Chapter 279: Chapter 279: Retreat

"I didn’t." Ronak began to defend himself, but the next second, Silas turned to Ivy and said in a prideful tone, "That’s my friend! Told you he would find a way."

Ivy had to suppress her laughter. She almost wanted to give Silas a thumbs-up.

Now, even if Ronak detected any anomaly, his first guess won’t be the Nightbane family, but his own people. However, since his base is so big, God knows whether he would be able to pinpoint the person responsible for the weird incident.

Ronak indeed started to question his own people’s capabilities. Maybe there was some big shot among his army?

The possibility couldn’t be ignored, since even Silas looked impressed.

"Leader, there are some issues regarding water." Neil arrived behind Ronak. Though he was asked not to tell about the pressing issue concerning the base in front of any citizen or outsider, he truly couldn’t hold on anymore.

Ronak pursed his lips and gave a forced smile to Silas.

Maybe it was because of Silas’s presence, or maybe fear was finally getting him... Ronak didn’t feel as hot as he had before.

"Let’s talk in the temporary shed," Ronak suggested, subtly hinting at Neil to keep his mouth shut.

"Is the base lacking water?" Ivy interrupted their question, attracting Ronak and Neil’s attention.

Ronak’s expression froze for a split second.

"No, no, it’s not that serious," Ronak said, forcing a dry chuckle. "Just minor mismanagement. It’ll be fixed soon."

Neil’s eyes flickered uneasily. He wanted to speak, to explain the growing panic among the people, but Ronak’s warning glance made him clamp his mouth shut.

Silas raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Minor mismanagement? You look dehydrated, and so does your assistant."

Silas’s words made Ronak cast a glance in the direction of his assistant, and sure enough, he saw the cracked lips. His heart was filled with unease.

This was his childhood friend, and now seeing him thirsty yet obediently working just to provide assistance, Ronak felt uncomfortable.

"Alright. Don’t worry, I am fine." Neil assured with a weak smile, when in reality he was seeing stars.

"Here." The next second, a water bottle was offered to Neil. The owner gripping the water bottle had pale hands and smooth skin that glistened under the sunlight.

From Neil’s perspective... it almost resembled an angel’s hand!

Neil blinked in disbelief as the bottle hovered before him. He raised his gaze and met Ivy’s calm, steady eyes.

"Drink," she said softly, her tone neither commanding nor pitying, just natural, almost soothing.

Neil hesitated, torn between taking this rare hint of kindness or rejecting it so that the angel could have enough to eat.

As if sensing his dilemma, Ivy chuckled, "I have many bottles; one won’t make a difference."

Neil’s resolve finally crumbled. His throat burned, and the dryness in his mouth felt unbearable. He accepted the bottle with trembling hands and whispered, "Thank you."

The first sip felt like heaven itself...cold, refreshing, and pure. His whole body relaxed as if life had returned to his veins.

Ronak gulped while looking at his assistant drinking water and looked away with a guilty expression. He, too, was parched; however, it would be utter shamelessness to ask for another water bottle.

"Here." Silas handed him a water bottle and patted his shoulder. "Could you stop treating your friend like an outsider?"

"This..." Ronak looked at the water bottle with a hesitant gaze.

"Just keep it. My wife has awakened a water superpower, and she can supply water for an entire base every three days." Silas explained, causing Ronak’s eyes to shine with delight.

"Really?" His voice quivered in delight. If it were true, then his base might have the chance to survive!

Silas nodded proudly, his grin widening. "Of course. You didn’t think I’d come here empty-handed, did you?"

Ivy smiled faintly, folding her arms. "Don’t celebrate too soon. The water I generate needs purification and stabilization before it’s safe for long-term consumption. It’s not as simple as filling a tank."

"No problem! I have a water purifier!" Ronak laughed in delight. He immediately proposed a deal: "Sister-in-law, just sell water at my base! I promise to let you earn 200% profit!"

"No need." Ivy waved her hand, laughing at Ronak’s antics, "Just make sure to prevent any kind of scam. I need payment in zombie crystals. Not to mention, I have a deal for you, which can temporarily save your base from food problems."

Ronak felt his ears ringing. Just a few hours ago, he was planning an escape route for the citizens because of a lack of food and water.

And now, it felt as though fate itself had turned in his favor.

Ronak’s heart pounded with disbelief. He leaned forward slightly, eyes wide. "A deal? What kind of deal?"

Ivy’s lips curved into a knowing smile. "A fair one," she replied calmly. "We can’t discuss it here. Let’s go somewhere else."

"Hm? Alright!" Ronak agreed; his heart was pounding in anticipation.

"Leader! Leader!" A voice laced with panic cut through the harmonious atmosphere, attracting everyone’s attention.

"What happened?" Ronak asked in confusion. The person shouting was a soldier named Wayne.

"The zombie... the zombies have retreated! They are turning back and leaving!" Wayne’s voice cracked with disbelief as he stumbled forward, pointing toward the northern watchtower.

"What?" Ronak’s eyes widened.

He immediately pushed past the group, his boots crunching against the dusty ground as he rushed toward the observation point.

Silas and Ivy exchanged a quick, meaningful glance before following close behind.

From the high platform, the view stretched far and wide, and what they saw left everyone speechless.

The massive horde of zombies that had surrounded the outer perimeter for days was... dispersing.

Slowly but surely, they were staggering away, their movements disoriented, as though something was pulling them back.

"They’re leaving?" Neil gasped, gripping the railing for support. "But why? There’s no reason for them to retreat unless..."

"Unless something stronger than them commanded it," Ronak whispered.