On the city walls of the Holy City.
The moon rose, and it fell.
Morale was crumbling; everyone was searching for a sign of either Silas or Elisa.
"They definitely... ran away."
Someone slumped down, wiping the blood from their face. "I saw Princess Elisa take Lord Silas downstairs earlier. They haven't come back for so long... we can't hold this, can we?"
"Shut your mouth!"
"You dare gossip about the Princess and the Duke at a time like this? Do you not remember how Lord Silas killed the Archbishop? You dare say that man is afraid of death?!"
"But Duke Silas doesn't care about this place at all, does he? He only cares about the Princess. We... ugh."
"..."
Even though Leitman was loyal and tried to stop the panic from spreading.
Faced with mounds of Living Dead beneath the walls and men exhausted to their absolute limits, what was needed wasn't words, but someone to actually stand up.
"...Hey, is that Princess Elisa?"
"..."
Just as Leitman was about to break, someone cried out in surprise.
Soon, he saw her—Elisa, her snow-white hair fluttering, sword in hand. Her small shadow moved with incredible agility, easily scaling the wall.
"Princess Elisa!"
"..."
The eyes of the exhausted men began to flicker with a spark of hope. They still hoped to see the shadow of another man behind her.
"Stop looking. Duke Silas is currently..."
Elisa paused for a second. "As I ordered, he has gone to find reinforcements. I have a personal knight order not far from the Holy City; every one of them is an elite warrior with excellent gear. As long as we hold out for two days, Duke Silas will bring them back."
"He had to break through the siege alone to find a way for the Holy City to survive. How can you all be so pathetic?!"
"..."
Squelch!
As Elisa decapitated a Living Dead that had just climbed up, spraying black blood, those exhausted men stood back up and gripped their swords tightly.
"I knew the Duke wouldn't abandon us! Everyone, grit your teeth!"
"Even Princess Elisa is here in person; what is there to fear?!"
"Good! Once we kill these freaks, I will write to my territory and tell them the Holy City has a magnificent Empress!"
"..."
Morale began to soar.
"Princess Elisa... Duke Silas... he..."
Leitman was clearly different from the others; he had never heard Silas mention any "personal knight order" of Elisa's.
Moreover, after being out so many times, he had seen no sign of any living humans anywhere.
"Leitman, if you want to be my subordinate, then be one. If you don't trust me, you can take your family and flee for your lives."
"Or are you trying to question my uncle?"
"..."
Seeing the determination in Elisa's eyes, Leitman understood the truth.
The reinforcements were a lie.
He didn't believe Silas would abandon Elisa and run; if it were that man... he would surely find a way.
But could he personally help protect the Empress until then?
"Forgive me, I spoke out of turn."
"I will follow you until the very end!"
"..."
Leitman knew that staying here likely meant death.
But he hadn't felt this way in a long time—fighting for glory. Even if he died, and someone found his body later, he would be facing the enemy, not running away.
There were no cowards in his family.
Looking at Elisa as she cut down Living Dead, he had previously thought—though he wouldn't say it—that Elisa was too young to be a proper Empress.
Now he realized he had judged a book by its cover. Perhaps this was simply in the blood of the Elisa royals? Knowing there were no reinforcements, she still came back.
Dawn was approaching.
The offensive of the horde slowed down. Because people in the city had even torn down the Academy for fuel, and some, in a frenzy of pain, hacked off their own mangled limbs just to throw them into the fire.
The air was thick with the stench of rot and blood. But this reprieve was short-lived; faster Living Dead in plate armor were arriving from further out. Everyone knew that once they got closer, it would be the most brutal fight yet.
The numbers of the living were dwindling.
"..."
Elisa leaned on her sword, still standing at the very front. Her once snow-white hair was now matted with blood. On her cheeks, her clothes—it was everywhere.
The filth on her blade hadn't dried; it was still dripping.
She understood better than anyone that Silas wasn't coming.
Hypnosis didn't work, but she had used the sleep medication provided by the courtesan. Doing those lewd things wasn't a lie either... she really wanted to. She wanted to ignore everything and respond to him with all her strength.
Reinforcements in two days?
By noon today at the latest, no one would have any strength left. The blocked city gates were loose and could be breached at any moment.
She looked at the golden light falling at her feet as the dark clouds parted.
Warm sunlight—once something she could only hope for but never touch. Now she didn't have to care; she didn't have to live like a gutter rat.
"...Leitman."
"..."
After a long while, a wounded and weakened Leitman approached.
"There are basements in some houses in the city. Take the wounded who can't move and hide them inside."
"Princess Elisa?"
"I'm not joking. If there's a way for you to survive, take it."
"Your Majesty, I told Duke Silas that my life belongs to him."
"..."
Empress, huh?
She had barely ascended the throne and stabilized her footing with his help. But to immediately fail to protect her subjects—what kind of ruler was that?
Who ever heard of such a pathetic Empress?
