Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 444: Birth Of The Silver Tyrant

A supporting officer nodded without hesitation.

"I concur. The Sword Maiden hasn't acted in weeks. This goes against her typical habits."

Another officer chimed in, "She might have gotten hurt during the last fights. If so, this could be our prime moment to take her down for good."

A few other officers muttered their approval.

The chamber gradually buzzed with voices backing the plan.

"No time for delay."

"Should she heal up, our position will worsen dramatically."

"Chances like this won't come twice."

The commander heard them out in silence, yet the faint grin on his lips revealed his stance clearly.

Avery positioned herself across the table.

Her brows furrowed a bit.

"That logic feels too hasty. You're presuming the Sword Maiden's wounded without solid proof," she stated evenly.

One officer swiveled to face her, scowling.

"Then what's your idea, Dean Avery?" he demanded.

Avery folded her arms.

"Better to hold off for our reinforcements. This setup seems off. The Sword Maiden wouldn't stay idle without cause," she remarked steadily.

The commander's gaze sharpened a touch.

"We can't stay idle indefinitely. Idling away erodes our strength. The soldiers are getting antsy already," he countered.

"Precisely the reason to avoid charging in. If it's a snare, you'll march right into disaster," Avery retorted. A subtle annoyance bubbled within her. These fools were charging toward ruin.

A handful of officers traded looks, though the commander stood firm.

"A trap?" he echoed.

He bent forward marginally.

"So you suggest we sit idle as the Sword Maiden builds her power?"

Avery's frown deepened. "I'm urging a thorough probe before deciding."

"My choice is set. The forces will gear up for assault," the commander declared.

Avery's face grew somber.

Her faction was tiny next to the commander's backers, and crucially, he held the ultimate say.

As Dean, she ranked just beneath him.

For an instant, Avery held her tongue.

Selene, seated silently beside her, observed the scene wordlessly.

Weeks prior, such tension would have rattled her.

But circumstances had shifted.

This Trial mimicked history, though the lessons learned were genuine.

She had led mighty awakeners.

She had bargained with realms and rulers.

She had confronted choices swaying whole armies' fates.

Those trials had transformed her.

Fear had vanished, replaced by serenity.

Selene eyed the commander once more.

The motives were plain to see.

Strategy didn't drive his push for battle.

Revenge did.

Past defeats had shamed him deeply, and he craved to wipe it away.

Selene rose smoothly.

"Avery, stop them from attacking. Handle it," she instructed coolly.

With that, she pivoted and headed for the door.

Her attendants trailed her swiftly from the hall.

The commander scowled at the sight.

"Hold on," a supporter barked. "You can't just leave the meeting!"

"What sort of conduct is that?!" Another officer pounded the table.

Yet Selene never glanced behind.

Moments later, she and her group had exited the hall.

The commander's visage turned grim.

Outdoors by the meeting hall, Avery let out a soft laugh.

"Well," she noted, "the little one has matured a lot. She's issuing commands now, not just asking."

Then her gaze drifted back to the hall's entrance.

Her grin dissolved.

Her shape started shifting.

The humanoid guise—a mere mirage—vanished.

Her authentic form emerged.

What loomed there defied any human label.

It transcended far beyond.

A being so alien and unfathomable that no rational thought could grasp it.

Within the hall, the commander went rigid.

His frame locked in place.

Survival instincts howled for flight, but his limbs ignored the call.

Nearby officers erupted in screams.

Some crumpled, hands clamped to skulls.

Others reeled away in dread.

Merely glimpsing Avery's real form shredded their sanity.

The commander's complexion blanched.

Perspiration streamed down his brow.

"You... You're no native of this realm," he whispered, voice quivering.

Avery offered no words.

She peered down at him with icy mirth.

"Insects," she uttered coolly. "Witness your quaking dread of the unknown fate."

The commander's form trembled violently.

"Had greed not blinded you to slay the Sword Maiden, and logic prevailed, this fate might have been avoided," Avery remarked.

...

Beyond the meeting chamber, Selene waited in stillness.

Her followers clustered nearby, faces etched with discomfort.

One ventured to ask.

"Lady Selene... what's the scheme between you and Dean Avery?"

Another voiced unease, "Is this truly wise?"

Selene met their eyes with a subtle smile.

"I intended to clarify shortly. But I trust you'll stand with me once truths unfold," she assured.

A shiver gripped her followers.

Her words carried courteous tone, yet warned plainly. Dissent would bring repercussions.

No one spoke.

Then the hall door creaked open.

Avery emerged.

Her look had reverted to poise.

She appeared as refined as ever, smile warm and inviting.

"All settled?" Selene queried.

"Indeed," Avery answered lightly.

Selene appraised her briefly.

"Any harm done?"

Avery hid a laugh behind her hand.

"Haha, don't be silly. Merely the Ladder of Heavens' commander."

Her voice carried a teasing lilt.

Selene dipped her head.

Behind, followers peeked warily into the hall.

They went still.

Blood drenched the space.

Corpses littered the ground.

Not a single officer lived.

In mere hours, Selene ascended as the Ladder of Heavens' new commander. Leveraging Avery, she quashed dissent and seized full command.