Apocalypse: King of Zombies Chapter 1299: You Chose War

Within the Edo City Compound, at the Yamato Empire's Supreme Command Center…

"Takahashi-san, have they given us an answer yet?" Takeo inquired, his body practically trembling with apprehension.

"I have no clue," Ryuji Takahashi responded, a note of uncertainty coloring his tone. "He mentioned discussing it with the leadership of the Atlas Federation. When you consider their viewpoint… they will likely agree."

"Then why haven't they returned our call?"

"How should I possibly know?" Takahashi snapped back, then paused. "Would you like me to… make contact again?"

"No," a voice interjected. "That would make us appear too eager. Let's just wait for them to initiate the call."

"…Very well."

Anxiously and restlessly, they waited.

However, the call they received was not from Ethan.

It originated from one of their personnel stationed below.

"Prime Minister, sir, I bring terrible news! Those monstrous red birds—they are heading directly towards us!"

"What!?" Takahashi exclaimed, the sound forced out of him.

"What is it?" the other individuals demanded, their immediate tension palpable.

"They have arrived," Takahashi stated, his face draining of color. "They are en route to Edo City!"

"They…?"

"You mean *they*?"

A wave of panic swept through the room.

"What should we do? What do we do—should we flee?"

"Flee? To where?" someone retorted. "Do you honestly believe you can outrun tens of thousands of those crimson avian creatures?"

"Then what—are we to simply remain here and await our demise?"

"Not necessarily," Ichigo declared, injecting a semblance of calm into his voice. "Their swift approach… perhaps the Atlas Federation has consented to our integration. Possibly, they are here to incorporate us."

"Ah…" Hope flickered in the eyes around the chamber.

They had only just initiated contact. For them to arrive at Edo City with such speed… it truly could signify an intent to absorb, rather than annihilate.

"So, what is our course of action?"

"We shall proceed outside the city to welcome them," Takahashi announced, his throat feeling dry. "Remember—demonstrate genuine sincerity. Unwavering sincerity."

"Understood!"

Soon after, an immense flock of Flamebirds descended upon the gates of the Edo City Compound.

High above, Ethan was poised to issue the command to engage when a colossal roar erupted from the ground.

"Welcome, Envoy of the Atlas Federation, to Edo City! I—I, Ryuji Takahashi, representing the Yamato Empire, extend my most sincere welcome to your arrival!"

"???"

Ethan and his companions gazed down, utterly befuddled, at the man clutching a massive loudspeaker as though it were a lifeline.

"That fellow is Ryuji Takahashi?" Ethan inquired, turning to Mia.

As the Prime Minister of the Yamato Empire, Takahashi had been a frequent face in the media, though Ethan did not typically follow such broadcasts.

"Indeed," Mia confirmed. "That is Ryuji Takahashi, and also… your subordinate."

"…"

"Can we avoid this charade?" Ethan muttered, rolling his eyes. He then leaned forward, addressing Takahashi from above:

"Hey there, little dog. Is that your idea of a welcome?"

Ryuji Takahashi's expression contorted immediately. Being addressed as 'little dog' in front of such a multitude was not merely disrespectful—it was utterly mortifying.

This was no longer a private telephone conversation. This was the main entrance to the Edo City Compound, under the scrutiny of countless onlookers.

He could sense it—the subtle shift in the gazes upon him, becoming peculiar, judgmental.

Yet, he dared not retort. Suppressing his pride, he forced himself to look up at Ethan once more.

"Envoy of the Atlas Federation," he managed to say, his voice as steady as possible, "would you perhaps consider descending and joining me within the compound? I have prepared exquisite wines, delightful cuisine, and beautiful women. I assure you, your satisfaction is guaranteed."

"Oh, really?" Ethan's voice echoed from above. "Then bring forth the women first. And while you're at it—gather all your Awakened outside. I need to determine if you are even worthy of admission into the Atlas Federation."

Ryuji hesitated. "Th-This… why is it necessary to present the Awakened?"

"Because the quantity of Awakened individuals dictates your worth," Ethan stated impassively. "The Atlas Federation is not lacking in ordinary Awakened. We have no need for your cast-offs."

"Ah—Yes! Yes!"

Ryuji turned and barked orders at his subordinates, his urgency palpable. "Quickly… bring out the women. And assemble every Awakened individual from within the compound!"

"Understood!"

Not long thereafter, a contingent of soldiers emerged, herding a substantial group of women before them.

Big Mike's eyes widened with delight, as if it were Christmas morning.

"Captain," he murmured, impressed, "this selection is excellent. The Edo City Compound certainly lives up to its reputation."

Ethan hardly glanced at the women. His gaze bypassed them entirely, fastening instead on the seven figures standing behind the assembled females.

