Frozen Flame of Dawn - Chapter 125

Chapter 125: Chapter 60: Rienfeld Solution_2
Alaric’s expression turned unreadable a the one thing that could artificially boost an awakened individual’s power is there newly developed serum but it to have it major drawbacks. “You realize that once we inject them, their lifespan will be reduced to twenty years, right?”

“Twenty years is more than enough.” Robert’s expression didn’t falter as he leaned forward, his voice dropping to a low murmur. “For them to be of use to us and die before they even dream for having any chance to turn against us.”

Robert barely spared him a glance, his voice flat and there was no hesitation, no unnecessary justification—just cold, strategic reasoning. “Besides, with these dead soldiers, our own personal forces will have enough time to cultivate and properly train without relying on the serum. We can’t afford for them to plateau at a certain point.”

Alaric exhaled, tilting his head as he absorbed the words. It made sense—of course, it did. The serum gave an instant boost in power, but it came at a cost. Those who used it had limited growth potential, their lifespans significantly shortened. It was a short-term solution for soldiers they couldn’t afford to train for years, but for their personal forces—those who would carry the Robert family’s ambitions into the future—it was a trap.

“Yeah, that would be better,” Alaric admitted, his voice thoughtful. “If we enhance our own elite forces with the serum, we’re crippling them in the long run. Their power growth stops at a certain threshold, and their lifespan gets cut short. That’s not an advantage—it’s a liability.

Robert gave a slight nod, as if Alaric had simply confirmed what he already knew. “Exactly. Loyal soldiers can’t be trained in a short period of time. But the dead ones…?”

Alaric nodded. “They don’t need training at all.”

Silence settled between them for a moment before Alaric shifted in his seat, a new thought forming. “I’ll get them ready and for precaution, I’ll implant our latest microchips in them. If any of them start thinking of going against us, we’ll detonate them.”

Robert’s brow arched slightly, a rare sign of approval. “Good move.”

“Though,” Alaric continued, “there’s a problem with all wireless communication down, we won’t be able to detonate them remotely past a certain distance. But within a controlled range, we can still blow them to pieces if needed. A bit of insurance for ourselves.”

“It’s a good failsafe.” Robert leaned back slightly, considering. “Make sure it’s done properly.”

Alaric nodded and stood, ready to get to work, but just as he reached the door, Robert’s voice stopped him. “One more thing.”

Alaric turned, raising a brow, as Robert said.”You don’t need to keep looking at me, Henry, or anyone else for approval every time you make a decision.”

Alaric frowned slightly, not out of disagreement but because he hadn’t expected Robert to bring it up so directly.

“I know you already think through every possibility, sometimes better than us,” Robert continued, his gaze steady. “It’s unnecessary for you to second-guess yourself just to show respect. If you have something to say, say it. We don’t have time for pleasantries.”

Alaric let out a short chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. “You make it sound like I’m some hesitant kid.”

Robert didn’t react, just studied him for a moment before adding, “You’re one of our best. The most talented among your generation. I trust your judgment, so don’t waste time hesitating.”

Alaric met his grandfather’s gaze and, for the first time in a while, he felt something almost… close to pride.

He smiled. “Sure, Grandfather, I’ll make sure to speak my mind more and voice my thoughts the moment they cross my mind.”

With that without waiting for a response, he turned and walked toward the door, his footsteps steady as his mind already working through the details of what needed to be done.

Robert watched him leave, a rare smile playing on his lips. The Rienfeld family was moving forward with ruthless efficiency, their plans unfolding rapidly. Soon, their power would be absolute.

…….

Meanwhile in Ashmoor a town that still stand now and had once been just another quiet town on the outskirts of the province, overshadowed by larger cities.

But since the surge, it had become a beacon of resilience. Unlike other settlements that fell into chaos, Ashmoor endured—not because of government intervention, but because its people refused to fall.

At the heart of it all stood Alina Greaves, her golden eyes sharp as she surveyed the town from the rooftop of an old police station. The early morning light bathed the streets in a soft glow, highlighting the wooden barricades, reinforced gates, and makeshift guard posts.

