After Rebirth, I am Sober and Seek Revenge

In that instant, Elara eagerly gulped down the Elixir of Endless Remedies, casting a triumphant glance my way.

The grotesque visage she bore as she ripped out my heart remains vividly etched in my mind.

I lowered my gaze, veiling the tumult of hatred brewing within.

Elara, still kneeling before the Empress, implored with a hint of coquetry, "Mother, please, hold not your ire. I've merely realized that no man truly harbors undying fidelity. Better to refine the healing powers of our Phoenix lineage and mend the world ourselves."

The Empress's brows unfurled, only to knit together once more as Elara resumed her plea.

"Thus, I resolve to wed the Beast King and aid his people, elevating him to immortality, and securing his rightful place in the Three Realms!"

"Audacity!" The Empress thundered, her wrath unleashed.

"Are you aware of the lowliness of the beast tribes? Our illustrious Phoenix Clan cannot be compared to such base creatures, on the brink of annihilation by the humans!"

Elara's expression was resolute.

"What of their simplicity and brawn? Far preferable to the humans, with their deep-laid schemes and manifold treacheries. Mother, my heart is set; I shall wed no other than the Beast King!"

Before the Empress could levy further rebuke, Elara deftly extracted a betrothal scroll from her sleeve.

In a panic, the Empress exclaimed, "Elara! Cease this folly at once!"

Yet before she could intervene, Elara had already signed her name; the scroll transformed into a beam of golden light, dispatched to the Beast King.

Overcome with fury, the Empress struck me sharply across the face.

"Villainous child! Why did you not intervene? Surely, you must have incited her, did you not?"

"You too shall not marry the human prince. Upon your coming of age, you will join Elara in the beast tribes' domain!"

Historically, whenever Elara erred, I endured the consequences.

Though Elara delighted in witnessing my punishment, the prospect of me joining her in the beast tribe swiftly altered her tune, leading her to plead coyly.

"Mother, surely not all of the Phoenix Clan should marry into the beast tribe? Perhaps let my sister wed the prince, would that suffice?"

The Empress, unable to harden her heart against Elara, relented slightly in her persuasion.

"Naive child, do you not recall the divine decree from the Holy Order? One royal must rise as a celestial sage. You need only stand by the prince as he matures; post-nuptials, your joint cultivation will surely lead to enlightenment."

"How befuddled must you be to desire union with the ignoble Beast King..."

Unperturbed, Elara countered, "And how can you be so certain, Mother, that the Beast King cannot reach enlightenment? He is, after all, my destined consort. Let us not belittle him so—it rings of mockery."

I stirred the pot further, "Indeed, Elara speaks wisely. The Beast King possesses a spiritual root, affording him a finer chance at immortality than any mere mortal."

Her conviction deepened with my endorsement.

"Mother, as you well know, mortals lack spiritual roots, making their ascent akin to scaling the heavens—an ordeal I cannot endure. My sister, ever so boastful of her unique talents, let her face the trials then."

Elara's eyes gleamed with barely concealed glee as she emphasized her point.

She eagerly anticipated my facing the same brutal fate she endured in her past incarnation.

The Empress, defeated by Elara's persistence and with the betrothal irrevocably sent, resigned to fate.

Casting a weary glance my way, she declared coldly,

"Phoebe, since this marriage is Elara's doing, show some gratitude. Descend with the prince, and persuade him against warring with the beast tribes. Remember, peace in the Three Realms is the divine mandate."

"Regarding the Chalice of True Love, if you must face trials, eschew the Elixir's aid. The beleaguered beast tribes have little support; reserve it for Elara's coming of age."

Were it not for the elixir's singular rule against simultaneous consumption disrupting their spiritual trials, the Empress would have had Elara drink it forthwith.

Elara feigned kindness as she helped me to my feet, whispering ominously in my ear,

"Do well to survive by the prince's side, sister. Live long enough to witness my coronation as the queen of immortals."

Her eyes sparkled with unabashed triumph.

Internally, I sneered.

Did she truly believe the Beast King to be a paragon of virtue? Little did she know, she was sending herself into a realm far more fearsome than any mortal prison—

The beast tribes were a formidable force, far more daunting than the humans...