Journey to Become the Zenith

The Choice of Evelyne

When Victor heard Evelyne’s explanation, he turned his golden eyes toward Kite.

The old man had gone completely still.

For several breaths, Kite said nothing. His face had lost what little color remained in it, and his eyes shifted away from Victor’s gaze. He had clearly not expected Evelyne to see through his plans so easily, much less reveal them in front of everyone.

That reaction told Victor enough.

Most of what Evelyne had said was true.

More importantly, it meant Evelyne had known about Kite’s dealings beforehand.

Victor’s irritation slowly gave way to curiosity.

He looked down at Evelyne, who was still kneeling before him.

”If you knew, why didn’t you stop it?”

The question came without anger.

Only genuine curiosity remained in Victor’s voice now.

A few moments ago, he had been ready to deal with everyone who continued interrupting him. But Evelyne’s attitude had changed the direction of his thoughts.

He wanted to know what was going through his disciple’s mind.

Evelyne remained motionless for a moment.

The wind passed through the street, stirring strands of her long black-green hair. Her fingers rested against the cold stone beneath her, and her purple eyes remained lowered.

”I had no choice...”

Her voice was quiet.

She took a slow breath before continuing.

”A powerful Duke of the kingdom was eyeing my territory. Knowing how low the Elmharts have fallen, and with our relationship with the crown already sullied, he thought that he could conquer my land.”

Kite’s expression tightened.

He knew exactly which matter Evelyne was referring to.

The situation surrounding the Elmhart territory had never been simple.

Their family’s influence had declined over time, and their position within the kingdom had become increasingly precarious. The royal family did not necessarily intervene when nobles fought among themselves.

Their philosophy was simple.

Strength came first.

The weak were expected to protect what belonged to them.

”The royal family allows fighting between nobles since they believe in strength above all else,” Evelyne continued.

Her voice remained controlled, but Victor noticed the subtle tension in her shoulders.

”Knowing that with my current military strength my whole family would be killed, I decided to see where my uncle’s plan would lead us to.”

The surrounding silence deepened.

Victor understood her reasoning.

She had not approved of Kite’s plan.

She had simply been unable to stop it.

If she opposed him without having the strength to deal with the Duke threatening their territory, the consequences could have been disastrous.

Evelyne had therefore chosen to wait.

She had watched.

She had calculated.

And she had allowed Kite to reveal where his plan would ultimately lead.

Victor rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

”Hmm, then are you alright with me killing the son of your allied family?”

The question made Kite’s heart tighten.

His eyes immediately moved toward Evelyne.

There was still a small part of him that hoped she would intervene.

She was his niece, after all.

Even if she had become Victor’s disciple, surely she would not simply watch him kill the heir of another noble family without saying anything.

But Evelyne did not move.

”Like I said, Master, no matter what you want to do there is no way for me to stop it. So what else is there to say?”

Throughout the conversation, Evelyne never lifted her head.

Her answer was so straightforward that even Victor found himself staring at her for a moment.

It was almost excessive.

Yet there was no falsehood in her words.

She wasn’t pretending to be cold.

She wasn’t trying to impress Victor.

She genuinely believed that if Victor had decided to act, then there was nothing she could do to prevent him.

Victor had to admit that he liked her sincerity.

A faint smile touched the corner of his lips.

”Alright then, lift your head. A disciple of mine should never bow their heads, not even to me.”

Evelyne’s body stiffened.

For a moment, she seemed to wonder whether she had heard correctly.

Then her eyes widened slightly.

She immediately raised her head.

The relief that flashed through her expression was brief but unmistakable.

”Yes, Master!”

Evelyne enthusiastically stood up.

Her movements were quick, almost eager.

Victor couldn’t help but find the reaction amusing.

A moment ago, she had been willing to accept whatever punishment he gave her without complaint. Yet the instant he told her not to bow her head, she rose as though those words themselves had lifted a tremendous weight from her shoulders.

Kite watched the exchange silently.

His expression was complicated.

He had known Evelyne for years.

He knew her temperament, her patience, and her sense of responsibility.

But seeing her standing before Victor like this made Kite realize something he had failed to understand earlier.

Evelyne did not merely respect Victor.

She trusted him.

And perhaps more importantly, she genuinely wanted to follow him.

Victor then turned his back toward Evelyne.

His golden eyes settled once more on Simon.

The young man immediately began trembling.

But before Victor continued, he spoke without looking back.

”Don’t worry. I will help you deal with that Duke.”

Evelyne’s eyes widened slightly.

She had expected many things from Victor.

That promise, however, was not one of them.

Still, she wasn’t particularly surprised.

They had known each other for only a few days, yet she already understood one important aspect of her Master’s personality.

Victor loved fighting.

Whenever someone strong appeared before him, he seemed to welcome the challenge rather than fear it.

A powerful Duke attempting to seize her territory was exactly the kind of opponent Victor might find interesting.

Evelyne’s lips curved faintly.

She wasn’t worried about the Duke anymore.

Instead, she found herself wondering what expression Victor was wearing right now.

She wanted to see it.

Unfortunately, he had already turned his back toward her.

For some reason, that made her even more curious.

Kite, meanwhile, remained frozen.

Victor had just casually promised to help Evelyne deal with a powerful Duke.