Journey to Become the Zenith

The Blade That Learned to Kill

Victor gave her an unimpressed look.

”Unless the people of this city have suddenly decided to give everything away for free.”

Evelyne covered her mouth as a small laugh escaped.

”Of course not.”

She reached for the pouch at her side.

”Of course master s, here it might be too little but I wish you would bear with it for now.”

She handed Victor a heavy bag.

The moment he took it, the pouch sank slightly in his hand from its weight.

Gold coin s.

A lot of them.

Victor glanced inside.

Then he looked back at Evelyne.

”This is too little?”

Evelyne’s expression became slightly awkward.

”Compared to what you could spend...”

Victor stared at her.

She lowered her head.

”Perhaps I may have misunderstood what you meant by ’some money.’”

Victor sighed.

”You really are generous.”

Evelyne’s lips curved upward.

”I only want my master to have everything he needs.”

Victor paused.

There was a faint softness in his golden eyes.

”Be careful saying things like that.”

Evelyne looked up.

”Why?”

”Someone might misunderstand you.”

Her heart skipped.

She stared at him.

Victor’s expression remained calm, but there was unmistakable amusement in his eyes.

Evelyne’ s face quickly turned red.

”I—I meant it as a servant!”

Victor smiled.

”I know.”

She puffed her cheeks slightly.

”You enjoy embarrassing me.”

”A little.”

”Master...”

Victor chuckled.

”No, this much is fine.”

He took the bag of gold coins and turned toward the cave entrance.

Diana followed behind him, her dark hair moving lightly as she walked.

Seeing Victor’s back slowly disappear, Evelyne stood there for a moment.

She watched him until he was nearly outside.

Then, almost unconsciously, she whispered,

”Please come back safely.”

Victor stopped for half a second.

He didn’t turn around.

”I will.”

Those two words were enough to make Evelyne smile.

Once Victor’s back was nowhere to be seen, Evelyne stood in silence for several seconds.

Then her expression changed.

The warmth disappeared.

Her fingers closed firmly around the sword.

There was no time to waste.

She stood up and started to swing the sword again.

The blade descended.

Once.

Twice.

Again.

The sound echoed through the cave.

Her breathing grew heavier, but she didn’t stop.

’It’s been ages since I last did something so basic, but for some reason, it feels like my foundation is actually getting better.’

She adjusted her stance.

Another swing.

’Master’s swordsmanship is the very basics, but the way he does it makes it look an art form...’

Her eyes sharpened.

The sword descended again.

’Enough, I need to concentrate.’

She remembered Victor’s words.

If the first attack didn’t kill her opponent, then she would be the one to die.

No hesitation.

No wasted movement.

No second chance.

’Each swin g must be swung like it’s my strongest attack.’

Evelyne’s grip tightened.

The next strike came down with a completely different feeling.

There was intent behind it now.

Not merely the desire to improve.

Not merely the desire to obey her master.

The desire to kill.

Evelyne started to swing her sword with an intent to kill, she wasn’t using any mana nor ki but the power of each of her strikes was gradually getting stronger.

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

Victor and Diana, while holding hands, were finally able to reach the nearby city.

The road behind them stretched beneath the fading afternoon light, its dusty surface glowing faintly beneath the orange rays of the setting sun. After walking for quite some time, the two of them finally stood before the massive stone gates of the city.

The walls were tall enough to make ordinary travelers feel small. Watchtowers rose above them at regular intervals, and guards stood along the battlements with spears resting against their shoulders. Merchants, travelers, adventurers, and ordinary citizens passed through the gates in a steady stream.

Victor’s golden eyes swept casually across the entrance.

Diana, however, suddenly stopped.

Victor looked at her.

She was still holding his hand.

Her long black hair moved gently in the evening breeze, and her red eyes flickered toward the city gates. She hesitated for a moment before looking at Victor.

”Victor, do you want me to wear my veil, or go back into your tattoo?”

Victor raised an eyebrow.

”Why?”

Diana’s lips parted.

She seemed embarrassed to explain it.

”Because the last time we entered a town and the people saw my face, they were flirty with me and you killed them, that drew unpleasant attention and probably caused problems, so I think....”

Before she could finish, Victor gently interrupted her.

”So what? You’re my woman, and if they try to do anything to you, then they just need to die. Why should you hide your face from such people?”

Diana stared at him.

For a moment, she said nothing.

Then her expression softened.

A beautiful smile slowly appeared across her face.

She tightened her fingers around his hand.

”You really don’t care what anyone thinks, do you?”

Victor gave her a calm look.

”Should I?”

”No.”

”Then there’s your answer.”

Diana smiled wider.

”You know, sometimes you say things that make it very difficult for me to argue with you.”

”Sometimes?”

She immediately narrowed her eyes.

”Don’t get arrogant.”

Victor’s lips curled upward.

”I’m not arrogant.”

”You absolutely are.”

”I prefer confident.”

Diana let out a quiet laugh.

”There’s barely any difference.”

”There is.”

”Oh?”

Victor leaned slightly toward her.

”Arrogant people need others to acknowledge how great they are.”

His golden eyes met hers.

”I don’t.”

Diana stared at him for a moment before shaking her head.

”See? That’s exactly what I mean.”

Victor chuckled.

Diana’s cheeks had gained a faint warmth.

She had known Victor for long enough to understand that his confidence wasn’t an act. He didn’t boast because he wanted attention. He simply knew exactly what he was capable of.

And somehow, that made teasing him even more enjoyable.

She squeezed his hand.

”Fine. I’ll stay beside you.”

”You were planning to anyway.”