The Sequel to the Romance Fantasy Was a Zombie Apocalypse – Chapter 6

I accidentally revealed their name from my previous world—zombies—without thinking.

‘Is this really okay?’

At first, I felt uneasy… but upon reflection, the term “zombie” doesn’t even exist in the [Roina] universe, so I realized it didn’t matter what I called them.

It’s not like there are other reincarnators who know the word “zombie.”

“…”

Esmela is deep in thought after hearing the word “zombie.”

She’s so lost in her own mind that she doesn’t even notice me staring at her face directly.

“Indeed, the characteristics of those zombies you mentioned are very similar to what we witnessed back there.”

After a long pause, Esmela finally spoke up.

“Yes! Young Lady, so—”

“But.”

Just as I thought I successfully tricked her, Esmela cuts me off with determination.

“Ultimately, it’s just a story rooted in superstition. It’s not a verified theory or a solid fact.”

“…”

That’s right. This is probably the typical response.

But it doesn’t matter.

“That’s correct, Young Lady. What I shared was purely fictional. There’s no concrete evidence that the zombies in stories match those creatures.

However… isn’t it also true that apart from these superstitious tales, there’s a lack of materials or theories explaining what they are? Since you are quite knowledgeable, don’t you know more than I do?”

“…That’s true. At least, among the literature I’ve read, there hasn’t been a single mention of such things.”

“Exactly. So I say this with caution. You don’t need to believe my words 100%, but… if by any chance those are zombies, and if you were to be bitten and become one of them… wouldn’t we want to avoid that at all costs?”

Esmela simply listens to me in silence.

As she shuts her mouth, a brief silence hangs between us.

“So, what you want to ask me is—”

At the end of this silence, Esmela finally opens her mouth.

“Is it ‘Don’t get bitten by those things’?”

“Exactly!”

Great. Finally, I got through to her.

“Hmph… You could have just said it directly instead of dragging out some superstition.”

“Haha…”

If I hadn’t built up to it, she wouldn’t have listened to anything I said.

“Fine. I’ll be careful. The last thing I want is to turn into one of those things.”

“Yes, that’s enough.”

For now, I achieved my goal.

At least this way, I prevented Esmela from becoming one of those background characters in a zombie movie who cluelessly approaches a zombie and gets bitten.

“Thank you for listening to my story, Young Lady.”

“No need for thanks.”

“Yes, there is. If you were to get bitten by zombies and leave my side… what could be sadder than that?”

If I were to actually see my favorite character turn into a zombie… I’d choose to get bitten myself.

“…”

Is it just me, or is Esmela’s face a bit flushed?

“What does that… mean?”

Esmela asks with a somewhat strange tone.

I’m a little concerned about her sudden change in demeanor… but that’s not important right now.

“Ah… huff… what?”

“…? Wait, why are you panting?”

“Well, I didn’t show it while talking with you, but… my stamina and magic are reaching their limits.”

It’s been over 20 minutes since I started running at full speed from Pirke Plaza.

Squeezing the mana needed for acceleration magic means my mana heart is running low, and the leg muscles I overexerted are starting to scream in pain.

If I had been running alone, I might have been fine, but carrying Esmela drained my stamina much faster.

“What? Then hurry up and let me down!”

“Yes, I’m sorry…”

I stop running and gently set Esmela down with both arms.

The heat from my overheated mana heart spreads through my body.

“Huff, huff, phew…”

I try to calm my ragged breathing.

“I can’t believe this. Can’t you read the mood…?”

Esmela grumbles under her breath, but…

It’s hard to hear, and honestly, right now, I’m barely managing to take care of myself.

“Whoosh, phew, hoo.”

Finally catching my breath, I wipe sweat off my forehead as if it’s raining and glance around just in case.

For now, I don’t see any zombies nearby.

“I’m really sorry, Young Lady.”

“…”

Esmela doesn’t even turn to look at me now.

