I Got Reincarnated as a Zombie Girl

Chapter 505 - 502 – Breakfast Alone and a Peaceful Day in Aeloria

The next day, the morning sunlight gently filtered through the gaps in the windows of the luxurious guest room in the Elf Kingdom’s royal palace in Aeloria. The golden rays were not ordinary light; they seemed alive, touching the living wooden walls that pulsed slowly like the calm and conscious breath of nature. The pulsing created beautiful and dynamic patterns of light on the smooth, gleaming white marble floor patterns that moved gently like ripples on the surface of a sacred lake, as if the palace tree itself was singing a wordless morning welcome that seeped into the soul. The scent of fresh flowers from the vast palace garden crept in through the slightly open window, bringing a soul-soothing morning freshness a mixture of soft sweet crystal jasmine, fresh morning roses with dew still dripping from their petals, and the aroma of wet earth and newly awakened green leaves. The air felt cool yet warm at the same time, a perfect contrast to the dimensional storm they had faced yesterday. The storm still left faint traces in their memories, like dark shadows that now vanished under the warmth of this morning.Sylvia woke up slowly, her heavy eyelids opening little by little. Her undead body, which usually didn’t need long sleep, felt quite refreshed after a sound night’s rest without nightmares. She sat on the edge of the large bed carved with living ivy that slowly crept along the wooden posts. Her long black hair was disheveled across her back like a soft dark silk curtain brushing against her pale skin. Her dark red eyes squinted for a moment to adjust to the soft morning light, her pupils slowly contracting as she took a deep breath, feeling the subtle natural energy flowing into her body. She stretched her arms gracefully, feeling the muscles that were still slightly sore from yesterday’s battle, even though her wounds had completely healed thanks to her extraordinary undead regeneration and Alicia’s healing assistance. The scratches from the golden storm energy now only left a faint warm sensation on her skin a reminder that they had survived.

Sylvia glanced to the side. Alicia’s bed was still occupied; her sister was still sleeping soundly with steady, peaceful breathing. Alicia’s face looked calm, her lips slightly curved as if she were having a beautiful dream about peaceful times in the past. Her fair skin glowed softly under the sunlight, her silver hair spread across the pillow like a waterfall. But Stacia was nowhere to be seen. Her bed was neat and cold, as if she had never slept there last night. Sylvia shook her head slowly with a faint smile that rarely appeared on her usually cold and vigilant face.

"Stacia... must have stayed in the library again," she murmured softly while brushing her long hair. "Her former slightly tsundere and hard-to-approach personality has completely changed after everything we’ve been through. Now she prefers to drown herself in an ocean of books more than anything. So different from Alicia, who from the beginning has always radiated the calm, protective aura of an older sister, always ready to watch over us all even in the darkest moments."

The memories of yesterday’s battle against Umū Dabrūtu were still fresh in her mind. The creature’s dimension-shaking roar, the golden storm energy that nearly swallowed the three of them, and the giant tailbone now safely stored in her system inventory. Sylvia felt a bit relieved. Today seemed like it would be peaceful, and she intended to enjoy it as much as possible before the next adventure began. For a moment, she allowed herself to reflect on their long journey from their first meeting to becoming an inseparable team. The warmth of this family was something priceless in a world full of danger.

She rose with light movements, stretching her pale, graceful body like a living statue. After quickly cleaning herself with warm water from the palace bath filled with elf flower scents and healing essential oils, Sylvia felt much fresher. The water not only cleaned her body but also slightly refreshed her soul, as if bringing the blessings of nature directly to her pores. Small glowing bubbles appeared on the water’s surface, releasing a soothing aroma like a gentle embrace from Yggdrasil itself. She carefully reapplied her elf disguise, perfect pointed ears with tips that slightly vibrated following the flow of mana, skin that glowed faintly like a normal elf, and her long black hair that remained her distinctive feature among Aeloria’s residents. She didn’t want to attract too much attention on this peaceful morning. Sol, who had curled up comfortably at the end of the bed like a soft white fur ball, immediately leaped onto her shoulder with enthusiasm. Its small tail wagged cheerfully, its tongue briefly licking Sylvia’s cheek, leaving a cute warm and wet sensation.

"Let’s find breakfast, Sol," Sylvia murmured softly while stroking her pet’s head with affection. Sol’s fur felt smooth like silk, and the small vibrations from its body showed genuine joy. "But I feel a bit awkward having breakfast alone in the royal dining hall. It’s too formal and full of respectful gazes that sometimes make me uncomfortable. Today, let’s just enjoy the city, walking freely like ordinary citizens."

She left the room with relaxed steps, leaving Alicia still sleeping soundly. The palace corridors that morning were still quiet, with only a few simply yet elegantly dressed elf servants passing by. They smiled respectfully and bowed slightly, recognizing the important guest who had saved the kingdom from the dimensional threat. Sylvia replied with a small nod, feeling a peace she rarely experienced during their dangerous journeys. The corridor air was filled with the scent of living wood and hanging flowers blooming on the walls, creating an atmosphere like walking inside a sacred forest.

The morning air of Aeloria felt extraordinarily fresh as she exited the palace gate. The newly risen sun illuminated the towering giant trees, their leaves sparkling like living green gems that breathed. The beautifully curved living wooden bridges connected the platforms, as if alive and moving gently with the wind, with small roots hanging like natural curtains. Elf residents had already begun their activities with a calm and harmonious rhythm some tending gardens with gentle growth spells, their fingers emitting faint green light; others carrying baskets of crystal fruits that sparkled like liquid gems; or chatting lightly on white stone walkways carved with nature motifs, their voices like the singing of the wind. The laughter of young elf children could be heard faintly from afar, mixing with the chirping of colorful birds and the breeze carrying the scent of flower honey and morning dew.

