Accidentally Formed a Reverse Harem in the Apocalypse Chapter 63 - Introducing Zero

Everyone gathered in the reception room listened attentively to my explanation, but Cloud, seemingly bothered by something, timidly raised his hand.

“Um, Your Grace. I have a question.”

“Yes?”

“You mentioned that you conducted your own investigation, but could you explain how exactly you gathered that information?”

At his words, a murmur spread through the room.

“Brother! That sounds rude! You’ll make Duke Keaton uncomfortable! I’m sure he had his reasons!”

Sherry began smacking Cloud repeatedly, displaying her boundless trust in me.

Ever since I had saved her parents after they turned into zombies, she had treated me with remarkable affection.

「Sherry Damon thinks of you as a hero.」

Saving someone from a situation that should have been hopeless had that kind of impact.

“Is it really so strange to trust the person who saved your life?”

‘I didn’t even ask her to defend me this hard.’

I was grateful—but also a little embarrassed.

Especially when Sherry winked at me as if to say, I did good, right?

‘Am I… filling the space Sienna left behind?’

The thought made my chest ache. As comforting as it was, the idea that I might just be a substitute hurt more than I expected.

Maybe I was selfishly trying to satisfy my own desire to be loved, even if only here.

That realization made me desperately want to go home.

「No. You’re strangely insecure about things like this.」

‘About what?’

「About believing no one could truly care about you.」

Zero floated upward and gestured toward the party members, allies, and the people we had rescued.

「Look at them. Cloud’s question shook you a little, but the people you saved are grateful. They want to repay you.」

‘…Really?’

「If you don’t believe me, look into their eyes.」

I quietly lifted my head and looked around.

Beyond the party members and collaborators, there were many rescued civilians and staff from the ducal estate.

Despite Cloud’s reasonable question, they all looked at me with warmth.

When our eyes met, some—like Lina—smiled and gestured encouragement.

I didn’t need the spirit’s eyes to know.

My efforts had come back to me as support.

Just as my emotions threatened to overflow, Jacqueline spoke calmly.

“That’s enough, Sherry. Duke Keaton did save us, but now that we’re fighting the zombies together, I think it’s reasonable to know where his information comes from.”

“I-I guess… if Jacqueline says so, then I a-agree…”

Jessica, glued to Jacqueline’s side, nodded vigorously.

Marquis Nigel Celeste and his wife Vanessa, who prioritized their clever daughter’s opinion above all else, also voiced no objection.

“If it’s not an imposition, I too would like to know how you obtained that information.”

“So would I. It’s embarrassing to say, but our family is quite experienced in intelligence gathering. If you tell us the method, we might be able to conduct further investigations as well.”

They weren’t questioning me out of suspicion.

They genuinely wanted to help—so we could eradicate the zombies completely.

As if confirming my thoughts, Cloud added awkwardly,

“It may have sounded aggressive, but I truly had no intention of offending you. We want to help you resolve this matter.”

Jacqueline followed up, her voice firm.

“If we survived and are gathered here as collaborators, then we owe it to the dead not to remain idle. I may be useless in combat, but I still want to help drag out the one who ruined our ordinary lives—and see their face.”

Her golden eyes burned with fury as she ground her teeth.

“Whoever it is… once we catch them, I fully intend to make them regret being born.”

She smiled sweetly.

It was terrifying.

“S-Sister… you’re scary…”

Jessica said so, yet clung to her even tighter.

From a sofa a little distance away, Nadia Rutley, who wasn’t particularly close to the group, muttered softly,

“Well… I’m curious too, but even if Duke Keaton doesn’t want to reveal his source, I’d understand. After all, he even took in someone like me—who tried to kill him.”

“Are you implying that we’re doubting Duke Keaton?” Sherry snapped.

Nadia clasped her hands and bowed theatrically.

“Oh? I don’t recall saying anything like that.”

‘Ugh. I hate aristocratic conversational fencing.’

Before the two could escalate into a full-blown catfight, I intervened.

This mansion had become a shared living space—fighting was strictly forbidden.

“Alright, alright. I understand how everyone feels. Let’s not argue.”

When I patted their shoulders while smiling, they both snorted and backed down—clearly dissatisfied but unwilling to challenge me.

“Consider yourselves lucky.”

“You too.”

“If I see you fighting again, I’ll send you outside to hunt zombies.”

It was an empty threat—but effective. Both immediately shut up.

Enjoying the restored silence, I decided to be honest.

“You asked how I gathered the information?”

“Yes.”

“It’s simple. I was chosen as a Saintess—and used that power to investigate.”

“…Ah. Yes. Because you’re a Saintess— Wait. A Saintess?”

Cloud shot to his feet in shock.

Before he could exclaim That’s impossible!, I beat him to it.

“Yes. Somehow, I was chosen by a god.”

Everyone stared, mouths agape.

“…You’re serious?”

“In this situation, what would I gain from lying?”

Jacqueline, who valued reason and empirical truth, swallowed hard.

“…Can we confirm the existence of that god?”

“Yes. Only I can see him—for now.”

At my calm reply, Zero nearly lost his mind.

「Are you insane?! What are you doing?! Why would you reveal my existence?! I’m an administrator—I’m supposed to stay hidden!」

‘Why?’

「Huh?」

‘Zero, you’re helping me overcome the zombie crisis. You got approval from above to assist me—and earned rewards in the process.’

「T-That has nothing to do with revealing who I am!」

‘It does. I’m avoiding suspicion—and giving you recognition as a god.’

「……」

‘You’re the one who made me a Saintess. And in times like this, there’s no title more convincing than “Savior.” If no one knows who chose me, it’s easy for people to call me a witch instead.’

「Who would dare call you a witch when I’m here?!」

‘Exactly. So I want you to appear openly and stand with us.’

I placed Zero on my palm.

The hamster in a suit, silk hat, and gentleman’s cane looked unbearably cute.

I gently stroked his back.

‘Mostly to avoid unnecessary trouble.’

Communicating only in my head was exhausting—especially since he could read my thoughts.

「You little—」

‘Besides, I think it’s better if my future allies know who you are and prepare accordingly.’

「……」

‘Any rules from above against this?’

「…No.」

He answered sulkily, but didn’t seem truly upset.

His cotton-like tail twitching reassured me.

When I continued speaking aloud while conversing with Zero, those who couldn’t see him looked confused—but no one accused me of insanity.

Cloud hesitantly pointed at my palm.

“…Is the god… on your hand?”

“Correct. Not the main god Ardel—just a small one.”

Zero immediately protested.

「My true form isn’t small! This is just a hamster shell for convenience!」

‘Uh-huh. But if you’re going to argue, maybe show yourself first? They can’t tell whether you’re mouse-sized or not.’

「I am NOT mouse-sized! Ask them!」

Snorting indignantly, Zero released his power so others could see him.

「Behold, humans! Gaze upon me and tell my contractor how magnificent I—wait.」

He clapped his paws over his mouth.

「Ah—dang it. I fell for it……」

It only made him cuter.

Cloud nearly fainted.

“A—a talking r-r-rodent?!”

「Not a rodent, you ignorant human. I am a trainee god protecting Elizabeth Keaton. I merely adopted a hamster form for mobility.」

“…You’re really a god?”

「I may not be as powerful as the chief god Ardel, but a god is still a god.」

“Then allow me to formally introduce him. This is Zero—the other god here.”

“…So it is true. Incredible.”

As an honorary Holy Knight, Cloud couldn’t take his eyes off Zero.

“I never believed gods truly existed. Especially after the zombie outbreak began.”

Wow. For a former Holy Knight, that was a surprisingly radical confession.