Journey to Become the Zenith

Shadows Beneath the Celebration

While Lane and Brinda carried out Victor’s orders beyond the city walls, New Fantom City was slowly descending into chaos.

The celebrations in the town square hadn’t stopped. Music still echoed through the streets, laughter drifted through the night air, and countless citizens continued celebrating their newfound freedom.

But beneath the joyful atmosphere, unease spread like an invisible plague.

Fear had already taken root.

Inside several temporary residences, the city’s remaining noble families gathered behind tightly closed doors. Curtains were drawn, voices were lowered, and every face carried the same anxious expression.

"What have we done?" one noble muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

"This is madness."

"A prince has openly declared independence."

"If word reaches the royal court..."

"We’ll all be branded traitors."

The room erupted into overlapping voices as panic spread from one person to another. Every possibility they imagined ended in disaster.

An elderly noble suddenly slammed his fist onto the wooden table with enough force to rattle the cups resting on it.

"We have to leave. Immediately!"

"And go where?" another noble shot back with a bitter laugh. "The city is sealed."

"I already tried sending a few trusted servants outside," someone said quietly.

All eyes turned toward him.

He hesitated before continuing.

"...None of them came back."

The room fell deathly silent.

No one asked what had happened.

No one needed to.

The answer was obvious.

A middle-aged noble slowly lowered his head, speaking in a strained voice.

"...Victor."

The single name was enough to make several people instinctively stiffen.

Another noble swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry.

"He planned this from the very beginning."

"He knew exactly what we’d try to do."

"We’re trapped."

The realization settled over the room like a crushing weight.

A younger noble clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

"So... we’re just supposed to surrender?"

His question hung in the air.

No one answered.

Not because they didn’t want to.

Because no one had an answer.

After witnessing Victor annihilate the necromancer Alibaba with their own eyes, the thought of standing against him had become almost unthinkable.

The memory still lingered in every corner of their minds.

A lone figure dressed in black.

Standing calmly amidst an endless sea of undead.

Countless corpses surrounded him, yet not a single one could force him to take a step back.

That overwhelming display of power had shattered more than an army.

It had shattered their courage.

Now, even entertaining the idea of opposing Victor was enough to send an involuntary chill down their spines.

...

The panic wasn’t limited to the nobles.

Inside the Knight Academy, confusion spread among the students.

Groups gathered in every hallway.

"What happens now?"

"Does this mean we’re no longer part of Skyfall Kingdom?"

"My father serves the royal court."

"My family are nobles..."

"What are we supposed to do?"

Several instructors tried calming everyone.

"Remain inside the academy."

"Do not spread rumors."

"Wait for further instructions."

Despite their words, unease only continued to grow.

Many of the students came from noble families.

Everything they had known their entire lives was changing before their eyes.

The old hierarchy...

The privileges...

The status they had been born into...

All of it was beginning to crumble.

...

Back in the square, Max quietly watched the frightened expressions around him.

He let out a slow sigh.

"It has already reached this stage..."

One instructor stepped beside him.

"Headmaster..."

"Should we evacuate the academy?"

Max shook his head.

"Not yet."

"If Victor wished to eliminate the nobles..."

"...he would have done so already."

Another instructor frowned.

"Then why keep them here?"

Max answered after a brief silence.

"Because prisoners who still believe they have choices are easier to manage than desperate enemies."

The instructors exchanged uneasy glances.

"He truly thought this far ahead..."

Max nodded.

"That young man plans several moves before anyone else even notices the game has begun."

His eyes drifted toward Victor, who remained standing calmly near the stage.

You’re frightening...

Not because of your strength...

But because of your patience.

...

Victor remained completely composed.

The celebration around him meant little.

His mind was already calculating the next step.

The nobles had been contained.

The citizens had gained hope.

Eon had become the symbol he needed.

Everything was proceeding according to plan.

Just then, footsteps approached from behind.

Brinda returned first.

She bowed respectfully.

"My lord."

Victor turned toward her.

"Report."

"The operation succeeded."

"Every route leading out of New Fantom City was intercepted."

"Our scouts confirmed no messenger escaped."

Victor nodded.

"Good."

Brinda hesitated for a moment before continuing.

"Lane has also returned."

"She completed her assignment personally."

Victor looked toward the city gate.

A few moments later, Lane appeared.

Her black dress fluttered gently in the evening breeze.

Not a single stain remained on her blade.

Yet Victor immediately noticed the faint exhaustion hidden behind her expressionless face.

She stopped before him and bowed.

"My lord."

"The mission is complete."

Victor looked at her quietly.

"You handled it well."

Those four simple words caused the slightest change in Lane’s eyes.

Almost impossible for others to notice...

But Brinda saw it.

The cold girl who rarely showed emotion seemed genuinely happy.

Victor spoke again.

"Go and rest."

"You’ve earned it."

Lane gave a small nod.

"Yes... my lord."

As she turned to leave, Brinda caught up beside her.

"You should eat something first."

"I’m fine."

"You always say that."

"You’ll worry Victor if you collapse."

Lane paused for only a second.

"...Then I’ll eat."

Brinda couldn’t help smiling.

"So you do listen when his name comes up."

Lane remained silent.

But the faint color appearing on her cheeks answered for her.

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Authors Notes: Dear Readers, Thanks so much for joining me on this adventure! Your enthusiasm, feedback, and encouragement really keep me motivated to keep bringing *Journey to Become the Zenith* into existence. If you’re loving the Chapters, I’d love it if you supported my book with a Powerstone, review, or even a Golden Ticket—it helps me develop as a writer and lets more readers enjoy the story. I look forward to hearing your ideas and thoughts, so please don’t hesitate to share!

With love,

Scorpio_saturn777

Creator of Journey to Become the Zenith

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