From afar, the Scarlet Blood Stronghold resembled a mountain. Thick brick walls covered it on all sides, and a moat was constructed all around it. The first thing that Kazuichi noticed was the sheer size of the Scarlet Blood Stronghold. A drawbridge was half-hung in the middle of it, and men patrolled the area from the outside while lookouts littered the top part of the walls.
At first glance, Kazuichi and Tris didn't notice anything weird with the setup. But after a couple of seconds in contemplation, Kazuichi's eyes widened in surprise as she turned towards Ayaka, who was driving beside him.
"I thought you wouldn't see it. To be fair, you're the first one to notice it, as expected of a Hybrid." Ayaka sneakily smiled at Kazuichi before she slowly stepped on the brakes. They were already in front of the drawbridge, overlooking the moat that seemed more sinister from up close. Of course, the dark murky waters weren't really the real threat here, but the countless zombies that lurked at the bottom of the moat— or so that's what Kazuichi imagined. He was probably right though since it's practically impossible for the patrol to monitor all the zombies who were trying to get in.
"Ah, stronghold leader!" One of the guards exclaimed as soon as he peered in from the windows. After a stiff salute, he ran towards the drawbridge and started rolling it down. Another guard stood on the opposite side of the drawbridge, doing the same thing.
Kazuichi, who had been picking up every faint scent in the atmosphere, wasn't surprised when he realized that the two men working on the drawbridge were actually Bulwark Hybrids. His nose started getting stuffy after taking a whiff of all the Hybrids around them. The saturation of the Hybrids in a small vicinity caused Kazuichi to cover his nose in slight annoyance. After all, it is extremely unnatural for this many Hybrids to be this close to each other.
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it," Ayaka whispered. She didn't want to alarm Tris of the presence of the Hybrids, that's why she didn't raise her voice. "You know, for some reason... you smell nice, even though you're a Hybrid. You have a very distinct smell. I can't quite put my finger around it."
"Really?" Kazuichi returned, but he was doubtful about whether Ayaka meant what she said or not. He's a Hybrid, no more, no less. How could his smell be different from other Hybrids?
'Then again, Hybrids have recognizable smells depending on what type they are. I wonder what type am I?' Kazuichi couldn't help but wonder.
Once the drawbridge was fully put down, Ayaka gave a signal to the two guards who rolled it down before she drove inside. With another salute, the two guards welcomed the jeep as it entered the Scarlet Blood Stronghold. Amidst the growls and wails coming from the rear compartment of the jeep, Kazuichi and Tris let out an exhale in awe as soon as they saw the interior of the Scarlet Blood Stronghold.
It resembled an ancient city, with one structure wherein every house was constructed to its side. From random sides of the structure, a staircase could be seen. The houses were built in different layers relative to the staircase. And right in the middle of the structure was a huge tower, with a huge platform balanced on top of it.
"The reason why the houses are in different layers was to avoid the worst-case scenario," Ayaka explained. "Although it is highly unlikely, we wanted to prepare for the worst-case scenario. With this build, we'll be able to avoid the fast spread of the virus. If there are infected roaming all over the place, the uninfected would climb up to the next layer and stay there. On the off-chance that that didn't work, they can go up the tower and to the platform where they'd be able to defend themselves by blocking out the entrance. Our helicopters would then be mobilized and we'll move the shelter to another spot."
"You really planned this out, huh? How were you able to work so fast?" Kazuichi asked out of curiosity. "It hasn't been a month since the outbreak started, and yet you were able to prepare this much?"
Instead of answering the question, Ayaka simply smiled. "That's a trade secret. In any case, you're going to learn why we were able to prepare this much in such a short time. Remember this, Kazuichi. In an apocalypse, information is the only thing that matters. It's easy to get money or power, but information... no."
Kazuichi had no idea why Ayaka was telling him about it but he nodded anyways.
After driving around and pretty much having a tour of the Scarlet Blood Stronghold, Ayaka stopped the jeep in front of a house. Another thing that Kazuichi noticed in the Scarlet Blood Stronghold is the identical houses. He couldn't help but wonder why they go to such lengths for the stronghold.
"We're here. Rima, Peruva, you two can go out." Ayaka called out. "Triciana, right? Are you going to accompany us?" Ayaka asked while Rima and Peruva were getting out of the jeep.
Rima and Peruva were aware that it would just be a burden if they were to stick around. That's why they've decided to trust Ayaka with their party leader. If there's anyone who can treat Yamishiro with the virus, it's Ayaka.
As for Tris, she didn't want to leave Kazuichi alone, especially with Ayaka. Without thinking twice, she nodded his head and stayed in the jeep. "I'm coming with you." She responded with a determined expression on her face.
"All right then," Ayaka didn't question her decision.
After saying goodbye to Rima and Peruva, the three of them headed toward the farthest end of the stronghold. Ayaka didn't say anything, she just drove. the moment they reached the place, she stopped driving.
They'd arrived in an empty field in the middle of nowhere.
"Where are we?" Kazuichi couldn't help but ask.
"You'll find out soon enough," Ayaka responded. At the same time, a huge gap in the ground appeared, right underneath their feet.