Journey to Become the Zenith

Gathering Storms

Unhindered Videl accompanied by Ruby and Natalia was able to reach the Guild master’s room quite easily. Upon entering the voice of a grumpy girl was heard.

The door swung open without warning.

Stacks of reports covered the desk. Maps of Fantom City were spread across the room, marked with hastily drawn notes and red circles. The air smelled of ink, parchment, and stress.

A familiar irritated voice immediately echoed through the office.

”What the hell do you guys want?! Don’t you see I’m-”

Isabella stopped talking as she finally noticed who entered his room.

Her eyes moved from Videl to the two women standing behind her.

For a second the room became completely silent.

Then Isabella’s expression changed dramatically.

”Oh, it’s you... And who might these two... WAIT THE HOLY MAIDENS!”

The chair behind her nearly toppled over as Isabella shot to her feet.

She immediately stepped forward and knelt.

”Isabella, Guild Master of Fantom City’s Adventurers Guild. How may I serve the holiest ones.”

Ruby blinked.

Natalia blinked.

Videl stared at Isabella as if she were looking at a completely different person.

A few moments ago, Isabella had been shouting.

Now she looked like the most respectful person in the entire kingdom.

Even though Isabella acted really respectful because this was how people should act in front of Holy Maidens of the Temples, deep inside she was extremely irritated.

’The hell? Not only does Victor give me nothing but trouble, even his friends do the same thing! Why bring holy maidens into the adventurer’s guild!’

Her smile remained perfect.

Her thoughts were anything but.

’One undead army wasn’t enough? Now I have temples involved too?’

Videl could almost see the frustration hidden behind Isabella’s polite face.

Before she could speak, Natalia stepped forward.

”The Sleeping Lioness of Skyfall Kingdom. I’ve heard tales of you.”

The room grew quiet.

Even Ruby became interested.

”It is my honor, my lady.”

Isabella lowered her head slightly.

Natalia studied her carefully.

Unlike most people, Natalia’s gaze carried neither judgment nor mockery.

Only curiosity.

”Who knew that the once-celebrated commander became an adventurer, and even became a guild master... How intriguing...”

A faint smile appeared on Isabella’s face.

”Life has its ups and downs, and no matter how strong you are, a human could never change fate.”

For the first time, Videl saw a glimpse of someone far older than the grumpy guild master she normally knew.

There was experience in those eyes.

Regret.

Acceptance.

Then the moment passed.

The usual Isabella returned.

Videl was shocked, as this was not the guild master, she knew. Was she somehow replaced by an imposter? That wasn’t possible since the mana fluctuating from within her could not be changed or copied.

Ruby leaned closer to Videl.

”Why are you looking at her like that?”

”Because this isn’t normal.”

”What part?”

”Everything.”

Natalia nodded in agreement.

”I understand what she means.”

’Sleeping Lioness of Skyfall Kingdom...’

Though Videl was extremely curious about this title of Isabella, she decided not to pry since she had more pressing matters to attend to.

She stepped forward.

”Isabella, is it true, that an undead army is heading towards the town?”

Hearing Videl’s question made Isabella sigh.

’So it really is about that.’

The playful atmosphere vanished instantly.

”Yes, we speculate that the army is led by the elder necromancer your Victor fought a few weeks ago.”

Ruby’s eyes widened.

Natalia’s expression became serious.

The two holy maidens who were listening to Videl and Isabella’s conversation, though it was surprising to hear about an elder necromancer heading towards the city, the two holy maidens were even more surprised to once again hear the name of Victor.

Not only was this Victor someone that Videl respected, he was also a person that was able to fight an elder necromancer and actually survive.

The more they heard about Victor the more interested the two became.

Ruby crossed her arms.

”So, he’s strong, respected, and apparently crazy enough to fight an elder necromancer.”

Natalia smiled.

”That does explain some things.”

Videl rubbed her forehead.

”Please stop analyzing him.”

”No.”

The two answered at the same time.

”How many days before the undead army reaches the city?”

Isabella was about to answer the question but someone interrupted her.

The office door opened again.

Heavy footsteps entered the room.

”Based on what Lane said they can reach the city within a week. So, Lane decided to stay behind and delay their march.”

The person entered was Clara wearing her full plated armor.

Dust covered parts of her armor.

Her expression was grim.

Videl’s heart immediately sank.

”What do you mean?”

Hearing the name of her friend being mentioned Videl looked even more serious now.

Clara took a deep breath.

Then she explained.

She told them about the scouting reports.

The ambushes.

The endless waves of undead.

Lane’s decision to stay behind.

The plan to buy Fantom City time.

As Clara spoke, the room became increasingly quiet.

Even Ruby stopped making jokes.

When Clara finally finished speaking, silence filled the office.

Videl turned around and was about to leave.

There was no hesitation.

No uncertainty.

Only determination.

”If you’re going, allow me to come with you. Since I’m done with the things I need to do here, I need to return. Lane is a party member after all.”

Clara asked, in which Videl only look at her and didn’t respond.

Clara interpreted that as a yes and followed Videl.

As the group was about to leave, Isabella spoke to the two holy maidens.

”My ladies, are you heading out to the battlefield as well?”

Ruby immediately answered.

”Of course, I do need to watch my hero candidate in action.”

She sounded as though the answer was obvious.

Natalia laughed softly.

”Oh my, so she’s your hero? Well, whatever, Lady Isabella, this Big Boobies is right we do need to see the hero in action.”

Ruby immediately spun around.

”Big Boobies?!”

”Did I say something incorrect?”

”You absolutely did!”

”You seem rather sensitive.”

”You’re doing that on purpose!”

The argument resumed instantly.

Videl continued walking.

She had long since given up trying to understand them.

”I see... Still, I need to report this to your respective temples.”

Natalia nodded.

”Do what you must.”

Afters Natalia said that she and Ruby hurriedly walk away trying to catch up with Videl and Clara.

Watching the fading backs of Videl and her group made Isabella sigh deeply.

”Really, that group always giving me trouble.”

She dropped into her chair.

”Aside from all the work I need to do in preparing for the incoming attack, I now also need to report to the temples.”

Her head hit the desk.

”This is getting even more troublesome...”

She slowly raised her face.

”I should quickly find a replacement Guild Master and retire already.”

Isabella returned to her seat and slumped.

...

After leaving the adventurers guild, Videl spotted a familiar figure running towards her.

”Master! Why did you leave me behind.”

Aria spoke with a bit of anxiety in her face.

She was breathing heavily from running through the city.

Videl stopped.

For a brief moment her expression softened.

”Sorry, Aria I was in a hurry. For now, I want you to head back to the principal’s office and ask Max what to do next.”

Aria’s shoulders tensed.

”But master I want to go with you.”

She spoke full of resolve.

Her fists clenched tightly.

She clearly wanted to help.

”No you can’t, as you are now you are still too weak to follow where I’m going.”

The words struck hard.

Aria lowered her head.

The confidence in her eyes faded.

Seeing that reaction, Videl sighed.

Then she stepped closer.

She gently placed a hand on Aria’s head.

”You just need to stay here and protect the town, please wait for me to return.”

Aria lifted her head and looked at Videl who was smiling gently at her.

The disappointment remained.

But so did trust.

She then nodded her head and answered.

”As you wish my master.”