Chapter 190 – Stillness Behind the Mist
The sky above the black castle where Sylvia now resided was gray that day, with a silent overcast pressing down upon the surrounding land like a weight of eternal stillness. A thin mist blanketed the castle grounds and the training fields, making the movements of the patrolling zombies appear as vague shadows in a never-ending nightmare.
Inside the castle, the atmosphere was no brighter. The faint magical glow from black crystals embedded in the ceiling spread like weary breath, casting long shadows along the stone walls. Sylvia’s main study once used only occasionally had now become the place where she spent most of her time.
Stacks of reports, maps, field notes, and magic seal schematics filled the large obsidian desk. The only constant rhythm in the room was the sound of a quill pen dancing swiftly across parchment.
Celes stood nearby, holding several new scrolls, and let out a quiet sigh. Her silver hair was neatly tied up today, but the faint circles beneath her eyes revealed how little rest she’d had lately.
"The demon world gate that appeared in the eastern region vanished before it could fully open," she reported while handing over one of the scrolls. "But two other locations are showing increased magical pressure. This one’s the latest from the scout outposts."
Sylvia took the scroll without a word. Her eyes scanned it quickly, her brow furrowing in silence. Her expression radiated tension and a nearly chilling focus.
"I’ll need three more days to reinforce the outer wall’s seals," Celes continued quietly. "But I’ll have to reconfigure the formation first. Some of the zones are too old, and haven’t even been checked since we first arrived in this world."
"Prioritize the northwest," Sylvia replied, her voice flat but firm. "The nearest magic fracture is there."
Celes nodded and began copying the formation diagrams onto fresh parchment.
Even with Celes assisting her, Sylvia knew it wouldn’t be enough.
She looked up for a moment and stared at the wall covered in maps and notes. Most of the zombies here were still... empty. They were loyal and obedient, but lacked the intelligence and initiative that her Nocture forces had developed under her leadership. In Nocture, she had Zark a commander, administrator, and elite undead leader all in one.
But here?