With that, Ivy walked away.
She was truly disappointed in her citizens this ti, and a faint heaviness settled in her chest as she began to wonder if she needed to implent strict asures in the future.
’Why are they like this?’ she thought, her expression steady even as her heart twisted a little.
anwhile, after Ivy left, Kael and Ember exchanged a brief look before they too headed out.
They did not forget to glance at Keith, an unspoken ssage in their eyes, as if saying that if he needed to talk, he knew where to find them.
But they did not linger. Pearl’s condition had stabilized, and Ivy had looked genuinely heartbroken; neither Kael nor Ember could bring themselves to leave their sister alone right now.
They knew they were being biased; Pearl’s situation was far more dangerous, but in their hearts, Ivy ca first.
Keith didn’t stop them. In fact, he felt a sudden chill creeping through his heart.
He didn’t know who Ivy truly was or what her relationship with Ember was supposed to be.
From the words he had overheard earlier, Ivy was most likely the long-lost daughter that Ember’s family had been desperately searching for.
And if Ivy really was the representative she claid to be, then the citizens’ behavior today was nothing short of chilling.
’Are they really so stupid that they sit like ducks during an apocalypse? Don’t they know how to speak up properly?’ Though these thoughts simred inside him, he didn’t voice them aloud.
He continued focusing on Pearl, whose condition had stabilized significantly.
However, her contractions had grown more frequent, and she seed to be going into premature labor. Dr. Hale imdiately wheeled her into the ergency room, and Ember and Kael followed Ivy outside.
The mont they were out of the crowded hallway, Ember wrapped her arms tightly around Ivy and spoke in a determined tone.
"Don’t be sad over those idiots. If you want, I’ll beat them up for you."
Ivy paused, montarily stunned by the offer.
Then, slowly, she hugged Ember back and whispered, her voice softer than usual,
"I don’t understand where I’m going wrong. I have experience, but... I’ve never run a base alone before. Maybe I’m not doing a good job. I’m trying to handle everything myself, but it’s becoming difficult."
Even Kael and Ember could see the exhaustion written across her face.
Kael looked at Ivy’s small, defeated expression, and his fist clenched involuntarily.
His heart ached at the sight. He couldn’t bear seeing his sister upset because of a group of citizens who were too foolish to recognize how lucky they were.
When Kael had first arrived at the base, he had observed that it was one of the most well-organized and well-equipped among its league.
If nurtured correctly, it could beco a place where people could retain their humanity, even in an apocalypse, and even serve as a turning point in humanity’s fight against zombies.
Yet here were the very people who should have been grateful, resenting Ivy instead.
They were ignoring the opportunity placed before them and behaving like helpless ducks waiting to be slaughtered.
Taking a steady breath, Kael looked at her and said gently,
"I think you need to establish different departnts with assigned roles, Ivy. You shouldn’t keep all the power in your hands alone."
Hearing that, Ivy pulled away from Ember and stared at Kael in confusion. "What do you an?"
Kael explained patiently,
"In a business, the CEO doesn’t hold all decision-making power. Authority is distributed among board mbers to maintain clear strategies, oversight, and balance. The sa concept can be applied to your base. If you create specialized departnts with departnt leaders who report to you, you’ll be able to manage everything more efficiently."
Ivy frowned slightly. "But I already have a research departnt and so basic divisions in the base."
Kael shook his head gently.
"Not just research or lifestyle-improving departnts. You need divisions that can oversee the base even when you’re not present. The reason you suffered so much is that the base was unsupervised while you were gone. Without you, nothing functioned properly. Just look at how quickly their hearts beca corrupt; they even thought of selling important items."
He looked at her seriously.
"You should create corruption control units, espionage or intelligence departnts, disciplinary committees... anything essential to maintaining order. And if you need help running the base, I’ll gladly assist you."
At those words, Ivy’s eyes softened imdiately, and she nodded.
Kael smiled faintly, then added in a warm tone,
"You don’t have to feel sad. We’re here now. We’ll help you at every step. If you feel tired, just say the word... We’ll take over from there."
Ember nodded beside him and gently cupped Ivy’s cheek.
"Stop worrying so much. You’re still so young. Why are you carrying the whole world on your shoulders? Leave the tough work to people like and Kael. Let us toughen up your citizens a bit. Otherwise, they’ll never learn what’s good for them."
Ivy couldn’t help but laugh softly at Ember’s version of "tough love," and she nodded.
Seeing her mood lighten, Ember and Kael secretly sighed in relief, though concern still lingered in their hearts.
But Ivy shook her head and said, "You should go and accompany Pearl. I don’t know her well, but she needs you more than I do right now."
Ember froze for a mont, a flicker of conflict crossing her eyes. Ivy patted her hand gently and added, "I know my limits. You don’t have to worry about so much."
Ember exhaled slowly and murmured, "Fine... But don’t stay sad about this for long. Instead of getting upset, stand up and take action."
When Ivy nodded, Ember finally smiled and headed back inside.
Once Ember left, Kael looked down at Ivy and said, "I’ll drop you ho."
Ivy pouted, her tone slightly sulky. "I can go on my own."
Kael chuckled and replied, "If I don’t take you, who knows what kind of trouble you’ll wander into?"
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