A Korean Office Worker Who Became a Nuisance Villainess in a Zombie Story - Chapter 178

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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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“I won.”
In my past life, I sacrificed countless people in my stead.
But in this life, I saved those who were destined to die.
If the victory condition of the wager was change, then I’ve succeeded brilliantly.
“So now, grant me my wish.”
The God who had been chattering away until moments ago didn’t answer this time, but it didn’t matter.
Once I won the wager, the God had no choice but to grant my wish, whether they liked it or not.
It wasn’t as absurdly grand as the condition I’d set when I killed Praha—ending the zombie catastrophe, sending me back to the Original World, and granting an additional wish on top of that.
But it didn’t matter.
‘I only have one wish anyway.’
The rest, I can accomplish with my own strength without needing to wish for them.
I surveyed my surroundings.
Yujein, Cyprus, Mascarpone, blood-soaked Knights… and Praha.
Upon meeting my gaze, Praha lowered his eyes.
As if he already knew what decision I would make. As if he would follow whatever I chose to do.
Staring at that composed, almost obedient face, I spoke.
“I want… everyone who lost their lives unjustly because of this incident to come back alive.”
Consomme, Tangerine, Melon, Cheese…
And even the Troublemaker Papri. All of them.
If possible, even Smoothie’s younger sibling who died before this.
“Give them back their time.”
At my unexpected words, Praha’s head snapped up.
Watching those amber eyes, reminiscent of sunset, widen in shock, I couldn’t help but smile.
“Why…?”
“Why aren’t you using your wish to return to your world?”
“…This is your only chance.”
“I know.”
“Then why…?”
“Because this is my world now.”
Following my gaze, Praha also turned to look behind us.
The Crystal Hall, where divine light slowly descended.
Those who had already died long ago returned to find their rest, and those who had perished in this incident…
Time was being reversed.
This would be the last power the Gods would ever exert upon the Mortal Realm.
“Cake!”
I saw Tangerine, who had been covered with cloth, suddenly spring to his feet over there.
“Ptooey! What is this! Who put a tablecloth on my face!”
“Really… Tangerine…”
Just you wait.
I’m buying you 999 slices of cake.
“Tangerine!”
Yujein embraced Tangerine while Cyprus pretended not to cry, shielding his eyes with his palm. Mascarpone, patting Tangerine’s back in quick succession, wept openly.
These were the people who allowed me to take root in this world.
I gazed at each of their faces and spoke.
“This world is one I saved with my own hands. I am the sole Grand Duke of this Empire, and I have achievements worthy of being recorded in history books for generations to come, precious memories, and… friends who will never betray me.”
None of this was given to me. I earned every last bit through my own effort.
No matter how the world changes ahead, these are mine and mine alone.
“And I have someone I love.”
I approached Praha, who looked momentarily startled.
I took his hand—it was warm with perspiration, trembling from how tense he was.
“You’re this nervous, and you were planning to just let me go quietly?”
At my laughing words, Praha’s eyes widened.
“Right now….”
“You wanted me to speak informally with you, didn’t you? Do you dislike it?”
“…I like it very much.”
Praha tightened his grip on my hand and pulled me closer.
“And I wasn’t planning to let you go. I was going to follow you.”
“You’re more persistent than I expected.”
“Far more so. If you knew the extent, you’d grow tired of me, so I’ll keep it hidden.”
“How long will you hide it?”
“My entire life.”
With that, Praha lowered his face, as if to say I shouldn’t ask further.
I wrapped my arms around his neck.
My body lifted off the ground once more.
We kissed for a very long time.
* * *
The first thing the Emperor did upon hearing that the situation had concluded was to hear the full account.
“So, what happened?”
“The God of the Underworld, who failed to keep his own prophecy, lost his power. The Light God connected to him suffered the same fate.”
To grant my wish, he had exerted himself one final time, so recovery would not come easily.
“Since the god who bridges the passage between the Mortal Realm and the Underworld has been neutralized, the other gods will find it difficult to interfere in human affairs. Therefore, now…”
The world would roll forward by the will of humans who stood with their feet planted firmly on the earth, not by the whims of capricious gods.
I cannot claim that humans always do what is right.
But at least we can now determine our own fate through our own strength.
“You’re saying you accomplished all of that with your own power?”
“I did not do it alone.”
“Haha!”
The Emperor laughed heartily and leaned toward me with a subtle smile.
“What a waste. Are you truly not interested in becoming the Emperor’s consort instead of the Crown Prince’s?”
“….”
“I’m joking.”
“As expected of Your Majesty—the finest jest….”
