Beyond the Bloodline-Chapter 272: Broken Allegiances

The Intergalactic Stage erupted in chaos.

Among the giants, the fallout was immediate.

The slaughter sent shockwaves through the Giant race, reaching even those who had distanced themselves from the intergalactic stage.

Giant Emperors uninvolved in Eldros’ schemes and Sub-Cosmic Realm Giants who had retreated into seclusion were forced to re-emerge and respond.

The sheer scale of the massacre, paired with the political ramifications of Miranda’s blame-shifting, compelled them to return to the stage they had abandoned eons ago.

Many raged at the loss of their brethren.

Some demanded vengeance against the Argent Empire, while others turned their wrath toward Eldros himself, accusing him of arrogance and incompetence for provoking such a calamity. This put his position as Universal Master in a precarious state.

Criticism poured in from every corner of the universe, condemning both Eldros and the Argent Empire.

Many decried Miranda’s actions as excessive, but the Argent Empire was unbothered.

Instead, they entered full retaliation mode, prepared to crush anyone who dared to cross them.

Sub-Cosmic Realm Giants who might have sought retribution were met with a new obstacle.

The uproar drew the attention of Sub-Cosmic Realm existences from other races, some of which harboured longstanding animosities toward the Giant race, and Miranda’s actions provided them with a golden opportunity to undermine their foes.

Driven by their own vendettas, declared their support for the Argent Empire, further complicating the situation.

{N/B: Sub Cosmic Realm refers to beings within the Realms that demand Sub Cosmic Superiority to attain, beginning with the Primogenial Realm—the initial step beyond the Universe’s peak—up to the Quasi-Supreme Realm.}

Miranda’s own forces rallied behind her with fervour.

Her Werewolf subordinates who would literally worship the ground she walked on, emerged in full force, ready to defend her actions no matter the cost.

Jamie’s vast network of disciples and subordinates also mobilized, their loyalty to Miranda as steadfast as their loyalty to Jamie himself.

Millions of powerful individuals spread across galaxies, sided with the Argent Empire on the matter.

Even some of the reclusive Incomplete Hybrids emerged from their hiding places to stand with Miranda.

For them, there was no debate over whether Miranda was right or wrong.

She had acted, and that was reason enough to follow her unconditionally.

This display underscored Miranda’s monumental influence in the Universe. While part of it—concerning Jamie’s Subordinates and the Incomplete Hybrids—stemmed from her connection to Jamie, her own reputation and leadership were more than sufficient to command such devotion.

◇　◇　◇

In Zanerth-O1, the atmosphere was tense, and Eldros found himself at the epicentre of a storm of criticism.

The Elders of the giant race, true Elder Breed Giants who had transcended the universe’s limits, had summoned him to account for his actions.

These were Firmament Realm existences. Though not at the Quasi-Supreme level that Miranda had reached, they were still unfathomably powerful compared to Eldros.

To them, he was little more than a reckless upstart.

Eldros stood before them, his head bowed low as they unleashed their reprimands, their voices booming with the weight of their rage.

[You’ve embarrassed us, Eldros.

Not just yourself, but the entire Giant Race.]

One spoke, his tone a mixture of exasperation and scorn and another followed up in the same manner.

[You had one task. To oversee this tenure with dignity. Instead, you’ve managed to provoke one of those damn Hybrids! What were you thinking? Were you thinking at all?!]

One of them leaned forward, his massive hands gripping the arms of his throne as he bellowed.

[If you intended to scheme, how could you allow yourself to be exposed so easily?]

The Elders’ criticism grew sharper.

[Sure, not all of us like the Esteans, Argent, or the Six Hybrids, but do you think they hold their positions of power by chance?

Their influence is rooted in overwhelming power and vigilance. Did you truly believe it would be easy to move against them?]

One Elder growled with annoyance, barely holding himself back from literally flattening Eldros with his palm.

