After Artoria reached Emerald rank, her Wonder Ride Book quietly upgraded to the [Knight King Fantasy Ride Book].
Consequently, Azrael's pirated Dragon Arthur form received a significant power boost.
"King Slash!"
As stirring music filled the battlefield, he instantly slashed his flaming sword toward Marve.
The red and blue sword energy collided violently with the silver-white blade wave.
Crack!
The ground at their intersection tore apart instantly, sending debris flying in all directions.
Seeing this, Azrael calmly shifted positions with Artoria. He hadn't expected to completely block Marve's desperate final attack, but buying a little time would be sufficient.
The two sword energies clashed for several heartbeats. Ultimately, Marve's Star Release: Sword Tomb technique prevailed, a last-ditch effort at the brink of death.
Azrael watched as the silver-white sword energy cleaved through his own attack, then continued forward, cutting through everything in its path before vanishing into the distance.
"You win..." a barely perceptible voice drifted on the wind.
Azrael turned and saw that Marve's body had been split vertically down the middle from below the neck. Unlike a clean separation, the swordsman's form had been bisected lengthwise.
Clearly, that final attack had caused irreversible damage to his own body.
Marve opened his mouth as if to speak, but his body wouldn't allow it. His eyes gradually dimmed until they were completely lifeless.
Thud.
The mangled corpse collapsed onto the devastated ground, sending up a cloud of dust.
Without a doubt, the swordsman had been the most powerful demon of his rank that Azrael had encountered since reaching Emerald level.
Even after replacing Unohana Retsu, Marve could still pose a significant threat.
After collecting the material [Star Release: Evolution Sword] (Red) that Marve dropped, Azrael and the blonde girl hurried toward Ulquiorra's location.
Since he hadn't ended his battle immediately, Ulquiorra had already dispatched Kaela moments earlier.
That made sense. After all, she'd sustained significant injuries in the previous battle, and being pursued by Ulquiorra, whose normal combat power surpassed even Artoria's, had left her with no chance of survival.
When Azrael arrived, he saw Ulquiorra standing with his characteristically stoic expression beside a mangled corpse lying on the ground.
"Thank you for your work," he casually thanked his card, then bent over to pick up the materials Kaela had dropped.
Emerald-level [Magic Path: Hundred Aspects Saint] (Red).
"Not bad. Not to mention the points for completing the mission, I've already collected two reds and one gold in materials alone."
After securing the materials, he turned and headed back the way he'd come.
I wonder how Pierre is doing, Azrael thought, quickening his pace.
It wasn't long before he spotted Pierre standing there, looking bored as he waited.
"Pierre, is it resolved?"
Hearing Azrael's question, Pierre nodded at first, then shook his head. "One escaped, but never mind. It was just an Emerald-level demon. The Lore Cardians of Ande City should be able to handle it."
After explaining his situation, he immediately asked, "How about you?"
"I've resolved everything on my end."
Pierre couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.
He knew the demons Azrael faced were stronger. He'd initially thought the young man's pursuit would let them escape, but he hadn't expected complete annihilation.
However, after spending so much time together, Pierre's shock faded quickly. He could only say he'd become somewhat numb to Azrael's capabilities.
"That's good."
The two then packed up and headed for the secret realm's entrance.
Soon, a massive spatial rift appeared before their eyes.
However, as they approached the entrance, Azrael frowned slightly. "Hmm?"
In his perception, the Ande City Cardian Master Association members had vanished, replaced by a group of Lore Cardians he'd never sensed before.
"What's going on?" Pierre also noticed something amiss, muttering somewhat bewilderedly. "Aren't these Imperial Court Lore Cardians?"
Apparently, Pierre had been with the mobile unit longer than Azrael and recognized the identity of the Lore Cardians now stationed at the secret realm's entrance.
Despite some confusion, the two slowly approached the stationed Lore Cardians.
Soon, a familiar figure emerged from the ranks. "Lord Azrael, Lord Pierre."
"You're back. Is the matter resolved?"
It was Carion.
Azrael nodded slightly, then gestured to the surrounding unfamiliar Lore Cardians and whispered, "What's going on?"
Carion's face showed a hint of indignation. "You asked if you could help share some of the pressure for us?"
"Well, after they saw our battle was going well, they couldn't help but jump out to take advantage of the situation."
"Where were they before?"
This explanation partially cleared up Azrael's confusion, but he still felt something was off.
After all, if the Imperial Court's Lore Cardians wanted to reap the benefits, they could have jumped out earlier, right after Azrael had dealt with the demons at the secret realm's entrance. By then, the risk wouldn't have been significant.
There was no need to forcibly seize control after the Association's Lore Cardians had already secured the area.
Although many thoughts ran through his mind, Azrael ultimately kept quiet.
He'd already decided to ask Memphis about the dirty politics between the Crimson Oath Society and the Imperial Court after this mission.
