TAVBZ 68

Chapter 68

When Penelope came out of the lake for the fifth time after searching for food for a long while, a fire had finally been lit.

Idorian, who had been adding more branches to build up the fire, lifted his head toward Penelope as she emerged from the water.

“This should be enough to last us through the night, right?”

Holding a fish as big as her forearm tightly in her arms, Penelope hurried over as she spoke.

The fish suddenly flopped, and she clutched it even tighter so as not to lose it.

Perhaps because she had managed to catch it, she looked genuinely excited.

“Good work, Penelope.”

“It seems like the smell of blood has almost faded now. The number of zombies gathered at the lake has decreased.”

Penelope nodded and pointed toward the lakeshore.

There were still many zombies flailing in the water, but overall, their numbers did seem to have gone down.

“The fire’s lit, and we’ve got food…”

Sounding exhausted, Penelope lay down right beside Uben.

“…Uben. Your mother must have followed us too, just like the other zombies.”

She fidgeted with the hem of the boy’s clothes as she spoke.

“So don’t worry too much.”

Penelope gently patted Uben’s back.

That zombie followed us? It seemed Penelope hadn’t properly checked in the chaos.

The zombie that was Uben’s mother had a dislocated knee joint.

If she tried to move in that state, it could have caused even worse injury.

Either way, it would definitely have affected her ability to walk or run.

The Retton territory residents who had made it up to the fortress said there was no need to kill that zombie since she was already slow in chasing them.

So they had struck her legs, but whether she could actually survive like that was another matter.

“And more importantly, Uben—you have to stay alive and stick close to Prince Idorian or Lady Lilia to get the cure.”

“…Why?”

It was the first time Uben had spoken since leaving the fortress.

The boy asked in a very small voice.

“Because there isn’t enough cure for everyone.”

Uben turned his head slightly to look at Penelope lying behind him.

“But if you stay alive and stick close to His Highness, I’m sure they’ll take care of you first.”

“……”

“So let’s survive and stay together.”

At those words, Uben nodded vigorously.

As he skewered the cleaned fish on a branch and set it by the fire, Idorian glanced at Penelope.

Does she really believe a cure will come out, even though nothing has progressed yet?

Or maybe she was just saying that to comfort Uben.

“Thank you, my lady.”

“…Yeah.”

“And I’m sorry. Because of me…”

Without saying anything, Penelope awkwardly hugged Uben and patted his back.

Since when did she become so selfless?

Swallowing the sigh that threatened to escape, Idorian turned his head away from Penelope.

They might have escaped the zombies for now, but the real problem lay ahead.

Would they be able to return to the fortress?

Would they be able to rejoin the imperial army?

What on earth was Penelope thinking when she ran to the child?

When Idorian saw Uben run past the gate to lure his mother, he had thought it couldn’t be helped.

If that was Uben’s choice.

That was also why he had pushed aside Heresden, who was aiming his bow.

The child had resolved that if he could save his mother, even death was acceptable.

Even if they killed the zombie with an arrow, Uben would never have abandoned his mother and returned through the gate.

And after causing such a commotion, zombies would soon swarm—there was no way he could make it back in time.

It was a pitiful situation, but not one where Idorian could do anything.

But Penelope suddenly rushing out in that moment was something he had never expected.

Going out of the gate—that meant stepping into a forest crawling with zombies. It was the same as being prepared to die.

Was Uben really that precious to her?

Idorian couldn’t understand it.

They had only known each other for a few months—was that enough for her to risk her life?

Or perhaps… Penelope had a way to survive together with the child.

The sound of crabs cooking over the fire filled the air, along with a savory smell.

Drawn by the scent, Uben edged a little closer.

Idorian lightly patted the boy’s head.

The child looked up at him, his lips moving as if he had something to say.

Idorian felt like he knew what it was.

A word of thanks.

“You don’t need to thank me.”

Idorian knew that if Penelope hadn’t run out first, he would never have stepped forward himself.

The reason he had carried Uben and run, even while falling behind, was because she had gone out to save him.

So he didn’t deserve thanks from Uben.

“Let’s eat.”

When there was no response, he turned his head and saw that Penelope had fallen asleep.

Running down the mountain, crossing the lake, and repeatedly diving in to find food—it must have all been exhausting.

Penelope had simply lain down on the rough ground of gravel and sand and fallen asleep.

Her wet hair was disheveled, clinging to her forehead and cheeks, and her clothes were stained with water and mud.

Even the small red scratches on her fingertips came into view.

The red glow of the sunset fell over her, and a gentle breeze stirred her clothes and hair, but she didn’t move at all.

Even with zombies still flailing noisily in the nearby water, she seemed to be in a deep sleep.

Her soft breathing continued, her fine eyelashes trembling faintly.

For some reason, Idorian didn’t want to wake her.

He wanted to watch her peaceful face a little longer.

“Your Highness?”

Only after Uben called him did Idorian pull his gaze away from Penelope.

“Penelope.”

He lightly shook her shoulder.

“Wake up and eat something before you sleep.”

As Penelope slowly sat up, Uben handed her a crab.

“Just put it in your mouth, chew, and spit it out.”

Seeing that she seemed unfamiliar with it, Idorian spoke.

With her hands still covered in sand, Penelope blew on it a few times before putting the crab into her mouth.

After some time passed, when Idorian turned his head again, Penelope was nodding off.

Her mouth half open, her head drooping, she looked like she was about to fall asleep again.

Idorian lightly tapped her shoulder once more.

Her brows furrowed slightly.

“…I’ll just sleep.”

Mumbling her words, Penelope shook her head.

Idorian hesitated for a moment.

If she didn’t eat now, who knew when they’d get another chance?

But seeing how exhausted she was as she lay back down, he had no choice but to let her be.

“Then at least spit out what’s in your mouth before you sleep.”

Idorian said, bringing his hand near her lips.

When she didn’t respond, he carefully removed a piece of shell from her mouth and tossed it into the fire.

“Uben, eat as much as you can.”

He said this while tidying Penelope’s hair.

“We don’t know when we’ll be able to eat again.”

He handed the boy a properly cooked fish.

“Your Highness, here.”

After wiping the dirt off his hands on his clothes, Uben tore off a piece of flesh and handed the rest over.

Idorian hesitated briefly, then bit into the fish Uben offered.

Once they left this small island, where should they go?

This place was located below a mountain, quite far from the fortress.

It might be easier to pass through the forest than to climb the mountain again.

Can I protect Penelope?

The anxiety lodged in his chest kept growing.

Could the three of them—Uben, Penelope, and himself—reach the imperial army without becoming zombies?

Even if he resolved to do his best to protect them, nothing was certain.

He couldn’t even be sure they’d find their next meal.

“……”

If his father or teacher found out, they would surely scold him for being foolish and reckless.

Idorian knew that too.

Death was already pressing right up against them.

And yet, strangely, he felt no regret.

Not even a little—for following Penelope out of the gate.