I Got Reincarnated as a Zombie Girl-Chapter 338 - 334 – Welcome from Nocturne

Persephone smiled gently at Sylvia, her hand extended as if wanting to touch the shoulder of her adopted daughter. The air at the peak of Olympus felt increasingly heavy, filled with the residual vibrations of the Underworld goddess’s power that had just forced Gaia to flee. Sofia, Stacia, Alicia, and the little treant stood behind Sylvia, their eyes gazing around with a mixture of awe and caution. This sacred mountain, now even more majestic after the fusion of worlds, seemed alive on its own marble columns pulsed like veins, satellite antennas blinked like the eyes of modern gods keeping watch.

"But remember, my child," Persephone said softly, her voice like a whisper of wind from the river Styx. "This new world is full of dangers. Even for you."

Sylvia nodded again, but before she could reply, a strange vibration arose not from the ground, not from the sky, but from within themselves. As if the space around them cracked invisibly, and in an instant, everything changed.

As though expelled by an unseen force.

The view of Olympus vanished like a fading dream. Sylvia felt a sharp pull at the core of her Mortifera, her body transported without warning. Sofia let out a soft cry, Stacia gripped Alicia’s hand, and the little treant curled up on Sofia’s shoulder. In the span of a single breath, they were already in a new place standing before the gigantic gate of Nocturne.

The hot desert wind of Earth swept across their faces, mixed with the scent of dry soil and metallic smoke from the city ahead. The pitch-black gate, forged from dragon bones and iron, towered higher than Sylvia remembered, with a black rose symbol fluttering above it. In front of the gate, thousands of sentient zombies stood in perfect formation, their eyes glowing bright red. Among them were Celes and Aurellia, who had just arrived with their black castle now standing majestically to the east of the gate like a new guardian.

The crowd froze for a moment, then like a wave, thousands of zombies knelt in unison including those who had just emerged from Celes’s castle. These zombies came from another world, loyal undead from a fantasy realm now fused with Earth, but there were also those native to the original Earth, a perfect blend of both worlds. Among them, a gigantic zombie dragon named Noir, its pitch-black body covered in cracked scales and glowing red eyes, bowed low, its folded wings showing respect, its cold breath exhaling dark mist.

Zark, standing at the front row, was the first to rise and bow deeply. "Queen... welcome back," he said, his raspy undead voice filled with rare emotion. Thousands of zombies followed, their voices echoing like a prayer: "Welcome back, Queen of Death."

Sylvia nodded slowly, her aura dominating the entire area like living darkness. Her Death Flame pulsed once, instantly calming the wild zombies in the distance who had been panicking as they knelt from afar.

Sofia behind her gave a tired smile, Stacia breathed a sigh of relief, and Alicia hugged the trembling little treant. Celes stepped forward with a warm smile. "You’ve finally arrived, Sylvia. We’ve been waiting."

Sylvia gazed at the crowd for a moment, then her cold but firm voice rang out: "Open the gate."

Zark raised his spear, and the massive gate creaked open its gigantic iron hinges moving like living creatures, revealing the city within.

And Sylvia fell silent for a moment.

The Nocturne she had left several years ago a simple undead fortress had now evolved into a majestic city she barely recognized. Its inner walls were reinforced with elven magic layers, making them unshakable even by the fusion earthquake. The muddy main roads of the past were now paved with shining black stone that glowed faintly under the new sunlight, adorned with crystal lamps crafted by dwarves, a hybrid of leftover Earth electrical technology and illumination magic. The once-small central market had become a vast plaza filled with bustling stalls: human survivors selling modern weapons modified with elven runes, orcs offering fresh monster meat from the new forests, dwarves hammering in open forges creating hybrid armor from iron and monster materials, elves selling healing potions blended with chemical medicine from old apocalypse labs.

After years of absence, Nocturne had grown this far. The population that once numbered in the thousands had become tens of thousands, with various races living in harmony under the black rose banner. There were new districts: an Elf District with a mini-forest in the middle of the city, ancient trees growing among recycled concrete buildings where nature mages sold protective charms; a Dwarf District full of smoky workshops, the sound of hammers and machines echoing all day, producing hybrid vehicles electric cars with magic wheels that never wore out; an Orc District like a safe gladiator arena where they held tournaments to train city guards, but without permanent death thanks to undead potions. There was even a modern human district with leftover Earth-style cafés serving coffee enhanced with elven elixirs for extra stamina.

Sylvia walked slowly through the gate, Sofia and the others following behind. The city’s inhabitants paused their activities, merchants in the market stopped trading, bowing in respect; mixed-race children (human-elf, orc-dwarf) stared wide-eyed before giving small, shy bows. "Queen..." they whispered.

After several years, this city was no longer just a place of darkness, it had become a center of trade, innovation, and power. The once-barren corpse fields were now far more expansive, producing edible undead crops that were even exported to surrounding small towns. The outer defensive fortress was equipped with watchtowers fitted with magical telescopes and modern radar, making Nocturne truly impregnable.

