I Got Reincarnated as a Zombie Girl
Chapter 172 – Shadows Rising from the Ashes

Chapter 172: Chapter 172 – Shadows Rising from the Ashes

The sky above the city of Nocture remained dark and gloomy, the remnants of battle still lingering in the air. The remains of armored vehicles and fallen human soldiers lay scattered across the dusty ground like open wounds. Though the victory felt real, Sofia knew well that this was not the end only the beginning of a far greater conflict.

After ensuring the battlefield was secure, Sofia slowly stepped down from the command balcony. Her calm expression concealed the growing unease in her heart. Behind her, Zark was still busy issuing orders to the evacuation teams and undead troops tasked with clearing the battleground.

"Gather the remains of their war machines. We need to know exactly what they were using," Sofia ordered before leaving the room. "I want a full report tonight."

"Understood, Lady Sofia," Zark responded firmly.

Sofia exited the command room, walking through the corridors of the castle that now felt colder than usual. Though many inhabitants of the city were undead who did not breathe, the atmosphere today felt different quieter, heavier with tension.

Her steps halted before Sylvia’s private study. A room she had deliberately avoided for some time, but now felt necessary to revisit. Sofia reached out and slowly opened the large door, carved with the emblem of Nocture a crescent moon encircling a black rose.

The room appeared exactly as Sylvia had left it. The desk was neatly arranged, with unfinished documents still spread out across its surface. Sofia gently sat in the chair Sylvia used to occupy, her fingers brushing along the edge of the desk as if trying to feel the traces of Sylvia’s touch.

"If only you were here, perhaps everything would be much simpler," Sofia murmured quietly.

She took a deep breath, steadying her thoughts before picking up the important documents from the table. Amid the stacks of papers and reports, a small black book caught her attention. Sylvia’s personal journal.

Sofia hesitated, momentarily unsure. But the growing urge to understand made her open the first page carefully.

On the first page, Sylvia’s neat handwriting was clearly visible:

"The first day after the great war against the Third Zombie King. The city of Nocture begins to grow. Sofia is starting to find her identity as a leader. I’m proud to see it..."

Sofia paused, smiling faintly before continuing to the next page.

"I don’t know if I deserve to be the leader of this city. Everything I do is for the safety of my people, but sometimes I wonder, do I truly deserve their trust?"

Sofia felt a tightness in her chest. So Sylvia, too, had harbored doubts just like the ones she now carried. She kept turning the pages, discovering Sylvia’s thoughts on her daily life, her inner conflicts, her longing for peace, and her hopes for Nocture.

Until she reached a page that made her breath hitch:

"I don’t know how long this city can survive without more war. Every victory brings a new enemy. Maybe, one day, I’ll have to return to this world with far greater power even if that means becoming something more terrifying than the Zombie Queen herself."

Sofia sat in silence for a long time before closing the journal, drawing a deep breath. She now understood Sylvia had not left by mere chance. She had a greater purpose than simply protecting Nocture she was searching for answers to a deeper, wider conflict.

And Sofia knew, in Sylvia’s absence, it was now her responsibility to keep the city standing strong. She stood up slowly, carefully placing the journal back on the desk, and exited the room with steady steps.

Sylvia stood for a moment before the towering gates of Velthya, gazing at the ancient architecture adorned with intricate carvings. The sun was slowly setting in the western sky, casting long shadows that gently brushed the white walls of the city. A mix of nostalgia and curiosity filled her gaze a complex feeling that held her still for a while before she finally stepped inside.

Velthya remained lively despite the approaching night. The streets were crowded with townsfolk going about their business, small merchants closing their stalls, and travelers seeking inns for the evening. Sylvia walked slowly, her eyes occasionally catching the gazes of curious onlookers some filled with respect, others with wonder.

"It’s been a long time since I’ve been here," Sylvia murmured as she inhaled the cool night air. "It feels like this city hasn’t changed at all."

Beside her, Alicia was observing the city with wide-eyed awe, the small lantern in her hand glowing faintly with its blue flame. She paused for a moment, feeling the night breeze brush her face a sensation she had never truly felt before, back when she was only a spirit. Now, with her new body, every gust of wind felt so real and unfamiliar.

"It feels... strange," Alicia whispered softly, almost to herself.

Stacia, walking slightly behind them, chuckled as she carried her book casually. "Isn’t it nice to feel something other than the coldness of the spirit world? I myself am enjoying every step. Maybe soon I’ll try enjoying food."

