The Return of the Iron-blood Sword Hound
chapter-454

Chapter 454: Infiltration Operation of the Water Supply Zone (1)

“We’re running out of water.”

At CindiWendy’s words, everyone gathered in the conference room looked gravely concerned.

Tochka. A fortress of natural fortifications. An impregnable stronghold where even a single soldier could hold off a hundred enemies.

However, the fatal flaw of this stronghold is that there is no place to procure drinking water nearby.

CindiWendy spoke again.

“The number of refugees flooding in from across the empire is enormous. Even if we have enough food, there’s no way we’ll have enough water to distribute.”

“Can’t we buy it even at a premium?”

“We still have money. I’ve spent almost all my personal wealth, but we have the financial support from the Bourgeois. The problem is that there’s no water available for purchase.”

CindiWendy shook her head in response to Camus’ question.

Dolores spoke in a worried tone.

“The Reviadon’s forces are continually cutting off our supply routes, so no water is getting through. If this continues, we’ll be wiped out by thirst before the war even begins.”

Eighty percent of the human body is made up of water.

The human body contains about 50 liters of water.

Even without any activity, the body breaks down fat to produce about 0.25 liters of water.

This means that a person can survive without drinking water for roughly three days. After that, dehydration leads to death..

“It seems like the entire population of the empire has gathered here. So many people have come.”

“That’s because we’ve been very effective in spreading the story of the Ark. Maybe a bit too effective?”

Everyone nodded at Bianca and Tudor’s words.

‘Fire and water will only avoid this place, and true salvation will only be realized here.’

The place where the land of salvation in the New Revelations holy book exists.

‘Dolores, the Saint of the Night,’ created new prophecies within Quovadis and spread them among the people.

Refugees who followed these prophecies and left their homes, gathered inside the Tochka fortress, forming an enormous crowd.

Of course, those who ignored or did not believe in the prophecies did not come.

The Night Walkers had made every effort to send such people to nearby highlands.

“We’ve managed to hold on until now thanks to support from various places, but we can’t sustain this any longer.”

Even the mighty CindiWendy raised both hands in surrender.

Until now, support had come from many, both known and unknown.

The ‘VisamoGroup’ led by Lovegood of Temisquira, graduates of the Colosseo like Gordon and Dogma, the entire faculty of the Colosseo led by Principal Banshee, the Ballak tribe of the western Red and Black Mountains, Mozgus of the Quovadis Clan, Adolf of the Morg Clan, Damian of the Bourgeois Clan, Isabella of the Baskerville Clan, and many other patrons had sent food, water, troops, and other resources, allowing the refugees of Tochka to live better lives despite their discomfort.

However, the situation has now changed.

As the civil war in the empire deepens and the Reviadon Clan expands its influence, disruptions in water supply have become a serious issue.

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to sustain the vast number of refugees filling the expansive Tochka highlands.

“Today, there was another conflict among the refugees over water distribution. The vigilantes are maintaining order, but who knows how long that will last.”

Camus’s voice was serious.

Dolores also spoke with a grave expression.

“Judging by the remaining water supply… even if we ration it, we have about four days’ worth. After that, it’s truly the end.”

In the end, there’s only enough water for four more days.

Considering how long a human can survive without water, that gives us about a week.

Everyone in Tochka now only has about a week to live.

Finally, everyone’s eyes turned to the head of the conference table.

The highest-ranking members of the Night Walkers, CindiWendy, Camus, and Dolores, all directed their attention to one figure seated even higher.

Vikir.

A man whose expression was always unreadable, making it impossible to discern his thoughts.

Eventually, Vikir spoke.

“Hold out.”

The reactions were varied.

Camus simply nodded as if he understood, Dolores worried about how to persuade others, and Sinclaire tilted her head, thinking about how to endure. CindiWendy sighed deeply, her expression suggesting, “Here we go again.”

At that moment, Figgy, who was beside them, cautiously asked.

“Vikir, we all trust you. But many of the refugees do not. What should we tell them? We can’t just say, ‘Hold out,’ can we?”

“But there’s nothing else to say.”

Vikir spoke again, his tone decisive and confident.

“Thanks to your efforts, more people have gathered than I anticipated. My miscalculation is my fault. However, if we wait a little longer, everything will resolve itself naturally. I promise.”

“…Isn’t that the main problem? People don’t want to want even a day longer.”

It was Chihuahua who interrupted.

