My permission was granted, and under the leadership of the butler and the steward, a party was held to celebrate our first victory over the zombies.

Originally intended to be a modest party, it ultimately turned into a grand celebration that was boisterous, perhaps because it also included dinner.

“To the Duke of Keaton’s victory!”

“To the victory!”

If the zombie apocalypse had not occurred, the invited nobles would have gathered in the hall to dance a refined waltz, but here, with only myself and the servants present, the formalities were simplified.

‘It feels just like a company dinner.’

In the banquet hall, the servants huddled together by the long dining table, guzzling beer. Aside from beer, there was no shortage of other spirits like wine and champagne, which had been stacked up in the mansion.

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

“Ha, look here, you! It’s brought out because the Duke gave permission for us to eat and drink. No need to worry!”

“When will we ever get to drink such precious liquor?”

Hesitant before the expensive alcohol, the servants gained courage when they heard I had permitted it and took big servings.

‘After all, it’s just alcohol. It’s not something essential for survival.’

Alcohol suitable for disinfection had to be over 70 proof, and only the strong liquor would suffice.

Even then, due to the risk of bacterial infection, it wasn’t recommended, so everything except the highly toxic alcohol was poured out for this party.

The servants who attended the party mostly enjoyed the food and liquor with high spirits.

The smell of chicken roasted to a golden brown in the oven, a fairly fresh vegetable salad set out before it wilted, steamed seafood soaked in a sweet and salty sauce.

Add to that the alcohol to relieve the tension that had been on a knife’s edge, and the laughter blossomed among the servants after a long time.

As I had told Lina, I sat at the distant head seat, focused on eating my share of the food while watching the servants.

A few servants who were drunk opened up about their true feelings.

“I was very worried after the previous Duke of Keaton passed away tragically to those zombie things… but it was just a false alarm.”

“That’s right. I also doubted the Duke before, but now it’s different. I think that if it’s the Duke, he will surely come up with a plan to escape even from this hellish transformed capital city.”

‘The evaluation from the servants isn’t bad.’

‘…Yeah.’

I felt proud. I barely suppressed a smile that wanted to rise, and I rewarded myself with a bite of the mediumrare steak that I loved.

The steak, cooked to near perfection, was delicious, as were the garnishes of grilled asparagus, mashed pineapple, and potatoes.

Thanks to the chef’s dedication, and the added joy of defeating the zombies, the melting meal naturally led to a humming tune.

‘It’s delicious.’

‘Wow, even the possessor’s handler is stealing my food.’

‘Who’s stealing? Let’s eat together! Ahem, anyway, I’m also a character who contributed to this victory!’

Yeah, yeah, sure.

Even though it doesn’t need to eat as a transcendental being, why does it have such a big appetite?

Indignant, Zero targeted the pineapple. It also enjoyed the spicy oil pasta filled with shrimp, eating it with gusto.

‘A luxurious last supper.’

‘Stop that ominous talk of “last.”‘

‘Why? It’s true. From tomorrow, we’ll have to work that mage, Lus, to the bone to gather food.’

‘Well, that’s true.’

Nom nom. I finished my delicious dinner, filling myself until I was full.

Thanks to Zero’s hearty appetite, the many plates were emptied quickly.

‘So, planning to go outside to get the food means you’re thinking of going outside now?’

‘Well, yeah.’

We can’t stay in this mansion forever.

Even if the magic barrier inside is safe, it too was a temporary shield that would end when the mana stones ran out.

‘To survive, we need to go outside and gather survivors like us, band together, and defeat those zombies.’
To return home, I needed not only to survive but to completely eradicate the zombies from this world.

In order to do that, I had to move outside, using Duke Keaton’s base as a foothold.

Despite the unknown risks that might lurk.

As that thought came to mind, anxiety surged, and I couldn’t help but stop my fork.

I hated the loathsome anxiety that filled the empty pit of my hungry stomach.

I scraped the plate clean, leaving the rest for Zero, and stood up.

“Why did you stop eating all of a sudden?”

“Don’t know. I just don’t want to eat anymore. You eat all you want.”

“Hmph. Fine with me……. Let’s go together! It seems I shouldn’t leave you alone right now.”

“Suit yourself.”

At my words, Zero quickly flew to perch comfortably on my shoulder.

As I rose to go outside, the servants enjoying the party rushed to stop me.

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

“And wine too! There’s lots of the wine you like, so it’d be a shame if you didn’t drink it and left.”

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