Sugar is small, lightweight, easy to store, high in calories, and provides significant energy. In this situation, white sugar is invaluable.
Its uses extend beyond nutrition. It enhances gunpowder explosions, improves incendiary bomb adhesion, and serves many other purposes.
For the same volume, white sugar outperforms other materials.
"Everyone, work harder! The faster we move, the better our chances of survival. This is for you!"
Supplies soon weighed down their shoulders. Oran, carrying a heavy load himself, noticed his exoskeleton operating at full capacity. He also realized something unusual.
His strength seemed greater than before arriving at this sea. Oran planned a thorough physical checkup after leaving to assess his condition.
Oran led them to the gathering point, a canyon depression Ivankov and Ginny had spotted before finding Oran's ship. It served as a temporary base.
The team now included God's Valley locals, who knew the terrain better than Ivankov or Oran. They even found a small canyon path.
Strong adults, the elderly, and the weak all carried packages of varying sizes. In this crisis, everyone contributed what they could.
"Brother Oran, there's a cave about 200 meters that way. The entrance looks narrow, but it's spacious inside. It can hold many people and has a spring!"
A boy, no older than ten, pointed to a bush as they neared the gathering point.
"A spring? How big?"
"My friends and I bathe there. It even has fish."
The boy gestured broadly, indicating a sizable spring.
"Lat! Didn't I tell you to stay out of the canyon? Never mind!"
A woman nearby started to scold but stopped, overwhelmed. She had been doing housework when God's Valley changed drastically.
Though she escaped with her children, her husband, a Royal Army member, was missing. The grim reality and uncertain future weighed heavily on her.
"Ma'am, save your energy. Your son solved a big problem for us."
Water, alongside food, was critical. While God's Valley had abundant rivers, the Celestial Dragons knew this too.
Humans need water, so the Celestial Dragons would likely hunt along water sources.
Fish in the spring suggested a connection to underground rivers, ensuring a reliable water supply. A hidden water source was ideal.
"Lat, besides you, who else knows about this place? Have any adults heard of it?"
From Lat's description, it sounded like a perfect hideout. If others knew, they might lead more people here, risking exposure.
"Only my friends know. It's our secret base. I haven't seen adults there. I don't know how my friends are now."
"I've lived here most of my life and never heard of caves in the canyon."
Locals confirmed Lat's story. He found the cave during adventure games. The older generation was unaware, suggesting recent geological activity formed it.
Oran led everyone to the gathering point, inspected the cave, and included it in the base's scope.
"Rest and regain strength. We'll move again soon. You don't need to follow us. Gather dead branches and fire starters nearby—they'll be useful."
"If anyone knows the terrain, draw me a detailed map."
Along the way, Oran assessed their physical capabilities. Even the weak tried, but their capacity was limited. Fortunately, manpower was needed elsewhere.
"Also, dig holes nearby. Start with a large pit, then a smaller one from the other side. Connect them at the bottom, add three trenches, and cover them."
The granary had tools like crowbars and shovels. Oran used these to demonstrate a smokeless stove, designed to conceal firelight and smoke, enhancing stealth.
Soon, Ivankov reported via communication. They found the shipyard workers and were heading to the gathering point. Xiong approached.
"What's wrong, Xiong? Is there a problem?"
"Nothing. I've rested. What's our next plan?"
Xiong glanced at Oran, who studied the map.
"Dismantle parts and place equipment to conceal this area."
Oran planned to dismantle his ship. Though it could be teleported once the flying gate was built, larger objects took longer.
The ship was valuable, but Oran had enough materials to build another. He prioritized transporting people over saving the ship.
It could be repurposed into a massive self-destruct device. Its holographic projection, adjusted for lower quality, could cover a wider area from multiple directions if energy issues were resolved.
Oran briefly explained to Xiong, knowing he'd repeat it when Ivankov's craftsmen arrived.
Xiong nodded and pointed elsewhere.
"Oran, the person you asked me to watch ignores me, doesn't speak, or eat. You should check. She's only responded to you."
"Got it. Rest a bit. We need more preparations before the Celestial Dragons' 'games' begin."
Oran stood and approached a thin figure sitting on a rock, eyes wary. As he neared, her body tensed, hair nearly standing on end.