Five days had passed since the appearance of the unknown zombie forces at the city gate. Sylvia had spent those days preparing her core army, organizing scouts, and reinforcing the city’s defenses. No longer did she idle on the castle balcony sipping black tea or engage in long, leisurely conversations with Sofia in the castle gardens. Her focus now was fixed entirely on one thing: the Third Zombie King.
The once-quiet nights in the city were now filled with activity. Bonfires burned along the outer walls, illuminating rows of high-rank zombies standing in formation. The humans a living in the settlements watched the military preparations with a mix of awe and unease. No one dismissed Sylvia’s existence as mere myth or rumor anymore. The Dark Queen, the ruler of the undead, was real... and now, she was preparing for war.
In the main war chamber of the black castle, Zark stood beside a round table covered in world maps and intelligence reports. Across from him, Sylvia sat with her chin resting on one hand, her eyes scanning the terrain lines and enemy movement markers.
"The last scouting unit has returned, my Queen," Zark reported. "They’ve confirmed the enemy’s base location: the ruins of a city in the north, once called Ygraim. It lies at the foot of the ice mountains, and it’s now overrun by zombies and new constructions."
"Ygraim..." Sylvia murmured. "It used to be a trading city before the first outbreak."
"Correct," Zark continued. "It has now become the stronghold of the Third Zombie King. They call it the Throne of Bones."
Sylvia raised an eyebrow. "How dramatic. Fits the narcissism of creatures like him."
Zark gave a slight nod. "And beyond the location, we’ve received reports from three telepathic zombies who infiltrated the outer ranks. They managed to capture fragments of thoughts and conversations among the King’s servants."
He raised his hand, and a wave of telepathic energy resonated through the air. Whispered voices echoed faintly in Sylvia’s mind mental fragments connected to her subordinates.
"The King won’t wait long. If the Queen does not come, we’ll burn her black city..."
"He wants to wed her, but also prove his dominance..."
"If she refuses, she’ll be made to kneel either as a bride or a puppet..."
The wave of sound faded into silence. The room grew colder.
Sylvia straightened up, a mocking smile slowly curling at the corners of her lips.
"Utterly foolish. Love wrapped in threats the most primitive form of power play. And he thinks I’d be flattered by such an invitation?"
Zark bowed slightly. "Part of your forces are ready for battle, my Queen. And some... wish to be part of this personal expedition."
"Let them come. But make sure only the loyal join," Sylvia said. "The rest must stay to defend the city. If this is a trap, I won’t risk losing everything just to chase a dog who dares to bark."
Zark bowed again. "Understood."
Meanwhile, in the tallest tower of the castle, Sofia stood by the window, gazing at the moon. Her battle dress hung on the wall, and her body was clad only in light leisurewear. But her expression was far from relaxed. She knew where Sylvia was going.
Soft footsteps echoed behind her. Sylvia entered the room soundlessly, like a shadow merging with the night.
"Can’t sleep?" Sylvia asked.
"I can’t," Sofia replied quietly. "I can feel something... like a storm brewing behind those mountains."
Sylvia gave a faint smile. She walked over and embraced Sofia from behind.
"I’m leaving," she whispered. "Tomorrow morning. And I might not return quickly."
Sofia sighed, then turned to face her directly. "You’re not going alone, are you?"
"There’s Zark, and a few troops."
"That’s not what I meant. I want to come with you."
Sylvia fell silent for a moment.
"That place will be dangerous. This Zombie King is different. He’s not just powerful he has a strong will. He might even attack your mind."
Sofia raised her chin. "I’m not weak. And I don’t want to stay behind in the castle like some girl left behind by her lover."
Sylvia smiled faintly. "Then what are you? A girl going to war for her beloved?"
"No," Sofia replied. "I’m a general. And also... a woman who loves you."
Their eyes locked in silence. No more words were needed. They leaned in and kissed.
The next morning, a small force composed of high-rank zombies, trained undead, and a few brave humans had assembled outside the gate. Sylvia stood at the front, cloaked in a long black robe adorned with shimmering violet cords that glowed like nebulae. Beside her, Sofia wore her battle armor, and Zark held the command staff.
A zombie dragon hovered in the sky, ready to ferry them across the northern lands.
As the morning sky dimmed into a pale gray noon, Sylvia looked north.
"Advance," she said. "Today we bring war to his throne. And make sure we do not return without that King’s head."
And with that, they departed.
The wind of battle swept across the world once more.
But this time, blood and love marched side by side to the battlefield.
High above, riding swiftly through clouds and northern mist on the back of a zombie dragon, Sylvia sat behind Sofia. Her eyes stared at her lover’s firm back in silence. A sudden curiosity stirred in her. She slowly raised her hand and activated Appraisal.
[STATUS – Sofia Lichtwald]
Race: Human (Awakened)
- Aurora Heal (18/40): AoE heal + 1% HP regen every 10s – 500 MP
- Radiant Lance (16/40): Light spear piercing up to 3 targets – 100 MP
- Sacred Domain (10/20): AoE buff + heal in 10m radius – 1,000 MP / 10 min
- Blinding Rift (14/20): Instant leap + blinds enemies at start & end points
- Lumen Spear (1/20): Strong holy attack, bonus damage vs. undead – 800 MP
- Mana Control: Increased mana efficiency
- Light Blessing: +20% effectiveness to all light-based skills
- MP-Regeneration: +500 MP/min
- Duality of Flame and Light:→ Light skills: +10% fire damage (10s)→ Fire skills: +10% light healing effect (10s)
- Battle Tactician: +15% AoE range, -10% casting time
- Survivor of the Fall
- Blessing from the Goddess of Hearth, Home, and Family (Hestia)