Consequently, the group of protestors began to swell. Within a short period of time, almost everyone at the base
had joined them and were marching buoyantly toward Zeke's room.
Meanwhile, Zeke was indulging in a hair wash Phoenix was giving him.
Over the last few days, it had become a habit for Zeke to have his hair washed by Phoenix. Despite resisting it
initially, he gradually learned to actually enjoy it.
After he was done forging a divine weapon, the hair wash would reinvigorate his mind and leech the weariness
from his body.
Just as he was enjoying himself, Zeke suddenly heard shouts outside.
“Exchange the Spirit Stones for food!”
“Exchange the Spirit Stones for food!”
His brows furrowed into a frown. “Phoenix, what's going on?”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtPhoenix let out a sigh. “We finished the last of our food reserves last night. There's nothing left to eat this morning. I
presume they're protesting about it.”
“Haven't Sole Wolf and the others returned with food?”
Phoenix shook her head. “Not yet.”
“Come, let's go out and take a look.”
Phoenix heaved another sigh. “Zeke, do you think Sole Wolf and his group managed to secure food supplies?
Otherwise, it would be hard to placate the crowd. Worse comes to worst, you can make an example out of some of
them. By annihilating a few leaders among the troublemakers, we'll be able to strike fear into them. As for food... I'll
lead a team to hunt in the nearby woods. Even then, I'm afraid we can only gather enough for three days, even if
we empty the forest of its animals.”
Zeke patted Phoenix on her shoulder. “Don't worry. There's no need to burden yourself with this. I'll take care of it.
Come, let's go out now.”
With that, the two walked out of the room, only to be greeted by a huge group of men.
Their thundering voices of protest echoed in the air.
Upon climbing up the stage, Phoenix waved at the crowd. “Quiet, everyone. Please be quiet.”
Following Phoenix's shout, silence gradually descended upon the crowd.
Phoenix reassured them, “I know all of you are worried about food, but there's no need for that. We have sent
someone to secure food, and they'll return with rations soon. Please bear with it for two more days, and all this will
be over.”
Unfortunately, the crowd remained unconvinced. “Phoenix, where do you plan on getting the rations from? From
what we know, there's only one way on Theos Island to purchase food, and that's by exchanging Spirit Stones with
the Legions.”
“However, now that our Spirit Stones are being refined into spiritual iron, you would definitely not be willing to use
them for the exchange. Also, Southern King won't provide us with rations after you severely injured him. So, tell us
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmthe truth now. Are you planning to sit idly by and watch as all of us die of hunger?”
Phoenix waved her hands in denial. “Our new commander has his own avenues for securing rations, but I can't tell
you about them as they're top secret. No matter what, have faith in his leadership. Anyway, please disperse
yourselves. The new commander is going to check on the progress of the supplies. If you cause any trouble, you'll
just end up slowing the process down.”
Unfortunately, the crowd refused to back down, which filled Phoenix with frustration.
Zeke, who had been silent throughout, finally spoke.
“Everyone, do you not trust me? Have you forgotten that I have never let you down before?”
The crowd fell silent upon hearing his words.
It was true that ever since Zeke united the Centurias, their living conditions visibly improved.
Nonetheless, the rations were a matter of life and death, something they couldn't take lightly.
Thus, there was no way they were going to back down until Zeke provided them with a convincing explanation.
Someone responded, “Mr. Williams, it's not that we don't believe you, but it's unrealistic to expect unconditional
faith from us with just a few words. At the very least, you should provide evidence that you're in the midst of
obtaining rations. Otherwise, we feel as if you're trying to starve us to death.”