Just then, the Ai system spoke ;
Emergency meeting requested from the council of elders.
Permission required to access virtual space meeting.
Eliza stared at the screen as if it had grown roots, the council of elders requested an immediate meeting but for what reason, could it be about her greedy aunt and her husband. They are the main causes of trouble on the family's side.
Permission granted.
Like opening of a digital world, letters that couldn't be understood ran from top to bottom penetrating the floor, Eliza walked forward allowing herself to be consumed by the light, the moment she opened her eyes, she was in a different room but could still see Harper standing at a distance.
Elders, how can I be of help ", Eliza addressed the people Infront of her.
She was seated on a perfectly designed chair that resembled a throne, with three diamond shaped rings shaping its sides, Her blacksteel throne waa rigid and cold, bolted into the raised dais that marked the highest seat in the family hierarchy. But it wasn't the throne that commanded silence. It was her expression.
The chamber of the Virelle Council felt more like a tomb than a meeting hall.
Its vast ceiling curved overhead like a solemn cathedral, every inch etched with glowing sigils that pulsed faintly—breathing in sync with the city far below. The banners draped along the stone walls , each one bearing the family crest: a silver serpent devouring a crown.
Eliza looked every now looked like a sovereign matriarch sitting in the highest seat in the family
She sat still, chin slightly lifted, gaze unwavering.
But beneath her calm exterior, tension rippled like an undercurrent. Her mind was a battlefield, thoughts clashing with every heartbeat.
Before her, six elders filled their seats in a crescent arc—giants of the family in both legacy and reputation.
Elder Zhang Wei sat like a coiled storm,
Next to him, Nakamura Yui—poised,
Daesung seemed almost bored, though even his calm made the air feel heavier.
The others were mori takeshi,saito Ren and Han mei .
Each of them could level a battlefield. Together, their presence was like thunder waiting to split the sky.
And every eye was locked on Eliza.
"We thought a superior virelle would rise and uplift out legacy but it seem we were wrong," mori snapped. Her voice sliced through the silence like a whip. " something priceless . Gone. Thanks to your aunt."
Eliza's eyes didn't waver. She had anticipated the blow, but the sting of it still came.
What the heck
"You called her a parasite and indeed she was and yet you couldn't kill her .", yui said coldly
"wait, so you wanted me to kill my own family members," Eliza snapped. "That is evil coming from you."
"She looted our legacy!" Daesung thundered, his voice deep and powerful. "the emperor void jade is a terrifying existence of a tool even I was lucky to learn about its existence"
Mori's voice was softer, but it landed like a hammer. "And it was stolen under your control, if you weren't so obsessed with finding about what killed your mother, maybe"
The temperature in the room seemed to drop, the air thickening around her.
And the way, you guys are speaking, it was if I helped her to steal the emperor void "
Yui stood, fists trembling, his aura crackling with heat. "So, who should we suspect, such a priceless spiritual tool"
Eliza's jaw tightened.
You are all elders, just use your brains and think, how could those brats steal the emperor void"
Zhang leaned forward. "fallen sky sect"
The words hit harder than any weapon.
Virelle was a person who opposed the world order, the fallen sky and its allies had built, this made them long time enemies and her fall, the fallen sky sect would make sure her legacy crumbles using every possible way. That was the one way such low lives would act so recklessly
Eliza's fingers curled around the arm of her throne.
"This is definitely my fault, I am not powerful enough to dominate over the entire family and lady seraphine and cassian, you bastards", Eliza gritted her teeth.
"Your strength is the main problem. Us elders, most of us aren't members of the virelle family can't intervene " Yui said. "And now the family bleeds with you."
Mori's voice, quieter now, but no less damning. "The people want a face to blame. Yours is on every banner."
And that's when it truly hit her.
It wasn't just about money. Or betrayal.
It was about shame.
Lady seraphine hadn't just stolen from her—she'd humiliated her. Mocked her power. Undermined her in front of the elders who never truly believed she deserved the throne in the first place.
