Zombie Domination

Julian looked at Vexmond with a serious expression. "Are you sure it's alright to leave your daughter with me? We've only just met."

Vexmond gave a calm nod. "I've been watching you for quite some time, Julian. I know how much you care about the women by your side. Zoe agrees with this decision as well. So, what do you say?"

Julian turned to glance at the girls behind him. They each gave a small nod, showing no signs of objection. After a moment's pause, Julian looked back at Vexmond and said, "Alright then. I'll accept your gift."

Vexmond let out a breath and bowed slightly. "Thank you. I'd like a moment alone with Zoe before I go. Could I ask everyone to leave the room for a while?"

Everyone nodded in quiet understanding and began to step out.

As they were leaving, a voice cut through the silence. "Just so you know," said a young man named Theo, his eyes sharp with warning, "if you ever make Zoe cry or hurt her in any way… I'll kill you on the spot."

Julian raised an eyebrow, an amused smirk forming. "Oh? Why not try now?"

"What did you say?" Theo snapped.

Before Theo could lunge, a man with glasses held him back. "Calm down, Theo."

But Theo kept glaring. "We don't need your help to protect her. We've always been enough."

Julian didn't flinch. "And I never asked for her. I didn't beg for your trust. Your boss is the one who placed his faith in me. So tell me, who's really in the wrong here? You angry because he didn't listen to you? Then maybe stay quiet before you embarrass yourself any further."

The man with glasses sighed and looked at Theo. "He's got a point. Don't push this too far."

"Tch… Fine," Theo muttered, backing off reluctantly.

Shortly after, Vexmond stepped out of the room. "It's done," he said quietly. "I've said my goodbyes to my daughter."

Julian looked at him carefully, his eyes were red and slightly swollen, signs of recent tears. "Don't worry," Julian said with quiet sincerity. "I'll take care of your daughter."

Vexmond gave a short laugh, trying to lighten the mood. "Hah… You talk like you're about to marry her. Well, if you ever have time, drop by again sometime."

Julian smirked. "It might be a while. We're planning to travel the world." The canonical source for this content: M|V|L2EMPYR.

Vexmond nodded. "Then I'll be here. Waiting."

Julian gave him a final nod, and together they walked toward the front gate.

On the way, Julian asked, "After I take care of that man... do you need proof? Like his head or something?"

Vexmond shook his head. "No need. I trust you. Just wipe them out and move on with your journey."

Julian nodded once again. He pulled a vehicle from his inventory and, one by one, everyone began loading in. Zoe climbed in last, sitting silently in the back with the others.

A crowd had gathered. Many people stood nearby, offering their farewells to Zoe.

"Stay safe, Zoe," Vexmond said, his voice soft but firm.

Zoe looked at him and gave a quiet nod. "You too, Dad."

Julian started the engine, the hum of power filling the quiet morning air. He leaned out the window and said, "We're heading out, old man."

Vexmond gave him a final wave. "Take care, and protect my daughter."

Julian nodded firmly. Then, without another word, he stepped on the gas and drove forward, the vehicle disappearing into the distance as their journey resumed.

They traveled at a relaxed pace, the tension of earlier slowly fading as the vehicle cruised toward their next destination. Inside, the girls began to introduce themselves one by one, trying to make Zoe feel welcome.

With a soft voice, Clarissa smiled and said, "I'm Clarissa. It's nice to meet you."

"I'm Veronica Ainsley Ravencroft," said Veronica with graceful confidence. "Pleasure to meet you, Zoe."

Emma leaned forward with a bright grin. "I'm Emma! Nice to meet you!"

Then Celestia added, "Celestia Virelle. Welcome to the group."

Finally, Aya spoke, her voice a little shy. "I'm Aya Claint... Nice to meet you."

Zoe gave a small nod, her expression flat but observant. "Wow… so many big sisters."

Emma immediately wrapped her arms around Zoe. "Aww, you're so cute! Call me big sis, okay?"

Veronica flicked her hair and smirked. "That doesn't suit you at all. I'm the one who should be called big sis."

"No way!" Emma shot back, puffing her cheeks.

Then Celestia tilted her head and said calmly, "Maybe the one who deserves to be called 'big sis'... is Aya."

Everyone's gaze shifted instantly to Aya's chest.

Flustered, Aya quickly crossed her arms over her chest. "W-What's that supposed to mean, Celestia!?"

Celestia chuckled. "That's not what I meant. I was talking about experience—Aya's the only one here who's had a younger sibling."

Zoe, still wearing her usual flat expression, glanced toward Aya's chest and spoke in her monotone voice, "Big chest."

