[{"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-170":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},1828507,2432,"Chapter 170: A Blade Between Loyalty and Ambition","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-170",170,"\u003Cp>A Blade Between Loyalty and Ambition\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara—who listened to the reason Victor became the boss of Fantom City’s underworld, found herself split in two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One part of her admired him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other was shaken to the core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood in the dim hallway outside Eon’s chamber, fingers still curled around the hilt of her sword, while Victor leaned against the wall with infuriating ease, black shirt half-shadowed beneath the gold-lined jacket, golden eyes calm as if they were discussing the weather rather than treason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Clara’s mind was storming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor had spoken so casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if conquering the underworld had been no grand campaign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if subduing monsters in human skin was no more troublesome than brushing dust off his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that was what disturbed her most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same underworld ruled by Eon, the Ox King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda, the Witch of the Northern District.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Gian—Night himself—the kingdom’s most feared assassin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three names even royal knights spoke with caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three powers who had turned Fantom City into a shadow kingdom the crown never fully controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet somehow this man before her had bound them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not through years of schemes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not through armies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But seemingly... because he could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her purple eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her memory unwillingly replayed everything she had seen since meeting him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dungeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The A-rank monster he had laughed at.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impossible calm in battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His casual cruelty toward enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His strange kindness toward those he accepted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His terrifying intelligence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His madness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now... blood pacts with suspected royals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of ambition sat behind those golden eyes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her common sense, once rigid as steel, had begun warping around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she hated that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And perhaps... feared how much she did not entirely hate it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor watched her in silence, almost amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint smile tugged at his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\" he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara realized she had been staring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her breath came slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then after a long moment of thought, she lifted her head and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So Victor, what is it you’re planning? Making the leaders of Fantom City’s underworld into your subordinates. Even making a suspected member of the royal family do a blood pact with you. Tell me, Victor, what is it you truly want?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Clara said this, she did not mask the killing intent she was emitting, as she tightly held her sword’s handle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corridor seemed colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somewhere deeper in the building laughter from the others had faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only silence remained between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gold turned sharper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me, Clara, why should I tell you what I’m planning?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was soft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too soft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That softness made her spine tighten more than shouting ever could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Victor liked Clara—found her aggression almost adorable in a feral sort of way—hostility was something he never answered kindly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Clara sensed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Felt it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Victor been another mood, had she been another person, he might already have drowned her under mana pressure until she knelt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in that kneeling position...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might have made her beg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought sent a flicker through her pulse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still she held firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you won’t tell me the answer, I would need to use force and make you tell me... Victor I do not want to do this, but if you are a danger to the kingdom... I cannot allow a threat to the kingdom to remain free.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor gave a quiet laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not mocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As a knight, you draw steel against the man who saved your life?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara’s jaw clenched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As a subject of Skyfall, I draw steel against anyone who may threaten it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Studying her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you sure you’re able to do that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No question mark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded like judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Clara...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>felt a chill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It slid down her spine like winter water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her throat dried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gulped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even her hands started shaking a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hated that he noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor noticed everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know I’m no match for you Victor,\" she said at last, voice lower now, \"but still as someone from this kingdom. As a subject to the royal family, I need to act.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t really want to do this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the cruel truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because beneath duty, something else had grown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something warmer she refused to name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Victor knew it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And somehow it felt like a predator crossing a boundary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara’s fingers tightened on her sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he did not attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead he leaned near enough his voice brushed her ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me, Clara... do you think kingdoms are innocent?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think crowns are righteous merely because they wear crowns?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You ask what I want.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His golden eyes seemed deeper now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ancient almost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want power.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words landed like stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No disguise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara’s breath caught.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But not for the reasons you fear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked toward the chamber where Eon and the others remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I gather pieces because the board is already moving.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The nobles move.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The royal bloodline hides secrets.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Monsters wear human faces.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And gods...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice lowered almost into a whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...write ugly scripts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She did not understand all of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she felt conviction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And something frighteningly vast behind it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You expect me to trust that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\" Victor said. \"I expect you to judge me by whether I burn the innocent or protect them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And so far, haven’t I mostly done the latter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mostly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That word nearly made Clara laugh despite herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mostly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am charmingly imperfect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Against all reason, a tiny reluctant smile touched her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course he did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So... Valkyrie.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice dipped teasingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you still planning to arrest me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which only amused him further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then her expression hardened again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One more thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor raised a brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ask.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You made Eon swear everything to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s gaze sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because half-hearted loyalty gets people killed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And because one day I may ask people beside me to walk into hell.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hallway seemed colder again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara searched his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not for lies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For madness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what terrified her...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>was finding neither.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only certainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dangerous kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You talk like a king,\" she murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His smile thinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kings inherit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I take.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That should have frightened her more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead something in her chest stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gods, what was wrong with her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She loosened her grip on her sword at last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor noticed that too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re lowering your blade.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For now,\" he echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, with maddening boldness, he lifted a finger and tapped lightly beneath her chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Victor—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re trembling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His grin deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And it is cute.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face flushed hot with fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or something dangerously close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nearly reached for his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead she hissed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One day your arrogance will kill you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor leaned back lazily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One day perhaps.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his voice dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But not before I change this world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That sentence lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not spoken dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply stated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>",1199,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.928Z",1,"novelbin.me","20c0807fc0c15c434aa0dd3002256662e1745b1c3122604acfb5a531b4d09acc","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-171","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-169",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]