The Horde from the Valley
The paladins pitched camp in the valley. They formed a thick wall of shields at the entrance, with me, Ludia, and Mari standing behind it.
"A-Are you nervous, Huu-nim...?"
I'd never even held a sword before, let alone fought with one. So facing a battle like this, I should have felt tense or scared.
Ugh? (I'm surprisingly okay?)
Maybe because I'm already a zombie who'd died once? My mood and my body felt no different from usual.
"I'm fine. Zombies and such... no, no, not you, Huu-nim, I mean the..."
Ludia was trembling enough for both of us. She muttered to herself, eyes fixed on the valley entrance. Had she really hunted monsters before? She already seemed half out of her mind before it even started.
"The scouts will be back soon! Get ready!"
"...! Y-Yes! I'll do my best, Mari!"
Mari's sharp command snapped Ludia back to her senses a bit. Standing ahead of us, she was tasked with guarding Ludia. The rest of the paladins adjusted their helmets and gripped their weapons at the entrance.
Ugh. (We're at the very back, Ludia. Calm down. It won't even reach our turn.)
"Huu... I can do this. I can do it."
We're at the very back, and they said even though there were a lot, they were just trash mobs that would end quickly anyway.
...No, better than bursting into tears and saying she didn't want to do it, I guess?? She's just so damn cowardly.
"Huu-nim, if you run away, can I come with you?? You can't go alone!"
"...."
And shameless to boot. Don't say "run away" with such a determined look on your face.
I sighed where she couldn't see.
"The scout has returned!!!"
Just as I was watching Ludia lose her composure two or three more times, a shout came from the front.
"Everyone, retreat!! Retreat!!!!!!!"
But the scout's voice echoed desperately through the valley.
"The monsters aren't normal!! They're too strong!"
Far from where Ludia was, in a certain forest, Amelia sat quietly under the shade of a tree, sipping tea.
"It's all over!"
The paladin in white armor approached her and knelt before her. His armor, wrapped in holy symbols, was stained with blood and dirt, but his expression looked much lighter.
"You've worked hard. Now the people can live without worrying about monsters."
Amelia placed her hand on the paladin's head and gave a brief blessing. A moved smile spread across his face.
"It's all thanks to you, Amelia-nim. Because you blessed us..."
"No. It's all due to your hard work, Sir Paladin. Our family has prepared a small token of appreciation for you knights, humble as it is. Please accept it."
"Thank you, Saintess-nim!"
Her gentle voice and the reward lifted the paladin's spirits. He even naturally called the candidate "Saintess."
And once his mouth was loose, it wouldn't shut.
"There were a lot of zombies, but no casualties at all. The branch manager will be thrilled."
"I see."
"I guarantee it—it'll completely overshadow Ludia-nim's achievements!"
The paladin grinned widely. But Amelia's face stiffened slightly at the last words.
"Oh dear..."
"Pardon???"
"I'm worried about Ludia..."
"Ludia-nim?"
"We've finished safely here, but I hope she doesn't get hurt..."
"...Ah."
The paladin felt like he'd committed a sin under her worried gaze. How could he burden the ever-thoughtful Amelia-nim with worries?
It felt like his duty to reassure her.
"Don't worry, Amelia-nim. Mari-nim is with them."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. And though not as strong as us... the ones there aren't weaklings. They can more than handle a zombie horde. Hahaha!!"
"That's a relief, then."
Amelia's lips curved up slightly at the paladin's words.
"I hope everyone... returns safely."
She uttered the insincere words with a kind smile.
It was just one moment.
Kraaaah!!! S-Save meee!!!! Grraaaarrr!!!
From the narrow valley entrance, a black swarm of zombies poured out. Bloodshot red eyes, bulging veins—an grotesque sight unlike the weak monsters the paladins knew.
"Damn it! Hold the shield wall!!!"
"Block them!! If it breaks, we're done!!!"
Desperate shouts. They hid their fear behind shields and stood firm, but
Kwaaaang!!!! Kraaaah...!!!
The zombies' power was beyond expectation. Paladins flew back still clutching their shields from the first clash. The zombies didn't miss the gap and surged in.
"Kyaaak!! Mari!!"
"Ludia-nim! I'm fine!! Stay calm and channel your Holy Power!!!"
Paladins fell to the zombies' blows. Some were thrown aside, others had their heads crushed in their helmets. A few fought bravely, wrapped in Holy Power, but
"No way!! The sword's lodging in it!! How can these things resist Holy Power...!!"
"Grraaaarrr--!!!"
Splat..!
The zombies' bodies brought despair.
"Huu-nim!!!!"
Ugh. (What, Mari!)
Blood and flesh sprayed before my eyes. Screams drowned out the paladins' battle cries, the zombies' roars growing thicker. The tide was heavily against us.
Normally, I'd have run, but
"Protect Ludia-nim! I'll go rebuild the shield wall!"
Nod.
I still stood there. Not from tension, fear, or despair crushing me, but from an inexplicable familiarity.