Elisa thought that even if she really ran away, Silas wouldn't scold her. He wouldn't look down on her.
But if she did that, she couldn't live with herself.
She couldn't give up.
If she shed a single tear, the morale of the people would collapse entirely.
At least, after he woke up, he wouldn't have to stay here because of her; with his skills, he would live well anywhere. Maybe he'd even go back to being a mean, lecherous teacher...
"Then, open the gates. I'm going out."
Elisa spoke calmly.
"Fine. I'm going with you."
Leitman answered just as casually.
"..."
Elisa looked at Leitman and smiled. "I'm not Duke Silas; I don't have that kind of strength. This might just be a final struggle."
"Before Duke Silas faced the Archbishop, he told me to just shoot arrows at him. Life and death are up to fate. If he died, he wouldn't blame me."
"..."
That idiot!
Did he never think back then that if he actually died, someone wouldn't know what to do?
"Whether for glory or to repay Lord Silas's kindness, I have no complaints about dying here for the Holy City. Please, let me follow you."
"Mmh."
How many people were left who could still move?
Lined up at the city gate, eight out of ten people were wounded to some degree. Men and women alike. Every face was smeared with blood.
Of course, some had run away. but in this situation, commoners had nowhere to run.
Swish!
Elisa raised her sword. "Groups of three! One part will stall the horde, the other will find a way to ignite the fuel Duke Silas left outside that got wet! Hold on just a bit longer; the reinforcements are definitely coming!"
"..."
This time, the response wasn't as enthusiastic. Even if they believed reinforcements were coming, they no longer believed they could hold out that long.
In fact, Elisa's plan was a success.
Silas had left a lot of material, and now, under the intense sunlight, it was half-dry. If they covered it with clothes or such, it could be lit.
However.
"Roar..."
The horde was endless. Wave after wave. And the ones at the back were even stronger; some in armor could jump right over the fire zones.
"..."
She had been eating well lately. But in this sustained combat—especially in terms of strength, which wasn't her forte—she was burning out fast.
Puncture!
Just a moment of distraction, and she was stabbed by a Living Dead also holding a sword. Enduring the pain to hack off its head, she looked around. Originally, the Holy City's knight order had at least a thousand men, but now fewer than a hundred remained. All of them were wounded.
Afternoon.
The fuel Silas had left was burned out, but the horde remained.
The city gates were closed once more.
This time it was for real—Living Dead were trying to pile up and scale the walls from all directions. The ones at the back seemed to have some intelligence, stacking themselves faster.
Who would go out for this wave?
"All of you, follow Leitman into the city and find a place to hide."
"They need living people to feed on. Maybe when they find no food, they'll leave."
"I'll find a way to draw their attention... buy some time."
"..."
Elisa had thought about it; going out alone with no one to open the gates meant only one ending—being gnawed until nothing was left.
But it was enough.
A loss is a loss. She had no regrets. The man she loved was alive, and the shame of the Elisa family had been washed away.
Except... she regretted one thing. When she was pressed about whether she loved him, she should have been more honest.
"What are you saying? Your Majesty, how could we let you go out alone while we run away?"
"Exactly. We've come this far; saying that now is too distant. If I survive, please personally officiate my wedding with the Count's daughter."
"In your dreams! Does she even like you? Sigh, we're going to die. I should have spent all my money on Lilim at the brothel."
"The cowards have already hidden. We who remain... are all Your Majesty's loyalists now."
"..."
Even some who had lost both legs managed a smile. Just as they said, the cowards had hidden or fled the night before. They never even made it to the wall, and the defenders didn't have time to stop them. They didn't care.
The more it was like this, the more pained Elisa felt.
What kind of Empress was she?
If she had stayed honestly in that cave, she would still be living that ignorant life, never meeting him, never becoming Empress.
"..."
Elisa said nothing, gripping her sword. She opened the city gate personally and was the first to step out.
She felt it too.
She was going to die.
But there was no fear of death, only a simple thought... would that man be sad? She had learned so much lewd knowledge but couldn't use it because of her shyness. Even if she showed her slutty side, she wouldn't be scolded, right? Anyway, only he would see it.
If there is a next life, she must be a more honest person. A more silver-tongued one.
"Engage the enemy!"
Elisa's eyes were firm as she charged forward with her sword.
But after a few rounds, no miracle occurred. Weakened humans were easily surrounded and disemboweled by the Living Dead.
The living grew fewer and fewer.
Next, the cowards hiding in the city would be eaten.
Squelch!
She hacked off several heads, but it was futile; it couldn't change the battle. All the fuel that could be burned was gone.
She was exhausted.
"..."
Seeing a Living Dead rush toward her, her wrist simply couldn't lift the sword. She would die standing.
"..."
Crack!
She closed her eyes, but after a few seconds, she didn't feel her body being torn apart. The Living Dead didn't reach her; a bloody hole appeared in its head, and it collapsed before her.