Another Elder leaned forward, his eyes glowing with disapproval as he spoke.

[If you wanted to challenge them, you should have bent your head, bid your time, and grown your strength.

Your talent is undeniable, Eldros—you might one day reach our level. But until then, how could you imagine that you, a mere Monarch, could act against them without drawing their notice?]

While a lot of them were annoyed at the unnecessary attention and the losses they had suffered, the majority of them were disappointed.

They honestly expected better from Eldros. They thought that he understood how to play the waiting game—his only option when dealing with beings far more powerful than him.

The scorn in their voices was palpable as another questioned.

[Did you convince yourself that their detachment from the affairs of those beneath them meant they wouldn’t notice?

Do you not realize that they have subordinates—beings at your level—who care about such things and might report them?

How could you have been so careless? And worse, how could you let yourself be discovered by her of all people—that ’Violent Inferno’?]

Leaving aside his pun on Miranda’s title, the mere mention of it sent a wave of unease through the chamber.

These Elders had known her for millions of years. They were well aware of her playful demeanour, a trait many attributed to Jamie’s influence on her from a young age.

But they also understood the cold ruthlessness that lay beneath her surface, a side not many knew of because those who witnessed it seldom survived to speak of it.

[Of all people to get caught by, it was her. You know her nature, do you not? Amiable, yes, but that amiability is a façade. Beneath it lies a coldness that has turned countless beings to ashes!]

[We honestly don’t even care about what you were scheming. That’s irrelevant.

What matters is that you failed. Worse, you dragged others into your failure.]

Eldros clenched his fists, teeth gritted in frustration as the words poured down on him. The scolding stung not just because of their words but because he himself couldn’t comprehend how Miranda had discovered his plans.

How had she known to focus her attention on that sector?

What was she looking for over there?

Adding to his woes was the fallout of his recent failure. He had only just managed to secure the allegiance of a Higher-Dimensional Giant—a Quasi-Supreme no less—only for that giant to meet their end at Miranda’s hands.

Now, the other giants and beings of other races who had allied with him were beginning to withdraw. Fearful for their lives, they saw no benefit in remaining tied to a plan that had already incurred Miranda’s wrath before they could even achieve anything worthwhile.

The irony was bitter. Beings who had lived for millions of years feared death far more than mortals.

Their long lives and accumulated power only deepened their terror of losing everything.

With Miranda’s attention now on Eldros, many distanced themselves from him as they didn’t want to risk provoking her further.

The massacre of 75 Monarch Realm Emperors had been a warning; what would happen if Miranda took direct action herself?

No one wanted to find out.

[You have made us look weak, Eldros.

The universe has been reminded of the Argent Empire’s might. They will whisper about Miranda Scott’s power, about how her single Division slaughtered 75 Monarchs without suffering a single casualty. And what will they say of us? That we were the fools who provoked her.]

The gazes of these Elder Giants bore into Eldros, pressuring his soul as they declared.

[You will remain Universal Master for now, but only because removing you would make us look even weaker.

Do not mistake this for mercy. We are watching you, Eldros. One more failure and you will wish she had been the one to end you.]

Eldros said nothing, his head still bowed as the Elders dismissed him.

◇　◇　◇

The spotlight was firmly fixed on Eldros. Everyone was speculating about what he could have done to provoke Miranda’s wrath.

His influence was crumbling. The connections he had painstakingly built over his years as the Universal Master were rapidly dissolving.

Many of his allies were now severing ties, unwilling to associate with someone perceived to be on Miranda’s bad side. And by extension, that also meant being on Jamie’s bad side—a prospect that sent shivers down their spines.

Most of Eldros’ connections understood all too well how dangerous Jamie and Miranda were, and they wanted no part in any conflict involving them.

Fortunately for Eldros, the intense scrutiny didn’t last long. Before long, another incident emerged, one that would rock the intergalactic stage even more profoundly than Eldros’ predicament.