Chapter 453 Taking Over Command
The folks from Snowfall Cult were the last to show up among the five big groups.
But it wasn't their leader Natasha who came; it was the high priest, Neil.
No one thought this was weird.
Natasha usually didn't handle the day-to-day stuff in Snowfall Cult.
She was just around twenty and didn't have the management chops that Neil did.
So, naturally, Neil was the one representing Snowfall Cult at the meeting.
Neil gave Otha a polite nod and then found a seat.
Seeing everyone was there, Otha rolled up his sleeves and checked his watch.
"Good, no one's late."
His voice was cold, giving off a ruthless vibe.
Then, Otha slammed his arms on the table, scanning the room.
"The zombie crisis in Starlight City has blown up. As the biggest players in the city, the blame is on all of you!"
With that, everyone's faces turned serious.
Steven frowned, a hint of amusement on his lips.
Megan crossed her arms and looked at Otha, saying, "Are you dumping the responsibility on us right off the bat?"
Otha sneered. "Dumping responsibility? Do you even know why the shelters were set up?"
"I won't talk about Snowfall Cult for now since they're a civilian group."
"But you four, you either took over the shelters built by the government or grabbed most of their resources!"
"And the shelters in each city are there to keep things stable during a crisis!"
Otha's tone dripped with sarcasm.
"You hog the best resources but don't want to keep the stability. Isn't that just incompetence?"
Megan's face turned sour, unable to argue with Otha, knowing the shelters were meant to help more people survive.
But over time, they forgot why the shelters were set up and just focused on getting more for themselves.
Leonard said casually, "Mr. Soderberg, it's easy to talk. Do you think we don't want to keep Starlight City stable?"
"But this zombie wave is huge. It came out of nowhere, and there are zombies everywhere causing chaos!"
"With just our forces, there's no way we can handle this crisis."
"We don't have the powerful weapons like Silvercrest District or the elite troops of The Astralium Kingdom."
After he finished, Otha's smile grew even wider. He crossed his arms and let out a loud laugh.
"Well," his laugh faded, his tone turning icy, "since you can't handle this crisis, from now on, just follow my orders!"
"I'll take charge of dealing with this zombie crisis. And all of your forces must follow my orders without question!"
Everyone's faces changed, and a sharp look flashed in Steven's eyes.
Follow someone else's orders without question?
No way!
Even if the guy was from Silvercrest District, he couldn't accept that.
Because following someone else's orders meant the risk of being sacrificed.
"We might not be able to go along with that!"
"Even if Starlight City is under Silvercrest District's jurisdiction, you think a handful of you can boss us around? You're seriously underestimating us!"
"Unless you bring in a big force, maybe then we can talk."
The leaders of the various groups spoke up, not willing to have their power stripped away, especially by a small team with unknown strength.
If a large force came, they might have to suck it up.
Otha sneered, "So, you think I'm not qualified, huh?"
Megan snorted. The others didn't say anything, but their eyes said it all.
"So, can you handle this crisis on your own?" Otha asked with a sneer.
Everyone went quiet.
The constant zombie outbreaks and rat swarm attacks had worn them out, and no one could guarantee they could handle it.
No one knew the actual scale of the zombie tide and the rat swarm!
Otha mocked, "You can't protect Starlight City, and you've let the zombies spread to nearby cities, affecting other residents. Yet you cling to your little bit of power, unwilling to let go."
"But don't forget!" Otha slammed the table, making everyone jump.
"Starlight City isn't your property! The Astralium Kingdom still stands, and Silvercrest District is the top command center in the South!"
Otha stood up from his chair.
Though he was thin, he looked tall and imposing.
He had a fierce military vibe, something Steven had only felt from Charles before.
Otha looked down at everyone and said, "I represent Silvercrest District, and my word is their will! Obey, or disappear, your choice."
Steven frowned but stayed quiet.
Unlike the other big groups with lots of people and resources, his group was small, so even if he handed over command, the loss would be minimal.
But even so, he didn't want to lose all control. That would put him and his people in danger.
Megan sneered. "If we don't obey, are you gonna send troops to wipe us out?"
She was scared, but she had to fight for her group's interests.
Once power is handed over, it's hard to get it back.
Megan and the others worried that if they gave up power, they'd become Silvercrest District's lackeys and lose their autonomy.
Otha's gaze, despite covered by his sunglasses, was fixed on Megan, and a deadly silence followed.
Megan coldly said, "Trying to scare me?"
Otha opened his mouth and slowly said, "Do you think the situation isn't serious enough?"
"Let me tell you the truth, we came with two orders from the top brass."
"First, try to solve the zombie crisis with local forces and stop it from spreading to other cities."
"Second, if the situation is uncontrollable and the zombie problem can't be solved by human efforts, then..."
Otha stopped abruptly and then slowly sat back down.
"The entire Starlight City can be abandoned."
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