[{"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-173":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},1828510,2432,"Chapter 173: Hidden Pieces on the Board","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-173",173,"\u003Cp>Hidden Pieces on the Board\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eon, Brinda... how many subordinates of yours could be considered mages?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s question lingered in the chamber like incense smoke after ritual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, nobody answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the torch flames along the stone walls seemed to quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon leaned back, black eyes narrowing as if searching old memories buried beneath instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he gave a rough snort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t have anyone like that. If they had the capability to be mages, they wouldn’t be in the slums.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was almost about to spit in contempt at the bitter truth of it, but stopped himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because Victor sat before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because old habits no longer fit the man who had just sworn away his life in blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were crude, but they carried the hard philosophy of the streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magic was privilege.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The slums birthed knives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not scholars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not spellcasters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only survivors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor gave no judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a thoughtful hum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his golden gaze shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Brinda.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had been waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course she had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At once her posture softened into practiced elegance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tapped a finger against her cheek and blinked in that deliberately cutesy way she used when trying to charm him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmmm...\" she murmured, pretending to count.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have two girls who can be considered beginner level mages...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips curved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And one man who could be considered an intermediate-level mage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tilted her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then added almost teasingly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Though if Sir Victor personally trained them... perhaps they could become much more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane rolled her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara looked away, suppressing a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl merely watched Victor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Always watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if reading thoughts beneath his silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda hoped—again—that Victor would notice her little performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Victor had long since evaluated her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her ambition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her utility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the cold place where he judged women worthy of entering his deeper world...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she had not reached the standard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he ignored the bait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which somehow made Brinda want his attention even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s fingers tapped the armrest once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Command replacing reflection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The former Ox King straightened instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Call ten of your best men.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And bring them here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brinda.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sat up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said her, \"Brinda, call the three mages you have... and eight more subordinates skilled in combat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bring them here as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because she had not heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But because she wanted explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And cut it off before it began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dangerous softness entered his tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn’t you hear me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air in the room shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was not a suggestion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was sovereign will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the two heard Victor say go now, Eon and Brinda said nothing further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Obeyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As naturally as breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Brinda paused half a second longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long enough to glance over one shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trying to read what scheme brewed behind those golden eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Victor had already withdrawn into that unreadable stillness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And she left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy wooden thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only torch crackle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the sense that something vast had begun moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara was first to break it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her purple eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re building something military.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An accusation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane folded her arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps means yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor looked amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I do enjoy how suspicious all of you have become.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda’s empty chair seemed still to hold her perfume.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl finally moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Approaching Victor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is it you’re planning, Victor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice carried no suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which made it heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she stepped closer still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And lightly touched his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gesture so small others might miss its intimacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a heartbeat the strategist vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the man remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>calculation returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ll see...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said it almost gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Videl did not move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sapphire eyes searched his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not as subordinate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the woman who knew him best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t be too hasty, Val...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He used the shortened name only he used.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Lane noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course she noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint jealousy flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll explain what I’m planning when those two return.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before the silence settled, Clara crossed her arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You enjoy making everyone dance in fog.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor raised a brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only because unveiling too early ruins theater.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara clicked her tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There you go again speaking like some villain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor leaned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"History often mistakes visionaries for villains.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon’s absence made the room strangely lighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet tension remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane moved closer to Victor’s chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lowering her voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This has something to do with those rumors you’ve been gathering, doesn’t it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor did not answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which was answer enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And exhaled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You really intend to turn Fantom City upside down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s lips curved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I intend to turn the kingdom upside down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sacred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the torch seemed to dim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl did not look shocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only proud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if hearing destiny spoken aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane’s black eyes glimmered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She whispered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And I thought the underworld was your ambition.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor answered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The underworld is merely the roots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I intend to own the tree.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara stared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half disturbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half enthralled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was why common sense failed around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every answer only opened greater questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a pause, Victor rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly pacing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hands clasped behind his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a warlord before campaign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke, not fully to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In war, people notice armies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fools notice crowns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wise notice supply lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Invisible structures.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And I prefer building what cannot be seen until it is too late.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara muttered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is an alarming thing to hear from someone smiling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then unexpectedly looked at Lane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you trust me enough not to ask?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane stepped beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something in Clara shifted seeing that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She did not know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He noticed everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then deliberately lightened the mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If all goes well...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I may have to make titles for all of you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? And what would mine be?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor pretended deep thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The furious sword wife.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara nearly drew steel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lane actually laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Videl hid a smile behind her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tension broke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then footsteps echoed faintly from beyond the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pieces moving back to the board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s expression hardened once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The playful young man vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only ambition remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Videl, seeing that transformation, understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever he was about to reveal when they returned...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>would be another step toward something irreversible.\u003C\u002Fp>",1125,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.928Z",1,"novelbin.me","de2129f8b6f9dbbc9c7bb07b10dc08b4b934febb51998942df8665464d2c6251","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-174","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-172",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]