I Got Reincarnated as a Zombie Girl

Chapter 495 - 492 – The Elf Gate and the Tree of Life

The journey to the Elf Kingdom went more peacefully than they had imagined. For two full weeks, the caravan of two carriages moved along with a very familiar rhythm. Light rain occasionally fell, wetting the leaves by the roadside and creating a refreshing scent of damp earth. Strong winds sometimes blew, making the leaves rustle like the whispers of an ancient forest telling stories of old secrets. There were no attacks from ferocious monsters or bandits; it was as if nature itself was protecting their journey.Sylvia’s zombie horses remained the main pillar. Their tireless bodies continued to pull the carriage with steady strength, without needing long rests. Meanwhile, the Eternal Party’s horses were given more frequent breaks. They were allowed to graze in lush green meadows, drink from clear small rivers, and were gently massaged by Alicia so their muscles wouldn’t tense up. Sylvia occasionally checked the condition of the carriage, making sure the magic-reinforced wooden wheels didn’t crack, while Stacia renewed their elf camouflage spells every morning to keep them perfect.

During the journey, the atmosphere inside the carriage was warm and pleasant. Alicia often shared stories of her childhood in the sacred forest, while Stacia taught small illusion magic tricks to entertain Sol and Qilin. Sol frequently curled up in Sylvia’s lap, its golden eyes sparkling with comfort. Qilin, better known as Kirin in legends, walked gracefully beside the carriage, its small horn occasionally emitting a faint holy light that made the flowers along the roadside bloom faster.

The scenery along the way changed more dramatically. Ordinary forests gradually turned into ancient mana-rich woodlands. The trees grew taller, their trunks as wide as small houses, with roots spreading like the veins of the earth. Their leaves were dense and a deep emerald color, filtering sunlight into a soft golden-green hue. The air felt richer, filled with natural mana particles that made breathing feel light and the body full of energy. Birds sang with melodious tones that almost sounded like songs, not just ordinary chirps. Occasionally, they saw silver-furred deer leaping gracefully between bushes, or caught a glimpse of small phoenixes flying in the distance, leaving behind quickly fading orange trails of fire.

On a bright morning, after passing a narrow path surrounded by thin mist like a silk blanket, they finally arrived at the gate of the Elf Kingdom. The gate was not a crude construction of stone or cold iron. It was formed from the roots of giant trees that had twisted together over centuries, creating a natural arch more than twenty meters high. Emerald green leaves hung softly like a bridal curtain, swaying gently in the wind. Ancient protective runes glowed faintly with silver light, forming intricate patterns that shielded against external threats. A strong holy aura radiated from it, making anyone who approached feel as though their soul and intentions were being tested.

Elara’s carriage led the way, with Sylvia’s carriage following at a safe distance. The elf guards at the gate, elite archers dressed in leaf-green attire with beautifully curved bows, immediately recognized Elara. They bowed deeply, placing their right palms on their left chests as a sign of the highest respect. Without many questions, the gate opened wide. The leaf curtain shifted slowly, revealing an entrance illuminated by natural light. Thanks to Elara leading them, no one dared to question the identities of Sylvia, Alicia, and Stacia. Stacia’s camouflage magic worked perfectly; their ears appeared pointed, their skin slightly luminous, and their movements mimicked elven grace.

Once they passed through the gate, the view inside the Elf Kingdom was truly breathtaking. The city of Aeloria spread out widely under the shade of hundreds of giant trees arranged neatly like a massive garden. Elf homes were built organically among the large branches, connected by flexible living wooden bridges and spiral staircases that grew naturally from the tree trunks. Walkways made of smooth but non-slippery white stone felt comfortable underfoot, surrounded by small gardens filled with colorful flowers, blue crystal roses, golden lilies, and night-blooming flowers that only opened under moonlight. The air was filled with the scent of fresh leaves, flower nectar, and pure mana so thick it felt as though the pores of their skin were breathing.

"Welcome to Aeloria, the capital of the Elf Kingdom," Elara said with a voice full of pride as she looked back. Her eyes sparkled, happy to see the awe on her friends’ faces.

Sylvia looked around with wide eyes. "This... is more beautiful than any description I’ve ever heard," she murmured softly. Alicia smiled gently, her hand holding Qilin’s reins as the creature grew more spirited. Stacia observed the surrounding runes with an expert gaze, noting ancient magic patterns that could be studied.

In the center of the city stood the Legendary Tree, a branch of the original Yggdrasil. Its trunk alone was dozens of meters wide, its surface smooth and glistening like living bark, with golden veins of light flowing slowly. Its branches reached high into the clouds, its leaves shimmering with a faint holy light that seemed to bless the entire kingdom. The life energy radiating from it made the grass below grow greener, and flowers bloom year-round.

