I Got Reincarnated as a Zombie Girl-Chapter 373 - 369 – The Friendly Town

Before they knew it, the day had turned to noon. The fused sun climbed high in the gray sky, its light fiercer than usual perhaps because summer was approaching, or because Earth’s expanded size after the merging of two planets made the sunlight feel more direct, more piercing. The thin mist that usually filtered the light had grown even thinner, making the landscape below appear sharper: dense forests with lush green leaves, clear rivers flowing slowly between rocky hills, and small towns appearing more frequently along the western horizon. The wind from Noir’s flight, once refreshing, now felt warm, carrying the scent of dry leaves and sun-baked damp earth.

Sylvia felt the heat seep into her skin, which had never truly been warm, not an uncomfortable heat, but enough to make her narrow her deep red eyes. The Chain of Abyss on her wrist trembled faintly, as if responding to the temperature change. Behind her, Sofia fanned her face with her hand, her golden hair damp with a thin sheen of sweat.

"Sylviaaa... it’s so hot today," Sofia complained, loosening her hug slightly. "Like a dwarf oven running at full blast. Can we rest for a bit? I’m thirsty."

Sylvia looked ahead, squinting at a small town in the distance, a low stone wall surrounded by a wooden fence, misty-gray rooftops, and thin smoke rising from chimneys, signaling life. "Yes. We’ll rest in the nearest town. Noir, descend slowly."

Noir rumbled softly a deep, understanding growl then began to lower his altitude. The camouflage spell remained active, keeping them invisible as nothing more than a powerful gust sweeping through the trees below. They landed at the edge of a small forest, about 500 meters from the town gate. The ground trembled faintly, grass whipped wildly, but no one saw them, only a sudden strong wind that quickly died down.

Sylvia dismounted first, followed by Sofia who leaped lightly down. She patted Noir’s neck again. "Smaller now. Cat size."

Noir rumbled quietly; his massive body shrank with the sound of cracking bone and shifting scales. His torn wings folded smaller, his pitch-black scales still gleaming but now the size of a full-grown house cat still intimidating with blood-red eyes, yet oddly cute like a mischievous baby dragon. Noir shook his head, then hopped onto Sylvia’s shoulder, his tail loosely curling around her neck like a living necklace.

Sofia chuckled softly. "Noir is so adorable like this! Like a zombie cat that can growl."

Sylvia didn’t reply, but the corner of her mouth lifted slightly. She dispelled the camouflage spell with a wave of her hand; the deep purple runes faded slowly and the two of them walked toward the town. The distance wasn’t far, only 500 meters along a stone path overgrown with faint green moss. The midday wind still blew, carrying the aroma of toasted bread and smoked meat from the town a sign of busy life.

The town gate was made of simple thick wood, guarded by two relaxed humans holding spears. They glanced at Sylvia and Sofia Sylvia’s elegant black gown, her long loose black hair, Sofia in her dark golden tunic with a bright smile then nodded respectfully without questions. "Welcome to Emberford. Watch out for the sly merchants in the central market."

Sylvia gave a small nod; they entered the gate easily. Emberford wasn’t as grand as Nocture, but it bustled with post-apocalypse, post-fusion life: slippery stone streets still damp from morning dew, low houses with misty-gray roofs, and a small central market filled with human traders.

They walked slowly, without any particular destination. Sylvia observed everything with calm eyes, noting small details: children playing with self-bouncing balls, town guards patrolling casually without wartime tension, and the scent of fresh bread mixed with roasted meat making Sofia’s stomach growl again despite just having breakfast.

"Sylvia, look at that!" Sofia exclaimed, pointing to an old merchant’s stall selling faintly glowing purple crystal necklaces. "They look like the crystals in Nocture. Want to buy one?"

Sylvia shook her head gently. "No need. We’re just resting."

But Sofia had already approached, chatting lightly with the merchant, an old human. "How much is this one, sir? It’s so pretty!"

The seller grinned widely, his teeth yellowed from tobacco. "Ah, pretty miss! This crystal from the western river glows on its own at night. Just five silver coins!"

Sofia turned to Sylvia with wide, adorable eyes. "Can I, Sylvia? As a vacation souvenir."

Sylvia let out a small sigh but produced silver coins from her inventory system Nocture coins accepted everywhere. "Take it."

The merchant nodded in satisfaction. Sofia immediately put on the necklace. The faint purple crystal sparkled against her dark golden tunic like a tiny fallen star.

