44 Old world's garbage

Lieutenant Mitchel's eyes practically glowed when he heard those words. He turned to the buckets full of Monster's blood and meat as if they were the most precious treasures in the world.

The truth was that he was already having trouble handling the medical necessities of all these people. While he and the soldiers could make the way back to the fortress in less than a day, it would easily take over a week to bring so many weak and sick people. However, it would be a game-changer if that food could help them regain their strength and vitality.

Of course, meat that gives you vitality and energy sounded like magic, but this was a world where magic did exist. Lieutenant Mitchel knew that the young man before him had a sea of knowledge and had already proved his abilities, so he did not doubt his words.

"Great. With your permission, we will begin distributing the meat and blood among the civilians."

"Of course, go ahead. After all, I cannot possibly consume all the meat by myself. Take as many buckets as you want. There is more than enough for all of us."

Vlad smiled as he nodded to the Lieutenant, but suddenly, a sharp light appeared in his eyes, and he saw one of the civilians nearing them. Unlike the others, this one seemed well-fed and wore expensive clothes, at least by the pre-apocalyptic standards.

"Lieutenant, are you not going to introduce me to this soldier?"

The man was in his mid-twenties, with short golden hair and blue eyes. His tall body and muscular frame would have definitely caught the attention of many women, but his smile was somewhat twisted, giving off a bad feeling.

Lieutenant Mitchel's smile froze as he heard those words. He quietly sighed, adopting a sharp military stance.

"Sir Vlad, this is Maron Lucary, the oldest son of Senator Lucary."

Vlad's eyes narrowed as he heard that. The name Maron meant nothing to him, but Senator Lucary was a significant political figure in Constantine Country. He was the head of one of the two political branches that divided the country's government, and it was shown on TV nearly every week due to his tendency to clash with the Prime Minister.

Before the apocalypse, Senator Lucary would have been a figure whose shadow would have been more than enough to drown Vlad, but things were different in the new world order. Of course, some, like Maron, did not believe so and thought their old identity still had meaning.

There were also those like Lieutenant Mitchel who were too disciplined in their way of thinking and would take a while to fully adjust to the new world order. After all, it took work to throw away your previous understanding of how the world worked and adapt to the new one.

Maron glanced at Vlad with a smile and remained silent, waiting for the other side to bow in his presence as all people did after learning his identity. However, the only thing he received from Vlad was a side glance and nothing more.

"Anyway, Lieutenant Mitchel, please give everybody a piece of the meat and a cup of blood so they can consume it now. Although raw meat is not tasty, it is enough to heal their bodies and cure any ailments. After they've recovered their energy, they can start a proper feast."

Vlad had no desire to speak or even interact in the slightest way with someone like Maron, but things would not be so simple as the man grew enraged upon seeing he was not revered. 

"Soldier, are you ignoring me!? Do you know who my father is!? He is not only the head of the Senate but also the leader of the Military Department, someone you don't even have the right to see until becoming a general!"

Maron began to shout with rage, spouting all sorts of nonsense. Vlad obviously was not afraid, and the only thing he got from that interaction was how little emotional control the man had.

"Lieutenant Mitchel, make sure to distribute the food and blood."

Vlad's mood was soured by the stupidity he saw, so he just sent the command to Lieutenant Mitchel. He prepared to turn around when Maron, in his rage, grabbed him by the chest.

"Puny soldier, how dare...."

Before Maron could finish his sentence, Vlad slapped his face with so much strength that he was sent hurtling through the air for nearly two meters. Of course, Vlad had contained his strength; after all, had he struck with all his strength, he would have shattered the neck of an average person like Maron.

"Touch me again, and you will lose your hand."

Vlad only said those words before returning to the Hippopotamus Monster.

Silence and shock appeared in the eyes of the soldiers and civilians as they saw that. Maron's attitude was nothing new for the people of Good Side Town, as the man liked to visit some friends he had in this place, and he was overbearing, to say the least, but due to the identity of his father, no one dared to do anything about him.

Yet now, that young man who managed to take down the massive beast slapped Maron as if he were garbage.

Maron's head was spinning as he attempted to sit down, and blood leaked out of his mouth with pieces of teeth. As the man regained focus and the ability to think, and he saw the blood, a sense of immense rage emerged in his heart.

"Lieutenant, shoot that man now!"

Lieutenant Mitchel was surprised by those words, and he could not help but glance at Maron with a strange expression.

Maron saw that Lieutenant Mitchel was not moving, and his rage grew stronger as he shouted again.

"What are you waiting for!? Do you want me to tell my father that you allowed someone to harm me!? Do you know what my father will do to you and all these soldiers!?"