"What is it?" Raiking asked. His voice was steady as he took a deliberate step back, releasing his iron grip on Libinea's wrists.
The overwhelming tension in the air evaporated in an instant.
"Elder Wenya sent me," Ezmelral replied, blinking innocently. "She wishes to know when the Queen will be ready to address the Tribe Leaders."
"And that couldn't wait?" Libinea asked. She kept her face perfectly straight, though the slight twitch in her jaw and the sharp exhale through her nose betrayed the immense annoyance bubbling underneath.
"Oh, I thought about waiting," Ezmelral said, offering a shameless, cheeky smile. "But I realized if I didn't interrupt now, I probably wouldn't get another chance for the rest of the night."
Libinea closed her eyes, taking a deep, calming breath. She smoothed out her tunic dress, gracefully turned, and walked toward her discarded Phoenix robes.
As she draped the rich, regal silk over her shoulders, she transformed instantly from an alluring woman to an unapproachable queen. Without looking back, she raised her hand and made a casual sweeping motion through the air.
Golden threads of Time Magic extended outward, cooling and repairing the melted cobblestones, while the burned cherry blossom tree reappeared from the ashes, its branches regenerating and blooming with pink petals within moments.
By the time Libinea stepped through the Shrine's sliding doors, the courtyard looked as it did before the confrontation.
Ezmelral lingered, her face wearing a self-satisfied smile as she glanced at Raiking.
"What?" he asked, his tone even.
"Be careful, Master," Ezmelral teased, gently patting Faye's back. "We already have one child we're barely managing. Adding another might truly be the Guild's undoing."
Raiking ignored the provocation, fully aware that Ezmelral was merely attempting to rile him. She knew better than anyone that gods couldn't reproduce like mortals. The laws of the universe prohibited such volatile mingling of absolute forces.
Instead of stating the obvious, he simply shook his head at her playful antics. His black robes billowed as he turned and headed toward the Shrine's doors.
Ezmelral chuckled triumphantly, placing the bottle of celestial milk back into Faye's mouth as she followed him closely.
---
[On the Way to the Main Hall]
The route from the Queen's Shrine to the Main Hall had undergone a remarkable transformation.
Just a few hours earlier, the village had been shrouded in a somber atmosphere. The Phoenix Kin moved through the streets with a sense of heaviness, decorating for the festival as if they were preparing for a grand funeral. Their eyes reflected profound despair, akin to a caged bird that had forgotten the sky.
Now, however, the village pulsed with life and vibrancy.
The radiant warmth of Libinea's 'Sun' had dispelled a millennium's worth of frost. The streets buzzed with frenetic joy. The melodic hum of Phoenix songs, silenced for centuries, resonated once more from the rooftops.
Children dashed through the alleys, chasing the mana sparks that descended from the heavens.
Most notably, the tribes' solitary nature had vanished.
It wasn't just the Azure Phoenix Kin at work in the square. Libinea observed the crimson-clad Red Feather warriors hoisting festival banners alongside the Azure youths. Golden Feather merchants freely shared sweet wines and spices, while the usually reclusive Black and Purple Kin laughed and assisted in assembling the grand wooden stages for the festival dances.
Her display of True Divinity had not only driven away the concealed adversaries; it had also dismantled the unseen barriers that had long divided her people, a task the Elders had struggled to achieve for ages.
"They're smiling," Libinea whispered, her pace slowing as she absorbed the scene. A burden, centuries old, seemed to lighten from her shoulders. "For the first time since the Pearl Hunters arrived... they genuinely have hope for tomorrow."
"You've managed to transform their spirits," Raiking observed, walking just a step behind. He watched the jubilant crowd with his usual calm detachment, yet his voice carried an unusual note of genuine affirmation. "You've given them a miracle, Libinea. In return, they have placed their full trust in you."
A gentle, sincere smile appeared on her lips. For the remainder of their walk, she remained silent, letting the sound of her people's laughter envelop her.
Finally, the imposing doors of the Main Hall appeared in front of them.
Libinea halted at the top of the steps. She looked back at the laughing villagers one last time, etching their joy into her memory. It was the motivation she needed for what lay ahead.
As she turned to face the doors, her gentle, relieved smile disappeared.
With a firm, decisive motion, she pushed the heavy doors open.
---
[Main Hall]
The massive doors closed behind Libinea, cutting off the jubilant sounds of the festival outside.
As she made her way toward the row of chairs on her left, the four tribal leaders stepped forward, performing a deep, synchronized Eshaku bow.
"My Queen," Ellomon began, his voice smooth and analytical. "The Elders have informed us of the occurrences in the Divine Realm. Words fail to adequately express our gratitude."
Libinea understood they were referring to her decision to alter the essence of their lineage—restricting the immortality effects of the Pearl solely to Phoenix DNA. As a result, any non-Phoenix attempting to harvest and consume their pearls would now be reduced to dust by the backlash.
"It was my duty as Queen to protect my people."
"Duty?"
The word was spoken with disdain by Venae, the Golden Feather Chieftain, who adjusted his opulent robes, still evidently harboring resentment over Libinea's rejection of his son.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty," Venae said, though his tone lacked genuine remorse, "but did you not announce your intention to abdicate? It's easy to speak of 'duty' when you're planning to relinquish the throne to join outsiders."
FWOOSH.
A sudden, terrifying burst of Azure Flames flared from Libinea's body. The intense heat and spiritual pressure struck Venae like a physical barrier, causing the Golden Chieftain to stumble backward, his manicured hands rising to shield his face.
"They are not mere outsiders," Libinea warned, her golden eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. "Be careful with your words, Venae."
"Enough!" Neihina interjected, stepping between them. She cast a sharp glance at Venae before bowing respectfully to Libinea. "Please pardon him, my Queen. Venae spoke out of turn. We all recognize that your companions are exceptional... he's merely... concerned."
