Journey to Become the Zenith

The Weight of a Warning

Erick stood in front of Lucien asking for forgiveness. Lucien couldn’t understand what Erick could’ve done, to ask for forgiveness.

The room was silent except for the faint crackling of the oil lamps mounted against the wooden walls. Outside the inn, the night of Fantom City breathed quietly beneath a pale moon, but inside this hidden chamber, the atmosphere was heavy enough to suffocate a man.

The one now known as Lucien Ashdrake sat calmly in the center of the room.

Unlike ordinary nobles who relied on jewels and extravagant clothing to display authority, Lucien carried himself with an effortless dominance. His broad frame rested against the chair like a king seated upon a throne. Dark silver hair brushed against his shoulders, and his cold blue eyes reflected the dim flames nearby. Even while silent, he radiated the pressure of someone born to stand above others.

Around him stood the six retainers loyal to him alone.

Among them, Shawn was unquestionably the most respected.

Among the subordinates he as the son of the Prime Minister had, Shawn was the best, he was the true embodiment of what it means to be a knight. Honor, dignity, Faith, Charity, Justice, Sagacity, Prudence, Temperance, Resolution, Truth, Liberality, Diligence, Hope, Valor.

Shawn had all of these qualities, and he tries his best to live by them.

Of course he isn’t perfect, but he is closest one to becoming the ideal knight.

The silver-haired knight remained kneeling on one knee, head lowered respectfully. His armor still carried faint scratches from his previous encounter, though he had cleaned most of the blood away. Yet the exhaustion in his eyes could not be hidden.

Lucien studied him carefully.

The only reason he even followed the son of the Prime Minister, was because he believed that to protect the citizens, an all out war with the enemy country was the right thing to do.

Shawn was not blindly loyal.

That was exactly why Lucien valued him.

So seeing this person the strongest of his retainers act like this, and even ask for forgiveness baffled Lucien.

The room remained quiet for several seconds.

Even the others present seemed unsettled.

Henrick crossed his arms with annoyance while Erick watched Shawn carefully, sensing something unusual in the knight’s demeanor.

Finally, Lucien leaned slightly forward.

”Why are you asking for forgiveness? Tell me Shawn, so I may judge you.”

After hearing what his liege said, Shawn began explaining his encounter with Victor.

As he spoke, flashes of memory surfaced within his mind.

Golden eyes.

Black hair swaying in the wind.

That calm smile.

The terrifying pressure hidden beneath effortless composure.

Even now, remembering it caused the hairs on Shawn’s neck to rise.

He had faced countless warriors in his life. Monsters. Mercenaries. Veterans who survived battlefields soaked in blood.

Yet Victor was different.

That man felt less like a warrior and more like a silent disaster waiting to descend.

Shawn slowly lifted his gaze.

”I’m sorry to say this my liege, but no matter what, in any circumstances please do not provoke Victor.”

The moment those words left his mouth, Henrick exploded.

”How dare you say that you coward! To tell our liege to avoid a peasant in fear! Have you lost your mind?!”

His voice thundered throughout the room.

The veins on his neck bulged as his hand slammed against the table beside him.

”I’m not sure why you are so afraid of this Victor person, he is but a single person. I’m certain that with our military might, no matter how strong he is he would fall.”

The others exchanged uneasy glances.

Normally Shawn would’ve rebuked Henrick for speaking so recklessly, yet this time he merely closed his eyes and exhaled slowly.

A tired sigh escaped his lips.

”I am not underestimating our military might, nor am I insinuating that we would lose...”

Shawn opened his eyes again.

For the first time since entering the room, genuine seriousness appeared within them.

”But if we fought Victor, I expect we would have heavy casualties, and about three of us six would be killed.”

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Even Henrick froze.

The air itself seemed colder.

Erick subconsciously clenched his fists.

He knew Shawn was not the type to exaggerate.

That was what made the warning terrifying.

Lucien himself narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

Not because he doubted Shawn—

—but because Shawn rarely feared anything.

And yet Victor had clearly shaken him.

...

Remembering that warning from Shawn made Erick hesitate in messing around with this person called Victor.

The room in the inn returned to the present.

Oil lamps flickered gently as shadows danced against the walls.

Lucien tapped his fingers slowly against the armrest of his chair, deep in thought.

”I understand your concern Erick, but the damage has already been done.”

His voice remained calm and composed.

”This person called Victor is already enemies with Shawn’s younger brother. No matter what he says, the grudge would always be there.”

At those words, Shawn’s expression darkened slightly.

He knew Lucien was right.

Some conflicts could no longer be undone once blood and pride became involved.

Lucien continued.

”Also I am not dealing with the person called Victor, but his friend Videl. I’m sure I remember no mention of avoiding a person called Videl.”

A faint smirk appeared on Henrick’s face.

Meanwhile Erick remained silent.

The son of the Prime Minister Lucien Ashdrake was not a stupid man, and he indeed took heed of Shawn’s warning.

That’s one of the reason why he didn’t bother to directly attack Victor, but Videl instead.

The room grew still once more.

Outside the windows, distant rain began falling lightly over Fantom City.

Soft droplets tapped against the wood rhythmically.

Lucien slowly stood from his seat.

His towering figure immediately pressured everyone present.

As the aspiring ruler standing closest to political power within Skyfall Kingdom, if he bowed down to a threat by some random nobody, then how would he go about fighting the war against the neighboring kingdoms?

Power respected strength.

But authority could not show weakness.

That was the cruel reality of leadership.

He walked toward the nearby window and stared into the rainy streets below.

He must at least show this Victor, that he shouldn’t threaten a subordinate of his.

Shawn silently frowned.

He understood what Lucien was attempting to do.

A warning.

A demonstration.

A calculated strike against Victor’s companion rather than Victor himself.

But somehow...

Shawn felt things would not end so simply.

Victor did not seem like the kind of man who accepted losses quietly.

That man—

Shawn’s eyes darkened slightly.

That man looked like someone who would burn the world itself if those he cared about were harmed.

Lucien finally spoke again.

”The death of his friend, might make him think twice before threatening a subordinate of mine.”

The words landed heavily.

Even some of the retainers shifted uncomfortably.

Only Henrick looked satisfied.

Lucien turned around slowly.

Rainlight reflected in his cold eyes.

”Also after dealing with Videl, release those nobles we captured. I’m sure they now know whose side they should take, between me and my brother.”

Political leverage.

Fear.

Control.

Lucien understood all three perfectly.

The missing nobles were never the true target.

Videl was.

Everything else merely served the larger game.

Shawn lowered his gaze quietly.

For the first time in years, unease settled deeply in his chest.

Not because he feared losing.

But because he feared they had underestimated the wrong person.

He remembered Victor standing calmly beneath the evening sky, black hair swaying lightly in the wind, golden eyes terrifyingly calm beneath that handsome face.

That man had not spoken like someone relying on empty confidence.

He spoke like someone absolutely certain of his own strength.

And that certainty...

...it chilled Shawn more than rage ever could.

Hearing Lucien’s orders, the six people present said nothing more, and simply bowed their heads and went their way to fulfill the orders given to them.