[{"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-171":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},1828508,2432,"Chapter 171: Flames Beneath the Blade","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-171",171,"\u003Cp>Flames Beneath the Blade\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara said, \"One day your arrogance will kill you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor answered calmly, almost lazily,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One day perhaps.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his voice dropped, quieter, heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But not before I change this world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words did not come like a boast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They came like a vow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that was what shook Clara.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her purple eyes widened just slightly, but Victor caught it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He caught everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corridor seemed to grow still around them. The torches along the stone wall hissed softly, shadows swaying across Clara’s face as though even the fire reacted to that sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Change this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of man said such things so naturally?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of man believed them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara stared at him, unsettled in a way battle had never unsettled her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because she knew Victor was not a person who moved without reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every smile hid calculation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every provocation concealed intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even his madness seemed structured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still... she wanted to know why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why he did all this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why gather the underworld.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why bind Eon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why move pieces in shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor watched her fall into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze had drifted somewhere beyond him, somewhere into questions she herself had not fully formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lips curved faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you thinking, Clara?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She blinked, pulled back from her thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then narrowed her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you know what I’m thinking...\" she said slowly, \"why not tell me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because hearing you struggle with suspicion is entertaining.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then looked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Toward the open sky visible through a cracked stone arch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice lowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still... I am someone of this kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I need to protect my homeland from those who wish to harm it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was conviction there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But uncertainty too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor saw both.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He went silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For once not playful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a slow breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As though choosing how much truth to reveal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he finally spoke, it was measured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vague enough to conceal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honest enough to wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look here, Clara... you make it sound like I’m not from Skyfall Kingdom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aren’t I a citizen of the kingdom as well?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Also a subject of the royal family?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His golden eyes sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did the royal family ever do for you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor did not stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you really saying you would fight for the royal family?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The same royal family that made the stupid rule only males could inherit noble titles?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The same royal family whose laws nearly pushed your family into slavery?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A silence cut through the hallway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s voice softened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well if that is so... then you really are a loyal person.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came the blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But what makes you think what I am about to do is bad for the kingdom?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Being bad for the royal family...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...and being bad for Skyfall Kingdom are two different things.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words struck harder than steel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because they were true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Clara knew it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she heard what Victor had to say, confusion assaulted her in waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What had the royal family ever done for her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hadn’t their faction struggles helped cause her father’s death?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hadn’t noble politics nearly sold her family into chains?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t her mother still suffering from wounds born of those same systems?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers loosened from her sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thought warred against loyalty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor watched her turmoil quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost tenderly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Clara looked back at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More resolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then tell me, Victor, what is it you wish to achieve?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice steadied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Making the guild master turn your adventurer rank to B... hiding your true abilities... conquering Fantom City’s underworld... making a supposed member of the royal family into your subordinate by blood pact...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stepped closer too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not only that—I’m sure you made Lane do a lot in the shadows.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes locked on his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So in the end what is it you wish to achieve?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor listened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then... chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A low dark laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her changing expressions, her evolving resolve, genuinely amused him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after hearing what she asked...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>that vicious smile appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one that always made danger feel close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well...\" he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I guess the simple answer is...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want to conquer the whole underworld organizations of Skyfall Kingdom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want to become its sole big boss of sorts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shrugged lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The reason I want that is because I want to help my love Videl achieve her dream... and at the same time save her from that damn heroic destiny.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Videl’s name his tone softened almost imperceptibly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then hardened again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s not what you want to hear, is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What you want to hear... is what I truly desire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor leaned in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then said with shameless calm,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s something I can only tell you... if you decide to become my woman.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absolute silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her brain stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice cracked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did you say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor looked perfectly serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I said if you want to learn what I truly desire...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"the prerequisite is that you become my woman.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a heartbeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Clara’s face transformed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bewilderment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scarlet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then explosive rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-w-w-w-w-what?! Become WHAT?! Your woman?! Who, me?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her whole body nearly shook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell are you saying you b*stard!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steel screamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sword flashed sideways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fast enough to kill ordinary men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor caught it between thumb and index finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if catching falling leaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade trembled against his grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara stared in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You really should do something about that quirk of yours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Attacking someone because of embarrassment...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If it was someone else aside from me, I’m sure their head would have been detached from their body.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara could not answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because her face was burning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because part of her realized...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she had attacked because she was flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because she was threatened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which made it worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, because he was incapable of mercy, added,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I may have fallen in love when you pointed a sword at me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very fierce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very charming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good hips too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"VICTOR!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She yanked the sword back so hard sparks kissed the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor only grinned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then leaned close enough his breath touched her ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you keep blushing like this... Lane and Videl may think I’ve stolen your heart already.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That did it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara looked as though her soul nearly escaped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even her ears turned red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to endure another word, she sheathed her sword with shaking hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then spun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And stormed toward the chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though \"stormed\" barely hid that she was fleeing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor watched her go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amused beyond reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hallway echoed with her retreating steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she burst into the room where Videl, Lane, Brinda, and Eon waited—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>all eyes turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane narrowed her eyes instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda smiled like a predator scenting scandal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Eon looked confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara stood there flushed and furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda was first to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My my... did Sir Victor make the Valkyrie melt?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1168,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.928Z",1,"novelbin.me","6eaafb6176fe1b80df676d58c63273393aeb95e2b8bde1892ce5150eea0a8c9e","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-172","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-170",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]