Chapter 24: The King

The tide of zombies seemed endless. Each one I struck down was replaced by another, advancing in an undying wave. Adrenaline surged through my veins, pushing thought to the background and letting instinct take over. In that moment, I was not just a fighter; I was a relentless killing machine.

Dea's voice broke through the haze of combat, a sharp contrast to the chaotic scene around me. "Master, we need to close the gate. Once that's done, we can systematically eliminate the zombies inside and search for survivors."

Distractedly, as I sliced through another zombie, I responded, "Good idea. Do you know how to close it? Because I'm a little preoccupied at the moment." My laughter, tinged with madness, echoed eerily. "Can't get enough of this workout!"

"Do you want me to play some music to keep you motivated?" Dea offered.

"That would be perfect!" I said, grinning.

The thumping beats of "Unstoppable" resonated in my brain, perfectly matching the rhythm of my movements.

🎶 'I put my armor on, show you how strong I am

I put my armor on, I'll show you that I am

Yeah, yeah' 🎶

The deadly dance of combat was intoxicating. The sheer number of zombies was daunting, but their low-level abilities made them more fodder than threat. Each time I purified one, a rush of energy revitalized me, reminiscent of downing an energy drink after intense exertion.

🎶 'I'm unstoppable

I'm a Porsche with no brakes

I'm invincible

Yeah, I win every single game' 🎶

With each swing, each evasive move, I reveled in the sensation of being alive and in control, feeling every cell in my body working in harmony.

🎶 'I'm so powerful

I don't need batteries to play

I'm so confident

Yeah, I'm unstoppable today

Unstoppable today

Unstoppable today' 🎶

"Follow the green line to our objective," instructed Dea as a glowing trail materialized before me.

Energized, I advanced toward the castle gate, with Dea providing a real-time update of the locking mechanisms through my headset's display. A series of massive, rusted chains and pulleys loomed, their purpose to fortify the entrance.

Zombies—once soldiers, workers, chefs—shambled toward me, with the former soldiers' movements hinting at faded military precision.

A sudden alert from Dea prompted me to sidestep a plummeting figure. A zombie, that in life had been a chef, clutched a meat cleaver. I continued forward, dispatching it neatly and continuing my ascent to the gatehouse.

Ascending the tower was a grim task, as undead foes barred my path. Yet my twin katanas dispatched them with lethal grace. At the tower's peak, a heavy lever awaited. I yanked it down, the gates swinging closed with a resonant clang of chains.

Panting, I reached out to Dea, "Status report?"

"Approximately 170 zombies remain outside," she replied. "Your efforts have significantly reduced their numbers, but the count within the castle walls remains unknown."

A steely resolve gripped me. "We'll clear every last one. They're just waiting to be put out of their misery."

The battle raged on, the grand ballroom's backdrop and the opulent gardens setting a stark contrast to the carnage. Every step, every swing was guided by Dea, whose timely advice proved invaluable.

"But what truly astonished me was what I discovered upon opening a small shed used for storing animal feed: three unclothed zombies, one woman, and two men. I dispatched them with ease, but the scene compelled me to pose a question to Dea. "Did they engage in a threesome then three of them turn into zombies? Or was it that when the woman turned into a zombie, the two men restrained her, and rape her, then they too were turned?"

"Master, after examining their remains, it appears the woman and one man were intimate before the third individual, already a zombie, attacked the man, resulting in his transformation. But while the guy turned into zombies and his body was shaking so much, it successfully made the woman reach orgasme before he bite the woman," Dea reported, assessing the residual evidence.

I recoiled in disgust, "This makes me nauseous."

"Master, you sought an explanation, and I have provided it," Dea replied.

Finally, we neared the servants' quarters. Hushed voices reached my ears, a sign of life amidst death. Dea's analysis was swift: "I count fifteen life signatures, Master."

The door creaked open, revealing a makeshift sanctuary from the chaos outside. The room buzzed with activity. Gardeners, chambermaids, and kitchen helpers had ingeniously converted the space using anything they could find. Beds were transformed into barricades, and pots and pans dangled from strings, serving as alarms.

In the midst of this bustling refuge stood someone who resembled a head housekeeper. Time had etched exhaustion onto her features, but her back was straight, her eyes determined. "By the heavens! We thought rescue was but a dream."

"We've made the castle safe," I assured her. "Stay put for now, and we'll be back." With that, I slipped away.

Navigating the castle's shadowy corridors, Dea's sensors detected faint heartbeats emanating from a chamber close to the royal library. The bolted door signified survivors huddled inside.

"Announce our presence," I murmured.

Dea's gentle, robotic voice echoed, "This is Dea, and I'm with my master. You can come out; you're safe."

