I Got Reincarnated as a Zombie Girl - Chapter 286

Chapter 286: Chapter 282 – The Throne of Light and Shadow
Their steps slowly shifted from the lively hum of the market to the main street of the city. The light from blue crystal lanterns reflected gentle shadows upon the stone road, damp with the night’s dew. In the distance, the spire of Belial’s palace loomed high, glowing with a dim orange light like an eternal flame among the false stars of the underworld.

Sylvia walked in front, followed closely by Alicia, Stacia, and Decarabia, who maintained a respectful distance behind them. The air around them grew heavier and quieter the closer they got to the heart of power. The wind that once carried the scent of fruits and spices now shifted into something dense and thick with pure magical energy, like the breath of an ancient being held in restraint.

“Is every guest treated like this?” Sylvia asked quietly, without turning around.

Decarabia smiled faintly. “Not all. But you are no ordinary guest. You’re someone chosen by his daughter… and that makes His Majesty Belial very interested.”

Sylvia exhaled deeply. “I’ve already said I haven’t accepted that proposal.”

“But His Majesty didn’t hear it from me,” Decarabia replied politely, though his tone hinted at barely contained amusement.

Alicia rolled her eyes, whispering to Stacia, “Seems like no matter what Sylvia says, everyone down here already thinks she’s family.”

Stacia covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. “And judging by her face right now, I think she wants to throw a chain into the sky.”

Sylvia pretended not to hear. They kept walking until they reached a massive gate of black metal, etched with golden veins that seemed to move on their own like living dragon sinew. Two guardian statues stood by the entrance, tall and imposing with crimson eyes that glowed faintly. Yet as Decarabia approached, both bowed their heads in silence, and the gates opened without a sound.

The moment they stepped inside, the world changed.

The air grew heavy immensely. Every step echoed across the polished black marble floor, and the towering pillars seemed to hold up a ceiling that stretched beyond sight.

At the far end of the great hall, upon a raised dais of obsidian stone, sat Belial.

The Demon King of Balance.

His figure was imposing long black hair tipped with gold, eyes burning with deep crimson light, and a presence so vast it seemed to fill the entire hall. Even while seated, his aura spread like waves of fire and shadow.

As Sylvia’s footsteps approached, the pressure struck instantly.

The air thickened. The ground trembled faintly, and the ceiling groaned like a drum of war.

Alicia stiffened, breath caught in her throat.

“So… strong…” she whispered, before her knees gave out. She struggled to stay upright, but her body wouldn’t obey. In moments, she dropped to one knee, bracing herself with a hand against the cold floor.

Beside her, Stacia fared even worse her small frame trembling, lips quivering as the crushing pressure shattered her concentration.

“Sylvia…”

Her voice cracked as she too fell to her knees, barely managing to stay conscious.

Yet amid them all, only Sylvia still stood.

Her head was slightly lowered, but her body remained steady. Her crimson eyes glowed, staring directly at the throne.

Belial smiled faintly.

“Not kneeling, even before a Demon King?” His voice was deep, resonant making the walls tremble.

Sylvia’s reply was calm, without fear.

“I kneel to no one.”

Silence followed. Only the sound of their hearts and the heavy breathing filled the vast hall.

Belial’s aura thickened once more. The air quivered like glass on the verge of shattering. Alicia and Stacia could barely breathe even Decarabia bowed his head, as if weighed down by the same crushing presence.

But before the tension could erupt, a soft voice broke through the silence.

“Belial. That’s enough.”

The voice was calm, yet carried a power beyond question.

At that single whisper, the storm ceased.

The suffocating weight vanished, like mist swept away by wind.

Sylvia looked up instinctively. The voice was too familiar. And when her gaze lifted to the right of the throne her eyes widened.

A woman stood there.

Her hair shimmered silver, her eyes a gentle pale blue. Her face was serene, radiant with a divine grace that could not be hidden. She wore a white gown that glowed faintly with sacred light but her body looked frail. A large, unhealed wound marked her shoulder.

“Goddess… Lumielle,” Sylvia whispered in disbelief.

The woman smiled softly. “It’s been a long time, Queen of Death.”

Sylvia could hardly believe what she saw. The Goddess of Light supposedly in hiding, gravely wounded after the war of the gods, was standing here, in the underworld, beside the Demon King Belial.

But that wasn’t all.

