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Chapter 37
“Those new people…”
I glanced around, then leaned a little closer to Idorian.
“I think something’s off about them.”
“…What do you mean?”
“They’re all men.”
At that, Idorian tilted his head slightly.
“And why’s that strange?”
“They said they left their territory because they ran out of food, right? Then they should’ve brought their families with them. But out of everyone who came to the fortress, there’s not a single woman or child.”
Idorian lowered his gaze, thinking for a moment, then looked up at me again.
“It’s unfortunate, but… they probably didn’t survive the journey.”
“Sure, men have a higher chance of survival in situations like this. But that only happens when they don’t try to protect the weak.”
Even as I said it, I wasn’t entirely convinced by my own argument.
With hordes of zombies chasing them, it wouldn’t have been easy to survive even if they had tried to protect anyone.
Even Idorian and Heresdon—both of whom were physically gifted compared to ordinary people—had only barely managed to protect Uben and Lilia.
“They weren’t strangers. They were family. But all the women and children who left with them died? That’s… strange.”
Of course, the people of the Leton territory had lived ordinary lives—farmers, merchants, townsfolk. Even if they’d tried their hardest, it might’ve been impossible to protect both themselves and others from the endless zombie horde.
I knew that much. My voice lacked conviction, but if I wanted to raise suspicion toward these new arrivals, I had no other choice.
“What if only the men came up the mountain in the first place?”
Idorian frowned, not understanding where I was going with this. I lowered my voice.
“To take the food here back to their territory.”
“Hmm. That’s possible.”
I had expected him to scold me for saying something so ridiculous—but instead, he nodded quietly.
“Right? I thought so too. It’s just that—”
“But Duke Heresdon already checked into that.”
“…What?”
Idorian slowly shook his head.
“Apparently, not everyone left the territory with their families. Many were too afraid of the zombies outside the walls.”
“Oh…”
“Only those who trusted each other left together. There were women among them, and even a few children.”
He took the bowl from my hands and began to wipe it clean.
“But those with children got separated on the way up the mountain. The same for the men who tried to protect their wives.”
Then, with a small gesture, he signaled that we should stop talking.
“It might seem heartless…”
His voice trailed off.
“But in times like this, maybe that was the best they could do.”
“……”
“Come on, Penelope. Let’s go.”
He stood first, calling my name softly.
“Your Highness.”
As I stood, I caught his arm again.
“Still… I think we should stay cautious, at least for a while.”
“……”
“There’s no harm in being careful, right?”
“…You’re right. We’ll be careful.”
He nodded lightly, accepting my words.
“But Penelope.”
“Yes?”
“It’s better if you don’t mention this to anyone else.”
Again, he tried to soothe me.
“You’re right that we should be careful, but we can’t live distrusting one another. Suspicion breeds division.”
It was clear he was only humoring me.
“I’ll keep a closer eye on them myself. You, on the other hand, should help them settle in.”
“…Alright. I will.”
His tone was gentle but firm. I couldn’t argue further, so I simply nodded.
When I stepped into the kitchen, one of the Leton people was helping with chores.
“……”
They’d just arrived from the mountains, so it wouldn’t be today—but after a few days of rest, once they regained their strength, they’d probably start slipping something into the food.
Idorian told me not to say anything, but…
If anyone would take me seriously, it’d be Duke Heresdon—he was suspicious and cautious by nature.
“Penelope.”
“Yes, I’ll bring these to the tables.”
I turned quickly, pretending not to notice Idorian’s wary look, and took the dishes from the villager.
The long dining tables—so often uselessly large—were finally serving their purpose tonight.
Groups of people sat here and there, shoveling food into their mouths as if starved.
Everyone looked utterly exhausted.
For a while, the only sounds in the hall were creaking chairs, clinking utensils, and the occasional pouring of water.
“Thank you for taking us in,” someone said once the meal was nearly over.
It was one of the men Idorian had introduced earlier.
He was as tall as Idorian, and his build was even thicker—his body gave the impression of sheer strength, perhaps more than even Idorian or Heresdon.
“I never imagined anyone would still be living in this fortress.”
He sounded sincere. From the way he took charge earlier—organizing clothes and bedding from the storage, answering questions from Idorian and Heresdon—it was clear he was the leader of his group.
“When we saw the closed gates, we thought… it was all over.”
His voice carried both relief and weariness.
“Being able to sit here with a warm meal feels like a dream.”
His gaze turned distant as his words trailed off.
He set his utensils down, looked around, and gave a bitter smile.
“Thinking of the ones we left behind in the territory… and those who fell behind on the mountain… I’m sorry.”
He lowered his eyes and sighed softly.
“Ah…”
Lilia, sitting nearby, let out a pained sound.
Around the table, several of the new arrivals were wiping at their eyes.
“……”
If it was all an act, it was a convincing one—their expressions were full of genuine grief.
Their trembling hands, the redness spreading up their necks—it all looked real.
“It couldn’t have been easy to let strangers in and share your food,” the man said again, pressing a hand to his chest as though to steady himself.
“We won’t forget your kindness.”
“I’m just glad you made it here safely,” Lilia answered, her eyes red.
“It’s only natural,” Heresdon added, nodding solemnly. “There’s no need to feel indebted. Make yourselves at home.”
“…Oh.”
I had expected Heresdon to be more suspicious—but maybe seeing them cry softened him.
He was expressionless and curt by nature, but he never said things he didn’t mean.
For him to tell them to “make themselves at home” meant he had already accepted them as part of us.
I turned to check Uben’s reaction, but instead met Idorian’s eyes.
He looked worried that I might say something.
I shot him a look that said, Don’t worry, then turned away.
If everyone was going to be this welcoming, just like in the novel…
It’ll be impossible for me alone to protect the food.
If we lost our supplies, Idorian and Heresdon would have to risk their lives to find more outside.
Sure, sometimes they caught a rabbit or two—but usually it was just wild berries or mushrooms.
Would people who thanked us for taking them in really steal everything and run?
They couldn’t possibly be that heartless… right?
Still, as the others chatted warmly with their new “guests,” my unease only grew.
And then—
“Um, mister…”
Uben, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke up.
He hesitated for a long while, then, gathering his courage, opened his mouth again.
