Accidentally Formed a Reverse Harem in the Apocalypse Chapter 22 - Celebration Party

Chapter 22 Celebration Party

 

 

 

With my approval given, a party to celebrate our first victory against the zombies was held under the lead of the butler and head maid.

Though it was meant to be a modest gathering at first, the party eventually grew grand, and perhaps because it was held alongside dinner, the atmosphere was loud and bustling.

“To the victory of the Keaton Ducal Estate!”

“To victory!”

If the zombie apocalypse hadn’t happened, the nobles who received invitations would’ve gathered in the hall and gracefully danced the waltz.

But here, with only me and the servants, the formality had been simplified.

‘This feels exactly like a company dinner.’

Servants of the mansion gathered tightly around the long banquet table placed in the hall, chugging beer.

In addition to beer, plenty of wine and champagne that had been stored in the estate were being freely poured.

“Is it really okay for us to drink this?”

“Heh heh, of course! His Grace personally gave permission to eat and drink. No need to worry!”

“My goodness. When would we ever get to drink such fine alcohol?”

The servants, who had hesitated in front of the expensive drinks, gained courage when they heard I had approved it and poured themselves generous glasses.

‘Alcohol isn’t exactly essential for survival anyway.’

For alcohol to be used as disinfectant, it would need to be over 70% proof, basically a spirit strong enough to make even a bear keel over.

That kind of alcohol was left in small amounts, but everything else had been brought out for this party.

Most of the servants attending the party excitedly enjoyed the food and drinks.

The smell of chicken roasted golden in the oven, a fairly fresh vegetable salad put out before it could spoil, and steamed seafood soaked in a sweet-and-salty sauce.

And with alcohol that wiped away the tension of walking on a knife’s edge, laughter finally bloomed among the servants after a long time.

Just as I told Lina, I sat far up at the main seat, focusing on my share of food while watching over the servants.

A few servants, drunk, started sharing their true feelings.

“After the late Duke Keaton passed away so suddenly to those zombie things, I was so worried… but I guess it was all pointless.”

“Right. I didn’t trust the current duke at first either, but now I feel differently. I believe His Grace could come up with a strategy to escape, even from the capital that’s turned into hell.”

「You’re getting a pretty good evaluation from the servants.」

‘……Yeah.’

It felt satisfying. I barely managed to suppress the smile tugging upward, and rewarded myself by slicing off a piece of beef steak and munching on it.

Cooked to my favorite medium-rare, the steak was practically a masterpiece.

The garnishes—grilled asparagus, pineapple, mashed potatoes—were all delicious as well.

Partly thanks to the chef’s skill, but also because the joy of defeating the zombies made everything taste even better, I found myself humming as I ate the melt-in-your-mouth meal.

「It is good.」

‘Wow, the Possession Manager is even stealing my food now.’

「Steal? I’m not stealing anything! I just want to eat too! Ahem, and let’s not forget—I contributed to this victory as well!」

Sure, sure. If you say so.

Despite being a transcendent being who didn’t need to eat, Zero was extremely gluttonous.

He attacked the pineapple next. Then slurped up the spicy oil pasta full of shrimp with great interest.

「A luxurious last supper.」

‘Don’t say something so ominous.’

「Why not? It’s true. Starting tomorrow, you’re going to work that mage Ruth to exhaustion digging up food.」

‘Well… that’s true.’

Munch munch. I stuffed my cheeks full with the delicious dinner.

Thanks to Zero’s impressive appetite too, several dishes were quickly emptied.

「Wanting to gather food means you plan to go outside, right?」

‘Pretty much.’

We couldn’t stay in the estate forever.

Even if the magic barrier kept us safe, it would all end the moment the magic stones powering it ran out.

‘To survive, we need to go outside, gather survivors like us, and defeat the zombies together.’

To return home, we couldn’t just live—we had to eliminate the zombies from this world entirely.

To do that, we had to use the Keaton estate as a base and move outward.

Even with all the unknown dangers lurking outside.

Thinking about that filled me with unease, stopping my fork mid-air.

I hated the feeling of worry creeping into the empty space in my stomach.

I was almost done cleaning my plate, but I left the rest for Zero and stood up.

「Why stop eating when it was so good?」

‘I don’t know. Just don’t feel like it anymore. You finish it.’

「Hmph. Fine with me…… but I’m coming with you! You shouldn’t be left alone right now.」

‘Do as you please.’

At my words, Zero quickly flew onto my shoulder and settled comfortably.

When I stood and walked toward the exit, some servants enjoying the party hurriedly called out to me.

“Ah, Your Grace! Where are you going? There’s still plenty of food left…….”

“And drinks too! We have lots of the alcohol you like, Your Grace. I thought you’d regret leaving without having any.”

It was Emily and Rose, the maids who had helped me blow off zombie heads.

