Eric frowned. Of course, he knew what it meant for the water to be contaminated. In fact, he already anticipated it, but he did not expect it would come so soon.
He already had some ideas in mind how to solve it, but because it was basic, Samantha should have already thought about it. Since she was panicking, it seemed it was not easy to solve.
"Can we not solve it by filtering them?" Michelle asked what was on his mind.
Samantha turned to her and replied, "It is possible, but it might take some time. The crude process of filtering is heating, but do we have enough gas for it? I mean, materials? I'm afraid that, before we can eliminate those pathogens, we have run out of gas."
Eric's eyes flashed. "So, you mean we need an object that could filter the water contamination that is more efficient than heating?"
"Exactly. In addition, heating actually evaporates the water more. Hence, with the current technology and our individual state, I'm afraid we can only resort to crude heat water filtering."
Eric pondered. He then recalled the system's remark. The energy in the Evolution Crystal can turn into electricity… If that is the case, will it be possible to create a portable water purifier using the energy in the Evolution Crystal?
For some reason, Eric had a hunch that the energy inside the Evolution Crystal was not limited to turning into electricity. After all, it could unlock the abilities of an individual who swallowed it. It might have more uses than what he knows.
While Michelle and Samantha were discussing, Eric intervened, "We will put aside the matter for now. Judging by your expression, it seems you have hastily stopped loading the water jug. I suggest you continue to do so. We will solve that problem later."
Samantha was taken aback and nodded heavily.
"You can go now."
She hastily left.
Meanwhile, Eric glanced at Michelle and said, "Now, re-calculate it."
Michelle was taken aback and nodded. She paused for a while and was surprised her calculation speed and accuracy was better than before. In fact, such a level of thinking was only comparable to her blockmate, who was running for Summa Cumlaude… It might be better than that.
She gulped and her mind was blank for a while. Zoe had to wake her up.
"Michelle, you are daydreaming."
Michelle glanced at her in a daze. Zoe's smile woke her up as she nodded.
"It still depends on the amount of the individual's consumption, but if we continue to assume that they are given 0.25 gallons per day, which I forgot to add earlier, it can only last us for sixteen days."
Eric went quiet. His expression was ambiguous, and as someone who was trying to decipher what he was thinking was a torture for Michelle.
Not Zoe though, her expression was serene as she waited for Eric to say something.
Eric nodded.
"Not a problem for now. We will look for more water sources while we are trying to solve the water purification problem."
He stood up. He grabbed his two batons, and turned to Michelle and Zoe while holding a bulging girl's mini-bag.
He instructed, "Now, you should go and prepare rooms for another five people… Hmm, include more, I guess. We might be able to rescue more people."
Zoe nodded. "I have already thought about it. I also need the help of those people to get rid of miscellaneous objects in each room to expand the space."
Eric smiled at her, seemingly satisfied by her vision and suggestions, and nodded.
He then pushed the girl's mini bag to her, to which she received it with a bewildered expression.
Eric said, "These are Evolution Crystals. I think it will be better to explain later. After all, you still have some tasks while I will not be around. I won't take long, by the way."
Eric turned to Michelle and added, "Your calculations might be off for now since you still do not have a rough idea of an individual's consumption of water and food. Hence, your main task for the next month is to observe and calculate while trying to be resourceful–those Evolution Crystals will be included. In fact, you will be managing that."
Michelle nodded with a grave expression. She glanced at the mini bag and was a bit indifferent. Since Eric gave it to Zoe first, there must be a hidden meaning about it. In addition, she trusted Zoe more than anyone in the room, so she did not have a problem.
"I will leave now."
Eric turned around and headed to the door.
"Goodbye…" Zoe hesitated.
She really did not know what to call him. After all, she called him leader earlier, but since Eric stated he wanted to build an Empire, would it not be more suitable to call him King or Emperor?
Thankfully, Eric was sensitive. In fact, he already thought about it. Would it not be better if his early followers were accustomed to calling him the future Emperor?
"I thought about it." He turned around and smiled at them brightly.
"You can all call me Emperor as early as possible. Although it sounds cringy, those who will follow us in the future, those who will be under my protection, will slowly understand why you are referring to me this way."
Zoe's eyes widened and beamed a smile. Michelle giggled and nodded.
Zoe said softly, "Yes, Emperor. By the way, you still have not introduced yourself to us."
Eric was taken aback and awkwardly smiled. Is that the reason why they call me leader and emperor?
Eric was about to say his name when he paused. I am Ixcahua by soul and mind, but Eric by body. After pondering for a while, Eric finally concluded.
Ixcahua already died. I am now Eric who has already severed my past, except Yeobui. Also, this gamer's body seemed to be useless in the apocalypse anyway.
"I am Eric Fernandez. Of course, you can not refer to me by my name."
Zoe and Michelle's eyes lit up. Eric Fernandez…I won't forget it. They thought at the same time.
Michelle suddenly asked her wonder earlier, "Emperor, what if in the future, some do not want them to call you that way. Perhaps, they think we are just playing around and being cringed. What will you do?"
Eric grinned. "It means they do not take me seriously. They will not be welcomed."