Did someone fire a gun?
The lead bullets should have been used up in the first round.
Bang, bang, bang...
In quick succession, several Living Dead near her were headshotted.
"Elisa! Don't just stand there, dammit! I only have one bullet left!"
"..."
Then, amidst the chaotic noise, she heard a familiar voice.
She couldn't see Silas.
"Hey, w-what is that? They're all rolling down the slope... Living Dead with fireballs?"
"No, it looks like they have burning grass attached to them?"
"..."
From the flank of the horde breaking into the city, a massive new blaze appeared. The scene was spectacular—Living Dead on fire were pushing round balls of flames into the mass of monsters surrounding the city.
The fire spread from one to another. Soon, the entire sky was obscured by thick smoke.
"Wait, is there a person running in front of them? Duke Silas?!"
"Ah! Yes, the Duke is back! How did he do it... making the Living Dead catch fire and rush over... the horde is in chaos."
"Who cares! Duke Silas can even put intestines back in; he's long since stopped being human! What matters is we're saved!"
"..."
Though they were just remnants of a defeated army, the sight of Silas instantly filled them with fighting spirit.
"..."
Only Elisa stood dazed, picking up her sword again. She wobbled forward unsteadily.
Slowly, the cowards hiding in the city realized things had changed. Some, perhaps out of a guilty conscience, picked up weapons and came out. The fire burned fiercely; the tumbled grass carried by the Living Dead easily ignited the others.
The armor that Elisa found so difficult to deal with earlier now became shackles that cooked them alive.
Squelch!
Things improved to the point where even the little girl who gave Elisa flowers could pick up scissors and stab a confused, burning Living Dead to death.
"..."
Elisa also exerted herself and killed many.
But she still didn't see the person she wanted to see.
Until everyone retreated back into the city, watching the Living Dead burn themselves to death. The numerical advantage was gone; those trying to scale the wall posed no threat.
She looked everywhere on the city walls.
And then she saw him.
"Why are you standing there like an idiot? If my marksmanship wasn't good, you'd already be the Late Empress."
"..."
How did he come back?
"Are you surprised at how I appeared? You're starting to get sneaky, hiding sleep medicine in a place like that. Unfortunately for you, it has no effect on me."
"..."
Elisa's eyes began to brim with tears. The heart that had been tightly strung for so long, forcibly supporting itself, finally collapsed.
"Elisa?"
"..."
She just ran over and threw herself onto Silas, her tears and snot flowing uncontrollably. She stared intensely into the eyes of the man she loved.
She sobbed out just two words.
"I'm sorry..."
"Huh?"
"..."
The apology was because she felt she failed to be a good wife. She was too useless.
"Hold on, your mouth is covered in mud right now..."
"..."
She didn't care.
Elisa just wanted a normal kiss, looking at Silas's helpless face. She leaned on his chest, not caring if everyone else was watching or listening.
"I... like you."
"Why not love?"
"..."
Idiot.
There's no difference. Elisa was already exhausted; she relaxed completely, leaning against Silas's chest, listening to his heartbeat, and closed her eyes.
"..."
Silas stroked her hair, which was stained with blood, rough and gritty.
He looked around at the people filled with kindness and smiles.
"Leitman, would you say the current Elisa counts as an Empress?"
"...Hiss, the Duke is right. I've never seen Her Majesty cry. I don't know, I don't remember anything."
Leitman quickly turned around.
"Haha... Her Majesty is so merciful, she'd probably only punish Leitman by making him sweep the trash, right?"
"Get lost. My ribs and shoulders are hacked up; at the very least I'll become a Viscount of the new dynasty. You guys better think about how far you can be promoted; remember who you're talking to."
"My stomach was bitten twice! Should I be a Count?!"
"..."
For the first time in a long while, the Holy City had a clear, sunny day. The residents wore smiles. Tumbleweeds were plentiful, but it required making the Living Dead carry them here, utilizing their inexplicable obsession with the Holy City to make them gather and kill each other.
In the process, to lure them into following him to the tumbleweed areas and then leading them back here... Silas had spent all his regular simulation attempts plus two free simulations.
It was quite the flex, purely for the sake of the growing inferno outside the city. A sacrifice unknown to anyone?
But it was all worth it.
Just feeling the curves pressed against his chest and the slight rise and fall of her breathing. And the face that became smooth again after he wiped it with his finger.
"Alright, Leitman."
"There will definitely still be scattered Living Dead; don't let your guard down. Once you've rested enough, wait for me and we'll finish them all together."
"Right now, I need to take care of the Empress."
"..."
Cradling Elisa's buttocks, he could feel the incredible elasticity even through her trousers. Silas didn't find her heavy at all; she was quite light.
So.
He didn't know exactly when he started thinking she was... indeed very cute. It must have been agonizing, making that difficult choice to face death alone.
Mmh, I'll really test if my marksmanship can result in a 100% pregnancy rate as a reward for her.