Accidentally Formed a Reverse Harem in the Apocalypse Chapter 41 - Sherry Damon's Wrath

“It’s writing made with magic!”

Having read the glowing words, Sherry cried out in astonishment.

Someone survived!

From the moment she saw the message, Sherry’s heart thumped wildly with hope.

It was the first trace of another living person she had seen in days.

The zombies outside were sensitive to light, but the silver-gray magical writing etched across the top of the Damon Manor’s barrier was invisible to them.

“Graaaah… uuugh…”

Only those who possessed magic themselves could perceive writing made of pure mana.

Fortunately, nobles of the Caladia Empire were generally born with at least a speck of mana, so Sherry and Cloud could read it without difficulty.

And even among people with mana, this level of precision is nearly impossible!

Writing with magic was not something just anyone could do.

Magic required drawing upon one’s internal mana reserves and converting that mana into a spell—a form of equivalent exchange.

It wasn’t as simple as leaking mana externally; showing raw mana visually was exceedingly advanced.

Yet someone had not only externalized mana, but controlled it finely enough to write words?

Whoever wrote that must be a mage. And a powerful one!

Likely someone who had studied in the Mage Tower, and at a high level at that.

Which means…!

The shadows clouding Sherry’s face vanished, replaced by a radiant smile blooming like sunlight.

“Brother! It looks like people came to rescue us!”

We’re saved!

Overjoyed, Sherry threw her arms around Cloud and even spun in a little dance.

Cloud too couldn’t hide his relief.

“It seems there are others outside who survived.”

“They must be strong! Only a high-ranking mage with mana to spare could write that kind of message!”

“And with how many monsters are roaming the streets… reaching our manor alone is impressive.”

“Which means they’re either incredibly skilled fighters, or not alone! They’re here to rescue survivors!”

For the first time in weeks, hope broke through the despair smothering the isolated mansion.

“Maybe the Imperial Palace finally organized a subjugation force to handle the monsters!”

“I hope so.”

Thoughts of salvation swelled in their minds like dough rising perfectly in a warm oven.

If the rescuers make it inside the manor… we might even be able to save Mother and Father.

While Sherry and Cloud were still staring at the message, another line appeared.

“The writing changed!”

Like chalk wiped from a board, the previous sentence vanished and a new one formed in shimmering mana.

If someone can read this, I have a favor to ask.
We want to rescue you.
Could you make a small opening at the top of the barrier? I need to conserve mana. If it’s too difficult, we’ll break through on our own.
Please make it so we can enter the manor.
Three minutes is enough.
Oh, and please open a window as well? I’d rather not climb down a chimney.

The handwriting was messy and crooked, but the message was readable enough.

“Brother!”

“I’ll go adjust the barrier settings right away.”

“I’m coming too!”

The Damon siblings hurried down the stairs to the chamber housing the mana crystal that powered the barrier.

Cloud pressed several switches, narrowing the barrier’s dome until a human-sized gap appeared at the very top.

“Graaaah!”

“Uuuugh… aaah…”

“Grrraaagh…!”

The moment the airtight defense developed a hole, the zombies sensed human scent and shuffled closer.

“Uuh? Uuuaaaa…”

But since the gap was far above their reach, none could enter. They merely prowled restlessly at ground level.

Where are they? The ones who wrote the message…?

Sherry scanned every corner she could, her heart racing—yet she saw no one.

Where could they be?

While she searched, more glowing letters formed atop the barrier.

Thanks for helping us.
We’ll be right there.

“‘Right there’…?”

Confused, Sherry and Cloud both flinched at a heavy thud above—the sound of something hitting the roof.

“Owww…”

A human voice.

Sherry and Cloud rushed to open the large window. Fresh air gusted in—and five people dropped into the room.

Sherry, still in her loungewear, ran toward them in pure relief.

“So nice to meet you! Thank you for coming to rescue— Hm?”

She froze mid-stride.

Three men, two women.

And every one of them had familiar faces.

“Wait, Sir Michael Easter the Holy Knight? Mage Ruth Crichern? Benedict Fairman, the half-elf? And… Lady Nadia Rutley?”

What… is this oil-and-water party composition?

Her gaze shifted to the last person—and Sherry almost fainted.

