I Got Reincarnated as a Zombie Girl

The heavy screech of iron still echoed in their ears as the castle gates closed behind them. The black carriage trimmed with silver rolled slowly into the inner courtyard, following a broad path flanked by stone gardens and weathered statues on both sides. Magical torches mounted on iron poles lit up automatically, their pale blue flames dancing across the snow piled along the edges.

Alicia pushed the velvet curtain aside a little wider, her eyes sparkling though her face remained pale. "We're truly home…" she whispered, her voice a mixture of relief and exhaustion.

Stacia merely nodded faintly, her gaze fixed on the towering black spires that loomed like giant shadows behind the evening mist. "This castle… feels larger than before. Or perhaps it's just because my body is still weak."

Sylvia sat tall on the driver's bench, her eyes never leaving the main entrance that drew nearer. Two lines of zombie soldiers stood in perfect ranks on either side of the road, their armor glinting coldly under the torches. Nothing else was heard but the wheels of the carriage and the faint hum of protective wards etched into the walls.

When the carriage halted before the wide stone staircase, the great black wooden doors carved with chains opened slowly. From within, warm light spilled out, welcoming the return of its queen.

The first figure to emerge was Celes. Her silver hair caught the torchlight, her eyes calm as a starless night. She descended in a plain black gown not as grand as her ceremonial attire, yet it still radiated authority.

"Your Majesty," she greeted softly, her voice low but clear, echoing across the vast courtyard.

Sylvia lowered her cloak slightly, her gaze fixed straight on Celes. Her lips moved faintly. "Celes."

Alicia and Stacia emerged from the cabin as well, though their steps remained unsteady. Two high-ranking zombies advanced immediately, silently supporting them.

Celes's eyes softened briefly as she looked upon them. "You were gravely injured," she said, her tone warmer than usual. "I sensed something amiss the moment you left with only a short note. But…" Her gaze shifted back to Sylvia, "…I see now they were in danger. No wonder you left so suddenly."

Sylvia gave only a slight nod. "Yes. Fortunately, I arrived in time."

There was a brief pause. The night wind swept across the courtyard, stirring the torch flames. Then Celes stepped forward, gesturing with her hand. "Come inside. The hall is prepared."

The broad stone steps carried them to the main doors. Once they crossed the threshold, the icy air outside gave way to the warmth of the castle. Hundreds of enchanted candles burned along the walls of the grand hall, their light gleaming across polished black marble floors.

Alicia let out a soft sigh. "It feels like stepping into another world… I almost forgot how beautiful this castle is."

Stacia remained quiet, her eyes fixed on the high ceiling filled with carvings. She knew many of them were ancient protective wards, keeping the castle intact even after centuries of abandonment.

Sylvia walked at the front, her steps steady. She could feel the dozens of hollow gazes of high-ranking zombies lining the corridors, bowing in reverence as she passed. The weight of their respect pressed down like even the stone walls bent to her presence.

Celes walked beside her, speaking low so only Sylvia could hear. "Your note was brief. Only, 'I'm leaving, don't worry.' I suspected danger, but I did not expect the Church to bare its fangs so soon."

Sylvia's crimson eyes narrowed slightly as she glanced at her. "They dared touch my family. That is a mistake they will pay for."

Celes did not reply. She only studied Sylvia's pale face with an unreadable look somewhere between admiration, worry, and perhaps something else unspoken.

They reached the end of the hall, where a long table had been set with a simple meal: meat soup, hard bread, and herbal tea. Perhaps modest, but for Alicia and Stacia's recovering bodies, it was a precious feast.

Zombie attendants bowed, making way. Alicia sat carefully, Stacia following, while Sylvia remained standing behind them, ensuring everything was in order.

Celes sat opposite, her fingers tapping lightly on the old wood. "You will remain here several days to recover. This castle is safer than any small town."

Alicia looked at her, then smiled faintly. "I won't refuse a soft bed and warm food after all that's happened."

Stacia nodded, though her face stayed tense. "But we cannot linger too long. I still haven't finished the dimensional travel spell. And the Church… they've already revealed themselves."

Sylvia gazed at her sister for a long moment before placing a hand on Stacia's shoulder. "You've suffered enough. There's no need to speak of vengeance now. Rest. The time will come."

Stacia lowered her head, accepting the words though her heart still churned.

Celes glanced at Sylvia, then spoke plainly. "And you, Your Majesty. You look exhausted. Don't deny it. Even a queen is not immune to weariness of the spirit."

