I Got Reincarnated as a Zombie Girl-Chapter 146 – A Summons from a Fractured World

Another month had passed, and the city of Nocture surged forward into a form even Sylvia herself had never envisioned.

Around the city, small settlements began to sprout. Some were branches of new metal production or various agricultural sectors; the rest were housing for volunteers and refugees from the old human world. Elves, dwarves, and even a few beastkin had emerged from portals and chosen to settle under Sylvia’s rule.

Nocture was no longer just a city of discarded beings. It had become a center. A center of economy. A center of ideology. And, unofficially, a symbol of threat to the old world still clinging to its hollow hierarchies.

But amid all this progress...

Sylvia sat in the main chair of her office, surrounded by what seemed like an endless stack of documents. Her left eye twitched slightly, her right hand supporting her head, and her magical pen only half-heartedly filling out a report on logistic growth.

"Ugh... I’d rather fight a few zombie dragons than verify thirty-eight agricultural tax reports from the Moss District..." she grumbled.

She tossed her pen onto the desk and massaged her temples. Outside the window, the sky over Nocture remained as always: gray and magical. The soft orange glow of the streetlamps seeped into the room, creating a dim ambiance that would’ve been relaxing if not for the towering pile of papers beside her.

Suddenly, the air in the room changed.

It was as if the warmth of spring slipped in without knocking. A gentle breeze despite the closed windows brushed against Sylvia’s face, carrying the faint scent of wildflowers and damp grass.

Sylvia straightened up immediately. Her hand instinctively reached for the rapier hidden beneath her cloak. But before she could stand, a gentle voice greeted her:

"Apologies for arriving uninvited. But... could you help me?"

Sylvia turned swiftly.

Before her sat a grown woman with long hair the soft green of spring leaves. her eyes... eyes that seemed to hold a sky from another world bright, yet containing an immeasurable depth. She wore a white dress adorned with branch and root patterns, as if her very body was part of a living forest.

The strange thing was: she hadn’t opened the door. No footsteps. She was simply... there. Sitting gracefully on the guest sofa, smiling warmly as if she had known Sylvia for years.

Sylvia narrowed her eyes.

"Who are you? How did you get in? And what do you mean... help with what?"

The woman continued smiling not a forced one, but a sincerity difficult to explain.

"I know you must be confused. But allow me to explain before you throw your chains at me."

Sylvia raised an eyebrow.

"One minute."

"Fair." The woman nodded gently. "My name isn’t important, because I’m not entirely human. I am the avatar of a world the embodiment of a different world’s will... the world you once stumbled into through a portal and got trapped in."

Sylvia stiffened.

"That world..." she muttered.

"Yes. But I... pleaded with this world’s avatar. We made an agreement," the woman said, gazing deeply into Sylvia’s eyes. "And as part of that agreement, I was granted permission to meet you directly."

Sylvia leaned back in her chair. Her voice turned calm—and sharp.

"So, what help do you want? You didn’t come here just for nostalgia."

The woman avatar of another world didn’t respond immediately. She looked down briefly, then spoke in a heavier tone:

"The world I come from... is falling apart."

Sylvia was silent.

"The divine order that once protected it has grown corrupt. The gods are no longer guardians. They’re now suppressing humanity, pitting races against each other, even manipulating time and birth just to maintain a false ’balance.’ That world... is no longer a home for the living."

Sylvia let out a soft chuckle.

"Ironic. I was accused of being the goddess of chaos there, for accidentally wiping out half the population."

The woman nodded.

"And that... is why we’ve come to you."

The atmosphere in the room shifted. Sylvia’s aura flared. A faint purple glow shimmered from her shoulders, though not yet threatening.

"I have no intention of going back. I’m already busy enough building my city. Let alone going back there to ’save’ a world."

The woman looked straight at her.

"Not to save it. We want you... to destroy the old order. We want you to become the Demon King."

Silence filled the room.

Sylvia stared at her with an unreadable expression.

"Do you understand what you’re asking?"

"Yes," she replied calmly. "You, with your power and resolve, are the only one who can change our world. Not as a hero. But as a threat strong enough... to shatter a rotting system."

Sylvia leaned back, her fingers drumming softly on the armrest. For a long moment, she said nothing.

Then she gave a faint smile.

"And if I refuse?"

"That’s alright," the woman said. "We’re not here to force you. This world has already saved you. You are free to choose."

Sylvia stood from her chair, walked to the large window behind her, and gazed out over Nocture. Her city. A city free from gods, free from old systems. A city born from ruin.

