I Got Reincarnated as a Zombie Girl

A thin mist of steam still clung to the bathhouse, coating the black stone walls and curling lazily above the surface of the water. The blue glow of enchanted torches reflected across the rippling hot spring, casting trembling shadows that seemed alive. What was usually a cold, rigid atmosphere in the black castle was now softened by the calm presence of three women leaning against the pool's edge, their damp hair plastered to their shoulders, their eyes more relaxed than they had been in days.

Alicia had already finished half her bowl of porridge, while Stacia sipped her tea with a serious expression, her cheeks still flushed from the heat. Sylvia, seated a little farther away at the side of the pool, hadn't touched her food at all. Her crimson eyes glimmered faintly as she stared at the water's surface, disturbed only by a gentle ripple.

The silence, once peaceful, began to feel heavy until Sylvia finally spoke.

"There's still something I need to discuss with both of you," she said flatly, though her voice carried weight, as if it cut through the steam and went straight into their ears.

Alicia lifted her head, silver brows furrowing. "About what? You sound serious."

Stacia set down her teacup at the pool's edge. "I felt it too. You haven't touched your food. It must be important."

Sylvia inhaled deeply, then released the breath slowly. "Yes. Something was strange about the Church's attack that day… when both of you nearly died."

Both Alicia and Stacia stiffened. They still remembered it clearly: the cries of paladins, the holy magic searing the air, the pain and cold that had nearly stolen their consciousness.

Sylvia lowered her gaze, her fingers trailing across the water's surface, creating small ripples. "From the insignia on their shields, from the way they moved… I knew they were central Church forces. Paladins of that level don't come from minor branches. But… something doesn't add up."

Alicia narrowed her eyes. "Doesn't add up how?"

"If they were truly from the center," Sylvia continued, her gaze sharpening, "they wouldn't send just a handful of troops. The central Church has immense power, and every move they make is calculated. Sending a small squad against you two… felt like a trap. Either to draw me out, or…"

Stacia interjected softly but firmly, "Or they weren't from the center at all. Just another group pretending to be."

Sylvia nodded slowly. "That's the most likely. If some rogue branch wanted to provoke me, all they'd need to do is wear the insignia of the central Church and wait for my anger. If I lashed out immediately, Lumielle…" She paused, locking eyes with them, "…would see it as me breaking my promise."

Alicia placed her empty bowl aside with a soft clink. "Lumielle? That goddess again?"

Stacia tilted her head, damp hair sliding over her shoulder. "I know that name… one of the Twelve Gods, isn't she? The Goddess of Light."

Sylvia nodded. Her eyes caught the blue glow of the enchanted torches. "Yes. Lumielle sides with the living of this world. Unlike other gods who see mortals only as sources of faith, she is more neutral. More… just, at least from the time I spoke with her."

Alicia pressed her lips together, her voice edged with cynicism. "Gods… just? That sounds like irony. If they were truly just, we wouldn't be going through all this."

Stacia turned sharply toward her, but Sylvia only smiled faintly. "I thought the same at first. But Lumielle is different. She once told me: 'Do not attack the people of this world first.' Those words held me back… until now."

Silence descended again. Only the faint ripples of water filled the gap.

Alicia bit her lip, then looked at Sylvia sharply. "So now you're torn? Between striking at the Church… or obeying that goddess again?"

Sylvia nodded once, slowly. "Yes. If I strike the wrong target, it will give the gods an excuse to unite against me. But if I stay idle… they may see it as weakness. And another attack against you both could happen again."

Stacia studied Sylvia intently before speaking slowly, "Then why not speak to Lumielle directly? She's approached you before, hasn't she?"

Sylvia's crimson eyes glinted faintly. "I've thought about that. But I don't know if she'll appear again or not. I can't summon her at will. The only place I know her presence is strong… is at her temple in Anarats."

Alicia crossed her arms, leaning back against the poolside. "That city… the one near the Church's branch?"

"Yes." Sylvia nodded. "Anarats is a major city with strong Church influence. There's a temple to Lumielle there. If I go, I may be able to speak with her… or at least with her priests."

Stacia lowered her eyes, her voice serious. "That's far better than lashing out blindly. If there's a provocateur, you'll uncover it there. And if Lumielle truly stands with the living… she'll guide you."

Alicia snorted softly, but didn't argue. "I don't like relying on gods. But… Stacia's right. Better to confirm the truth first. If it is the central Church that attacked us… then you can strike back."

Sylvia looked at them both in turn. Alicia's expression was firm but honest; Stacia's, calculating yet gentle. For a moment, something like relief flowed through her. She nodded faintly.

"Very well. If you both agree, then I'll do it. I'll go to Anarats and seek Lumielle."

Alicia leaned forward, silver brows raised. "But you're not going alone. At least let me come."

Stacia added, "Me too. I want to see for myself."

Sylvia sighed softly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "You're not fully healed yet. Don't push yourselves."

