Chapter 191: Grandfather’s Work

Chapter 191: Chapter 191: Grandfather’s Work

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Joshua Shaw and Jean Sterling bid farewell to the group and returned to report back on their mission.

Now that they had arrived, Luna Dawson no longer needed to provide supplies from her spatial storage. The military base took charge of all housing and food arrangements, distributing simple ration bars to the main force.

Nearly thirty private squads were participating in this mission. Upon receiving the rock-hard ration bars, grumbles quickly spread. Compared to the journey—where they had at least enjoyed steamed buns filled with dried vegetables and minced meat—arriving at their destination only to gnaw on unyielding biscuits felt like a massive downgrade. They began complaining about everything, from the thin walls of their housing to the stoves not being hot enough.

Fortunately, the majority of those involved in the operation were soldiers. They couldn’t be bothered to entertain the complaints, choosing instead to focus entirely on the tasks at hand.

As night fell and dinnertime approached, Luna Dawson and the others spent a little while playing in the snow in the courtyard with Rollo and Little Tiger. However, as hundreds of soldiers gradually moved into the small building, the area became a bustling thoroughfare. Not wanting Rollo to be in the way, they decided to head back inside. After all, every single person who walked by couldn’t help but cast curious glances at them.

Unable to withstand the constant attention, the group finally retreated into the villa.

"It’s just too difficult," Evan Olson sighed. "This world really isn’t leaving anyone a way out."

Mrs. Dawson thought of the elderly and children they had seen on the way in. "With so many people, can everyone really make it back to Kensington Base?" she asked, her voice laced with worry. "They won’t abandon anyone, will they?"

Given the current circumstances, the elderly and children lacking combat abilities were the most likely to be left behind.

"They probably won’t," Kevin Keane analyzed while helping Luna Dawson distribute boxed meals. "There are countless vehicles parked outside the base, which I assume were driven here by the survivors. Since they’ve prepared so much transportation, they must be planning a mass evacuation."

Grandpa remained silent, his face filled with unconcealed sorrow.

Throughout their journey earlier that day, the sight of emaciated survivors huddled in the freezing wind had pierced his heart like needles. The image of children with little faces turned purple from the cold, struggling to gnaw on rock-hard steamed buns, was particularly agonizing. Looking out at the densely packed crowds within the safe zone made his chest feel incredibly tight.

At his age, his combat abilities were practically nonexistent. He relied entirely on his younger relatives for protection in this post-apocalyptic world. Yet, seeing so many people suffering while he was powerless to help left him feeling utterly useless. This overwhelming sense of powerlessness tormented him even more than the apocalypse itself.

After a long silence, Grandpa took a deep breath. His gaze suddenly turned resolute as he slowly announced, "When we return to Kensington Base, I want to go to work at the Academy of Agricultural Sciences."

Everyone in the room was stunned by this declaration.

Grandpa paused. His tone was earnest and solemn, as if he were finally voicing a long-buried wish. "My superpower might not have any offensive capabilities, and I can’t charge into battle to kill zombies and protect everyone like the rest of you. But accelerating plant growth is the one thing I *can* do.

"Since the apocalypse began, both flora and fauna have mutated, making food the absolute most precious resource. So many people have already lost their lives simply because they went hungry.

"If I can use my wood-element superpower to grow just one more vegetable or cultivate one more stalk of grain, I might be able to save a child’s life. I might be able to give a family a sliver more hope to keep on living.

"If this old bag of bones can do a little more for the future of humanity, then my life won’t have been in vain. It’ll mean I’ve truly lived a worthwhile life!"

Having said his piece, he looked at Evan Olson with a burning gaze. His tone carried the firm certainty of a decision already made, yet it also hid a trace of anxiety, as he was afraid of being shot down. He knew he was getting on in years, and he feared the younger generation would worry about his safety if he went to work at the Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Evan Olson was completely taken aback. Clearly, he hadn’t expected his grandfather to harbor such thoughts, and for a moment, he didn’t know what to say.