She had to thank Sofia first before Sofia followed her to the other world through an Earth avatar that created the portal, it was Sofia who had managed the city. Sofia laid the foundation: integrating the new races, establishing neutral rules, and transforming Nocturne from a war fortress into a peaceful city. After Sofia left, Zark took over expanding trade, strengthening defenses, and keeping the devotion to their queen alive. Thanks to them, Nocturne was no longer merely a shadow of death; it had become a thriving kingdom of death, ready to welcome its queen back.

Sylvia stopped in the middle of the market and looked at Zark following behind. "Thank you, Sofia," she said softly, turning to her friend. "And Zark. You’ve protected everything."

Sofia smiled, tears streaming down. "This is our home. Always."

Zark bowed again. "For the Queen."

Sylvia did not head straight to the majestic black castle standing at the city’s center; the castle she had once left as a symbol of power now looked larger and more alive after years of absence. She gently shook her head when Zark and Celes offered to escort her directly there. "Not now," she said coldly but calmly. "I want to see what you’ve protected while I was gone."

Zark bowed deeply, not daring to argue. Celes gave a small smile, understanding. "Of course, my Queen. This city is yours, explore it as you wish."

Sylvia walked slowly down the main street, Sofia at her right side, Stacia at her left, Alicia following a little behind while looking around with sparkling eyes. The little treant, now recovered from the world-fusion shock, sat upright on Sylvia’s shoulder. Its leaves swayed enthusiastically, its small green eyes gazing at every stall and merchant with unconcealed curiosity. "Wow... so many things!" it murmured in leaf language that only Sylvia and Sofia could understand, its tiny branches pointing excitedly at merchants selling faintly glowing undead fruits.

The central market of Nocturne was lively yet orderly. Human survivor merchants offered rune-modified firearms, long-barreled pistols engraved with death symbols that made the bullets never miss. Next to them, an elven woman in green sold healing potions in crystal bottles, the herbal scent mingling with the chemical smell of leftover apocalypse medicine. Dwarves shouted about hybrid armor: breastplates forged from recycled iron and dragon bone, light yet impenetrable. Tame orcs sold smoked monster meat seasoned with magic spices, its fragrant aroma tempting even humans who would normally find it repulsive.

Sylvia walked unhurriedly, her pitch-black eyes scanning every corner. She saw mixed-race children, a half-human half-elf girl running with a basket of undead fruit, a small orc boy chasing a bouncing monster-hide ball. They paused when they saw Sylvia, eyes widening, then gave small respectful bows while smiling shyly. "Queen..." they whispered.

Sofia walked beside her, occasionally touching Sylvia’s arm. "I can’t believe it... this used to be just a small fortress. Now look at them living together, without hating each other." Her voice was full of pride. She had once overseen the construction of the new districts, creating rules that every race must help one another to survive. "You know, before I followed you to the other world, I was worried this city would collapse. But Zark... he truly protected it."

Stacia nodded, her eyes on the watchtower now equipped with magical telescopes and modern radar. "I remember when I was still weak after the battle with Xynareth. This city gave me a place to heal. They never stopped waiting for you."

Alicia, the youngest among them, ran ahead a little, staring at the potion stalls with shining eyes. "Wow, this is like the market in the old city, but way cooler! Look, there’s ice cream made from monster milk!" The little treant on Sylvia’s shoulder cheered along, its leaves dancing. "Ice cream! Ice cream!" it cried in leaf language, causing Sylvia to show a faint smile, a rare expression seen only by those closest to her.

Sylvia stopped in front of the corpse field, now vastly expanded. Once just a small patch of dead land, it had become a wide plantation glowing with undead crops, edible black mushrooms, poisonous rose flowers that produced healing honey, even apple trees whose fruit granted temporary strength. Undead and human farmers worked side by side without fear. An elderly human farmer approached and bowed deeply. "Queen... we never stopped planting for you."

Sylvia nodded gently. "You’ve all done more than I ever expected."

She continued walking, passing the orc district where the gladiator arena had become a safe training ground. Participants fought under strict rules, no permanent death thanks to undead potions. In the human district cafés, the aroma of coffee mixed with elven elixir wafted out, making the little treant on Sylvia’s shoulder even more excited, its leaves swaying like it was dancing.

After touring most of the market, Sylvia stopped in the middle of the main street. She looked at the black castle in the distance, then at Sofia, Stacia, Alicia, and the little treant now sitting energetically on her shoulder.

"This is our home," she said softly, her voice cold yet carrying a warmth only they could understand. "And we will protect it together."

Sofia nodded, tears flowing again. "Forever."

And around them, Nocturne continued to breathe a city born from death, now a symbol of new life in a fused world.

The Queen had returned, and her home welcomed her with the deepest respect.