Surviving the Apocalypse: All I Want Is to Find a Husband
Chapter 170: Persuade the Soldiers (3)

Chapter 170: Persuade the Soldiers (3)

"Soldier," he said, his voice dangerously calm, "I’ll count to three. If that gun is still pointed at her by the time I’m done, I promise you ... you won’t like what happens next."

None of them knew what kind of abilities Lucian possessed or just how powerful he really was. However, there was something about him—something in his voice—that made it clear he wasn’t bluffing.

This wasn’t just an empty threat. If they pushed him, he would do something they would regret.

"Lower your weapon, Max." Ethan’s voice cut through the tension before Lucian could even start counting.

"But, Captain—-"

"Max," Ethan cut him off. "I’m not asking. If you still consider me your captain, put the damn gun down."

Max clenched his jaw, his fingers tightening around the grip of his rifle. He exhaled sharply through his nose before finally, albeit reluctantly, lowering his weapon.

His expression was sour, like he was biting back a dozen arguments, but he didn’t push it any further.

Ethan took the rifle from Max’s hands before turning to Lucian. "I apologize for the inconvenience. Please understand ... they’re just scared."

Truthfully, Ethan wasn’t entirely sure why he trusted these two. He couldn’t even remember half of their conversation before he blacked out. But for some reason, deep down, he just knew they meant no harm.

Lucian held his gaze for a moment, then sighed slowly. The tension in his shoulders eased, but his eyes remained as sharp as ever.

"I get it." He warned them, "But next time? If anyone aims a gun at my wife’s head again ... there won’t be a warning."

Medeia blinked.

His wife?

That single word hit her like a punch to the gut, replaying in her head like a broken record.

She had only called him her boyfriend, yet here he was, introducing her as his wife?

Medeia had always thought she was the only one delusional in their relationship, but apparently, Lucian had been playing his own little fantasy all along and he was acting like they had already walked down the aisle and exchanged vows.

"Well, he’s not wrong," Medeia grinned from ear to ear, completely ignoring the tense situation around her. "My husband can be very, very terrifying if you even think about killing me."

Max scoffed, louder this time. Maybe it wasn’t just disbelief in their identities—maybe it was the absurdity of someone managing to get a wife during the damn apocalypse.

Meanwhile, he had only ever shared a bed with his fellow soldiers.

A weak, trembling voice suddenly cut through the tension.

"C-Captain...?"

Medeia’s sharp gaze flickered toward the soldier who had spoken—a young man with fiery red hair, sprawled across the floor like a discarded ragdoll. His face was drained of color, his lips cracked from dehydration, but it was his leg that made her stomach twist.

Or rather, what was left of it.

The right side of his body was soaked in blood, his thigh torn apart so viciously that Medeia could see the white of his exposed bones beneath the ruined flesh.

A landmine.

That was the only explanation.

Even if he had survived the blast, his leg hadn’t. The real miracle was that he was still breathing at all.

"Yes, Mateo," Ethan whispered. He dropped to his knees beside him, gripping his trembling hand like his life depended on it. "I’m here. I brought help. We’re going to save you now."

Medeia swept her gaze over the rest of the soldiers.

They were young. Too young.

Barely past their early twenties, yet they had already been forced to stain their hands with blood, to trade their futures for the harsh reality of eliminating other humans.

It didn’t matter who they had been before the world crumbled—right now, they were just a group of kids fighting to survive.

And judging by their condition, they weren’t winning that fight.

"Hey, bandage guy." Medeia leaned back against the chair, arms crossed, her voice laced with casual mockery. "Did the military snatch you straight from the crib or something?"

The way these soldiers moved, the unspoken trust between them—it was obvious they’d been together for years. Maybe since childhood. Sixteen? Eighteen? Even younger?

Max clicked his tongue. "That’s none of your damn business," he snapped. "And don’t act all friendly with me. I don’t trust you."

"Don’t act friendly? Oh, good. That’s actually my specialty." Medeia smiled, then tilted her head in mock curiosity. "Mommy and Daddy are dead, right?"

Max’s entire body tensed, his eyes narrowing into a glare. "You—"

"Oh, I knew I hit a nerve." Medeia cut him off, her smile widening. "Poor little orphan, growing up in that cold, miserable military base, surrounded by other lost kids. Must’ve been terrifying." She gave a slow, exaggerated sigh. "Tell me ... did those scary uncles like to hit you? Or maybe even touch you in—"

"Shut up!" Max’s voice came out like a growl, his entire face flushing with anger. His whole body trembled, whether from fury or something else, Medeia wasn’t sure. "No one hit us! At least ... not before—" He clamped his mouth shut, realizing too late that he’d said too much. "This is none of your damn concern!"

Medeia’s smile faded slightly, replaced with something more thoughtful. So the military played the role of saviors, huh? Taking in desperate, abandoned kids, raising them, training them. Making them believe they were safe—

It sounded so familiar.

Well. At least she didn’t brainwash kids. Adults, though? Well, it was kind of fithy-fithy.

Meanwhile, Lucian was busy assessing the soldiers’ conditions, starting with the worst cases first. Naturally, Mateo was his first priority.

Ethan crouched beside Lucian, his face pale as he took in Mateo’s shredded leg.

"What ... what do we do?" His voice cracked. "I know it’s a stupid question, but... can we save his leg?"

Lucian didn’t hesitate. "No."

Ethan inhaled sharply, his fingers clenching into fists.

"The damage is too severe," Lucian continued, "The tissue is already necrotic. If we don’t amputate soon, the infection will spread. And by the time we reach my base ..." He shook his head. "He won’t make it."

"Just let me die," Mateo whispered between labored breaths. "A soldier without a leg? Captain ... I’ll just slow you down. I’d rather go out like this than be a burden."