A Korean Office Worker Who Became a Nuisance Villainess in a Zombie Story - Chapter 102

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“Your Highness, I’ve been thinking about something.”
“What is it?”
“I think it would be better if you became a saint.”
Scratch, scratch, scratch. Yujein dragged the back of her spoon across her head.
She loved dogs so much that she was starting to act like one.
“Honestly… I don’t have the confidence to coax those children into coming with us.”
“Heh.”
“I can’t leave them here either. I can’t convince them. If I just leave them as they are… they’ll obviously die.”
Scratch, scratch, scratch, scratch. Yujein’s scratching accelerated. Her expression grew somber.
‘It’s true that this is a problem either way.’
The greatest issue was that none of us in this group had the temperament to coolly abandon them with a “well, they’re not coming anyway, so let’s just leave them.”
“And I can’t even bare my true heart to show them that I won’t harm them…”
“Doesn’t it anger you, Your Highness? You tried to help, and all you got was cursed at.”
Tangerine interjected with the question.
“It would be a lie if I said I wasn’t angry at all.”
If those children had been just five years older, I would have abandoned them without hesitation.
“But I was exactly like that when I was young.”
Without an adult nearby to keep me in check, I didn’t distinguish between what should and shouldn’t be said, spouting off carelessly.
“The adults around me back then were very patient with me. So I’m trying to be a little patient too.”
Of course, it still irritates me!
Clang!
I struck the table with the fork I was holding.
I wasn’t wounded by it, but I was definitely annoyed.
Annoyed (not wounded).
I was merely exercising patience by displaying all manner of virtues—tolerance toward the children, humanitarian compassion, and the will to cultivate character—every word beginning with that same character, regardless of which one it was.
“Sigh.”
I exhaled and ladled stew into a chipped bowl I’d found in the kitchen.
Muffin and Pickle, who had been rolling their eyes beside me, asked:
“Are you giving it to the other older siblings too?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I can’t starve them just because they cursed at me.”
“But you starved Lime…”
I pretended not to hear Muffin’s murmur.
That I lost to Lime, who you starve even for meals… it’s too depressing…
When did Lime become so petty? Last year?
“Take it. That handsome grandfather simmered this stew with great care.”
“C-can we really eat this much?”
“It’ll be gone quickly if you share it. How were you getting food before this?”
“The older siblings would take turns going out to find food. Then Lime would write it down in a ledger and distribute it.”
“Muffin and Pickle, were you two also part of that rotation?”
“Lime and I were left out.”
“Why was Lime excluded?”
“He oversees the entire situation and gives orders. We were too young, so we were left out instead. But we did the dishes. That’s something girls are naturally good at, apparently.”
“A nine-year-old is still a girl?”
“Everything’s unfair.”
Cyprus, ladle in hand, interjected with a laugh.
“Could we do something about that ‘older brother’ thing?”
At the sudden appearance of his handsome face thrust toward them, Muffin and Pickle shyly lowered their eyes.
Who’s Pickle, you ask?
She’s the one who just joined us. Muffin’s friend. Nine years old.
Beside them, Praha was skillfully preparing a meal with the available ingredients.
The aroma of bubbling broth. A generous pot of stew and roasted potatoes were placed into Muffin and Pickle’s hands.
“Take this and share it with the other children.”
“Try to have a good conversation with the older siblings.”
“If Lime tries to hold you back and won’t let you go, scream. I’ll come get you right away.”
Tangerine, Yujein, and Cyprus each added a word.
“Wow….”
“That looks delicious.”
Muffin and Pickle, nodding eagerly with excitement, grabbed the tray and scurried off.
“What if the other children say they won’t leave the Island in the end?”
“Unlikely. They know better than anyone that they can’t last long here.”
“Let’s eat first! I’m starving!”
We, having forcibly broken open the locked Underground Storage and secured additional provisions, sat down together to eat the stew and potatoes.
Cyprus finished first and stood up.
“Where are you going, Your Highness?”
“Outside to reduce the zombie count. And to search for those children Lime drove away.”
“When you went out earlier, didn’t you see the children’s bodies?”
“I didn’t. Unless they left the Island on their own, they should still be here.”
“They must be panicking at the released zombies.”
“Yes. I need to search for them.”
And find General, Cyprus added.
“There are several small Villages scattered around this Village as a center. I’m planning to check those areas.”
“Just a moment, Your Highness.”
I set down the stew bowl I’d been holding and stood. I retrieved the wrapping paper that had held the cheese and jerky and spread it across the table.
“What’s your idea, Grand Duchess?”
“Zombies can’t read, but Cherry and the children can. What if we write that a rescue team has arrived and tell them to come here immediately, then post these messages everywhere?”
