Eliza was getting worried as it has been almost ten hours past the deadline set by Noire, the sky outside had already turned into a crimson sunset.
Not to mention that every Maiden Phoenix is still awaiting good news.
Just then, Eliza could spot two silhouettes emerging from the light curtain side by side, a male and a female.
Noire was a little pale and looked exhausted. However, it didn't seem like something too serious.
By his side, a beautiful woman about two heads shorter than Noire. One can argue that she's a little too 'close' to Noire, to the point where their shoulders almost touched each other.
From the looks of it, Noire wasn't the one making the silly advancements but it was the other way around, which left Eliza helpless.
It only took a split second to enter a trance and even half that time to snap out of it. Then, both Kirin and Eliza bent over on a single knee to greet her majesty.
"I congratulate your majesty on awakening, the Ancestor must be rapturous as they're observing this wonderful event," Eliza said, her head still lowered with Kirin by her side.
The young woman nodded lightly in acknowledgment, but she didn't speak, Noire did.
"I need to go and complete my rest, my condition is laughable. Also, you mustn't rush back to the Core Continent because of the Royal Phoenix, she's only comparable to a Twilight Stage currently," Noire spoke in a heavy tone short of breath, as if talking by itself is consuming at this point.
"She has enough of my bloodline essence to help her achieve Celestial Level Entity, just allow her to refine it from the marrow carefully," Noire then turned his head to look down at the woman.
She was now wearing Noire's white robes.
The visual of a queen wearing a male's clothing, oversized clothing out of all is just too comical.
Noire said, "Yin'er, don't refine the essence in a haste or it'll do more damage than repair. It should be enough for you to refine over five or six years."
Eliza was stunned by the way Noire addressed their Queen so casually when they don't even know her name yet.
Of course, Noire obtained her name from the memory fragments left by the Ancestors.
Lan Se Yinfer, the third of her name.
Noire didn't feel like bothering to explain everything, he didn't plan on staying much anymore either. After he recuperates, he planned to leave towards the inland and collect some resources and fast-flying treasures to help him cross the Chaotic Ocean.
"My Queen!"
A crisp hurried shout came from down the hall, a mature-looking woman ran over, her breasts heaved up and down in a rhythmic manner as if to rip her enchanting palace dress apart.
Her disheveled appearance made it seem as if she was indulged in some wanton acts before rushing over, totally an embarrassing image if one was to consider the current crowd of people.
"..." Kirin was speechless seeing this.
Eliza grit her teeth and shame, and then she gazed over at the real Queen to glimpse her expression.
Depending on the Queen's expression, she will issue a suitable punishment.
Alas, the 'Queen' was just staring at Noire's face from the sideline.
Ever since he made subtle hints regarding his departure, Yin'er naturally noticed. Even if she doesn't speak, viewing the memories of her Ancestor over and over is ought to grant her immortal wisdom and sufficient intelligence by now.
She wasn't sure what to feel about Noire's sudden departure. She's not sad, nor disappointed, she's just... Worried? She doesn't know.
...
"I'm sorry, but the matter is urgent!" Said the panting Maiden as she struggled for breath.
In fact, after hearing the news, she had to go confirm by herself, and the round trip was energy-consuming due to her low bloodline purity.
She didn't hold them off for long, she instantly kneeled down the moment she had enough strength to and reported.
"All the monsters that used to acknowledge Arima as a rightful Apex Predator are leaving the Northern Region in masses!"
"What?!" Both Kirin and Eliza were caught off guard by the news.
Knowing Arima's character, Eliza's face paled!
"What else do you know?!" Eliza asked hurriedly.
"Y-yes! A few hours ago, Arima personally took action to raze the Luhei Palace to the ground. He publicly killed Lord Luhei as a message to the entire East Region. In just a few hours, many humans were killed, women were captured as a breeding tool, a war might break out soon in the Eastern Region..."
The Maiden reported everything she knew or heard, not daring to conceal anything. The last thing she desires is a racial war throughout the entire continent! Queen Eliza won't be able to defend everyone simultaneously!
"Oh?" Noire gasped, a little surprised, then somewhat happy.
"Good, this makes matters much simpler." Noire thought out loud as he nodded to himself.
Not even bothered by the frozen expressions of shock on the faces of those who heard him, Noire went ahead towards his room.
Meanwhile, the 'Real Queen' remained silent for a moment after Noire's departure before asking in a cold voice that didn't match her looks at all.
"Why is there a human woman in my Phoenix Palace?"
As she asked, she swept her deep blue eyes over the present Maidens.
Due to Noire's presence, she didn't care much about these superficial matters.
Now that he has left to handle his business, she might as well take care of her own. With the release of her bloodline suppression, Eliza, Kirin, and the Maiden instantly shook in their spot.
If Eliza could turn her head to look at Kirin, she'd see how dark the latter's face was, worry written all over it.
"This..." Eliza didn't know how to answer this question. After the Core Continent incident, the Phoenix Household seldom interferes with matters regarding other beast races, let alone an entirely different species.
She then recounted the Four Seasons propaganda orchestrated by the Nine Families and how they always adopt a single human, female talent, for public convenience.
In fact, this agreement was established before Eliza could breach the Celestial Realm. So by all means, she had no choice other than to accept for the Household's sake.
Yinfer was listening with an expressionless cold face. If anything, the only notion of showing emotions she displayed was how she subconsciously embraced the robes on her body as her arms crossed over her chest.
"When you had the strength to refuse, why did you allow this facade to continue?"
Yin'er asked with a frown, she didn't even wait for an answer before saying. "I don't care, toss her out of my Phoenix Palace lest I burn her to ash. I'm going to recuperate as well, push everything on my schedule for tomorrow, including the ceremony."
Yin'er spoke in a domineering tone that left no room for discussion.
From her memories, she no longer has trust in any humans.
She doesn't care for what reason of the past, since the so call Four Seasons was eradicated to the ground, on what basis must they keep a human loathing around them?
She's no fool, she can understand that some sentiment budded between this human and her Maidens, which is something she can't tolerate.
'It all starts with one human!'
Yin'er thought to herself as she gritted her teeth, walking away towards the wing established for the Queen.
Tap~
Tap~
Tap~
Her bare feet on the cold concrete left a chain of audible tap noises as she strode away.
If Eliza saw this coming, she wouldn't enthusiastically invite Kirin over to greet the Queen.
The silence was deafening.
Tap...
Finally, the sound of a water drop rippled through the silent atmosphere.
With a pained expression, Kirin tried holding back her frustration as reality hit her.
Forget about leaving with Noire as she already judged that the new Queen won't allow it, much less the bright side of 'at least Feng'er is here' as the Queen had already passed her orders.
How is this fair?
Is this the so-called retribution and karma?
She can only helplessly choke on her tears as both her most important fantasies are smashed to bits in a single breath.