The Sequel to the Romance Fantasy Was a Zombie Apocalypse – Chapter 20

Ka-ka-ka-gak!

As the fire arrow collided with the barrier, sparks of magical energy illuminated the mansion like a fireworks display.

‘An attack on the House of Herta? Why now of all times?’

With eyes barely open against the sunlight-like flash, I looked up at the scene.

“Kyuh…!”

I had no idea who was behind this, but I had to get the Young Lady to safety—

“Um.”

“Younger Young Lady!?”

Just as I made that decision and turned to warn Esmela, I found her gazing at the sky through the open window, having come closer to me without me noticing.

“Young Lady, you can’t stay here! It seems an unknown enemy is attacking the mansion with Flame Magic. You need to hide quickly…”

“Attack? Flame Magic?”

I pressed her, but Esmela stared blankly at me, as if she didn’t understand what I was saying.

“…Haa.”

She sighed dramatically, as if I were the pathetic one, rubbing her forehead.

“Younger Young Lady?”

“Lanit, take another good look at that arrow.”

I didn’t know why, but I followed Esmela’s instructions and squinted at the arrow once more.

“What color is the arrow?”

“It’s… red…”

I was about to blurt out the typical flame color but swallowed my words.

Upon closer inspection, that arrow wasn’t made of ordinary flames.

“…There’s a bit of black mixed in.”

“Yes, that flame is the Flame of Herta.”

Even though Esmela was squinting against the bright light in the sky, it was clear she smiled with relief.

“It’s one of my father’s vision spells utilizing the Flame of Herta. That arrow must contain a message sent by him.”

“I see…”

I listened to Esmela’s explanation in a daze, looking up at the sky with her.

Then it’s a relief… or not.

“But Young Lady, if that arrow breaks through the barrier, it’s going to damage or destroy the barrier, isn’t it?”

“Don’t worry. It’s just a tiny hole in this massive barrier. With a crack that small, it’ll recover on its own. It’s not like zombies are going to fly through that hole while it’s recovering.”

Then that’s really a relief.

“Ugh.”

I sighed and brushed away my startled heart.

“I can’t even distinguish between regular Flame Magic and the Flame of Herta my father uses. Pathetic.”

“But Young Lady, when a sudden loud noise comes from the sky and I look up to see a massive fire arrow trying to break through the barrier, how am I supposed to properly observe that arrow and realize it’s made of the Flame of Herta?”

“I did, right?”

“…”

“Instead of making excuses, reflect on your shortcomings and think of ways to improve. You need to be worthy of your title as my Personal Butler.”

…That’s a bit much.

In the end, I had no choice but to keep my mouth shut and quietly observe the arrow with Esmela, despite her unreasonably rational rebuttal.

Crackle!

“Oh, it passed through.”

The arrow that had been lodged in the barrier finally began to fly towards us.

Sweee-!

It headed straight for the office, and a sense of foreboding crept in, but then—

Flap flap.

The arrow transformed in an instant into the shape of a giant pigeon, flapping its large wings as it headed toward Esmela’s office window.

This flaming pigeon was twice the size of a normal pigeon, with flames engulfing its entire body, yet it glided gracefully and gently landed on Esmela’s outstretched right arm.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen this messenger bird.”

Esmela gazed at the bird wistfully, as if she missed it, softly stroking its head with her index finger.

…Isn’t she going to get burned doing that?

“What are you just standing there staring for?”

“Y-yes?”

“Quickly, go get Arit. Oh, and this time, bring Helinante with you, too.”

“Esmela?!”

Before I could knock and report to Esmela, Arit burst through the door and dashed into the office.

“What in the world is going on? I felt a strong impact against the barrier and hurried to the magic circle to activate it…”

“Oh, that’s fine. Just calm down for now.”

Esmela reassured Arit in a light tone, as if it were no big deal.

“…Yes?”

“Come over and sit down. Elina, prepare some tea for Arit.”

“Yes, Esmela.”

Before I could even call her, the Head Maid had already appeared next to Esmela once again.

She walked towards the circular table and chairs that had suddenly set themselves up in the center of the office, which clearly hadn’t been there before I left.

Then, she gracefully poured steaming tea into the cups on the table.

‘When did she prepare that?’

I had been out of the office for less than five minutes, and somehow, she had set up a table and brewed tea for Arit…

“Arit, please sit here. This chamomile tea has calming effects.”

“Ah… thank you.”

The Head Maid guided the flustered Arit to the table, placing a teacup in front of him.

“Um…”

I heard Helinante’s cautious voice from behind me.

“I may have missed the timing to greet you, but may I ask what the situation is, Young Lady?”

