The Sequel to the Romance Fantasy Was a Zombie Apocalypse – Chapter 92

His lush black hair and beard that covered his entire jaw looked just like a lion’s mane.

The imposing presence radiating from his frame, which was well over 2 meters tall.

His eyes, gazing at the three people, resembled a predator eyeing its prey, causing those who met his gaze to instinctively shrink back.

No one suited the word ‘struggle’ better than Anders Larson, the head of House Larson.

His broad shoulders were as solid as a wall, and his massive pecs threatened to burst out of his thick black uniform.

Every step he took down the stairs echoed with a heavy thud throughout the hall.

Finally, the lord arrived right in front of Tikhah and the others.

Lanit flinched slightly as he met the gaze of the snow wolf’s face and eyes, which were draped over the lord’s shoulders.

“Did you bring them?”

The lord directed his question at Tikhah.

“Yes.”

“From where?”

Northern people dislike pretentious forms. The questions are always simple, conveying only the necessary meaning.

“I found these three facing zombie snow wolves near the hunting grounds in the southern forest of the territory and guided them here.”

“I see. I’ll take it from here. You may return to your assigned area.”

Anders dismissed her without a word of praise.

“Understood.”

Tikhah turned and began walking back toward the mansion’s front door without a word.

“…”

Even though it was merely a conversation between a lord and a servant, the three watching could not help but feel a strange tension.

“Well then.”

Just before Tikhah had fully exited, Anders strode purposefully toward Esmela.

Startled by his presence, Esmela quickly regained her composure and elegantly bowed her head.

“It’s been a while, Count Anders. I’ve been…”

“Ah, let’s skip that.”

Anders waved his hand away like shooing a fly, cutting off Esmela’s words.

“Hmm…”

He leaned in closely to Esmela instead of greeting her.

“…”

Ignoring Esmela’s shock, Anders walked around her slowly, inspecting her body as if appraising a statue.

Lanit could not outwardly express his anger over the lord’s rude behavior but seethed inwardly.

After a while of examining Esmela, the lord suddenly burst out,

“Ha ha ha!”

He boisterously laughed and patted Esmela on the shoulder.

“Ah!”

“What is this…!”

Lanit rushed to support Esmela as she stumbled, ready to confront Anders with anger.

“Stop. I’m fine.”

However, with Esmela’s intervention, Lanit had no choice but to swallow his words and glare at him instead.

“Looks like you’ve grown up without me noticing! Was it when you attended the Royal Academy? The last time I saw you, you were a scrawny little thing like the other southern noble brats, and now you’re decked out like a warrior. As expected. It’s a miracle to survive in the zombie-ridden royal capital.”

Unexpectedly, Anders complimented Esmela, and this time his gaze met Lanit’s, which had been glaring back.

“Hmm?”

Anders began inspecting Lanit’s body.

“Hmm…”

After dragging out a meaningless hum, he abruptly asked,

“How old are you?”

He randomly inquired Lanit’s age.

“I’m 20 this year.”

“Oh?”

Anders, like he hadn’t seen enough, began to fondle Lanit’s large muscles, smoothing his hand over his chest, back, and thighs.

Lanit started seriously considering the option of sticking a knife in this rude guy’s forehead.

“Remarkable physique you have. Judging by your attire, you seem to be Herta’s personal butler… Having such a splendid warrior by your side, Esmela.”

With a serious face, he said this to Esmela.

“Of course. Lanit is my personal butler, Esmela Herta.”

Emboldened by the praise, Esmela slightly lifted her head, feeling proud.

Lanit felt as though he might lose his mind just trying to keep up with the absurd flow of the conversation, and he didn’t dare to interrupt.

“And… it’s been a while since I last saw you, Saintess of Radain.”

“Yes. May Lady Mitri bless our reunion.”

The two exchanged polite greetings as if they knew each other.

“Come this way.”

Anders then turned and started climbing the stairs leading upward.

‘… Are we just going to overlook Arit?’

Lanit held back complaints that he could not voice and followed behind, pacing himself as the others did.

“Surely you came to see your father, right?”

