Chapter 175 – The City That Never Sleeps
The sky over Nocture remained dark even as dawn approached. Thick fog clung low to the ground, drifting like the world’s held breath. There were no birdsong, no rays of sunlight piercing the deathly mist that perpetually shrouded the city. But to Sofia, this was home a place where silence wasn’t a threat, but a sign of readiness.
She stood on the balcony of the western tower, wearing a gray combat cloak bearing the emblem of Nocture on her shoulder. Behind her, the city’s banner fluttered gently in the damp wind. Below, the training ground was filled with undead soldiers conducting combat simulations.
There were no shouts. No harsh commands. Only perfectly coordinated, silent movements. That was the strength of Sylvia’s army disciplined death.
Zark approached from the left side of the balcony, carrying two scrolls and a large map freshly redrawn. The half-undead man gave a respectful bow before speaking.
"Lady Sofia, we’ve received reports from the eastern scouting team. They’ve detected movement from a light fleet coming from the north. Not from the central military but from an independent group. Likely mercenaries."
Sofia took the report and skimmed it quickly. "Any known insignia or emblems?"
"None yet," Zark replied promptly. "But their numbers are small. Possibly a test unit or high-level reconnaissance. If they act aggressively, we can eliminate them before they report back."
Sofia nodded, then rolled the report back up. "Send a harrier squad. But don’t engage directly. Test their defenses first. We need to know who hired them."
"The order will be executed at once," Zark said as he stepped back.
Sofia stared into the distance toward the north. The fog hanging in that direction seemed darker than usual, like something was trying to pierce through it. She knew well that since Sylvia’s departure, Nocture had become a target not because it was weak, but because its very existence challenged the old order.
And those who hated change always tried to destroy it when its foundations seemed most vulnerable.
But Sofia was not a foundation that would crumble easily.