Chapter 147 – Return Once More
The gray morning in Nocture was no different than the days before except for those gathered in the central office atop the main tower of the castle. Inside, an unusual silence and tension filled the room shared by four people: Sylvia, Sofia, Zark, and Celes.
On the large black stone table, stacks of documents and maps lay sprawled. Some showed Nocture’s territorial growth, others listed logistics and assignments for the next one to two months. But all of that was just background. Today’s focus was... a farewell.
Sylvia stood tall before her three most trusted people, clad in a black gown. Beside her, Celes wore a modified version of her old uniform lighter, more streamlined. Her expression was calm, but her eyes brimmed with calculation.
"Starting today," Sylvia said softly but firmly, "I will be leaving for a while. Another world is calling... and I need to make sure that call doesn’t bring disaster to this one."
Sofia stared at her for a long moment, saying nothing. Zark, arms crossed and eyes sharp, was the first to speak.
"You’re sure this isn’t a trap? Another world suddenly opening a gate and asking you to become a Demon King... sounds like a cheap stage play."
"Precisely because it’s cheap and suspicious, I have to go," Sylvia replied. "And if there truly is rot festering over there... then we may treat it as territorial expansion."
Sofia finally spoke, her voice soft but steady.
"I’ve set up an emergency governance system. If anything happens here, we can summon aid from the outer settlements. Zark will manage the defenses, and I’ll protect Nocture."
Sylvia turned to her lover and gave a small nod.
"Thank you..."