Chapter 24: Alliance

"Hey, what's up with everyone being so busy?" Lily barged into my office.

"Oh, Lily, Nana! Long time no see, I haven't seen you in a while!" I greeted them warmly.

"Because you stopped trusting us and started treating us like kids," Nana retorted, shooting me a fierce glare.

"We've discussed this before, remember? It's dangerous out there," I defended my decision.

"How can it be any more dangerous than when we first joined this base? Back then, you let us fight when the place was way smaller!" Lily protested, clearly angry.

"I needed more help back then, but now I have enough manpower," I explained.

"And so, you don't need us anymore?" Nana's glare intensified.

"That's not it. I just want you both to have a chance to enjoy your youth, not risking your lives on the front lines," I tried to reason with them.

"But we enjoy being out there!" Lily exclaimed.

"Who said it's normal for two teenage girls to enjoy killing zombies?" Souta chimed in with a sigh.

"Why do you still expect something normal in this apocalypse? you know it better than we do that those old society is dead," Lily said, dead serious

Souta rubbed his head in frustration. "Do you really want to go outside that badly? It's not normal, and honestly, it's not normal for two girls to be so damn good at fighting off hordes. Lily, your strength is extraordinary. Even Roger said that you're talented! that guy never praises anyone like that! and Nana, you never miss shots! all headshots even though you're facing a horde"

"Well, tough luck for you, Souta. We've got some skills!" Lily said with a smirk.

"Yeah, I admit that. And the world needs strong forces right now. Fine, I won't let you two stay behind, but you're not going alone. I'll send some other teenagers for you two to train and form a team around you two. I expect great things," Souta finally gave in.

"Great! That's a deal, then. See ya later!" Lily waved.

"Goodbye," Nana said with a nod.

As they left, I couldn't help but smile. Those two were a force to be reckoned with, and I had a feeling they were going to achieve even more remarkable things together.

"Those two are growing too fast. Is this how it feels being a father? damn, is this the famous teenage rebellion?" Souta said

Amy came, "What are you blubbering about?" She said as she put a coffee on my table, "Steff said that I should bring you coffee, but it's still not nighttime so it's kinda weird, do you like coffee that much?" Amy asked as she leaned on my table.

"Well, I like you more than just drinking this coffee," Souta said with a teasing tone.

Amy boldly said, "Well, how about drinking here instead?" As she showed her cleavage.

"Well, that would be a dream, come true," Souta said while Amy was walking towards him. As she approached Souta and seduced him, she leaned and kissed Souta.

There, in the broad daylight, they did their thing.

Time passed swiftly, and a fleet of helicopters suddenly descended upon our base, precisely as planned. They gracefully landed in the town's square, causing both citizens and soldiers to remain cautious, ready for any eventuality. As the helicopters' doors opened, soldiers emerged, forming a protective formation around one particular chopper. And then, he appeared—the leader, Zack, exuding an aura of nobility straight out of a storybook.

Approaching them with her bodyguards, Jenny greeted him politely, "Welcome, I assume you're Lord Zack?"

"Yes, can you take us to Lord Souta?" Zack replied confidently.

"Of course," Jenny replied, leading them to a waiting car. A convoy of vehicles escorted them towards the castle.

As they arrived at the castle, Steff, Amy, and the other maids warmly welcomed them. Zack smiled graciously, following their lead, accompanied by his secretary and bodyguard—a man and a woman. When I looked closer, I couldn't believe my eyes—Zack was just a kid!

I blurted out, "A kid?" I immediately regretted my words, but they had already escaped my lips.

Zack burst into laughter, "HAHAHAHAHA!"

"Master Souta, please don't treat our Master as a kid. He may look young, but he's actually our leader," his secretary explained politely.

"Oh, I'm sorry about that," I said, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"No worries at all. It's actually refreshing to be seen as a kid for once. Since I became the leader, everyone has treated me like an adult. It's a nice change of pace," Zack said with a warm smile.

Shana had told me that Zack was the fourth child and had taken on the responsibility after his brother's passing, becoming the leader of their household and base.

Zack then asked about his sister, "Anyways, is my sister here? Can I see her?"

"I can arrange that," Souta said. Just as he spoke, a knock on the door was followed by Shana's entrance.

Zack's face lit up with joy as he saw his sister alive, "I'm glad... that you're alive," he said, emotion evident in his voice.

"Zack..." Shana's eyes welled up with tears.

The siblings embraced each other, and Zack turned to me, expressing his gratitude, "Thank you for saving and taking care of my sister."

