Chapter 274: Chapter 274- Car

A tense, fragile calm had settled over the main room. Fey was now lounging on a sofa, looking utterly unbothered, while the others were in various states of processing her actual reason for joining them—a strategic transfer by City Lord Glaine, not the explosive lie she had led with.

"So... you’re an engineer. And you’re here to help. That’s... good," Clarissa said, breaking the silence with her characteristic grace, though her smile was still a bit strained.

"Right. Help," Veronica repeated, her arms crossed as she scrutinized Fey with deep suspicion. "Just keep your ’helpful’ jokes to yourself."

It was Emma who, ever practical, broke through the lingering awkwardness with a pressing concern. "Okay, okay, enough about that! More importantly, what about our ride? That old armored car is on its last legs after that nest mission. It’s gonna fall apart if we hit one more puddle!"

All eyes turned to Julian. He stood by the window, his usual calm restored, but his presence was enough to command absolute attention.

"Fey will handle it," he stated, his voice leaving no room for argument. He didn’t even look at the lazy engineer on the couch. "She’s part of the team now. It’s logical she makes herself useful."

A groan came from the sofa. Fey slumped further into the cushions. "Ugh. Seriously? I just got here. Can’t I have, like, a week to acclimatize? Or a nap? This feels like workplace exploitation."

Julian finally turned his head, his gaze cool and expectant. The unspoken command in the air was as potent as any Domination skill: Get to work.

Emma bounded over to the sofa, her previous suspicion replaced by excitement at the prospect of a new, upgraded vehicle. "Oh! Can you add more flame-resistant plating? And maybe a bigger port for my fire attacks?"

Veronica rolled her eyes. "Don’t encourage her to turn it into a deathtrap. Focus on defense and stealth."

Fey let out an exaggerated sigh, already weaving her tapestry of excuses. She stretched lazily on the couch, her eyes half-closed. "Well, a project like that requires specific tools. High-grade welders, calibrated mana conductors, alloy moulds... And let’s not even start on the raw materials. And the vehicle itself."

She shook her head with feigned disappointment. "Finding a chassis large enough for... what, twelve people now? And comfortable? In this apocalypse? Everyone strips anything useful for parts. A vehicle like that, big enough to be a mobile home? It’s a myth. It probably doesn’t even exist anymore. A shame, really. I’d love to get started, but without the base..."

She let her voice trail off, a masterclass in manufactured helplessness, hoping this insurmountable obstacle would buy her at least a few days of blissful inactivity.

From her seat, Celestia watched the performance, a rare, knowing smile touching her lips. She said nothing, simply waiting for the inevitable.

Julian, who had been listening with an impassive face, finally spoke. His voice was flat, cutting through Fey’s lazy web of excuses.

"Are you finished?" he asked, not waiting for an answer. "Your attempt to delay is noted. And irrelevant."

He raised his hand, and the familiar soft glow of his Inventory skill illuminated the room. With a series of soft clunks and whirs, a massive, rugged six-wheeled chassis materialized in the center of the spacious garage attached to their quarters. It was followed by neatly stacked crates of high-end tools, gleaming engine components, and rolls of reinforced armor plating.

Fey’s jaw went slack. Her lazy posture evaporated as she sat bolt upright, her eyes wide as saucers.

"But... how... where did you...?" she stammered, her plan completely demolished.

"You think I just collect zombie cores?" Julian stated, his tone utterly matter-of-fact. "I acquire anything of value. That includes a prototype ’Sanctuary’-class mobile base I liberated from a warlord’s camp six months ago. It’s designed to house and support twelve personnel indefinitely, with modular sections for sleeping, a galley, and a workshop. The tools are from the old military engineering depot we cleared. The materials are from various stashes."

He looked directly at Fey, his gaze unwavering. "The myth is in your inventory. Your excuses are now invalid. The only thing missing is the engineer to assemble it."

He tossed a data slate onto her lap. "The schematics. I expect a progress report by tomorrow evening."

Emma burst into excited giggles. "Whoa! Julian, you’re the best! We’re gonna have a rolling fortress!"

Veronica allowed a smirk, enjoying Fey’s stunned expression. "It seems your ’nap’ has been officially postponed."

Fey stared at the monumental task before her, the weight of it pressing down on her lazy soul. She let out another, even more pathetic whimper. "It’s hopeless... I’ll be buried under a mountain of steel and wiring..."

Just then, a soft voice piped up from beside her.

"I... I can help you."

Aya stood there, fidgeting slightly with the hem of her smith’s apron, but her eyes were sincere. "I’m not a vehicle engineer, but I understand materials, structural integrity, and energy channeling. I can help you with the fabrication and assembly. We can... we can do it together."

Fey looked up at the shy blacksmith, her dramatic despair momentarily forgotten. In Aya’s offer, there was no judgment, no demand—only a simple, genuine willingness to share the burden. It was a stark contrast to Julian’s cold pragmatism and the others’ excited demands.

A slow, real smile spread across Fey’s face, one that reached her sleepy eyes. She reached out and gave Aya’s hand a quick, grateful squeeze.

"You," Fey declared, her voice thick with exaggerated but genuine relief, "are an absolute angel. A saint descended from heaven to save this poor, weary engineer. I take back every bad thought I ever had about this team. If you’re here, then maybe, just maybe, there’s a chance I’ll live to see tomorrow."

Aya’s cheeks flushed a bright pink at the sudden and effusive praise, but she smiled, a small, happy curve of her lips. "It’s... it’s no problem. I like making things."