As Vikir’s loyal aide, he wasn’t afraid to speak bluntly.

“The fact that you keep your plans to yourself is why people are frustrated. You need to share your plans with those around you. I mean, we only have four days’ worth of water left, and you’re telling us to just wait? Who would agree to that?”

Some of the people around silently cheered at Chihuahua’s forthrightness.

However, Vikir’s attitude remained unchanged.

“It can’t be helped. If we reveal the plan too soon, the information could leak to the enemy. Also, the contents are so unbelievable that it might cause our allies to panic. I can only hope that you trust me based on my past actions.”

“Ugh, you’re as stubborn as ever. You may look young, but inside, you’re like an old man. How do you plan on getting married with that attitude?”

As Chihuahua grumbled, some of the women nearby shuddered.

Meanwhile, Vikir, faced with Chihuahua’s continued nagging, finally showed a slight crack in his resolve.

“…Is the water situation really that dire? Can’t we even last a week?”

“You heard the reports. Refugees keep pouring in. Four days is an optimistic estimate. In about a week, Tochka will be filled with people dying of dehydration!”

There are limits to collecting dew or squeezing plant juices.

A dreadful situation might indeed arise before Vikir’s solution becomes evident.

“…But the fact remains that waiting is our only option.”

Everyone’s faces grew even more troubled at Vikir’s words.

Just then, Minipin, standing in the corner of the conference room, cautiously raised his hand.

“Excuse me, sir… I mean, Leader. I have something to report.”

As Vikir’s gaze fell on him, he pulled something from his pocket and placed it on the table.

It was a small cage with something inside, fluttering blue wings.

Sinclaire, standing next to Vikir, noticed it.

“Is that a nymph?”

“Yes, I managed to catch it just the other day.”

Minipin nodded.

He was once a top scout, an expert in the ecology of numerous monsters, and the foremost authority in the Imperial City.

“Nymphs only live where there is water.”

At Minipin’s words, everyone’s eyes lit up.

Vikir also gave Minipin a nod to continue.

Minipin spoke as confidently as he could.

“I found this nymph on a mountain peak not far from Tochka. It’s a high, steep rocky area covered in dense vegetation, making it hard to see what’s up there from below. I almost died several times during the collection process.”

“Why would a nymph live there?”

“Because there must be water there,” Minipin said with near certainty. “It seems there might be a volcanic lake at the summit, beneath the crater.”

A water source. There might be a hidden lake on the low mountain peak opposite Tochka.

“The chances of there being a lake are 99.9%. And it’s likely to be a clean, freshwater lake.”

“…Hmm. Then why hasn’t it been discovered before?”

“I tracked the nymph’s traces for days before I finally collected it. I faced death dozens of times. If a professional collector like me had such a hard time, others wouldn’t even attempt it.”

After hearing Minipin’s response, Vikir stroked his chin, pondering deeply.

The presence of a water source near Tochka was a fact that hadn’t been revealed. Even in his past life.

This might be a butterfly effect resulting from taking Minipin under his wing.

‘If this is true, it’s valuable information.’

Vikir acknowledged the worth of this information.

Camus, who was examining the map, spoke with a serious expression.

“It’s not too far. Judging by the terrain, if we blast through the rock correctly, we could create a waterway leading to Tochka.”

“Judging by the crater’s size, if there’s a water source, it looks quite large and expansive. There should be plenty of water.”

“Nymphs only inhabit large lakes with abundant water. It’s very likely.”

Dolores and Sinclaire shared the same opinion.

Vikir also nodded in agreement.

Having been handpicked during his time in the Imperial City, Minipin was someone Vikir trusted.

After a moment of contemplation, Vikir nodded.

“Good. Let’s modify the plan slightly. We’ll secure the water source at this point first.”

In an unusual decision, Vikir, who was typically conservative about changing plans, made an exception this time.

A temporary measure. Having enough water to last a week would be sufficient.

With Vikir’s decision, CindiWendy smiled broadly, feeling a sense of relief.

“Finally, we have a way out! We’ll support you with everything we’ve got!”

Others also showed determination and enthusiasm for the journey to secure water.

At that moment.

“Emergency! Emergency! Emergency!”

A sentry in the watchtower shouted an urgent report.

“The Reviadon forces are attacking from the front! Their numbers are countless!”

The report instantly overturned the excited atmosphere created by the discovery of the water source.

the place that will become the final battlefield.