Aya immediately crossed her arms and turned away, flustered. "P-Please don't stare at them like that…"

Emma, now curious, looked down at herself and sighed. "Why is mine so small…"

Veronica smirked with pride and straightened her back slightly, subtly pushing her chest forward, hers was noticeably fuller than Emma's. "It's all about elegance and proportion," she said smugly.

Emma, not to be outdone, forced a smile and spoke with faux positivity. "Well, small ones are great too! Easier to move around, more flexible, right?"

As if to comfort her, Zoe reached out and gently patted Emma's head.

"Is okay," she said, her tone still flat but oddly sincere.

The gesture, however, only made Emma slump lower in her seat. "Now I feel even worse…"

Clarissa smiled gently. "Maybe you just need to eat more vegetables, Emma. That might help you grow."

Emma shot her a glare. "Do you think I'm a child or something?"

Celestia chimed in, trying to reassure her. "Don't worry, Emma. I'm the same as you."

But Emma suddenly reached out and grabbed Celestia's chest.

"Wha—?!" Celestia gasped, pulling back and covering herself in shock. "What was that for?!"

Emma pouted. "Yours are bigger than mine, Celestia…"

She slumped down, clearly defeated once more.

Julian, trying to lighten the mood, grinned and said, "Don't worry, Emma. I like all sizes. And if you want, I could give you a special massage that helps them grow."

Emma's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Really, Julian!?"

Julian gave her a confident nod.

In silence, Clarissa glanced at him and thought, 'Liar.'

Veronica crossed her arms and thought, 'Such an obvious lie'

Celestia's expression tightened slightly as she thought, 'Julian is totally bluffing...'

Aya blinked, tilting her head 'Wait... is that true...?'

Meanwhile, Zoe stared at him with the same blank face and thought, 'Pervert'

Emma, still fired up, beamed brightly. "Then yes, Julian! I'd love that! I love you!"

The others exchanged awkward glances, clearly eager to shift the subject.

Clarissa quickly turned to Zoe and asked, "Zoe, do you know what time you usually... change at night?"

Zoe blinked and answered in her flat tone, "It's not consistent. I don't know exactly when."

Veronica raised an eyebrow. "Then why didn't your father just lock you up at night?"

Zoe replied calmly, "When I'm in [Beast] form, my strength multiplies. I would destroy any room meant to contain me. I've broken out of nine already."

Silence fell over the group.

Julian stared forward, hiding a grimace as a thought echoed in his mind, 'Damn that old man. He gave me someone who turns into a walking disaster at night'

Celestia gently broke the silence. "It's alright. We can take turns keeping watch and protecting one another."

Clarissa nodded in agreement. "Besides, Mr. Vexmond said that at night, Zoe tends to gravitate toward Julian. That should make things easier."

"Yeah, that's true," Veronica added. "So there's really nothing to worry about."

Emma gave a cheerful laugh. "Right! No problem at all!"

Aya glanced at Zoe quietly, a flicker of doubt in her heart, 'Is it really going to be okay…?'

Suddenly, the silence was broken by a low growl.

Zoe's stomach had growled—loudly.

Julian, who was driving, chuckled. "Sounds like someone's hungry. Let's stop for lunch."

Everyone agreed with a nod. Julian brought the vehicle to a halt in a quiet, shaded area, and they began pulling out their cooking gear.

Zoe's eyes lit up when she spotted the slab of meat Julian laid out. Drool almost formed at the edge of her lips. "Woah… fresh meat."

Emma puffed her chest proudly. "Right? It wasn't easy to get, you know!"

Zoe stared at the meat with visible anticipation. She could hardly wait.

Clarissa turned to her gently. "Zoe, what would you like us to cook?"

Zoe responded in her usual short tone. "Meat stew."

Clarissa smiled and nodded. "Alright then. Let's make a good one."

She began preparing the ingredients, joined by Aya and Celestia, who rolled up their sleeves to help. Meanwhile, Veronica and Emma approached Julian to spar and practice some martial arts, leaving the cooking to the others.

Aya cleaned and diced the vegetables while Celestia started a fire with dry wood.

Clarissa heated oil in a large iron pot and seared the meat cubes until browned on all sides, locking in the flavor.

Once the meat was seared, she added the chopped onions and garlic, letting them soften and release their aroma.

The broth base was added with water, followed by potatoes and carrots.

Clarissa tossed in the herbs, a pinch of salt, and ground pepper, then covered the pot and let it simmer over a steady flame for about an hour.

The rich aroma of the stew soon filled the air, drawing everyone back to the cooking area.

As the stew finished cooking, Clarissa ladled out the steaming, hearty meal into bowls. The group gathered eagerly, their stomachs growling in anticipation.

Zoe was the first to try a spoonful. Her eyes lit up. She looked at Clarissa and said with rare emotion in her voice, "Delicious."

A warm wave of satisfaction spread through the group. Everyone smiled.

"Glad you like it,"