Meanwhile, the two inside were unaware of what transpired outside. Elizabeth regained her senses and snapped at Rena through her telepathic connection. (Just what were you thinking? What did you do?) she screamed.
(Since you're going to reveal my existence anyways, I needed to ensure the confidentiality of the conversation,) Rena replied seriously. (This is the extent of my abilities though.)
Rena's current situation was awkward. Although they were an extremely formidable existence, there were restrictions that fully prevented them from using their power. Normally, they would be able to wield the fundamental laws of the world and create a separate world! What was a separate world? It was a region where space and time were distorted to the individual's whims, isolating it from the normal world. It was truly the work of a god at that point! However, they could not do so right now. They had to use Elizabeth's Magic Energy to construct the spells instead. Since Elizabeth's Core was a mere Peak Gaseous Fog level, this limited what Rena could do. That said, they were still heads and shoulders above the residents of this world. It was not hard to isolate this room from prying hands.
After hearing that, Elizabeth became speechless and slightly disturbed. Her Magic Energy was used without her permission! The danger involved could not be underestimated. If the spirit used her magic to kill Queen Bethnal, could Elizabeth stop it in time? What about in a fight? If the spirit tinkered with her magic a little bit, making it a little slower than usual, then it would be trivial to kill her. Although the Whiteangel Bow granted her unprecedented power and the spirit granted her unprecedented knowledge, it was important to realize it was a double-edged sword. She could not help but feel wary inside.
Ignoring her silent protest, the spirit turned their attention to Queen Bethnal. When Elizabeth and Queen Bethnal opened their eyes again, their surroundings had been completely transformed. They stood in a vast white landscape, illuminated through some unknown means. But it was not empty. Around them was a strange dense fog that glittered like a rainbow. It was like a million faint stars, blinking in and out of existence! Near the center of this world, the stars seemed to be concentrating on one spot. Elizabeth remained calm. This was the place she 'lived' in for more than a month, her Core! After reforming her Core, the cracks disappeared. Now, it was whole and stable, firmly in the level of Peak Gaseous Fog!
Queen Bethnal was initially shocked but reigned in her surprise quickly. As expected of a former queen, her demeanor was hard to shake. She asked, "Where are we, my dear? What did you do?"
"We're… inside my Core," the girl found it hard to explain. "We're currently using our consciousnesses to communicate. Our bodies aren't here."
"Oh?"
"You seem to be taking this very well…"
"Well, the proof is right here, isn't it? Is there a point in denying what I see?" the woman refuted.
"I mean… You're not wrong," Elizabeth felt speechless.
"Now then, there must be a reason you did this, right?"
"I was the one that brought you here," a third voice sounded. The familiar sight of an intangible and ambiguous apparition entered their eyes. "This is our first time meeting, queen of humans." There was a hint of disdain in those words that did not escape the queen's notice.
"Queen Bethnal Etuvel Reindel of the Alzar Kingdom," the woman introduced herself formally. "May I ask who you are?"
"I don't have an official name, but I go by Rena nowadays," the spirit smirked. "Since that child decided to expose my existence, I had to step in and intervene."
"I see. Then what is the relationship between you and her?"
"Right now, she's my teacher," Elizabeth intruded. "She's possessing my Whiteangel Bow, and since she doesn't have a physical form, we're using my Core as a medium for communication."
"Teacher? Possession?" Queen Bethnal frowned. "This should be obvious enough, but why do you trust the words of this person? I don't see a reason why you should."
Elizabeth smiled sheepishly. "I thought the same thing originally. However, they protected me during the Lannisail explosion. The reason why I survived the run-in with Lord Wenmord was because of them. Moreover, they stopped my Core from self-destructing and taught me many things as well. I figured they should be trustworthy."
"You're too naïve," the woman chastised.