"Huu-nim! I-I! I'll use Holy Power! Protect me!"
Ludia's body was consumed by fear. Her big eyes already brimmed with tears, shoulders shaking, lips bitten. But like a tiny light in a storm that can't be hidden,
Her eyes sparkled, refusing to look away from the carnage.
Like the true protagonist of this novel, not Amelia.
Grraaaarrr---!!!!
Two zombies charged toward us through the chaos, baring fangs and claws as they leaped at Ludia.
"Huu-nim!!! Kyaaak!!!"
Just seconds before their slashing claws reached her.
Ugh. (This much is nothing.)
Shiiiing---!!!!
But to me, everything about them was slow.
The moment the zombies burst from the valley, I felt a strange sensation.
Ughhh...? (Time... is slowing down?)
Everything looked like slow motion.
"Protect Ludia-nim! I'll go rebuild the shield wall!"
Up to then, Mari's movements were fine. But as she rushed toward the battle, she slowed like the others.
Ugh. (That's...)
She's not doing it on purpose. Mari was swinging her sword with all her might right now, brows furrowed, blood and flesh spraying the instant it connected.
Just like during our nightly training sessions, when she'd moved slowly for me.
Ughhh? (Is it just me who's fine?)
That time, Mari hadn't been holding back on purpose.
I didn't know why, but in this situation, it was a damn useful ability.
"Huu-nim! I-I! I'll use Holy Power! Protect me!"
And it felt familiar. This atmosphere, this entire situation.
As if my body had thousands of battles etched into it.
Plus the skill to wield a sword decently,
"Huu-nim!!! Kyaaak!!!"
Shiiiing---!!!!
I drew a line in the air with my sword. Toward the two leaping zombies.
No need to prepare or gauge. Just familiarly. Naturally.
Thud thud!
Two thick slabs of zombie jerky, sliced. The dismembered chunks fell to the ground in one swing.
"Huu-nim!!!"
Ludia's eyes lit up brightly. Her lips even curved into a big smile.
Urk urk. (Ludia! Hurry and use your Holy Power or whatever!)
Who knew she could smile at me like that? Seeing her face, I felt a bit pumped and naturally gave her a thumbs up.
The enemies' momentum only grew fiercer.
"This isn't like the initial report! There are too many!"
Mari finally bellowed out loud, unable to hold back. Slash, stab, kick. But no end in sight.
"Hold formation!!!"
"Stay together!!"
Half the paladins were already chunks of meat. The survivors fought desperately, but time wasn't on their side.
"Damn it!"
Mari bit her lip and swung her sword. If only she had more Holy Power! If only she were stronger! She was furious at being pushed back by zombies.
"Everyone, get down!"
Kwa-gaga-gak!!!
After Ludia's shout, sharp pillars of light rained from the battlefield sky. Heads, torsos, shoulders of rampaging zombies—wherever they pierced, rotten flesh burned instantly.
"As expected!"
"Long live Ludia-nim!!"
Ludia's Holy Power was as potent as ever. Zombies engulfed in flames turned to ash before they could move. The paladins' fading morale reignited.
"Sorry!! My condition's off, it took time!!"
Ludia shouted with regret.
"You heard her?!! Hold on! Just buy time for Ludia-nim's Holy Power!!"
Not great news. But it was the only hope for those in the melee.
And their will to protect that hope was strong.
"Mari-nim! Go protect Ludia-nim! We'll hold here!"
One paladin yelled to Mari.
But
"That's enough! Huu-nim is all we need!"
She already knew Huu's skill. Even without looking at the zombie jerky piled before Ludia.
"But alone...!"
"Don't worry about it! Block here!!! Behind!!!"
Frustrating, but his swordsmanship was already absolute. Memories of desperate charges feeling like child's play to him surfaced.
How far did his limits go? Was Huu perhaps one of the three swordmasters on the continent? But why hide his identity?
Even as she swung wildly, the questions wouldn't fade.
Grraaaarrr---!!!!
"??!!"
The knights blocked ahead, Ludia unleashed Holy Power sporadically. Things were improving bit by bit when suddenly the zombies howled in unison.
"Th-These bastards!!!"
"They're all coming at once!!!"
"Damn! Where were these hiding!!"
Hundreds more zombies than before charged from the valley, kicking up dust clouds. Even the originals halted their assault to wait.
"Damn!!"
No hope in sight. Mari whipped her head around.
"Huu-nim! Take Ludia-nim and run!!"
Huu could definitely get Ludia out. Mari shouted, prepared to sacrifice, but
"Huh??!"
He stepped forward, gripping his sword, unmoving.
Grraaaar--!!
"Ah!! Zombies behind!!"
A few zombies slipped through the paladins' shield wall to the rear.
"Huu-nim!!!!!"
Zombies poured out before me like a black, massive mudslide. And the grotesque ones charged faster than before.
Grraa!! (Ludia!! Dodge!!)
"Kyaaak!!"
I have to protect her. The moment I gripped the sword with that single thought,
—Have you made your resolve?
A strange voice echoed in my head.