Hector suddenly chimed in with his crisp, clear voice. "Then I want to go with Grandpa, too! My superpower lets me communicate with plants. The Academy of Agricultural Sciences must have so many plant friends I can chat with, and I can help Grandpa take care of them!"

After all, both the oldest and youngest members of the group were usually shielded fiercely by the rest of the family. Whenever a major battle broke out, the priority was always to hide the two of them first. Hector also wanted to contribute in whatever way he could, rather than constantly being the one who needed protecting.

Wayne Dawson immediately looked over at Rhonda Dawson, his eyes silently asking her what they should do about this.

Mrs. Dawson looked at Grandpa’s resolute expression and then down at Hector’s expectant eyes. "I think it’s a wonderful idea," she said softly. "Grandpa knows how to drive, and we can have Purple Bean accompany you. That way, even if you run into any danger, you’ll be able to handle it. A person can’t just live their life idling away while being taken care of. Having a sense of purpose and being able to do something for everyone brings true peace of mind."

Luna Dawson nodded in agreement. "I support Grandpa on this. If Hector tags along, it’ll be a perfect opportunity for him to learn about botany from Grandpa and experience the process of cultivating crops. In this post-apocalyptic world, if a base wants to thrive in the long run, it can’t survive without a stable food supply. And it can’t survive without people who are willing to step up and contribute, just like Grandpa.

"If Hector can rely on his superpower to eventually grow into a new-generation botanist and help humanity solve the global food crisis, then that would be even better."

She knew very well that Grandpa’s decision wasn’t just about finding something to occupy his time. It stemmed from a deep compassion for his fellow human beings and a profound concern for the future of humanity. He wanted to use his own strength to inject a glimmer of life into this bleak apocalypse, helping to pave a path of survival for those struggling to stay alive. Such a simple yet magnificent aspiration wholeheartedly deserved their support.

Rhonda Dawson looked at Hector, then over at Luna Dawson, and finally nodded. "A child ultimately needs to learn and grow. Life in this apocalypse is anything but easy, so it’s time he learns how to face challenges and shoulder responsibilities. Since he’s decided to go, he can start adapting from within the safety of the base. With Purple Bean by his side to protect him, he shouldn’t be in any real danger."

Seeing that even Rhonda Dawson had given her approval, Evan Olson couldn’t find any excuse to object. He understood his grandfather’s intentions. It was a sense of responsibility carved into the very bones of the older generation. Within the scope of his abilities, the old man simply wanted to light a small path forward for the younger generations and for the continuation of humanity.

"Grandpa, I support you, too," Evan Olson said earnestly. "Go and do whatever it is you wish to do."

Hearing this, Grandpa’s face immediately broke into a beaming smile, the wrinkles around his eyes smoothing out with joy. The heavy gloom weighing on his heart instantly dissipated, replaced by an overwhelming surge of motivation and hope.

He knew he was no longer just a burden who needed constant protection. Even if he couldn’t charge onto the front lines, he could still use his superpower in the fields of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences to sow life for humanity. Now, he could finally work alongside his younger relatives to change this desolate world. This feeling of being needed, of being able to contribute, made him feel that his life held far greater meaning.

"Wonderful! Wonderful!" Grandpa exclaimed, his voice trembling with excitement. "I hope that one day, everyone in the base cafeteria will be eating the vegetables and grains I’ve grown. I want all the children to have full bellies and warm clothes, so they never have to suffer from freezing or starving ever again!"

"Yeah! You can do it, Grandpa!" Hector cheered, pumping his little fist in the air.

"Hahaha..."

Warm laughter echoed throughout the villa.

Sure enough, the people of Celestia had the desire to farm and feed others etched deep into their very genetics.

This was also a phenomenal development for the group. By placing Grandpa in the Agricultural Research Institute, it would be much easier for Luna Dawson to justify bringing out plant seeds and seedlings later on. It would give her the perfect leverage to negotiate terms with the base and trade for Crystal Cores. The more she thought about it, the more Luna Dawson realized what a brilliant, win-win strategy this was.

After finishing their meal, the group was just preparing to get some rest when they saw Francis Grant return.