“Once matters are settled, my son will become the next Emperor, so it’s only right that I serve as the Crown Prince’s partner for now.”
“…Pardon?”
What did I just hear?
Like me, the others wore expressions of disbelief, their ears doubting what they’d caught.
Yet the Emperor, who seemed destined to cling to power until his dying breath, proved surprisingly magnanimous.
“In my youth, watching the previous Emperor, I swore a hundred times that if fortune blessed me to become Emperor, I would never fall into such obstinacy. But before I knew it, I was doing exactly the same thing.”
“….”
“As Achievements accumulated under my name and my power grew, I became arrogant in my own righteousness, refusing to acknowledge my mistakes. That stubborn insistence that only my words held truth—that is the mark of age. I understand now that it is time for me to step aside.”
To see him publicly admit his own error like this… he must still be young at heart….
‘Indeed, youth is not about age, but about attitude….’
My chest tightened.
The moment would have been twice as moving if he hadn’t summoned a scribe and demanded that his words be carved into stone for future Emperors to see.
“Provide appropriate compensation to those who have returned from death, and lend your strength so that the cities damaged by this calamity may recover. And.”
“And…?”
“Tear down every Temple throughout the realm.”
Having issued his final command true to form, the Emperor immediately packed his belongings and departed for the Southern Region.
“The remaining tasks can be handled even from outside the Capital. I think it’s time I rested a bit. The Southern Region is perfect for recuperation.”
I’d ignored Cyprus whenever he boasted of his Territory with the ease of breathing, but now I found myself thinking the Southern Region truly was the finest city in the Empire.
Thus, from that day forward, Praha became buried in documents as the de facto Emperor.
[His Majesty hunted dozens of those red bears that plagued the Southern Region! I’m sending jerky made from bear meat! It tastes terrible!]
Word came that Kiriel, Cyprus’s sister, had sent such a letter from the Southern Region, so it seemed to be something of a happy ending.
By the Emperor’s decree, those who suffered damage from the zombie catastrophe received ample compensation.
Among them were those who had sacrificed their lives in the early stages, not even understanding what was happening.
Tangerine’s older brother who fell on the staircase of the Villa’s corridor at the beginning, the Attendants, the cook, Dazling’s classmate—that arrogant Knight Kimon….
And Consomme.
When we went to retrieve Consomme, we all went together.
“…Mother? Noble Lady… Mascarpone?”
“Consomme! My daughter!”
“Waaah!”
That day, Mascarpone cried a great deal.
Consomme forgave her with the words “there is nothing to forgive” as Mascarpone held her, crying endlessly and apologizing.
Truth be told, I cried a little too… but let’s move past that out of embarrassment.
“So, Miss Consomme, what do you intend to do with this second life you’ve regained?”
“I’m going to learn martial arts!”
“Martial arts…?”
“Yes! So if someone like Papri appears again, I’ll beat them all up!”
“That’s a wonderful idea, Consomme!”
“Mascarpone, don’t encourage her!”
“Why!”
“Shooting is more convenient than striking! Martial arts are fine, but you need to learn marksmanship first!”
“Oh!”
“Well done, my daughter!”
Troublemaker Papri had naturally returned alive as well.
But survival didn’t mean Papri’s crimes would quietly fade away.
Papri, Lord Promé, the Lord of Sodom, the human trafficking ring of Promé, and those who had watched the zombie colosseum in Sodom—
all the guilty parties lined up before the Imperial Court one after another.
Praha himself attended their trials and delivered the verdicts.
They were clean, fair, and stern judgments that no one could dispute.
At the public trial of Madeline, the Lord of Sodom, Melon and Pochacha testified as witnesses, bearing witness to their mother’s crimes.
Originally, my younger brother Aspara should have attended as well, but he broke both his legs attempting an escape from the Southern Villa and couldn’t make it.
He still sends me letters periodically.
Asking me to see him just once.
I hear he’s also been sending letters to Tangerine.
“I haven’t read them, so I don’t know what they say!”
Or so she claims.
Mother sent me exactly one letter once, filled with curses and resentment, essentially asking me to send money—but when I ignored it, she never sent another.
It didn’t hurt me at all.
I was too busy with my own affairs.
And what kept me so occupied, you ask?
Well, first of all.
[Letter from Aspara to Tangerine]
To Yujein.
How are you doing?
I’m doing well.
All the women here like me.
Of course they do.
Women are naturally… (nonsense omitted)
Anyway, if you’re going to write back, send it soon.
My sister doesn’t say anything, but she feels bad about sending me here, so she’s planning to bring me back to the Capital shortly.
If you write before then, I’ll write you back.
That’s all.
-Aspara

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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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