The Sequel to the Romance Fantasy Was a Zombie Apocalypse – Chapter 31

Esmela sat on the floor, wrapping her arms around her knees, with her face buried deep in them.

I stood behind her, completely still like a toy soldier.

“…”

“…”

Of course, none of us said a word.

Just as I pondered when this uncomfortable wait might end—

“!”

*Hiss—*

A gust of wind rushed through the servants waiting anxiously on the floor or pacing around.

*Whooosh—*

As the wind brushed past me, I felt once more that light sensation I experienced when Arit cast a blessing in the mansion.

“Huu…”

Before I knew it, Arit quietly sighed and lifted her head after finishing the blessing.

“It’s over.”

Did the others feel the same? Everyone was inspecting themselves with a look of wonder and some even bounced lightly on their feet.

“Indeed, just like the Saintess. Excellent. Now, let’s get moving.”

Prince Robertze turned around to speak to the cavalry awaiting in formation on their horses, but

“Prince Robertze, just a moment.”

Arit called him to a stop.

“What is it, Saintess?”

“Is it not okay to cast blessings on the kingdom’s army?”

“Ah… it’s fine. We have our own preparations.”

“Preparations of your own…?”

“I think it’s faster to show you rather than explain with words.”

With his gentle smile, Prince Robertze turned back to call the commander.

“Cavalry Commander.”

“Yes!”

He answered loudly at the prince’s call, then pulled down his helm and shouted to the cavalry waiting behind him.

“From now on, we will escort the survivors back to the royal palace! Everyone, cast Strength Enhancement Magic on your mounts!”

“Yes!”

“On the horses…?”

I couldn’t help but blurt out the question that sprang to mind upon hearing the cavalry commander’s order.

When I glanced over at Esmela, she too was looking up with a curious expression at the sight.

“Strength!”

As the mounted cavalry simultaneously chanted the spell, a brief blue aura erupted around them.

*Pooof, hiihihing!*

The armored horses receiving the buff kicked up, looking strong and restless as they pranced.

“Strength… combined with Haste, is the basic physical enhancement magic that should be cast first for those fighting up close.”

Prince Robertze began to explain, standing next to Arit.

“It’s a shift in thought stemming from a very simple question, really. When you cast Strength magic on a person, even if the caster is inexperienced, it results in at least a 30% enhancement, and can double if the caster has a higher understanding of magic. So, if we cast that enhancement magic on horses that are several times stronger than humans… just how much stronger would they become?”

*Puhihing, phururuk!*

“Whoa, whoa!”

One of the cavalrymen struggles to calm the horse he’s riding.

“Of course, there are side effects where buffed horses can become uncontrollable and rampage…”

As he watched, Prince Robertze forced a smile.

“Regardless, I can assure you of their power.”

“That’s amazing… but aren’t various enhancement magics, including Strength and Haste, only supposed to be cast on humans?”

“That’s right. So, to apply Strength magic to animals, royal sorcerers analyzed the nerves and physical structures of horses to develop a new Strength magic specifically optimized for them. It was originally a project being secretly conducted for battlefield use, but… it just so happens we have an opportunity to test it a bit earlier than expected.”

Prince Robertze responded with a wry smile to Arit’s question.

“Now, you should have an idea of the operation. The cavalry will break through the enemy using the power of the buffed iron horses, and you will follow along utilizing the speed blessing bestowed by the Saintess. That’s the main outline of our plan.”

Prince Robertze concluded his conversation with Arit and clapped his hands to capture everyone’s attention.

“Now, let’s depart before ‘they’ arrive! Don’t overthink it, just keep in formation and follow the cavalry! If you have any elderly or injured among you, be sure to choose someone to carry or assist them before we set off!”

Hearing the prince’s shout, the servants began to murmur.

As the prince said, there were some among us who’d find it hard to keep pace, like the elderly gardener or a young maid-in-training.

And I had two people I needed to look after.

“I…”

I alternated glances between Helinante’s pale face and the still anxious Esmela.

“Senpai.”

Starting with Helinante.

“I can go by myself.”

“Stop talking nonsense. You look like you’re about to drop dead. No, why are you getting worse even after the Saintess treated you…?”

“The Saintess said I had lost too much blood. She told me she couldn’t do anything for severe injuries like blood loss and limb loss right now.”