"That is a branch of the Tree of Life, Yggdrasil," Elara explained with a respectful tone. "It is the heart and source of mana for our entire kingdom. Legend says its roots penetrate various dimensions, connecting our world with other realms."

Sylvia nodded, her eyes unable to leave the beauty. Sol in her arms looked up, its ears twitching as if hearing the tree’s whispers. Qilin let out a low, comfortable sound, its body trembling lightly as it absorbed the holy energy in the air.

Elara invited them straight to the royal palace. "You are honored guests. The palace will provide every comfort with the best rooms, personal servants, and access to the ancient library."

Sylvia shook her head politely. "We prefer a regular inn. We don’t want to trouble the kingdom."

Elara smiled faintly, a hint of guilt in her eyes. "Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to find an inn in Aeloria. Our elves live in harmony with nature; almost every family has their own tree house. Outsiders are very rarely allowed in, and there are no public inns for guests like you. If you stay outside, it could raise suspicion."

Hearing the explanation, Sylvia sighed softly. After a brief discussion with Alicia and Stacia, they finally agreed to stay at the palace. The carriages continued through the beautiful streets filled with elegantly dressed elves in tunics and gowns made of silk leaves and mana threads that moved softly with the wind. The elves smiled kindly, though there were curious glances toward the group led by their princess.

The elf royal palace was far more magnificent than they had imagined. Built around the main giant tree trunk, living wooden towers grew naturally with transparent crystal windows. It was adorned with mana crystals that sparkled like stars, and small waterfalls flowing gently from high branches, creating soothing natural music. The palace courtyard was vast, covered in sacred grass and statues of ancient elves depicting legendary heroes.

Upon arrival, King Eldrin and Queen Lirael were already waiting on the main steps, surrounded by elite guards in silver leaf armor. Elara stepped down first and bowed deeply. "Father, Mother, I have returned safely. These are the friends who helped me on the long journey."

Sylvia, Alicia, and Stacia descended gracefully, maintaining their elven posture. Elara introduced them one by one. The King and Queen nodded respectfully, their wise gazes sharp. They clearly sensed that these three girls were not real elves, but Stacia’s magic was too perfect to be easily pierced.

Then their eyes fell on Sol, who was in Sylvia’s embrace. The king and queen’s eyes widened for a moment; the pure holy aura from the small cat could not be hidden. They bowed deeply, full of respect. "Pure holy energy... a Sacred Dragon," King Eldrin murmured softly, his voice trembling.

When they saw Qilin walking gracefully beside Alicia, their reaction was even stronger. Both immediately knelt on the ground, heads bowed in respect. "Sacred beast of nature... the legendary Kirin," Queen Lirael whispered with a voice full of admiration and emotion. "It has been centuries since one of you last appeared in our land."

Alicia smiled gently, stepping forward and lightly touching the queen’s shoulder. "Please rise, Your Majesty. We come as friends, not to receive excessive honors. Sol and Qilin are simply our traveling companions."

Elara stood frozen, her face full of astonishment. "Sol and Kirin... are sacred beasts? Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I almost treated them like ordinary pets!"

Sylvia smiled faintly, stopping Elara who was about to kneel as well. "Enough, Elara. We are friends. There’s no need for excessive formality. Our identities alone are already making me worried enough."

The atmosphere became slightly awkward for a moment, but warmth quickly returned. The King and Queen invited them into the palace while chatting lightly. They told them about dimensional cracks appearing in the western forest border region. The cracks were growing wider, releasing strange monsters with dark auras. The elves were worried this was a sign of an invasion from another dimension.

That evening, the King held a small but special banquet to welcome the honored guests. The large palace hall was illuminated by soft mana crystal light, creating a magical and intimate atmosphere. A long table made of living wood was filled with natural dishes: freshly picked fruits, crunchy crystal vegetables, forest animal meat cooked with sacred spices that preserved the natural flavor, and sweet mana wine that refreshed the soul. A fragrant aroma enveloped the room.

Sylvia sat beside Elara, enjoying every bite while listening to the King’s stories about the history of the Elf Kingdom from ancient wars against darkness to the alliance with the Yggdrasil Tree. Alicia and Stacia joined in, sharing knowledge about the outside world. Sol and Qilin received special spots near the table with sacred fruit dishes and pure mana water.

The banquet lasted until late at night, filled with soft laughter, story exchanges, and hope. Although there was some tension due to their hidden identities, the bond of friendship grew stronger. Tomorrow morning, they would begin investigating the dimensional cracks.

That night, in the luxurious guest room surrounded by living wooden walls and windows facing the Yggdrasil Tree, Sylvia stood on the balcony, gazing at the sparkling elf city under the moonlight. The night wind carried the whispers of leaves, as if Yggdrasil itself was welcoming their arrival.