"Zack... I won't go back," Shana said with determination.

Zack smiled warmly, "I know, that's why I'm forming an alliance with Souta here, or should I say, brother-in-law?"

"Zack!" Shana blushed while he chuckled at her reaction, making me feel a little embarrassed myself.

"Well then, let's talk about our alliance now," Zack suggested.

"As you're now my brother-in-law, and seeing how happy my sister is here, that's more than enough for me. I trust you," Zack said with a genuine smile, standing up and extending his hand.

Zack reciprocated the handshake, sealing the alliance between our bases.

"There you have it, alliance complete," Souta said, nodding in satisfaction. "Now you two can catch up and look around the base however you wish."

Zack smiled gratefully, "Thank you for everything. This alliance means a lot to me."

With the alliance settled and the reunion of siblings complete, the future looked brighter than ever for all of us.

As the formalities concluded, Shana and Zack had a chance to catch up and spend some quality time together. They decided to take a stroll through the castle gardens, leaving me to handle the remaining matters related to the alliance.

The siblings walked side by side, their smiles reflecting the joy of being reunited after what must have been a long separation. The beauty of the garden seemed to enhance their happiness, with the scent of flowers filling the air.

"You've become quite the leader, Zack," Shana said, admiration evident in her eyes.

Zack chuckled, a hint of humility in his voice, "I've had to grow up fast, but it hasn't always been easy. Seeing you safe and happy here, though, makes it all worth it."

"I'm sorry for causing you worry," Shana said, her voice filled with regret.

"No need to apologize. You're my older sister, and protecting you is my duty. I'm just glad you found a safe place here with Souta," Zack reassured her.

Shana's expression grew gloomy as she asked, "So Brother really did die?"

Zack nodded somberly, "Yeah, he was a great leader, always looking out for me and keeping the base safe. But after the incident, everything changed. He believed it was necessary to go to the city, and that decision cost him his life. All the responsibilities fell on me when you and Amber left."

"Amber..." Shana murmured. She thought about her elder sister, who had also left the household and was often studying abroad. They hadn't been as close due to the distance and their different paths in life.

"I wonder where she is now," Shana said softly, contemplating her sister's whereabouts.

Zack gave a small smile, "Yeah, Amber always had a strong sense of independence. She's out there doing her thing, but I'm sure she's safe."

The two siblings sat in silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts. Despite the heavy burden Zack carried as the leader, he was grateful to have his sister back in his life.

"You know," Shana said, breaking the silence, "I was scared when I first left, many things happened, being a police chief and the apocalypse, coming here, meeting Souta, and finding a place where I belong—it's changed me. I feel stronger now."

Zack nodded, understanding the transformation his sister had gone through. "I can see that. You've grown in so many ways, and I'm proud of you."

"I never thought I'd find family outside of our household," Shana admitted, a hint of vulnerability in her voice. "But being with Souta and the others here—it feels like home."

Zack placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, "Sometimes, family is more than just blood. It's about the connections we make and the people who support us."

Shana smiled at her brother's words, grateful for his understanding and acceptance.

"Hey, you should come back and visit our base someday," Zack suggested. "I'm sure everyone there would be thrilled to see you."

"I'd like that," Shana said, her spirits lifting. "I wish you could have seen Lily and Nana," Shana said with a nostalgic smile. "They've become like sisters to me. I think you'd like them."

"I'm sure I would," Zack replied warmly. "And I'm glad you found such good friends. It's essential to have people you can rely on."

As they walked, Shana noticed a moment of weariness flash across Zack's face. "You must be tired," she said, concerned. "Leading must be so demanding."

"It is," Zack admitted. "But seeing you safe and happy here, it gives me the strength to keep going. And now, with this alliance, I feel like we can achieve even greater things together."

Shana nodded, understanding her brother's dedication. "I'm proud of you, Zack. You've become such a strong and caring leader."

They found a peaceful spot to sit down and rest for a moment. The sun cast a warm glow over them, and for a brief moment, the weight of their responsibilities seemed to lift.

Back in the meeting room, Souta finalized the details of the alliance, feeling confident that this partnership would bring benefits to both our bases. As we wrapped up, I couldn't help but smile, knowing that Shana and Zack's reunion was a pivotal moment for all of us.

In the end, this alliance was not just about strengthening our forces—it was about family, friendship, and finding hope amidst challenging times. As we continued to build our future together, I felt a sense of optimism and unity that could only come from the bonds formed between kindred souls.