Kapitel 33: Discovering Ancient Ruins

As the coalition continued to thrive and expand, a group of scouts on a routine exploration mission in a relatively uncharted area stumbled upon something extraordinary – ancient ruins that seemed to predate even the time before the apocalypse by a significant margin.

The scouts were initially drawn to the area by an unusual rock formation that jutted out from the landscape. As they got closer, they noticed strange markings on the rocks and what appeared to be the remnants of structures half-buried in the ground. Intrigued, they quickly sent word back to the main settlements about their discovery.

Zhao Yi, along with a team of archaeologists and historians from within the coalition, wasted no time in making their way to the site. When they arrived, they were greeted by a sight that left them in awe. There were large stone pillars, some still standing upright while others lay broken on the ground, engraved with symbols and images that none of them could immediately decipher.

The ruins seemed to cover a vast area, stretching out over several acres. As they began to explore further, they found what looked like the remains of buildings with thick walls made of a type of stone they had never seen before. In one section, there were fragments of pottery with intricate designs that hinted at a highly developed civilization from long ago.

The team carefully documented everything they found, taking photographs with the cameras they had managed to keep operational and making detailed sketches of the symbols and structures. Zhao Yi developed a digital cataloging system to store all the information, allowing them to easily access and analyze it later.

As they delved deeper into the ruins, they discovered an underground chamber. The entrance was partially blocked by fallen rocks and debris, but with some effort, they managed to clear a path. Inside the chamber, there were more artifacts – strange metallic objects that didn't seem to corrode despite the passage of time, and scrolls made of a durable material that they hoped might hold valuable knowledge.

The archaeologists were beside themselves with excitement. They knew that this discovery could potentially rewrite the history they thought they knew about the world before the cataclysm that had led to the apocalypse. The scrolls were carefully transported back to the research center for further study.

However, not everything was smooth sailing. Word of the discovery somehow leaked out to other groups in the region, including some of the more opportunistic and less scrupulous ones. These groups saw the ancient ruins as a potential source of valuable treasures that they could loot and sell or use for their own gain.

Before long, the coalition found themselves having to defend the site from unwanted intruders. Zhao Yi worked with the coalition's defense forces to set up a perimeter around the ruins. They installed surveillance cameras and motion sensors, using the technology they had developed over time to keep a close eye on the area.

The coalition leaders held meetings to discuss how to handle the situation. They knew that they couldn't allow the ruins to be ransacked, not only because of the historical value but also because of the potential knowledge that could be gained from further study. Plans were made to increase patrols around the site and to try and negotiate with other groups to convince them of the importance of preserving the ruins.

In the meantime, the team back at the research center began the painstaking task of deciphering the scrolls and understanding the meaning of the symbols found on the artifacts. They were hopeful that this ancient knowledge would hold the key to even greater advancements for the coalition in the post-apocalyptic world.