‘So Elizabeth was a heavy drinker, huh.’

Rose held out a bottle of strong vodka, saying Elizabeth used to like it.

I refused the drink she offered and continued walking.

“I’m standing watch tonight. No alcohol for me. You all enjoy yourselves.”

“Oh… yes!”

“Please don’t push yourself too hard, Your Grace!”

I waved back at their cheers, and the two maids blushed before returning to their seats.

Walking through the corridor lit by magic lamps, I asked Zero:

‘Zero, remember that reward you gave me earlier?’

「Ah, that one?」

‘Give it. I have someone to pass it to.’

Even though we were holding a party, that didn’t mean all servants attended.

A few who couldn’t drink either left early or never came to the hall at all, simply receiving food and returning to their work.

Benjamin, the artisan belonging to the Keaton household whom I was now going to see, belonged to the latter group.

Benjamin had incredible craftsmanship, but because he was extremely introverted and shy, he preferred spending time alone, away from people.

I headed toward Benjamin’s room.

「Here it is!」

‘Oh, thanks.’

I carried with me the water-gun and spray designs created using the reward Zero previously gave me—the skill “Help Me, MacGyver! (Intermediate).”

Passing through the long maze-like corridors of the estate, I reached the artisan’s room.

Even the door was decorated with finely carved wood, showing delicate craftsmanship.

Knock knock. When I knocked, a voice came from inside.

“Wh-Who is it?”

“It’s me. Benjamin. The current head of House Keaton.”

“Gasp…! P-Please wait just a moment!”

Thud! Crash! After a series of chaotic noises, Benjamin finally appeared, panting.

He looked like a stereotypical nerdy engineering student with glasses and all.

“W-What brings you here? For you to seek me out personally…….”

Having never met “Elizabeth Keaton” even once before, Benjamin was frozen stiff, unable to even make eye contact with me.

‘Well, Elizabeth Keaton did look rather fierce.’

For gentle Benjamin, someone as strong-willed as Elizabeth must seem overwhelming.

 

It seemed best for both of us to keep things brief and get straight to the point.

“I came because there’s something I need you to do.”

“Y-You… Your Grace is asking me…?”

He looked like he’d just seen a tiger come to graze like a cow.

But since I fully understood the sentiment, I didn’t bother pointing it out and quickly handed him the blueprints for the spray bottle and water gun.

“Take these. They’re items I need you to make.”

“What are these? I’ve never seen blueprints for items like these before.”

Benjamin, who had been trembling like a mouse before a cat, suddenly had his eyes sparkling like a child’s the moment he saw blueprints for a new invention.

Well, he was half-mad about inventing things—truly a master among artisans—so this reaction was expected.

“They’re weapons to shoot holy water at zombies. One is called a water gun, and the other is a spray bottle.”

‘I’m saying something perfectly normal, but why do I feel so ashamed?’

Ah, yes. This is indeed a water gun and a spray bottle.

It felt like I was delivering some embarrassing, cheesy line.

Honestly, a water gun is a toy, and a spray bottle is a household item… even if Zero’s improved versions had better performance, at the end of the day, they were still just water guns and spray bottles!

But unlike embarrassed me, Benjamin showed passionate interest.

“Oh-ho… with these, we could attack zombies from afar without getting close.”

“Can you make them?”

“They’re items I’ve never seen before, but if it’s me, it’s possible. You want them mass-produced, correct?”

In front of a new creation, Benjamin shed all signs of timidity and faced me with bright curiosity and confidence.

I was pleased with that attitude.

“Yes. We’ll need enough so that everyone in the estate can have one. Ah, more would be even better.”

Quick-witted Benjamin added to my words:

“You’re preparing for the situation after leaving the estate as well.”

“That’s right.”

“Understood. Then I’ll check the remaining materials and bring the finished products to Your Grace as soon as they’re ready. I’m not sure if we’ll have enough materials… but I’ll aim to produce as many as possible.”

With clear eyes shining behind his glasses, Benjamin carefully tucked the water gun and spray bottle blueprints into his arms.

“I’m counting on you, Benjamin. Since they’ll hold holy water, it’s very important that nothing leaks.”

Benjamin looked surprised for a moment, then regained his composure.

“If it’s not rude to ask… may I know what effect holy water has on zombies, Your Grace?”

“Of course. Holy water temporarily paralyzes zombies. As you’ve probably heard, zombies die completely when their heads are destroyed. My plan is to paralyze them with holy water first, then quickly aim for the head to put them to rest—so your role is important, Benjamin.”

I’m counting on you!

With that intention in my gaze, Benjamin finally met my eyes without looking away.

“I’m someone who survived thanks to House Keaton’s support. I will obey Your Grace’s will.”

“……Thank you.”

It really was a relief to have good people around.

Now all that was left was to visit Chricerne and Michael for analysis on the zombies and to take night watch with them.