Journey to Become the Zenith

The Choice Beyond the Temples

Videl opened her mouth to answer.

But before she could say anything—

Someone pushed Ruby to the side.

Natalia noticed the situation was getting dangerous, so she immediately stepped between them.

Ruby stumbled a single step before regaining her balance. Her scarlet hair swayed behind her like a banner of fire as irritation flashed across her emerald eyes.

”What was that for?!”

Natalia ignored the complaint and planted herself beside Videl like a protective wall.

Ruby was about to continue arguing when she suddenly felt a hand rest on her shoulder.

She turned.

Max stood behind her.

The old warrior’s expression remained calm, but there was a weight behind his gaze that instantly cooled her temper.

For a brief moment, Ruby remembered exactly who this man was.

He wasn’t merely an old veteran.

He was one of the strongest individuals in the kingdom.

Someone even the temples treated with respect.

The words she intended to say died before they left her mouth.

”...”

Ruby clicked her tongue and folded her arms.

Max nodded slightly before looking toward Natalia.

The blonde holy maiden straightened her robes.

The atmosphere inside the room gradually settled.

Outside the windows, the afternoon sunlight illuminated the stone courtyard below. The distant sounds of students training echoed faintly through the academy grounds.

Inside the room, however, silence reigned.

Everyone’s attention settled on Natalia.

”Lady Videl,” Natalia began softly, her blue eyes meeting Videl’s sapphire gaze, ”now that you have heard about the blessings granted by the Temple of the Dragon War Goddess Kia, it is only fair that you hear about the blessings granted by the Goddess of Justice Jenna.”

Videl listened quietly.

”The blessings granted by Lady Jenna are different.”

Natalia’s voice carried a gentle confidence.

”Unlike the blessings of war, they are not focused solely on victory in battle.”

She paused briefly.

”The abilities granted by the Goddess of Justice generally fall into two categories.”

”To save.”

”Or to punish.”

Videl’s interest was immediately piqued.

Natalia continued.

”The saving abilities are usually advanced healing arts.”

”Abilities capable of curing severe wounds, poisons, curses, and illnesses.”

”Meanwhile, the abilities related to punishment are more mysterious.”

She tapped her chin thoughtfully.

”There are records of heroes who could see through lies.”

”Heroes who could sense guilt.”

”And even heroes capable of identifying criminals with a single glance.”

Videl found herself impressed.

The more she learned about the temples, the more she realized how vast the world truly was.

The blessings of divine beings...

The authority of holy maidens...

The hidden history of continents...

It was all far beyond the life she had once known.

Natalia stepped slightly closer.

Her expression softened.

”I know that you are a woman who values justice, Lady Videl.”

Videl blinked.

Natalia smiled.

”The moment I saw you protecting others without hesitation, I understood.”

”You possess the heart of someone who seeks fairness.”

The room became quieter.

”If you choose the Temple of Justice, you will gain our support.”

”Our resources.”

”Our influence.”

”Our teachings.”

Natalia placed a hand over her chest.

”And...”

A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.

”If you join our temple, I would gladly become your sworn sister.”

Ruby immediately narrowed her eyes.

Natalia ignored her.

”I would personally teach you the sacred Justice Arts.”

”The techniques passed down through generations of heroes.”

”I would also grant you access to the temple’s libraries and connections.”

Her blush deepened.

”I truly believe you would accomplish great things.”

Videl scratched her cheek awkwardly.

The sudden sincerity caught her off guard.

Before she could respond—

Ruby immediately stepped forward.

”That’s unfair!”

Natalia glared.

”How is it unfair?”

”You already made your offer.”

Ruby folded her arms beneath her chest.

”Then I shall make mine clearer.”

She turned toward Videl.

Her fiery eyes shone with determination.

”Lady Videl.”

”The Temple of the Dragon War Goddess Kia can offer things no other temple can.”

She placed a hand on her waist.

”If you become our hero, I will also become your sworn sister.”

Natalia’s eye twitched.

Ruby smirked.

”I personally teach military strategy.”

”Battle formations.”

”Leadership.”

”Command.”

”The arts of conquest and warfare.”

She leaned slightly closer.

”Our temple possesses influence across every battlefield on the continent.”

”If you wish to become stronger, if you wish to lead armies, if you wish to carve your name into history—”

”The Temple of War is unmatched.”

Even Max silently nodded.

Ruby wasn’t exaggerating.

The Temple of War held immense influence among kingdoms and military forces.

Ruby crossed her arms proudly.

”And unlike certain people...”

Natalia immediately frowned.

”...I don’t spend my time staring at criminals all day.”

”Oh?”

Natalia smiled sweetly.

”Amazing.”

”And unlike certain barbarians, we don’t solve every problem by hitting it with a weapon.”

The room instantly became colder.

Ruby’s smile became dangerous.

Natalia’s smile became equally dangerous.

Max pinched the bridge of his nose.

Again.

They were doing it again.

Videl could only stare.

For some reason, these two holy maidens seemed completely incapable of having a normal conversation.

Inside her mind, Amura sighed.

’Master, how did this become your problem?’

Rika giggled.

’At least it’s entertaining.’

Videl silently agreed.

Eventually, Max stepped forward.

The old warrior folded his arms.

”Enough.”

The single word immediately silenced both women.

Ruby and Natalia looked away simultaneously.

Max released a long sigh.

Then he looked toward Videl.

”So now that you have a rough understanding of the blessings and the temples...”

His voice became serious.

”Who do you pick?”

”Which temple will you join?”

The room became silent.

Ruby stared expectantly.

Natalia stared expectantly.

Both holy maidens waited for her answer.

Videl remained quiet.

Truthfully, both offers were tempting.

The Temple of War offered power, strategy, and influence.

The Temple of Justice offered healing, knowledge, and purpose.

Neither choice was bad.

But as she thought about it—

A certain person appeared in her mind.

Black hair.

Golden eyes.

A lazy smile that somehow always carried confidence.

Victor.

Without realizing it, a small smile appeared on her face.

If he were standing here...

What would he do?

Would he let himself become tied to one side?

Would he allow others to choose his path?

The answer came instantly.

No.

Victor would choose his own road.

The realization made Videl’s smile deepen.

Ruby noticed it.

Natalia noticed it.

Both became hopeful.

Videl finally lifted her head.

Her sapphire eyes shone calmly.

She looked at the two holy maidens.

Then she spoke.

”I made my decision, I choose neither.”

The two holy maidens had numerous changes in their expression in the span of one second. When they heard Videl’s answer the first expression they showed was excitement, then realization, then disappointment, and then confusion.