Stepping out of the Prison, Shawn called for Rick and Shane.
As the population of the Prison expanded, the number of things Rick had to deal with daily also increased.
Besides leading everyone to dig deep pits, Shane also used Walkers to train everyone every now and then.
Just as he always used to say: the Prison needed a Fully Armed army, not a summer Camp's boy scouts.
To have reached this point, many people had actually performed quite well.
But for Shane, they still had a lot to learn.
The first and foremost was a change in mindset; as the first combat unit defending the Prison, they needed firm resolve and decisive methods.
At first, many people had objections, especially the young couple Glenn and Maggie.
But when Shane said that this was Shawn's intention, they never brought it up again.
Not just them, everyone who was assigned to the combat unit no longer had objections and began to obediently accept Shane's training.
And all of this was thanks to the words Shawn had spoken back then.
"Benevolence cannot let everyone survive; the Camp needs autocracy. If you want to survive, don't let me hear any more of that nonsense about democracy."
The seeds initially sown took root and sprouted in this increasingly powerful Camp.
Shane stopped by the table, took off his hat, wiped his sweat, and then spoke.
"The deep pits will all be finished in these two days. If that's what you want to talk about, then there's no need to worry."
"That's good news." Shawn first affirmed the results of Shane and everyone's labor.
"I hope you can also take the upcoming work seriously."
Rick's eyes moved upon hearing this, as if he sensed something, and he looked at Shawn, asking,
"Are you leaving?"
"It's pretty much in these two days; I can't delay any longer." Shawn nodded in response.
Don't forget about the Blood Moon. Although the time has doubled, it will also bring greater crises and challenges. Shawn needs to finish things quickly and return to prepare thoroughly for the Blood Moon.
Just as Shawn had said before, he would take down the Blood Moon with as little effort as possible.
"After I leave, you can begin working on the construction of the latter half of the high walls."
"At least before I return, do as much as you can."
The grand plan for the high walls did not end with the destruction of Woodbury; everything was only halfway done. If it got stuck at this step, Shawn could not proceed with his subsequent plans.
"Building the high walls again should be much faster than before."
Rick readily agreed.
Even if Shawn wasn't there, they still had to do it. They couldn't rely on Shawn for everything; everyone was learning to stand on their own.
For the next half an hour, Shawn discussed and planned various aspects with the two.
"Weapons and ammunition, save them. What we brought back from the town last time should be enough for now..."
"You don't have to worry about food; I'll find a way to solve it as soon as possible..."
"Treat the people who came out of the Prison as members of the Camp. As for the rest, don't let them out before I return."
"..."
"In short, the Camp is in your hands after I leave."
After speaking, Shawn looked at Rick, then turned to Shane, winking at him.
It was as if he was saying: I kept my promise to you, didn't I?
Shane gave a half-smile, forcing himself not to look at Shawn's face, turning his head away and almost bursting into laughter.
Everything now was so much better than when he had to handle it himself.
'Thanks, Shawn.'
'No... Warden.'
Shane murmured softly in his heart.
Everything Shawn did for him was no longer a threat; instead, it brought peace of mind, stability, and a sense of belonging.
If there were another vote for who should govern the Prison, Shane would not choose his best brother Rick; he would, like everyone else, cast his vote for Shawn.
Because Shawn was worthy, he was worthy of Shane doing so.
Burying their gratitude in their hearts, the three walked out towards the Administrative Building, chatting and laughing.
But the next moment, Carl was seen running frantically from the main gate of the Prison.
He wore boots, clutched a traditional bow in his hand, and ran across the grassland, finally falling flat on his backside in front of Shawn and the other two.
"Ouch--"
Rick quickly stepped forward to help Carl up and wiped his little face.
"What happened?"
Normally, if something big happened, the people on duty at the watchtower would react the fastest and inform everyone via radio.
But now, only Carl was panicking, which at least meant the situation was still under control.
Seeing Rick's concerned inquiry, Carl decisively looked at Shawn.
"Shawn, Daryl encountered a large black bear outside! He told me to hurry back and call you!"
"What, a black bear??"
Rick and Shane exchanged glances, somewhat surprised.
"What, a black bear!!!"
Upon hearing this, Shawn's eyes lit up, and he rushed out with his knife, without stopping.
"Hey, Shawn, wait for me!"
Carl looked at Shawn's retreating figure, disregarding the faint pain, and picked up his bow and arrow, ready to follow.
But before he could take two steps, his collar was tightly grabbed by two large hands.
Behind Carl were Rick and Shane; they had acted simultaneously.
"Carl."
"Carl!"
First, two voices sounded, then Rick and Shane turned to look at each other.
"Glenn and the others are far away. I'll go get Merle and Michonne."
Dropping a sentence, Shane turned and ran towards the Administrative Building, leaving Carl with a tearful face looking at his father.
"Dad..."
Carl dragged out his voice, his eyes filled with resentment.
But clearly, Rick wasn't falling for it. He called Lori to look after Carl, then grabbed his machete with one hand and his revolver with the other, quickly running towards the jungle outside the Prison.
...
In the jungle.
Daryl stood on a branch, his forehead slightly sweaty, and he kept licking his lips. Despite this, he constantly looked down with lowered eyes.
Directly below him, a black bear with thick arms was clawing at the tree trunk.
An arrow was stuck in its shoulder, but the pain did not seem to make it retreat; instead, it ignited its ferocity.
The black bear stood upright and leaned against the tree trunk. Its standing height was half a head taller than an average person.
A pair of wild eyes stared intently at Daryl from below. It suddenly retreated.
It retreated to the open space in front of the tree trunk, its head remaining tilted upwards, but its thick body sank slightly.
Seeing this, Daryl's pupils suddenly constricted, and a needle-like pain constantly pricked the hairs on the back of his neck.
As an experienced hunter, although he might not often hunt large beasts, he certainly possessed wilderness survival instincts.
Black bears usually don't climb trees, but that doesn't mean they can't climb trees. In fact, North American black bears have always been known as 'climbing masters.'
There was a rescue record from the Michigan Fire Department in the United States, where a black bear was even able to climb directly to the top of a 20-meter-tall tree after being startled.
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