I Got Reincarnated as a Zombie Girl-Chapter 157 – The Queen and the World’s Movement

The cold morning wind slipped through the high windows of the castle’s main hall. The black curtains, usually still, fluttered gently, creating a soft rustling that blended with the footsteps of the undead servants who passed silently through the corridors. The castle had been fully restored since its reconstruction, yet there was something in the morning air that felt different heavier, more tense, as if the world itself was holding its breath.

On the northern balcony, Sylvia stood in a dark gray house robe. Her silver hair was tied loosely, and a steaming cup of tea rested in her hand. She gazed far into the north, toward the fog that slowly dissipated after the long night that had passed over Nocture.

She knew what had happened last night. Zark had sent her a telepathic report after the infiltrators were captured. The details, names, methods, tactics even Lieutenant Keron’s statement about the reappearance of the Internal Extremist Surveillance Division. Sylvia had read it all, memorized it, and tucked it away in her heart like thorns that had yet to pierce but were clearly felt.

"A small assault like that is just an opener," she murmured softly, to no one. "They’re measuring. Testing. Waiting for us to lower our guard."

Soft footsteps echoed behind her. Celes appeared through the balcony door, wearing a light leather coat adorned with thin metal shoulder guards. Her red hair was braided back, and a rolled document was in her hand.

"Good morning, Your Majesty," she greeted lightly.

Sylvia turned slightly. "A report?"

"Two came in this morning. One from the northern beastkin tribes, the other... about Velthya," Celes replied, handing over the documents.

Sylvia unrolled the first. It was lengthy, yet neatly and systematically written. The beastkin tribes in the north diverse groups who had thus far remained neutral or avoided the affairs of the central world were beginning to show interest in her. They had sent a small delegation to the border, not with demands for war, but offers of trade and limited alliance.

Interestingly, the report noted that most beastkin did not trust the gods. To them, the forces of nature and ancestral spirits were far more important than divine institutions.

"They could be very valuable allies," Sylvia whispered. "Especially if they’re not already in the gods’ grasp."

Then she opened the second report. It was shorter, but far more personal.

Velthya.

The name rang like an old echo in her mind. The small town where she had first arrived upon coming to this world, when the dimensional gates had closed and she became a stranded stranger. The report stated that Velthya had survived the recent wave of rogue zombies that had gotten out of control zombies that, though not under Sylvia’s direct command, seemed to instinctively distinguish between neutral areas and enemy targets.

"So Velthya is safe... Thank goodness. Otherwise, I would have felt terribly guilty," Sylvia said softly.

Celes turned, holding back a smile. "Who is she? Seems like someone important to you. Should I report this to Sofia? Who knows, maybe you’re... cheating."

Sylvia turned quickly. "I am not cheating. She was the first person who welcomed me when I arrived in this world. She... took care of me when I was still confused and alone."

Celes kept her teasing smile. "Hoho~ why are you panicking like that? Sounds like there was something between you two, huh?"

"No, no, no. I just... worried she might’ve been caught up in the zombie rampage. Because she helped me back when I didn’t know anything," Sylvia replied nervously, her voice rising half an octave.

"Alright, I believe you," Celes said with a small laugh.

Sylvia exhaled deeply and looked north again. But Celes, now standing beside her, murmured softly almost speaking to the wind.

"Just as long as... I get to be first, before anyone else."

But Sylvia didn’t hear her. Her eyes had returned to the remaining pages of reports. Her face was calm, but her mind was filled with shifting political maps and enemies moving in the shadows.

She knew this was just the beginning. Last night’s infiltration unit wasn’t just an attack. It was a sign that the world was preparing to decide who would be allowed to stand... and who must be erased.

Celes stood still for a moment, then her usually confident expression turned serious. "We need to talk about Velthya. If that town survived without your direct intervention, then it may now be a target for those who suspect a connection between you."

Sylvia closed the document and set it on a small table beside the balcony. Steam still rose gently from her teacup, mingling with the morning mist. "I know. They’ll investigate anyone who’s ever been close to me. Even a small place can become a target if it’s seen as strategically or emotionally valuable."