Ragina placed a soothing hand on Venae's shoulder, silently urging him to calm down. "Please, Your Majesty. Let us remain united. We are all allies here."
Libinea inhaled deeply, subduing her intense aura. She adjusted her robes, regaining her composure as a leader.
"Do not worry," Libinea continued, her voice once again steady, "I will not leave you unprotected."
She seated herself, surveying each of them with her gaze.
"Do you have a solution?" Elder Wenya inquired.
"The world beyond is immense and brimming with wonders we have disregarded out of fear. The Athenrail Dwarves have the expertise to forge the finest weapons and armor on the continent. The Dawnfall Region is rich in resources and food to sustain us through the harshest winters. The Imaor Region offers grand magic formations and spell techniques."
She directed her attention specifically to Venae, extending a gesture of collaboration.
"The Golden Feather Tribe is located atop the continent's most abundant magic crystal mines. By trading these crystals with other species, we can not only improve our living conditions but also significantly enhance our strength."
The Chieftains exchanged uneasy glances. It was Ellomon, the Black Feather Chieftain, who finally spoke from the shadows.
"Your Majesty... the Dragon King harbors intense animosity toward humans. He placed us here as a buffer between his realm and theirs. Initiating trade with Dawnfall and Imaor will not be tolerated by Skyward. He will see it as betrayal."
"Skyward's tolerance is no longer our concern," Libinea proclaimed with firm resolve. "Because we will no longer answer to the Earth Dragon King."
A profound silence enveloped the room.
"We will become a vassal state to my Master's sect," Libinea declared. "Their Guild consists of Demigods—hidden masters who surpass even the Dragon King's might. Under their protection, Skyward will not dare to harm us."
The silence persisted, thickening the air with doubt.
The leaders looked at her as if she had lost her mind. A Guild of multiple Demigods? It sounded like a child's fantasy. True, Ezmelral's brief show of power against Neihina and Mushai confirmed that Libinea traveled with powerful beings. But an entire sect more powerful than the Earth Lord?
"You doubt me," Libinea said, her voice softening into a plea. "I understand it sounds impossible. But you will need to trust me."
Venae scoffed, regaining his earlier confidence.
"Trust?" Venae challenged, stepping forward to the table. "You ask us to gamble the lives of thousands on blind trust. What if you fall, Libinea? What if this 'formidable guild' you speak of is destroyed one day? Then what becomes of us?"
"He is right," Ragina said softly, her beautiful violet eyes filled with sorrow. "Your strength is undeniable, my Queen. But your 'reformation' strikes at the core of the Ancestral Decree."
"The Ancestral Decree was born of fear," Libinea countered.
"It was born of blood," Neihina snapped, her fiery temper of the Red Feather Tribe flaring. "Have you forgotten why the Dragon King banished us to this border? The Ancestral Phoenix fell in love with a mortal! She broke her arranged marriage to Skyward to be with an outsider. Her 'wonder' cost us our freedom. The Ancestor herself wrote the law that future Queens must never be swayed by outsiders again."
"I am not the Ancestor!" Libinea argued, her voice tightening. "I'm telling you that my power—the True Divinity that just lit the sky—was achieved because I left! If we remain closed off, we deny ourselves the chance to evolve!"
Venae's eyes were cold and calculating. "You credit the outside world for your growth, my Queen. But tell me... is the outside world truly filled with wonders, or were you simply fortunate enough to meet a god?"
Libinea froze, the argument dying in her throat.
Ragina placed a heavy, leather-bound ledger on the table, its cover layered with dust.
"During your thousand-year absence," Ragina whispered, tracing the cover, "many of our Kin shared your philosophy. As the years darkened, our brightest youths believed staying on the mountain was cowardice. They felt they needed to seek the world's wonders to gain the power to defeat the Divine Realm."
She opened the ledger, revealing pages filled with names in neat, black ink. "Three hundred and forty-two Phoenix Kin chose to leave the mountain to find outsiders who could help us," Ragina said, her voice trembling. "Do you know how many returned, Libinea?"
Libinea stared at the ledger, her throat dry. She didn't need to guess.
"None," Elder Mushai answered for her, his voice breaking. "Not a single one. Because out there, they didn't meet a 'Lord Raiking'. They met butchers. They met slavers. They met the Divine Hunters."
The words struck Libinea harder than any spear could.
A sickening wave of realization washed over her. Her mind flashed back to the day she left. She recalled the agony of her wings being torn from her back. She remembered plummeting toward the earth, utterly defeated, broken, and awaiting death.
She hadn't conquered the Divine Realm through her brilliance. She had failed miserably. The only reason she was standing here today, extolling the outside world's wonders, was because Raiking had been by the river by sheer, cosmic chance.
She had survived by a miracle. And now, she was asking her people to wager their entire civilization on her luck.
"You are an anomaly, Libinea," Ellomon stated, his analytical gaze piercing through her guilt.
The room grew oppressively tense.
"What happens if you fall?" Neihina demanded, slamming her fist on the table. "What happens if this 'Master' of yours bleeds? If you die out there in the 'wondrous world', who will protect the hatchlings when the Dragon King comes to punish us for your taboo?!"
Libinea opened her mouth to argue, to reassure them, but the words failed her.
She looked at her fan, then at the immense power within her. She had won the hearts of the people in the sky, but standing before these leaders who had buried the dead for a millennium, she had no counter-argument.
They were right.
From the shadows near the doorway, Raiking observed the Queen's golden eyes dim. He remained silent, acknowledging the harsh, irrefutable logic of mortals who had learned to survive by expecting the absolute worst.
Libinea was no longer battling an enemy she could defeat with fire. She was confronting the scars of her own race.