I Got Reincarnated as a Zombie Girl

The morning air in the castle was just as cold as the night before. A thin fog clung beyond the glass windows, cloaking the outside world in a frozen, gray veil. Sylvia awoke with her body feeling lighter, though her mind was already burdened with heavy plans.

She rose from the large bed, her feet sinking into the thick wool rug. Her slow steps carried her toward the small washroom at the side of her chamber, but when she turned the faucet, only a faint rattling sound came. No water. The pipes were still blocked with ice.

Sylvia let out a short sigh. "Still frozen…" Then she turned away.

She stepped out onto the balcony. As soon as the wooden door opened, the morning chill struck her face. A thin frost coated the iron railing, glimmering pale under the first light of dawn. In the corner, a large metal drum still stood, its surface sealed with a thin layer of ice.

Sylvia raised her hand. A dark violet flame Nether Flame flickered to life at her fingertips, hissing softly. As it touched the drum's surface, quick cracks spread, and the ice melted with a sharp crackling sound. Soon, the water within began to steam faintly.

With a wooden bucket, she drew enough water and carried it inside. Each step rustled the fabric of her nightgown, contrasting with the cold mist rising from the water. She set the bucket down before the marble basin, cupped her hands, and splashed water across her face.

The warmth tinged her pale skin pink, clearing her thoughts. She combed her long black hair, braiding it simply over one shoulder. Staring into the mirror, her red eyes looked fresher, though fatigue still lingered in their depths.

Moments later, she sat in the large chair of her study. The pile of papers waited, as though it had not lessened at all since she last left it. But Sylvia did not immediately reach for her pen. She rested her elbows on the desk, fingers interlaced, and closed her eyes.

"…Zark," she whispered softly.

Her mind pierced through empty space, following a path she had long neglected. The soul-bond she had forged with her zombie generals on Earth remained, though untouched for some time. At first, there was only silence. Then slowly, a heavy voice rumbled within her mind.

"My Queen…?" The voice was deep, rough and unmistakably Zark.

Sylvia exhaled with relief. "Zark. It's been too long since we last spoke directly. I've been too busy… and so have you, no doubt."

"Indeed. But this bond never fades. I have always waited, should you ever call."

Silence lingered, broken only by faint breaths across the link. Sylvia gazed at the papers before her, then spoke quietly, "I discovered something. I… can transfer the zombie army on Earth into dimensional storage, and summon them here. Their numbers are unlimited."

A long silence followed. Then Zark's voice came, low and heavy. "…That is… extraordinary. With that, your power in this world would surge. But "

"I know," Sylvia cut in, her tone cold yet tinged with bitterness. "If I bring them all here, Earth will be left bare. Nocture would be unprotected. They could strike at any time. I cannot allow that."

"Hmph… that is true." Zark's tone carried the weight of thought. "Our city on Earth is not just a fortress, but a symbol. If abandoned, the humans who despise you will surely invade. And perhaps others who have been waiting for their chance."

Sylvia lowered her gaze, her fingers drumming lightly against the wooden desk. "That is why I called you. I need your counsel, Zark."

Another pause. Then Zark's voice grew firmer, though still heavy. "Bring only half the army."

Sylvia's brow lifted slightly. "Half?"

"Yes. The zombies that remain in Nocture will be enough to guard the city. Do not forget, we now have many other forces humans, beastkin, dwarves, and elves loyal to you. Then there are the tamed monsters, and the defenses strengthened further. Lady Sofia has organized the systems well."

At that name, warmth and ache stirred in Sylvia's chest. She drew a breath, closing her eyes briefly. "…Sofia."

"Indeed. Do not underestimate your consort's strength, my Queen," Zark continued, his voice almost like a warm tease. "She may be human, but I've seen with my own eyes how swiftly she has grown. She is strong enough to lead the front lines even without you."

Sylvia was silent, then a faint smile touched her lips. "You believe in her?"

"I do not merely believe. I have witnessed. And remember, I myself am strong enough to face many armies. Leave Nocture under my watch with half your army. Meanwhile, you bring the rest, including Noir."

Sylvia's eyes glinted. "Noir?"

"Yes. That dragon belongs at your side now. He is the symbol of your strength, not just another soldier. Here, his presence draws too much attention. At your side, he will be a true terror that shakes your enemies."

Sylvia fell into thought. She pictured the indolent black dragon Noir, who so often slept, yet whose awakening was enough to make thousands tremble. Bringing him here… it made sense.

