CHAPTER 183: CHAPTER 183 – THE DECISION TO MOVE FORWARD

The midday sunlight slipped through the tall windows of the main study, dancing across the neatly stacked piles of documents. Behind the grand desk of smooth obsidian wood, Sylvia sat upright, her back slightly leaning, eyes focused on the latest report just delivered by an undead servant.

Though her face appeared calm, her mind wandered far. She wasn’t sure when it began, but time in this world had started to feel too slow. Days passed in routines she went through without complaint, yet also without meaningful progress. This world, which had once felt foreign, now began to feel like a second home though one that still held distance, secrets, and empty spaces that couldn’t quite be filled.

Across the desk, Alicia stood sorting through important documents. Her movements were composed, but her eyes occasionally flicked toward the window, as if sensing an unspoken tension. Meanwhile, on the cushioned chair near the window, Stacia sat curled up, her knees tucked beneath her light dress. She gazed blankly at the pale blue sky outside. In her hands was a magic notebook filled with complex formulas, but she hadn’t flipped a single page in almost an hour. Her brow was furrowed, her eyes frozen in place.

Sylvia glanced at her, her voice flat but gentle. "You’ve been staring at that page for a while. Stuck?"

Stacia let out a long sigh, then closed the book with a hard sound thak!. "I’ve rewritten it five times, changed the rune order, used different structures from both worlds’ magical theories... but this dimensional communication spell is still unstable."

Alicia paused from organizing the papers and turned, leaning lightly on the desk. "Maybe it’s time to try a different approach. Theory is important, but it has limits. Especially when this world might follow different magical laws."

Stacia stood and gathered her hair back, her voice laced with frustration. "I’ve thought the same. Locking myself in this castle over and over... it’s not helping anymore. I need real references. Maybe I need to see the outside world firsthand. Explore places with different magic cycles. Who knows, maybe I’ll find something that unlocks it."

Sylvia frowned, her gaze sharpening as she set her pen aside. "You mean... you want to go alone?"

Stacia nodded. "Yes. I want to go on a journey. Not without purpose. I want to perfect this spell, and I feel... I have to see how this world flows with my own eyes."

Silence settled briefly.

"Stacia..." Sylvia’s voice softened, like a mother worried for her child. "It’s dangerous. We still don’t fully understand the world outside. And you carry powers from our world. If they fall into the wrong hands..."

Alicia finally stepped toward Stacia and placed a hand on her sister’s shoulder. "If you truly have to go, then I’ll go with you. We can’t afford to be careless, and you won’t be able to protect yourself completely if you’re focused on research."

Stacia gave a small smile, tinged with relief. "I won’t refuse that. In truth... I was hoping you’d say that."

Sylvia was silent for a moment, then rose and slowly walked toward the large window. The sky above the towering mountains was brilliantly clear, white clouds drifting lazily overhead. The spring wind blew in through the cracks, carrying the scent of wild grass and damp earth scents of a world still untouched by them.

"Very well," she said at last. "But be careful. This world... has rules we don’t understand. You’re not just representing me, but a power this world cannot explain. Don’t reveal yourselves lightly. And be sure you can return anytime."

Alicia and Stacia nodded solemnly. They fully understood the weight of the responsibility they now carried.

After they left the study to prepare, Sylvia returned to her desk. She took a deep breath, then stared blankly at another stack of reports. But her thoughts were no longer on the papers.

She reached out telepathically to Zark even if she couldn’t contact Sofia directly, it was fine. She could still communicate through Zark to learn the latest about Nocture and Sofia’s condition.

"Zark, can you hear me?" she whispered.

There was a few seconds of silence, then a deep voice answered directly in her mind.

"Yes, Your Majesty. The connection is intact. What would you have me report?"

Sylvia closed her eyes briefly, comforted by the sound of her guardian’s voice.

"Tell me... how is Nocture doing?"

There was a pause, as if Zark was organizing his report.

"Nocture has now been recognized as a sovereign nation by the five major cities of the human territories. All trade routes are open. The markets are growing. Infrastructure development is progressing well. All in accordance with Her Majesty’s plans."

