The Imperial Assembly Hall was less a room and more a monument to power.
It stretched upward into darkness, its ceiling lost beyond sight.
Vast pillars carved from obsidian stone lined the chamber, each one etched with glowing Aether runes that pulsed rhythmically like veins of living light.
The air itself felt heavy — saturated with mythic energy so dense it distorted perception.
At the center stood thirteen elevated podiums arranged in a crescent formation.
Twelve were equal in height.
The thirteenth stood higher.
Dominating.
Upon the twelve lower podiums hovered radiant spheres of light — each one a different color: gold, silver, sapphire, emerald, violet.
They shimmered with contained divinity, their presence alone warping the air around them.
These were not mere soldiers.
They were the former princesses of previous generations.
The wielders of Divine Armaments.
The Twelve Divine Generals.
And above them all—
At the highest seat—
Burned a deep crimson light.
It did not merely shine.
It consumed.
The surrounding glow from the other generals seemed to bend subtly toward it, as though drawn into orbit around a blood-red sun.
Heaven's Crimson Blessing.
The strongest soldier in the Imperial Army.
The Crimson Matriarch.
Before this overwhelming assembly stood Yurei Skyfall. She wore her formal military attire — tailored black uniform, crimson accents sharp against the darkness. Her posture was flawless: hands behind her back, chin level, eyes steady.
But the pressure in this hall was suffocating.
Even breathing felt like defiance.
"So, Princess Yurei," a cold white sphere from the tenth podium spoke, its voice echoing from all directions at once.
"You formed an unauthorized beast bond under the justification of urgency. Is this correct?"
Each word carried weight.
Yurei did not flinch.
"Yes."
She currently stood trial for two matters: the Central City Gate Breach… and the formation of an unsanctioned beast bond.
"Ever since the First Matriarch, Freya Skyfall, wielder of the original
"But under the decrees of the Seventh Matriarch, all beast bonds must be sanctioned by this Council."
"Your actions are a direct violation of established law."
"The situation was critical," Yurei replied evenly.
"Without Yukishima Hiro's assistance, the Grade Five Abyssal would not have been defeated."
Behind her back, her fists tightened.
These hags just enjoy this.
She kept her breathing steady.
Any emotional instability would be noticed.
Any weakness exploited.
Some of the generals had never approved of her selection as a princess. To them, she was merely a descendant riding on inherited glory.
"Hm. This generation truly is weak," one of the golden spheres scoffed. "Needing a man to defeat a mere Class Five."
A mere Class Five.
Yurei's fingers dug into her palms.
A Grade Five Abyssal could level an entire city.
Yet to them—
It was insignificant.
"Perhaps it is not the generation," another voice added lazily.
"Perhaps it is simply just her."
"Disappointing, considering she carries the Skyfall name."
A low ripple of agreement hummed through the hall. Blood began to bead in Yurei's clenched palms.
Her entire life had been this.
Comparison.
Expectation.
Freya Skyfall — the First Matriarch. The woman who created the
And Yurei?
She was merely the shadow of that name.
"I am not the First Matriarch," she whispered under her breath.
No one heard her.
Or perhaps they chose not to.
"Enough."
The single word shattered the chamber.
A colossal crimson pressure descended instantly, crushing the ambient Aether into submission. The runes flickered violently.
The generals fell silent.
The Matriarch had spoken.
"In light of Princess Yurei's weakness," the crimson sun declared calmly, "and the willingness of the… monkey… to accept enslavement, the matter is excused."
A ripple of outrage sparked among the lower podiums.
"You cannot simply dismiss—"
"Silence."
The command was absolute.
The speaking general's light dimmed immediately.
"As for the matter of the Gate Breach, the Princess will compile a report which will go under review"
"This trial is adjourned."
One by one, the twelve spheres vanished, dissolving into streaks of light until only two remained in the vast, oppressive chamber.
The Crimson Matriarch.
And Yurei.
The pressure eased slightly — but only slightly.
"So," the Matriarch said, her voice shifting from public authority to something more personal.
"You have finally chosen to unlock the full capacity of your blessing."
"Yes… Mother."
The title was formal.
Not affectionate.
The princesses were not born of blood,
they were chosen. Hand-selected by the Matriarch to become her daughters — candidates for succession.
Only one would inherit the throne. The rest would become the next Divine Generals.
"Haha…" the Matriarch's tone turned amused.
"You do understand what activating your blessing at full output implies?"
"Yes."
"In your case," the Matriarch continued lazily, "it is equivalent to marriage."
Yurei's jaw tightened.
"I am aware."
"And this boy? He must be exceptional."
"He has potential," Yurei replied carefully.
Images flashed in her mind — nine burning tails, a fox form wrapped in overwhelming Aether. That surge of power that even unsettled the Abyss itself.
"Is he at least cute?" the Matriarch asked lightly.
Yurei paused.
"…He's acceptable."
A faint warmth touched her cheeks.
"Aww," the Matriarch teased. "You're blushing."
Yurei said nothing.
The amusement faded then the crimson aura sharpened.
"Now that your blessing operates at full capacity," the Matriarch said coolly, "I will no longer shield you from your sisters."
Yurei lifted her chin.
"I was not planning on relying on you anymore."
Silence lingered.
Interesting.
The Matriarch studied her daughter's posture — straight, unwavering.
Where did this confidence come from?
Is the monkey truly that promising?
Yurei's thoughts hardened.
I cannot tell her about Hiro's abnormal Aether output. Nor the seal on him.
He may be my trump card.
"Good," the Matriarch said at last. "Then go register your husband at the archives."
Yurei's eye twitched slightly.
"After that, return to your region and restore order. It is currently the most chaotic division of the Army."
A deliberate pause.
"That disadvantage will cost you dearly when competing against your sisters."
"Yes, Mother."
She bowed precisely.
"Thank you."
"It is a mother's duty," the Matriarch replied softly, "to aid her children."
A faint chuckle followed.
"Especially the most pitiful."
Yurei's teeth ground together. She turned sharply and walked out of the Assembly Hall without another word.
The massive doors sealed behind her.
Just you wait.
I will surpass you all.
Her steps echoed down the corridor — steady, resolute.
Back inside the hall, the crimson sphere flickered thoughtfully.
"She keeps secrets from her own mother now… how cruel."
The sadness in her voice was theatrical.
Then the light vanished.
—
Far away, in a distant war-torn region—
A mountain of Abyssal corpses stretched toward the horizon.
Blood pooled into rivers, soaking the cracked earth crimson.
Atop the carnage stood a lone woman with long black hair flowing in the wind.
Her uniform was drenched in blood — yet untouched by injury.
The only clean thing visible was the tag stitched over her chest.
Matriarch.
The river of Abyssal blood continued to flow beneath her feet.