Rebuilding, Rearming, and Refining

The elven nurse from the 1st Strategic Reserve Division carefully examined Bell's wound. She applied a mixture of antiseptics and ointments to his injury, and as time passed, the pain on his face gradually faded away. The use of healing spells was prohibited due to concerns about the virus.

Within the temporary medical tent, most of the patients were burn victims. The medical staff consisted mainly of military elves from nearby elven villages, as most of Bell's own side was too unwell to work. Among the wounded was Lisa, who lay unconscious without an arm and a leg. Despite hours of surgery to save her life, the only improvement was that she was no longer bleeding. Her comatose state and the progress towards finding a cure remained stalled on the battlefield.

Outside the tent, the scene was equally heart-wrenching. People, their faces hidden behind either medical or military masks, moved through the ruins. Some offered quiet words of solace, while others could not contain their tears. The sight of body bags arranged near the command center served as a somber reminder of the magnitude of the tragedy. The process of identifying the victims was slow and painstaking but necessary to provide closure to grieving families.

Stepping out of the medical tent, he surveyed the devastation that stretched before him. The loss of life weighed heavily on his heart, especially among the valiant military personnel who had bravely battled the dragons, only to return and find their families missing. It seemed that life refused to offer them respite; just when things started looking up, they were plunged back into despair. Bell couldn't help but wonder about the deep-seated animosity these people held against the southern coalitions.

As he walked along the charred road, numerous JLTVs were lined up, their occupants anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones' safety. The prevailing belief was that their families hadn't answered their phone calls, and for many, the reality was even more painful: their families hadn't survived.

Amidst this grim landscape, Bell's friend Lukas approached him. The elderly demon spoke softly, "Well, that's an overwhelming number of families seeking revenge," he observed, gesturing towards the multitude of soldiers gathered around the deceased. It didn't take Bell long to realize that achieving peace with the Southern Coalition would only become increasingly challenging.

"Yeah," Bell muttered in agreement.

Lukas, his voice strained by a cough, asked, "What's our next move?"

Bell replied, "Our first priority is to put out the forest fire."

Lukas nodded and said, "I'll coordinate with Moore and his team to head to the nearest lake and bring water to douse the fires surrounding us."

Bell acknowledged, "That sounds like a solid plan."

With a hint of a smirk, Lukas remarked, "I figured you'd agree."

Bell added with determination, "Let's make sure we prioritize extinguishing the fires near the elven villages. There's nothing of value left around this base."

"Aye, aye," Lukas responded. He reached for the radio in his pocket and instructed Moore to gather the remaining Blackhawks, equipping them with water buckets to combat the blaze.

Before long, the eight Blackhawks that Bell had acquired began circling around the entire taiga. With each pass, they released 4,000 liters of frozen water from the nearby lake, showering the area in an attempt to quell the forest fire. Fortunately, this was not a natural wildfire, and the dampness of the surroundings, with trees covered in snow, slowed the fire's progress. This gave the 120th AA enough time to extinguish it before it could pose any threat to the elven village.

Once the immediate crisis had passed, Lukas turned to Bell, uncertain of their next steps. "Now what?" he asked.

Bell responded with determination, "Now, we rebuild and upgrade what we have. Let's show those who oppose us the intimidating side of our ability to rapidly rebuild with the help of our exceptionally powerful system. Despite the casualties, they've essentially given us a blank canvas, haven't they?"

Lukas commented, "That's a rather cynical perspective, Bell."

Bell sighed and replied, "I have to find the silver lining, Lukas, always." In reality, he was grappling with the weight of the losses, knowing that they might continue to mount if a cure for the virus remained elusive. He couldn't help but contemplate that, in the end, only the elves might survive, as most, if not all, of the demons were vulnerable to LIHV.

Shaking off these dark thoughts, Bell refocused on the immediate task at hand. "For now, I need to purchase new buildings to replace the ones that are now in ruins, especially the hospitals. The first floor won't hold up for much longer in the condition it's in, and there are no other survivors," he explained, recognizing the urgency of the situation.

Using the [Infrastructure Menu], Bell swiftly erected a new hospital, a substantial investment costing 5,000,000 EP. The new hospital towered over its predecessor and came fully equipped. 

Paramedics and doctors who had been evacuated earlier began the process of transferring their patients to this newly constructed medical facility. Bell read the item description, which indicated that this hospital was designed to handle massive trauma events and could remain operational even during heavy enemy bombings due to its underground floors.

Lukas stood beside him, a mixture of awe and concern on his face. Building a six-story hospital like a LEGO brick wasn't an everyday sight for Lukas. "So, this is what you mean by upgrading, Bell. But what about the rest of the base?" he inquired.

Bell turned to Lukas, his eyes reflecting the gravity of his responsibility. "We rebuild, Lukas. We rebuild everything. The base, the homes... The people did their job in defending the Federation, and the state should repay their dedication."

As the process of reconstruction began, with new buildings emerging from the rubble, Bell's thoughts focused on the future. The attack had exposed their vulnerabilities, but it had also showcased their resilience and adaptability. 

He recognized the need to enhance their defenses, invest in advanced technology, and strengthen their alliances, particularly with the elven villages. Despite the challenging beginning, Eldrin and the elves had proven themselves invaluable. At present, the elves were still providing essential support, especially in the medical field.

The sky gradually transformed into a soothing shade of orange, marking the end of the pivotal day in Bell's first encounter with the asymmetrical aspect of the Southern Coalition. The warm, orange glow illuminated the newly restored buildings, each equipped with more advanced air defense systems. Gradually, civilians began to return to the base, although the damage caused by the dragon's attack was now painfully evident. Many of the cars used by the civilians had their paint scorched, some bore dents from falling trees, and a significant number of people were wounded to the point of being unable to walk. Whoever was responsible for this devastation would face retribution from the RAA.

As Bell assisted the civilians in returning to their homes, he couldn't help but cough, the metallic taste in his mouth becoming increasingly pronounced. His breath felt shorter, and the narrow window for finding a cure grew even narrower. He couldn't shake the hope that there might be a way to awaken Lisa.

After the elves had cleared out the temporary medical tent, Bell entered once more, finding Lisa connected to a plethora of life-support machines. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, likely from the same affliction affecting Bell. While another doctor could replace her, her experience, albeit brief, was invaluable in dealing with the plague.

At this moment, all Bell could do was pray and wait to see what would unfold. Meanwhile, their collective efforts were focused on rebuilding and finding a cure for the disease. He held onto the hope that Lisa would wake up soon.