CHAPTER 205: CHAPTER 205 – THE BREATH OF A GROWING CITY

Morning air in Nocture always carried a different impression from other cities still clawing their way back from the remnants of the apocalypse. Here, there was no lingering frenzy of fear etched into the walls, no constant shadows of dread haunting the streets as in most human settlements. What filled the air instead was the bustle of the market coming alive, the steady rhythm of soldiers’ boots on patrol, and, from time to time, the low rumble of a creature larger than a three-story building Noir, Sylvia’s zombie dragon.

Yet unlike the dragons of old tales, forever painted as savage guardians, Noir was more often seen lazing in the castle’s inner courtyard. His mountain-sized body sprawled across mossy stone, his head resting against a folded wing. Each heavy breath sent a cold gust sweeping across the ground. Sometimes his tail shifted with a lazy thud, startling soldiers into glancing up warily, but beyond that, he rarely stirred.

Strangely enough, the presence of such a lethargic dragon was more than enough. Whenever Noir lifted his head or cracked open those dimly glowing silver eyes, the city remembered: Nocture was unlike any other. They had a guardian beyond compare, even if he preferred sleep to flight.

From a high balcony of the castle, Sofia stood gazing out across the city. Below her, Nocture was alive. The stone streets, still choked with rubble only months ago, now brimmed with rows of colorful wooden stalls where merchants hawked goods woven cloth, herbal remedies, even simple jewelry hammered out of salvaged metal. Children dashed through the alleys with warm bread in hand, their laughter ringing bright in the morning air.

She inhaled deeply, savoring the mingled scents of toasted bread, woodsmoke, and the faint tang of hot iron from the smithies. It all felt... real. Like fragments of the normal life that once existed, before the world had collapsed.

Almost two months had passed since Sylvia entrusted her with leadership before departing. At first, Sofia doubted whether Nocture’s government could stand without its queen’s guiding hand. But now... the results stood plain before her eyes. The wheels of governance not only kept turning, they had begun to run smoothly. Decisions once only Sylvia could make were now resolved by department heads through coordinated effort. Proclamations, patrol schedules, trade reports all flowed neatly to Sofia’s desk each morning.

And yet, behind that peaceful picture, she knew problems simmered.

Her desk that morning had been buried in reports.

Wild zombies were appearing in increasing numbers beyond the walls. Not organized, not drilled like Sylvia’s army, but swelling in count all the same. Sometimes they merely loitered in the border woods, sometimes bold enough to skirt the trade routes.

Fortunately, Nocture’s forces were used to this. Soldiers, human, zombie, elf, and other races who had come through portals and now served under Sylvia patrolled in shifts, cutting down threats before they could grow.

And if ever a horde proved too large... Noir needed only rise, beat his wings once, and the mob would scatter like chaff, fleeing in every direction.

Sofia allowed herself a faint smile, recalling a captain’s report from a few days ago: "We didn’t even have to fight, Lady Sofia. The moment Noir yawned, those wild zombies bolted like drowned rats."

Still, her heart stayed wary. Growing numbers never boded well.

She stepped back inside her study.

The room was nothing like Sylvia’s. No scented candles, no glittering communication crystals. Sofia’s office was plain: a broad wooden desk, maps spread and ink-marked, stacks of thick documents, and a slate board scrawled with the city’s daily needs.

At the desk, Zark was already waiting with fresh reports.

"The grain shipment from the north has arrived," he said, offering a scroll. "But the journey took longer than usual. Frozen roads slowed the carts."

Sofia unrolled it, scanning quickly. "We’ll need alternate routes. The north will only grow deeper in snow. Send scouts to chart the southern path in more detail. If necessary, we’ll open a new road."

"Yes, my lady." Zark bowed and withdrew.

She set the scroll down and turned to the large map of Nocture hanging on the wall. This was no longer just a city. It was becoming a kingdom in truth: a functioning government, an economy, an army, even a banner bearing their emblem, the dark flower encircled by chains, symbol of the strength and freedom born only through bonds.

All of it, built in so little time.

Sofia still found herself surprised.

She, who had once been just an ordinary girl, now sat at the seat of governance. Reading trade reports. Directing logistics. Commanding hundreds of troops.

And it was all because of one person, Sylvia.

Her thoughts drifted to her friend, her lover. Where was Sylvia now? Was she safe? Since leaving for another world, word of her had come only faintly, relayed through Zark. Among the undead, communication was possible across distance and for their queen, across dimensions.

