Journey to Become the Zenith

Seeds of a New Era [Part -2]

Full night rested in the Redcliffe Family Manor.

Moonlight poured gently through the tall windows, painting silver patterns across the polished wooden floors. Outside, the manor grounds were peaceful. The sound of chirping insects blended with the distant hum of Fantom City’s reconstruction, where workers continued repairing homes damaged during the undead invasion. Compared to only a few days ago, the city had begun to breathe again.

Within one of the guest chambers, Victor sat quietly beside the open window.

The cool night breeze stirred his long black hair as he gazed toward the sleeping city below.

His sharp golden eyes reflected countless thoughts.

The curse surrounding Clara’s family had been resolved.

The assassin had been eliminated.

The Elmhart Family had unexpectedly entered his field of vision.

One problem had ended.

Another had already begun.

Yet Victor wasn’t worried.

Instead...

He found himself looking forward to what lay ahead.

A faint smile crossed his face before he finally rose from his chair.

Tomorrow...

There would be much to accomplish.

...

Morning sunlight slowly illuminated the Redcliffe Family Manor.

Servants quietly moved through the halls, preparing breakfast while the aroma of freshly baked bread drifted through the estate.

The following day after Victor dealt with the curse assassin, Clara spent nearly the entire day beside her two little sisters.

The curse was gone.

The nightmare that had haunted their family for years had finally ended.

But not every wound could be healed by breaking a curse.

Some wounds lived inside the heart.

Inside a quiet bedroom, warm morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, gently illuminating the room. Nira and Kary sat close to Clara, still adjusting to the world after waking from their unnatural slumber. Although their bodies had recovered, their memories felt hazy, as though several years of their lives had disappeared overnight.

They looked around with innocent curiosity.

Everything felt familiar...

Yet strangely different.

Nira nervously played with the edge of her robe before quietly asking,

”...Big Sis.”

”When is Mother coming back?”

The words froze Clara where she sat.

Her fingers instinctively tightened.

For a brief moment, she couldn’t breathe.

She had expected this question eventually...

But hearing it from Nira’s hopeful voice hurt far more than she imagined.

Beside her, Kary looked up with equally hopeful eyes.

”Did Mother go somewhere?”

”Can we visit her?”

Clara slowly lowered her gaze.

Inside her heart, countless emotions collided.

She knew something they didn’t.

Victor had saved her mother’s soul before it completely disappeared.

Her mother’s soul now rested safely within Victor’s Spiritual Domain, sleeping peacefully.

She wasn’t truly gone.

But...

She wasn’t truly alive either.

No one knew how long that deep slumber would last.

Months...

Years...

Perhaps even longer.

Even Victor couldn’t promise when she would awaken again.

Then Clara remembered the final words her mother spoke before falling into that eternal sleep.

”Clara...”

”My precious daughter...”

”Your sisters...”

”I’m leaving them in your care.”

”Promise me...”

”...you’ll protect them.”

Those words still echoed inside her heart.

Clara closed her eyes.

Mother...

Forgive me.

I know you still exist...

But they aren’t ready to bear that hope.

If I tell them you’re sleeping somewhere they can’t reach...

They’ll wait every single day.

They’ll keep asking when you’ll wake up.

And if that day never comes...

Their hearts will break again.

It’s kinder...

Even if it hurts me.

Taking a slow breath, Clara gently stroked both girls’ heads.

Her voice trembled despite her efforts to remain composed.

”Mother...”

”...won’t be coming home anymore.”

The sisters blinked in confusion.

They still didn’t understand.

Clara forced herself to continue.

”She protected all of us.”

”She loved us more than anyone else.”

”And because she wanted every one of us to live...”

”...she sacrificed herself.”

The words were only half a lie.

Her mother truly had sacrificed herself.

She simply didn’t tell them that somewhere beyond their reach...

Their mother still slept peacefully, waiting for a future no one could predict.

Tears quietly rolled down Clara’s cheeks.

”...Mother...”

Nira whispered as her small lips trembled.

Kary slowly lowered her head, trying to understand what those words truly meant.

Silence filled the room.

Moments later...

Both girls suddenly threw themselves into Clara’s embrace.

The three sisters held one another tightly.

No one spoke.

Sometimes...

Silence carried far more emotion than words ever could.

Clara simply closed her eyes and hugged them with all her strength.

Mother...

Don’t worry.

I’ll protect them.

No matter how long it takes...

I’ll wait for the day you open your eyes again.

Outside the partially opened door, Victor happened to pass by.

He paused briefly.

Without disturbing them...

He quietly continued walking.

Some grief...

Could only be healed by family.

...

Elsewhere inside the manor...

Soft footsteps traveled down the corridor.

Lane quietly approached Victor, her graceful steps faltering to a stop in front of him. Despite the fact that she had been traveling without rest just to finish the mission in the quickest time possible, the tiredness in her beautiful black eyes disappeared instantly as she saw him standing there safely.

A soft smile bloomed naturally on her lips.

Putting her hand on her chest, she gave Victor a polite bow.

”My Lord.”

Victor turned to face her.

As his golden eyes met hers, the stern look on his face softened imperceptibly.

”You are back.”

Lane nodded, a warmth in her smile unable to be hidden.

”My mission was completed.”

Victor examined her from head to foot. Her clothes had faint traces of dust from the traveling, and some loose strands of black hair framed her face. Standing tall before him, one could tell she has scarcely rested herself.

A hint of concern touched his eyes.

”You didn’t get any rest on the way, did you?”

Lane sheepishly smiled.

”I wanted to report to you first.”

Victor gave a helpless sigh. ”You overexert yourself too much.” His voice held a gentle scolding tone more than any annoyance.

Lane tilted her head down slightly. ”I don’t mind.”