Seven Awakened individuals.

Not too shabby.

"Um… Envoy," Ryuji inquired cautiously, "are you satisfied?"

"Yes. Not bad." Ethan nodded, and in the very next moment, he had vanished—

Only to reappear directly in front of Ryuji.

"You are Ryuji Takahashi, correct?"

"Y-Yes. Yes, I am."

"You have served your purpose well.""Th-Thank you for the praise." Ethan's lips curved, not quite forming a smile. "Good. I'll accept the women and the Awakened. But I won't be going inside." Ryuji's expression flickered. "Th… the Atlas envoy—what do you mean?" "Nothing complicated." Ethan looked past him, toward the compound as if it were already ashes. "This place is about to become a ruin. Why would I go in?" "You…!" Ryuji's face drained of color. Then it snapped into fury. "You liar! You broke your word!!" "Broke my word?" Ethan's tone turned lazy, almost curious. "When did I ever agree to let you 'join' the Atlas Federation? Seriously—go piss in a bowl and look at yourself. You think you're qualified to join us?" His eyes went cold. "The Atlas Federation doesn't take in every stray dog that comes whining at the door." He lifted his hand slightly. "Erase it." The moment the last word fell, the Flamebirds surged overhead, pouring into the sky above the Edo City Compound. Then fire came down. Sheets of flame rolled over the people below like a tidal wave. Wherever it touched, everything vanished into ash—bodies, stone, metal, banners, pride. The ones caught in it didn't even get a chance to scream. They simply… stopped existing. "Ah—!" Takeo's eyes went wide with horror, then filled with rage. "I'll kill you!" He ripped a katana free and charged straight at Ethan. A cold flash. Takeo's head left his shoulders and spun away. "!!!" "So brutal…" "He's insane…" Ryuji stared at Ethan, eyes bloodshot, voice shaking with hatred. "You… you're a devil." "Thanks," Ethan said, unbothered. "Compared to you, I'm practically kind." "You…!" Ryuji sucked in breath after breath, like he was trying to force his chest to obey. Then—suddenly—he dropped to his knees. The people around him jolted. "Prime Minister, don't!" "If we're going to die, we die fighting!" "That's right—Yamato warriors don't fear death!" Ryuji lifted a hand, cutting them off. Then he looked up at Ethan, eyes wet, pleading, and his words came out in a messy mix of English and his own language. "We provoked this. The invasion, the sabotage… we miscalculated. 我们愿意道歉.放过我们吧!" We'll apologize. Please—spare us. "Apologize?" Ethan let out a short, humorless laugh. "Now you know how to apologize? Where the hell was that earlier?" His voice sharpened, each line hitting like a verdict. "You sent assassins after our president." "You lured Infernals into our cities." "You ambushed our ports." "You invaded our allies." "You burned and looted civilian cities." "And now you want forgiveness?" "No." "You chose war." "Now Yamato ends with it." He looked down at Ryuji like the man was already a corpse. "Crimes like yours don't get repaid with an apology. They get repaid with your entire Yamato Empire." ... Atlas Federation Command Center. Maxwell slammed his palm down on the conference table so hard it exploded into splinters. He didn't even notice. No one did. Every person in the room was locked onto the massive screen mounted on the wall, eyes bright, jaws tight, breathing hard. On the screen was the Edo City Compound—Yamato Empire's supreme command center—being torn apart in real time. And the ones doing it were Ethan and the Fallen Star Squad. In that moment, they'd never been prouder. And it wasn't just Atlas City. Across every major compound in the Atlas Federation, people stood shoulder-to-shoulder in front of screens, watching the same feed, unable to look away. This was the scene countless people across the Federation had dreamed of. The women who'd been violated by Yamato soldiers. The survivors who'd crawled out of burned cities with nothing left but names they couldn't stop hearing in their heads. The ones who'd lost families, homes, whole futures—yet somehow stayed alive long enough to see this. Now it was happening. Right in front of them. At last, the Atlas Federation's fury had somewhere to go. The Fallen Star Squad's reputation skyrocketed overnight, and Ethan—Ethan became an idol to people all across the Federation. The biggest impact hit Fallen Star City. Miles had gone all-in. He'd set up giant screens in every crowded area he could—plazas, markets, intersections—until you could barely walk anywhere in the compound without catching the live broadcast. He pushed the publicity to the absolute limit. And the payoff was immediate. Fallen Star City was electric. People stood taller. Strangers grinned at each other like they shared a secret. Pride ran through the streets like a current—pride in being from here. Because that was their Commander.The Fallen Star Squad was no mere myth; they were the pride of Fallen Star City. From this day forward, encountering anyone, they could proudly and unashamedly declare: "I hail from Fallen Star City. The birthplace of the squad that annihilated Yamato."