Chapter 38

──Thinking about it, this was the first time I’d left the Demon City of Delmond since my exile.

I realized this when I looked out the window of the carriage, drawn by the skeletal horse, Skullhorse, and saw the high walls surrounding Delmond from the outside.

I was now on my way to Kirose, a town just before my final destination, to join the campaign to reclaim Elden.

…Though, to be fair, I’m only playing a minor role in the campaign.

“But still, if I succeed, I’ll earn a whopping 1.2 billion gold. Ha! Just thinking about what to buy is enough to make my head spin. Don’t you agree?”

[Uuh… uuuh…]

Unfortunately, the Zombie Queen sitting across from me in the carriage didn’t respond. Nor did the Zombie Thief beside her. And the Zombie Soldier, who was too large to fit in the carriage, was riding in the cargo bed of another carriage, so naturally, no response there either.

At times like this, Milphobia would keep the conversation going if she were here…

“It’s been quite a while since I’ve gone anywhere without Milphobia.”

Where I’m heading is technically the frontlines. Although I’m not expected to fight, I can’t bring her along to a dangerous war zone.

Besides, the Demon King Lumac entrusted her to me under the condition that she would live within the Demon Castle.

…Well, I should manage without Milphobia’s help. Once I arrive at Kirose, I’ll meet up with Lord Agito.

I’m looking forward to our reunion.

If this mission goes well, it could deepen our relationship even further. I can’t miss the chance to connect with such an important leader in the Demon Kingdom!

“But honestly, I wish I had more time before the campaign starts… I haven’t quite finished my research yet. Don’t you think so, Zombie Queen?”

[Uuugh…]

“Hmph, still no response…”

Lately, I’ve been trying to talk to these three zombies as much as possible.

Since that time when the Zombie Queen first muttered a coherent word in the presence of Emeralda, I started to wonder if zombies might be showing signs of developing intelligence or a sense of self, so I began conducting experiments and research whenever I could.

But progress has been slow.

“It really was only that one time, wasn’t it, Zombie Queen?”

[Auuuh…]

“And the Zombie Thief has never spoken at all.”

[…]

The Zombie Thief remained silent, hands resting on their knees, utterly still.

…Hmmm. What should I do?

I had heard that playing music or talking to cacti can promote growth, so I thought I’d try talking more to them, but it doesn’t seem to have much effect.

“Maybe I should talk about something that stirs up stronger emotions?”

After all, the Queen did show some strong feelings toward the King of the Land of the Dead… Germ.

In that case…

“All right, how about I try calling her by a name?”

Until now, I’d only referred to her by the name Germ used.

If my voice could somehow connect with memories from the Zombie Queen’s life, she might react.

So I turned to face her and spoke:

“Amilta.”

[Uuugh…]

No noticeable reaction from the Zombie Queen, unfortunately.

…Actually, that’s the Demon King Lumac’s daughter’s name, isn’t it? Maybe it’s rude to call a zombie by that. I should stop.

“Illmina.”

[Aauu…]

“Undine.”

[…Aauu…]

…Hmm. Hard to tell if there’s any reaction at all. Just groans in response.

Is this really working?

…Well, that’s fine. Research is about trial and error.

Each possibility has to be tested, so as long as there are options to try, I’ll keep at it.

“Eva, Oria, Carmilla, Kitty,”

[Uuh…]

“Christina, Casey, Coen, Sana,”

[Uuuh…]

“Siel.”

[Vah]

“…Hm? ‘Vah’?”

[Vaaah, Nvah, Uwah…]

…Oh?! Could it be that she’s trying to say something…?!

“S-Siel… is your name Siel?!”

[Uuuuh, Nvah, Sh—]

“Sh? Shell?”

[Nvah! Nvah!]

The Zombie Queen swayed back and forth, opening her mouth as if trying to communicate something.

It seems that Siel is not quite right.

And Shell doesn’t seem quite right either?

“Is it Sh? Does it start with ‘Sh’?”

“Vah!”

Looks like that’s right.

It seems ‘Sh’ might be correct? Just a hunch, but let’s keep going along those lines.

…So what comes next? Should I keep guessing the next sound?

“Sha, Shay, Shaw… None of these sound like a name. What names start with ‘Sh’…?”

[Uwaah… Sha, auuh]

“Oh, good! Keep going. You’re doing great!”

[Sha, uu, Shou, V]

“…‘U.’ So there’s a ‘u’ sound…!”

That narrows it down!

Not Shaw, not Shaq either.

Then…

“Shes?”

[Vah!]

“Shes… Is your name Shes?!”

[Vah!]

Good, good!

I clenched my fist in triumph. The Zombie Queen’s name is Shes!

I’ve managed to establish at least minimal communication with her by knowing her name!

…Then, let’s move on to the next stage and try for a more verbal communication.

“All right, Shes, I have something I want to ask you.”

[Vah]

“That bikini armor you’re wearing—was it something you liked back when you were alive?”

[NVAVAVAAA!!!]

Apparently not?

No, definitely not. She’s shaking intensely back and forth.

…Seems like I should get her some new gear at some point.