They continued strolling, passing a small central park with slowly blooming wildflowers, a fountain flowing with very fresh-looking clear water, and stone benches where residents sat chatting leisurely. An elderly remnant human with long white hair approached them when he saw them looking around.

"Visitors, ladies? First time in Emberford?" he asked kindly, his voice hoarse but warm.

Sofia nodded brightly. "Yes, sir! We’re from the east. Any good food recommendations?"

The old man chuckled. "Ah, of course! Stop by Hearthfire Inn at the end of the north road. Their smoked-meat soup is the best here made from wild boar hunted by local hunters. And the honey bread is so soft. Just say ’Old Eldric sent you’ you’ll get a discount!"

Sylvia gave a small nod of thanks; Sofia thanked him warmly. They headed in the direction he pointed, Noir on Sylvia’s shoulder rumbling softly like a contented purr, enjoying the midday warmth that didn’t bother his smaller size.

Hearthfire Inn was a low wooden building with a chimney puffing fragrant steam. The front door stood wide open; inside it was lively but not overcrowded: simple wooden tables, simple wooden chairs, and a nimble human waitress carrying trays. The aroma of smoked-meat soup and black honey bread greeted them immediately, making Sofia’s stomach rumble again.

They sat at a corner table; Noir hopped into Sylvia’s lap and curled up like an ordinary cat. The waitress approached a young girl with bright blue eyes. "Good afternoon, ladies. What would you like?"

Sofia ordered right away. "Two portions of smoked-meat soup and honey bread. Oh, and cold water. Old Eldric sent us here!"

The waitress smiled. "Ah, Old Eldric? 10% discount for you. Just a moment."

The food arrived quickly: thick dark-brown soup with generous chunks of smoked meat, fresh mushrooms, and crisp vegetables. The honey bread was soft, sweet but slightly astringent not quite like the honey in Nocture. They ate slowly; Sofia devoured hers enthusiastically, Sylvia more calmly but clearly enjoying the simple flavors. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"So good!" Sofia exclaimed, dipping bread into the soup.

Sylvia gave a faint smile. "This town... is peaceful."

They chatted lightly while eating about the views from Noir’s back, about Sofia’s new crystal necklace, about Noir occasionally growling for a tiny piece of meat. The surrounding patrons didn’t pay them much attention; small towns like this were accustomed to strange visitors in the post-apocalypse, post-fusion era.

After finishing, they paid with silver coins and the discount made the waitress happy and stepped outside again. The afternoon was still hot, but the breeze from the nearby river made it cooler. They strolled a bit more, stopped by an old book stall in the market for Stacia, bought some fresh mushrooms to take home, and sat in the park for a while drinking cold water.

Noir hopped around on the park grass, chasing tiny crystal butterflies that sparkled looking just like an ordinary cat, but when one flew too close, he growled softly and the butterfly dissolved into a faint purple mist.

Sofia laughed. "Noir’s playing! So cute."

Sylvia watched him with calm eyes. "He needs rest too. Like us."

The afternoon passed slowly in Emberford. They weren’t in a hurry to leave; the town felt like a comfortable pause in their journey. The sun began tilting westward when Sylvia finally stood. "Enough. Let’s continue."

Sofia nodded; Noir hopped back onto her shoulder. They exited the town gate easily, walked back to the forest edge. Noir grew large again, the camouflage spell was reactivated, and they took off westward once more unseen, only a warm midday gust sweeping over Emberford behind them.

They left Emberford as the sun began tilting westward, its fierce light slowly softening into a gentle orange glow. Noir had returned to his full size, wings beating steadily beneath the still-active camouflage spell. The warm midday wind had shifted into a cooler evening breeze, carrying the scent of the dense forest ahead and damp earth.

Sylvia sat upright on Noir’s back, her black cloak fluttering gently. Sofia hugged her waist tightly, chin resting on her queen’s shoulder while idly playing with the new crystal necklace that glimmered faintly purple against her chest.

"Sylvia... that town was so friendly," Sofia murmured softly. "They weren’t afraid of strangers at all. Maybe this world is starting to heal."

Sylvia gazed forward, toward the purple-snow-capped mountain peaks that were becoming clearer in the distance. "Maybe. Or maybe they’re just tired of being afraid."

Noir rumbled lightly, as if in agreement. They continued flying at a leisurely pace, unseen nothing more than a cool evening gust sweeping through the treetops below. In the distance, mist began to rise again, welcoming the approaching night.