The Sequel to the Romance Fantasy Was a Zombie Apocalypse – Chapter 33

Clank-

The drawbridge entering the royal palace lowered slowly over the moat with the heavy sound of iron chains.

“Keep running!”

The cavalry commander, galloping with the second unit, turned back and shouted at us.

Thud thud-

We poured more strength into our running footsteps and moved forward.

“Let the lead slow down and clear the way for the survivors! We will hold them off until the survivors are inside the palace!”

Clop, clop.

The heavily armored cavalry, once charging fiercely, slowly reduced their speed and began to split aside.

-Graaah!

As the zombies gathered near the palace charged at us, the cavalry lined up on either side to fend them off with their spears.

While they held them back, we strained every last ounce of strength to dash toward the palace.

Finally, after stepping onto the drawbridge and crossing the moat—

*Huff, huff…*

Esmela and I were the last, but all the survivors made it within the castle walls.

“Survivors have entered! Maintain rear guard…”

“Ah, I’ll take care of the rear!”

As the cavalry commander gave orders while engaging with the zombies, the prince lightly descended from the sky beside him.

His flowing silver hair swayed gently as he landed.

“Everyone, let them inside the palace.”

“…Retreat! Quickly retreat!”

As the cavalry commander’s order rang out, the cavalry turned their horses around and galloped into the gates without a second glance.

-Greak, kyaaa!

-Uwaaaaa!

Naturally, the zombies that were being fended off started charging toward the walls in a frenzy after their tails…

“Pile up, land wall, upward.”

Thud-

Suddenly, a massive earthen barrier blocked their path.

As the prince cast mid-level magic, a massive earthen wall five meters high neatly blocked the zombies’ path, sealing off their entrance completely.

That huge barrier was not only taller but also thicker than the wall made with ‘Manipulate Earth,’ effectively silencing the zombies’ cries and the noises of them banging against it.

“The prince has returned!”

One of the soldiers stationed behind the gate, armed in armor with a spear at the ready, shouted.

Creek…

His call acted as a signal, and the drawbridge began to rise slowly once more…

Bam.

The gates closed completely, and at last, we were momentarily freed from the zombies.

“Haah…”

Gently placing Esmela down, I let out a long sigh mixed with relief and fatigue.

“Well, I’ll commend you for bringing me here. It was unnecessary hardship, but still.”

Esmela, who had been comfortably carried all the way without lifting a finger, threw her condescending congratulations wrapped in a little sarcasm at me.

“…Thank you.”

I wiped the sweat from my forehead with my sleeve.

Though I had checked to ensure no one was left behind as we ran, I still glanced back at the survivors with a hint of worry.

A head maid with a haughty look that showed no signs of fatigue, and Helinante sitting beside her.

Arit, who was going around attending to the other survivors.

And Uncle Zeck, casually asking a soldier if there was any water to quench his thirst.

Along with butlers, maids, gardeners, stablemasters, and cooks.

“Hah.”

This time, I let out a sigh of relief.

All 28 members who had stayed behind at the House of Herta made it safely to the palace without anyone left behind.

“Everyone has safely arrived at the palace.”

“Good, that’s great.”

Esmela replied nonchalantly upon hearing my report.


However, her expression also subtly revealed a glimmer of joy.

As the two of us joyfully watched the relieved servants who managed to survive amid our exhaustion…

“Um…”

After giving orders to the soldiers, the prince turned around and spotted us as he walked over.

I quickly stepped back behind Esmela, trying to read her mood.

“…”

Her expression had indeed stiffened somewhat unnaturally, but thankfully, Esmela seemed to have regained a degree of calm compared to the first time she met the prince.

The prince approached us at a brisk pace and stood in front of Esmela.

“I’m glad everyone arrived safely. Lady Esmela, are you hurt anywhere?”

He greeted her with a formal smile, inquiring about her well-being.

“…I’m at peace. I am Esmela Herta, the eldest daughter of Duke Tereed Herta, meeting Prince Robertze, the rightful heir of the Kingdom of Arkeisia.”

Esmela placed her right hand on her chest and performed a light bow, maintaining her composure befitting a duke’s daughter while her movements appeared somewhat stiff, feigning calm.

“When you saved my family a moment ago, I was overwhelmed by the situation and didn’t even express my gratitude. I wish to offer my apologies for my rudeness back then.”

Avoiding direct eye contact and glancing slightly down, Esmela apologized to the prince in an exceedingly formal tone.

“…Ah.”

