Journey to Become the Zenith

Threads Beneath the Underworld

When she burst into the room where Videl, Lane, Brinda, and Eon waited—

all eyes turned.

Videl blinked.

Lane narrowed her eyes instantly.

Brinda smiled like a predator scenting scandal.

And Eon looked confused.

Clara stood there flushed and furious.

Brinda was first to speak.

"My my... did Sir Victor make the Valkyrie melt?"

The room went silent for half a breath.

Then Lane’s dark eyes sharpened with dangerous amusement.

"Oh? Melt?" she said slowly. "Should we be worried Victor has begun collecting knight captains now?"

Videl tilted her head, sapphire eyes shining with innocent mischief.

"Did Victor flirt again?"

Clara nearly combusted.

"No!"

Too fast.

Too loud.

And therefore completely unconvincing.

Brinda laughed, low and velvety.

"Oh, he definitely did."

She leaned forward, purple hair falling over one shoulder.

"Tell me, Clara... did our dear Victor whisper sinful things in the hallway?"

Eon looked between them all like a man trapped in a storm.

"...Why do I feel I missed a battle worse than any gang war?"

Lane muttered, "Because you did."

Clara shot them all a murderous glare.

Then—

Victor entered behind her with infuriating calm.

Golden-eyed, composed, not a trace of shame.

As if he had not just nearly made a Valkyrie flee.

Brinda immediately turned her smile on him.

"My lord returns."

She tapped the armrest lazily.

"So... did you conquer Clara too?"

Victor raised a brow.

"Too?"

Brinda smirked.

"So you admit there were others."

Victor laughed.

Dangerously relaxed.

"If Clara melted, it was only from excessive admiration."

Clara’s face turned red again.

"Bastard!"

Lane folded her arms.

"Sit down before she attacks you again."

Victor looked toward Clara.

"Again?"

Brinda burst out laughing.

Even Videl covered a smile.

Only Eon looked more confused than before.

After Victor was done talking to Clara regarding what was happening, Victor returned fully to the room where everyone was gathered.

The people present were looking at Clara and Victor weirdly and started sighing.

What was the point of going out into the hallway...

if their whole conversation was going to be heard anyway?

The walls were thin.

Clara’s voice had not exactly been subtle.

To those inside, the entire event had unfolded like theater.

Sword threats.

Marriage proposals.

Flustered outrage.

It had been almost a show.

Brinda even sighed dramatically.

"For such private L. O. V. E. Rs. quarrels, you two are astonishingly public."

Clara looked ready to draw steel again.

Victor, uncaring about the looks he was getting, smiled at his companions.

Then moved to the central chair and sat.

Not as a boy.

As a king sitting among vassals.

One ankle crossed over the other.

Hands folded.

Presence settling over the chamber.

The playful air faded.

Instantly.

"Now that everyone is caught up..."

His voice lowered.

"Let’s get to the real talk."

At once the room changed.

Even Brinda straightened.

Even Clara’s irritation cooled.

Everyone focused all attention on Victor.

Waiting.

Watching.

Seeing all eyes upon him, Victor spoke.

"Now that you guys have fully transitioned into information sellers..."

"it’s time for the next step."

The next step.

Those words struck the room harder than any threat.

Everyone became even more interested.

Especially Eon and Brinda.

The two former rulers of Fantom City’s underworld had long wondered why Victor forced them to abandon drug routes and redirect everything toward intelligence.

At first they had doubted him.

Now... they saw pieces.

But not the whole board.

Victor leaned back.

Though truthfully the information business was somehow nearly on par with their old trade.

What it lacked in quantity of buyers...

it made up for in quality.

Nobles bought secrets.

Officials bought rumors.

Merchants bought leverage.

And fools sold treasures without knowing their worth.

Victor had taught them how rumors were not noise.

They were weapons.

Weapons that could poison courts.

Raise factions.

Destroy houses.

Or crown kings.

He had learned such lessons from his son in his past life.

Lessons he once ignored.

Back then overwhelming strength made him dismiss the power of perception.

A fatal mistake.

One that had helped ruin everything.

And Victor never repeated fatal mistakes.

His fingers tapped the chair.

Slow.

Measured.

Brinda spoke first.

"So the next step..."

Her eyes gleamed.

"What are we becoming?"

Victor smiled.

"Something far more dangerous than criminals."

Lane narrowed her eyes.

"Spies?"

Victor shook his head.

"No."

Videl asked softly,

"Then what?"

Victor looked at her.

And for a moment there was warmth there.

Then strategy returned.

"A hidden kingdom beneath the kingdom."

Silence.

Even Clara felt a chill.

Brinda’s lips parted.

Eon stared.

Victor continued.

"Drug empires rot.

Information empires endure."

"Who controls what men believe... controls what men do."

Clara studied him.

Again that same impossible feeling returned.

This man did not think like others.

He thought in eras.

In systems.

In revolutions.

Brinda suddenly purred,

"My lord... when you speak like this, you make seduction unnecessary."

Lane shot her a cold look.

Victor only replied,

"You may still try."

Brinda put a hand dramatically over her chest.

"How cruelly encouraged I am."

Even Eon barked out a laugh.

The tension loosened.

Then Victor’s gaze sharpened again.

Like a blade leaving silk.

Enough amusement.

Now came purpose.

He leaned forward.

"Eon. Brinda."

Both straightened.

"How many subordinates of yours could be considered mages?"

The question stunned them.

Brinda blinked.

Eon frowned.

Neither expected that.

Eon scratched his jaw.

"...A few dozen maybe. Depends how strict your definition is."

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Authors Notes: Dear Readers, Thanks so much for joining me on this adventure! Your enthusiasm, feedback, and encouragement really keep me motivated to keep bringing *Journey to Become the Zenith* into existence. If you’re loving the Chapters, I’d love it if you supported my book with a Powerstone, review, or even a Golden Ticket—it helps me develop as a writer and lets more readers enjoy the story. I look forward to hearing your ideas and thoughts, so please don’t hesitate to share!

With love,

Scorpio_saturn777

Creator of Journey to Become the Zenith

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