Chapter 254

Chapter 254: It’s Yours Now

Who was this man?

Could he truly be a human from the Lower Realm?

Questions flooded Victoria’s mind, but even this calculating genius found no answers.

She had witnessed the entire battle from her cramped safe room. From the initial solo breach of defenses, to withstanding twenty rocket-propelled projectiles unscathed, then achieving total annihilation of the Vanguard ship squadron.

Now, standing on the deck less than a kilometer away, Victoria watched Midi split the sixty-five-meter Tiger Shark Skyship in two overhead. The sight left her speechless.

A flesh-and-blood being conquering the sky, destroying the Tiger Shark—the sky’s apex predator—with nothing but a sharp sword. Such power felt unreal, like a hallucination.

She stared blankly at the golden-red glow streaking across the sky until finally lowering her gaze to Idak’s crumpled form on the deck—discarded by Midi like trash.

Idak was the main culprit behind Victoria’s predicament. Traitors bred deeper hatred than enemies. Though Victoria burned to execute him immediately, neither she nor her loyal Steward Lund moved.

This wasn’t mercy. Idak belonged to Midi now—a prisoner of war captured personally and left as "spoils." Who knew why the Killing God who bisected the Tiger Shark had spared this traitor? No one dared act without Midi’s permission.

Technically, Victoria had justification. Midi remained her escort captain, duty-bound to protect her. Idak’s betrayal violated their contract, warranting punishment. But who’d cite protocol before Midi’s overwhelming presence?

None viewed Midi as a mere Rothschild Guild hireling anymore. His display of power earned him equal—if not superior—standing with the Guild. His Lower Realm origins and gladiator status meant nothing in the Sea of Clouds, where strength ruled.

The wait ended quickly. After confirming the Tiger Shark’s wreckage had crashed and observing fleeing lifeboats, Midi coldly returned to the Narwhal’s deck.

Victoria stepped forward, bowing deeply. “Mr. Blade, thank you for rescuing us. I’ll never forget this Favor.”

She bowed again. “I used you as Bait earlier. Whatever compensation you demand, name it. My life is yours now.”

After apologies and thanks, she curtsied perfectly, smiling calmly before Midi.

Impressive, Midi thought. This eighteen-year-old had endured brotherly oppression, betrayal, and near-ruin before his intervention. Though this was his Victory, she’d weathered the storm, acknowledged reality, and surrendered pride without prompting—masterful crisis management.

No wonder she’d lead the Rothschild Guild someday.

Victoria was not just a merchant; she was also a magic scholar.

If given time to raise her level and successfully complete her awakening, no one would belittle her gender anymore. That would be her true metamorphosis from chrysalis to butterfly.

Though she had once used Midi as bait, he didn’t hold it against her.

Back then, he’d hidden his true strength. While slaying Batolun the Bloody Killing Sword had drawn some attention, he still wasn’t influential enough to alter major events.

Merchants weren’t in the charity business, and Victoria couldn’t possibly feel affection for a disloyal gladiator recruited from Sky Arena. She’d offered Midi generous terms matching his value before sending him as bait – nothing more than standard transaction.

Midi bore no real grudge. Given Victoria’s perfect handling of affairs, he instead decided to aid this heavenly girl.

Of course, this assistance came at a cost.

"Lady Victoria needn’t concern herself," Midi said evenly. "I accepted your conditions to serve as bait and rescue you. That’s simply how things go." His casual words swept aside past complications – a privilege only the battle’s true victor could claim.

"Naturally you’ve guessed I accepted your invitation for reasons," Midi continued, gesturing at the deck. "But first, let’s resolve this matter. I leave this man to your judgment."

Victoria followed his finger to where Idak lay unconscious. "But…" Her green eyes blinked in surprise at Midi’s unexpected generosity.

"Consider it a meeting gift. No debts incurred – capturing him required little effort." Midi spoke plainly. Truthfully, he preferred directness with intelligent people; circling suspicions only eroded trust. Having chosen to save Victoria and oppose her brothers, why not be generous?

For Victoria, this was no casual gesture. Gaining Mr. Blade’s help couldn’t be bad, though she wondered what he wanted. Her cheeks briefly flushed at one possibility before discipline reasserted itself. The blushing damsel vanished, replaced by the Rothschild Guild genius envied by her brothers.

She bowed deeply to Midi for the third time, then strode toward Idak. "Sword."

A guard hastily offered his blade. Steel rasped as cold metal flashed. Without hesitation, Victoria drove the point toward the traitor’s heart.

Idak awoke screaming, his survival instincts sparking frantic struggles. Midi stepped forward, sword dancing to sever tendons in all four limbs. Agony told Idak his death approached.

Seeing Victoria’s beautiful, murderous face above him, the bleeding man chuckled hoarsely. "My fault… all…"

"I don’t want apologies." Victoria twisted the blade viciously, destroying his chest cavity. "Just your death."

Leaving the sword embedded, Victoria smoothed her tousled brown hair and turned with radiant smile. "Shall we talk properly now, Mr. Blade?"

"With pleasure." Midi gestured invitation.