Chapter 138: Valeria Olarion (2)

Valeria Olarion was born into a world of expectations and discipline. As the daughter of House Olarion, a family renowned for its long history of knightly service, her path had been set from the moment she took her first breath. From an early age, it was clear that Valeria was destined for greatness.

Her talent with a sword was evident even as a child, and those around her often remarked that she was a natural—her movements fluid, her strikes precise.

Her father, a veteran knight and a strict adherent to the Olarion family's values, wasted no time in shaping her into the warrior she was meant to become. Under his tutelage, Valeria's childhood was filled with grueling training sessions that stretched from dawn to dusk.

While other children played, Valeria was on the training grounds, sparring with wooden swords that seemed too heavy for her small hands but soon became extensions of her very being.

It wasn't just swordsmanship at which she excelled. From a young age, Valeria demonstrated an exceptional affinity for cultivation. Her ability to harness and manipulate mana impressed her instructors, and it wasn't long before people began to whisper that Valeria Olarion would one day be one of the kingdom's most formidable knights.

She had the strength of body, the discipline of mind, and the growing mastery of energy that few her age could match.

"You will make a great knight one day and recover our family's honor," her father often told her during their training sessions, his voice filled with a mixture of pride and sternness.

"Talent is only the beginning. It is the constant refinement of your abilities that will set you apart. You must train harder than anyone else, prove yourself in battle, and never forget that honor is the cornerstone of knighthood."

Valeria's family had not always been as they were now. Once upon a time, the Olarion name commanded respect across the kingdom, their lands vast, and their influence rivaling that of the most powerful noble houses. They were a county, proud and unyielding, their crest a symbol of strength and honor.

But that was before the dark stain, a chapter in the Olarion history that no one spoke of aloud, yet lingered over them like a shadow.

Her father often spoke of it, but only in passing, his voice tightening with bitterness whenever the subject neared. "Our family's honor must be restored," he would say, his eyes hard and distant. "We were once a county, respected and revered. Now, we are but a mere viscountcy, stripped of our rank, our name tarnished."

That was why the family had become obsessed with honor and results. It was no longer just about duty—it was about redemption. Every achievement, every victory, every accolade that Valeria earned wasn't just for herself. It was for her family, for the Olarion name, and for the chance to one day regain the status they had lost.

"You must be perfect," her father had drilled into her from a young age. "No mistakes, no hesitations. Every failure you suffer reflects on all of us. We cannot afford any more shame."

Valeria had taken those words to heart. Her life became a relentless pursuit of excellence. Whether it was mastering the sword or honing her cultivation abilities, she pushed herself to her limits, knowing that her family's future rested on her shoulders. The whispers about her talent weren't just about pride—they were about hope.

The hope that one day, the Olarion family would rise again, and the past would be erased.

The weight of that expectation was heavy, but Valeria bore it without complaint. She would succeed, not just for herself, but for the generations of Olarions who had come before her—and for those who would come after.

That was why she had been looking for missions, something that she could use to prove that her family and her name were not useless.

So that she can prove to her father that she became a full-fledged knight, someone that he could be proud of.

And that opportunity came not long after.

Her efforts finally bore fruit when she received word of a mission in the countryside—a bandit subjugation. Normally, such tasks were routine for any knight or mercenary, but this one was different. The information mentioned a peak 3-star awakened warrior leading the bandits, a rarity in such a rural area.

A warrior of that caliber was not to be taken lightly, and Valeria immediately recognized the opportunity it presented.

'How does someone like that remain unchecked in the countryside?' she had wondered at first. A peak 3-star warrior, powerful and dangerous, should have been dealt with swiftly, yet it seemed the situation had lingered unresolved. To Valeria, this was strange, but she didn't dwell on it. Instead, she saw it as an opportunity.

If no one else had been able to deal with this Korvan, then it was her chance to prove herself. If she could take down such a notorious bandit leader, it would solidify her reputation, not just as a competent knight, but as someone who could handle the challenges others could not.

Without hesitation, she prepared her horse and set out for the region. The journey was long and exhausting, but Valeria pushed through, her mind focused on the battle ahead. The image of her father's proud face, the thought of her family's name being restored, kept her moving forward. She could almost taste victory—this would be her moment.

But when she finally arrived, what she found was nothing short of infuriating.

As soon as she reached the outskirts of Rackenshore, she inquired about the situation with the local authorities, eager to confirm the details of the bandit problem. But the answer she received was not what she had expected.

