Angel Monarch-Chapter 364: Conspiracy

"Do you have a newfound hatred towards birds?" Asked Otto with a small, cunning smile.

Vicky just shrugged, bent down, and grabbed a handful of ashes. This raven strangely wasn't an Evolved in disguise, but it also wasn't a normal bird.

It hid in the rafters with a clear intention of listening in. Vicky easily noticed it, though. Instantly, as she stepped through the portal, her space perception noticed the creature, and Leslie acted quickly.

Slowly, she let the ashes fall out of her palm while keeping eye contact with Otto.

"Why haven't I've been invited to this cozy meeting?" Said Vicky, while walking towards an empty chair, the head of the table.

She sat down and glanced towards the other end, where Elizabeth sat with a bored expression.

Otto also shuffled a bit, still keeping Bea hidden from sight, but as Vicky's friends began to move alongside the room's wall, her presence became obvious soon.

Lucy spotted her first, and immediately noticed the strange way she sat there, motionless, trembling.

Before her brain even sent out the command, her black scythe already appeared in her hand.

Upon noticing the broken woman, everyone else done the same, except Vicky and Henry. The young Princess stayed seated, with her regal knight standing guard behind her chair.

Lucy opened her mouth as her head became red from anger, but before she could've said anything, Vicky raised her hand.

All four armed individuals froze and calmed. Emotions might've got the better of them, but they weren't stupid. It would've been insane to fight against one Stellar in this room, much less four.

Vicky ignored the demanding expressions of her friends, and Otto's concerned eyes, looking between the Princess and her mother.

Instead, she turned towards Napoleon, who watched all this play out with amusement.

"How dare you show your face to me? After what you've done with your petty war! The millions you killed by not wanting to rule! I feel disgusted just by existing near you!"

Napoleon just chuckled at Vicky's statement, which deepened the Princess's frown.

"Excuse my unsightly appearance, your Highness! I'm sorry I came to attend the meeting, which I was invited to! Rest assured, it won't happen again!"

His mocking voice and following laughter further angered both the Princess and Prince, but still they maintained decorum, and Vicky even forced out a smile.

"Good! Now tell me! Why did you organize this gathering without inviting the most Europe's most influential power? Could you enlighten me, Otto?… Since you gathered everyone here…"

Otto's eyes remained fixed on Lucy and her scythe. He didn't care about Vicky's question at all, and so he didn't answer the question, but someone else did… The stupidest of them all, Alton!

"Why would we invite you, a thirteen-year-old wannabe leader! Most influential power in Europe, my ass! You couldn't even defeat us with all your power!"

Vicky's gaze moved from Otto to Alton. Her smile widened, turning genuine, hiding her fuming hatred towards the man.

"You're correct, and so very wrong simultaneously. We couldn't defeat you in combat here and now, but power isn't only personal! While you might control your citizens with fear, we control them with faith and order! Tell me, how many citizens are part of the Angelic Order in Madrid?"

Again, the idiot couldn't recognize a rhetoric question, but Vicky plowed on without waiting for the inevitable interruption. She even raised her voice to drown out the Stellar's words.

"How many? Ten million? Twenty? A quarter, or maybe half? Could be more, even I don't know the exact numbers, and I'm one of its religious figureheads!… Now answer this question! What would happen if I ordered them to stop obeying to you? Which would win, fear or devotion?"

A lone sweat drop ran down Alton's face, as he imagined the outcome of such command.

A nation's leaders only last as long as their citizens let them. But if they fail at their job, then two options remain, peaceful impeachment, or revolution!

Alton couldn't help but glance at Antal. The handsome, long, dark pink-haired man stared at the Princess with a surprised expression.

The man became thoughtful after hearing Vicky's words. New ideas popped into his mind, and a new understanding of leadership widened his view of reality.

But Vicky wasn't done yet. Her eyes moved to Napoleon, who was considerably less amused than before.

"Even three Stellars couldn't contain all those more than a hundred million souls inside New Paris! They obey you, because I tell them not to fight. Don't believe for a second you have any true control!"

Napoleon narrowed his eyes, then shouted while pointing at the Princess.