Sylvia nearly replied with sharpness, but instead only sighed. "Perhaps you're right." She pulled out a chair and sat at the head of the table.

The simple meal passed in peaceful silence. The clink of spoons against bowls was broken only by Alicia's light remark that the soup "tasted better than the stew I tried to make myself." Stacia ate slowly, fighting the drowsiness that lingered.

Sylvia remained quiet, occasionally glancing at the flickering candles along the walls. Yet her eyes never strayed far from her sisters, ensuring they ate enough.

When the meal was over, zombie attendants cleared the table soundlessly. Alicia leaned back in her chair, looking more refreshed. "I almost feel like a normal human again," she said with a soft laugh.

Stacia looked toward Sylvia. "Will you hold council right away? Or… wait?"

Sylvia stared blankly at the empty teacup before her. "Not tonight. Tomorrow we'll speak of it. Tonight, you both will sleep."

Alicia stood at once, though still unsteady. "In that case, I'm off. A big bed is waiting."

Stacia followed carefully. "Me too. Don't stay up too late, Sylvia."

The two departed the hall, guided by high-ranking zombies toward their rooms.

Only Sylvia and Celes remained. Silence hung heavy, broken only by the fire crackling softly in the corner hearth.

Celes studied Sylvia, then said gently, "You brought them home. That's enough for tonight. But I know… you're already thinking of what comes next."

Sylvia leaned back in her chair, her eyes half-lidded. "The Church won't stop. They see me as a threat. Sooner or later, they'll come with full force."

"And you plan to wait for them to come?"

Sylvia's gaze shifted to meet hers directly. "No. I'll go to them. But…" she stressed the word, "…not now. Not while Alicia and Stacia are still fragile."

Celes nodded slowly. "Wise. Even if your heart urges immediate revenge, you chose your family first. That's why they follow you, Sylvia. Not just because of your strength."

Sylvia fell silent, then rose to her feet. Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders as she walked to the tall window at the end of the hall. From there she could see the outer courtyard lit by torches, the iron gates sealed once more, and the towers casting their shadows into the night sky.

"I'll make sure they're safe. After that… the world can burn. I'm tired of this place. I just want return to Earth, and I want to meet Sofia."

Celes rose quietly, stepping closer. She stopped a few paces behind Sylvia, her voice nearly a whisper. "Then… allow me to stand at your side, even when that fire consumes everything."

Sylvia did not turn. She only kept her gaze on the night sky. Yet a faint smile curved at the corner of her lips, barely visible.

That night ended in silence. No council, no grand strategies. Only the relief of a family reunited, and an unspoken vow within the castle's black walls: whatever storm was coming, they would face it together.

The next morning, the pale winter sunlight slipped through the gap in the heavy curtains of the castle's grand chamber. Sylvia slowly opened her eyes. For the first time after several days filled with tension, her body felt lighter as though the weight pressing on her shoulders had eased, even if only for a fleeting moment.

She sat upon the wide velvet-covered bed, letting her long black hair fall loosely over her shoulders. Her breathing was steady, her mind slowly clearing. It had been a long time since she had done one particular thing speaking with the system.

"…It's been a while since I last heard your voice," she murmured softly, though her words were enough to connect her mind to the core of the system. "Tell me… is it possible to transfer all of my zombie forces from Earth into the system's storage, and then release them here?"

The chamber remained silent. Only the whisper of wind slipping through the half-open window could be heard. Seconds passed, and all that answered her was a faint static hum.

Bzzttt…

Like an ancient machine struggling to think, the system stayed quiet for a long time, making Sylvia hold her breath. Her crimson eyes narrowed, waiting for a definite reply.

Then…

Ding!

[Request processed… Approved.]

Sylvia flinched slightly. "What…? It's really possible?" A faint smile crossed her lips, equal parts surprise and delight. Images raced through her mind thousands, tens of thousands of loyal undead soldiers shifting into this world in an instant. Her fortress would become impenetrable, her power unrivaled.

But just as quickly, the thought dimmed. She lowered her head, fingers pressing against her chin.

"…No. If I bring them all here…" she muttered, almost as if chastising herself, "…then Earth will be left bare. Nocture will be without protection. Our enemies, human or otherwise could strike easily. That land might fall before I even return."

Silence settled once again within the room. Sylvia drew a long breath, closing her eyes for a moment. She knew there was one thing she must do before making such a grave decision.

"Perhaps… I should reach out to Zark through telepathy," she whispered.