Alicia blushed slightly and smiled. "I just need time to adjust. This body still feels unfamiliar."

Sylvia stopped in front of an inn that looked warm and inviting, with a large sign that read "Golden Feather". The building was simple yet cozy, its windows glowing with soft yellow light from oil lamps inside. A faint aroma of warm food wafted from the entrance.

"We’ll rest here for the night," Sylvia said firmly as she stepped inside, greeted by the lively chatter of guests.

The inn was filled with various guests from merchants to adventurers to local townsfolk. In one corner, an elderly woman with short gray hair was busy tending to several customers. Upon seeing Sylvia enter, she approached with a warm smile.

"Welcome, miss. Need a room for the night?" she asked kindly.

Sylvia nodded. "We’ll need three rooms someplace quiet, if possible."

The old woman smiled knowingly. "Of course, we have rooms facing the back garden. Very peaceful and away from the noise."

"Then we’ll take those."

She quickly handed over the keys and gave directions to the rooms. Sylvia made her way through wooden hallways until she reached the designated room. Upon opening the door, she was greeted by a cozy atmosphere, a large bed, and simple, elegant decorations. The exhaustion she had ignored until now began to settle in, making her body feel heavier.

Alicia and Stacia took the rooms next door. Before entering her own room, Alicia hesitated for a moment, then softly said to Sylvia, "Thank you... for this new body."

Sylvia gave her a gentle smile. "I only returned what you were always meant to have. Rest tonight we’ll begin gathering information tomorrow."

Alicia nodded before quietly entering her room, leaving Sylvia alone in the hallway.

Once inside, Sylvia sat on the edge of the bed and exhaled deeply. She touched her face, feeling how her body now felt different stronger, more alive, yet also heavier. She sat in silence, recalling Sofia and Nocture, before finally lying down.

As night grew deeper, Sylvia decided to rest and try to ease her mind. But before she could fall asleep, a soft knock on the door roused her.

"Come in," she said calmly.

The door slowly opened, revealing Alicia standing there with a slightly embarrassed expression. "Sorry to bother you... I can’t sleep."

Sylvia gave a small smile and motioned her to come in. Alicia sat down on a chair next to the small table.

"Is something bothering you?" Sylvia asked gently.

Alicia looked down for a moment, then raised her eyes. "This body... I feel a little awkward in it. I was used to being a spirit not feeling pain, fatigue, or any of the things this body now experiences."

Sylvia nodded softly. "I understand. When I first reincarnated as a zombie, I felt foreign in my own skin. But eventually, I realized this body was part of my new identity a part I couldn’t separate from."

Alicia remained silent, contemplating deeply. "Will this body... limit my power?"

Sylvia smiled again, more confidently this time. "On the contrary, it will make you much stronger. You can feel the world more clearly, interact with it more fully, and your power will be more stable. You just need time to adjust."

Hearing this, Alicia’s expression lightened. "Thank you, Sylvia. I’ll do my best."

Sylvia stood and gently patted Alicia’s shoulder. "There’s no need to force yourself. We’re all still learning."

Alicia smiled warmly before finally heading back to her room. Sylvia returned to the bed, this time with a lighter heart. She knew this journey wasn’t hers alone Alicia and Stacia were also walking their own paths to rediscover themselves.

In the room next door, Stacia had just finished bathing and stood before the mirror, staring at her reflection with a look of both awe and satisfaction. Her new body looked young and healthy, with smooth skin. Her slightly damp black hair hung softly over her shoulders, and her green eyes sparkled with energy.

"Not bad," she murmured to herself with a pleased smile. "I’m starting to like having a human body."

She picked up her thick book and sat on the bed, flipping through its worn pages. Now, Stacia could not only read it as a spirit she could touch each page, feel the paper’s texture, and even smell the scent of old ink.

She sighed softly, then smiled again as she looked at the ceiling. "Maybe tomorrow I’ll try my first meal in this new life. That should be fun."

Meanwhile, Sylvia lay back on her bed, eyes slowly closing. In her mind, an image of Sofia appeared, stirring guilt for having left Nocture in a critical moment. But deep in her heart, she knew this decision was the only way to truly save the city and their world from something far greater.

Sylvia took a deep breath, trying to calm her thoughts. She chose to place her full trust in Sofia’s ability and in her friends back in Nocture.

"Sofia... just wait a little longer. I’ll return with what you need."

With that conviction, Sylvia slowly drifted to sleep, carrying a new hope that would change all their destinies.