I Got Reincarnated as a Zombie Girl - Chapter 291

Chapter 291: Chapter 287 – The Golden Wings’ Decision and the Oath of the Sleepless City
The evening light streaming through the grand windows of Nocture’s palace office cast a warm golden hue along the white stone walls. Long curtains swayed gently in the wind from the open window, carrying the scent of damp earth and the distant hum of the city, the market’s buzz, the echo of soldiers’ boots on patrol, and the rhythmic pulse of a city that never slept.

Sofia stood before a large ebony desk carved with Nocture’s crest, her calm eyes scanning the stacks of documents before her. Behind her, four great white wings pulsed softly like living breath. After a long exhale, she slowly closed her eyes, and the holy light surrounding her dimmed until the wings dissolved into her back, leaving behind only a faint, serene radiance.

She turned her gaze toward the door. “Come in.”

The heavy door creaked open, and three people entered almost at once.

Zark, dressed in his usual formal attire, bowed deeply. His face was composed, cool as always but in his eyes rested a quiet reverence every time he looked at Sofia.

Behind him came Rina, her tied-up hair swaying lightly as she stepped forward. She still wore her work clothes from the agricultural district, a bit of soil on her cheek, yet her smile was as bright and sincere as ever.

Last was Vivi, the young woman with soft purple hair who managed the hunters’ guild and all food distribution. A folder of reports was clutched in her hands, yet her cheerful eyes carried their usual spark.

The three knelt briefly in respect.

“Your Majesty Sofia,” Zark said gravely. “We have come as you commanded.”

Sofia nodded gently. “Rise. This isn’t a formal ceremony. Sit be at ease.”

They exchanged brief glances before sitting in the semicircular seats before her desk. Zark, seated on the left, opened a thin folder and began his report without waiting for a prompt.

“The city remains stable. Minor crimes have dropped significantly; there have been no reports of major offenses in the last two weeks. Patrols operate in six key zones and have proven effective. The hunters’ guild functions smoothly as well. Monster materials continue to supply weapon forges, tools, and construction resources.”

He closed the folder, his expression steady. “Everything proceeds according to your expectations.”

Sofia’s lips curved into a faint, warm smile. “Good. We’ve lived too long under the shadow of war. I don’t want this city to fall back into that same cycle of violence.”

Next, Rina opened her own folder.

“The agricultural sector is thriving,” she said, her tone gentle but proud. “The soil has grown far more fertile than before the apocalypse. Somehow, the land beneath Nocture keeps healing itself. Crops now grow even without growth magic.”

Her face brightened. “This season’s harvest nearly doubled our predictions. We could supply nearby towns outside the walls if needed.”

“And without reducing winter reserves?” Sofia asked softly.

Rina smiled confidently. “Not at all. The western district’s silos are filled to the third tier. It’s all thanks to the new irrigation system you designed, Your Majesty.”

Sofia nodded in satisfaction, her eyes drifting toward the window, where the sky slowly shifted from amber to deep violet. “Good. Keep monitoring closely. We must ensure there’s no shortage… even when I’m gone.”

The moment she said gone, the three looked up immediately.

Vivi who had been silent until now spoke, her tone uncertain. “Gone…? You mean you’re leaving Nocture?”

Sofia met their eyes one by one, then rose slowly from her chair. The light around her body pulsed once, warm but heavy in the air.

“Yes,” she said softly but firmly. “I’ll be traveling to another world, the one where Sylvia is now.”

The three froze.

Zark was the first to react. “To… another world?” His voice was low, but the shock in it was unmistakable.

Sofia nodded. “Yes. I don’t know what that world is called, but… I miss her. It’s been over a year since Sylvia left, and not a single report or trace has reached us. I can’t just wait anymore.”

The room fell into silence.

Zark was the first to speak again. “Then… while you’re gone, what will become of the city?”

Sofia turned toward him, and the glow of her wings faded fully from sight.

As the divine light receded, she once again appeared human though her presence still radiated quiet authority.

“The city will continue as normal. The three of you will govern according to your own fields.”

She walked toward the window, looking out over the glittering lights of Nocture below.

“Zark, the city’s defense is yours. If any outside faction approaches with hostile intent, deal with them swiftly. But avoid large-scale war. This city is meant to live, not to fight.”

Zark bowed deeply. “Understood, Your Majesty.”

Sofia then turned to Rina.

“You, Rina, keep our food supply stable. Use the surplus harvest to establish barter ties with the outer settlements. It’s risky, but the outside world needs Nocture. And Nocture needs allies who are still alive.”

Rina clasped her hands before her chest. “Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll make sure not a single field fails while you’re away.”

Finally, Sofia looked at Vivi.

“And you, Vivi,” she said softly. “Keep the hunters’ guild operating, but don’t let them venture too far. I know many crave rare monster parts, but I don’t want more lives lost. The outer lands are still unstable.”

Vivi bowed her head. “Understood. I’ll limit high-tier hunts until you return.”

Sofia’s smile deepened slightly. “Good.”

Then she straightened, her expression calm yet commanding.

“My departure must remain secret. I don’t want this news spreading. If the outside world learns that Nocture’s queen has vanished, they’ll see the city as weak and strike.”