“…Do you not feel anything else?”

Finally, I muster the courage to ask the question I should have asked first.

“…Kid, that was the main point, wasn’t it? Don’t worry. Since the junior used her own hands to sever my right arm, I couldn’t be more upset if I turned into a monster like them. I’ll be fine, really. Once we get to the palace and rest, I’ll be better.”

Even as his voice faded, he forced a smile, trying to be brave.

“…”

I couldn’t think of any encouraging words, just quietly watched his face.

“Renit.”

Suddenly, a voice startled me from right behind.

“Ah, Head Maid…”

The Head Maid stood behind me with her usual expressionless face.

She always catches me off guard when she approaches so silently from behind. At least make some noise or something…

“What is it?”

“I’ll carry Helinante.”

“What?”

Helinante looked shocked at the unexpected offer from the Head Maid.

“No, but I’m fine, right? Besides, if I’m being carried, shouldn’t a butler or one of the other servants do it instead of the Head Maid…”

Helinante, despite being weary, protested vigorously, but the Head Maid simply met his gaze calmly.

“…It’s my responsibility too.”

“Uh…”

Helinante, who had been rapidly ranting, was suddenly silenced by the Head Maid’s calm confession.

“If I had been more vigilant, you wouldn’t have been bitten, nor would you have lost your arm. Thus, I wish to help you, just a little.”

Her expression was as unchanged as ever, but her words felt sincere.

…It was unexpected. The Head Maid, who always kept a stern expression, sometimes felt emotionless like a doll, but she was human too.

“…Then, may I entrust Senpai to the Head Maid?”

“Please do.”

In response to my question, she answered in her usual emotionless tone. However, this time, I sensed something trustworthy in her reply.

“No… ah, this is ridiculous… if a grown man like me is carried by a delicate girl, what will people say…”

“Carried?”

Hearing Helinante’s complaint, the Head Maid challenged him.

“Well, if the Head Maid is going to move me, there’s no other way than to carry me… or are you thinking of carrying me like Renit does, as in a princess carry?”

“? I don’t know what you’re talking about. I said ‘carry’, didn’t I?”

The Head Maid approached him confidently and—

“Ugh, wait a second!”

Just like throwing a sack of rice over her shoulder, she effortlessly lifts him up and lightly throws him onto her right shoulder.

“Then, I’ll go ahead and wait. Renit, I leave Esmela to you.”

“Let’s discuss this after you put me down! Hey? Excuse me?…”

The Head Maid turned and walked away… with a struggling Helinante slung over her shoulder.

“…”

After seeing them off, I turned my attention back.

“Young Lady.”

Now it was Esmela’s turn.

“…”

She still had her head buried between her knees, refusing to respond.

All throughout the noisy exchange between Helinante and the Head Maid, she hadn’t said a word.

“I’ll escort you. Here…”

I cautiously reached out my hand to her…

*Thwack!*

“Get away.”

She forcefully swatted my hand away.

“I’m saying I’ll manage myself.”

Esmela shot up from her spot and began to walk towards the group of servants, leaving me behind.

“Young Lady.”

I urgently grabbed her left arm.

“…You’re quite the stubborn one, aren’t you?”

She abruptly turned her head toward me.

A smile crossed her face. However, it wasn’t a warm smile expressing joy, but a chilling smile filled with cynicism and anger.

“You, a mere butler, dare to touch me?”

She barked at me in a terrifying tone.

However, I had no intention of letting go of the arm I was holding.

“…”

Instead, I met her crimson eyes directly.

To an outsider, her behavior might appear as an arrogant noble lady losing her temper at a servant.

But somehow, I felt I could guess the underlying reason for her sudden mood swing.

No matter how she resisted, I had to persuade her to either carry her or help her, anything to keep her off the ground right now.

Partly out of concern that she might fall behind, but more so because it wasn’t a flattering sight for a ducal family’s young lady to be seen running in pajamas.

“…”

Or rather, beyond these petty reasons… my gaze kept drifting back to Prince Robertze. He wasn’t looking this way as he was giving orders to the city guards, but…

It’s hard to explain, but for some reason, every time I looked at him, I felt an overwhelming impulse to carry Esmela myself.

“Let go of that arm. This is your last warning.”

Esmela glared at me, still frowning.

Alright… so, how to tackle this former villainess now?