Elven Legacy (Part 2)

Chapter 294: Angering Maria

While Mother was squeezing the truth from Renata like he was a stuffed animal meant for children, a few more presences emerged from within the depths of the Phoenix Clan, though Elaine and I were simply far too weak to gauge their strength fully; the Qi we could sense from them were overpowering our divine sense, and so, to use, they felt just as strong as the several ancestors from before that were currently being suppressed, though I just assumed they were possibly Grand Ancestors since it would be pointless for more Ancestors to appear.

Appearing from a hole in the sky, three vibrant and mighty phoenixes emerged, each bearing a different color as they glanced at us before focusing on the war chariot in the distance, specifically eyeing Mother and Renata. However, before they did anything, they shrunk and transformed into a more humanoid form, leaving their true appearance behind as three beautiful women appeared while their long, flaming blue, green, and orange hair swayed in the wind.

"Do you know who they are, Brother?" Asked Elaine curiously as she skeptically eyed the three beautiful women who were approaching the war chariot, causing Maria to glance their way before deeply frowning.

"I, unfortunately, don't know everything, Elaine; I'm as clueless as you, though; I'd assume they're possibly Grand Ancestors." Replied Elif lightly as he looked out the window while Elaine sat on his lap and did the same, watching as the three women floated before Maria, seemingly having a staredown.
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Eyeing these three Phoenix Clan Ancestors, I inwardly cursed at their power; they were much stronger than the other Ancestors. I just didn't know by how much, as their cultivation base was too far above mine. However, though they surrounded me, I remained firm and held my ground; I wouldn't have shown fear even if I were forced to face the entire world. I'm Maria August, Empress of the Elven Empire; though, most importantly, my two adorable little children were watching me, I would rather be erased from existence than ever allow my children to think I held even a speck of cowardness inside me.

"Hmph, have you three come here to explain why you're trying to imprison my children, the Crown Prince and Princess of the Elven Empire?" Asked Maria sternly with an overbearing tone as she narrowed her eyes at the three women, causing them to frown.

"We hadn't imprisoned them, Empress Maria; after the Rebirth Ritual, which your child underwent, something unforeseen happened with the Flame of Rebirth, and its flame has been snuffed. We merely wished to keep the Crown Prince to learn what had truly happened, lest we wrongfully accused someone of something." Said the woman with long, flaming blue hair and a bluish flaming wisp for a pupil as she stared at Maria, who furrowed her brows.

"So, the Flame of Rebirth has been snuffed? I see. What does this have to do with my son? You do know he died right; during the Rebirth Ritual, my son had truly died for a few moments; even if he were brought back to life, do you understand the implications of that?" Declared Maria overbearingly in anger as she eyed the three women while taking a step forward, causing them to frown slightly.

"Prince Elif was the first non-phoenix to undergo the Rebirth Ritual, and possible unknown dangers of various degrees were mentioned. Besides, Empress Maria, he had received massive benefits, as I'm sure you can tell." Said the woman with flaming orange hair as she spoke calmly to Maria, who scoffed, barely able to uphold her professional demeanor.

"This still doesn't justify your actions of imprisoning my children within your territory." Said Maria with a frown as she glared at the orange-haired woman, prompting the green-haired woman to sport an annoyed expression.

"Your son had also verbally humiliated and insulted Patriarch Renata in public; that's a stain on our reputation, Empress Maria." Commented the orange-haired woman as she looked at Renata, who was still imprisoned with Maria's golden palm.