The Sequel to the Romance Fantasy Was a Zombie Apocalypse – Chapter 102

Lanit expected the meeting to be a complete mess.

Prince Robertze kept pitifully asking for help, while Duke Herta was practically ready to jump up and smack him.

Esmela looked down at Robertze with a cold gaze and desperately tried to calm the situation, wedged between him and Arit.

In the midst of it all, Lanit couldn’t help but admire the head butler for his composure.

Finally, unable to watch any longer, Lanit stepped into the chaos.

“Your Highness.”

“Huh… what?”

Having just been released from being grabbed by the Duke for the third time, Robertze turned to Lanit in surprise at the sudden call.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

As Lanit stared closely at Robertze’s squirmy face, he momentarily doubted whether what he was about to do was the right thing.

‘No. My thoughts must be correct.’

But he quickly dismissed the doubt and proposed to the prince as originally intended.

“As the head of the household mentioned, Esmela has been apart from you and the family for a long time and has only just recently reunited. Therefore, it would be appropriate for Esmela to stay with you for a while.”

“…”

Robertze’s complexion visibly darkened when even Lanit agreed with that opinion.

“Instead, I will accompany Your Highness.”

“Huh?”

“What?!”

Robertze and Esmela shouted in unison.

“While I may not be as helpful as the Young Lady or Arit, I believe I can offer some assistance in regaining the royal family.”

“Wait, Lanit! What are you saying right now?”

“Please, just hear me out, Young Lady.”

Lanit calmly expressed his thoughts to everyone.

“Based on our discussions so far, it seems highly likely that the cause of this situation is the Black Witch. And the only two leads we have on her are her connection to Elina and some form of collaboration with the Princess.”

Lanit’s gaze shifted toward Esmela.

“Therefore, in order to fundamentally resolve this matter, we must inevitably confront the Black Witch directly. You would agree with that conclusion, wouldn’t you, Young Lady?”

“That may be true, but…”

“Given that we cannot ascertain Elina’s whereabouts, the only person holding the key to understanding the Black Witch is Princess Yuria.”

“So you’re going to join in regaining the royal palace, then?”

Lanit nodded affirmatively at the Duke’s question.

“Even though I serve House Herta and don’t have positive feelings about the royal family… I can’t just stand idly by.”

There was a steely resolve visible in Lanit’s eyes.

“I can no longer watch people suffer. Even though I’m just a lowly butler, I think I can do something.”

And I won’t let this strange genre drift ruin my favorite game’s worldview. Lanit thought to himself.

“…”

A moment of silence fell over the restaurant after Lanit’s speech.

*Clap, clap, clap.*

The first to break the silence was Robertze’s applause.

“Outstanding.”

He approached Lanit with an overly satisfied smile and offered his hand for a shake.

“You truly exhibit a model mindset expected of a member of the kingdom.”

Lanit looked at him with a slightly dumbfounded expression, but Robertze seemed completely oblivious.

“Alright!”

Suddenly, Robertze opened his arms wide and declared, “As the rightful heir of the Kingdom of Arkeisia, I, Prince Robertze of Arkeisia, grant you the honor of participating with me in regaining the royal palace!”

At that declaration, Lanit witnessed the faces of Esmela and the Duke behind Robertze contorting in real-time.

“Even though I might not be as helpful as Esmela or Arit… I believe you deserve praise for that determination. When the day comes for me to reclaim the royal family, I will surely bestow upon you a reward fitting of your contribution.”

“…Thank you.”

‘Maybe I misjudged this.’

Lanit instantly regretted his decision.

“Well then, I shall go hold a strategy meeting with Lanit.”

As Robertze took Lanit’s hand to leave, Esmela called out to them.

“…Wait a minute.”

“Are you really insane? What’s so great about volunteering to help that guy?”

“Then do you, Young Lady, have any alternative plans? At this point, you know there’s no choice but to directly capture the Princess to find any clues!”

For the first time, Esmela and Lanit were arguing.

Ultimately, Esmela reluctantly agreed to assist the prince, and Arit stated that he would accompany Esmela as well.

The moment the meeting broke up, Esmela yanked Lanit’s arm and dragged him outside of the village. When she began questioning him, Lanit also felt compelled to challenge her insistence on leaving.

“Ah, this is so frustrating!”

As a result, the two were engaged in a lengthy debate in the snowy field, several hundred meters away from the town, trembling in the cold.

“How could I just wait here while you go?”

“Why? I’m trying to give Esmela time with the household head and avoid becoming entangled with the prince, so why must you insist on following me?”

“…Ugh…!”

Esméla stamped her feet in the snow.

“You idiot! What if I send you alone and something goes wrong?!”

Her pent-up frustration echoed across the snowy landscape.

“…Oh.”

Lanit was speechless in surprise.

“Well… but still, you don’t need to follow me to some dangerous place where anything could happen…”

“It’s much more reassuring for me to keep my eyes on your safety than wait in a safe place for you! Besides, what do you expect to do following the prince when you know nothing about magic?”

“What if I just burn down the royal palace and the princess comes running out?”

“Do you really think it’s that easy?!”

With a temper that seemed ready to explode, Esmela finally slumped her shoulders in defeat.

“*Sigh*… I thought you might have some grand plan or something… but no.”

*Point.*

She pointed her index finger at Lanit’s face.

“Listen closely. You’re my butler. So don’t even think about leaving me. You stick with me, understood?”

“…Yes.”

“…Hmm.”

They both realized that their conversation had taken on a strange atmosphere and quickly averted their gazes.

Red blushes appeared on both of their faces.

“…”

Just when they both fell silent, unsure of what to say,

“Young Lady! Lanit!”

From a distance, Helinante rushed toward them, calling their names.

Both felt a wave of relief and immediately ran toward him.

“So, in the end, you two are both planning to head back to the royal palace.”

The head of the house’s first words after calling Esmela and Lanit.

“Yes. Originally, I knew it would be overstepping my bounds as a descendant of House Herta… but given the circumstances with the zombies, I believe resolving this issue is also beneficial for the family.”

“And Esmela, you plan to leave with Lanit as well.”

“…Yes.”

“*Sigh*…”

The head of the house let out a worried sigh.

“Alright. If that is your intention, I won’t say much more. What’s the plan moving forward?”

“The prince wanted to set out immediately, but he has been experiencing poor condition due to braving the cold with only flame magic, so he has been advised to rest. Arit is currently attending to him, so departure has been postponed a few days.”

“That’s a relief. At least you’ll be able to spend a little more time with Esmela.”

The head of the house spoke calmly but with a wistful expression as Esmela lowered her eyes in silence, seeming apologetic.

“You have nothing to apologize for. You’re no longer a child. I can’t keep you by my side forever…”

The head of the house stood up from his chair and approached Esmela.

“But I will ask you for this promise. Make sure you return here safely.”

“…Yes.”

Esmela’s voice was thick with emotion, as if she was holding back tears.

“Come here. Let me give you a hug.”

As the head of the house opened his arms, Esmela rushed into his embrace.

Lanit simply watched the two in silence.

“But Esmela.”

“Yes?”

“When are you two planning to get officially engaged?”

“What???”

“???”

Both Lanit and Esmela were left utterly stunned.

“…Don’t tell me you two aren’t a couple…”

The Duke’s surprise mirrored their own.

“Helinante, Helinante! What on earth is going on? Get over here right now!”