CHAPTER 192: CHAPTER 192 – CRACKS BEHIND THE LIGHT

The atmosphere in the study suddenly felt more oppressive than before. The air seemed to freeze for a moment as Sylvia took the report from Aurelia’s hand. Her slender fingers slowly unrolled the parchment sealed with red wax, the emblem of the human territories. Her sharp eyes narrowed as they traced every line of neatly written ink, now nearly dried.

The further she read, the deeper the frown on her forehead became. She could hardly believe the information now laid bare before her. This report was no ordinary document; it was irrefutable proof of the corruption hidden behind the radiant facade of the church and the revered gods.

The once-silent study grew even heavier with the suppressed fury radiating from Sylvia.

She took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. Her eyes glowed faintly in the dim light. "So this is how it is," she murmured under her breath, barely audible.

Aurelia stood straight before her, her expression serious yet laced with unease. Her usually lustrous red hair now looked slightly dull and disheveled from the long journey, but the fire in her eyes remained strong proof of her unwavering resolve to uncover the hidden truth.

"This report was incredibly difficult to obtain," Aurelia said softly but clearly. "There were countless spies and soldiers from the human kingdoms watching every move. They’ve all been blinded by the false promises of the gods."

Sylvia nodded slowly, her gaze still fixed on the parchment in her hand. "So... the demon world gate that the heroes opened was indeed the church’s plan and that of most of the gods?" Her voice was cold, laced with restrained disgust.

"Correct," Aurelia answered firmly. "Their goal was to create chaos in this world. Fear would strengthen human faith, and the gods would gain power from their prayers."

Sylvia clenched her fist slowly, suppressing the anger boiling inside her. "So the World Avatar was right after all," she whispered, more to herself. "The gods of this world... are truly rotten. They deliberately toy with human lives just to gain power."

The air in the room grew colder as Sylvia’s emotions churned. She placed the parchment on the desk, studying Aurelia in silence for a moment before speaking again, her tone slightly softer.

"You’ve done an excellent job with a difficult task, Aurelia," Sylvia praised sincerely. "Information like this is invaluable to us. It couldn’t have been easy to obtain."

Aurelia gave a faint smile, relieved that her efforts were recognized. "I no longer trust those gods, Sylvia. Especially not after the demon gate incident. The only deity I still respect is the Goddess of Light, Lumielle. At least she’s different from the others."

Sylvia met Aurelia’s gaze with an expression of agreement, then nodded slowly. "I understand."

Silence settled over the room again. Sylvia remained seated, her fingers resting against her chin as her thoughts wandered. Aurelia, meanwhile, let out a long sigh, exhaustion finally catching up to her.

"Then, I’ll take my leave to rest for now, Sylvia," Aurelia said softly with a slight bow. "I need some sleep after this journey."

"Of course," Sylvia replied with a small nod. "Rest as much as you need. You’ve earned it."

Aurelia smiled in relief before quietly stepping out of the study, leaving Sylvia alone with the damning report.

Now alone in the empty room, Sylvia rose from her chair. She walked toward the large window behind her desk, her pale fingers slowly parting the black velvet curtains to reveal the gloomy scenery outside.

Dark clouds hung low, shrouding the distant towers and ancient fortress in mist. The zombies continued their silent work, moving like soulless puppets under an unseen command. Sylvia knew all too well that those undead would never be enough to help her fight against the eternal gods.

Her gaze drifted toward the bleak, overcast sky. How ironic, she thought, that the gods worshipped as protectors were, in truth, the masterminds behind the disasters threatening this world. The chaos they orchestrated was fertilizer for human faith and that realization only deepened her disgust for the existing order.

Sylvia recalled the words of the World Avatar who had visited her recently. The Avatar clearly wanted her to disrupt the gods’ plans to tear down the old order and build a new world from the ruins of this rotten one. Yet, even though she had now evolved into Lunabris, a nearly unrivaled Rank 5 zombie, she knew her power alone was not enough to face the gods directly.

Those gods, she thought bitterly, were immortal as long as their source of power remained intact. To defeat them, Sylvia knew that ordinary physical or magical strength would be useless. She needed something far more potent and dangerous, something forbidden, something even the gods themselves feared.

"Forbidden magic," she whispered under her breath, her eyes sharpening as they fixed on the dark horizon. "No wonder they outlawed it. They’re afraid of its power."

