Our Real Enemies

Bracing myself, I began to move without wasting any time.

I grabbed the wrist of the guy who had a knife to my throat and I used technique from a fighting game and threw him from behind over my shoulder. He was surprisingly light.

Afterward, I quickly turned to the guy who was holding Maria and punched him before hugging Maria and throwing her skirt up, an action that startled her.

When I saw my hope, I quickly grabbed it, unholstering her pistol and aiming it straight at Luis. That was only the moment when he turned around and tried to pull out his own gun but he was a step too late.

I already made a split-second decision, fueled with rage and resolve, that I can kill. When I pulled the trigger, the gunshot resounded and pierced a hole in Luis' forehead.

Take that, you son of a bitch! However, it wasn't the time to be relieved so I scanned the surroundings and found out that the guards had also begun to retaliate. 

Since the range was close, they started a melee battle before preparing the guns.

I was a bit relieved that they caught up to my actions. Heck, one of them even gave me a thumbs-up, just shoot already dude!

Dragging Maria along with me, I approached the mother and daughter who already managed to arm themselves.

"Dress up, I'll cover you!"

""Thanks!""

I told them to dress up before aiming the pistol at the mercenaries before shooting and killing them. Maria also seemed to have recovered and helped the two.

It was chaos but it was also something that I expected. Now that Luis was gone, their whole command fell apart. They're just... cowards? No, dependent would be more appropriate.

In the military, superiors or even field commanders possess absolute authority. And insubordination would most likely result in a heavy punishment. That's why ordinary soldiers were often dependent on their leader. 

I'm sure mercenaries were a bit loose in that regard, independent mercenaries, that is. A mercenary company, which I guess that Luis' was, is a group that is either affiliated with a company or a political party. Some also function like independent mercenaries but they still have some sort of management.

That's why I assumed that they had undergone similar training to military soldiers. Where following orders is their golden rule, and I was right.

The mercenaries eventually got cornered and some only chose to retreat but when I saw them, I realized that my anger was still there. So I shouted my first order. 

"Root them out! Don't let even a single one of them escape!"

"""""Yes, sir!!!"""""

The guards simultaneously responded, which surprised me a bit.

When I turned to the three, the mother and daughter were already dressed and Maria, the maid, was looking at me quite complicatedly. 

Aunt Amelie spoke first.

"Ara ara, it seems that Leon's action earlier had motivated them to the point where they now look up to you."

"Really? I don't think I did that much though. If they didn't catch on quickly, then none of that would have mattered."

"But if you didn't do that, then they wouldn't have had the chance to retaliate anyway. Leon's wit and bravery is what led us to this situation."

"I see..."

I scratched my head at Aunt's explanation. Certainly, even I can understand that much. After that, Claire interjected at our conversation with a hint of worry.

"I'd also like to praise Leon for an hour or two but unfortunately, we haven't settled anything yet. There are still mercenaries alive outside and the sound would likely attract the undead. We can't stay here any longer. Mom?"

"Yes, you two prepare your things, Maria and I will-"

Aunt tried to get away but I didn't let her. I grabbed her shoulder and glared at her. It made her shrink back a little.

"I will take command, you and Claire will prepare our things."

"But-"

"No buts! I told you already, I won't leave you behind if something like that did happen. I'm sure those men would also understand. And besides, I already started inspiring them, keeping the momentum up would be my job from now."

"..."

I talked to Aunt Amelie as if I was scolding a child who was stubbornly upholding their opinion. But I couldn't care less now, if I don't make an effort here, then the same thing as her will happen again.

Unfortunately, Aunt, your resolve wasn't as strong as Clarisse, so I'm confident that I can stop you.

"I won't accept any objections. Hell, I would drag you unconscious if that's what it takes."

"..."

"Pfft! HAHAHAHA, he got you, Mom!"

The moment I said those, Aunt Amelie turned silent as I stared at her but Claire's laugh interrupted the mood that was building up.

"Haah... Alright, but at least bring Maria with you, we will also prepare hers."

"Good... Err... Let's go, Maria..."

"Fufu, yes, my lord."

As she said that, Aunt took Claire by hand and pulled her towards upstairs. I called out to Maria in the meantime, albeit hesitantly.

