The Sequel to the Romance Fantasy Was a Zombie Apocalypse – Chapter 88

“Arit, what on earth is that sound? Are you really going to follow them too? Why all of a sudden?”

Lopez questioned Arit.

Esmela and Lanit were also caught off guard by Arit’s sudden declaration, unable to jump into the conversation.

The three of them stared at Arit’s tightly closed mouth, holding their breath to see how she would respond.

“…As Lopez said, even if it’s not a Zombie Incident, the northern tundra is a dangerous area on its own. The biting cold and various ferocious monsters that you won’t find in other regions…”

“Exactly. That’s why I’m trying to stop you two right now. Let’s at least contact the House of Larson with a letter first…”

However, Arit shook her head.

“Who’s going to deliver that letter? Through that cold, those monsters, and that horde of zombies? Even if we offer tens of millions of gold as a delivery fee, who would take on a mission where they’re clearly not coming back alive?”

“…”

Lopez was left speechless by her sharp point.

Then Arit continued her argument.

“You know it too, Lopez. If the two of you want to meet the other members of the House of Herta, there’s no option but for you to go in person.”

“Ha…”

Lopez rubbed his forehead as if he had a headache.

“Fine, I get it. Let’s say you two are leaving. But why do you insist on going with them?”

“To protect you two.”

“Is that really all?”

“Is that really all?!”

Arit’s sharp shout echoed through the bedroom.

Lanit, startled, stared at her in a daze, and when he checked Esmela’s expression, she looked no different from him.

“You…”

Lopez was left stuttering, his mouth barely moving.

It was unfamiliar even to Arit’s two companions, who had interacted with her since childhood, seeing her so intensely express her feelings.

“Do you know how I felt leaving Esmela among those awful zombies, Lopez? Waking up from horrifying nightmares of Esmela being devoured by zombies every single night, praying desperately for her safety over and over again. All I could do was blame myself that I should have gone, and just offer my penance…”

Tears streamed down Arit’s face as she let loose the pent-up indignation from her heart.

“Since Esmela will leave regardless of what anyone says, then at the very least, I have to be there, to protect her this time…”

Finally, after confessing her true feelings, her fiercely burning voice gradually dimmed until it finally succumbed to sobbing.

“…Arit.”

Lopez stared at her with a troubled expression for a while.

“…”

Esmela lowered her head, unable to bear the sight.

Only Arit’s quiet sobs filled the space where the conversation had ended.

“Ari…t.”

Lopez hesitated as he reached out to comfort her, then pulled back, repeating the motion.

<Tock.>

“?”

Feeling someone touch his shoulder made him look up, and he saw Lanit approaching with a handkerchief.

Lanit nodded silently to encourage him.

Lopez glanced at the handkerchief for a moment before carefully taking it and wiping Arit’s tears.

Worried Arit might pull away from the gesture, Lanit held his breath, but thankfully Arit accepted her fiancé’s touch willingly.

“…I’m sorry.”

Ten minutes later, Arit finally calmed down and bowed her head to apologize to others.

“So, I was just so anxious, and with Esmela planning to leave for such a dangerous place, I was worried…”

Arit was rambling, losing her composure.

“…Ha.”

With a sigh, Esmela stood up from her chair.

“Esmela?”

Arit called her name, surprised, but Esmela ignored it and walked straight up to Arit, grabbing her hands firmly.

“Who am I?”

“Y-yes?”

Arit stammered, shocked by Esmela’s nonsensical question.

“Answer.”

“Um, Esmela is Esmela.”

“Last name?”

“Herta. Esmela Herta.”

“Right. I am Esmela Herta. The one and only direct descendant of the proud House of Herta and the successor to my father Duke Tereed’s legacy. And above all, just me. Esmela Herta.”

Esmela’s blazing red eyes met Arit’s golden ones squarely.

“The wretched black witch kidnapping me, being trapped in the royal capital for three years, and facing countless life-threatening situations during that time—all of it is due to no one but myself.”

“But…!”

