A Korean Office Worker Who Became a Nuisance Villainess in a Zombie Story - Chapter 130

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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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“The Empire has only recently ended its war. In such a nation, do you understand how catastrophic it could be if a Local Lord fails to answer the Emperor’s summons in a timely manner?”
“Hic.”
Pochacha swallowed hard at Praha’s rebuke. Only then did a flicker of fear cross her face.
Melon, clutching her sister’s yellow skirt hem, contorted her face as though ready to burst into tears, but no one paid her any mind except Yujein.
Even seeing the two frightened children, Praha did not soften his demeanor.
There was no reason to soften it, either.
Because they didn’t answer, we’ve ridden all this way without a single zombie in sight.
“The heir of Sodom—answer me. Why did you not respond to the Emperor’s summons?”
“I believe I can answer that for you.”
Had a middle-aged woman not come rushing over at that very moment, Melon might have wept after all.
Just as before, Praha, Cyprus, and Tangerine showed no surprise at the woman’s arrival, as though they had known of her presence all along.
“I am Madeline, Lord of Sodom.”
The woman halted before Praha and bowed deeply. Pochacha, hiccupping, quickly stepped back.
“My lady, why are you doing this to me…”
I pretended not to hear her grumbling.
Now that an adult had arrived, Tangerine drew his sword fully.
“Play with this. Don’t throw it. It’ll make a loud noise.”
I handed the aggro doll I’d been holding to Muffin and Cheese, then observed the woman carefully.
The Lord of Sodom.
Unkempt hair, a face bare of makeup, ungroomed brows. Her appearance showed no investment in beauty whatsoever, yet her eyes gleamed with unmistakable clarity.
One could tell just by looking at her.
This woman was a person of power.
After completing her greeting, the Lord immediately knelt and offered her explanation to Praha.
“Several months ago, my father passed away, and the leadership of our house changed hands. He went hunting and was bitten by a hunting dog, dying suddenly… In the chaos of that time, it seems we overlooked the summons.”
“The previous Countess has passed?”
“Yes. I had completely forgotten about it until today, when I finally realized we had failed to answer Your Majesty’s summons. I have no words to offer in excuse.”
“I understood the Lord of Sodom had changed not long ago. Are you saying it has changed again in the meantime?”
“Due to our family’s misfortune, the position of Lord has changed frequently since the war era.”
“They must drink and smoke heavily, staying up all night—that’s why they die young!”
“Hush, Tangerine. You shouldn’t say such things so openly. It’s rude.”
Even though everyone knew it to be true, one shouldn’t speak it aloud, so I tugged at Tangerine’s elbow, but he only laughed.
The expressionless Praha surveyed the Lord of Sodom kneeling before him.
‘Her parents passed, so she couldn’t make contact… It would be harsh to press further.’
“Why did you not report the change in lordship to the Imperial Family?”
“That is… Melon was so deeply grieved by losing her grandfather before her eyes that she fell gravely ill. I was occupied caring for the child.”
“…Very well. We shall discuss punishment for this matter at a later time.”
The more pressing issue lies elsewhere.
Praha nodded and concluded the matter. Tangerine sheathed the sword he had drawn. The Lord of Sodom, having received the Crown Prince’s pardon, rose from her position.
“Then, allow me to show you to your quarters first. I instructed the servants to prepare rooms on the way here, though I cannot guarantee the preparations are perfect.”
“It’s fine. It’s our fault for arriving without notice.”
“To be precise, it’s Sodom’s fault for not staying in contact, not mine!”
“Tangerine, saying such things so openly is rather impolite….”
“It’s terribly difficult not to be impolite!”
I’m not sure why the people of Sodom’s ruling house tend to have short lifespans, but Tangerine certainly seems like he’ll live a long time.
The Lord of Sodom was certainly more clever than the deceased Lord Promé. He didn’t openly single out and ignore anyone from the Crown Prince’s entourage, nor did he boast about his wealth.
This time too, I walked slightly apart in the Corridor, listening to Praha and the Lord’s conversation.
“So you’ve only held the rank of Countess for a few months, then.”
“That is correct.”
“Have there been no problems in the meantime? Mysterious plagues, perhaps?”
“I haven’t received any such reports.”
“Perhaps you’ve been sleeping until sunset and missed them!”
“Tangerine….”
“Hmph!”
Tangerine pouted his lips and slipped backward.
As we walked along the Corridor, he was examining each room lined up beside us one by one and tapping on the walls.
Now that I understood why Tangerine was doing this, Yujein and I laughed.
The Lord of Sodom asked.
“Then what sort of room should I arrange for the children you’ve brought? Is there anything I can help with?”