“I’ll carry you again as soon as my mana and stamina recover, so…”

“Forget it! We’ve almost reached the mansion anyway. I’ll just walk.”

Esmela glares at me and shouts in a sharp voice,

“Hmph.”

Crossing her arms and pouting, she strides ahead with a click of her heels.

…This feels a bit unfair.

I only ran at full power to protect you, Esmela.

“Can’t you at least appreciate me instead of complaining…”

I mumble under my breath so Esmela can’t hear me.

Following behind her on the empty streets of Royal Capital Erka.

Normally, this bustling fantasy city would be filled with people passing by, but because most of them rushed to Pirke Plaza to watch the Prince’s wedding, it’s just the two of us walking down this wide, desolate street.

“…”

Esmela continues walking with her arms crossed, not looking at me, still pouting.

“…”

Not knowing how to lift her spirits, I walk a few steps behind her in silence.

‘Oh well, whatever.’

It’s not uncommon for Esmela to sulk for no reason. If left alone, she’ll probably get over it.

I decide to leave Esmela’s mood to the passage of time and survey my surroundings again.

‘At least it seems the Zombie Incident hasn’t spread this far yet.’

Just as I begin to relax my mind, a chill runs down my spine.

And then…

-Kraaaaah!

-Krek! Kugh!

-Guoooor!

A horde of zombies can be seen charging towards us from ahead, screaming gruesomely.

Oh… it seems my earlier thoughts have jinxed us.

A bizarre sight unfolds.

On a street in Royal Capital Erka.

The zombies have apparently finished their hunt here; the ground is soaked with blood, and all the first-floor windows of the buildings are shattered.

In the center of that street, a single woman walks nonchalantly.

A height of just below 170, she looks like an ordinary woman.

Her outfit consists mainly of a black veil and dress, though the breast area is adorned with a bit of white—a plain, modest nun’s attire.

However, her beauty is anything but ordinary.

Long, flowing golden hair cascades down to her chest, peeking out from beneath her veil.

Her golden eyes shine even brighter than her hair.

Her skin is so white, it looks immaculate, allowing no traces of dust.

Her face carries a compassionate expression reminiscent of a divine mother.

In stark contrast, her figure is alluring, with curves that seem to tempt reason itself.

Yet, even more eye-catching is the roughly one-meter long wooden club in her hand, densely packed with sharp spikes.

-Kraaaaah!

The zombies, upon discovering a new meal, rush towards her in unison.

But she remains calm,

Peh!

“Lord Juten.”

-Kuh…

Peh!

“Have mercy on the lost souls.”

-Kwee…

-Keee…

Peh!

“I return them to you now, may they find the right path once more.”

With a swift swing, she crushes their heads.

With every swing, she takes one down, sometimes more at once, and each time a head turns to mush, she offers a prayer for their rest to the Lord.

“Huuh…”

The cleric, seemingly finished with washing her laundry, lightly shakes the blood off her club with a sigh.

Then she walks forward nonchalantly again.

However, her face darkens suddenly as she continues to smash zombie heads.

“Ah. I wonder how everyone is doing. To think this would happen to the wedding of Prince Robertze and Yuria…”

She sighs deeply.

“They’ve all scattered… where could the others have gone?”

After a moment of pondering, her expression brightens.

“Ah!”

As if remembering something.

“Now that I think about it, there’s the mansion of Lady Esmela in the capital. I could meet her there, then move together to join the others.”

Having found her destination, she walks with renewed vigor.

-Kraaaaah!

-Krek! Kugh!

-Guoooor!

But once again, a distant ominous cry echoes through.

This voice comprises many dire screams, all brimming with excitement as they’ve found their prey.

“Ah. More lost souls. Before I meet Lady Esmela, I must fulfill my duty first.”

She laments with a sad expression.

Then, she pivots and, gripping her club in her right hand, starts running toward where the screams are coming from.