A Korean Office Worker Who Became a Nuisance Villainess in a Zombie Story - Chapter 174

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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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Fortunately, I was spared the nightmare of refunding 173 cookies.
The Emperor, who had been watching me with my mouth agape and eyes upturned, let out a soft laugh after a few seconds.
“I was joking.”
“Wow.”
What kind of joke was that?
When someone of your station makes a joke like that, it’s not humor—it’s workplace harassment, Your Majesty.
“Wow. Incredible. I can’t believe it. That was absolutely hilarious. The finest joke! I’m writing this in my diary when I get home.”
Your Majesty, your comedic talents rank first in the Empire as well. As I clapped beside him, Praha gave me a peculiar look.
“Did you truly find it amusing?”
“Do you think I did?”
At that, Praha sighed openly to his mother.
Fortunately, the Emperor seemed to be in excellent spirits today.
His authority seemed to radiate from the resplendent Crystal Hall and the assembled nobility, lifting his mood.
When I asked about the unusual chair the Emperor sat upon, he explained that in the last war, he had plundered the tomb of the opposing king and repurposed it as a footrest for the throne.
He had every reason to be pleased.
I whispered to Praha.
“What do you think? If things continue like this, do you suppose I could obtain permission to build a Temple in the Capital?”
“I cannot say.”
“Make a prediction.”
“My predictions about my mother have never been correct, not once.”
As I watched the Emperor receive a raspberry liqueur from an Attendant’s hands, I was gossiping with Praha.
“Grand Duke, have you ever been to Sithe?”
The Emperor’s question fell. Despite my status as the highest-ranking noble, he addressed me as though I were a child.
I quickly bowed my head and answered.
“I have never been there.”
Q. Where is Sithe?
A. The Emperor’s direct territory where zombies are scheduled to appear next.
The place where the Emperor destroyed the Temple of the Underworld God and built government offices, schools, and a library for the Empire’s people, all bearing Praha’s name.
It is famous for the statue in the courtyard before the library, sculpted to depict Praha’s appearance ten years hence.
A renowned sculptor who fell in love at first sight upon seeing young Praha created it, reasoning that “our Crown Prince, blessed with such exquisite beauty, shall surely grow into this form.” Yet the actual Praha of today, ten years later, surpassed even that idealized sculpture, becoming a topic of conversation once more.
I had been curious about it, but I had never actually visited.
I was too busy chasing after the living, breathing Praha rather than a sculpture.
…Wait. A statue?
The Emperor laughed upon seeing my expression brighten.
“Yes, that’s right. There is one amusing thing in that place—a statue of my son that has brought no small amount of tourism revenue to Sithe.”
“…That is not me. It bears no resemblance whatsoever.”
Praha’s quiet protest was ignored.
“It is all the more famous because it bears no resemblance. Despite being crafted with such devotion by a sculptor blinded by love, you have grown far more beautiful.”
“….”
“The completion of this tale lies in how that sculptor, upon witnessing your fully grown form, experienced both rapture and despair simultaneously, and took his own life. When I consider that such a precious legacy may soon be destroyed by the calamities coming to Sithe, I find myself quite regretful.”
“….”
“So I had that sculpture brought here in advance. It will be displayed in the central foyer of the Imperial Art Museum going forward.”
“…I beg your pardon?”
“I’ll show you first, before then.”
The Emperor set down his fruit wine after finishing his words and took a sip.
The Imperial Attendant caught the Emperor’s intent from that gesture alone and gestured to the others.
The Knights moved as one body at the command.
They approached with crisp precision, bowed respectfully before the sculpture, and swept away the white cloth covering it in one fluid motion.
What was revealed was a marble statue approximately four meters in height.
The brow bone, bridge of the nose, and jawline were exquisitely handsome, with a single strand of hair falling across the forehead and eyes so vivid they seemed alive—a sculpture that was utterly flawless, yet somehow felt lacking.
“Wow….”
It was underwhelming.
I alternated my gaze between the visibly dissatisfied real Praha and the sculpture.
‘It’s because I already know the real thing.’
That’s why it looks insufficient to me.
The eyes, I suppose, could pass. But recreating that exact nose bridge isn’t an easy feat.
However.
I whispered to Praha so the Emperor wouldn’t hear.
“Is it really okay to bring that here?”
“Is there a problem?”
“Well… the thing is, zombies keep appearing in every city because of you, and bringing this sculpture—which was the symbol of Sithe—to the Capital… it just feels…”
I couldn’t explain it, but something felt off.
That’s when it happened.
A white bird flew in through the open balcony window, heading straight for Praha.
Praha swatted it away irritably, and it circled through the air in confusion.
The attention of those who had been comparing the sculpture to the real thing shifted to the bird.
Soon the bird flew toward the sculpture of Praha standing prominently in the center.
As if drawn by its beauty, it perched on the sculpture’s right shoulder.
