Vulpine Crown Lady
The crown lady was known for her crafty nature and that's why she earned silent title, 'vulpine Crown Lady' though people were afraid to name openly but this title was reserved only for the crown lady.
The urgent matter was to appoint someone at the empty position of city archon, "Though he was as useless as fragmented sack but still he was loyal and I cannot randomly appoint anyone on this position," she rubbed her forehead with the worry, if she selected among the elders then she would be lacking one loyal elder in the crown house.
Though the city archon was not an entirely independent position still it hold strong say in the central city and among the lower rank officials, there were three types of elders, first those who were loyal with her, second those were openly against her, third those who were apparently loyal but looking for an opportunity to crossover and upturn her crown rule.
If she happened to trust the third one then she would be facing problems in near future ruling this Manias, the second option was invalid since they would not follow her. Only the first type of elders can be trusted but the problem was still there, she cannot trust anyone blindly who knows the one she was thinking loyal was among those who were looking for a chance.
She swept her glance at the elders sitting very obediently, "Invite that man and his apprentice in the crown house, I wanted to meet them personally," she spoke and already silent crown hall fell more silent.
The elders who were against her, wanted to laugh at her wit, the person who despite knowing that crown lady was backing archon still challenged and killed him would ever come to show face? Many of them were hundred percent sure that the man intentionally killing city archon then why he would they appear in the crown house.
The elders who were loyals gasped to hear this, they were thinking as to what was running in her head when she decided on this? Was she planning to kill both outsiders?
But it has nothing to do with the selection of the city archon, right?
"I seek forgiveness, can I ask who will be the next city archon?" the elder who was among her loyals stood up and asked, he was considering himself as the best choice for urgent selection and he has ordered to prepare a robe dress fitting to the bearings of a city archon.
"There is no hurry, invite that man and his apprentice," the crown lady stood up and left, though this elder was loyal but she could feel how eagerly he was waiting to get selected.
"She is not ready to trust me despite my loyal years," the elder was disappointed, he sent an invitation for the man.
Why crown lady sent an invitation, she wanted to know who that man was and what intentions he bear against her, it was not a simple matter where a challenger killing the offender, since she was backing city archon and the man was aware about it then the matter has already became serious.
If she selected another city archon without knowing his intentions then he perhaps could come up with another excuse.
She deserve her title of vulpine crown lady because Jen intended to do the same, she wanted to kill all those who were supporting crown lady one by one, they were sour in the eyes of this Clandestine Manias, despite having strength and sources they were coward to stand and save this manias from destruction.
With the geniuses being slaughtered, the balance would crumble and the battles would soon erupt like volcano and then nobody will be able to interrupt it other than Defender himself.
If taking into considering, this single crime was enough to announce a death sentence, the slaughter of geniuses was prohibited, why Manias were formed, why their crowns were supported, why a stable atmosphere was created for all the livings of this sphere, it was to provide them opportunities for learning so that fresh blood could keep the balance of power against the enemy.
And here, geniuses were being killed just because of the selfish crown lady and the elders, sooner or later someone would have to take this charge, since Jen was aiming to fight for the biggest trials, it was her responsibility to take initiative.
She has faced the cult ambush and she could tell why people fear to go against crown lady, Zhi Chang killed city archon to revenge for the ambush and now they could feel the silent commotion.
"The crown lady sent an invitation," Zhi Chang informed Jen, he was carrying golden seal in his hand, it was strange why she invited instead of sending loyals to take revenge for the city archon.
"She is trying to frame us, send her that we will be visiting two days later," she was going to meet the Dean and protectors of the cultivation school and see if they were against the crown lady or they were just slacking like others.
"Today, we will meet all the traders and merchants of this Manias, or whoever was willing to come along," if they both went to meet the crown lady without anyone knowing even if crown lady was killed there will be few who would blame it at them.
"You wanted to strike against the crown?" Zhi Chang was surprised to hear though he was aware slightly about her intentions still it was big decision.
"I know, it will be a little burdensome but to be afraid of evil is more burdensome than any other fear, you can decide whether you wanted to walk with me or leave," Jen clutched her heart and turned her face, it was not easy for her to say these words but she wanted to let him know what was in her mind and what she was thinking.
"Our paths would never be different, and forget that I will ever want to leave unless you dislike my presence around you," he grabbed her from shoulders and assured.
There was long pause of silence, "Let's strike the evil then," he picked her wrist and walked out of the house.
Jen needed two more days to recover her wounds, and in these two days she would meet different strong people of this Manias.
It was true that she was going to meet crown lady, she won't let Zhi Chang face the lady because it would look awkward for him, Jen was aware he would give his all by standing her sider, so she has decided to face her but if it turned out impossible to defeat then she would use the diction at the last resort.
"We also wanted to get rid such crown, but we have reservation, if you both got defeated…" the man stopped in the middle of the sentence, he don't want to say it openly, it would distort their courage, the crown lady killed all those who were supporting anyone and if these merchants were found standing behind they would be next to face her wrath.
"I am not asking a support of this kind, I will be asking to support the new crown whoever will be selected since we don't intend live in this Manias for long," this time Jen spoke.
The merchants diverted her attention toward the girl, from her words to her tone, there was a unusual strength and power, they were not sure what was it but they were ready to trust these both outsiders, or they don't know what made them trust.
Zhi Chang nodded at her words, he believe her words.
He was aware about the danger, he had known about the Yang brother pair and the rumors reached Yellow River about how powerful they were still he chose to listen and act on her words, and he never regretted his decision.
It was better to be here with her than to be alone and saddened, at least she would bring him along wherever she intend to go and explore, he can walk by her side.
They walked in an eatery to have a full meal, Jen was doing this to increase her healing, as soon as the wounds were better, she could go and face the crown.
Now she was heading toward the cultivation school.
Their answer was sent back and the crown lady was shocked, how come they answer this rude, it was considered rude to act on his own when the crown sent personal invitation.
"Why they wanted to come two days later, why not today?" she asked one of the elder.
"This, I am not sure but they were talking to all merchants and traders for support," the elder who did not leave immediately after getting their answer saw them gathering the people of the market.
"So they are up to something else, I should have known," she gritted her teeth.