Chapter 218: Chapter 218 – Welco Beyond the Gates
The heavy screech of iron still echoed in their ears as the castle gates closed behind them. The black carriage trimd 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 flas 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 ho..." she whispered, her voice a mixture of relief and exhaustion.
Stacia rely nodded faintly, her gaze fixed on the towering black spires that lood 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 erge 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 erged from the cabin as well, though their steps remained unsteady. Two high-ranking zombies advanced imdiately, silently supporting them.
Celes’s eyes softened briefly as she looked upon them. "You were gravely injured," she said, her tone warr than usual. "I sensed sothing amiss the mont 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 ti."
There was a brief pause. The night wind swept across the courtyard, stirring the torch flas. Then Celes stepped forward, gesturing with her hand. "Co 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 abandonnt.
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 sowhere between admiration, worry, and perhaps sothing else unspoken.
They reached the end of the hall, where a long table had been set with a simple al: at 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 dinsional travel spell. And the Church... they’ve already revealed themselves."
Sylvia gazed at her sister for a long mont before placing a hand on Stacia’s shoulder. "You’ve suffered enough. There’s no need to speak of vengeance now. Rest. The ti will co."
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 al 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 al 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. " 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 ho. That’s enough for tonight. But I know... you’re already thinking of what cos next."
Sylvia leaned back in her chair, her eyes half-lidded. "The Church won’t stop. They see
as a threat. Sooner or later, they’ll co with full force."
"And you plan to wait for them to co?"
Sylvia’s gaze shifted to et 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 imdiate 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 et Sofia."
Celes rose quietly, stepping closer. She stopped a few paces behind Sylvia, her voice nearly a whisper. "Then... allow
to stand at your side, even when that fire consus 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 ti 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 mont.
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 ti 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 ... 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 ti, 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 beco impenetrable, her power unrivaled.
But just as quickly, the thought dimd. 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 mont. 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.
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