Suddenly a Rebellious Villainess

Like an ensnared prey, Cosette was out cold while dangling several metres above the ground.

Eli recoiled in terror at the horrendous sight. Too absorbed in her emotions, she didn't notice that all the servants were lined up, paving way to a group of humanlike insects in grey cloaks. In their hands are golden scepters with glowing orbs.

"We welcome you, Milady! We're this Realm's guardians who're tasked to protect this place during our lord's absence."

"Today, we prepared a very special banquet in order to celebrate your arrival."

"Our sacrifice shall be served shortly."

"We request that you take your time here and enjoy the feast."

Though perturbed, their words clearly registered in her head.

A festivity was about to be held just for her, but in exchange, something was to be sacrificed. With how they deliberately placed her at the middle like some kind of a centre of attraction, Eli already had a hunch that the sacrifice was Cosette. Although she instantly felt the need to help her, she also knew that she had to keep up the act. If she'd do anything reckless now, all her efforts earlier would be for nothing.

"What about her, then? Didn't she go through much worse? She wasn't supposed to be here to begin with. I only dragged her down with me. She didn't have anything to do with this," Eli begrudgingly thought while gnawing on her lip, face slowly draining out of color.

Then, the sounds of buzzing and clattering abruptly halted her thoughts. Turning back her attention on Cosette, she saw how a throng of colossal spiders surround her like ravening monsters. They all look ready to pounce, razor-sharp fangs gleaming forebodingly as they open their mouths.

That's when she finally lost it.

"Don't you want to replace me?" Eli asked Venus through her phone's screen, face devoid of any emotion.

"You can't go there, Angelica! Things will only get worse if you-"

Eli didn't let Venus finish, though. She just suddenly sprinted towards the spider web, much to the former Empress's flummox. She then stood right behind the colossuses with a heinous expression, eyebrows scrunched tightly together in revulsion. Crossing her arms, head held up high, she then exclaimed with a thunderous voice, "Put her down!"

At that, everyone inside the vicinity, including Venus, was mystified.

"Don't you dare touch a hair on that girl! Release her!"

The whole place was dead silent. The servants remained confounded while Venus only facepalmed at her vessel's impetuousness. When the Realm's guardians tried to reason with her, Eli only retorted brazenly as her emotions started to take the best of her.

"Milady, I beg your pardon-"

"Spare me the deet! You have to do it now!"

"But, this was our lord's order-"

"If you won't do as I say, I'll sue you all!"

That's their final straw.

With that steely gaze and formidable aura, it's crystal clear that Eli was seriously threatening them. The guardians hesitated for a while, but this time, she had already provoked them enough. She may be a special guest, but if she ever showed signs of disputing or wreaking havoc, she's as good as a foe. Their duties as protectors will have to come first.

With that, the guardians raised their scepters forward, ordering the guards to capture the rebel.

"Still not gonna replace me?" Eli questioned Venus, peering at her through her phone's screen with a miffing smile.

"You brat! You did this on purpose...! When did you grow so cheeky, Angelica? You're so dead to me once we're done here," the Empress taunted, clearly peeved. Eli only rolled her eyes at this, thinking that she won't really do it. Then, with that, Venus finally took over her body.

Unbeknownst to the enemies, the real villainess just joined the party.

While the clash was taking place, four looming figures were scouting the area outside. Hal and Allen, already transformed into their other personas, were able to knock the guards out and station an ambush. Noah and Zeke went ahead of them in order to inspect what's inside in secret. With their group's tactician around, infiltrating the fortress was done without a hitch.

Then, with a bang, the Champions and the young heir finally made their appearance.

What greeted them was a perplexing, feverish tussle and a ballroom in shambles. Though they already expected a multitude coming their way, they're caught off guard by the flying, destructive glass shards and a certain ash-haired girl in the middle.

"Intruders! Capture them!"

They hadn't even finished processing the scene before them when they engaged in battle again.

This time, a group of cloaked creatures with golden scepters seemed to be the new contenders. Through the shining orbs on their staffs, they're able to wield earth magic, form stone shields, and manipulate plants. Despite their difference in number, however, Hal, Allen and Zeke still managed to put up a good fight.

Upon seeing them, Venus immediately released a powerful surge of glass splinters as her finishing blow, consequently defeating all the surrounding enemies.

Their arrival was her cue to retreat. At that, Venus went back and let Eli take control again. As soon as she regained consciousness, she immediately surveyed around. Relief instantly washed over her as soon as she laid eyes on Hal and the others who're now duelling with the Realm's guardians. She knew that she could just continue what she started, but she's more worried about Cosette right now.

Since the Champions were finally here, she could help her at last.

"The coast is clear... It's a good thing that everyone's too focused on the fight," Eli thought as she ran towards the spider web that's currently unguarded.

That's until a horde of sharp knives came flying her way, landing on her path and subsequently, keeping her from reaching Cosette.