Sofia exhaled softly. She couldn’t let her mind wander too far.

Pressing her temples, she picked up a pen to sign several market permits. Whatever else, Nocture had to keep moving forward.

Outside the window, laughter rang again. A lazy dragon yawned, flapping his wings once before settling back down. The market bustled on. Soldiers patrolled.

Nocture lived.

And for Sofia, that alone was reason enough to keep standing here, to keep everything growing, until the day Sylvia returned.

She closed the last file and flexed her fingers, stiffness creeping into them from hours of writing. Sometimes she thought Sylvia would laugh if she saw her now spending long days buried in paperwork, when once Sofia would dodge any task that smelled of administration.

A soft knock sounded at the door. A female soldier entered, her face taut despite efforts to hide it. "Lady Sofia, a report from the western gate."

Sofia gestured her forward. "What is it?"

"Not serious... but odd," the soldier replied, handing over a short note. "A group of wild zombies approached the gate. They didn’t attack. They just... stood, staring at the wall for a while before retreating back into the forest."

Sofia’s brow knit. "How many?"

"Twenty, maybe thirty. Not many. But their behavior was unusual."

She weighed it briefly, then nodded. "Mark their location carefully. Don’t pursue it. Just watch from a distance. If they return, I want to know immediately."

The soldier bowed and left.

Once again, Sofia looked out the window. The sun had climbed higher, casting gold across the neat rows of rooftops. The market grew louder, merchants’ cries mixing with children’s laughter. In the distance, Noir shifted his bulk, rolling over like a colossal cat seeking comfort.

She breathed deep. The contrast was stark. Inside the walls, life bloomed almost like the world before the fall. Beyond them, chaos, danger, and unknowable things still roamed.

Her hand found a cup of tea gone cold. She drank slowly, the faint bitterness clinging to her tongue. "Sylvia..." she whispered without meaning to. "If you were here, maybe this would feel lighter."

But she knew those words were only for herself. In front of others, she had to stand tall just as Sylvia always had.

Another knock at the door. This time a messenger from the trade department entered, face brighter. "Lady Sofia, today’s market revenues are up. More merchants are arriving from outside the city. They say Nocture feels safer than other towns. Some even wish to settle here."

Sofia nodded, relieved. "Welcome them warmly. Make sure they understand the city’s rules. We need more hands to build."

When the messenger left, she jotted a small note on the stone board: expand market district. A faint smile touched her lips. Work never ended, but that only meant the city was still growing.

Outside, a small bell chimed three times the signal of a patrol shift change. Its sound mingled gently with the hum of the city.

Sofia rose and walked back to the balcony. Noon wind swept her hair, carrying scents of dust and warm bread alike. Below, Nocture lived, breathed, grew. And though her heart still ached for Sylvia’s presence, she knew one thing: as long as these people placed their trust in her, she could not waver.

Noir yawned once more, his rumble echoing deep. As if even the lazy dragon agreed with the fragile peace they had managed, for now, to keep.

Evening slowly descended. Golden light crowned the castle towers, glinting off glass windows and casting long shadows that crept along the cobbled streets. The market began to quiet; merchants closed their stalls, children were called home by their parents, and soldiers changed shifts at the gates.

From her balcony, Sofia watched it all unfold. A small, steady satisfaction bloomed in her chest each time she saw the city pass another day without major incident.

"The daily report is ready, my Lady," said Rina, a secretary and also Sofia’s close friend, as she arrived carrying a slim folder. "All sectors are stable."

Sofia accepted it, flipping through a few pages before nodding. "Good. Make sure the public kitchens are fully prepared for the coming winter. We cannot afford shortages."

"Right away, my Lady."

Once Rina departed, Sofia leaned against the stone railing. The evening wind carried with it the low rumble of Noir, like the heavy snore of some dreaming giant. A faint smile touched her lips. The city was full of work, full of small, never-ending problems but amidst it all, Nocture also held something precious: a sense of safety found nowhere else.

She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the sounds blend together the measured steps of soldiers, the creak of the last wagons returning to the storehouses, and the slow, echoing breath of the lazy dragon.

"Nocture will be all right..." she whispered. "Until you return, Sylvia."

With that, Sofia turned and stepped back inside to light the oil lamps. The long day had come to an end and tomorrow would bring more work waiting for her. But for now, for this brief moment she allowed herself to feel at peace.