The suffocating silence that followed was eventually shattered by suppressed sobs. Gradually, the door opened, revealing three weary souls: an ink-smudged scribe, a seamstress whose fingers still clung to her sewing tools, and a pageboy in a dirt-smudged uniform.

Their eyes, once lost in despair, now sparkled with a tinge of hope. The pageboy stepped forward, his voice shaky. "When the chaos began, we took refuge here. Miss Adele, with her quick thinking, fortified our hideout with drapes and furniture."

Miss Adele, a striking young woman, added, "We rationed whatever little food we had, praying for salvation."

Impressed, I nodded. "Your resourcefulness is admirable. You're no longer on your own. Together, we stand stronger." I instructed them to remain secure and promised to return, then continued my search through the castle's hidden nooks and crannies, finding survivors in the most unexpected places.

Upon entering the king and queen's opulent chamber, a heartbreaking sight confronted me. The royal couple lay lifeless, their faces grotesquely transformed by the zombie curse, yet their regal attire remained untouched.

Swallowing hard, I mused, "Dea, do you reckon these clothes could fetch a good price?"

"Master," Dea's reply came softly, "in a world overrun by zombies, wealth holds little meaning."

I sighed, acknowledging the truth in her words. "Right. Old habits die hard."

From a shadowed corner, Eliana emerged, her face an unreadable mask. The burden of her sorrow was nearly tangible, filling the room with a solemn air. I felt a surge of empathy for her and was about to express it when she preempted me with her firm declaration.

"They're gone, Apostle," she said, her voice steady. "The future of the kingdom now lies in my hands. Our focus must shift to the living."

I replied with gentle affirmation, "Alright."

Her composure was unbroken, a testament to the chilling reality of having no heart or feelings.

Dea's voice cut through the somber atmosphere with clarity, "I have identified thirty-five survivors, mostly maids and servants, hidden throughout the castle. I will guide you to them."

Eliana cast her gaze toward the survivors' locations. "They are what's left of the castle's once-vibrant life."

"Organize them," I commanded, my eyes methodically sweeping the area to ensure no undead lurked in the shadows. "I will not rest until we have eliminated every last zombie. I plan to make my bed here tonight."

With Dea at my side, I pressed on, ensuring the castle was free of any remaining zombies.

Throughout the ordeal, Eliana displayed commendable leadership, lifting the survivors' spirits with stirring words and coordinating the rehabilitation of the castle. Thanks to Dea's technological expertise and our collective effort, we managed to implement minor enhancements to the castle, strengthening its defenses and optimizing the systems.

Rooms found new purposes, and the once-besieged castle now stood as a beacon of life amidst a world in decay.

One tranquil evening, as the sun cast a warm glow over the castle's stone façade, Eliana and I shared a quiet moment on a balcony overlooking the rejuvenated gardens.

"At the onset of this apocalypse, I believed our world had met its end," Eliana mused, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "Yet, seeing what we've accomplished in such a short time... it has rekindled my faith in humanity."

I offered a silent nod of agreement.

Her eyes meeting mine, Eliana introduced a new proposition. "This castle, grand as it is, has room for more survivors. We should consider expanding, reaching out for others. We could build a flourishing community here, a true sanctuary."

I reflected on her suggestion. With Dea's advanced capabilities and our combined knowledge, we could feasibly map territories, secure resources, and identify other groups of survivors "Alright."

A hopeful smile appeared on Eliana's face. "Then let's strive to make Isolade a beacon of hope."

I paused, "While I cherish our sanctuary, protected by the True Source..."

Eliana interjected, "This castle has its own protective barrier, which hasn't been activated in some time. It seems the zombie outbreak originated from within. Once we fully secure it, there will be no safer place than here."

I sighed. "We'll assess our options later. Right now, I crave a hearty meal and a restful sleep. Let's pick up this conversation tomorrow."

I had once been merely a survivor of the warzone, able to sleep anywhere—from the jungle floor to the confines of a tiny box. Settling into the super-large bed would, of course, take no effort. With Dea always on standby, vigilantly surveilling our surroundings, slipping into sleep was almost too easy. A mere touch of the bed whisked me away into dreamland.

Abruptly, the morning arrived, and I was enveloped in the chaos of maids bustling about. Strong hands guided me, insistently ushering me into a bath. I was then swiftly dressed, tugged and adjusted from every angle.

Before I could fully comprehend the whirlwind of activity, I found myself in the grand ballroom. Seated upon an ornate throne, I was met with a sea of bowing figures. Their voices lifted in harmony, "Long live the king!"

'Am I still dreaming? If I am dreaming, why only a few pretty girls here on my castle?'

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