Her throat tightened.
And now they were gone.
"Eliza," Yui said, softer now, her words cutting through the fog of her thoughts. "Power isn't maintained with words. One needs strength, today us elders have left for you this matter to handle, it is up to you whether you can truly live up to become the next virelle, it is your weakness that is affecting us all."
Eliza's eyes burned.
The fire inside her flared again. The storm she had kept at bay, ready to explode.
Then she exploded.
"You want a scapegoat?" she roared, voice echoing off the stone walls. "Fine. Blame me. Tear down my banners. Strip me of the title. But don't sit there pretending you didn't feed seraphine's ambition.
That was a like a slap on the elders' faces. Lady seraphine was after all once one of the elders of the council they all shared a close connection but no of them expected her to turn out like this.
"She betrayed us all. And I will find her. If she hides in the Shadow Realms, I'll tear down the gates. If she burns the money, I'll pull it from her corpse. And when I drag her back here, I'll show you what kind of queen I really am."
A soft voice, distinct from the other males, murmured, "Little miss, please pardon us elderly people for bothering you." She remained silent until the elders started accusing Eliza.
"We ancient battle spirits are strong in the face of the world." I am a strong seven-ring SSS rank, but my strength is not to carry out your tasks but to defend what your mother left behind," Elder Han Mei stated, resting against the back of her seat. "I could easily trace and punish seraphine for her crimes within minutes, but it is not up to me to decide."
Whatever she said was accurate, yet the words came to Eliza like a ton of bricks. It was the duty of a matriarch to punish Seraphine and her husband; thus, she had to become strong and defy the elders, including Han Mei.
Old men ", Han Mei turned to the elders."I propose that we assign Eliza this duty; she must use her own strength to punish Seraphine within three years, or else one of us will assume her role as matriarch of the Virelle until the appropriate moment arrives."
Eliza winced, her eyes becoming wide with surprise and insight. Even though she was rightfully the most powerful member of the Virelle family, she was unable to refuse. However, among the interns of spiritual strength, Han Mei was the most powerful warlord"
The elders nodded their heads almost instantly.
Matriarch, do you agree?
Matriach, what Matriach . She was like a president who was instructed what to do and could not refuse.
Eliza's hands clinched so hard Han Mei could clearly hear the bones shattering.
Yes, I agree with the elders' decision.
"we are sorry, virelle. I hope you can overlook this old bag of bones from where you are, but I had no other option," Han Mei whispered to herself. Although it was obvious that she had left Eliza defenseless in this circumstance, perhaps it was the best decision for everyone.
Han Mei with her stength would be considered the second most powerful figure within the virelle family, she was no less then a loyal mercenary who followed virelle around, no wonder she shoulders the responsibility of the elder council.
Although it would be easy for Han Mei to take over the entire Virelle family, Eliza really trusted her judgment. However, someone like her was not Seraphine.
A Primordial Soul Venerable, powerful enough to destroy cities. Most of the other elders had only reached the level of Peak Soul Saint. Compared to her, they were nothing.
If she wanted, Han Mei could have taken control of the family long ago. But she hadn't.
The elders exchanged glances. No one dared speak against Han Mei. Even if they disagreed, her strength was absolute.
Then Han Mei raised one finger.
The air turned heavy.
Eliza felt her heart tighten. Her breath caught in her throat.
From Han Mei's fingertip, a thin line of golden light shot out and circled Eliza's chest. It wrapped around her like a chain, humming with ancient power.
She didn't cry but something inside her broke
She turned on her heel, the edges of her cloak sweeping behind her like the final curtain of a play.
The elders exchanged glances.
"First Elder," said Saito Ren, turning to face Han Mei, "do not you believe your decision was too harsh?"
We should obviously have no regrets as long as we give her enough fuel to burn.
All the elders nodded as if in support, then the virtual meeting collapsed.
Eliza returned to her mansion and shot Harper a sideway look.
I don't care how, I will do anything to get those geno credits