Thalira nodded. "It's the second book that got auctioned that day."
Jaxon stared at her. "Miss Thalira, can you give us more information about this book?"
She pursed her lips. Her eyes swept over the other military men in the room. In a steady tone, she gave him a condition. "I am willing to talk about this with you and Austin."
The meaning in her words was clear. Jaxon looked at his subordinates. They had a good understanding of each other, so after receiving that kind of look, they lined up neatly and headed out.
"We will go outside to get our lunch, Sir." They said so that the situation wouldn't be too awkward. After a while, they disappeared through the door.
Thalira blinked and then she explained, "Actually, as I already said before to Mr. Brown and Austin. The items are the private collection of my ancestor, including that book."
Austin nodded in response, and the two brothers exchanged glances with each other.
She looked at Jaxon strangely. "Why are you asking about this?"
Jaxon cleared his throat. "I will tell you honestly. In some places where our army is stationed, there have been many sightings of strange creatures. Most of them looked like ordinary animals, but bigger and stronger. After we checked some videos that captured those animals, they resembled the animals depicted in this book very much."
Thalira gave a look of understanding. Since he had said such words, she would tell them some parts of the truth–because even if she told them directly about the apocalypse, it was too unbelievable.
"I took out the book because I feel that things have changed a lot lately, becoming more perilous." She began. "There are disasters everywhere and people go crazy as if they have been infected by some kind of virus corrupting their brains."
"I also accidentally stumbled on some strange animal sightings on the internet and they resemble those things in the book. So, I took it out, in hope that maybe someone who acquired it can give it a better use." Thalira exhaled. Her eyes were clear.
It was basic knowledge in her divine beast's realm. She had memorized all of them, so she believed that she already had better preparation for the apocalypse than most people.
Jaxon had a thoughtful look on his face. Austin's eyes widened at Thalira's words, and he also grew contemplative. When he remembered what Thalira had said yesterday, he gave her a meaningful look.
"What do you mean by things changing to be more perilous?" Austin opened his mouth.
Thalira glanced at him. "This planet… will have a lot of problems in the future. As you can see, Tenebris is considered an old planet. Against the river of time, we humans are hopeless creatures. It also applies to this planet. Everything will have its end someday."
His eyes grew wide when he heard her bold claim. "Are you claiming that our planet will reach its end soon?"
Jaxon also looked over. Although his eyes seemed calm, the frown on his forehead betrayed the troubled look on his face.
"Yes." She nodded. Her soft appearance was in contrast to the spirit she was emitting today. "So, just in case, you all might want to save some supplies."
Thalira already said enough. Whether they believed her or not, it would have nothing to do with her. It was their own decision to make, but she believed that hoarding supplies was supposed to be a simple matter for a family with a deep foundation like them.
"That's also the reason you are buying the supermarket and now looking for some weapons?" Austin's question sounded rhetorical, and he already found the answer himself.
In the end, Thalira managed to obtain some contacts of the weapon suppliers. However, the amount that she could buy from them was limited. So, when Jaxon offered to help her, she didn't bother to be polite. After all, he had more power and background compared to an invisible offspring like her.
Although she was stronger than many ordinary people, her energy wasn't unlimited. It would be great if she could just shoot or throw grenades at anyone who might cause harm to her.
***
Because of the increasing number of people going crazy after contracting zombie virus, Thalira couldn't help but worry about Sera. When the latter proposed to meet, she instantly agreed. She was too busy hoarding supplies, so she also felt bad after she often rejected her request to hang out as friends before.
"Do you notice that the weather is getting colder lately?" Thalira muttered as she pulled up her thick blanket.
"Is it?" Sera had a bewildered look on her face. Then, as if something dawned on her, she paled slightly and hurriedly nodded. She rubbed her arms. "It does feel a bit cold."
As they walked, Sera's eyes filled with nervousness because of her prior response. She kept glancing at Thalira. When she found that her friend's reaction was just casual, she inwardly heaved a sigh of relief.
Perhaps it was because of her anxiety. She accidentally stumbled on a rough-looking man with dirt all over his body, undoubtedly a homeless person. With a slightly hoarse tone, she instantly apologized. "I am sorry."
Thalira was quick enough to steady her friend. She glanced at the homeless man, who merely gave them an unhappy gaze and continued to walk away.
"Are you alright, Sera?"
"Of course." Sera smiled stiffly. "Let's continue to walk."
They passed by a restaurant and Thalira's foodie stomach was acting up again, so she proposed to eat there. Sera looked a bit stunned, showing a look of hesitation. Still, she eventually agreed.
"It's my treat. Order whatever you want," Thalira said generously, her eyes showing excitement at the food on the menu.
The food arrived and Thalira instantly dig in, knowing that after the apocalypse, she wouldn't be able to enjoy those foods. Hence, she savored every bits of this food from the human realm.
"I am going to the bathroom." Sera said, covering her mouth. Without waiting for Thalira's response, she stood up and walked away.
Thalira put her spoon down, looking in the direction where Sera was gone in worry. She wasn't stupid not to notice that Sera had been visiting the bathroom too many times. Even though she had convinced her that it was because she drank too much cold water at home, Thalira didn't believe it.
Can zombies eat human food? Was Sera's transformation faster than other people?
When Sera came back, her face was paler than before, devoid of any blood. "Thalira, have you finished? Can we go now? I think the homeless man earlier scratched me."
Thalira's pupils dilated in alarm. She instantly agreed. However, just as they were out of the restaurant and in the sea of people on the street, she suddenly felt an ominous premotion when she heard a familiar sound.
It was full of beast-like growls and snarls. Thalira turned around and looked at Sera, who, at some point, had been left behind.
"Sera!" She anxiously called, watching in fright as her friend latched herself onto a nearby person.