"Don't you fucking threaten me, you little bitch! If I even witness the beginning of a rebellion, I will kill every single human inside New Paris, and level the FUCKING CITY TO THE FUCKING GROUND…"

His screaming suddenly came to a halt, as Vicky opened a portal right on his neckline, bringing the Stellar's head only a dozen centimeters from her own.

The man's face showed clear surprise, but no fear, which was quite surprising. She did achieve her intended effect though… Shutting up Napoleon!

"Listen to me, you fucking freak! If you dare kill any of your own citizens, I make sure you go to hell! I even drag you down with me if necessary!"

The old strategist narrowed his eyes while staring into Vicky's white ones. A flicker of understanding appeared in his mind, while reevaluating his judgments about the girl.

He should've known better, but pride and power could blind every eye, even his. The appearance of a thirteen-year-old, frail girl made him miscalculate slightly.

First, he assumed the Princess was nothing, but a puppet guided by her other half, the much more capable Prince. However, as the conversation escalated, it became obvious this wasn't the case.

Victoria wasn't a mere puppet. She was the puppeteer, ordering her mother's nation around, like it was hers. A true legacy of the mighty Angel Monarch!

In a split second, he made new judgments, and adjusted all his plans accordingly.

A smile twisted across his face. His words came slow and tedious, full of confidence and pride.

"I've studied you Princess… It takes abruptly three tenths of a second for you to close a portal this size, more than enough time for a Stellar, like me, to escape!… Come on, try to behead me, YOU WHORE!"

He laughed loudly, into the Princess's face, but it quickly stopped as Henry pressed his warscythe's blade to Napoleon's neck, drawing blood.

Napoleon became shocked once more, yet the reason for his surprise changed. His eyes widened with the appearance of the glowing white warscythe.

Henry moved so fast, Napoleon couldn't even perceive it! Like he didn't even move, just merely appeared at his destination, right below Napoleon's neck.

Since the first time during their discussion, he actually felt a bit of fear.

What every strategist hated the most were variables, and right now, Henry's unknown powers proved fearsome for the greatest strategist.

"I think this conversation is over, don't you? Any lingering thoughts or feelings? Maybe another childish insult? I'm all ears. Please share!"

Napoleon scoffed at Henry's remark, but with each small movement, his blade cut deeper.

Eventually, he gave up, and pulled his head out of the portal, which closed soon after.

Both Napoleon and Alton stood up and walked towards the exit without saying a word.

Otto grabbed Bea's arm tightly and followed after the two, not leaving enough time for her to speak with Vicky.

Just as they stepped out of the room, Bea caught her daughter's eyes glancing at her. Tears welled inside there, and she mouthed a few words, bringing a small hopeful smile to Bea's face.

Soon, only Vicky's group and two Stellars remained in the room.

Antal still seemed deep in thought, not caring about anyone else. He continued sitting in his place, while Elizabeth stood up and walked before her son.

"You got my message, it seems!" She said, forcing out an awkward smile.

Henry tried keeping eye contact, but the control of his emotions started slipping. He needed to look away before he did something he might regret.

"Yes, we did! Thank you, your Majesty, for the heads up! We owe you one!" Vicky said, taking Elizabeth's attention away from her son.

The Queen was surprised to see how little emotion showed on Vicky's face. Even after seeing her mother's state, she held her perfect discipline… Like a true leader!

"Could I perhaps use the favor now? If it isn't much trouble, of course!"

Vicky raised an eyebrow in confusion, then shrugged while saying… "Sure I guess. But nothing too extraordinary!"

A small smile spread across the Queen's lips. She turned away from the Princess and stared down at her son. Her dark golden eyes pierced into Henry, making him squirm under her mother's gaze.

"I want nothing more than to have a chat with my son alone! Could you accomplish that, Princess Victoria?"

The Princess pursed her lips, while looking between the Queen and her son. Her narrowed white eyes gazed deep into the woman, trying to glimpse any malicious intent behind her cunning smile.

"Only if Henry agrees. I'm not his slave master to order him around! In fact, he's older than me, so he can make decisions on his own!"

Elizabeth didn't quite like Vicky's answer. She hoped the young girl would simply order her son to have a chat. However, she knew her hopes were misplaced, since Vicky would never force anyone to do something they didn't want to.

The Queen sighed sadly, already prepared for Henry's disappointing answer…

"Okay, mother… I accept!" He said, shocking the Queen of London to her core.