Chapter 17: Are you teaching me how to do things?

The rare morning sunlight couldn’t fully dispel the shadows cast by the towering steel fortress.

In the top-floor conference room of the command center, the atmosphere was heavy as lead.

Seraphina sat at the head of the long table, her silver hair tied back with a simple obsidian hairpin, a few stray strands falling over her smooth forehead.

Dressed in a sharp black uniform, its fitted cuffs and collar accentuated her pale skin and commanding presence.

Even with rows of bright, cascading light-screens between them, her impatience and icy aura were palpable.

Seated along the table were a dozen elderly figures in various robes, their faces etched with the lines of age and cunning.

—These were the heads of [Eisenburg]’s key departments.

From logistics and supply to weapons maintenance;

From personnel allocation to intelligence gathering…

“Your Majesty, regarding your [Western Mine Waste Recycling Plan], we believe… there’s still room for discussion, isn’t there?” a white-haired, portly elder spoke slowly.

He was one of the representatives of the “Council of Elders.”

But the woman spared him no courtesy.

These old men, clinging to the fringes of Eisenburg’s power, believing they controlled vital resources, always tried to constrain her decisions with their outdated rules…

“Discussion?”

Seraphina’s fingers tapped the table rhythmically, her heterochromatic eyes sweeping over each face, brimming with undisguised scorn:

“Do any of you have a brilliant idea?”

“You—” she pointed at the elder, “can you make those gray-mist-ravaged lands produce food faster than my plan?”

At her retort, the elder lowered his head.

Another gaunt councilor cleared his throat and chimed in:

“Your Majesty, you’re exaggerating.”

“We only suggest that resource allocation should prioritize [Eisenburg]’s overall interests.”

“Moreover, lately… you seem to be investing too many resources and too much attention on that girl of unknown origin…”

“Too much?” She leaned on one hand, legs crossed, slouching casually in her chair, her lips curling into a cold smirk:

“Who decides that? Me or you?”

“Or do you think Eisenburg’s food reserves are so abundant we can ignore any chance to boost production?”

Choked by her words, the councilor followed the elder’s lead, falling silent to dodge the issue.

“Your Majesty, regarding the new refugee resettlement policies…”

“The labor quotas are too harsh and could spark riots…”

A middle-aged man with gold-rimmed glasses spoke cautiously.

“Crush any riots. Those unwilling to stay can be driven out. Eisenburg isn’t a charity; no one eats for free, got it?”

“We understand your decision, but the situation truly… requires more careful consideration…”

“Are you teaching me how to rule?” Seraphina narrowed her eyes, standing slowly, her silver hair cascading like a waterfall.

The glasses-wearing man’s face went pale.

The room’s atmosphere grew even more oppressive.

These old men, nominally advisors, were more like leeches on [Eisenburg], greedily siphoning the benefits of power while shying away from real change.

They feared her consolidation of power would threaten the Council’s foundations…

But without the Queen’s leadership, forget raider attacks—[God’s Court] and [Wanderers] circling nearby would storm the gates…

If not for Eisenburg’s reliance on the Council’s entrenched networks and their “experienced” technicians for resource allocation and maintaining old-world facilities—

Seraphina would’ve long since bundled these self-important fossils and their “opinions” to feed the iron-eating worms.

A delicate balance forced both sides to tolerate each other.

“Please, Your Majesty, calm yourself,” the elder quickly mediated. “Old Li only… worries for Eisenburg’s future…”

“Your Majesty, we don’t question your judgment…”

“Enough.” Seraphina’s sharp rebuke silenced their chatter.

So annoying.

If she didn’t have to worry about logistics, she could act freely…

Why be so constrained?

Hands behind her back, she glared at each rigid face:

“I know the Council has poured its heart into [Eisenburg], and I’m pleased…”

“But priorities matter.”

“If you can’t offer real solutions, follow my plans unconditionally.”

Her tone was calm but carried an undeniable finality.

“My patience is limited. The Western test field’s follow-up investments will proceed as planned.”

“If anyone can’t provide the necessary support, I don’t mind taking over their department personally.”

“Meeting adjourned.”

Her words caused a subtle shift in the elders’ expressions.

They knew this young Queen always followed through.

“Your Majesty! About the Western test field’s investments…” a bold fool tried to argue.

Seraphina shot him a chilling glance: “That’s my business.”

With that, she strode to the door, leaving without looking back, leaving the stunned, resentful elders exchanging glances.

Evelyn followed closely, nodding lightly to the Council as the metal doors closed, a perfunctory gesture on behalf of her Queen.

“Useless lot,” Seraphina muttered, storming toward the elevator. “Won’t cry until they see their coffins…”

Her mood was at its peak irritation, craving an outlet, or…

Something to spark her interest.

…

Mili opened her eyes on the bed, her body aching as if it had fallen apart.

An indescribable exhaustion weighed her down, her eyelids heavy as lead, her limbs weak and sore…

Curled in the soft bedding, she stared blankly at the sunlight filtering through the window, her mind haunted by yesterday’s suffocating fear and humiliation…

How long would this go on?

How much longer could she endure…?

If that woman devised new ways to torment her, worse than before, what then?

She was almost prepared for the worst.

She even wondered if another threat like that would simply break her mind, sending her into madness for good…

Her body was far weaker than she’d ever imagined.

Yet the expected rough awakening didn’t come.

The room was quiet, save for the occasional sound of patrol boots outside, approaching and fading.

It seemed…

No different from usual.

As Mili’s thoughts wandered, the door opened gently—

Not Seraphina.

It was the ever-expressionless silver-armored adjutant.

“Miss Mili, Her Majesty requests your presence,” Evelyn’s voice was steady and emotionless.

Mili’s heart leapt to her throat.

As expected, it was coming.

Silently, she crawled out of bed, letting Evelyn fetch a set of clean, plain clothes.

While changing, her trembling fingers betrayed her bone-deep fear of Seraphina…

Whatever.

A blow was a blow, whether she faced it or hid.

She’d just have to endure.