“That’s an excellent idea.”
“I agree!”
“But what if the children read the message but can’t make it here for some reason?”
“If that’s the case, we could leave ink and a pen by the bulletin board so they can write us a message in the empty space.”
“Do we have enough ink and pens?”
“I found this spoiled sauce in the Warehouse earlier—couldn’t we use it as a substitute for ink?”
“Not a bad idea. It does smell a bit, though.”
“I wish General could read writing too….”
“You should have taught Praha beforehand.”
“Be quiet.”
Tangerine quickly rummaged through the Warehouse and brought back several more usable sheets of paper. She procured extra pens from upstairs.
I wrote in large letters, keeping it as simple as possible, then blew gently to dry the ink.
I rolled the bundle of papers and placed it in Cyprus’s hands, then set a lemon candy in his palm—a treat I’d been saving for myself.
“What is this?”
“Because you’re enduring this alone.”
“….”
“Even if you’re not being attacked, it’s still frightening, isn’t it?”
“That’s right! We’re all grateful to you, Your Highness!”
“W-well, yes.”
“Until we leave this Island, I’ll take your night watch shifts.”
Behind me as I shrugged my shoulders, my companions echoed in agreement.
“Haha.”
Cyprus, who had been staring at the lemon candy resting in his palm, laughed.
“You’re right. I’m actually quite terrified.”
With that, he clenched his fist and tucked the candy into his pocket.
I’d given it to him to eat. If he keeps it like that, it’ll melt.
But Cyprus’s expression—downcast eyes and a gentle smile—was so pure and innocent that I couldn’t bring myself to say anything.
‘I didn’t expect him to treasure it so much.’
He must really like lemon candies.
Given how he’s shaped like a lemon.
“Let’s go. I’ll see you to the door.”
“Are you asking me to escort the Grand Duchess? Shouldn’t I be the one escorting you?”
“Someone needs to lock the door after you leave.”
“Then how will I get back in later?”
“Oh, you caught me.”
We bickered back and forth, walking shoulder to shoulder.
As we walked down the short Corridor toward the entrance, Cyprus asked me something.
“But are you really not hurt? From earlier?”
He always checked on things like this belatedly. I answered casually.
“There’s nothing to be hurt about. It’s just what children say.”
“But Lime isn’t a child.”
“That guy’s nothing.”
No woman would be wounded by words from a man like that.
“Why was Lime alone outside at that time of day?”
“It’s obvious. Men like him are uncomfortable around their own kind. He probably couldn’t fit in, wandered off alone, and got lucky enough to survive.”
“What kind of life is that? Ignored by his peers, barely managing to play leader among children much younger than himself.”
Back when I was in university, there was a senior who dated a high school girl he was tutoring, and Lime reminds me a bit of him somehow…
He said her family was wealthy, that he’d marry her right after getting a job, but I never found out what happened… After that, he didn’t associate with anyone…
“If Lime had heard what the lady just said, he would’ve been so ashamed he’d have killed himself.”
As they giggled, they reached the building entrance. I was about to open the closed door for Cyprus, who was carrying a lot of luggage.
In the midst of this, Cyprus wiped his hands on the handkerchief he’d been carrying and suddenly spoke.
“There’s something on your eyelid, lady.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. No, not there. Close your eyes.”
Without much thought, I obediently closed my eyes.
I waited quietly.
Something round and sweet slipped smoothly into my mouth.
It was a lemon candy.
The one I had just given to Cyprus.
Long fingers deftly pushed the candy into my closed mouth, brushing against my lower lip before withdrawing.
“I may not be able to put it in your mouth, but I certainly can’t let you take it back.”
“….”
“You worked hard today.”
Cyprus said only that, then opened the door and left.
Golden hair glinting orange in the setting sun. I was staring blankly at his retreating figure.
“Um… sister.”
Muffin and Pickle, who had gone to distribute stew to the other children, called me from behind a pillar.
I composed my dazed expression and turned around.
“P-please help us.”
“What’s wrong? What happened?”
I glanced around and approached behind the pillar. There was someone else there besides Muffin and Pickle.
A young girl who looked about fourteen.
The child’s face was pale as she stood there uncomfortably.
The girl spoke.
“I’m s-sorry. I know it’s shameless of me. But there’s no one else to help, and I don’t know what to do.”
“What’s the matter?”
Did you kill someone? Is that why you came to ask a witch to cover it up?
I considered making a joke for a second, but stopped myself so as not to discourage the child.
Then Pickle whispered.
“She got her period.”
“….”
Good heavens.
[Inhabited Island]
– Yusara, Praha, Cyprus, Yujein, Tangerine, Muffin, Pickle (Survived)
– General (Deserted)

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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