[{"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-98":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},1828635,2432,"Chapter 98: The Masked Warrior Enters Falling Cloud Palace","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-98",98,"\u003Cp>The Masked Warrior Enters Falling Cloud Palace\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl was still sleeping when a familiar voice gently echoed inside her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master... Sir Mora has returned.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Amura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her calm voice slipped through Videl’s thoughts like a soft bell ringing in a quiet temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl’s eyes slowly opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment she stared at the wooden ceiling above her, the fading warmth of sleep still clinging to her mind. Then she exhaled softly and sat up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Already...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She rubbed her eyes once before pushing herself off the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sunlight had shifted since she fell asleep. Golden beams streamed through the window, painting the room with warm light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl stretched her arms slightly, feeling the tension leave her muscles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood and adjusted her clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knock. Knock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mora’s voice followed immediately after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Videl, prepare yourself. We are about to head to the castle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl walked toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mora continued from outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Make sure to wear the mask and hooded cloak I gave you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl froze for a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had almost forgotten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quickly, she retrieved the cloak and mask from the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dark hood covered her golden hair completely, while the mask hid most of her face—leaving only her sharp blue eyes visible beneath the shadow of the hood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She examined herself briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disguise was perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone looking at her would see only a mysterious warrior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satisfied, she opened the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mora stood waiting in the hallway, his posture calm as always.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at her once, then nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They walked down the hallway together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl’s boots tapped softly against the polished wooden floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few steps she asked curiously,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So... how are we going to the castle?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mora answered without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From the front.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...From the front?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’ll take the carriage we arrived in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl frowned slightly beneath the mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought my meeting with the Queen was supposed to be secret.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her confusion was genuine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had expected something completely different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hidden passage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A secret tunnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe even sneaking through the palace at night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were simply leaving through the front door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mora chuckled quietly when he noticed her confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Videl... the young swordmaster is not meeting the Queen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl tilted her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mora’s eyes gleamed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The one meeting the Queen today...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused deliberately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...is the Radiant Blade — Aurelius.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl blinked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aurelius...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mora smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A legendary light warrior who supposedly disappeared three years ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That will be the rumor we spread.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl crossed her arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mora kept explaining as they walked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If we hide you completely and move in secret...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those fools outside will try twice as hard to uncover your identity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But if we walk openly...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gestured ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And give them a little information...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They will convince themselves they already know the truth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl considered his words carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sighed quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All this secrecy...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s not really my style.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mora looked at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl’s voice carried faint frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I would rather meet the Queen openly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not like some criminal hiding from the world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mora didn’t reply immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead he opened the inn’s front door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bright daylight poured inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he said calmly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sometimes...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...power grows best in shadows.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stepped outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Mora and the masked warrior appeared outside the inn—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spies noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of hidden eyes turned toward them immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From rooftops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From alleyways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From nearby taverns and balconies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All calculating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mysterious companion walking beside Mora drew everyone’s attention instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hood hid the person’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mask concealed their identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cloak covered their body completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only visible detail—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was the hilt of a sword resting at their side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several observers narrowed their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some among them possessed a rare skill—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could see mana flow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what they saw made their expressions change instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What the hell...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One man whispered from a rooftop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That mana...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another spy leaned forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mana flowing around the mysterious warrior was extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its quantity rivaled that of elite knight captains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that wasn’t what shocked them the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most people’s mana appeared dull grey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some had faint elemental colors mixed within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fire users had hints of red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wind users had traces of green.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Water users carried shades of blue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the mysterious warrior’s mana...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was brilliant white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Radiant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sacred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It resembled the mana of someone deeply attuned to the light element.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked even more majestic than normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost divine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That’s not normal light mana...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone muttered nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It looks holy...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another group of observers noticed something else entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way the warrior walked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their steps were smooth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Balanced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But every movement carried tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A readiness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A warrior’s instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those trained deeply in martial arts noticed it immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That gait...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One veteran observer murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’s always ready to draw his sword.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another spy nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even while walking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally such details revealed a fighter’s training style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each martial school had its own patterns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its own habits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But strangely—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of them could identify the warrior’s style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was unfamiliar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unpredictable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever this person was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were not ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time the carriage began moving toward the palace—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several observers had already made their decisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some immediately left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had gathered enough information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their masters needed to know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others stayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Studying every movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage rolled through the streets of Falling Cloud, heading straight toward the royal palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the carriage—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spies followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because one thing had become very clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This mysterious warrior...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was someone dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did their mana suggest a powerful mage—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their movements revealed a warrior equally deadly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps even more so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A terrifying possibility entered many minds simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A magic swordsman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not just any magic swordsman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A high-level one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with all their observation...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one could determine the warrior’s true identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They now knew one thing for certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever this person was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their arrival in the capital would shake many powerful people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some spies turned back immediately to report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others remained outside the palace gates—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patiently waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hoping to gather even more information...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the mysterious warrior finally emerged from the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>",1075,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.927Z",1,"novelbin.me","d63b3c2a2685b1f9ca6f71b6443f9465daf6541bdd9b8b478eaa04fa13b20748","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-99","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-97",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]