As Arit tried to protest, Esmela tightened her grip on Arit’s hands to stop her.

“One more thing. Do you think I’m the kind of pathetic person who blames my misfortunes on others?”

“…No.”

“I take responsibility for my own affairs. I’ve done so until now, and I will continue to do so. My hardships, which are solely mine, I won’t let some other human arrogantly carry the burden.”

Esmela looked down at Arit, who gazed back at her, with determination in her expression. Warmth flickered in those eyes.

“…So don’t blame yourself. Don’t start thinking that if I had acted differently back then, I could have saved Esmela; don’t bury yourself in meaningless hypotheticals and place empty guilt on yourself. That would be insulting to me.”

“Esmela…”

Tears welled up in Arit’s eyes again.

Lopez, who had been quietly watching, pulled out the handkerchief again to wipe her tears, but,

“…I understand now.”

This time, she managed to hold back her tears. Instead, she offered Esmela a bright smile, as usual.

“I’m sorry, Esmela. That was quite an overstep on my part.”

“Well, I get that feeling. Anyone who knows this Esmela Herta would worry about what would happen if my great talent were to vanish.”

“Hehe…”

Arit chuckled shyly behind her hand at Esmela’s joke.

“…This is surprising. I can’t believe Esmela could act so mature. It’s hard to believe she’s the same proud noble lady from her days at the Royal Academy…”

Lopez watched them chat happily, lost in nostalgic thought.

“So it seems that the saying about people changing completely after facing life-or-death situations is true. Hey, after watching her grow, you’re… what? Why are you crying again?”

Lopez turned to speak to Lanit, who was standing next to him, only to be taken aback by the sight of him sobbing uncontrollably.

“Ugh… She’s really grown up, Esmela… And Arit’s pure concern for her is also noble…”

[Loina] A new event unique to the original work, showcasing the mental growth of the villainess noble lady and glimpses into the saintess’ inner self.

Park Tae-han, unable to suppress his overflowing emotions after witnessing his favorite character’s personal growth, found himself in tears.

“…? …????”

Lopez was left spinning with question marks over his head, completely bewildered by the situation.

“Alright.”

As Lopez assessed the atmosphere between Esmela and Arit, he clapped his hands to help redirect the situation.

Once he confirmed everyone’s gazes were on him, he began to organize the situation.

“Okay, got it. If that’s how you feel, Arit, I won’t try to stop you anymore.”

“Lopez.”

“But I hope you understand my feelings when I hear my fiancée suddenly declaring she’ll accompany a friend on a dangerous journey.”

A wry smile appeared on Lopez’s face.

“I’m really sorry… I never meant to worry you, Lopez. I just want to make sure that this time, Esmela can reach her destination safely and unharmed.”

“I got that. I can’t force you to stay, and you can go as you please.”

Lopez’s gaze shifted from Arit back to Esmela and Lanit.

“I have a suggestion for both of you as well.”

“What is it?”

Esmela returned to her cold demeanor.

However, when Lanit noticed her cheeks slightly reddening, he realized it was merely a cover for her sudden embarrassment.

“It wouldn’t be polite to force someone not to meet their father. But how about delaying your departure?”

“Why?”

“I just want to give something to a friend embarking on a long and arduous journey. I’ll provide the best equipment and supplies we have available here. But since I rushed over here from hearing you were in Pedina alongside Arit, I currently have nothing ready. As the exchanges between the territory and Pedina City have resumed, I’ll contact the territory right away to request supplies.”

“Hmm…”

“Also, I heard from Lord Peltion that he hasn’t received his mission compensation yet. Apparently, he’s been holding off because there aren’t any proper supplies left.”

Lopez slowly rose from his seat.

“I’ll include that in the supplies I prepare. I can’t guarantee it, but it should take at least a week. In the meantime, you can rest here.”

As he walked toward the door with Arit, he suddenly turned to look at Lanit.

“Well, during that time, why not go on a date or something?”

Lopez winked playfully at the two before leaving the room.