Chapter 126

Chapter 126

Mira laughed out of pure rage. "This bastard doesn't even treat his own people like humans, and you're actually defending him?"

"You've really wasted all these years."

"Everyone listen up — nobody touches that Shura without my order!"

Brad got anxious. "So we just let him walk up to our door?"

Mira shot him a dismissive glance. "Not to be harsh, but are you seriously any match for him?"

"If his power is really as unfathomable as the rumors say, him coming to us would actually be a perfect chance for us to show our strength."

Even so, the elders exchanged uneasy looks, clearly lacking confidence.

Mira swept her gaze across the room. "Relax. If Victor actually dares to come, I'll handle him personally."

Those words finally brought some calm back to the hall.

Meanwhile, at Riverton Airport in Italy.

Victor walked out with the crowd. Riverton was the closest city to Moon Goddess Mountain.

Surrounded by scenic spots on all sides, it had long been developed into a thriving tourist destination.

Vintage-style buildings and all kinds of unique little shops lined the streets.

Victor found a restaurant and took a seat.

He ordered a few simple dishes.

While eating, he listened to the conversations around him.

Just then, a woman in a red dress walked over with a graceful sway.

"Sir, eating alone is no fun. How about I join you for a drink?"

Her voice was soft and seductive, and her looks were just as striking.

Victor looked her over and gestured to the empty seat across from him. "If you don't mind the simple food, feel free."

The woman didn't hesitate. She sat down across from Victor and poured him a full glass of wine.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Ruby Wells, the owner of this restaurant."

"You carry yourself differently. You're not from around here, are you?"

Victor gave a slight nod. "Good eye. I'm not."

Ruby laughed softly. "Visiting from out of town?"

"Since we've crossed paths, that's fate. This bottle's on me. When you leave, put in a good word for us, would you?"

Victor stared at the glass and let out a quiet laugh. "You're joking."

"After drinking this poisoned wine of yours, do you really think I'd walk out of here safely?"

The smile on Ruby's face froze.

She never imagined he could detect the poison through an opaque ceramic bottle.

"Who exactly are you?"

Ruby shot to her feet, eyes full of wariness.

Victor took a sip of his tea. "Someone from Shura Sanctum. Here to destroy Moon Goddess Temple."

At those words, the wariness in Ruby's eyes instantly gave way to shock and disbelief.

She took a deep breath and forced a bitter smile.

"I didn't know Lord Shura was coming. I meant no disrespect. Please forgive me."

Victor pointed at the poisoned wine. "No need for formalities. If you know who I am, why did you try to poison me?"

Ruby shook her head quickly. "You misunderstood. I have a blood feud with Moon Goddess Temple."

"I just noticed the way you carried yourself — that quiet authority in your every move — and assumed you were an elder from Moon Goddess Temple coming down to handle business."

Victor raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

Ruby dropped to her knees. "Every word is true."

"I'm the eldest daughter of the Wells family, one of the three great families of Riverton."

"Ten years ago, Brad, an elder from Moon Goddess Temple's Enforcement Hall, set his eyes on our family's heirloom Fire Spirit Core."

"He sent men to take it by force. My father refused, and they killed him with a single strike."

"After that, the rest of our family was slaughtered. I only survived because I happened to be away studying at the time."

Victor gave a slight nod. This was exactly how Moon Goddess Temple operated.

After all, these were the same people who had the nerve to demand he hand over Shura Sanctum without blinking.

In their eyes, taking whatever they wanted from the mortal world was simply their right.

Victor tapped the table. "I see. You can take the wine away now."

Ruby quickly removed the poisoned glass and nodded repeatedly. "Yes, Lord Shura."

Victor leaned back in his chair. "I'll give you some good news while I'm at it. Moon Goddess Temple will cease to exist within three days."

"If you'd like, I can leave Brad's body for you to deal with."

Ruby looked up sharply, eyes locked on Victor. "Are you serious?"

Victor's tone was calm but carried absolute certainty. "I never joke."

Looking at his composed, unreadable face, Ruby's eyes welled up.

The hope of avenging her family might truly rest with this man.

Without hesitation, she kowtowed deeply before him.

"If you can truly avenge the Wells family for this blood debt, I will serve you as a slave for the rest of my life, without a single regret."

Victor waved his hand. "That won't be necessary. Just do me one small favor."

Ruby didn't hesitate. "Name it. As long as it's within my power, I'll do it no matter the cost."

Victor pulled a slip of paper from his pocket and slid it across to her. "Spread this message around for me."

Ruby took it with both hands, and the moment she read it, she sharply drew in a breath.

There was only one line on the paper, outrageously bold.

"Shura has arrived in Riverton. In three days, Moon Goddess Mountain falls."

Ruby swallowed hard, her face filled with worry. "Isn't this too risky?"

"Moon Goddess Temple's influence runs deep all across Italy. This is basically issuing a challenge before the battle even starts."

Victor smiled, unbothered. "What else would I do? I want them waiting for me."

Ruby was caught off guard for a moment, then it all made sense.

Shura's name had been built on blood. What was she worrying about?

"Don't worry. I'll take care of it right away."

With that, she carefully tucked the note away and quickly walked out of the restaurant.

At the same time, back at the Atlanta estate across the ocean.

Amelia was clutching her tablet, glaring at the live restaurant footage coming through Shura Sanctum's intelligence network.

When she saw the woman named Ruby sitting across from Victor, dripping with charm, she nearly slammed the tablet down.

"Where did this woman come from?"

"She looks like that and she's got the nerve to be that vicious!"

"She actually tried to poison Victor? I'll go to Riverton and tear her apart myself!"

Beside her, Rowena was barely holding back laughter as she tried to calm her down.

"Relax. Didn't you see Victor see right through her little trick?"

Amelia jabbed at the screen, still fuming. "That's not the point!"

"A man and a woman, alone together — how is that acceptable?"

Rowena was stunned. "They're having a meal in a dining room full of people. How is that alone together?"

Amelia planted her hands on her hips, completely sure of herself. "Because I say so!"

"No, I'm going to Italy. Go get Makoto right now!"

Rowena let out a helpless sigh and rushed to stop her.

"Calm down."

"Before he left, Victor made you promise over and over — you are not to go anywhere near Riverton until Moon Goddess Temple is gone."