people. Ah, God, please protect our village..." Sister Nia prayed while looking up at the night sky.
"Tch, we will keep an eye on them for now. If they are bad guys, then we will eliminate them and take their noice weapons and war vehicles." The burly man clicked his tongue and muttered under his breath. He made sure Sister Nia didn't hear him, but he had already signaled his people.