The Countess Lives Twice in the Apocalypse-Chapter 55: Fifty-four

"Everyone, gather around!" Jannah’s voice had made people turn their attention to her, and walk to her spot, surrounding her.

It’s almost evening, the sun is haven’t set yet, but the sky is already a mix of colors, indicating that nightfall is around the corner.

Your voice is too loud, I can hear you over here. Jeriel commented through their link.

Jannah found out that once she entered someone in the family tree, social bonds, or status, they will automatically get linked to her on one way or another.

Communication using their mind is one of the two amazing things they will get, and the other one is that Jannah could copy two of her skills, active and passive, and give it to the person she have in her party.

Jannah made Jeriel choose what skill she wanted, and Jeriel happily choose [Punisher] and [Regeneration].

Sis, this punisher skill of yours is terrifying— holy hell! It managed to cut off a cabinet in half! No wonder those dead bodies were cut cleanly! This thing can really cut, oh god! Jeriel’s commentary about the performance of the skill made Jannah’s lips twitch.

"I can’t find Lady Jeriel anywhere, my lady." Marco informed her as he walk towards her, a hand placed on his stomach with a sullen look on his eyes.

Jannah only smiled at him, "It’s okay. I know where she is."

The head butler nodded his head, smiling softly towards her and walked to her side, standing slightly to her back, while standing on her other side is Duke Eulicies.

"Alright, listen up." Jannah spoke up with a loud voice, "The sun will set soon, and those things outside will run away to hide. The moment one of them runs away, we will depart for Philipia. Those people who decided to come to us will be given a role once we arrive at the next town, I expect all of you to be in good behavior and won’t cause any trouble."

She eyed the little boy among the crowd, Tico, whose mother was holding him by the shoulders.

"And yes, I know you have a lot of questions regarding my abilities, but I assure you that I will not hurt any of you." Jannah glanced around the crowd with calculating gaze, "I used it to rescue my people, deal with the abusers, and protect them."

The air around them are cold, tense, chilling, and dense. No dared to speak a word. They’re waiting for the Countess to finish speaking and for her to give them permissions to ask, which she immediately catched on.

"I will only answer ten questions." Jannah nodded her head at them, giving them the signal to start asking.

"Would we be safe with you?" A knight raised his hand as he asked, making the Duke step forward and glare at him.

"Diazo." Duke Eulicies glared at him menacingly, the tone on his voice is cold.

Jannah stopped him from walking towards Diazo by holding her arm out and tapping him on the stomach using the back of her hand, keeping her eyes at the knight who asked her a reasonable question.

"Of course." Jannah answered, her voice neutral and calm, "I won’t do anything to hurt my people. Stay loyal to me, and I’ll give you both food, shelter, and protection. A fair trade, if you ask me."

Another knight raised a hand, "How about the leopard and the babies? Would they come with us to Philipia?"

The question made her smile, "Why would I leave my companions here? They were the reason why I managed to sneak in and take down those scumbags. Besides, I don’t think the mother would like it if I try to get away from her, Loren."

Loren returned the smile, "I was just asking to lighten the mood, my lady."

His attempt was in vain though. The next person who raised his hand and said his question out loud had made the temperature drop around them.

"What are you?" Tico glared at her.

Jannah watched as his mother let out a gasp, eyes turning wide before she placed a hand on his mouth, shaking lightly.

"What do you want me to be?" Jannah countered back with a small smile.

That kid is cocky. Jeriel’s voice echoed in her mind as light footsteps reached her ears, she merely shot a glance towards the person who approached her spot.

When she saw that it was just her little sister, she looked back at the little boy.

"For the little boy, I will be his worst nightmare." Jannah continued speaking, her voice have a teasing tone as she look around, "For the rest of you? That depends. I can be your nightmare, too, if you try to get in my way."

"I suggest not getting in her way." Jeriel said, standing beside her, "Things could get ugly."

"Anyways, next question." Jannah redirected the flow of the conversation to another direction, still keeping a smile on her face.

"Where did you put the bodies?" Another little boy asked.

"Somewhere you will never find. So, you don’t have to worry about them anymore." Jannah said with a firm voice, chanting a promise to the stars above that she will never let any children under her jurisdiction to stumble upon the corpse of their abusers.

"Oh." The little boy blinked, before he gave her a small, grateful smile, "I just wanted to know. What you did back in the basement was cool so I know I don’t have to worry about them anymore."

Jannah could let what he said sink into her brain, barely able to process the relief she felt when the child thanked her in a roundabout way.

Don’t cry. Jeriel cooed mentally, raising her hand to touch her big sister’s back. I could feel you getting chummy, you know? I could also see those waterworks turning.

Shut up. Jannah playfully hissed towards her, keeping her eyes on the little boy who hid behind a little girl who was a bit taller than him.

"I, I know you helped us.. But, did.. Did you see our mother?" The little girl asked, her voice small, and quiet, but loud enough for the wind to carry it to her ears. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"What does she look like?" Jeriel shot back softly, "I’ll make sure to keep an eye out."

"Papa said that I looked like her.. She has brown hair and yellow eyes like mine.. She has those freckles, and she— she has brown skin, too." The little girl bit her lip, as if she’s trying her best to hold her tears back.

From the description the little girl gave her, Jannah recalled her encounter with the young woman she saw at the town’s hall. That woman stormed out of the office after an argument with the man she killed.

Speaking of which, she hasn’t seen the young woman after that encounter.

She probably chased after the Baron in charge of this place. She was screaming on that man inside the office that she needs to talk with that nobleman. Jeriel informed Jannah, patting her in the back.

So, we’re not sure if she’s alive or not? Jannah lets out a sigh through her nose, "I know her. She was alive before sunrise, she probably went somewhere because I didn’t see her anywhere."

Despite not being assured if she’s alive or not, the little girl’s eyes brightened up with life, "Thank you, my lady."

Jannah nodded her head, looking away from the little girl.

Seeing that no one raised their hands, Jannah cheered in the back of her mind, making Jeriel cough out and cover her mouth with her fist, looking away from the crowd.

"Looks like there’s no more questions." Jannah spoke up and pointed a finger at the carriage, "There’s still spaces there, place your belongings in there, but don’t bring too much. We can always go back here to scavenge."

The crowd dispersed, making Jannah let out a sigh of relief.

"Are you really going to take those women join our group?" Duke Eulicies asked Jannah after waiting for everyone to do their own thing.

"Yes." Jannah shot him a glance, "I interviewed half of them and found out what kind of skills they have. Guess what kind of people we’re about to have in the group."

Duke Eulicies blinked owlishly and sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, "I don’t know."

"A hunter, a herbalist, a blacksmith, a shooter who uses both guns and bow, a doctor, a cook, and a person who specializes in listening to people’s problem." Jannah listed the women’s specialization, counting in her fingers.

"A doctor and a herbalist?" Jeriel’s voice was dripping with amazement and bewilderment, "You really have a talent for choosing people, huh?"

"Don’t forget the fact that I refused to save them before." Jannah looked at her little sister, a look of dejection crossing her eyes for a moment, upset with herself, "I would have accepted them as my people whether they have an expertise or not."

You told me that you were betrayed by a trash, and I understand that, so don’t beat yourself up, okay? Jeriel gave her a pat on the back.

Jannah’s lips twitches upwards, feeling a bit upbeat and relieved knowing that her little sister will back her up no matter the circumstances.

"The zombies are retreating!" A shout from the watchtower echoed in the air.

"Guess we’re going to depart sooner than expected." Jeriel said as she placed a hand on her hip.