"The bandit leader Korvan? Oh, he's been dealt with already," one of the guards told her casually as if it were nothing.

Valeria felt the ground shift beneath her. "What?" she demanded, her voice sharp. "When?"

"A few days ago," the guard replied, his eyes smiling. "A quick subjugation force was gathered from the city, and the bandit subjugation was successful. And Korvan was dealt by Sir Lucavion." Searᴄh the NôvelFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Valeria's mind reeled as she processed the guard's words. The bandit leader had already been defeated, and by someone she didn't even know. She had come all this way, prepared herself for the challenge, only to arrive too late. The frustration bubbling within her was almost unbearable, but she held her composure as best she could, though her voice carried an unmistakable edge of irritation.

"Lucavion?" Valeria asked, narrowing her eyes at the guard. "Who is this Lucavion?"

The guard's expression softened with a touch of admiration as he leaned on his spear. "Ah, Sir Lucavion," he began, his tone now respectful. "He's something of a local hero around these parts. Took down Korvan himself, along with more than half of the bandit's lieutenants, all in one go. It was quite the sight, or so I've heard."

Valeria felt her jaw clench tighter. A local hero? This was starting to feel even more aggravating by the second. "He did all of that on his own?" she asked, her voice steady but laced with disbelief.

The guard nodded, his smile widening. "Yes, ma'am. He didn't just lead the subjugation; he was the one who took the fight straight to Korvan. There were plenty of others in the force, but it's no secret who did the heavy lifting. From what I've heard, Lucavion's skill with that estoc of his was something to behold. Cut down those bandits like they were nothing."

Valeria's stomach twisted. She had imagined herself being the one to single-handedly take down Korvan, the one who would be recognized for her prowess. Instead, some local hero had swooped in and claimed the victory—and the glory—she had been so desperate to seize.

"Where is he now?" Valeria asked, her tone hard. She needed to know more about this Lucavion, needed to see for herself what kind of person could accomplish what she had come to do.

The guard shrugged. "He doesn't stick around long after his work is done. Last I heard, he was resting somewhere in the town, but he's the kind who moves on quickly. Always seems to have some other mission or goal. He's become quite the name around Rackenshore since dealing with those bandits."

Valeria's grip on her reins tightened. Her opportunity had slipped away, and the frustration of missing out on such a challenge burned deep inside her. But more than that, it was this Lucavion—a name she had never heard before—who had robbed her of the chance to prove herself. She was furious, but beneath that fury lay a determination that was just as strong.

"I see," she said through gritted teeth. "Thank you for the information."

With that, Valeria turned her horse, her mind swirling with thoughts. Whoever this Lucavion was, he had beaten her to the prize. But she wasn't about to let that stand.

'It may not be his fault, but at the very least, I want to see what kind of person he is.'

She needed to see who he was.

Determined and driven by a gnawing need to see for herself the man who had so effortlessly stolen her opportunity, Valeria wasted no time. As soon as she parted ways with the guard, she called for her men, her voice as sharp as steel. Her knights, loyal to her command, gathered quickly, their expressions attentive.

"Spread out through the town," she ordered, her tone crisp and authoritative. "Find that man named Lucavion. Search the inns, the taverns, anywhere a man might rest after a battle. I want to know where he is, and I want to know soon."

Her men nodded, splitting into groups and heading in different directions. Valeria didn't wait idly, either. She wasn't the type to sit back and let others do the work for her. Climbing back onto her horse, she set off, her gaze scanning the narrow streets of Rackenshore as she rode. Every corner, every building was searched with a keen eye.

She questioned shopkeepers, glanced into every inn she passed, and made sure to inquire with anyone who might have seen a knight fitting Lucavion's description.

It wasn't long before one of her men returned with a lead. "Lady Valeria," he called out as he approached, slightly winded from running. "We've found him. He's staying at an inn named Verdant Hearth."

The moment she heard the name, Valeria's eyes were narrowed, though she kept her expression impassive. She nodded curtly and sent the man back to continue his patrol. Without wasting any more time, she turned her horse and headed for the Red Lion Inn, her mind racing with thoughts of what she might find.

As she neared the inn, her mood darkened. This Lucavion had accomplished what she had come to do, had taken the challenge she so desperately sought. But the fact that he was already something of a hero in this town only added salt to the wound. How could she prove herself in a place where another had already won all the glory?

Still, Valeria pressed forward. She needed to see him, to assess this so-called hero for herself.