There was only a roughly made wooden cross standing in front of this small grave.

The owner of this small grave was none other than the Crown Prince, Louis, who had become a zombie and died.

“The owner of this grave is the late Crown Prince, who turned into a zombie and died.”

What did you say?

Th-that’s impossible…

The Crown Prince turned into that dreadful monster and died?

Unbelievable. How could such a tragedy…
The dazzling light and pillar of the Kaladia Empire, the Crown Prince, were shaken by the news that he had died as a common zombie.

The reactions expressing disbelief were understandable.

I gestured towards Ashton, Michael, Ruth, and Benedict.

“Since it’s obvious you won’t believe me, I regretfully ask for a momentary excuse to prove it.”

What? Lady Kitten, what on earth are you trying to do…

“Miss Ruth, Mr. Benedict. Could you please carefully lift the coffin from this grave to avoid any damage to the body?”

What, what?

Are you insane?

Are you saying you will show us the corpse now?

Despite the protests from the regional lords, I ignored them.

Ruth and Benedict nodded in response to my request.

They, too, exuded a glamorous presence comparable to Ashton.

“Of course.”

“That should be easy.”

The two close friends divided their roles and carefully lifted the coffin containing the Crown Prince’s body from the grave.

『Earth, reveal the coffin where the dead rest for a moment.』

【O coffin where the deceased rests, show yourself to the living.】

As they chanted the magic spell and command, the white coffin containing the Crown Prince’s body slowly appeared in front of us.

The lid of the coffin opened by itself, revealing the Crown Prince’s body with a hole in his forehead.

‘Fortunately, I told Ruth and Benedict in advance to preserve the face of the body to be able to confirm the identity…’

The body of the deceased, who had been a zombie, had the characteristic of rapidly decomposing as soon as its movement ceased.

If it were modern times, identification could be confirmed through methods such as dental records or genetic testing. However, there were no such means here, so it was necessary to prove who this person was through their face.

‘I thought that would work best.’

The expectation was not in vain.

Cr-Crown Prince…

Even if they were regional lords, they couldn’t be unaware of the face of their country’s Crown Prince. Nobles who needed to report to the imperial palace or bestow titles, even if there was no pressing matter, needed to recognize the Emperor or Crown Prince, making it even more essential.

Although the face of Prince Louis, who was the male lead, was somewhat messy due to the period he spent as a zombie, it was still recognizable.

Due to the thorough cleaning of the body, it gave off a strong impression of having died as a human. I personally opened his eyelids to show the regional lords who he was.

“Look at the Crown Prince’s pupils.”

Ugh!

This is blasphemy against the imperial family, Duchess Kitten! How could you…!

The regional lords screamed in horror, covering their eyes. However, I sternly told them to face the reality.

“Open your eyes wide and look. This is our current reality, and it’s hell.”

…

The regional lords, who had swallowed their saliva, slowly lowered their hands, and the pupils of the Crown Prince’s eyes were red.

Red eyes…
His Highness, the Crown Prince, was certainly recognized, but his eyes were not red.

They were a blue sapphire-like blue. With golden hair resembling the Emperor’s. He had a famous appearance even in other countries.

However, to be that red…

Silence filled the air. Seizing the opportunity, I spoke.

“This is evidence that His Highness, the Crown Prince, became a zombie and died. Furthermore, it’s proof that the Empire is in danger.”

…When did His Highness, the Crown Prince, become a zombie?

“Now you seem ready to listen to what I have to say.”

As I spoke with a wry smile, there was only the noisy sound of someone clearing their throat.

Well, even if I were in their shoes, I might not believe it if someone claimed to be a zombie… Nevertheless, receiving skepticism from the living was uncomfortable.

Now that they seemed willing to listen, it was better than nothing.

It was fortunate that my hands, which had touched the Crown Prince’s body, didn’t visibly shake.

‘I didn’t want this either.’

While there was no hesitation in killing zombies, touching someone who had turned back into a corpse was a chilling and terrifying experience.

The coldness emanating from him, now thoroughly chilled, stimulated traumatic memories.

My parents, who had returned due to an accident. My younger self, holding onto them and crying.

The frigid coldness, unrelenting, vividly reminded me of the dreadful memories of crying out desperately for someone to help when the warmth was mercilessly fading away.

I acknowledge Duchess Kitten’s words as correct.

Even though I heard the words I wanted to hear, my head felt like it was spinning.

‘Of all times, why now…’

Someone tried to steady me as I struggled to remain composed.

“Duchess Kitten, are you okay?”

It was Ashton.