Sylvia took another deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil within. She knew that seeking and mastering forbidden magic would be no easy task. Not only would she have to uncover its traces, but she would also face immense risks in learning it.

But she was certain of one thing: if she wanted to free this world from the gods’ corrupt grip, she had no other choice. Sooner or later, she would have to face the consequences of her decision.

Her expression softened briefly as Sofia’s face flashed in her mind. She knew that somewhere in this world, Sofia was fighting just as hard for Nocturne the land they had built with blood and tears.

"Sofia..." Sylvia whispered tenderly, more to herself than anyone else, "wait just a little longer."

Outside the window, the cold wind continued to blow, scattering the rolling mist. Sylvia remained standing tall, her eyes fixed on the distance, filled with a burning resolve ready to challenge the decaying order of the old world.

Sylvia let out a slow breath, her gaze still fixed on the swirling gray mist beyond the large window. The wind blew gently yet carried a weight, bringing with it the scent of damp earth so familiar, yet strangely foreign to her. Within her chest, restlessness gradually hardened into a blazing resolve.

"If I want to destroy the source of the gods’ power, I can’t keep going like this," she murmured under her breath, her voice firm but tinged with frustration. Her slender hand clenched tightly, her knuckles turning pale.

She closed her eyes briefly, steadying her breathing. In her mind, memories surfaced with painful clarity, especially the bitter recollection of being forced to abandon the Dungeon Tower of Echoes before she could truly conquer it. Back then, the gods themselves had intervened, desperate to halt her growth once they realized she was becoming a genuine threat.

But now, everything had changed. The world itself had called her back, as if demanding retribution for the gods’ tyranny. This time, there was no reason left for her to retreat. This time, she would face the challenge to the very end.

Sylvia opened her eyes slowly. A fierce determination burned within them a deep, crimson flame that seemed capable of incinerating anyone who dared stand in her way.

"Tower of Echoes..." Sylvia whispered softly, yet with unwavering resolve. "It’s time I returned to finish what was left undone."

Her gaze sharpened further, as if piercing straight through the thick mist shrouding the distant valley. She knew conquering that dungeon would not be easy, especially now that the gods were aware of her intentions. There would undoubtedly be far greater obstacles than before.

But Sylvia wasn’t afraid. Instead, a faint, almost cynical smile curled her lips. Her resolve only grew stronger because this was exactly what she needed to disrupt the gods’ vile schemes and make them realize just how fragile the foundation of their pride truly was.

With effortless grace, Sylvia turned away from the window. The long black hem of her dress whispered against the stone floor as she strode back to her desk. She picked up a black quill and a blank parchment, beginning to write down the plans and preparations she would need before challenging the dungeon once more.

This time, she thought with ironclad determination, the gods would realize their greatest mistake that they themselves had brought her back into this world.

And this time, Sylvia would not stop until she had torn down every last false order the gods had built.

Sylvia stood before the black magic wardrobe at the side of the room, opening the skull-carved door with a gentle touch. A soft purple glow lit up from within, revealing her personal equipment Dress of Death, support equipment, and magic rings bearing seals that only she could wear.

She lifted a long, Dress of Death and began putting it on slowly. light footsteps echoed at the doorway.

Click.

The door opened, followed by a soft, familiar voice.

"My Queen... are you going somewhere?" asked Celes, now standing there slightly out of breath whether from haste or foreboding, it was unclear.

Sylvia turned briefly and nodded as she slipped on one of her magical gloves. "The Tower of Echoes. I’m going back. There’s something I need to finish."

Celes’ red eyes widened slightly. "Then let me come with you I can help this time. I know the terrain and I can guard your side."

But Sylvia only sighed and walked toward her. She gently placed a hand on Celes’ shoulder.

"You can’t, Celes. If you come... this castle will be unguarded. No leader left to hold it. Valnark can’t think strategically. The zombies here don’t yet have full awareness. And... only you can manage the outer defense seals if something happens."

Celes fell silent, then lowered her head slightly.

"...Understood," she murmured softly, though her gaze still held a glimmer of worry. "Then... please be careful."

Sylvia gave a faint smile. "Always."

And without another word, she stepped out, her silhouette vanishing into the cold mist that cloaked the corridor leading to the castle’s outer gate.