Chapter 133: Chapter 133 – After the Rage SettlesThe ruins of the dead city were quiet once more. The scent of scorched flesh still lingered in the air, mingling with dust and the remnants of death. In the middle of the shattered stone square, Sylvia and Sofia stood facing the second zombie king’s body now reduced to ash, leaving behind only a red crystal that had fallen to the ground.

    Sylvia picked up the crystal and stored it casually, as if it were trash. After all, red crystals no longer had any effect on her.

    Beside her, Sofia took a deep breath. Her body was covered in scrapes. Small wounds adorned her arms, legs, and even her cheeks. Dried blood marked several areas, though none were fatal. Still, her body was clearly exhausted. Her breathing was heavy, and her shoulders slowly rose and fell as if a heavy weight had just been lifted.

    "I think... that’s enough for today," Sofia murmured.

    Sylvia nodded. "It’s getting dark. Let’s go back."

    Without needing to say more, they walked toward the landing site of their black dragon, which had patiently waited among the ruins. The dragon raised its head slowly, crimson eyes glowing in the fading twilight, then lowered itself so Sylvia and Sofia could climb onto its back.

    The sky above began to change color. Orange and pink hues were slowly swept away by the darkness of night. Gray clouds hung like a heavy cloak in the heavens, casting a gloomy air over a world still struggling to survive.

    As they flew, the dead city below faded into a blanket of shadows and debris. There was no light. No sound. Only silence and darkness.

    Sofia sat behind Sylvia. After several minutes of silent flight, her body began to sway. Her head dipped, then slowly leaned against Sylvia’s shoulder.

    "Nngh..." she murmured sleepily. "Sorry... I’m just so tired..."

    Sylvia glanced over and saw Sofia had already begun to close her eyes. Her breathing was slow and deep, like a child finally able to rest after a day of running. A small smile played on her lips tired, but peaceful.

    She pushed herself too hard, Sylvia thought. This had been her first full battle after waking from her long coma. Her body may have recovered physically, but her stamina and mental resilience hadn’t fully returned.

    Without a word, Sylvia raised her hand. Black chains slithered from her back, writhing in the air before forming a small dome around the two of them. The biting night wind was immediately muffled, as though they were now in a warm, protective space.

    It wasn’t just to block the wind. The chains also shielded them from air pressure, dust particles, and nighttime insects. The dome looked transparent but sturdy, like layered glass, woven with intricate, web-like detail.

    Sofia quickly fell into a deep sleep. Her head rested on Sylvia’s shoulder, her body moving slightly in rhythm with the dragon’s breath beneath them. Her heartbeat was steady.

    Sylvia said nothing. She simply gazed ahead, letting the world blur past below them, occasionally glancing at the sleeping girl beside her.

    A strange feeling stirred in her chest. Not the thrill of battle, not the high of bloodshed or the cold resolve of survival. This was... calm. Warm. Strange, but not unfamiliar. As if her old self the one who used to be human was trying to speak again.

    She wouldn’t have cared before. She would have moved on without slowing down for anyone. But now...

    Her hand reached out, gently brushing aside a few strands of Sofia’s golden hair that had blown across her face.

    "...Rest," she whispered. "You’ve fought hard enough today."

    They flew over mountains, soaring above a dead forest that stretched as far as the eye could see. Distant howls from wild zombies and the roars of mutated beasts occasionally echoed through the night, but they felt far away powerless against the silence of the high skies.

    After more than an hour, they began to approach the hills that marked the region of Sylvia’s settlement, built by Zark and the undead forces.

    Magical fire lamps began to appear in the distance. The city was guarded by elite zombies, some of whom stood still along the roads like statues, silently awaiting their mistress’s return. Sear?h the n??el Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    As the black dragon descended gently to the ground, the zombies bowed in silence, opening a path.

    Sylvia dismounted first, then carefully lifted Sofia from the dragon’s back. The girl stirred slightly, eyes half-opening in confusion.

    "Hm... we’re here already?" she murmured groggily.

    "Yes," Sylvia replied softly. "Go back to sleep. I’ll carry you in."

    "Eh... w-wait... I can walk..." Sofia squirmed a little, her face flushing red.

    But Sylvia didn’t listen. Calmly, she carried Sofia bridal-style, her steps light yet steady. The elite zombies bowed as their master passed, none daring to meet her eyes.

    "This is embarrassing..." Sofia mumbled, hiding her face against Sylvia’s chest.

    "Then don’t fall asleep on the dragon," Sylvia replied calmly, though a small smile tugged at her lips.

    Sofia sighed but stopped resisting. Quietly, she clutched at Sylvia’s clothes, as if unwilling to let go.

    When they arrived at Sofia’s quarters, Sylvia lifted the curtain door and gently laid the girl on the makeshift bed prepared inside.

    Before leaving, she looked at the girl one last time.

    "I’ll return to my castle. Get some rest."

    Sofia opened her eyes slightly, gazing at her through a haze. "Sylvia..."

    "Yes?"

    "...Thank you."

    Sylvia didn’t reply. She simply gave a small nod, then stepped outside into the night air.

    Stars were beginning to peek through the clouds above.

    The battle was over. Two of the three Zombie Kings had fallen.

    ylvia’s steps as she left Sofia’s home were light, yet silent. The night air greeted her with a bone-chilling cold, but she walked calmly, unaffected. Behind her, the cloth curtain of Sofia’s house swayed gently in the wind.

    She glanced back for a moment, making sure everything was fine, then turned her gaze forward once more.

    "She’s asleep," she murmured softly, more to herself than anyone else.

    Her footsteps echoed along the stone-paved path leading to her castle, which loomed on the western edge of the city. The grayish-black structure stood in stark contrast to the dimly glowing blue magic lights lining the road. Its architecture was strange a blend of medieval fortress and gothic style, unlike anything in the modern world. But perhaps that’s exactly why it felt like hers.

    The zombie sentinels stood tall at the main gate. As soon as they saw Sylvia approaching, they knelt in unison, their lifeless bodies still capable of showing unwavering respect.

    "Rise," Sylvia said flatly. "No ceremonies tonight."

    The gate opened automatically, driven by magical mechanisms and chains. She stepped inside, passing through a long corridor lined with statues of the undead. The sound of her footsteps echoed softly between the stone walls.

    At last, she reached the main chamber a vast, silent room lit only by a large blue fire burning in the hearth. No servants. No voices. Just her.

    Sylvia removed her gown, draping it over a wooden chair to the right. She opened the wardrobe, took out her sleepwear, put it on, then walked to the high balcony facing north. The wind hit her face as she opened the large window.

    From there, she could see her entire domain: the undead settlement, the black fields where giant mushrooms were cultivated, the gray river flowing slowly, and the magic lights twinkling like falling stars.

    And in the distance... was the small tent where Sofia slept.

    Sylvia stared in that direction for a long time before finally leaning against the balcony wall.

    Only one thing remained: the final Zombie King.

    But tonight... she let everything fall silent. The world could wait a little longer.

    She closed her eyes, letting the cold night air brush gently against her face.