***** [Azalea Nag’s PoV]
The air in the capital of Kaalseris felt different today.
I stood on the balcony high above the city, the wind brushing past me as it carried the faint sounds of movement from below. From this height, I could see everything clearly, the streets, the towers, the endless flow of people going about their duties.
Our capital was always full of life.
It had to be.
This was the center of the Blue Spiral, the strongest force in the galaxy, and everyone here understood what that meant. There was pride in their steps, discipline in their actions, and a constant sense of purpose in everything they did.
But today that energy had changed. It had shifted. There was tension now.
A quiet unease that sat beneath the surface.
Because over the past few hours, one powerful force after another had arrived in the capital. Massive fleets, representatives from different races, high-ranking figures, each arrival adding more weight to the atmosphere.
It felt like something was building. Like the entire galaxy was gathering... and waiting.
Another ripple passed through the massive shield that covered the planet.
I raised my head.
An enormous spaceship descended from above, breaking through the barrier as it entered the planet’s atmosphere. Its size alone was enough to draw attention, but what made my eyes narrow was the emblem carved along its surface.
"The Ferans..." I muttered.
I had sent invitations to all major powers, requesting their presence for what was to come. There had been doubts about whether the Ferans would respond, given their complicated situation with Billion.
But it seemed even they could not ignore this.
The vessel continued its descent, moving steadily toward the capital before Naga patrols activated. Ships moved into position, surrounding it carefully, guiding it away from the main city and toward the designated docking station.
Below, people had stopped in their tracks. Everyone watched as the ship was escorted away.
The tension deepened.
"Lady Azalea."
I turned at the sound of my name. Giha stood behind me, her posture straight as always. She had been my assistant since the day I had returned back.
"Yes, Giha."
She bowed her head slightly.
"Lord Xeron has requested your presence. He said everyone has arrived. It is time to begin the meeting."
I nodded.
"I understand. Let’s go."
I stepped away from the balcony, and she followed closely behind me as we moved through the halls. We walked down a long corridor, its walls lined with paintings of Naga history. Generals in battle, warriors standing victorious, scenes that captured strength and legacy.
Then, I slowed.
My eyes settled on one particular painting.
The Matriarch.
I stopped in front of it.
Unlike the others, this was not a battle scene. It showed her at a gathering, holding two cups of drink, laughing loudly, clearly in the middle of saying something bold or reckless.
A small smile formed on my face.
For everyone else, she was the Matriarch. But for me she was my aunt.
The one I had followed for years. The one I had tried to match. And the one whose path I had strayed from when I made mistakes that cost me more than I had expected.
"Do you miss her, Lady Azalea?" Giha asked gently.
"Yes," I replied. "If she were here... she would have handled all of this."
Giha stayed quiet for a moment before speaking again.
"Yes, she would," she said. "But she would also have offered your hand in marriage to Lord Billion."
I blinked.
Then sighed, rubbing my forehead.
"Now that you say that... maybe it’s better she isn’t here."
Giha covered her mouth as she chuckled softly.
"But it’s not such a bad idea," she added.
"It is," I replied, shaking my head as I resumed walking. "He’s still a kid. And he already has someone he likes."
"Kid?" Giha stepped closer, her tone slightly amused. "He’s a Saint, Lady Azalea. Age doesn’t matter at that level. And besides... is the woman he likes prettier than you?"
I let out a small laugh.
"Forget it," I said. "Let’s focus on the meeting."
We stopped in front of the massive gates of the great hall.
The importance of what was about to happen settled once again. I took a breath and stepped forward pushing the door open.
The moment I stepped inside, the air changed.
The tension was immediate. It pressed against the skin, filled every corner of the hall, and settled over everyone present. It felt as if a single wrong word could shatter the balance that held this gathering together.
The hall itself was vast, designed to hold such gatherings. At the far end stood Xeron and Xena, both waiting in silence, their expressions calm.
On either side of the hall, chairs had been arranged in long lines.
Each seat was occupied.
And behind every seated representative stood three others, positioned slightly back, following the protocol that had been agreed upon long ago.
Every single presence in the room was an Upper Transcendent.
Not a single weak individual had been allowed into this meeting. I walked forward without stopping, my gaze fixed ahead. Conversations had already died the moment I entered. Now, only silence remained as all eyes followed me.
At the end of the hall, on a raised platform, stood the throne.
The seat of the Matriarch.
For a brief moment, I looked at it. Then I turned to face the hall. I let my gaze sweep across the room once, acknowledging every representative present, before I spoke.
"Thank you all for coming," I said. "I understand that this was a short notice. But the matter at hand does not allow delay."
"Without wasting time," I continued, "I will state the agenda directly."
I paused for a fraction of a second.
"We will be launching a full-scale assault."
There was no reaction yet.
Then I continued.
"On all Grade 4 rifts," I said, "and all traitor organizations associated with them."
Now, expressions changed and eyes widened.
But I didn’t stop.
"We will also deploy forces to all affected planets, eliminate abomination nests, and ensure that every trace of Eternal infestation within our galaxy is removed."
The silence finally broke. The shift was visible across the hall. Even those who had remained composed until now showed clear surprise.
One of the Elemental representatives leaned forward slightly, his expression tightening.
"With all due respect, Lady Azalea," he said, his tone controlled but firm, "that is a suicide mission."
His gaze remained locked on me.
"You currently have two Grade 3 rifts to deal with," he continued. "If what you are suggesting is to be executed, then it means you expect the rest of our forces to carry out the assault on the Grade 4 rifts."
A brief pause.
"That is not feasible. We will not accept this arrangement."
I smiled.
Without saying a word, I raised my hand. A projection formed in the center of the hall.
The image stabilized.
And then it began to play. The footage showed a Grade 4 rift.
The scene unfolded quickly. The spikes. The destruction. The overwhelming force that tore through the battlefield and shattered everything in its path.
No explanation was needed.
The second rift followed.
Destroyed and closed by Billion and Lyrate. The projection ended.