Apocalypse: King of Zombies Chapter 1232: What Right Does a Squad Captain Have?

Maxwell released a soft sigh of relief upon Ethan's arrival. “Very well. With everyone present, we can start.”

“Hold on.” The man opposite Ethan interrupted. “General Kane—won't you introduce this… gentleman?”

Rowan Pierce, the representative from Nova City, was the one speaking.

As the key city in the federation next to the capital, Nova City held great importance. Rowan Pierce, a high-ranking official, was familiar with nearly all influential figures in the Atlas Federation's elite circles.

However, this man before him was a complete stranger.

Still, he realized that Maxwell seating him there meant the man was far from ordinary.

Maxwell paused, appearing somewhat uneasy. “Er… this is Ethan. He leads the Fallen Star Squad.”

Regarding Ethan, Maxwell truly struggled to find the proper way to present him. He couldn't just declare, This is a Tier 12 powerhouse, right? Even if belief was an issue, Maxwell wouldn't expose Ethan's power without approval.

“Pfft—”

A scoff echoed from the lower seats, followed by derisive laughter.

“You're joking. I figured it was some heavyweight. Turns out he's only a squad captain?” The man chuckled. “What on earth were the folks in Atlas City thinking, seating a squad captain at the top?”

The room erupted in murmurs immediately.

Among the elite representatives, only General Cross and Damien Caldwell, the new head of Goldcrest City, stayed neutral; the rest from major compounds furrowed their brows.

Had Ethan been a major compound leader, they might have accepted it.

But a simple squad captain above them?

It grated on them deeply.

Yet, the top figures held their tongues for now. They were astute enough to see Maxwell had a purpose, and the man in that spot posed a real threat.

Regrettably, not all present shared that insight.

A young man rose to his feet. “General Kane, this setup seems improper.”

Maxwell's eyes sharpened toward him. “And why is that?”

“What qualification does a squad captain have to occupy that position?”

“It's not your call to decide if Ethan deserves it,” Maxwell replied icily. “I put him there for good cause.”

“I find Ethan in that seat entirely suitable,” General Cross declared, rising.

Damien Caldwell chimed in right away. “I concur. No issue with Ethan sitting there.”

The public support from two major-compound heads silenced many instantly.

The remaining major-compound representatives showed astonishment. Gradually, they scrutinized Ethan intently—as if etching his features into their minds, intending to order probes into his background later.

In the audience, a robust woman with a surprisingly gentle face observed the scene, her features contorted in shock and complexity.

She had believed her formidable skills, capabilities, and some fortune would have propelled her past him by now.

Yet, encountering him once more…

The divide appeared even wider.

A position nearer the table's head than the five major compounds. Open endorsement from two major-compound leaders.

Clearly, Ethan's standing had soared to heights beyond her reach.

And she knew his identity precisely—a Starlight State University alumnus, no elite lineage, no powerful kin. Thus, only one conclusion fit.

He had forged that rank through sheer personal might.

As for the sort of might that earned such deference from Atlas City and the major compounds…

She had no clue.

She merely understood her distance remained vast.

So it really is true, Vivian mused, a mix of bitterness and awe flooding her. That entire group… they truly are freaks.

Nearby, a tall, stunning woman gazed on with evident surprise.

“…He’s climbed to this height already?”

Amid the doubts and glares, Ethan stayed utterly unmoved, never uttering a word. He lounged comfortably, as though the dispute bypassed him entirely.

Conjecture away, he mused. I'm planted here regardless. If it irks you—so what?

Maxwell coughed to regain order. “Fine. With no more complaints about the seating, the summit commences now.”

His eyes swept the assembly, tone firm.

“All of you know this: we're enduring a catastrophe beyond any historical precedent…”

…

Maxwell spoke for over two hours straight.

His main point boiled down to one: for humanity to endure the looming threats, unity was essential.

He urged smaller compounds in outlying cities—particularly those doubting their defenses—to join nearby mid- and large-scale ones, improving survival chances.

He recited a lengthy tally of compounds already eradicated by zombie swarms, though true impact on listeners was uncertain.

Many attendees entered the summit harboring fears that the government would seize the opportunity to centralize authority over all compounds.

However, that scenario never unfolded.

Maxwell clearly stated his willingness to allow compounds to stay independent, and the room's tension visibly dissipated.

In this chaotic world, leaders of most compounds ruled their domains like kings. No one, not even those in government Safe Zones, wished to relinquish that power.

Maxwell had likely grasped this reality. Thus, he avoided pushing for unification during the summit. Whether that stance would shift in the future remained anyone's guess.

Upon the meeting's conclusion, Maxwell declared that regional delegates could proceed to the crystal core exchange center for trading higher-Tier cores.

This announcement was the highlight everyone anticipated, so delegates surged toward the back exit like a burst dam the instant he spoke.

Passing by, Rowan Pierce from Nova City smiled and said, “Ethan, I’m heading out. If you get the chance, come visit Nova City.”

“Haha, sure,” Ethan replied casually. “Sounds good.”

Those who truly knew Ethan shot Rowan strange glances, inwardly musing, If he actually shows up in Nova City, that smile will vanish fast…

As leaders of other major compounds departed, they exchanged courteous greetings with Ethan along the way.

Though they remained puzzled about this young man's true identity, that mystery only fueled their efforts to curry favor.

Previously, only four major compounds existed aside from Atlas City.

Following recent growth, however, Ironhaven City compound had swallowed up several neighboring city compounds, crossing the population mark to earn major-compound status.

Thus, alongside Atlas City, Clearford City, Nova City, Goldcrest City, Silverlake City, and now Ironhaven City all ranked as major compounds.

“Ethan,” General Cross said, rising to his feet, “I’m off to trade some crystal cores first. Care for a drink tonight?”

“Sure,” Ethan grinned in response.

“Good. It’s a plan.” Cross nodded. “I’ll swing by your lodging tonight.”

Soon afterward, Cross also exited the conference room.

At that point, a young man from the lower seats approached Ethan with a smile, extending his hand.

“Garrett Knox, manager of Riverton City compound. Mind if we get acquainted?”

Ethan ignored the outstretched hand, eyeing him coolly. “I recognize you. You’re the one who claimed I wasn’t fit to sit here, aren’t you?”

“Uh…” Garrett withdrew his hand awkwardly, his smile freezing.

He cleared his throat. “So… you’re clearly more than a mere squad captain, huh?”

“Of course.” Ethan raised his chin slightly, pride evident. “I’m also the Commander of Fallen Star City.”

“Oh…” Garrett blinked, then plastered on forced excitement. “That makes sense!”

He paused before inquiring, “Where’s Fallen Star City located? I haven’t come across that name before.”

“I named it myself,” Ethan stated plainly. “No wonder you’ve never heard of it.”

Garrett’s gaze shifted, mind racing with new calculations. “Naming your own city—Ethan, that’s audacious.”

He probed further, gauging interest. “From how you describe it, Fallen Star City must be quite substantial, right?”

“It is,” Ethan affirmed with a solemn nod. “Over fifty thousand people.”

“F—fifty thousand?” Garrett’s eyes widened in shock.

Then he scowled, convinced he’d misheard. “You mean five hundred thousand, don’t you?”

“No,” Ethan replied truthfully. “Only fifty thousand. Five hundred thousand would stretch my resources too thin to feed them.”

“…”