"In that case…" Sylvia leaned back in her chair, her voice quiet but resolute. "You are certain you can protect Nocture with half the army?"

"I swear it." Zark's voice rang with conviction. "Earth will not lose its fortress. And you… will wield enough power to shake this new world of yours."

Sylvia remained silent for a long moment. Her gaze lifted to the window clouded with frost, lips moving barely above a whisper. "…Very well. We will do so. Half the zombie army will be transferred together with Noir. The rest will remain on Earth, under your command."

"That is a wise decision, my Queen."

The bond weakened, their exchange nearing its end. Before it faded, Zark added, "Do not waver, my Queen. This world, that world both remains in your grasp, as long as you remember what you protect."

The voice dissolved into silence.

Sylvia slowly opened her eyes. She let out a long breath, reclining against her chair. Her fingers tapped lightly against the desk piled with papers, though her mind drifted between the world she had left behind and the world beneath her feet.

"Half the army…" she murmured. "It will suffice. For now."

She gazed blankly at the ceiling, then a faint smile curved her lips. "…Sofia, wait for me. I will return to you soon."

Sylvia still sat in the grand chair of her study, eyes resting on the remaining stacks of parchment. Yet for the first time in a long while, she felt as though a way forward had revealed itself. The weight pressing on her shoulders eased if only slightly.

Her fingers tapped the wood again. Tok… tok… tok… The sound filled the silent study. Beyond the window, the morning fog slowly lifted, letting pale sunlight pierce the frost-covered glass.

She closed her eyes briefly, whispering as if to herself.

"Half the army… Noir… and me here. Zark is there with Sofia. Balance. It's enough."

But even as she said it, her heart was not entirely convinced.

Sofia's face came to her mind soft yet steadfast, her blue eyes sharp when leading, and the smile she wore whenever their serious talks turned into playful banter. Sylvia lifted her hand, brushing her lips, as though trying to recall that warmth again.

"…I must trust them. Sofia, Zark, everyone in Nocture. If not, I'll remain trapped between two worlds forever," she whispered.

She reached for the pen beside the parchment, poised to write orders, plans, perhaps strategies but stopped. The pen hovered over blank paper.

"Not now. Today is enough."

Sylvia rose from her chair. Her thin black gown swayed softly with her nearly soundless steps. She crossed to the large window and drew the curtains fully open. Pale light flooded the study, glinting faintly off the old books and dark wooden furniture.

From there, she could see the castle courtyard. Zombies stood in rigid lines, their ranks unmoving, only their glowing eyes breaking the stillness. Though they bore no emotion, Sylvia could feel the faint bond that tied them to her.

"There will be more of you here… soon," Sylvia said softly, though her voice carried iron resolve.

Her fingertip brushed the glass. The cold bit into her skin, meaningless to her body but the sharper chill was the knowledge that every decision she made was not only about power, but about whom she must protect.

Her thoughts lingered on Zark's words. About Sofia, about Nocture, about how vital it was to divide the burden so one world would not collapse while she built the other.

Sylvia drew a deep breath, then turned away from the window. "I must prepare for the first summoning. But… tonight. Not now. I want them to witness it, especially Celes so they understand what we're building."

A knock sounded softly at her study door. Tok… tok…

Sylvia turned, her expression cooling. "Enter."

The heavy wooden door creaked open, and Celes stepped in with graceful poise. Her silver hair shimmered in the light, her simple black gown hugging her slender frame. Her gaze swept briefly over the cluttered desk before settling back on Sylvia.

"You're up early," Celes said flatly, though her eyes carried a warmth beneath the tone.

"I cannot sleep long," Sylvia replied simply.

Celes shut the door gently and walked closer. "Your face looks… different. Did something happen?"

Sylvia studied her for a moment, then turned her gaze aside. "…Perhaps."

"Will you tell me?"

Sylvia was silent, then let out a small sigh. "You'll know. When the time comes."

Celes did not press. She only nodded faintly and pulled a chair, sitting across the table. "Then while we wait for that time… let me sit with you. As always."

Sylvia regarded her once more, then settled back into her own chair. A faint smile flickered at her lips, subtle, almost invisible. "As always."

And so the morning continued not with grand decisions or battles, but with two figures seated across one another in the castle's study. One gazed at papers, the other at silence. The world outside moved on, yet for them, time seemed to slow.