On the other side of the throne stood another figure. Her long, deep blue hair shimmered like the night sky, her eyes reflecting endless stars. Her expression was calm, dignified, and filled with quiet strength.

“Ithara…”

Stacia whispered in awe, still kneeling. “The Goddess of Stars and Fate…”

Sylvia looked between the two goddesses Lumielle and Ithara. Two beings who should never have been here, in the deepest depths of the demon realm.

Belial chuckled, his voice rumbling like restrained thunder. “Surprised? The world isn’t always what the gods tell you, Queen of Death.”

His gaze burned like smoldering embers in the dark.

“You’re not mistaken. These two goddesses took refuge here. Heaven has lost its balance, and the safest place to hide isn’t in paradise… but in hell.”

Lumielle stepped forward slightly, her gentle smile carrying traces of weariness. “I owe Belial my life. He gave me sanctuary when all of heaven sought to destroy my body. This wound,” she touched her shoulder, “still hasn’t healed.”

Ithara added, her tone calm but firm, “We are not here to ally with demons. We wait for the right time. The heavens have fallen to greed and corruption.”

Sylvia said nothing. She simply stood, facing three beings of unimaginable power three entities above the limits of the world.

Belial leaned back on his throne, chuckling slowly. “Fascinating, isn’t it? A death queen from another world, two goddesses in exile, and me an old demon king weary of war. The underworld is becoming… lively.”

Sylvia stared back, unamused but there was something unsettling in Belial’s gaze. It wasn’t just the look of someone measuring strength. It was something far more personal.

And when that wide grin appeared, Sylvia immediately understood.

“So… this is my future daughter-in-law,” Belial said casually, smiling in satisfaction.

Alicia and Stacia both choked on their breath.

“WHAT?!” they shouted in unison.

Sylvia covered her face with one hand, sighing long and deep. “Oh, for heaven’s sake…”

Belial roared with laughter, his voice booming like thunder. “Hahaha! You think I don’t know about Seere? He rarely takes interest in anyone. And now I see why.”

Lumielle gave Belial a soft, teasing smile. “You’re making her uncomfortable.”

“Ah, let me have my fun. I only want to know her better.”

Ithara merely shook her head, her eyes studying Sylvia as if reading her soul. “A death queen from another world… your threads of fate twist oddly. You do not belong to this timeline.”

Sylvia met her gaze. “And you can still see fate, even down here?”

Ithara smiled faintly. “I never stopped seeing. But this time, the fate surrounding you is too blurred as if the world itself is trying to hide it from me.”

The tension in the hall slowly softened, though the air still felt heavy.

Alicia and Stacia finally stood again, with Decarabia politely helping them to their feet.

Belial looked at Sylvia once more, his eyes now warmer, not threatening, but deeply curious.

“The heavens are in chaos, the underworld stirs… and you stand at the center of it all. Tell me, Sylvia…” he leaned forward, his deep voice rumbling through the hall,

“…did you come to this world by chance… or because the world itself called for you?”

Before Sylvia could respond, light footsteps echoed from the main entrance.

The steps were quick too quick. Even Decarabia bowed deeply as the newcomer approached.

“Father~!” A cheerful, melodic voice filled the room, followed by a flash of violet light. In an instant, Seere appeared before them, wearing a short layered dress of shimmering fabric that sparkled like stars. A mischievous grin curved her lips as her eyes locked onto Sylvia.

Belial exhaled through his nose, half amused, half resigned. “Right on time, as always.”

Seere ignored him completely. She strode forward, her lavender hair flowing behind her, and without warning, grabbed Sylvia’s hand.

“I’ve been waiting for you, darling~! Come on, I’ll show you the best parts of the castle!”

“Wait… hold on, I haven’t….” Sylvia tried to pull back, but Seere’s grip was strong and that teasing, radiant smile made resistance useless.

Alicia watched with a tired face, while Stacia rubbed her temples slowly.

“I suppose… this has become routine,” Stacia muttered wearily.

Alicia sighed deeply. “At least this time she’s not being dragged off by an enemy. Just by an overly affectionate fiancée.”

Belial held back a laugh on his throne, while Lumielle and Ithara exchanged soft smiles, a mix of amusement and pity for the poor Queen of Death who seemed utterly powerless against Seere’s enthusiasm.

In a blink, Sylvia and Seere vanished down the crystalline corridor, their laughter fading into the distance.

Only Alicia and Stacia remained in the grand hall, staring at the direction Sylvia had been taken with weary yet affectionate expressions.