Journey to Become the Zenith

The Birth of a New Dawn

”...Where’s Niva?”

”What about Kira... Dira... Sana... and Liza?”

She expected to see at least one familiar face.

Instead...

There was only silence.

A strange feeling settled in her chest.

She stepped back outside and approached one of the academy instructors.

”What about Kira... Dira... Sana... and Liza?”

She expected to see at least one familiar face.

Instead...

There was only silence.

A strange feeling settled in her chest.

She stepped back outside and approached one of the academy instructors.

”Instructor...”

”Have you seen Niva and the others?”

The instructor’s expression immediately darkened.

He lowered his head before answering in a quiet voice.

”They formed a rescue team during the battle.”

”They stayed behind to protect the civilians when several undead knights broke through the city’s defenses.”

”They fought until the very end.”

After a brief pause, he continued.

”Niva...”

”Kira...”

”Dira...”

”Sana...”

”And Liza...”

”They all fell protecting innocent people.”

”They died valiantly...”

”...like true knights.”

The words struck Videl harder than any blade.

Her sapphire eyes widened.

”...No...”

She staggered backward.

Her breathing became uneven as an unbearable ache gripped her heart.

”N-No...”

Her hand instinctively clutched her chest.

It hurt.

Far more than any wound she had ever received in battle.

Just yesterday...

They had been laughing together.

Talking about the future.

Dreaming about becoming heroes.

Now... They were gone for Forever.

Videl lowered her head, unable to say another word as grief quietly swallowed her whole.

------------------------

Morning sunlight spread across Fantom City, but it brought little warmth to the people gathered below.

The town square had become so crowded that there was hardly any room left to stand. Men, women, children, wounded soldiers, merchants, adventurers, and grieving families slowly filled every corner of the square. Faces marked by exhaustion and loss looked toward the makeshift stone platform erected overnight.

No one truly understood why they had been summoned.

The former noble families had personally sent messengers throughout the city. Though stripped of their titles, the Redcliffe Family and the other fallen noble houses still possessed influence among the citizens. Their words carried enough weight that people came despite their confusion.

The crowd buzzed with whispers.

”Why have they gathered everyone?”

”Did another undead army appear?”

”Has the city found new supplies?”

”I heard someone important is making an announcement.”

”Maybe they’re finally counting the dead...”

The conversations spread like ripples across a lake.

Meanwhile, hidden among the crowd, several members of Brinda’s intelligence network quietly began steering those conversations.

”I heard the missing Prince of Skyfall might still be alive.”

”My cousin said the royal family secretly searched for him for years.”

”They say he disappeared while still young.”

”Someone saw a warrior matching his description.”

”Perhaps the prince returned...”

One voice became two.

Two became ten.

Soon dozens of conversations centered around the same rumor.

Before long...

Almost everyone in the square was discussing the mysterious missing Prince of Skyfall.

Exactly as Victor had planned.

Standing near the front of the crowd was Max.

The academy headmaster folded his arms while silently observing everything unfolding before him.

Beside him stood Ruby and Natalia.

Neither holy maiden spoke.

Their attention remained fixed on the platform where Victor would soon appear.

Ruby frowned slightly.

”...He’s planning something.”

Natalia nodded.

”He always is.”

Ruby’s emerald eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

Ever since witnessing Victor defeat Alibaba, the Dragon War Goddess Kia had refused to remain silent.

Again...

And again...

The divine voice echoed inside her soul.

”He possesses overwhelming strength.”

”Bring him to my temple.”

”He is worthy.”

”He must become my champion.”

Ruby gently rubbed her forehead.

”Please... stop repeating yourself.”

Natalia glanced toward her.

”What?”

”...Nothing.”

Ruby forced a small smile.

She couldn’t exactly explain that a goddess had been pestering her ever since yesterday.

Still...

Even she couldn’t deny Victor’s presence.

His strength...

His composure...

His confidence...

Everything about him felt abnormal.

For the first time since becoming a holy maiden...

She wondered if destiny truly revolved around heroes chosen by the gods.

Or...

Whether someone like Victor could simply seize destiny through sheer will.

Max remained completely silent.

Unlike everyone else...

He understood far more than the citizens gathered here.

His sharp eyes slowly swept across the crowd.

Victor...

You’re truly frightening.

He had watched Victor’s every move since arriving in Fantom City.

He knew how Victor had gradually taken control of the city’s underworld.

He knew how influential people had begun following him.

He knew several former nobles had already pledged loyalty.

More importantly...

He knew those who refused Victor had quietly disappeared.

Max wasn’t naïve.

Victor wasn’t simply a hero.

He was building something.

Slowly...

Carefully...

Methodically.

Every move looked natural.

Every victory increased his influence.

Every success won more hearts.

Max exhaled quietly.

”He saved this city...”

”...yet one day he may become the greatest threat this kingdom has ever faced.”

One academy instructor standing beside him lowered his voice.

”Headmaster...”

”Should we stop whatever is happening?”

Max slowly shook his head.

”Stop him?”

He let out a bitter laugh.

”With what army?”

The instructor remained silent.

Max continued.

”Yesterday that young man defeated an army capable of destroying Fantom City.”

”He killed the necromancer Alibaba.”

”He possesses power none of us understand.”

”We have neither the strength... nor the authority.”

Another instructor frowned.

”Then what do we do?”

Max kept watching the growing crowd.

”We observe.”

”We learn.”

”And we prepare.”

”In case the day comes when Victor stands against the kingdom.”

The instructors exchanged uneasy glances.

One quietly asked,

”...Do you truly believe it could happen?”

Max didn’t answer immediately.

Instead...

His eyes drifted toward the distant platform.

”I hope...”

”...that I’m wrong.”

The wind gently swept across the square.

Above the crowd...

Victor calmly stood behind the stage, watching every piece of his plan fall perfectly into place.

The rumors had spread.

The citizens had gathered.

Hope...

Confusion...

Curiosity...

Every emotion was exactly where he wanted it to be.

Without saying a single word...

A faint smile slowly appeared on his face.

The stage was ready.

And soon...

The entire kingdom would hear the name of the Prince of Skyfall.