If Memphis didn't know, he'd ask Jin. After the previous intelligence gathering incident, the old man's trust in him had apparently increased significantly.
Of course, he still needed to find a good excuse.
After briefly explaining the current situation within the secret realm to Carion, Azrael and Pierre prepared to return to the Qilu Cardian Master Association headquarters.
However, before leaving the secret realm, Azrael felt as if someone was watching him.
He glanced imperceptibly at the silent Imperial Lore Cardians, then exited the secret realm.
"Come on, buddy, what are you dawdling about?"
Pierre couldn't help but urge Azrael, who appeared lost in thought, from outside the secret realm.
"Yeah, coming."
A few days later, Azrael was slightly stunned as he looked at the points that had arrived in his account. "No wonder Pierre said he was a master at writing reports."
He'd just earned a full 50,000 points, bringing his total to a staggering 173,860.
Pierre had mentioned that missions normally earned 20,000 points. Even if this included clearing two secret realms, they should have only earned 40,000 points.
He'd read the report though, so he could only assume Pierre had watched some Hong Kong action films for inspiration.
This is truly rich now, Azrael thought as he quickly opened the points platform and searched for resources.
"Not bad," he sighed in relief upon seeing the 140,000-point venue resource [Chaos Royal Court] (Red).
He'd been genuinely worried someone would snap up the material while he was away on his mission, as suitable venue materials were rare.
After securing the material he'd been craving, Azrael pulled out his secondary phone and prepared to question Memphis about the Imperial Court.
Since his current residence wasn't arranged by the Qilu Cardian Master Association, he didn't have to worry about anyone spying on his communications.
[Six: Fifth Brother, are we collaborating with the Imperial Court?]
Feeling he'd already figured out Memphis's character, Azrael sent his message directly.
Unknowingly, he'd become Memphis's equal, so he no longer needed to be overly deferential.
However, if Memphis did ask for a reason, he already had one prepared, he'd explain that the Ande City Imperial Court Lore Cardians were acting strangely.
[Five: Yes, why are you asking about that suddenly?]
Seeing this, Azrael immediately sent his prepared excuse.
After a moment, Memphis replied.
[Five: I roughly know what you're referring to.]
[Five: With your current status, it's okay to tell you. You should know that Lioren is currently trapped in that Sovereign-level secret realm in Shudoria, right?]
[Six: Are the two connected?]
Seeing Memphis's message, Azrael felt momentarily bewildered.
[Five: Did you know that the arrival of that secret realm was actually man-made?]
Instantly, Azrael frowned. Man-made?
Though aware he might have uncovered something truly unbelievable, he forced himself to remain calm.
Then, realizing something, he quickly typed a question.
[Six: Did we do it?]
[Five: Yes and no. We provided the technology, but the execution was carried out by those in the Imperial Court.]
[Five: After all, no one wants to see a Sovereign-level Lore Cardian belonging to the Association acting freely without restraint.]
Seeing this, Azrael stood up abruptly, his expression showing a rare loss of composure. To think it could be like this.
He silently digested this shocking revelation.
Memphis, unaware of Azrael's feelings, simply continued.
[Five: A while ago, the Imperial Court contacted us, asking if there was any way to actively summon another Sovereign-level secret realm. They said that Lioren was about to slay the Sovereign-level demon in Shudoria.]
[Five: But for some reason, we haven't been able to contact demons from the outside world lately, so we can't help them.]
[Five: Fortunately, with the information you brought back, the higher-ups' recent research focus has shifted to Australia, so there's no need to worry about Lioren's threat for the time being.]
It seems that the previous intelligence gathering mission has indeed made Jin trust me more. I hadn't heard a single word about this before, Azrael thought.
But Lioren is about to escape...
Perhaps this was why the usually aloof Memphis was willing to speak more openly.
And the Crimson Oath Society can actually contact demons from the outside world?
The young man understood that "outside world" here must refer to secret realms that hadn't yet descended on Earth.
Isn't this human treachery?
He had some theories about why they couldn't contact demons anymore. It might be related to what the world consciousness had previously obtained from Gu Lan.
Of course, he couldn't tell the Crimson Oath Society about this.
Thinking this through, Azrael took the initiative to end the conversation.
[Six: Thank you, Fifth Brother.]
[Five: The greatest reward you can give me is to take care of yourself. You're still useful to the higher-ups.]
The two stopped chatting.
Azrael sat back on the sofa, his face troubled and uncertain.
Why hasn't Teacher come back yet?
After thinking for a moment, Azrael decided that if Lucian didn't return soon, he would confess everything to Tempest and the others.
After the Gu Lan incident, he shouldn't be beaten to death by Tempest with one punch.
Of course, the premise was that he'd drag his brothers and sisters down with him.
Just when Azrael was troubled by the complicated thoughts swirling in his mind, the doorbell suddenly rang.
The materials he'd ordered had arrived.