"But " Alicia started to argue, but Stacia laid a hand on her arm first.

"We don't have to go together. Let Sylvia scout first. If it's dangerous, she can call us. We still have the soul link, remember?"

Alicia hesitated, then finally gave a reluctant nod. "Fine. But if you get even a scratch, I'll come after you whether you like it or not."

Sylvia chuckled lightly, a rare, soft sound. "I'll remember that."

The steam wrapped around their conversation, but their hearts felt lighter. A decision had been made, a direction clear: they would seek answers first, not draw swords recklessly.

Sylvia leaned back against the pool's stone edge, her eyes lifting toward the misty ceiling. Lumielle… if you truly side with this world, then show me the truth.

For a while, she allowed herself to be still, surrounded by the warmth of water and her sisters' presence. Outside, the world might be full of hatred and traps, but within this steam-filled chamber, Sylvia could feel… a fragile peace.

Ripples circled slowly around their bodies, echoing the weight of their words. Sylvia's pale shoulders rose just above the water's surface, her wet black hair clinging to her skin. Alicia rested her head on her arm, eyes narrowed in thought. Stacia sat upright, her gaze soft but inward, calculations moving silently behind her eyes.

The quiet lingered until Alicia broke it.

"So… when will you leave for Anarats?" she asked, her tone calm but edged with worry. "If you wait too long, the Church might strike again."

Sylvia didn't answer at once. She brushed water from her face, then closed her eyes briefly. "Not immediately. I need to make sure the Nocture troops fully adapt here. At least for the next few days, I want them stabilized."

Stacia nodded, her gaze shifting to Sylvia. "That's the right choice. If you leave too soon, you'll leave a hole. Even with Celes here, the new troops still need guidance before they can act without you."

Alicia leaned forward, brows knitted. "But I won't be at ease with you going alone."

Sylvia glanced at her, then offered a faint smile, a shadow of one. "I'm not truly alone. Don't forget Noir."

The name made Alicia snap her head toward her. "That black dragon?"

Stacia's eyes lit with interest. "Bringing Noir with you… would indeed make you nearly untouchable. But if the destination is a temple, won't that draw too much attention?"

Sylvia didn't reply right away. She drew a slow breath, then said, "Noir can stay outside the city. He doesn't need to enter. Just being nearby is enough. I can summon him instantly, or pull him from storage if needed."

Stacia inclined her head. "Hm… that's reasonable."

Alicia still looked unconvinced, but held her tongue. She only flashed a thin, wolfish grin before sipping her tea again.

The silence returned, softer this time. Steam filled the room, wrapping it like a dream. Sylvia looked at her sisters again, then spoke quietly.

"You know… I don't like relying on gods. But this time… I have no other choice."

Alicia turned quickly, her silver eyes firm. "Relying or not it's just a word. What matters is you're still choosing your path. Even if you talk to Lumielle, the decision is yours, not hers."

Stacia added calmly, "And isn't it wiser to seek the truth first, before destroying something that might not even be the real enemy? The central Church may not be behind it, as you suspect. If we strike them without certainty, we'll fall into the gods' game."

Sylvia was quiet, then nodded once. "True. That's why I want to hear from Lumielle herself… or at least confirm it through her temple."

Again, they sat quietly, letting the warmth soak into them. Stacia closed her eyes, lost in thought over the strategies ahead. Alicia, by contrast, smirked and teased.

"I just hope," she said, glancing at Sylvia, "you don't bring that goddess back to the castle with you. I wouldn't know where to sit if holy light started shining in here."

Sylvia arched a brow, her gaze flat. "If that did happen, I'm sure you'd be the first one to run out of the room."

Alicia winked with a mischievous grin. "At least I'd be honest about it."

Stacia sighed, though the corners of her lips curved faintly. "You two… always the same."

Time passed, the steam gradually thinning. The simple breakfast brought by the servant was nearly gone, Alicia with her large appetite, Stacia sipping tea quietly, and Sylvia eating only half, more out of courtesy than need.

Sylvia rose first, water dripping from her black hair, falling down her pale shoulders. She reached for a towel, drying herself slowly. "I'll prepare the plans for Anarats. You two rest for today."

Alicia lifted her head at once. "When are you leaving?"

"As soon as everything is ready," Sylvia replied curtly.

Stacia stood as well, her towel wrapped neatly around her. "Then tell us before you depart. I won't accept hearing it from someone else."

Sylvia glanced at her briefly, her red eyes glowing faintly, and nodded. "Of course."

The three of them left the bath together, their steps echoing softly down the damp stone halls. The warm mist faded behind them, replaced by the biting winter chill that seeped through the castle. Yet within Sylvia's chest, something felt warmer.

She watched her sisters walking ahead Alicia with energetic steps despite her body's lingering weakness, Stacia calm but steady.

Yes… before I leave for Anarats, I need to make sure they're truly safe here, Sylvia thought. Otherwise… I won't be able to focus when I face Lumielle.