I Got Reincarnated as a Zombie Girl-Chapter 159 – A Silent Path Toward Light

The next morning, the morning light of that foreign world filtered through the magical mist still hanging low above the ground. The air felt fresh but strange, with the scent of wild grass mixed with magical dust that lingered like dry ash that never fully settled onto the earth.

Sylvia dressed herself piece by piece in the private chamber of the old castle. The Dress of Death, her black gown, wrapped around her body like a living shadow, complemented by Black Gloves that covered her arms up to the elbows. Strong yet flexible Black Stockings hugged her legs, perfectly paired with high boots embedded with invisible runes. Black Crystal Earrings shimmered faintly whenever magical light struck their surface. At her waist hung the Rapier of Night, a sleek yet deadly weapon pulsing with a dark aura like a second heartbeat. The Agility Ring on her right index finger hummed softly, resonating with the surrounding magical energy.

And finally, atop her head, she wore the Abyssal Regalia a gleaming black crown shaped like jagged spikes of darkness, a symbol not just of worldly rule, but dominion over the very dimensions that dwelled in shadow.

As she was about to leave, Celes approached. Her face was as expressionless as always, but there was a hardness in her gaze.

"I’m coming with you."

"You can’t," Sylvia replied without looking at her. "There’s too much for you to monitor here. Magical fluctuations, dimensional scouting, and don’t forget... this castle still hasn’t been cleared of ancient traps."

Celes opened her mouth to protest, but in the end, she only sighed. "You hate this, don’t you? All of it. The role of a leader."

Sylvia offered a faint smile but gave no answer. She simply turned the doorknob and walked out without looking back.

As the grand doors of the castle opened, the outside wind immediately greeted her with a crisp breeze. Waiting at the front gate was the white dove from yesterday. It circled slowly in the air before gliding forward, as if signaling her to follow.

Sylvia sighed quietly. "Ahh... it’s been a while since I breathed outdoor air. Dealing with leadership is such a nuisance. Sometimes I wish I could go back to the past fighting, exploring, without worrying about tax systems or fuel logistics."

She walked leisurely, following the bird. Not in a rush, and not riding Noir, her dragon, whom she had left in Nocture. If something happened to her city, Noir would be an invaluable backup force. ƒreewebɳovel.com

The land she traversed was rugged terrain, once the ruins of ancient wars. Large stones lay scattered like the bones of giants, and crumbling towers stood like broken needles stabbing the sky. Yet, the place was quiet. There was no sound except the wind and the soft steps of her boots.

"This world is too silent," Sylvia murmured. "As if every creature is holding its breath, waiting... for something."

After a while, Sylvia increased her pace. Her gown billowed as her steps grew lighter. She began running cutting through the barren land, then into a forest. Old trees stood like silent watchers on either side, but Sylvia did not slow down.

The dove flew low, weaving through trees and roots, and Sylvia adjusted her direction with precision. In that silent speed, she felt like her old self again unburdened by a throne, accompanied only by her own shadow and a will to survive.

And then, through a gap in the forest, she saw a silhouette she recognized.

Sylvia slowed. Her sprint turned into a jog, then finally a calm walk.

From afar, a city began to emerge.

Her eyes narrowed as she recognized the layout of the streets, the stone walls, and the tilted but still-standing clocktower at the center.

This city was not unfamiliar to her.

"This city..." Sylvia whispered in disbelief.

It was the city where she first became lost in this world.

The city of Velthya.

It still looked as she remembered, but something was different. Back then, Sylvia had arrived here as a confused stranger, lost and hunted by a world she did not understand. This city bore silent witness to the beginning of her alienation, when a foreign sky gazed upon her without compassion and the land refused to offer her a place.

Now, she returned not as a wanderer, but as a queen. As a force.

Her steps were steady as she walked the stone path toward the city gate. Her black gown fluttered behind her, sharply contrasting with the soft morning light. Each step carried an undeniable presence, even without a single word.

The white dove guiding her landed on one of the city’s outer gate posts. It flapped its wings slowly before going still, like a statue. Its gaze remained fixed on Sylvia, as if to say: this is the place.

The city gate wasn’t as heavily guarded as she had expected, but two soldiers stood tall, armed with glowing crystal spears. As Sylvia approached, they straightened, watching her with trained alertness.

"Good morning," one of them greeted. "Please state your identity. The city is currently under new entry protocols."

Sylvia said nothing. She reached into an inner pocket of her cloak and pulled out a small metal card her old guild card. Though worn, the symbol at its center a split eye of light and darkness was still clearly visible. It was the emblem of the hunter guild that once took her in.

