The Countess Lives Twice in the Apocalypse-Chapter 65: Sixty-four

"Those things are called zombies, but I can’t say for sure.. If they showed remourse once they saw those flesh eating monsters then who knows?" Jannah merely shot the protesters a smile.

She could see their eyes going as wide as saucers, fear and anxiousness crossing their faces.

"No." The woman’s voice was firm and void of emotion, "We need them to suffer."

"My mother is right..!"

A loud and high-pitched voice agreed amidst the crowd, making everyone’s attention snap to the owner of the voice, including Jannah, the Ebonics couple, and the knights.

A small child, dressed in plain commoner’s clothes, scream from the side of the crowd.

Her face was smudged with dirt and her clothes were tattered and frayed in places, her face was twisted into a scowl, her brow furrowed in frustration and anger.

She saw the man at the center of it all, her own father, being held down by the knight. The whole situation had left her feeling upset and helpless— the anger was the only way she could vent her emotions.

"Chica.." The woman murmured, a worried expression on her face.

"I saw him hit my mother everyday and tell her that she will be kicked out of the town if she tried to take me with her! He’s a bad man! He deserves to suffer!" The little girl was screaming, clutching the hem of her tattered short.

"I hate him! I hate him! He’s not welcome to our house anymore! He kicks me, and beats me, and pulls my hair, and punches me! He doesn’t care if I’m bleeding because he would laugh with his friends! He’s a bad man! A bad man! He doesn’t deserve my mom! He doesn’t—" The little girl was embraced by someone, making her stop screaming.

Choking and crying loudly, the little girl gripped the person’s shirt, "He beats me and calls me bad things.. He’s a bad man! They don’t deserve to be here! They kick people because there’s no one to stop them! They’re bad people!"

Jannah frowned, eyeing the way the child trembles in Jeriel’s arm.

Jeriel saw the commotion from the watch tower and immediately rushed to Jannah’s spot, ready to give her assistance if she needs to, but what she saw broke her heart.

The little girl was wailing, tears streaming down her dirty cheeks, glaring and shaking in anger as she reveal the wrong doings of her father.

Jannah locked eyes with her little sister, shooting her a grateful look before she looked back to the crowd, the corner of her lips twitching upwards.

"Those who don’t want these guys to come with me outside the wall, speak now." Jannah scanned the group of people who shifts in their spots, looking away from her, "No one?"

The Countess’s gaze swept over the crowd, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in the sea of different faces before her. Most of them stood silently, their lips sealed and their arms stiff at their sides.

"No one? Really? They might die outside, you know?" Her eyes continued to dart back and forth, trying to make out the various expressions and emotions on each face.

Jannah’s gaze softened slightly as she came to terms with the fact that there would be no response from the crowd.

She let out a quiet resigned sigh and shook her head in acceptance.

"I see," The Countess muttered, her voice tinged with a hint of fake sadness. "You all are just going to stand there and let this happen. Very well, then."

Jannah raised her right hand and waved at them dismissively as she commanded the knights with a soft yet authoritative voice, "Take them away."

The knights didn’t need to be told twice and nodded in acknowledgement as they began to drag the group of protestors away, their muscular and large forms moving through the eerily still crowd.

Jannah’s gaze flicked back and forth, observing the crowd and the retreating knights.

She could see some of them whispering to each other and a few even looked relieved to see the protesters getting dragged away as they shuffle closer to the person beside them.

Good. Jannah thought with a small smile, they look relaxed and happy.

She sat there, caressing the mother leopard’s head, a sense of satisfaction creeping in her. She had expected this outcome and was not surprised or disappointed by the crowd’s lack of reaction.

She had tried to plant the seed of doubt in their minds, but it didn’t work. It seems that they were content to remain idle witnesses to deliver justice for those who got abused.

Jannah clears her throat and claps her hands loudly, the sound echoing in the air and cutting through the quiet chatter. The crowd paused whatever they were doing, their gazes shifting to her.