And then it began pecking at the sculpture’s eyes as if trying to gouge them out.
“What?!”
“How dare it!”
A Knight standing nearby quickly caught the bird at its audacious behavior.
As the Knight retreated, the white bird thrashed wildly in his hands. Fluttering sounds and feathers scattered everywhere.
“Where do you—!”
The Knight, frowning at the bird’s fierce resistance, shielded it from view and twisted its neck with one hand, snapping it.
A sickening crack.
People flinched at the cruel sound.
But I was already looking elsewhere.
A black spot was forming on the sculpture’s shoulder where the bird had perched.
The black spot was gradually growing larger.
The rapidly expanding scope soon drew the attention of others as well.
“What in the world is that…?”
“That thing?”
“…A zombie gate.”
Praha moved upon hearing my murmured words.
“Knight Order. Evacuate the civilians. Close all open doors and seal the hall immediately.”
“Praha, what’s happening?”
The Emperor, who had risen from his seat, drew his sword and asked.
“Your Majesty must evacuate as well.”
“Praha, what’s happening, I said!”
“Your Majesty, you must take shelter!”
“Everyone, leave now!”
Tangerine and Dazling, the first to grasp the situation, pushed the civilians toward the exit. Soon the knights divided and sprang into action.
Some ushered out those still dazed, while others sealed the windows and erected barricades, transforming the hall into a sealed room.
The Emperor’s guards and the Imperial Attendant, sensing danger without understanding its nature, cried out.
“Your Majesty, you must leave!”
By then, the Emperor would have realized it too.
Gritting his teeth, the Emperor commanded.
“All except the Knight Order, leave at once! Go and await the Emperor’s orders!”
Yet the zombie gate spawned far faster than the hesitant people could evacuate, constantly glancing backward.
Crack!
Yujein incinerated the first zombie that burst forth with lightning.
The people gasped in horror.
“What is that!”
“I said leave!”
Why won’t they go!
Didn’t they teach you in school that when danger strikes, you evacuate without looking back?!
Unable to bear it any longer, Tangerine hurled one person through the doorway and shouted that if they didn’t leave within ten seconds, she’d seal the door permanently. Only then did the people finally depart.
Cyprus approached the Emperor, who stood his ground.
“Your Majesty, you must leave!”
“Why should I? In my own country, in my own palace, I’ll see with my own eyes what those cursed gods are attempting!”
“This is not the time, Your Majesty! If anything happens to you, the Empire will crumble!”
“Are you daring to command me, Cyprus?”
“Mother.”
Praha, drawing a sword from nowhere, called out to the Emperor.
Their eyes met.
“Please leave and seal the Imperial Palace, then declare a state of emergency.”
“How dare you command me….”
“It is not a command. It is a plea. Only Your Majesty can control this situation now.”
“….”
“I will stake my life to ensure this corpse does not leave this hall.”
“…Understood.”
“Take Dazling with you. He has experience with this matter and can assist you, Your Majesty.”
“Very well. The rest of the guards need not follow me. Stay here and aid the Crown Prince. …I trust you.”
The Emperor departed shortly after.
Just before the door closed, I caught the gaze of that Necklace Young Lady from earlier.
Her expression as she looked at me, remaining in the hall as though it were only natural, stirred conflicting emotions within me.
I regretted not remembering her name until the very end.
Soon only the original Investigation Team members and the Imperial Knights remained in the hall.
The clamorous sound of emergency bells began echoing through the closed doors.
The second, third, and fourth zombies that burst from the gate were dealt with by the Imperial Knights.
“How many more are going to keep pouring out?”
I stared uneasily at the trembling gate.
“…H-how much longer can we hold out like this….”
“…Indeed.”
The zombies would continue emerging and piling up, and people would grow exhausted.
“It doesn’t matter. No matter how many come, I’ll incinerate them all.”
“Mascarpone?!”
I turned in shock to look beside me.
There was Mascarpone, glaring at the gate with a vengeful expression.
As Mascarpone tore away her dress skirt, an array of magical tools dangled from within it.
“How did you even smuggle all of this in… wait, why didn’t you leave in the first place!”
“Why would I leave! This is the perfect opportunity for revenge!”
Mascarpone gnashed her teeth, determined to avenge that day’s defeat when she could only weep helplessly.
But.
“…This won’t be enough.”
What if the gate doesn’t stop until this hall is completely filled with zombie corpses?
What if there’s no room left to even stand?
Where are all these zombies even coming from?
What’s inside that gate?
“…If we were to go inside….”
I spoke to my companions who had gathered beside me.
“I’m about to say something insane. Is anyone willing to listen?”
If we’re curious about what’s there, we can simply look.
Let’s go in directly and find out.
[Imperial Palace]
– Yusara, Praha, Cyprus, Yujein, Tangerine, Mascarpone (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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