A Regressed Villain: Heroines, Villainesses and Me?

Chapter 168 - The Sertsul Family's Meeting

"Th-this?!" Aecilia exclaimed as she hurled the tablet onto the table. It landed with a thud, and the screen flickered to life.

A video began to play, the sound muffled, but the clashing noises made it clear they were witnessing a fight scene.

Ting

The screen flickered inside the hall before the image stabilized—a grainy CCTV recording, shaky as it captured a tense moment.

The figures were initially indistinct, but soon one of them became unmistakably clear—a hulking mass of muscle, grotesquely swollen, revealing that it was an Empyreal in an unrestrained rage.

The elders leaned in closer, squinting, their breaths held as the video unfolded.

The menacing figure, evidently an Empyreal, charged toward Aecilia.

Gasps of disbelief rippled through the room as the identity of the muscular assailant became clear, but more concerning was a familiar figure—Marquess Croceaus, their most valued investor, appeared helpless in the shadow of the oncoming beast behind Aecilia.

The tension in the room heightened, the hairs on the back of their necks bristling in horror.

Even though they knew they were watching a recording of a past event, the vividness of the scene was impossible to ignore. Naturally, they couldn't dismiss the possibility of the Marquess being injured during this exchange.

A plethora of questions flooded their minds. Why was an Empyreal trying to attack the Marquess? Read new chapters at empire

Had the royal family sent him?

And why did the buildings in the background resemble those from the free cities instead of the royal kingdom?

One thing was unequivocal:

The room remained eerily silent, the weight of this revelation settling heavily in the air.

One by one, the elders started to lift the tablet, eager to view the video themselves, each of them reiterating its significance as it circulated around the round table.

Their shock was palpable, especially considering that they had forgotten about the large screens and projectors available in the hall. The gravity of the situation must have momentarily clouded their minds.

Each member of the council, seasoned experts in their respective fields and well-versed in matters concerning the Sertsul family, seemed to momentarily overlook the practical reality of displaying the video on a larger screen.

Eventually, the tablet—after being rewound and replayed multiple times—returned to the center of the table.

Some council members still looked visibly shaken.

So it was natural for her to be seen in a new light.

But the council wasn't done with their inquiries. One of them leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "What do we do with this information now? Surely, there are implications beyond what we've seen in the video."

Though the elders wanted to discuss this information among themselves and not involve the present generation, the already heightened status of Aecilia, who herself had brought all the details they had asked for regarding her future plans, ensured they considered it. They understood the implications of potentially using spies to manipulate Empyreals; though challenging, exploiting their emotional weaknesses could secure their existence.

Aecilia straightened, her tone firm and decisive. "For now, we do nothing regarding the incident itself. Our priority must shift. Halt all current projects and redirect our focus to weapon production—melee weapons specifically. Bows, swords, spears. The works."

Her declaration caused a stir. Confusion flickered across the faces of several members as they glanced at one another. One finally raised his hand, his voice hesitant. "Aecilia, with respect, why such a drastic shift? Shouldn't some of us continue with the original projects while others handle this transition?"

Aecilia shook her head. "No. We have one year to prepare. The current trajectory of our ventures will leave us vulnerable. We need weapons manufacturing at full capacity. And," she added, her tone sharp, "we also need access to gun mechanisms. Contact gun dealers. Gather empty cartridges, schematics—anything you can get your hands on. Additionally, the information division of the Sertsul family will be tasked with several critical investigations. Details will follow soon."

The confusion among the council deepened. One elder ventured a question. "Are we to manufacture guns as well? You mentioned melee weapons, but now you're talking about firearms. What exactly is the plan, Aecilia?"

Her eyes gleamed with an intensity that silenced the room. "Blueprints. Research. Preparation. I don't need to explain every detail now. Trust me and follow the directives. This isn't just about survival; it's about dominance."

And in the end, the only thing Aecilia was able to add were the same words she had heard from Avendial, clearly copying and pasting his words while adding a bit of her own.

The council turned their attention to the head of the family, who had remained silent throughout.

Her presence was imposing despite her stillness. Seated with folded hands and closed eyes, she exuded an air of unshakable authority, with a hint of wrinkles on her face, yet not enough to diminish the impact she filled this place with.

As the murmurs died down, her eyes slowly opened, a gesture so deliberate it commanded immediate attention.

Her gaze swept the room, and without uttering a word, she nodded.

The council members rose from their seats in unison, bowing deeply before leaving the hall.

Their expressions ranged from reluctant acceptance to resolute determination.

They understood that the family's path had been decided, and there was no room for dissent.

As the last of them filed out, Aecilia turned to the head of the family. "Thank you for trusting me," she said quietly.

The head of the family remained silent, her gaze fixed on Aecilia. After a moment, a faint smile tugged at her lips. "You have one year. Don't disappoint me."

Aecilia nodded, her resolve unwavering. "I won't."

The woman stood before turning to leave the room, leaving her words: "I hope following that child's words doesn't bring harm to the Sertsul family, and you will have to make sure of it."

"....Yes, mom." As if already expecting her mother to see through it all, Aecilia simply nodded.