He poked his head slightly to the side, glancing at Esmela.

“And, um, what about the burning bird on the desk…?”

His gaze was fixed on the large flaming pigeon in front of Esmela.

“You made it just in time. I’m about to discuss this, so both of you, don’t just stand by the door—come inside.”

Following her directive, Helinante and I closed the office door and walked over to her.

In the office sat Esmela at her desk, me standing behind her as usual, and across from her at a makeshift table sat Arit with a teacup, alongside Helinante and Elina on either side of her.

With the Head Butler and the Count absent from the mansion, the five core individuals who remained were now gathered in Esmela’s office.

…

And excluding Esmela and the Head Maid, the other three gazes were fixed on the large flaming bird on the office desk.

“This messenger bird is a temporary magical life form created by my father. It’s a kind of communication magic that’s useful for urgently conveying messages to someone far away by embedding a voice within the flames of Herta.”

As she sensed our curiosity directed toward the bird, Esmela cut straight to the point without further ado.

“Ah, so that’s what the arrow from the sky was.”

Arit finally looked enlightened.

“Yes, it was something I didn’t predict, which is why I couldn’t inform you first. I’m sorry, Arit.”

“Oh no, it’s fine. The barrier doesn’t seem to have sustained significant damage.”

“That’s a relief. Anyway, I called you, Arit, and the three other servants into the office before I play back my father’s voice. It seems to be an important message, and I thought it’d be better for everyone to hear it together.”

“Um, Young Lady. May I ask just one question?”

Helinante, who had been listening, carefully raised his hand and asked Esmela.

“I grant you permission.”

“I understand what you just said, Young Lady, but why did you summon me…?”

“You’ll be taking over the role of acting Head Butler until he returns. Therefore, you should know the important information.”

“W-what? Just like that… isn’t Lanit here?”

“Lanit has probably strained his relationships with the other servants since yesterday. He’s still too young and inexperienced to lead them. Among the remaining butlers, you’re the only one left to manage the servants in place of the Head Butler. Elina only manages the maids.”

…Esmela seemed to have somewhat grasped the situation I was in.

“Ugh… this is annoying…”

Despite it being Esmela’s direct order, Helinante simply wore a troubled expression and hesitated to respond.

“I won’t listen to objections. Until my father and the Head Butler return, you, Helinante, will be responsible for managing the mansion and the servants.”

Esmela firmly reiterated her command.

“…I will follow your command.”

Helinante begrudgingly accepted with a tone that clearly expressed his dissatisfaction. He wore an expression that screamed how unwilling he was to do this.

“Your expression is utterly disrespectful, you know? It seems like you’re not interested in following my orders.”

“I’ve never heard anyone say my expression is disrespectful, but… how could I ever defy the orders of the Young Lady, who is like the heavens…?”

The two continued their back-and-forth, but my mind had already drifted elsewhere.

‘…I am still lacking.’

Of course, I was not the Head Butler, merely a Personal Butler, so I didn’t have the responsibility to lead other servants…

But somehow it felt like Esmela was stepping up for my sake, and I felt guilty toward her.

“Lanit.”

“Yes?”

I snapped to attention at Esmela’s call.

“From now on, focus only on assisting me as my Personal Butler. Don’t think about anything else.”

Looking into her crimson eyes gazing up at me, my tumultuous thoughts quickly settled.

“…Yes!”

“…Hmph.”

Having finished speaking, Esmela abruptly turned her head away.

Suddenly, I felt another gaze upon me, and when I looked up, Helinante was giving me a sly grin, as if he knew everything.

‘That guy…’

The emotions I had felt earlier from his encouragement vanished in an instant.

“Now, I think we’ve covered all the necessary explanations, so I’ll play my father’s message.”

With Esmela’s announcement, the atmosphere in the office tightened once more.

“Lanit, are you ready to take notes?”

“Yes.”

I promptly pulled out a small notebook and a pen from my pocket.

“Alright, then…”

She slowly reached out and placed her index finger on the bird’s forehead.

“Flame of Herta, reveal to me the secrets you carry.”

Esmela whispered the incantation.

After a brief moment of silence in the room,

“Esmela.”

The deep voice of Count Tereed Herta flowed from the burning pigeon’s mouth.

“I’m hurrying to the Royal Capital from Pedina City after hearing what’s happening in the Royal Capital. I should reach the western gate of Erka by tomorrow night.”

“Father…!”

Esmela’s face brightened upon hearing the news that her father was returning.

“However, even if I reach the Royal Capital,”

But one must listen to a person until the end.

“It pains me greatly that I cannot enter the Royal Capital to rescue you under the current circumstances.”