Journey to Become the Zenith-Chapter 104: The Queen’s Three Strike

The Queen’s Three Strike

A loud, thunderous laugh shattered the tension that had begun to gather in the throne room.

"Hahaha!"

Queen Amara wiped lightly at the corner of her eye as if she had genuinely been amused.

"Young knight... you truly are straightforward."

Her crimson eyes shimmered with curiosity and appreciation.

"This is the first time this Queen has dealt with someone as direct as you."

Her voice remained soft—almost melodic—yet every word carried the weight of a monarch who had ruled Skyfall Kingdom for nearly three decades.

"There is no need to worry, young knight. This is not a curse. It has something to do with the royal bloodline."

She slowly lifted the massive sword resting beside her.

"You see, young knight... all the rulers in my family possess god-like physical strength. In exchange for that strength, the mana we possess is lower than even that of ordinary children."

The sword rose effortlessly in her right hand.

"There is no need to worry about this Queen."

Her red eyes sharpened.

"So defend with all your might, young knight. And if you can find an opening, I allow you to strike me."

The giant blade pointed forward.

"It does not matter if you attack this Queen or simply defend. As long as you last three moves, it will be your victory, young knight."

The throne room fell silent.

Hidden guards on the rafters leaned forward.

Knights standing along the walls tightened their grips on their weapons.

Everyone knew what was about to happen.

After finishing her words, Queen Amara raised the heavy sword with one hand.

The air around her changed instantly.

The pressure she released was fierce—like a mountain suddenly dropping onto the battlefield.

For a brief moment, Videl felt a strange sense of familiarity.

This pressure...

It reminded her of her daily spars with Victor.

That same calm yet overwhelming presence. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

The same feeling of standing before someone far stronger than herself.

Without warning—

Amara moved.

There was no signal.

No countdown.

The sword descended in a brutal downward slash.

The speed shocked Videl.

Despite the weapon’s enormous size, it cut through the air like lightning.

Too fast!

There was no time to evade.

The blade was already falling toward her.

Instinct took over.

Videl raised her sword, angling the blade carefully as Victor had taught her countless times.

Instead of meeting the strike head-on, she attempted to redirect it.

Steel collided.

CLANG!

The moment the Queen’s sword struck Videl’s weapon—

Her arms exploded with pain.

The impact felt as if a giant hammer had smashed into her bones.

Her fingers went instantly numb.

For a terrifying moment, her grip almost failed.

The sword nearly flew out of her hands.

But Videl clenched her teeth.

Her muscles screamed as she forced her body to hold.

With sheer stubborn willpower—

She twisted the blade just enough.

The Queen’s strike slid off to the side instead of crushing her directly.

The heavy sword slammed into the marble floor beside her, leaving a deep crack.

Videl staggered half a step backward.

That...

That strength...

Shock flooded her mind.

She was already using [Boost] to strengthen her body.

Yet even with the enhancement—

Her arms felt like they had been struck by a charging monster.

She had always thought Eon’s unnatural strength was strange.

But witnessing Queen Amara’s strength firsthand was something entirely different.

It was terrifying.

Amara’s crimson eyes lit up with approval.

"Excellent."

Her lips curved into a satisfied smile.

But she didn’t stop.

Before Videl’s arms could fully recover—

The Queen moved again.

This time her sword swept sideways in a brutal horizontal slash.

The blade screamed through the air.

Videl’s pupils shrank.

Her arms were still trembling from the first attack.

She had no choice.

"[Enchant]."

Mana surged into the sword she was holding.

The blade shimmered faintly as the spell reinforced it.

Videl dropped into a deep horse stance, grounding her body.

She positioned the backside of the sword near her left shoulder—Victor’s defensive technique for absorbing overwhelming force.

The attack arrived.

BOOM!

The impact hit like a charging beast.

The strength behind the strike was twice the first one.

The shockwave blasted through Videl’s arms and spine.

Her feet lost traction against the polished stone floor.

She slid backward across the throne room.

The sound of metal scraping stone echoed loudly.

Even though she had successfully blocked the attack...

Even though her weapon had been enchanted...

Even though [Boost] was still strengthening her body—

Her stomach churned violently.

She nearly vomited from the shock.

Videl forced the sensation down with sheer willpower.

Across the room, Queen Amara lowered her sword slightly.

She did not pursue immediately.

Instead, she watched the young knight carefully.

Videl’s hands were shaking now.

Her fingers trembled uncontrollably from the accumulated impact.

Yet she was still standing.

Amara spoke.

"That was very good, young knight."

Her voice carried genuine admiration.

"This Queen is truly impressed."

She slowly raised her sword again.

"Now is the moment of your victory."

Her crimson eyes gleamed.

"If you are able to receive the next attack without fainting or dying... then this test will be your victory."

The atmosphere in the throne room tightened.

Still—

Amara continued calmly.

"However, this Queen must warn you, young knight."

Her gaze sharpened.

"The next strike I make... will use roughly ninety percent of my full strength."

The massive blade tilted slightly downward.

"The next strike might actually kill you."

She paused.

"So we will allow it if you do not wish to continue. This Queen is already pleased witnessing the strength of the next generation."

Silence fell.

Everyone waited.

Videl listened to the Queen’s words.

Then—

She smiled.

It was the exact same smile Victor always showed whenever a battle became difficult.

Sharp.

Excited.

Fearless.

For some reason, she felt something boiling deep inside her chest.

"Your Majesty..."

Her voice carried quiet determination.

"I will not falter."

Her blue sapphire eyes burned with resolve.

"If I did... my man Victor would laugh at me."

The moment Victor’s name appeared again in this situation—

Queen Amara’s curiosity deepened.

Even if this boy Victor turned out not to be as powerful as Videl believed...

The Queen was still intrigued.

What kind of person...

Could train a seventeen-year-old sword master like this?

Amara slowly lifted her blade.

"Very well, young knight."

The sword rose above her shoulder.

"Brace yourself."

The air trembled.

"For this... is the last strike."