Journey to Become the Zenith

The One Waiting Beyond the South Gate

”The moment I brought you out of that mysterious weapon shop...”

”...you were already my woman.”

The words were spoken naturally.

Without embarrassment.

Without hesitation.

Without doubt.

Diana froze.

For an instant...

She simply stared at him.

Then a smile bloomed across her face—gentle, beautiful, and filled with relief.

Tears quietly gathered at the corners of her crimson eyes.

Inside her heart, countless emotions surged together.

No matter the incarnation...

No matter how many lifetimes pass...

You remain the same.

You may not be the Azriel I first fell in love with...

Yet you are still him.

Different appearance...

Different name...

But the same soul I chose long ago.

Before another tear could fall...

Victor stepped forward.

He raised a hand and gently brushed away the crystal drop from the corner of her eye with his thumb.

”There is no need to cry.”

”I’m here now.”

Diana bit her lower lip before giving a small nod.

The next moment...

Victor gently drew her into his embrace.

She offered no resistance.

Instead, she rested her head against his chest as though she had longed for this moment for countless years.

Listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat...

She slowly wrapped her arms around his waist.

A peaceful smile appeared on her lips.

This warmth...

I’ve missed it.

Victor gently stroked her long black hair.

”I’m sorry for making you wait.”

She softly shook her head.

”I would have waited even longer.”

”As long as the one waiting at the end was you.”

Victor smiled.

”I don’t intend to keep you waiting anymore.”

She slowly lifted her head.

Their eyes met.

No more words were needed.

Victor leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss upon her forehead.

Diana closed her eyes, cherishing the quiet affection.

When he pulled back, he smiled teasingly.

”So...”

”Feeling better now?”

She let out a quiet laugh.

”Much better.”

”But...”

She looked at him with mock dissatisfaction.

”That’s all?”

Victor laughed softly.

”So my lady has become greedy?”

”A little.”

She answered without the slightest embarrassment.

Victor shook his head with amusement.

”I’ll make it up to you.”

Her cheeks reddened again.

”I’ll remember those words.”

After sharing another quiet smile, Victor spoke once more.

”Next time...”

”I’ll properly introduce you to Videl and Lane.”

Diana’s smile faltered for the briefest moment.

She knew about them.

She had accepted it long ago.

Even so...

No woman truly enjoyed sharing the man she loved.

After a short silence...

She took a slow breath and nodded.

”I understand.”

”I’ll do my best to get along with them.”

Victor gently squeezed her hand.

”Thank you.”

The conversation came to a natural end.

A flash of crimson light appeared as Victor recalled his scythe.

Diana returned to her spirit form and quietly merged back into the weapon.

Soon afterward, Victor headed toward the center of the city.

Earlier, he had left in such a hurry to meet the souls of his past incarnations that he had forgotten to prepare the supplies he needed.

The bustling streets were filled with merchants calling out to passing customers.

Victor spent some time purchasing the necessities for the coming days before leaving the marketplace.

When everything had been prepared...

It was finally time to head toward the Marquis’ estate.

When they left the south gate, Victor saw someone standing in the distance.

The evening breeze swept across the open road, carrying fallen leaves between them.

The lone figure remained motionless.

Victor recognized her immediately.

It was Isabella.

Yet...

Something about her was completely different.

The Isabella he knew always carried herself with a lazy expression, as though nothing in the world could truly interest her. She usually looked half-asleep, answering questions only when necessary and rarely showing any emotion.

The woman standing before him now was nothing like that.

Her long purple hair swayed gently in the wind, framing a calm yet resolute face. Those black eyes, usually filled with indifference, were sharp enough to make the surrounding air feel heavy.

An invisible pressure radiated from her.

It wasn’t hostility alone.

It was conviction.

Victor’s lips slowly curled into a smile.

His golden eyes shone with excitement.

Now this...

This feels interesting.

Behind him, Diana quietly materialized from the scythe in her human form.

She wore her elegant black-and-red gown, remaining silent as she stood a step behind Victor’s right shoulder.

She could already sense what was about to happen.

Even so...

She simply waited for his command.

Victor casually placed both hands inside his jacket pockets and continued walking toward Isabella as though greeting an old friend instead of someone radiating overwhelming pressure.

When only a few steps separated them, he stopped.

He looked Isabella up and down before giving an appreciative nod.

”I have to admit...”

”The serious look suits you.”

”It almost makes me think you’ve finally decided to stop sleeping all day.”

Not a single reaction.

Isabella’s expression remained completely unchanged.

Victor sighed dramatically.

”That’s a shame.”

”I thought I’d at least earn a glare.”

Still nothing.

He laughed softly.

”You’re making it difficult to lighten the mood.”

”I even prepared a few more jokes.”

Her gaze never wavered.

”I’m not here to joke.”

Her voice was calm.

Cold.

Direct.

Victor raised both hands in mock surrender.

”Alright.”

”You win.”

”I’ll behave.”

A brief silence followed.

Even Diana could sense the strange atmosphere between them.

It wasn’t simple hostility.

Nor was it friendship.

There was a faint, complicated familiarity neither of them could deny.

Victor looked at Isabella with an easy smile.

”So...”

”What do you want, Isabella?”

Even while facing the immense pressure surrounding her, Victor’s expression never changed.

He stood there as casually as ever, as though the crushing aura pressing against him didn’t exist.

Behind him, Diana remained completely still.

Her crimson eyes watched Isabella carefully, waiting for a single word from Victor before acting.

Isabella studied him quietly for several moments.

Then she finally spoke.

”I have heard about everything you’ve done while I was asleep.”