TWD - Zomboid - Chapter 246: Is Los Illuminados a Gay Bar? (Patreon)

Beside the speedboat, a slender figure stood with her arms crossed, leaning against a rock.

When she saw Luke emerge from the hidden passage, she visibly relaxed and shifted slightly as if she were about to move toward him, but restrained herself.

She brushed a hand through her short black hair and tucked it behind her ear, her gaze casually drifting toward Ashley.

Pretty girl.

“Well, look who’s here. My hero.”

Ada raised an eyebrow and gave Luke a meaningful look, a trace of teasing in her voice.

“You really did rescue the princess. Must’ve put quite a bit of effort into it. Oh, and you picked up a good boy too!”

Ada crouched down and rubbed Bruce’s head.

“Someone’s a real ingrate. I came all this way for you, and this attitude of yours has left Master Luke very dissatisfied!”

Luke walked over and naturally slipped an arm around Ada’s waist.

This time, Ada didn’t swat his hand away like she normally would. She simply let him hold her, only giving his chest a light punch that barely had any force behind it.

“Smartass. Wesker will reimburse the expenses from this mission. He has plenty of valuable stuff, and I already made sure to ask for a hefty payment on your behalf.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Luke shook his head.

“That girl’s father leads a city-state of 200,000 people. He has three nuclear warheads ready to launch at any time, plus a special operations unit dedicated to dealing with walkers. Their leader is an elite operative. Basically... you can profit from both sides.”

“Not that either!”

Luke tightened his arm around Ada’s waist. “Those rewards are mine to begin with. If they refuse to pay, I’ll collect them myself. You know I want a lot more than that.”

Ada’s expression remained cool, but she instinctively turned her face away, her ears visibly turning red.

“There are other people here!”

She complained, though there was a faint softness in her eyes.

“So...?”

Luke waited for an answer.

“We’ll talk about it when we get back.”

“I’m worried you’ll run off halfway there.”

“I won’t this time.”

“Really?”

“Really. I’m not lying. Fine, I’ll give you your reward, you damn pervert. All you ever think about is having your way with me!” Ada pinched Luke’s cheek.

Throughout the journey, Ada had watched from the shadows as Luke handled every danger with apparent ease.

But only she knew just how deadly each situation had really been.

Fortunately, he had made it through every one of them.

And he had done all of this for her.

Ada had spent so long accustomed to working alone, yet her heart was already filled with the image of a certain someone. Sometimes she wanted nothing more than to grab that smug face of his and give it a good beating.

“Ahem.”

Luis tactfully turned toward the sea and sighed.

“Ah, what a strong ocean breeze! I can barely keep my eyes open. Why can’t I ever get lucky enough to catch the eye of a goddess?”

Ashley stood off to the side, watching the beautiful female agent in Luke’s arms.

The faint feelings that had only just begun to grow inside her dimmed slightly.

So the knight already had his own princess.

Then what was she?

Was she really nothing more than a mission?

“All right, quit making wishes at the ocean. Let’s get on the boat and talk there!” Luke released Ada and became more serious. “I’ve got things waiting for me back home. Don’t slow me down.”

Ada looked at Luis. “Did you bring everything?”

Luis pulled a metal case from inside his coat. The Amber was inside.

“Ada, mission accomplished. The Amber sample and a backup of the research data are both in here. Luis always keeps his word.”

Ada took the case and opened it for a quick look.

Then she glanced at Luke, a hint of surprise in her eyes.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Nothing.”

“You didn’t think I swapped it out, did you?”

“No. I was just wondering whether we still have enough protection back home. Maybe I should pick some up on the way.”

“Really?” Luke gave her a suspicious look.

He could clearly see the doubt in Ada’s eyes.

“Either way, as promised, I’ll get you off this island.” Ada turned to Luis.

She admitted that she had indeed wondered whether Luke might swap the Amber, but she couldn’t entirely be blamed for that.

Their first few encounters hadn’t exactly left her with the best impression of him.

Luke was hardly a model citizen.

“Luis, interested in joining my professional team?” Luke immediately seized the opportunity. “My place is pretty big, we’ve got plenty of talented people, and there’s even a gentle female colleague you can work with.”

Luis paused.

“It’s a great place. We’ve got an army, food, and a hospital. When you’re tired of doing research, you can sleep. And we’ve got premium cigars. Cohibas!”

Luis tilted his head, apparently giving the offer serious thought.

He didn’t exactly have anywhere else to go anyway.

Ada had planned to arrange a place for him in a large city-state.

Supposedly, it was very safe.

But safe was... boring.

The adventure with Luke had actually been pretty fun.

They were on the same wavelength.

“Cohibas?”

“Yep.”

“What about whiskey?”

“No drinking while doing experiments, and no experimenting while drinking.”

“Buddy! That’s rigorous. I like your attitude toward science!”

The two clasped hands, looking suspiciously like partners in crime.

The group finished making their plans and was just about to board the boat when Luke’s senses suddenly screamed a warning.

The danger was greater than Mendez, Krauser, and Ramon combined.

“Everyone back! Get on the boat!”

Luke’s expression changed as he hurried Ada and the others aboard.

A tall, slender figure appeared on the cliff above as if out of nowhere.

He wore a long black robe, his face gaunt and withered, but his eyes were as deep as an abyss. A dark, oppressive presence surrounded him, while pairs of eerie green eyes emerged one after another behind him.

Saddler.

Leader of Los Illuminados.

And his followers.

“An interesting creation.”

Saddler spoke, and somehow his voice reached Luke clearly.

The distance between them was considerable. Luke could only make out Saddler’s lips moving, yet every word reached his ears as though the man were standing beside him.

“You destroyed my village, killed my children, and stole my sacred relic.”

“A mere mortal body, untouched by the Lord’s blessing, yet capable of such power.”

Saddler slowly raised one skeletal, withered hand.

He pointed at Luke.

“I would very much like to see what kind of soul is hidden inside that powerful body of yours.”

“Leave him here.”

“I will personally place the Lord’s blessing inside him.”

Luke stared at him for a moment.

“Is there something wrong with my brain, or does everything these guys say sound incredibly suggestive? Is Los Illuminados a gay bar or something?”

He looked at Ada.

Ada: “...”