Chapter 649: Do As You Please

"If both the General and Vice-General are out, who is in charge here right now?" Elizabeth Carlson asked.

"That would be me," a gruff voice called out as a tall, muscular man at the Complete Peak-Rank Initiate Realm stepped forward through the crowd.

Seeing this familiar face, Elizabeth smiled, "Simon."

"Old... uh, I guess I can’t really call you that anymore, Lady Carlson," the bear of a man with a thick grey mane of hair on his face scratched his head awkwardly.

This man was Simon Drax, and he was from Elizabeth and Celestina’s generation.

Despite being a member of the Drax Family, which was quite famous for its scheming and miserly behaviour, Simon was the complete opposite, being jovial and friendly with basically everyone he met.

It was probably for that exact reason that he had essentially been kicked out of the Draxs and instead gone to serve in the army.

Being a couple decades younger than her, Simon had grown up with Elizabeth being something like an older sister to him. They had also served together in the last two great wars, so it was only normal for the them to be quite friendly and casual with one another.

That said, Simon was currently stuck at the very top of the Initiate Realm, which made him look significantly older than the current Elizabeth, so him calling her ’Old Woman’ no longer seemed appropriate.

Laughing at the big oaf she had been friends with for centuries, Elizabeth shook her head and said, "You can call me that if you’d like, Simon; after all, it’s not like I’m not an old woman."

Pursing his lips, Simon thought about it for a while before snickering, "Nah. If I were to call you old now, people would just laugh at me. I’ll call you Lady Carlson, or maybe ’Big Sister’ is more appropriate, you know, like back when we were kids."

"Do as you please," Elizabeth rolled her eyes before shrugging, finding Simon’s antics amusing as always.

"En, in that case, first things first. Congratulations on your breakthrough, Big Sis!" Simon grinned widely and saluted, genuinely feeling happy for Elizabeth.

With the Steel Sheild Legion Fifth Regiment Commander’s words as the trigger, the rest of the people gathered in the crowd realized they too had neglected this point and also began offering their congratulations.

After accepting a few rounds of these well-wishes, Elizabeth brought the conversation back around to where it started, her expression and tone becoming solemn, "So, Commander Drax, what is the situation here in Iron Rock?"

Seems like even if she broke through and regained some of her youth, she’s still as serious as ever when it comes to work, Simon thought to himself before he too schooled his expression and began explaining, "It all started about a month ago..."

.....

"Now entering! Supreme Elder Elizabeth Carlson!"

With those booming words from the guards at the door, a mature beauty dressed in a long black dress stepped into the grand hall, drawing the attention of everyone present at the biggest New Years banquet in Iron Rock.

The dress was one of several she had been gifted by Lucas from his [Allure] brand. It was a black, short-sleeved, high-neck number with a cinched waistline and a long straight skirt that hung just above her ankles.

There was also a small single slit extending up her right leg to her knees to allow more freedom of movement.

Compared to the frilly, puffy, traditional dresses which had been, and still were quite common in the Rockwell Kingdom, it was simultaneously plain and bold all at once.

On the other hand, compared to many of the items from [Vision], Lucas’ tailor shop, it was actually quite conservative with no thin shoulder straps, cut-outs, deep necklines, high slits, or colour gradients.

All that said, the smooth fabric that seemed to hug Elizabeth’s body did a perfect job of emphasizing her rejuvenated figure and accentuate her charm without coming off as gaudy or cheap.

To complete her outfit, she wore a pair of simple 6 cm black heels with gold buckles, a white shawl with a bit of lace trim, and a pearl necklace and golden earrings with white gemstones, that latter accessories being a gift from Louise.

Elizabeth had taken a bit of time to curl her shoulder-length hair, giving it a bit more volume than usual, but she wore no makeup or lipstick as the healthy glow of her skin courtesy of her recent breakthrough was all that she needed to appear radiant.

She was equal parts striking and elegant.

(Illustration in Chapter Comments)

All the nobles, merchants, and military officers in the hall, whether they were male or female, couldn’t take their eyes off of Elizabeth, their gazes filled with a wide swath of emotions ranging from envy to arousal.

Even the members of the Carlson Family, many of whom had already met with Elizabeth earlier today after she had returned to the manor, were currently slack-jawed.

The Supreme Elder of the Carlson Family hadn’t looked this young in basically 100 years, and she had certainly never dressed like this before, so it was hardly surprising when everyone’s brain temporarily shut down.

That said, it wasn’t long before the crowd recovered and the praise began flowing freely.

Accepting this new round of compliments with a calm smile, Elizabeth slowly made her way up to the head table where Count Mathias Carlson was waiting for her along with the rest of the family, big grins now covering all of their face.

Never before in the history of the Carlson Family had any of their members reached the Adept Realm in any cultivation system, and although word of the Supreme Elder’s breakthrough had already reached Iron Rock a few days ago, seeing really was believing.

Ultimately unable to contain his joy, Mathias stepped down from the head table and gave a deep noble bow, "Congratulations on your breakthrough, Supreme Elder!"

Her aloof smile transforming into a more genuine one, Elizabeth reached out, gently lifted her grandson up, and nodded to him, "Thank you, Mathias."

Turning next to the rest of her family, all of whom were also bowing, Elizabeth repeated her words, "Thank all of you."