Frozen Flame of Dawn-Chapter 91 - 44: Aiden’s Viewpoint_2

Aiden’s voice was grave. "Think about it, even before the surge, we expected wildlife to mutate and we planned for that while aware to stay away from forests. But no one expected house pets, cattle, stray animals to mutate too."

Tommy’s blood ran cold. "Yeah… those cute little house pets and these pesky pests like insect and rodent, they’re the ones doing the most damage right?"

Aiden nodded. "Their numbers are massive while being everywhere and not only these but the cattle’s and livestock, all turned into mindless predators overnight. Unlike wild animals, they weren’t in isolated forests. They were inside homes, inside farms, inside cities and I’m sure no one saw it coming and by the time they did…" He gestured to the bloodstained walls of the diner. "It was too late."

Aiden’s voice was sharp. "Even in well-guarded cities, they maybe taken by surprise like we did when we cleared the capital and they sure be able to fight back and contain it like we did but mostly even at the cost of heavy casualties, but in small towns, villages, isolated places like this it would be massacre as these people never stood a chance."

Tommy exhaled, rubbing his face. "So you are saying a future where only big cities survive? Where everything else turns into a hunting ground?"

Aiden’s eyes were cold. "Most likely. The cities will become strongholds. Safe zones. Everything outside? A death trap."

Tommy chuckled bitterly while shaking his head. "Damn… so much for ever traveling freely again."

Aiden sighed. "That’s why we need to act now and secure key locations while also fortifying every settlement we pass through. Train people to fight. If we don’t start pushing back, then in a few years, stepping outside a safe zone will be a guaranteed death sentence."

A brief silence stretched between them before Aiden added, "Tomorrow, when we move forward, I want you to map out every small village or settlement we pass. We’ll check if they need help. If their situation is bad and they’re willing, we’ll take them with us to Icelorn Basin."

Tommy turned to face him fully, brows furrowed. "You sure? We’re already bringing a lot of people, it will become difficult, if more people to protect…"

Aiden nodded, his expression unwavering. "I know. But we have the space, and I’m not going to leave people behind if we can help. The Federation’s already abandoned them, and we both know the cities won’t offer them shelter. If we don’t do something, no one will."

Tommy let out a sigh, rubbing the back of his head. "Alright, I’ll prep the team and make sure we’ve got the logistics in place. If we do bring people in, we need to make sure it’s smooth."

Aiden nodded, appreciating Tommy’s efficiency. "Good. Get some rest after that."

Then, without another word, Tommy turned and left to make the arrangements.

Aiden remained on the rooftop for a while longer, his gaze fixed on the dark horizon. He hoped—prayed—that the villages they would encounter wouldn’t be completely lost. That people were still alive. That there was still something worth saving.

But deep down, he wasn’t sure if hope was enough anymore.

Meanwhile, miles ahead of Aiden’s convoy, Grant and his platoon had set up camp inside an abandoned roadside establishment. But it’s condition is same like the one Aiden and his team experienced, littered with shattered glass, overturned tables, and the rotting remains of those who had once sought refuge here.

Inside, under the dim glow of lanterns, Grant sat at a table, tearing into his meal, his frustration barely concealed. Across from him, Rourke, observed him with mild disinterest.

A soldier approached, his boots scraping against the grimy floor as he saluted stiffly. "Sir, we’ve finished the count," he reported. "We’ve lost 323 men, with another 117 wounded—they’re in no condition to fight."

Grant’s hand froze mid-bite. The words hit him like a punch to the gut. He clenched his jaw, swallowing whatever he had in his mouth before slamming his fork onto the table.

"WHAT?!" His voice thundered through the room, making several nearby soldiers flinch. "How the hell did this happen?"

The soldier hesitated, but before he could answer, Grant stood up abruptly, knocking over his chair. His face was twisted in rage.

"Are my men so weak—so pathetic—that they can’t even handle a few mutated beasts? What kind of pathetic excuse is this?!"

The soldier stiffened, but Rook intervened, his voice calm but firm. "It’s not their fault, Grant."

Grant turned sharply, eyes burning. "Oh? Then whose fault is it, huh?"

Rourke didn’t flinch under his glare. "These men were never trained for this. They weren’t prepared for an enemy that doesn’t follow the rules of war. They expected to fight humans, not monsters." He leaned forward slightly. "And yet, despite that, they’re adapting. The casualties are heavy, yes—but notice how they’re fighting better now? How they’re adjusting?"

Grant gritted his teeth but said nothing.

Rourke shrugged. "It was inevitable. We’re learning the hard way, but we’re learning. If we keep pushing forward, we’ll get stronger."

Grant inhaled sharply through his nose, his anger cooling just enough for him to regain control. He exhaled slowly before sitting back down.

"Fine," he muttered. "We still have a large enough force. And besides—" his lips curled into a bitter smirk, "Aiden’s team is probably suffering just as much."

He turned to Rourke, expecting agreement, but instead, Rook simply stared at him, unimpressed. "I doubt it."

Grant’s smile faltered. "What?"

Rourke leaned back while crossing his arms. "We’re clearing the same roads they’re traveling. We’re the ones taking the brunt of these ambushes. By the time Aiden’s team passes through, the worst of it is already handled. Maybe they’ve had a few encounters, but nothing compared to what we just fought through."

Realization dawned on Grant as he clenched his fist while thinking how was he paving the way for Aiden.

His irritation flared again, but there was nothing he could do about it so with a frustrated sigh, he shouted at the standing soldiers.

"Tell the men to stay alert and get some damn rest. We won’t be here long. Tomorrow or the day after, we move."

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The soldier saluted and left.

Grant stabbed his fork into his food aggressively. "Tch. Whatever, we’re still ahead of them, and we’ll have the element of surprise."

Rourke, however, wasn’t convinced. He picked at his own meal, his tone almost nonchalant. "You realize how dangerous it’s going to get the deeper we go, right? There’s a chance that everyone here dies."

Grant smiled and laughed in disbelief. "Let them die," he said without hesitation. "I don’t care how many of these grunts get killed and so you know I only care about me."

Rourke remained silent, observing him carefully as he said. "And you think you can just run away if things get out of control?"

"Watch me." Grant leaned while taking another bite of his food, his confidence unshaken. "You saw the armored vehicles we brought? These beasts can barely scratch them. If things go south, we’ll just flee. I’m not dying out here."