The guard carefully took it and inserted it into a small magical reader. The crystal atop the device glowed blue, then purple, and finally white indicating the card was valid, though marked as "missing" for over a month.

"Registered name: Sylvia Hortensia," the guard muttered, brows furrowing. "Class: Confidential. Status: active. But... this hasn’t been updated since— "

The other guard nudged him lightly, warning him not to speak too much.

"Please enter, Miss Sylvia," said the second guard more politely. "And... should I notify Lady Velthya of your return?"

Sylvia replied simply, "That won’t be necessary. I’ll visit her residence myself."

"Very well, Miss Sylvia."

She nodded slightly and stepped past the gate. The soft clink of her boots blended with the rustle of her gown, creating a rhythm oddly fitting amid the city’s stirring life.

Inside, the city retained its familiar shape. Narrow stone streets, white-walled houses with blue rooftops, the smell of fresh bread, children running about, and the aroma of honey cakes from small shops. But something new had crept in among those memories soldiers, administrative buildings, and magical watchtowers that hadn’t been there before.

"This place is changing too," Sylvia whispered, eyes scanning her surroundings.

A part of her wanted to turn left, toward the upper district where Velthya’s house was. She wanted to see if the little garden she used to visit was still there. Or if the kind herb shop lady was still alive.

But her steps would not allow it. That wasn’t her destination yet.

She had to go to the temple first.

The white dove now flew again, slowly, following the main road leading eastward. Sylvia followed at a steady pace not hurried, but not too slow either. Some townsfolk turned to look, some due to her striking attire, others because of the subtle chill that followed each step of the queen.

Then, the temple came into view.

Situated atop a small hill on the eastern edge of the city, the temple wasn’t grand. It was simple built of white stone and slender pillars supporting a curved roof. No elaborate carvings, only one large symbol above the gate: a glowing circle split by a vertical line. The symbol of Luminelle, Goddess of Light.

Sylvia climbed the stone steps without hesitation. There were no guards. Only silence, and the sound of the dove now perched atop the gate pillar, watching her from above.

At the top, Sylvia stepped into the main hall. The room was empty but warm, lit by natural light that somehow filtered from above despite the lack of windows. In the center stood a round altar, and above it floated a crystal. The crystal radiated a soft glow, but Sylvia’s eyes instantly saw it for what it was not just illumination.

It was a communication window.

She stepped closer. When she was just a meter away, the crystal suddenly glowed brighter, and a light formed a figure. Not human, not a god, but a representation.

A female silhouette, human-sized, formed from light, wearing a robe of pure light that did not blind. Her face was faint, like painted mist at dawn, but her eyes glowed silver sharp and impossible to deceive.

"Welcome, Queen Sylvia," said the figure, her voice calm and layered with echoes, as if from a very distant place. "I am the voice mirror of Luminelle."

Sylvia did not bow. She stood tall, replying coolly, "You summoned me."

"Yes. Goddess Luminelle wishes to speak. This world is spinning at an unusual pace. Great powers have risen. And you... are one of their fulcrums."

"I’m no tool," Sylvia cut in. "If this is a ploy to turn me into a pawn, you’re too late."

"No. It is because you are not a pawn that Luminelle invites you." The voice remained neutral, but there was sincerity beneath it. "This world will break, Sylvia. The gods do not agree. Korthan brings war. Ithara brings faith. Xynareth sows ruin behind veils. Luminelle... wishes to offer light."

Sylvia narrowed her eyes. "And what form does this offer take?"

The figure paused briefly, then said, "An alliance. Silent. In shadow. You are free to do as you wish, but when war breaks out, you will not stand alone. We cannot descend directly, but we can open doors. To places, to weapons, to knowledge even gods rarely touch."

Sylvia didn’t answer immediately. She stared deep into the crystal, weighing a thousand possibilities in a single moment.

At last, she said, "If it’s that good, there must be a condition. So what’s the price?"

"I hope not too much bloodshed," whispered the voice, "but if that is impossible... so be it. For the Goddess Luminelle truly cherishes the living of this world."

Sylvia nodded.

The light dimmed. The crystal fell quiet. The hall returned to its stillness, as if the conversation had only been a fleeting dream in the calm of stone.

Sylvia turned. Her steps descended the stairs again. She didn’t stop until she returned to the city’s main road.

This time, her eyes were fixed on Velthya’s residence. For the first time since arriving in this world, she would meet her not as a lost victim...

...but as a queen standing in the center of destiny’s storm.

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