“E-E-Elizabeth Keaton?”

Why are you here…?

Moon-silver hair. Violet eyes like crushed violets. Slightly upturned, elegant eyes.

Even after rubbing her eyes, she couldn’t deny it—this was unmistakably Elizabeth Keaton.

“Hello, Lady Damon. And Lord Damon.”

Her gently upturned eyes curved softly.

“We’re here for you. Let’s get you out of here.”

 

 

 

****

 

 

 

“…….”

Sherry Damon didn’t take my outstretched hand.

Instead, she bristled like a frightened cat, wary and suspicious.

“……How did you get here?”

The moment she realized that I was the one who could help her escape, her once-bright expression froze solid.

She looked at me like I was a thief, not a savior.

It wasn’t surprising. I expected this.

“I walked here.”

“This is not the time for jokes!”

“Um, Lady Damon? If you’d just listen for a—”

When I cautiously approached to calm her down, Sherry let out a high-pitched screech and backed away several steps. Her brother Cloud did the same, pulling her behind him protectively.

“Don’t come any closer, Lady Elizabeth Keaton.”

Well, I only told the truth.

Not only did I fail to lighten the mood, I somehow made things worse. Wonderful.

「Are you stupid? Why would you say you walked here?」

Zero scolded me.

What, am I not even allowed to make jokes?

My heart hurts. Truly.

Even with the 100 favor points from that sub-quest, the effect was minimal!

「If you didn’t have that, they would’ve slammed the door in your face.」

…Why couldn’t they have given me more points?

「Because giving unrealistic favor or trust breaks narrative integrity. Upper management forbids it.」

Ugh, that damned upper management! Ptui ptui.

I grumbled inwardly, and Ruth and Michael stepped forward beside me.

They respectfully bowed their heads to Sherry and Cloud.

“It’s good to see you alive and well, Lady Damon, Lord Damon.”

“You already know who we are, so we’ll skip the formalities. We’re relieved you survived.”

Cloud answered politely in Sherry’s place—and did not forget to question them.

“……I’m sincerely glad to see you too, Sir Michael, Mage Ruth. The writing outside the barrier—was that your work, Mage Ruth?”

“Yes. I wrote it.”

When Ruth admitted it, Sherry—standing behind Cloud—looked even more displeased.

“Thank you for coming to help us. But, Mage Ruth, how did you end up coming here with her? Did she perhaps manipulate you, the close friends of Sienna, into cooperating with her?”

Not a shred of trust. Not a shred of courtesy.

Well, considering all the things the real Elizabeth did to her…

Even after I possessed Elizabeth, I continued to act like an antagonist to maintain the role, so this reaction was understandable.

Didn’t mean it didn’t sting.

“That’s not it. I’m just here to rescue you. And, well… to ask if you’d be willing to join us in reclaiming the capital.”

“And why should we believe that?”

Sherry’s sharp blue eyes drilled into me.

“You attended the Crown Prince’s wedding that day. I remember the tabloid interview from the day before—the one you personally visited the gossip paper for. You even said you’d wear a black dress like mourning attire to the ceremony.”

“And who knew you’d actually do it? The paper loved your insanity. They circulated your photos before the ceremony had even ended.”

Ah yes. That damned gossip headline.

The scandal-focused newspaper had produced such a memorable spread:

The Empire’s Villainess, Lady Elizabeth Keaton, Chooses Mourning Attire for the Royal Wedding…
Blessing or Curse?
Exclusive Interview With the Spiteful Lady Herself!
Problem Child Keaton Causes Trouble Yet Again.

Back then, I thought everything would blow over afterward, so I didn’t care what nonsense they printed.

Funny how life works. Can’t predict a damn thing.

As I recalled the ridiculous tabloid titles, Sherry pointed a finger at me.

“Almost everyone who attended the ceremony died or turned into monsters—yet you walked out completely fine?”

“I got lucky.”

No way in hell was I going to say, ‘Oh, I bashed Sienna’s zombie head in and escaped.’

But Sherry wasn’t buying it.

It only made her angrier.

“Lies! If someone as horrible as you had luck on your side… then why—WHY—didn’t my parents?!”

“Sherry……”

“Why? Why couldn’t they come back alive like you?!”