Zark immediately replied, “I’ll erase all records of your journey and announce that you’ve entered a period of magical retreat.”

“Well done,” Sofia said approvingly. “Make it sound natural.”

Rina’s voice trembled slightly, filled with emotion.

“Your Majesty… we’ll protect this city just like last time, when you left with Sylvia.”

Vivi added, smiling gently, “And this time, we’ll make sure Nocture remains standing beautifully when you come back with her.”

Sofia gazed at them for a long moment, her eyes soft.

“Thank you… all of you.”

Her words were quiet but heavy with meaning filled with trust that could not be spoken aloud.

She turned again toward the window. The artificial moon above the city cast silver light over rooftops, markets, and streets alive with laughter and trade. This city is their home, built together from the ashes of destruction.

“Sylvia…” she whispered, barely audible. “I’m coming to bring you home. This world still waits for you.”

Silence filled the room, but within that silence lingered a promise: the vow of a queen with wings of light, ready to cross into hell itself for the one she loved.

As Sofia walked out of her office, faint trails of golden light followed her steps across the stone floor, fading slowly like falling stars.

Behind her, Zark, Rina, and Vivi knelt deeply not out of command, but out of devotion and faith born from their hearts.

That night, Nocture’s sky shone brighter than ever.

….

Later, Sofia sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers intertwined on her lap. Her face remained calm, yet the slight tremor at her fingertips betrayed her true feelings, nervousness, anxiety, and excitement intertwined.

The room glowed with the soft blue light of a floating crystal lantern, swaying gently with the night breeze drifting through the window.

She looked down at her hands, which now glowed faintly with gold. “Finally… I’ll see her again,” she murmured, as if reassuring herself.

A soft, resonant voice filled the air.

“Are you ready, Sofia?”

The air before her rippled like disturbed water, and from it emerged a tall figure wrapped in turquoise-green light, the Avatar of the World of Earth. Her face was beautiful yet indescribable, as though reality itself refused to define it. The aura she radiated was both soothing and divine, as if all of nature spoke through her.

Sofia looked up and nodded firmly.

“Yes. I’m ready. Whatever awaits me there… I’ll face it.”

The avatar smiled kindly. “Such courage and love… are rare among mortals.” She lifted her hand. “Then your journey begins now.”

In the air before Sofia, lights of green, blue, and gold swirled together, forming a great circle that solidified into a luminous portal. The air stirred around it, gentle yet filled with immense pressure, causing the curtains and Sofia’s long hair to flutter.

Sofia stood and looked at the portal without a hint of hesitation.

Taking one deep breath, she stepped forward.

Light consumed her.

…..

The world shifted in an instant.

A cold wind struck her face, carrying the scent of ash and metal. Before her stood a massive gate of black stone, etched with skulls and ancient sigils. The sky above was a dark violet, split occasionally by streaks of black lightning.

But what made her pause wasn’t the sight, it was the dozens of armored zombie soldiers surrounding her, spears raised in defense. Their glowing red eyes fixed on her in perfect discipline.

Sofia slowly raised her hands, maintaining composure despite the strange, heavy energy in the air.

“I mean no harm,” she said softly, her voice clear yet resonant. “I only wish to ask… are Sylvia and Celes here?”

The moment the names left her lips, the atmosphere changed.

The soldiers who had been tense lowered their weapons in unison. One among them wearing a cracked chestplate hurried toward the castle, clearly sent to deliver a message.

Moments later, the great gate creaked open. Through the rolling black mist emerged a woman with pale silver hair and luminous amethyst eyes Celes.

Her expression froze for a heartbeat when she saw the figure standing before the gate.

“…Sofia?”

Sofia’s smile was filled with quiet relief. “It’s been a long time, Celes.”

Celes stepped forward quickly, her gaze sweeping Sofia up and down, as if ensuring what she saw wasn’t an illusion.

“How in the world… Did you get here?”

“I came through a portal created by the Avatar of the World,” Sofia replied softly.

Celes stared for a moment, then sighed, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “So you really came for her.” She moved aside, gesturing. “Come in. You must be exhausted after such a journey.”

As Sofia crossed the gate, she immediately sensed the world’s difference: the air was heavier, yet warm. The sky was dark but faintly glowing from luminous flowers lining the path toward the castle.

Inside Sylvia’s study, Celes prepared a cup of steaming black tea on the wide wooden table. The scent of underworld herbs filled the air.

“Here. Drink first,” Celes said, setting the cup before her.

Sofia smiled gratefully. “Thank you.”

Minutes passed in comfortable silence, broken only by the soft clink of silver spoons against porcelain. At last, Sofia lifted her gaze. “Celes… where is Sylvia? I haven’t seen her.”

Celes looked toward the window, her eyes dimming slightly. “Sylvia went to the lower realm. With her two sisters.”

Sofia blinked, confusion flickering in her expression. “Sisters? Sylvia… has sisters?”

Celes nodded slowly. “They appeared when Sylvia underwent her last evolution. They’re not human, more like entities born from fragments of her own soul.” She paused, her voice softening. “I don’t know much beyond that. But they’re like mirrors of her… and yet, not.”

Sofia fell silent, her fingers tightening slightly around the cup. There was a hint of longing in her eyes but also relief. Relief that Sylvia… wasn’t alone.