The Cunning Treasure Hunter

Chapter 91 The Celestial Blade Star's Confession

What is evil?

It is the absence of reflection.

What is good?

It is the relentless pursuit of thought.

These were the definitions of good and evil that Vera had come to understand.

She didn't claim these as absolute truths, nor did she believe they should be.

After all, good and evil varied based on circumstance and individual.

What mattered was building a framework of one's own.

In this sense, Vera's worldview was resolute.

Why did such a young girl have such a firm grasp on morality?

Because she wanted to believe she was good.

"...Ah."

A vast, bottomless expanse of water stretched out below her.

Vera slowly rose to her feet.

It seemed she had been pulled back into her Inner World.

But something new stood before her.

A massive black serpent.

Its eyes gleamed with red stars that radiated light like a cosmic aura.

Even though her Black dragon was enormous, it was nothing compared to this serpent.

Its sheer size was such that it could crush the palace of an emperor with just the tip of its tail.

The serpent rose from beneath the waters—a representation of the malice hidden within her since birth.

It was the essence of the Celestial Blade Star.

"Grrrrr..."

The Black dragon growled at her side, now so large that its shoulders stood taller than her head.

And yet, it was no match for even a single scale of this monstrous serpent.

This was no ordinary creature. It was a fragment of a star embedded within her soul.

Even if that star was one of malice, it was a fragment of eternity—a shard of countless cycles of destruction.

"A destiny, then..." Vera murmured quietly.

Her left hand reached for the hilt of the Falling Blossom Sword.

The surface beneath her feet rippled like water. This was her Inner World, the realm of her subconscious.

What governs the heart of a person?

Is it the self?

For most, it is not.

Humans are swayed by their circumstances and the conditions of their birth.

Her condition was the Celestial Blade Star.

Her circumstances were a life driven by vengeance.

But her heart had been hardened.

And so, in the depths of her soul, she drew her sword against the heavenly envoy of malice threatening to consume her.

[You have awakened me twice now.]

The serpent did not open its mouth. Its will simply manifested in her mind.

A shiver ran down Vera's spine.

She understood instinctively.

This was a power beyond human comprehension—a cosmic entity.

The serpent's massive head lowered toward her slowly.

The Black dragon, undeterred, leapt toward the serpent's glowing eyes.

But that was as far as it got.

The serpent's tail whipped through the air faster than sight.

Thud!

With a sickening crack, the Black dragon was slammed into the ground beside her.

Though it was not dead—it was a manifestation of her own energy—it lay trembling and immobile.

[A beast cannot recognize a giant.]

The serpent's slitted pupils narrowed, its gaze piercing.

Vera stood between it and the fallen Black dragon, sword in hand.

In her pitch-black eyes, a star ignited, and her blade radiated with a small but brilliant light.

Even if the world condemned her as a being of malice,

She was a swordswoman born under a star.

[You are a resolute one.]

The serpent lowered its massive head to meet her gaze.

Ethan, with his mischievous energy.

But was she still the same as before?

"I saw a serpent... a massive one."

"A serpent? In your dream?"

"Something like that."

Ethan looked puzzled, and Marcus wasn't much different.

Vera knew it was time to tell them the truth.

The essence of the Celestial Blade Star was slaughter and carnage.

By staying by her side, they might become entangled in the cruel consequences of her fate.

Of course, they were her senior brothers. They wouldn't abandon her like strangers.

But she wanted to give them the choice.

If the worst came to pass...

She wanted them to have the option to turn away.

"There's something I need to tell you."

"Oh? Senior brother, Vera says she has something to say."

"I heard her."

She took a deep breath.

She was afraid.

Afraid of seeing the warm gaze of her senior brothers turn cold.

"...I am the Celestial Blade Star."

Both Marcus and Ethan's eyes wavered.

They looked at each other, confusion and shock evident in their gazes, before turning back to her.

Vera dropped her head, unable to meet their eyes.

"And there is someone I must kill."

The air in the room turned frigid.

Ethan, unsure how to react, darted his eyes around nervously.

But Marcus was different.

"Is that so?"

"Yes, senior brother."

"Then we will help you kill them."

"...What?"

Even Ethan was stunned, staring at Marcus in disbelief.

Vera, too, was at a loss for words, raising her head in shock.

"I've seen enough of you to know. It hasn't been long, only a few months, but isn't that right, Ethan?"

"Well... I suppose that's true..."

"Would Vera kill anyone without reason? Is that the kind of person she is?"

"No, she wouldn't, but still..."

Marcus smiled softly, patting Vera's shoulder.

"What does it matter if you're the Celestial Blade Star?"

"I..."

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"You're my junior sister. Ethan is your senior brother. And I'm your senior brother as well."

The emblem of Mount Suncrest, a bright red cherry blossom, was embroidered on Marcus's chest.

Its petals bloomed brilliantly, as if yearning for eternity.

And yet, the blossom would inevitably wither, only to bloom again in another season.

"We are family, Vera. We share the same master, the same path."

"...Even so..."

"Which means your enemy is our enemy."

Vera placed a hand on her forehead.

This wasn't what she wanted.

She rubbed her face with both hands, only to see her two senior brothers smiling at her.

A weak chuckle escaped her lips.

Should she call them fools?

Or thank them?

The answer was clear.

"...Thank you."

She wondered how they'd react once they learned who her enemy truly was.

But for now, she felt at ease.

Because she knew that, no matter what, these two would stand behind her.