Sylvia smiled faintly.

"And the government?"

"Power consolidation is complete. Under Sofia’s orders, a monarchical system has been established. You have been officially crowned as the Queen of Nocture. Sofia now acts as Grand Advisor and oversees daily governance. Public support is very high. Security remains stable."

It felt like hearing a dream come true. But also like a blade because all of it happened while she wasn’t there.

"Good. Keep protecting them. I still can’t return yet, but I’ll keep watching. Thank you, Zark."

"Always in loyalty, Your Majesty."

That dark connection faded. The room returned to silence.

The next morning, footsteps echoed through the main corridor. Alicia and Stacia appeared, wearing travel clothes, light outer cloaks that were durable enough, and enchanted rucksacks slung over their shoulders. Stacia carried a new magic staff she’d crafted herself from Nether wood found near the ruined grounds surrounding the castle.

The soft morning breeze blew in from the east, carrying the scent of damp grass and the dew that had just evaporated from the trees. A cloudless sky stretched above them, a perfect ceiling for the small farewell at the castle’s main terrace. The steps of undead guards echoed faintly in the distance, still on watch, though the atmosphere now felt far more peaceful than usual.

Sylvia stood at the top step of the outer balcony, wearing a long black gown with silver accents that shimmered faintly under the morning light. Her long hair was loose, gently swaying in the wind. Behind her, undead attendants stood in line, holding small supplies and crystal pouches that might be needed for the journey.

Alicia and Stacia stood before Sylvia. Both were ready from dawn, dressed in travel cloaks inscribed with protective runes, and lightweight gear that wouldn’t hinder movement but could withstand wild creatures or harsh weather.

"Ready?" she asked.

"Always," said Alicia.

"Of course," Stacia replied, raising an eyebrow with a smile.

Sylvia looked at them both for a moment. There was pride in her eyes, and also concern. But in the end, she nodded.

"Then may you return bringing hope."

"We’re departing now," Alicia said gently but firmly. In her hand was a scroll map freshly copied from the castle library.

Stacia, standing beside her, nodded while gripping her staff. "Don’t miss us too much, Sylvia," she said with a brave smile, though her eyes were more anxious than usual. "We’ll find something."

Sylvia gazed at them deeply, her eyes calm and steady. There was no visible worry on her face, only the cold composure she always wore as queen. But deep inside, something tightened in her chest.

"Make sure not to draw too much attention. This world is not Nocture. We are still strangers here," she said, looking directly into Alicia’s eyes, then Stacia’s.

Alicia smiled. "Did you forget who you’re sending, Sylvia? I’m not the type to cause trouble."

Stacia scoffed lightly. "You’re too serious. But yeah... I know. We’ll be careful."

Without another word, Sylvia stepped down one stair, approaching and embracing Alicia first. A warm but quick hug, followed by a whisper.

"Protect her, Alicia."

Alicia nodded calmly. "Always."

Then Sylvia turned to Stacia. The girl tried to act normal, but when Sylvia hugged her, her small body trembled slightly.

"You’ve grown up, Stacia," Sylvia said softly. "Don’t be reckless. You’re smarter than you think."

Stacia nodded quickly and took a deep breath. "I’ll prove that I can do this. And maybe, if I succeed... we can communicate anytime, without one-way magic." Her voice was quiet, but filled with resolve.

After releasing the hug, Sylvia stepped back. Behind the two girls, an undead wyvern with dark purple-black scales awaited its wings spread, its back fitted with a saddle and a magically-reinforced leather seat.

"Until we meet again," Sylvia said finally.

"And until you can return to Nocture too," Alicia replied.

They climbed onto the wyvern’s back, sitting side by side. The creature let out a low rasp, flapping its wings once before leaping into the air, soaring high into the clear sky.

Sylvia stood watching them until their figures vanished completely, leaving only a thin streak across the sky and the gust of wind left between the castle’s pillars.

Silence.

She didn’t move until the sound of wingbeats was truly gone from the air. Then, without a word, she turned, climbed the steps back into the castle, and slowly made her way to the study.

Work awaited.

But deep inside, she knew...

a piece of her had flown away with them.