Below her, in the courtyard, her younger brother, Jeremy, was overseeing a group of fighters-in-training. His stance was firm, his voice carrying across the square. “Again! If you hesitate against a beast, you’re dead. If you hesitate against a raider, you’re dead.” He struck forward with a flash of light, his ability forming a radiant spear in his hands. “We fight with precision, not emotion.”

The trainees—villagers who had chosen to take up arms—nodded and adjusted their stances. Alina smiled slightly. Lucas was always the one who pushed forward with force, while she… she was the one who made sure they didn’t fall apart.

Her father, Chief Merrin Greaves, had been the police chief before the surge. Now, he was more than that. He was the leader, the one who organized defenses, established supply routes, and ensured that no one in their town starved.

From her vantage point, Alina could see the people of Ashmoor moving with purpose. Some were reinforcing the outer walls, others tending to the greenhouses they had managed to cultivate within the town. They weren’t just surviving anymore—they were building something sustainable.

A voice called out from below. “Alina! The scouting team returned from the southern villages!”

She swiftly descended the ladder and landed lightly on the ground, nodding at the messenger before walking toward the gathering area where her father and the other town leaders were waiting. Jeremy followed, brushing dust from his hands.

When Alina arrived she found one of the elder scout shoulder were bleeding and was on the makeshift medical bed, she immediately went placed her hands glowing with golden light as she hovered them over a wounded man’s torn shoulder.

The deep gash knitted together before everyone’s eyes, the pain in his expression fading into quiet relief. The gathered townsfolk murmured amongst themselves, whispers of awe and gratitude passing through the small crowd.

“Thank you, Miss Alina,” the man said, flexing his fingers experimentally. “I thought I was done for.”

Alina wiped sweat from her brow and gave him a small but determined smile. “You’re not done for as long as I’m there.”

Chief Greaves her father looked up as they approached, his expression unreadable. “They confirmed it,” he said, voice heavy. “Some of the villages near the basin have fallen. Survivors are trickling in, but many weren’t lucky.”

A murmur ran through the gathered townspeople. They had all hoped for better news.

“And the Federation?” Jeremy asked, crossing his arms. “Any sign they’re actually doing something?”

Silence as there were no one in the room who doesn’t want to get any information of Federation actions and response.

The scouting leader shook his head. “No response or any type of aid there is nothing. Either they’ve abandoned this area, or they don’t have the resources to help.”

Alina felt a familiar frustration settle in her chest. They had all believed in the Federation once. Believed that when the world turned upside down, there would be someone—some kind of authority—to restore order. But weeks had passed, and Ashmoor had received nothing.

She exhaled, placing a hand on her father’s arm. “Then we do what we’ve been doing all this time.”

Chief Greaves nodded, his gaze steady. “We protect our own.”

Jeremy hesitated and asked even though he know the answer. “And the others?”

Alina didn’t hesitate and said the word he expected. “We protect them too as no one else is coming to help them.”

She turned to the gathered fighters, farmers, and scavengers who had built this town into a stronghold. “We’ve done more than survive. We’ve created something here. And we won’t let it fall.”

A murmur of agreement spread through the group.

Then one of the younger scouts spoke, hesitation in his voice. “We also found a new group… survivors from a destroyed village. They’re scared, but they need help.”

Jeremy groaned. “How many?”

That scout spoke “About twenty and mostly families among them. They don’t have much, but they’re willing to work.”

Alina and her father exchanged glances. Another weight on their already full shoulders. But they knew what had to be done.

Her father sighed. “Bring them in. We’ll figure something out.”

Alina squeezed his hand in gratitude before turning to the group. “We keep moving forward,” she said. “We make sure no one is left behind.”

Jeremy muttered under his breath, “One of these days, sis, this bleeding heart of yours is going to bite us.”

Alina just smiled. “Maybe but not today.”

As the meeting dispersed, Alina climbed back onto the police station rooftop, looking toward the horizon. The world outside their walls was chaos. But here in Ashmoor, they had built something that mattered.

And no matter what came next, they wouldn’t fall.