"...I’ll consider it," she said finally. "But remember. I’m not doing this for anyone. I’m not a hero. If I return to your world... I will destroy everything. Including your hopes, if I must."

The woman stood and gave a graceful bow.

"That’s more than enough."

And in the blink of an eye, she vanished—like morning mist swept away by the wind.

In the once-again silent office, Sylvia simply exhaled.

"So... I have to go back there, huh?"

She looked over at the stack of paperwork, then gave it a light kick.

"If I really become the Demon King... I better bring a secretary from this world. Or maybe I’ll just drag Sofia along to help me."

Sylvia’s footsteps vanished from her office as she activated Void Steps.

Her body dissolved like mist, gliding past space and the barriers of the city, heading straight toward one of the newly opened farming zones on the eastern side of Nocture.

The fields were surrounded by magical fences and large glass tents that housed metal pens for breedable mutant creatures. Among the strange beasts fur-covered with scales and purple horns stood a Golden-haired woman, watching a three-eyed "goat" happily munching on grass.

Sofia.

Sylvia appeared silently right behind her, wrapping her arms around Sofia’s waist and hugging her from behind. Sofia’s body instantly tensed, nearly triggering her reflexive defense spell—but then she recognized the touch.

"...Sylvia," she breathed out in relief, her muscles relaxing.

"You’re too focused. I could’ve been a disguised zombie," Sylvia whispered near her ear.

"No other zombie smells as nice as you do," Sofia replied calmly, though a faint blush colored her cheeks. She didn’t turn around just leaned back slightly into the embrace.

Sylvia rested her chin on Sofia’s shoulder and whispered,

"I want a break."

"Hm?" Sofia half-turned.

"From the paperwork," Sylvia murmured. "Earlier... a guest came to my office. An avatar from another world. She asked for my help."

Sofia was silent for a moment.

"Help... in what way?"

"She wants me to go to her world. To become its Demon King. To destroy the decaying divine system."

Sofia raised her brows, this time turning to face Sylvia fully.

"That’s... a strange request. But it suits you."

Sylvia smirked.

"I thought so too."

Sofia gazed deeply into her eyes.

"Should I go with you?"

Sylvia was quiet. She met Sofia’s eyes for a long moment, then answered softly,

"I want that. But... if you go, who will take care of Nocture? Who’ll ensure this city stays intact and isn’t torn apart by military politicians or monsters from the portals?"

Sofia lowered her gaze, understanding the logic. But a flicker of disappointment danced in her eyes.

"So you’ll go alone?"

"Not entirely," Sylvia answered quickly. "I’ll bring Celes. She can help me navigate their world. She’s good with strange politics, and she’s a master of strategy."

Sofia nodded slowly, but didn’t reply.

Silence hung between them. Behind them, the three-eyed goat let out a loud bleat after accidentally bumping into the electric fence. But neither woman flinched.

Finally, Sofia spoke with a cold voice,

"Oh, so you’re going... with Celes?"

Sylvia immediately caught the tinge of jealousy hidden in her calm tone. She gently turned Sofia around to face her.

"Don’t be like that."

"I’m fine," Sofia replied quickly. "It’s just... well, our glorious queen is choosing a secret adventure with the silver-haired lady."

"Sofia..."

"It’s alright," she said again, eyes drifting toward the field. "I’ll protect this city. Even if it’s not fun to stay behind while you go off having fun destroying another world."

"This isn’t about fun. It’s... controlled destruction," Sylvia muttered with a sigh.

"Still more fun than paperwork, right?"

Sylvia couldn’t argue with that.

She leaned in and kissed Sofia’s cheek quickly.

"I’ll come back. No later than one season. If I take too long, you’re free to come get me—and hit me with that holy spear of yours."

Sofia let out a small laugh, though a trace of bitterness still lingered in her eyes.

"Fine. But don’t blame me if, by the time you return, this city has become a utopia that no longer needs you."

"In that case, I’ll retire and live with you forever. We’ll open a bakery by the river."

"With poison mushrooms on top?"

"Of course. Because we’re special."

Sofia couldn’t help but smile.

"Alright, Demon Queen. I give you permission to destroy another world. But you must come back to me without bringing even a single concubine."

"Not even one?" Sylvia teased.

Sofia gave her a flat look.

"I’ll kill you."

Sylvia chuckled softly, then pulled her into a tighter hug.

And beneath the gray sky of Nocture, two women who had survived the apocalypse shared a quiet moment before stepping once again into the chaos that awaited.

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