"We can’t ignore that. Let me send a reconnaissance unit to Velthya’s vicinity. Not to interfere just to watch and protect from a safe distance," Celes offered without hesitation, her tone firm yet respectful.

Sylvia nodded slowly. "Agreed. Make sure the unit consists of high-rank undead who can pass as human. I don’t want Velthya’s citizens to panic or feel watched. We guard them from the shadows... just like this world once guarded me when I first arrived."

Celes recorded the order in a magical memo bracelet that hung on her wrist like an ornament. A faint blue glow flickered from the tip of her crystal pen, then faded.

But before she could say anything else, a soft knock came from the balcony door.

Varnak entered, bowing respectfully with his towering figure and heavy steps. Though his face was hidden by a helmet, his tone was flat but serious.

"Your Majesty, there is a visitor. She... is a former member of the Hero’s party. She claims she wants to join us."

Sylvia raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. "Who?"

Varnak answered slowly, "A mage. Red-haired. She calls herself Aurelia."

Sylvia paused for several seconds. The name wasn’t unfamiliar, but thoughts of the Heroes were always clouded by condescension and excessive fanaticism. They had once come bearing the banner of ’truth,’ but now one of them stood at gate with the intent to turn.

"Bring her to the throne room. I want to speak with her directly," said Sylvia.

"At once, Your Majesty." Varnak bowed again and departed.

Sylvia sighed, then re-entered the castle. In the hallway, she called for an attendant to help her prepare. She changed out of her house robe and into her proud black gown with silver accents on the shoulders and delicate magical root motifs flowing from bottom to top. Her crown, normally stored in the system vault, was summoned again a black ring adorned with a blood crystal at the center, symbolizing dominion and the underworld’s lineage.

She walked toward the throne room unhurriedly, but each step made the stone tiles resonate. When Sylvia entered the grand hall, the undead guards on either side closed ranks in silence. The light from the enchanted crystal ceiling cast her silhouette graceful yet untouchable.

Before the throne, a girl stood with her head bowed. Her long red hair was loosely tied back. Her robe was worn and clearly not a proper battle garment. A faint burn scar marked the left side of her neck, still healing.

She seemed tense, but not afraid. More like someone who had made a great decision and was prepared to face whatever followed.

"Your Majesty, my name is Aurelia," she said softly but clearly. "I’ve come alone, and I represent no one."

Sylvia sat on her throne, gazing down at her. Her look was not harsh, but not gentle either. It was a gaze that seemed to cut through lies and motives.

"What do you want from me?"

Aurelia raised her head, her eyes full of resolve despite her weary body. "I want to join you. I... no longer believe in the church. In the Heroes who claimed to fight for truth."

Sylvia didn’t respond immediately. She only tilted her head slightly. "Interesting. But why trust me? Aren’t I considered the Demon Queen by them?"

Aurelia looked down briefly, then replied, "Because... you were chosen directly."

Sylvia narrowed her eyes. "How do you know that?"

Aurelia hesitated for a moment, but then said slowly, "The goddess I worship... told me to join you. In my dreams, in my prayers she said the chaos you bring... is the chaos this world needs. To restore balance."

The room fell silent.

Even the undead guards despite being incapable of feeling seemed to hold their breath.

"Which goddess?" Sylvia finally asked.

Aurelia answered softly, almost in a whisper, "Ithara... Goddess of Stars and Fate."

Sylvia went still. That name was more than just a name. Ithara was one of the gods who had never taken sides neither light nor dark. Her power almost never intervened directly... until now.

"Your goddess... told you to abandon the Heroes and come to me?" Sylvia asked again, this time with a sharper tone.

Aurelia met her gaze, eyes clear and full of conviction. "Yes. And I haven’t come to spy or infiltrate. If you don’t believe me, kill me here. But... if you’re still willing to accept someone like me, then let me prove my loyalty with action."

Sylvia stared at her for a long moment.

Then she gave a faint smile. "You really are a fool. But a fool... headed in a fascinating direction."

New n𝙤vel chapters are published on f(r)e𝒆webn(o)vel.com