As soon as Anders entered the reception room and Esmela and Arit settled down on the sofa, he cut right to the point.

“Yes. Count Lopez said that father has left for the territory of House Larson.”

Esmela’s face tensed up at the thought of hearing news about her father.

“Right. Your father, Duke Tereed, is here. I granted him some land in the northern part of the territory. He’s living there with other servants and has established a small settlement.”

At Anders’s words, Esmela’s face lit up.

“So then…!”

“Leave in four days.”

“What?”

Esmela’s expression clouded over.

“I don’t know if Tikhah explained the weather to you, but another cold snap is coming tonight. It’ll ease in four days. Depart for where the lord resides then. I’ll assign a guide for you.”

“But…”

“The village where the Herta people have gathered is at least two and a half days’ journey from here. If you leave right now, it would only mean burying three more corpses in the frost.”

The lord, who had been explaining calmly with his eyes closed, glanced at Esmela with one eye opened.

“And judging by your appearance, it looks like you haven’t adapted to this cold yet, have you?”

“… You are correct.”

Having been hit at the core, Esmela could only lower her eyes and nod in agreement.

“Then do as I say. For now, consider this place your home and make yourself comfortable.”

“Thank you for your kindness.”

Esmela and Arit bowed their heads and thanked him.

“Wow, Esmela, I never thought you’d grow into such a courteous noble lady.”

Anders’s demeanor shifted. Until now, he had been addressing them as the lord dealing with guests, but now he felt as if he were speaking to the daughter of an old friend.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“What compliment? Anyway, I’m glad you came. I can still vividly recall how your father looked when he first came to this land. Whatever happened to that bravery? Now it’s just a pitiful shell, barely standing.”

Hearing him reminisce about Duke Tereed put a somber expression on Esmela’s face.

“Well, I can fully understand the sorrow of losing your daughter. So, as soon as the weather warms, go see your father. I, too, don’t want to witness the fall of a once-brave warrior any longer.”

“… Yes!”

Seems satisfied with Esmela’s response, the lord nodded approvingly with a warm smile.

“Then I’ll call for the servants to assign you a place to stay.”

Just as Count Anders stood to finish the conversation—

“Are Iiergo and Dion not here?”

Arit suddenly asked him.

“Ah, yes. The two of them had some business and left the mansion. They should be back by tomorrow afternoon, so I’ll send someone to arrange a meeting for you then.”

Finishing his answer, Anders stood up and left the reception room.

“… Oh dear. That foolish Iiergo. What was he thinking taking the daughter of Herta out in this weather? Tsk…”

As he muttered his complaints about his fourth son in a low voice, Lanit could clearly hear him.

“Haah…”

As soon as she entered her assigned guest room, Esmela collapsed onto the bed and sighed heavily.

“Are you okay, Esmela?”

Arit quickly sat next to her, analyzing Esmela’s complexion.

Lanit too looked at Esmela with a worried expression.

“Well, it’s not too bad.”

Esmela mumbled vaguely, but Arit immediately saw through her facade.

“Just a moment.”

Arit promptly began a healing prayer.

“Light, surround the body of the ill.”

As she spoke the prayer, a golden light enveloped Esmela’s body.

Moments later, the light faded away.

“How do you feel?”

Arit asked again, and Esmela tilted her head with a subtle expression.

“It doesn’t seem… to have changed much.”

“Is that so…”

Arit adopted a downcast expression.

“Then it means either Esmela is affected by something other than an illness, or she is seriously ill in a way my healing isn’t effective…”

“Well, it must be because the environment has changed abruptly. I’ll feel better after resting for a day.”

Esmela soothed Arit with those words.

Reluctantly, the two went out, leaving Esmela alone in the bedroom.

However, at that moment, they would come to regret not being more proactive in caring for Esmela.

The next morning.

“Esmeela!”

Arit burst through the door of Esmela’s bedroom.

Her gaze fixed on the bed where Esmela lay.

Lanit had already been by Esmela’s side, caring for her.

“Ari…t.”

With a barely alive voice, Esmela managed to call out Arit’s name.