Sylvia walked along the city’s main street, Sol faithfully on her shoulder, occasionally playfully biting the pointed tip of her elf disguise ear. She enjoyed the scenery while looking for a place to eat that suited her taste. However, it was rather frustrating for her as an undead who preferred heavy meat. It was very difficult to find vendors selling fresh meat in Aeloria, a city that highly respected the balance of nature. Most elves were vegetarians or only consumed plant-based foods in harmony with nature. The stalls were filled with fresh dew-covered vegetables, naturally sweet and glowing crystal fruits, green leaf soup with earthy and herbal aromas, and soft grain bread with chewy texture. Some vendors even offered flower nectar smoothies with friendly smiles and soft, welcoming voices.

"Sorry, we don’t serve red meat here, Honored Guest," said an elf female vendor politely, her bright green eyes full of understanding. "But please try our fresh salad with honey nectar dressing! It’s very refreshing after a tough day."

Sylvia sighed softly, her stomach starting to rumble embarrassingly. "Meat... where can I find fresh meat around here?" she thought to herself while forcing a faint smile. She continued walking for nearly 30 minutes, passing through the bustling tree market with vendors selling sparkling crystal crafts, lightweight breathable leaf-silk fabrics, and mana accessories that emitted a soft aura. Elf children ran around, playing with small light orbs, while elders sat on tree-root benches telling ancient legends.

Finally, after crossing several gently swaying hanging bridges and a shaded small alley with a thick leaf canopy, she found a small restaurant hidden among the roots of an ancient giant tree. The restaurant named "Savory Roots" served dishes from forest animals that were respected, cooked with natural spices without harming the ecosystem’s balance. The savory aroma of grilled meat immediately tempted her appetite as she approached a mixture of sacred wood smoke, wild herbs, and still-fresh blood processed with respect.

Sylvia entered happily and ordered a large forest beast steak with signature herbal sauce, warm freshly baked leaf bread, and a glass of refreshing cold crystal fruit juice. She sat at a comfortable corner table, surrounded by living tree-root walls that gave a warm feeling like nature’s embrace. The roots occasionally pulsed gently, as if responding to her presence. Sol sat in her lap, enjoying small pieces of meat she shared with affection, its tail wagging nonstop.

The food was delicious. The meat was perfectly tender, with a soft wood-smoked aroma and spices absorbed deep into the fibers. The herbal sauce provided a perfectly balanced savory taste, slightly sweet from ripe wild fruits, a light spiciness from mountain herbs, and rich in a natural mana that made every bite feel full of energy. Sylvia ate calmly, chewing slowly while enjoying this peaceful morning moment. "This is what good breakfast tastes like," she murmured softly to Sol, stroking its soft fur. "After fighting against that terrifying dimensional creature, a peaceful day like this feels luxurious. It feels like a gift from Yggdrasil itself."

Meanwhile, in the palace room, Alicia finally woke up. She stretched lazily, feeling the warm morning sunlight touch her face like a gentle caress from Mother Nature. "Sylvia already left, huh..." she murmured with a small smile upon seeing her sister’s empty bed. Alicia took a leisurely bath, letting the warm water wash over her still slightly sore body, small mana bubbles circling her like a soft shield. She wore a simple light green dress that was lightweight, made of leaf silk that moved gracefully with her, perfect for the bright morning weather. Together with Kirin, who had been waiting faithfully by the door, Alicia went out for a walk in the city.

Unlike Sylvia who preferred heavy meat, Alicia favored light and fresh food. She stopped at a small kiosk on the edge of a park selling colorful crystal leaf salads like a natural rainbow, lightly herb-grilled river fish with fragrant spices, and grain bread with fresh fruit jam. She ordered a medium portion and enjoyed it calmly on a comfortable living wooden park bench, surrounded by glowing butterflies dancing around her. Kirin played joyfully on the soft green grass, chasing small light orbs that Alicia created with simple magic. The orbs floated around, emitting soft colorful lights. "Today is truly peaceful," Alicia whispered with a wide smile, enjoying the cool breeze caressing her hair. She reflected on her responsibility as an older sister, how happy she was to see her younger sisters growing and finding peace amid their adventures.

Stacia, as Sylvia had guessed, was still completely immersed in the magnificent Great Library of Aeloria. The room was endlessly vast, with living wooden shelves towering to the ceiling adorned with glowing roots. She hadn’t even noticed time passing since last night. Her reading table was piled high with books up to her chest, mana light orbs floating above her head illuminating the fragile yet powerful ancient pages. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she read about detailed rituals of harmony with Yggdrasil, high-level dimensional sealing magic, theories about sacred beasts like Sol and Kirin, and rare records on artifacts from lost primordial monsters. "This... is amazing," she whispered occasionally, her hands moving quickly to take notes in her grimoire with newly created mana ink that glowed a soft blue. She forgot breakfast, forgot time, even forgot the hunger that usually bothered her. Only the endless ocean of knowledge kept her awake, her mind spinning rapidly connecting new theories with their experiences from yesterday.

The day in Aeloria passed peacefully and beautifully. Sylvia returned to the palace after breakfast and met Alicia in the vast palace garden. They shared small stories while sitting under a giant tree, the wind carrying golden leaves that floated gently, as if nature itself was celebrating the peace after the dimensional rift threat had vanished. Stacia finally appeared in the afternoon with tired but spirited eyes, carrying a new stack of notes. The three of them spent time together, laughing lightly and planning their next steps with lighter hearts.