[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-journey-to-become-the-zenith":3,"chapter-journey-to-become-the-zenith-journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-13":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Journey to Become the Zenith",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1828550,2432,"Chapter 13: Masks Beneath Silk and Steel","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-13",13,"\u003Cp>Masks Beneath Silk and Steel\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s group introduced themselves to the wary knights they had just saved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They kept their words simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were travelers from Kanal Village, heading toward Fantom City. Videl was bound for the Knight Academy, while Victor and Lane planned to register as adventurers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silver-haired knight listened carefully, eyes never leaving Victor. The noble lady in the carriage studied him as well, her gaze thoughtful, almost too sharp for someone supposedly sheltered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Victor finished speaking, the noble lady opened her mouth to reply—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zavir spoke first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How dare you speak to my lady in such an informal tone!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice cut through the clearing like a drawn blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silver-haired knight immediately shot him a sharp glare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Victor could even react, the noble lady’s gentle expression hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough, Zavir! Apologize to our saviors!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden authority in her voice stunned him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But my lady—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She raised a single finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I said enough. Apologize.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zavir clenched his jaw, teeth grinding. His pride struggled visibly before he finally bowed stiffly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am sorry for my rude behavior.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fists trembled at his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor watched with disinterest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph. Whatever. We’re done here. Let’s go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned away. The delay had already irritated him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait, Sir Victor,\" the noble lady called. \"Do you not wish to know who I am?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silver-haired knight subtly leaned forward, studying Victor even more closely now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor glanced back with a faint sneer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s amusing. You won’t even show your true self, yet you want me to believe you’ll tell me who you are? We have no time for this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lady stiffened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then at least ride with us. Horses are faster.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need,\" Victor replied calmly. \"We’re faster than horses.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He left without waiting for a response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane followed instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl bowed apologetically and hurried after them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three vanished down the road like shadows carried by the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noble lady and both knights stood frozen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had meant it literally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They truly were faster than horses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Much later, when the carriage had traveled far from the battlefield, Zavir’s frustration finally erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That insolent boy! How dare he speak to you like that, my lady! Victor, was it? I swear he’ll regret this in Fantom City!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From inside the carriage, a calm voice cut through his anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You will do no such thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zavir stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But my lady—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop the carriage. I wish to rest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silver-haired knight nodded. \"At once, my lady.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the carriage halted, the lady leaned out slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zavir, I am hungry. I heard you are an excellent hunter. Your stone rabbit soup is famous among the guards. I would like to taste it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zavir’s expression shifted instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It would be my honor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without delay, he rode off into the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he was gone, the carriage fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"noble lady\" exhaled heavily and slumped against the seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the gods, that was exhausting. How long must I keep acting as you, Aura? We already know Zavir is the traitor. Why don’t we just kill him and be done with it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across from her sat the silver-haired knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real noble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We still don’t know who sent him. Killing him now would only silence the trail. For the moment, you must continue acting as me, Sana.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sana groaned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It would’ve been over today if not for Victor’s group. Zavir was already preparing to stab me once his accomplice finished with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aura’s crimson eyes darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Without proof, even I cannot move openly. A princess cannot execute a knight on suspicion alone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sana clicked her tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still... wasn’t Victor incredible? The moment he appeared—my heart nearly stopped.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her cheeks warmed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He was so calm. So strong. So handsome.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aura’s fingers tightened around her gauntlet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He saw through us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sana blinked. \"You noticed too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. His eyes weren’t those of a village boy. They were... ancient. And his mana—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aura shivered faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was like standing before a raging sun. Compared to him, even the Captain of the Royal Knights is a candle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sana stared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That strong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aura nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He was suppressing it. Barely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sana smiled dreamily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I really picked an amazing man to fall for at first sight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aura shot her a look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You said earlier you weren’t interested in villagers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sana waved it off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That was before I met Victor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aura opened her mouth—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then realized her own heartbeat had not yet slowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He didn’t care about status. He didn’t look at you with lust. He treated you as an equal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sana smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? And here I thought the Steel Princess only loved swords.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aura turned away, faint color touching her ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am not enamored.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But you’re interested.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aura didn’t deny it this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sana laughed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then we’re rivals.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aura sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zavir will return soon. Remember your role.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sana straightened, putting on her composed mask once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine. Acting like you is exhausting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aura smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Soon. Then we’ll see what Victor truly is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",842,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.650Z",1,"novelbin.me","d97dcae320a481fb45577586702fb7ff75bbe9c8fbaec4087b3c8e4ec1f092d9","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-14","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-12",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]