“Ah, these children….”
Yujein took over the explanation.
“We met them during our travels. They lost their parents in an accident. They said they have relatives in Sodom, so we brought them along. Would it be possible for you to help us find them?”
“I shall do so at once, Saint.”
“Thank you so much!”
Yujein beamed with joy.
“How wonderful!”
With a peach-like smile, Yujein embraced Cheese and Muffin in turn.
‘Yes, it really is wonderful.’
It’s unfortunate that my hypothesis was wrong, but at least there are no zombies, so things worked out well.
Muffin and Cheese can find their relatives too.
Pochacha, who had been following behind, spoke to the grinning Muffin and Cheese.
“What are your names?”
At first I was nervous, wondering if she was going to tease them for being commoners, but surprisingly it seemed she was just asking because she found the children cute.
“M-Muffin….”
“Cheese. This one is my younger sibling.”
“Well-chosen names for commoners. Hey, you introduce yourself too. These are your friends now.”
Pochacha pulled out her younger sister Melon, who was still hiding behind her, and pushed her to stand beside Muffin.
“You said you wanted to play princess, didn’t you? Now you have two commoner handmaidens, so you can do it.”
…She really was just asking because she found them cute, wasn’t she?
“Ah, hello….”
Intimidated by the appearance of a young noble girl of similar age, Muffin clutched the doll of me that she was holding tightly in her hand.
Melon, who had been scrutinizing Muffin with an appraising gaze, took immediate interest in what was clearly an expensive doll.
“What is that?”
“It’s a doll, miss….”
“I want it.”
No. Absolutely not.
“That doll is mine.”
I quickly took the doll from Muffin’s hands.
If she had simply said she wanted it, that would be one thing, but having witnessed her attempt to snatch it from a commoner friend of lower station than herself, there was no way I’d hand it over.
Melon, who had already been reaching to take the doll from Muffin, pouted her lips and looked up at me.
I pretended not to notice and shoved the doll into my bag.
Yes, I’m petty.
* * *
“…Um, is there a room with a door?”
“I apologize….”
Shortly after arriving at the guest chambers of the castle, we all stood frozen in shock.
No. Doors. At. All.
Moreover, all the rooms were connected to one another!
At this rate, Praha would see me changing clothes from the far end, and my eyes would meet his the moment he emerged freshly bathed while I lay in bed.
What on earth… Why would anyone design a house like this?
Cyprus, shaking his head in disbelief at what he was witnessing, asked a question.
“Does the Countess’s room have no door either?”
“Yes.”
“…And Pochacha and Melon’s rooms?”
“Yes.”
“….”
If zombies appeared in this town, it would be an absolute catastrophe.
‘They haven’t appeared yet, but they could emerge in the future.’
I exchanged glances with my companions, thinking I’d need to warn them as soon as possible.
Unaware of our concerns, the Local Lord bowed respectfully.
“I shall prepare a banquet for our esteemed guests. Please rest sufficiently, and we shall meet in the Dining Room.”
And then came mealtime.
The Local Lord’s reaction upon hearing Cyprus and Praha’s explanation about the zombies was.
“That is impossible.”
“Are you suggesting the Crown Prince and Grand Duke are fabricating lies because they have nothing better to do?”
“That is not my intention! It is simply that we have yet to discover any such cases in our Sodom… and as you have surely observed, there are temples throughout the city. Therefore.”
“So you’re saying there’s no need to worry even if zombies appear.”
“Yes. Should that plague spread, we shall remain beyond the scope of your Majesties’ concerns.”
“….”
“Your Majesty, I am aware that Sodom is renowned as a city of indulgence. I know that it survives on gambling and entertainment, and I understand that the sights you witnessed on your journey may not have pleased your Majesties.”
“….”
“However, we are also the safest city anywhere. Criminals are dealt with severely, and the city walls that encircle us prevent anyone from fleeing recklessly to the outside. They are always caught and punished.”
“….”
“Among those who live in Sodom, not a single person locks their doors, yet theft and murder never occur. So Your Majesties need not worry.”
The Local Lord’s voice brimmed with pride and confidence in his city.
It was a statement that could have easily deceived us.
Had we not known about the slaves being traded in Sodom.
“Then perhaps.”
Breaking the silence that Cyprus maintained, I spoke.
“Around the same time the Emperor’s message reached you, my younger brother visited Sodom. Do you happen to know what became of him?”
I asked, silently praying that he had simply returned home.
The Local Lord’s response was.
[Sodom]
-Yusara, Praha, Cyprus, Yujein, Tangerine, Muffin, Cheese, Cheese’s Younger Sibling (Alive)

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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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