My lord? Fufu? Hold on, ms. maid, I think you were stuttering. Maria said some strange things but I ignored them forcefully and walked outside of the mansion with Maria in tow.

The moment I saw some mercenaries, I quickly shot them without them being able to react. It seems that Maria also picked up an assault rifle that was dropped by one of them.

Are they the last? No, some might have managed to escape but... Let's hold on to that for now, we've got bigger problems.

Thinking of that, I approached a gathering of the guards and they saluted me before I asked one of them.

"Is that all of them?"

"Sir, some might have escaped but..."

"I see, keep your guard up in case they return but don't pursue them. We've got more problems with the dead after all..."

"Yes, sir!"

That guard nodded and gathered the others before relaying my words to the others.

After that, I climbed at one of the watchtowers and looked at the road ahead. I was taken aback by what was walking there.

Hundreds? Thousands? They're like demons from hell that were marching to take over the surface and use humans as livestock to fuel themselves. Ok, maybe that wasn't much of a joke than I thought.

Anyway, there were also more of those, the sprinting ones that we encountered yesterday. Because they were running faster, it looked like they were leading an assault. Hmm... sprinting? Alright!

"Hey, everyone!"

I shouted as I looked below, we're doomed with all those approaching already, shouting at this point wouldn't do anything.

"You remember those sprinting Undead from yesterday? Well, let's call them sprinters! Anyway, there's more of them approaching here, so get ready!"

Hold on, what was I saying? Get ready? This place is already doomed, even Aunt and I were going to run away but I'm telling them to fight? No, I should probably...

"It's alright, my lord."

"Eh?"

Someone took my hand and it was filled with warmth. Of course, there was only one person beside me and that's Maria.

"All of them and me are subordinates of the Madame and the Monsieur since we were children. The master was already gone but his legacy lives on in this very house. That's why, these people, and me included, are ready to put our lives on the line and protect this place. Even if we might not succeed, our choice would be enough to keep our pride."

The moment she said that I looked at the men below. Some were old men, there were middle-aged men, and finally, some were as young as Jean. They were all smiling while looking back at me as if to say 'Don't worry'.

So human emotion can still be beautiful even in this world, huh? Smiling at them as well, I turned to Maria and pleaded.

"Then, how about you, are you fine with throwing away that pride and coming with us?"

"!?!?"

When I held Maria's hand, it twitched but I wasn't sure if it was my action or my words that startled her. When she looked up at me, I nearly thought that her eyes comically sparkling before she spoke.

"...Yes... If it's for my lor- Ehem, for the Madame, I am prepared."

"...Huh? Oh, well, great!"

I was taken aback both by her expression and the way she tried to correct herself. I'm one hell of a womanizer, huh? Even though I'm just average, how the hell do I keep doing this?

"It's like a marriage proposal!"

"Ahh, such a shame, I should've made a move on Miss Maria before...!!!"

"You idiot... But this is beautiful indeed."

The men looked at us with warm eyes, some were even jealously but playfully admitted it. They were acting as if they were not about to go into a death battle.

Was that their way of coping? Or perhaps they were really prepared? Well, I don't care which is which, just that... I respect them, truly.

"Zomb- undead!!! Err, sprinter incoming!"

One of the gatekeepers shouted. The way he tried to correct himself was kinda funny, but now I realize that in hindsight, my naming sense was pretty simple. Eh? Isn't this kind of embarrassing!?

Nevermind that!

"Someone get me a rifle!"

"Sir!"

"Thanks...!?"

When I said that, one of them quickly got near the watchtower and handed me an AK-47. I grabbed it but when I was about to shoot, I heard gunshots back inside the mansion.

"Please go."

"Maria?"

When I looked back, Maria spoke. However, I was hesitant. Still, she was Maria so she quickly reassured me.

"If this part gets overrun, I will go inside."

"...Alright, our escape route will be at the back of the mansion. We'll rendezvous at the courtyard at the back... I- We'll be waiting."

"...Understood."

I felt like I just raised a flag, a deadly flag but... No, such jokes are inappropriate. That's right, it's Maria, after all, there's no need to worry. I may not have known her for long but I know I can believe in her.

It's... gut feeling? Ahahaha. I hope everything turns out alright. I thought of that as I ran back inside the mansion as fast as I could.