"W-What happened outside?" Michelle asked in a worried tone.
Together with Samantha and Zoe, they hastily opened the gate, and were dumbfounded to see the sorry figure of six boys. They were more worried about Eric, who was being carried by Axel and Jasper on their shoulders, while they each carried a water bucket.
Leonel and Andrew were forced to carry the water jugs but not once did they complain. As soon as they arrived in front of the pink gate, they dropped everything, including their butt, panting for air.
"There was a massive zombie outside," said Andrew awkwardly.
The rest of the boys were quiet, judging the girls. However, the thought of the Bulwark Zombie distracted them.
"Eric killed it. He saved us," said Jasper with a bitter smile.
Eric was silent, respiring with his head low.
Seeing that Axel and Jasper were having a difficult time carrying him, as they each carried their backpacks and a water bucket, Samantha and Zoe sensibly stole Eric from them. Axel and Jasper did not resist, but they cast a glance of envy at Eric.
Eric mumbled, "Carry me to a room."
Zoe nodded. "We have already prepared for your room."
They then left Michelle and the boys. Michelle opened the gate wide, but let the boys rest for a while.
She asked out of curiosity, "Massive zombie?"
She then glanced at Eric. At which monster is able to exhaust him to that extent? Michelle could not dare to imagine the monstrousness of that zombie. Is there really such a zombie that exists?
"You can see it from here." Axel smiled brightly.
He stepped backward after checking his friends were not behind his back, and gestured for Michelle to look in the direction where the Bulwark Zombie was lying.
Michelle stared at him dubiously and finally walked outside the gate.
She then turned around and glanced at where Axel was pointing and gasped.
"How big!"
The boys looked at each other and were trying to hold back their laugh.
Axel smiled at her and said, "Did you not feel the tremor? It passed by your house earlier."
"W-We did. But we just thought there was an earthquake and aftershocks. To think that monster is the one who caused it?"
"We were surprised, too. To be honest, we thought we were about to die. Eric, me, and Jasper fought for it, but before I knew it, as I lost consciousness during the fight, Eric already killed it."
"He did?" Michelle was surprised.
Of course, he is strong, but to think he is that strong? She found it difficult to believe.
Axel then turned to Andrew, who could only be the one to possibly explain what happened.
Andrew shrugged, "I lost consciousness, too. That shockwave was breaking my eardrums."
"Me, too," said Leonel.
"I barely saw anything when that zombie slammed to the ground." Nicholas sighed helplessly.
"You all lost consciousness, but not only was he wide awake, he killed it," said Michelle in astonishment.
"Yeah, he is really strong," said Axel with eyes full of admiration.
At first, he doubted Eric's capabilities, but witnessing it, he absolutely admired Eric now from the bottom of his heart. If Eric was absent, just surviving from the Bulwark Zombie alone would be a miracle.
Michelle beamed a smile and turned to them. "Alright, enough wasting time outside. Who knows? Another big zombie might appear and the Emperor can not fight."
"The Emperor?" Axel was dumbfounded.
The boys were befuddled, too.
Michelle was stunned. Seeing their solemn reaction, it appeared Eric had not told them his desire.
She shook her head and said, "Well, the Emperor, Eric, wanted to build an Empire during this moment. As much as I wanted to deny it, as much as how it appeared to be a delusional idea, I want to accompany him, to build a safe place. Aren't you all worried about your families? If they are still alive there, should we not rescue them and welcome them to paradise amidst the apocalypse?"
The boys were stunned. Of course, they instantly thought of their family. However, most of the boys boarding outside the university were forced to do so since their house was so distant.
They gulped. A paradise in the apocalypse… Indeed, it was a tempting idea. After all, they were worried about their family, but even if they found them, where would they stay? It would indeed be better to create a safe place first before rescuing them, welcoming them to the place they worked hard to protect.
"But…" Nicholas narrowed his eyebrows. "Building an empire is one thing, but isn't it calling him Emperor a bit over?"
"Not really." Michelle shrugged. "You know, at times like this, having such an exaggerated hope is actually better than spreading a contagious pessimistic behavior. Who knows? What if he indeed managed to build an Empire?"
The boys could not retort. In the end, they just dismissed it on their mind. They stood up, wore backpacks, carried water jugs and buckets, and walked towards the gate.
Michelle noticed their behavior, rolled her eyes, and moved in front of them.
"Just so you know, you are not welcome in his Empire, if you do not call him Emperor."
"Are you crazy?!" Nicholas was taken aback. "We can just call him boss since it fitted him the most."
"Boss?" Michelle rolled her eyes. "Are you not undermining him too much? Did you not see it with your own eyes how he killed that massive zombie by himself? And you call him boss? Are you seeing him like a drug lord or what?"
"Better than Emperor, at least." Nicholas grumbled.
"Whatever." Michelle shrugged. "He told us those who would not call him Emperor are not welcome in his Empire."
"Why are you insisting on us?"
"Alright. Stop, stop." Axel interjected. "There's no harm calling him Emperor, to be honest. I think it suits him."
"Even you, Axel?"
"What's wrong with it? While we were shivering, he was the one who ran first and fought that massive zombie. He faced it with his usual nonchalance. Have you seen him cower once?"
"But… It's ridiculous!"
"It's more ridiculous that you are picking a fight about what we call him. Since we are following him, whatever he envisioned, we should also support it, are we not?"
"B-But…"
"Or, do you not want to follow him, and return to our boarding house?"
Nicholas was taken aback. He turned his head sideways, staring at the direction of his boarding house.
His eyes accidentally glanced at the Bulwark Zombie and thought…
Hell no!