The aged figure with wolf ears drew all eyes, his presence a magnet for confusion.
"Elder!" Xanor, with a hasty bow, rushed to meet the old man. "Why are you out here?" he queried, a mix of concern and reverence in his tone.
"Elder?!" Josephine’s voice was laced with disbelief, her brow furrowed in deepening confusion as the other family heads followed suit, bowing respectfully before the old man.
"Greetings, Elder of the Wolf Clan," they chorused.
__
[Aboard the Starship.]
"Shouldn’t we intervene? That man is a Celestial Stage One warrior. From what I know about Celestial warriors, they wield complete control over their celestial energies and are incredibly powerful," Star murmured, turning her gaze to Sunny, who occupied the Commander’s seat on the starship. Sunny’s eyes were fixated on the screen, displaying the unfolding drama below.
"Not yet," Sunny replied, his expression unreadable. He activated the system screen, and a holographic display materialized before them:
{Name: Malik Von.}
{Race: Beastify Human.}
{Bloodline: None.}
{Rank: Celestial. Stage 5.}
{Strength: 400 (+500).}
{Agility: 350 (+1,000).}
{Stamina: 350 (+100).}
{Defense: 400 (+1,000).}
{Attack: 350 (+500).}
{Celestial energy: 3,000 (+200).}
{Magic resistance: 350% (+10%).}
{Equipment: Shadow Cloak: +100 in stamina. +500 in strength. +1,000 in defense - High Elite class. Ring of magic. +10% in magic resistance, +200 in celestial energy - Low Elite class. Boots of echoes: +1,000 in agility, +500 in attack - Mid Elite class.}
Sunny’s brow furrowed in a slight frown. ’How can he be so weak?’ he mused inwardly, then swiftly accessed Star’s profile:
{Name: Star Draco.}
{Race: Beastify Human.}
{Bloodline: Basilisk.}
{Rank: Grand Master. Stage 1.}
{Strength: 250 (+1,000).}
{Agility: 200 (+1,500).}
{Stamina: 250 (+500).}
{Defense: 250 (+1,000).}
{Attack: 200 (+1,000).}
{Celestial energy: 800 (+900).}
{Magic resistance: 300%.}
{Skills: Blood Sucker. Star Burn. Star Steps. Blood Manipulation. Poisonous Bite. Abyssal Gaze. Scale Armor.}
{Note: These stats will change if she puts on her equipment.}
’Star is merely a Grand Master, and even without her equipment, she alone would be enough to silence that fool... if she were to don her armors.’ He shifted his gaze back to the screen, observing Josephine.
’But... how could the Beastify race elevate someone without a bloodline to an elder’s position? Star is ranks below him, yet with the bloodline I bestowed upon her, she could effortlessly dispatch this old man whom they hold in such high esteem.’
He settled back into his seat, his eyes still fixed on Josephine. "Let’s wait and observe her reaction," he stated, and Star nodded in agreement.
__
"Elder?! You are merely an Elder of the Wolf Clan... How dare you interfere?" Josephine’s voice cut through the air, sharp and cold.
A ripple of shock went through the assembled crowd. Malik and everyone present were stunned. This old man was not only the Elder of the Wolf Clan but also a Celestial Rank! Was Josephine truly fearless in the face of death?
"Are you speaking to me, child?" Malik’s voice was laced with a perceptible frown.
Josephine scoffed. "You call yourself an Elder, but when the Wendigos attacked our people, killing children, women! Where were you?!" Her question was a loaded weapon, brimming with raw killing intent.
"Of course, I cannot interfere with children’s battles," Malik replied, as if stating the most obvious truth.
"Children’s battles?" Josephine’s voice echoed his words, a tremor of pure rage running through her. "When the Wendigos attacked two years ago, they slaughtered my parents, plundered our homes and territories, and decimated our people! Sixty percent of our soldiers lost their lives in that war! And you dare open that foul mouth of yours and call it a ’children’s battle’?!"
Her voice escalated into a furious shout, and the Aura of a Grand Master burst forth from her, a palpable wave of power spreading throughout the vicinity.
"During all these years, I was in seclusion... How could I have known?" Malik offered, a hint of feigned innocence in his tone.
"Hahahaha!" Josephine’s laughter was a bitter, angry sound, her eyes burning with unadulterated killing intent. "How could you have known? But now... the moment I announced the transfer of rulership, you crawled out of your hole to do what?! Claim your right?!"
"Shut up, child! This is your last warning!!" Malik’s calm demeanor shattered, replaced by a cold fury.
"Yes, Josephine! I don’t know what has gotten into you, but offending the Wolf Clan Elder is offending the Wolf Clan!" Xanor interjected quickly, his expression one of feigned concern.
"And what is the punishment for offending your Queen?!" Josephine countered, her golden sword glowing with a blinding light.
"This?!" Xanor was visibly stunned. The other heads of the families subtly took a step back, distancing themselves from the escalating tension.
"I see... A stubborn and arrogant child like you must be taught a lesson." Malik opened his palm, and a sphere of pure darkness coalesced within it. With a decisive flick of his hand, he hurled the energy ball towards Josephine.
"I won’t kill you, child, I will only damage your core. You caused this," he declared.
’This... If the Elder damages Josephine’s core, she won’t be able to cultivate anymore. She will lose all her powers! If that happens, I can have her after taking over... She won’t be able to fight back then,’ Xanor thought, a predatory glint in his eyes.
The old man stared at Josephine’s form, a smirk playing on his lips. ’Once I teach you a lesson, you will service me for seven nights,’ he mused, already envisioning Josephine begging on her knees.
Before the attack could reach Josephine, she summoned her armors, which instantly enveloped her body.
BAM!
The attack smashed against her armor and dissipated into a wisp of smoke, leaving not even the faintest scratch.
"....?!"
Everyone was flabbergasted, their eyes wide with disbelief as they stared at the golden armor now adorning Josephine. Even the old man was speechless. Josephine was completely clad in golden armor, every piece of it High Grand Equipment.
"Is that the attack of the strongest Elder in the Wolf Clan?" she asked coldly, her voice cutting through the stunned silence.
"You?! I... That wasn’t my full strength!" he stammered, then quickly added, "Yes! It wasn’t my full strength!"
Hearing the man’s explanation, Xanor nodded in understanding and stepped forward again. "Yes! Josephine, back down, don’t let the Elder attack you," he urged.
"The more you speak, the more I hate you," Josephine stated, then turned her full attention to the Elder. "Now, it’s my turn."
Before she could launch her counterattack, the Elder hastily interjected, "Why would I attack a child!?! It would be beneath me! I just want to discipline you!" He then turned to the three heads of the powerful families. "You all saw it! She wants to kill me because I wanted to discipline her! I say she isn’t fit to be the Queen! Let’s vote her out!!"
".....?!"
Everyone present was utterly stunned by his sudden pronouncement.