She waited for them to be silent, and as the murmurs died down, all eyes were on her.

"Now that they’re gone. I take it that everyone before me don’t have a problem with the house inspection, possible new lodging arrangements, partake in future activities to make this place a comfortable, secured, lively, and thriving community?"

Jannah could see those who look hesitant and suspicious of her. However, she was determined to give this life of hers a better future— one that was filled with opportunity, growth, and surrounded with loyal people.

Fortunately, the crowd’s skepticism seem to melt away and got replaced by excitement.

The woman could see their eyes beginning to light up with anticipation and a ripple of murmurs and whispers began to spread through the group.

"So?" Jannah hummed out, "If you’re against it, raise your hand."

No one did.

"If you’re completely fine with it, raise your hand." The Countess could already tell that they will cooperate, but she needs to see them agree with her own eyes.

Many of them held up their hands in a gesture of support while some broke into applause.

"We’re okay with what you want, my lady!"

"Please take care of us!"

"Thank you for giving us a choice!"

"Thank you so much, Countess Rafelon!"

"We leave our being in your care, my lady!"

"Countess Rafelon!"

"Countess!"

"Long live, Countess Rafelon!"

The crowd was brimming with joy and excitement, their faces were lit up with smiles, their voices raised in shouts of encouragement and appreciation.

The atmosphere was one of hope and optimism, a feeling that voice out their thoughts about things that will change for the better.

Everyone was united in their belief that their new leader would bring about positive change and lead them towards a secure future.

All Jannah could do is chuckle at their enthusiasm, feeling relieved that she didn’t have to do more to convince them that she will take good care of them.

"Alright." Jannah raised a hand to stop them from their cheering which worked like a charm, "Starting now, we will have three golden rules in this town."

She closed her hand, leaving one raised finger, "During day time, everyone must stay as quiet as possible so keep your voices low, we don’t want to attract the zombies around the area, do we?"

She raised a second finger, "Stay armed—keep your weapons close just incase you need it. Ambushes and raids might happen in the future so my knights will be training everyone to handle blades, adults and children alike."

Then, she raised a third finger, "Fast today, hope for a feast tomorrow. Let’s conserve food as much as possible since resources like vegetables, animal meat, and fruits will be scarce starting today. If we can, we will practice fasting as soon as we can."

Jannah’s voice was clear and authoritative as she listed out the three important rules in Philipia.

Both women, children, and men listened intently, their faces tense and serious as they absorbed the information given to them.

Many of them nodded in agreement while others looked pale and anxious at the thought of them being attacked by a fellow human being and by those monsters outside the wall.

Some whispered to each other, their voices hushed and fearful as they tried to imagine the things the Countess had briefly described. It was a heavy moment, the gravity of the situation sunk in for the people gathered before Jannah.

"If you have a question, kindly raise your hand." Jannah stated calmly, pausing momentarily to give the people a chance to speak.

The young man from earlier raised his hand and Jannah nodded her head in acknowledgement, "Ask away."

"Those things that my lady called, the zombies, how do we kill them?" The young man stared at her, making her see the swirling chaos of emotions through his eyes.

"As of now, aiming for their head is one way to kill them." Jannah answered truthfully, "Make sure to either cut their head or stab their brains to stop them."

The young man dropped his arm to his side, "Thank you, my lady."

Before she could respond, another person raised their hand. A little boy stepped forward, "Will we get to eat everyday?"

Jannah smiled softly at the child, "Yes, we will. Don’t worry about it, okay?"

The child’s eyes brightened up, beaming a happy smile on her way, "Okay, beautiful lady! Thank you!"

"Meoraw!" The mother leopard mewl, sounding like she approved of the child’s compliment towards Jannah.

"Ahaha.." Jannah laughed nervously as she watched the little boy walked back to his previous spot, right beside her mother, with a big smile on his face.

"Let’s cut this gathering short, it’s already noon and I’m sure the food is ready. Once lunch is done, I will be starting the house inspection."