Journey to Become the Zenith

The Judgment of the Redcliffe Family

Deep beneath the Redcliffe Mansion lay a hidden council chamber, sealed away behind layers of enchanted stone and ancient defensive formations. Isolated from the outside world, it had served as the family’s most secure meeting place for generations.

A massive circular table dominated the center of the chamber.

The air was unusually heavy.

Every elder of the Redcliffe Family had gathered, yet no one seemed eager to speak.

Some sat with thoughtful expressions, their brows furrowed in contemplation.

Others looked visibly uneasy, still haunted by the events they had witnessed on the battlefield the previous day.

The image of that overwhelming display of power lingered vividly in their minds.

At the head of the table sat Ramona Redcliffe.

Her long emerald-green hair cascaded gracefully over her shoulders, framing a face that remained calm and composed. Beneath delicately arched brows, her deep violet eyes moved slowly around the room, meeting the gaze of every elder one by one.

She wore an elegant emerald robe embroidered with intricate purple patterns—the unmistakable symbol of the Redcliffe Family’s authority.

She looked refined.

Graceful.

Almost gentle.

Yet no one present dared mistake that elegance for weakness.

Every person in the chamber understood exactly how formidable the woman before them truly was.

Silence stretched on for several moments.

The only sound came from the steady flicker of enchanted lamps illuminating the ancient stone walls.

At last, Ramona broke the silence.

”So...”

Her calm voice echoed softly through the chamber.

”Our family has pledged its loyalty to Lord Victor.”

She folded her hands neatly atop the table before continuing.

”I want to hear everyone’s honest thoughts.”

Her words settled over the room.

The elders exchanged quiet glances.

After a brief hesitation, an elderly man slowly rose from his seat.

”My Lady...”

He paused for a moment before speaking with quiet conviction.

”I believe following Lord Victor was the correct decision.”

A number of elders nodded in agreement.

”I share the same opinion.”

”No one in this kingdom possesses power that can rival his.”

”Yesterday’s battle proved that beyond any doubt.”

”He defeated a Necromancer who would have required entire armies to confront.”

”And he accomplished it almost effortlessly.”

The old man’s eyes shone with admiration.

”A man like that...”

”His future has no limits.”

Another elder gently stroked his long beard before speaking.

”Our family has declined greatly over the years.”

His voice carried a hint of regret.

”Our influence has weakened.”

”Our strength is no longer what it once was.”

He slowly looked around the table.

”But if we remain by Lord Victor’s side...”

”...our family may finally have the opportunity to rise again.”

A faint smile appeared on the face of one of the female elders.

”In that case...”

She looked toward Ramona before calmly continuing,

”Wouldn’t it be wise to strengthen our relationship even further?”

The room immediately fell silent.

Several elders seemed to realize exactly where she was going.

Without changing her expression, the woman spoke the final two words.

”A marriage alliance.”

Several elders immediately looked toward Ramona.

The woman elder smiled.

”Our Family Head is both capable and extraordinarily beautiful.”

”Among all the noble ladies within the kingdom...”

”There are few who could compare to Lady Ramona.”

”If Lord Victor were to marry into our family...”

”Our loyalty would become unbreakable.”

Another elder nodded.

”I agree.”

”Lord Victor is young.”

”Our Family Head is also unmarried.”

”They would make an excellent pair.”

”I believe even politically it would benefit both sides.”

Another elder chuckled.

”And judging from Lord Victor’s character...”

”He doesn’t appear to dislike beautiful women.”

Several people around the table smiled slightly.

Ramona remained expressionless.

She neither agreed...

Nor refused.

She simply listened.

Another elder spoke.

”Marriage alone isn’t the important part.”

”Trust is.”

”If Lord Victor trusts the Redcliffe Family...”

”Our descendants will prosper for generations.”

Many elders voiced their agreement.

However...

One elderly man sitting near the end of the table slowly rose.

His expression was dark.

”I disagree.”

The room immediately became silent.

He looked around the table.

”Have you all forgotten what we witnessed yesterday?”

”He is far too powerful.”

”He may be our ally today...”

”But tomorrow?”

”What if he changes his mind?”

”What if one day he decides to erase the Redcliffe Family?”

”No one could stop him.”

The elder’s voice became colder.

”A man with that much power should never be allowed to exist.”

Several elders frowned.

The man continued.

”If we wait until he fully recovers...”

”We’ll never have another opportunity.”

”I say...”

”...we eliminate him while he’s unconscious.”

Silence.

Absolute silence.

The temperature inside the chamber seemed to drop.

Ramona slowly stood.

Her expression remained calm.

”So...”

”You believe betraying our liege is the correct path?”

The elder nodded confidently.

”Yes.”

”It is for the family’s future.”

”I only speak because I wish to protect the Redcliffe Family.”

Ramona took one step forward.

”And...”

”You expect everyone here to stain our family’s honor?”

The elder answered without hesitation.

”Honor means nothing if we’re all dead.”

The next moment—

Shing!

A flash of cold steel cut across the chamber.

The elder’s eyes widened.

His head separated cleanly from his body before falling onto the stone floor.

Thud.

His body collapsed moments later.

Blood slowly spread beneath the chair.

Every elder froze.

No one dared speak.

Ramona calmly flicked the blood from her sword before returning it to its sheath.

Click.

The sound echoed through the silent chamber.

Her purple eyes swept across everyone.

”Sir Randolph stepped beyond his station.”

”So I executed him.”

Her voice was soft...

Yet carried unquestionable authority.

”Lord Victor is our liege.”

”I asked for your opinions regarding the man.”

”I did not ask whether we should betray him.”

She looked directly into every elder’s eyes.

”Anyone who suggests murdering the person our family has sworn loyalty to...”

”...is no longer worthy of carrying the Redcliffe name.”

She paused.

”Our ancestors built this family upon loyalty.”

”Without honor...”

”We are nothing.”

No one dared object.

Ramona continued.

”Is there anyone else...”

”...who wishes to share the same opinion?”

Silence.

Not even the sound of breathing could be heard.

After nearly a full minute, Ramona nodded once.

”Very well.”

”Since no one has spoken...”

”Remember this day.”

”The next person found plotting against Lord Victor...”

”...will not receive such a swift death.”

Every elder instinctively straightened their backs.

”Do you all understand?”

”Yes, Family Head!”

Their voices rang through the underground chamber in perfect unison.

Only after hearing everyone’s answer did Ramona return to her seat.

The meeting continued...

But from that moment onward...

Not a single elder dared question Victor’s position as the Redcliffe Family’s new liege.