As someone who navigated the muddled political waters of the Alzar Kingdom for decades, she knew everyone wanted something. Whether it be wealth, position, titles, fame, reputation, women, or property… Everyone was cut from the same cloth! It was not solely a human mannerism as well. Animals in nature behaved the same way for food. The fact that this 'spirit' willing offered help meant that they expected reciprocal payment from Elizabeth. The risks were too great. It was like bargaining with a demon! Unfortunately, there was no point in raking Elizabeth over the coals now. The die was already rolled!
"I'd like to hear more about you, if possible, Rena," Queen Bethnal narrowed her sharp eyes, trying to pierce through the fog surrounding the spirit.
"There seems to be a misunderstanding here."
Queen Bethnal felt a shiver as she tried to reply firmly, "What do you mean?"
"I'm not here to be interrogated by you," the spirit arrogantly sneered. "You need to understand your place, human!"
Suddenly, their aura exploded to an unimaginably monstrous level. Previously, they restrained themselves, but now they soared into another dimension of power! This strength was truly indescribable. Lower Rank 1, then upper, then peak… Lower Rank 2, then upper, then peak… And even beyond into Rank 3! It seemed to grow without limit and as it did, the weight of their presence grew. Queen Bethnal was initially unaffected. After all, she was constantly surrounded by the strongest knights in the Alzar Kingdom. Her mental fortitude against Perception Realms was shockingly strong. She might not be able to withstand a full burst of killing intent by Sir Winstin, but she would not falter either!
Unfortunately, it was a different story now. Rena's aura seemed to feel as heavy as an ocean! No, maybe not an ocean anymore. Perhaps it was as heavy as mercury! Crushing down on Queen Bethnal with infinite strength, it assaulted her body, mind, and soul and strained them to the absolute limit. Back then, Protector Avin used his aura strength to nearly destroy Captain Murvin of the Third Hand! Captain Murvin was an exceptionally accomplished and seasoned warrior in the Perception Realm. His resilience was ironed through countless battles and tribulations. Yet, it still fell apart brittlely! That was the power of Rank 3! However, Protector Avin was in the earliest stages of Rank 3. It was incomparable to Rena, who was exhibiting strength at the peak of Rank 3!
Queen Bethnal fell while blood oozed, and bones creaked. Her organs were shaken so hard that she lost consciousness for an instant. Hallucinations filled her vision. In her mind, Rena transformed from a minor and insignificant figure to a titanic giant, ruling over the world. They looked like a god! Fear crept in like a serpent, coiling around her heart and clutching it! Against this infinite power, could anyone resist? No! Little by little, she started drowning into darkness. Her consciousness was being eroded away. She was going to die!
"Stop! What are you doing?" Elizabeth cried in horror. She ran up to support her elderly grandmother who stopped breathing. The exchange lasted for an instant. Rena merely glanced at Queen Bethnal and she collapsed!
"I'm teaching her a lesson," the spirit said nonchalantly before snapping their fingers. Just like that, all of Queen Bethnal's wounds were healed instantly. However, the mental trauma persisted. "Consider this a light lesson. In those great civilizations, they take order and hierarchy very seriously. If you tried pulling something like that there, then they would have leveled humanity from existence. Think before you act next time."
The woman quivered but raised her head. She could face an existence which filled her with horror and nearly killed her. Her willpower was that admirable! "What is your goal? What do you want from Elizabeth?"
"I don't really want anything, but you don't seem to accept that answer. If you like, you can think of it as a whim of mine."
"Whim?" Queen Bethnal's face darkened. This was related to the survival of the Alzar Kingdom and they treated this as a game. What kind of nonsense was this? Were they a child?
"That's right," Rena answered lazily. "And you shouldn't think I'm a child. By human standards, I've probably outlived more than a dozen of your lifetimes. I've lost count after the first millennium."
"I see… Then what was your purpose in pulling me in here? Certainly, you must want to say something to me."
"It's simple enough. Don't pry further into my background or existence. This is my warning to you and humanity in general."