In a village near an ocean shore, several huts made of bamboo could be seen. There were also some proper buildings in the village, but overall it gave off a rural outlook with most of its residents being either fishermen or other odd job workers.
At this time, a large group of people were gathered around one of the bamboo huts. Most of these people wore shabby clothes and looked malnourished from their skinny appearances.
Contrary to this, the five people standing in front of the bamboo hut wore luxurious white robes with the symbol of an eagle on their left chest, and their presence alone was like gods who descended to the mortal world.
But right now, all of them had a serious look as they stared at the graceful woman with purple eyes standing before the door of the bamboo hut with a long sword in her hand. Although the woman was dressed like all the other village women, she had a unique temperament like a swan among a group of ducks.
"Elena Everhart, surrender yourself. I do not think you have fallen to the point where you will hurt all these innocent lives just to protect yourself," an old man, who appeared to be the leader among the five people, said to the woman coldly.
Elena gritted her teeth, "You have already taken my husband's life, what more do you want..."
The leading old man's name was William and he was the eighty first elder of the Celestial Alliance. He looked at Elena calmly. "A husband's debt must be paid by his wife and a father's debt must be paid by his son."
Elena's face changed when she heard this. She looked coldly at William and said threateningly, "If you dare lay a finger on my kids, I will kill you no matter the consequence."
William did not show any fear under Elena's words. He chuckled lightly. "I would have shivered in fear if these words were spoken by your husband, but he is no more and your family has abandoned you. Do you really think you are still the Princess Elena of the Everhart Empire?"
"Try me then." Elena's purple eyes started glowing with a strange purple hue all of a sudden and several ice blades conjured above the five men in an instant.
William's face changed when he saw this. Just as he raised his hand to cast a spell to counter Elena, a majestic voice rang from the sky.
"Senior, I do not think an elder like you should intervene in such a small matter. Let this junior handle this," a young man who looked to be in his twenties walked on air and descended between Elena and the five men.
The newly arrived man was also wearing the same white robe as the first five people, but unlike the eagle symbol on the chest of the first five people, he had an additional golden ring around the eagle symbol.
"Greetings, Great Elder Edward," the five men greeted the newly arrived man in unison.
But Edward ignored them and looked at Elena with a gentle smile, "How have you been, Elle?"
"Great Elder, this case includes several people of high position. Please do not interfere based on your personal relationships," William interrupted Edward with a dark face.
Edward frowned. Just as he was about to scold William, Elena dropped her sword and flopped to the ground on her knees.
"I am willing to accept any punishment on my husband's behalf. I hope senior brother can spare my kids," she said weakly.
Edward froze for a moment upon hearing this. He looked deeply at Elena and said, "Draven's kids... call them out."
Elena hesitated, "Senior brother..."
Edward waved his hand, "I am not petty enough to vent my anger on some little brats. Call them out. I promise no one will lay a hand on them."
Creak...
Just then, the door of the bamboo house creaked open and a ten year old boy walked out holding a one year old little girl in his arms. Both the kids had purple eyes just like Elena and they perfectly inherited her good looks.
"Take the kids into custody..." William said to his men when he saw the two kids walking out of the house.
Bang.
Edward stomped his foot lightly on the ground and the next second the five elders including William were pinned to the ground, as if an invisible hand was pressing them down.
"Senior William... do you really want to go against me?" Edward asked calmly without even looking back at the five men who were pressed to the ground.
"Have mercy... Great Elder, I was rash before," William said through gritted teeth as he felt the force pinning him down gradually vanish.
Edward looked deeply at the timid boy who was standing beside Elena while holding his little sister in his arms.
"As one of the Great Elders of the Celestial Alliance, I declare the two children born to Elena Everhart and Draven Nyxborn are not guilty of any crime, and from this moment onwards, no one shall take action against them."
Edward then looked at the kneeling Elena and sighed. "Elena Everhart will not be held accountable for any deeds done by Draven Nyxborn, but as his legal wife, she shall be fined to pay five hundred mythic essence coins to the court on behalf of her husband."
"Great Elder..." William wanted to say something, but Edward shot him a glare, making the old man swallow his words.
"Thank you for your kindness, senior brother," Elena said to Edward with relief on her face.
Edward shook his head. "This is the most I can do for you. If I involve myself further, things may become even worse."
Elena nodded.
"Handle the rest of the procedures accordingly," Edward said to William, and like a gust of wind, he vanished from where he stood a moment ago.
William took a deep breath and said to Elena coldly, "You can either pay the fine now or we will have to put you in prison until the day someone pays the fine on your behalf..."
Elena ignored William. She stood up from the ground and embraced her kids tightly. "Alvin, mom will be going now. Take good care of little Le."
"Mommy..." the little girl in Alvin's arms kept trying to reach out towards Elena with her short hands, while Alvin had tears in his eyes.
Elena lightly smiled. She rubbed the little girl's head affectionately and said to Alvin, "Do not be sad for us. This is the consequence of both your father's and my decisions. It has nothing to do with both of you. Live a normal life as a happy family. In the future, be a pillar that supports each other..."
After that, Elena walked towards the five elders.
William took out a pair of handcuffs and handcuffed Elena amongst the whispers of the villagers surrounding the bamboo hut.