The prince, momentarily taken aback by Esmela’s demeanor, slightly paused, but…

“It’s alright. I gladly accept your apology, Lady Esmela. Please do not feel uncomfortable about it.”

He adeptly adjusted his demeanor to match hers.

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. May I ask why you have come to find me?”

“Uhm.”

The prince cleared his throat for a moment.

“As a member of the royal family, I welcome you and the House of Herta. I extend my commendations for your perseverance through hardships and formally invite you to the palace.”

Watching him speak without hesitation, I was reminded once again that he was indeed the prince of this kingdom.

“First, I’m sure you are tired from your journey, so I will quickly assign you to your quarters for rest. Ah! The chamberlain is coming this way.”

As the prince spoke, he seemed to notice someone and turned his gaze toward the interior of the castle.

Following his gaze, I spotted a middle-aged man approaching us at a brisk pace, flanked by two young men.

His lean figure, thin mustache and beard, and long, slanted eyes gave him a stern appearance.

I had no idea what position the chamberlain held, but judging from his luxurious purple robe and the younger men behind him, it was clear that he was a person of considerable status.

“Chamberlain! You came just in time…”

Just as Robertze was about to greet him warmly,

“Are you out of your mind!”

The man, referred to as the chamberlain, shouted loudly at the prince, shaking the surroundings.

“Prince Robertze is the heir of this Kingdom of Arkeisia! Do you understand?!”

He boldly pointed a finger at the prince and was angrily yelling at the heir of a nation.

“For someone like him to! No matter how much he saves the daughter of Duke Tereed, dash out into the cursed horde of those filthy undead! With just 28 cavalry! Is that even acceptable?!”

With every word he emphasized while scolding the prince, Robertze flinched more and began to back away gradually.

“Calm down, Chamberlain. I merely took the cavalry out for a practice drill regarding our future rescue operations.”

“Why… does the prince have to do that!! Why!!!”

“Ugh…”

The chamberlain’s voice reverberated throughout the palace, filled with tension, while Robertze awkwardly shrank back.

The perplexing scene drew onlookers from the servants of the House of Herta, the cavalrymen preparing their horses, and the soldiers on guard, all straining their necks to watch from a distance.

“No, chamberlain Zeek… There are many eyes upon us. Please calm down…”

“Yes! Many eyes indeed! Those dozens of pairs of eyes saw the kingdom’s only heir! Dashing alone into that den of the dead, yes?! What does that make our position, tasked to protect the prince, when we received reports that he had rushed outside the castle walls and we were left unable to do anything, worrying that the prince’s well-being might be compromised?!”

He ended his thunderous yell with a heavy breath, his face flushed crimson as he exhaled roughly to calm down.

“Now, chamberlain. Scolding me can wait. What kind of absurdity is this in front of the lady of the House of Herta?”

At the prince’s remark, the chamberlain finally seemed to notice our presence, looking startled.

“Cough, cough…”

He cleared his throat and lightly bowed his head in Esmela’s direction.

“Welcome, Lady Esmela Herta. I am Zeek of the Treat family, serving as the chamberlain.”

“Ah… I am Esmela of the House of Herta. Pleased to meet you.”

“I apologize for showing such an embarrassing display in front of the guests. I beg your pardon. Since you must be weary from your arduous journey, allow me to immediately guide you to your quarters. Ah! The saintess of the Radain Church is here too. What a relief.”

“I would like to ask for accommodations for the servants as well. And if there is a physician available, could you request him to tend to their ailments?”

“Of course. Rooms for them are prepared. And as soon as we return, I will contact the royal physician and have him sent to the servants’ quarters.”

It was hard to believe it was the same person who had just been yelling loudly; he was now addressing Esmela with a gentle and polite tone.

“By the way, is that boy behind you…?”

“He’s my personal butler. This boy and the maid with the black bob over there are my attendants, so I would prefer they remain close to my room.”

“Ah, yes, of course…”

He quickly scanned me from head to toe while replying to Esmela.

It gave off an unsettling feeling, as if he were assessing me for something beyond mere appearance.

“Now, let us guide you promptly. This way, please… I will make sure the maids treat you well. There are events afterward, but first, Lady Esmela, please rest sufficiently, and I will guide you afterward.”

“What events are those?”

“Well, since you have come to the palace, naturally, you must have an audience with the King. Oh, and the princess consort will also be in attendance. Typically, the prince isn’t required to attend a meeting with the king, but this time, Princess Yuria has expressed a strong desire to participate, especially…”

At the mere mention of Yuria’s name from the chamberlain’s lips, Esmela’s eyes widened in surprise.