The Countess Lives Twice in the Apocalypse-Chapter 63: Sixty-two

Outside the town’s protective wooden walls, the forest was filled with the natural sounds of animals moving through the trees and the rustling of leaves.

These natural sounds were a dark contrast to the sound of shuffling and snarling of the zombies that could still be heard in the distance.

Every now and then, a branch would snap or a twig would break, signaling that something was moving, but whatever it was remained unseen, hidden away.

Although, despite the bad conditions outside, the town within the protective walls bustled with activity as people went about their daily lives.

Children played in the streets, their voices shushed, but cheerful. The town square was crowded with people looking at the wooden billboard after they have cleaned the insides of their houses.

The homes and buildings are made of both cobblestone and wood. Patrols of knights, armed, working, yet still has a smile on their faces, made their way around the interior perimeter, alert for any signs of trouble.

Jannah observed everything and everyone around her as she made her way to the town square where a small stadium was built. She could see the Ebonics couple standing on the platform, whispering something to each other.

She walked through the crowded streets, her head held high with her boots thumping on the solid ground below.

"Look."

"Is that her?"

"Look at her eyes.."

"I heard from Marques that she was retired knight before taking over the Rafel County."

"I heard that she lead the war to victory."

"Look at her face.."

"Is that a sword?"

"Why is she carrying a sword?"

"Can a woman even wield a sword?"

"What does a woman know about a sword? Look at her! She’s as pale as sheets! How is she a knight?"

"Keep it down! Do you want to get thrown in prison, too?"

She can hear the murmurs and whispers. Especially those who said something negative under their breaths, she shot them a glance, staring at them as she passed by.

The people parted before her like the red sea, making way for her proud figure as she strode through the throngs of people.

The sheath of her sword gleamed in the sunlight, a testament to her status and wealth, silently commanding respect from those around her.

She was both a formidable knight and a captivating lady, a rare combination of power and grace. It was clear who she was from her presence alone and the parting crowd is a sign that even if people doesn’t know who she is, they will still make way from her.

She kept walking, making eye contacts with men who looked down on her and doubt her skill.

She approached the stadium slowly, taking her sweet time.

When she finally reached the platform, she ascended the small flight of stairs, Merlot held out his hand to help her with Clara huffing her cheeks out, a irritated look in her eyes.

Jannah accepted Merlot’s assistance, grabbing his hand and continued to step up, finally stepping on the stadium.

"I can’t believe they have the nerve to say those words! Did you hear what those men said to you? The audacity!" Clara narrowed her eyes at the crowd, making them flinch and look away.

"It’s alright." Jannah chuckled and gave her friend a pat on the arm, "I can handle them."

"Be harsh on them." Clara has always been petty and selfish when it comes to taking revenge, and it looks like she doesn’t want those men to be let off the hook without proper consequences.

"I will." Jannah assured her with a light squeeze on the arm.

Clara might have reacted quite harshly and looked like she doubted Jannah yesterday, but Jannah knows from the bottom of her heart that Clara means well.

The Ebonics couple simply wanted to know what happened to the town folks of Rye, but they were under the pressure of the mother leopard’s presence which made them act differently than what they wanted.

"KYAAA!"

A terrified scream made the three noble look at the crowd to see what’s happening.

"A leopard!" A woman screamed, making everyone scatter and start running around to get away from the predator.

Meanwhile, the said predator didn’t pay them any attention and continued on her merry way, every step of her paws are light and quick, making her way to her human companion.

"Meorrawww!" The leopard chuffed loudly, ascending the stairs.

Unlike yesterday, when they were shaking in their clothing, the couple this time remained standing on their spot and waited for the leopard to walk past them, already reassured that she won’t do anything to harm them.

"Where are your cubs?" Jannah placed her hand on the leopard’s head, raising an eyebrow at her as she starts to pet her, "Did you leave them to Duke Zacharias and Jeriel again? You do know that they’re your responsibilities, right?"

"Meoraw!" Came a cheerful response.

"It’s funny how you’re scolding her for leaving her babies to your little sister, but won’t punish her." Clara giggled, hiding behind her husband, but peaking her head over his shoulder to look at Jannah and the leopard.

"She’s disciplined." Jannah defended her companion’s behavior, "And those two are quite fond of the babies."

"Sure." Clara rolled her eyes playfully, a smile on her lips.

The light atmosphere between the two was broken by Merlot, clearing his throat and gesturing towards the crowd, "It’s good that we’re having fun and all, but I think Jannah needs to start her speech. The people are waiting."

"Oh, yeah." Jannah unconsciously agreed and wordlessly walked away from them.

She walked in the middle of the stadium, the mother leopard trailing behind her and mewling quietly, asking for attention.

She settled herself in a comfortable spot, right in the middle and a little near the edge.

She cleaned her throat as she smiled, "First and foremost, before I start, can my dearest knights take away that group?"

Jannah pointed on the group of men she walked past earlier, a very warm and soft smile adorning her pretty face, "Throw them in prison."

"What?!"

"Who are you to do that?!"

"Please, don’t! I don’t know them!"

"I’m not even part of their group!"

"If you throw me in there, I’ll make sure you’ll regret this, woman!"

Their screams are different from each other, but two men stood out for her.

As Arthur, Alejandro, Jeremiah, Polo, Dreidel, and Dreidel grabbed the group away. Jannah raised a hand, successfully stopping the knights from taking another step.

"The men that Polo and Alejandro are holding, put them on a separate cell. Give them water and a small portion of food for today, but the rest? Leave them be." Jannah nodded her towards them, a gesture that gives them permission to continue on their way.

Murmurs and whispers filled the town square, no one is brave enough to ask her why she did that because it was obvious what the reason was.

"Now, those men will come with me in my patrol outside of the wall." Jannah said with a calm voice.

Her words made the crowd let out gasps of horror and shock as they stare at her with wide eyes and mouth agape. Asking themselves how ruthless and cold-hearted she can be.

"I’ll do my best to protect them, but I can’t guarantee if they will come back alive. They were questioning my ability as a knight of the kingdom so I’m going to show them why I was appointed as a captain." Jannah watched the crowd look at her with mixed emotions.

Contempt. Confusion. Admiration.

She don’t need to prove herself to them, but considering that men still looks down on women in this part of the north then she has no choice, but to force them to submission.

One way to force to submit is by threatening them, but Jannah wouldn’t do that.

I’ll just show them what it’s like outside the wall and let them encounter those flesh-eating monster. Jannah mused to herself, imagining the look of terror on their faces, which caused for her to smile.

A beautiful yet sinister smile.

Merlot and Clara could only laugh nervously, sweat dropping on their cheeks when they saw their friend laugh devilishly to herself.

Jannah blinked, snapping herself out of her imagination, and cleared her throat.

"With that matter aside, I’m sure all of you have already seen the poster made by Merlot. Just as stated there, I will doing a home inspection." Jannah announced as she straightened her posture, "Our knights needs a place to sleep and their own space. I will check each house to see which can be shared with another family or two."

"What?"

"But those are our houses!"

"You can’t just do that!"

"We lived here first, but you’re being selfish by kicking us out and taking our home?!"

Slowly and one by one— which Merlot fears— protests had erupt in the air. The town folks started to scream and voice out their opinions on the matter while half of them stayed quiet, completely fine with it.

The knights gives them security while the Countess’s people will take care of them so how can they protest against her? She’s doing these things for their good, right?

Unfortunately, some people aren’t as understanding as them.

Those who was fine with Jannah’s plans have stepped away from the people who are against her. They separated themselves from them to let the Countess know which one are protesting against her.

"If you don’t want to share your houses with the people who protects you then you are free to leave."