Witnessing the actions of the World-Devouring Disaster, everyone realized they'd probably survived this particular crisis.
Azrael, upon hearing its words, didn't respond. He simply gazed silently at the crimson figure hovering before them.
The young man didn't believe conversation with such an entity would yield anything useful.
The World-Devouring Disaster seemed unconcerned by his silence.
It gave Azrael a penetrating look, then its voice echoed across the battlefield. "It was ultimately my negligence."
"Otherwise, He wouldn't have been able to achieve this."
"Isn't that right?"
"My kind."
Silence descended upon the field.
King George VII and Apache were stunned, unable to comprehend the crimson figure's words.
Louis XXIV glanced thoughtfully at Azrael, as if he'd guessed something, then a slight smile curved his lips.
Azrael, the main subject of this revelation, frowned and couldn't help thinking, Tsk. That thing did it on purpose.
If possible, Azrael didn't want to reveal his identity as a remnant of the world consciousness before reaching the Sovereign level. After all, he suspected that breaking through to the higher tiers was somehow related to this secret.
Wasn't it for this very reason that Edley had previously watched the Four Evil Gods invade without intervening?
If others knew he was a remnant of the world consciousness, who knew what consequences might follow.
And that damned Disaster...
Although deeply upset, Azrael maintained his composure.
He glanced at the French Emperor, who stood motionless beside him, then said expressionlessly, "I don't understand what you're talking about."
Hearing this, the World-Devouring Disaster laughed, then shook its head slightly.
"We'll meet again."
As soon as it finished speaking, before anyone present could react, the black and crimson figure dissipated into thin air.
A moment later, King George VII's voice, dreamlike and disbelieving, echoed across the field. "Gone?"
He felt as if he were dreaming. Great Britain had actually been saved.
Honestly, His Majesty had already prepared himself for enslavement. After all, Louis XXIV had just defeated him soundly. His willingness to agree to Azrael's request had simply been a desperate attempt to salvage the situation.
Who could have imagined that a young Master-level Lore Cardian could actually accomplish what seemed impossible?
Azrael, suppressing his heavy thoughts, let out a long sigh. "It's over. It's gone."
Today's events had undoubtedly exceeded his expectations. He hadn't anticipated suddenly confronting the mastermind behind the destruction of his homeland.
Or perhaps, according to Earth's World Consciousness, 'Azrael' himself had died at the hands of that very entity.
Fortunately, it hadn't appeared in person this time. Otherwise, he would have perished here.
Thinking of this, Azrael couldn't help sighing inwardly. The situation is getting worse and worse.
It was no wonder he felt pessimistic. After all, Earth's World Consciousness hadn't appeared until the very end, and what that meant was self-evident.
Fortunately, the World-Devouring Disaster apparently couldn't recklessly descend through a Master-level demon. After all, if it could, Earth would have been shattered long ago.
Azrael also knew that the seven-hued dragon that had facilitated its arrival was different from other demons, it had previously devoured a world consciousness.
Such beings must be extremely rare. Perhaps even unique.
I'll ask Earth's world consciousness after this is over.
As Azrael strategized, a faint smile crossed Louis XXIV's handsome face, and he said gently to George VII, "Congratulations. You no longer have to be a homeless dog."
The Near-God's words were harsh, but George VII didn't take them seriously.
The relationship between Great Britain and the nations of Europa was exactly like this, you disgust me, I disgust you. It was actually George VII's previous surprise that France had been willing to set aside an area to resettle Britain's people.
After casually irritating George VII, Louis XXIV looked at Azrael seriously. "Lord Azrael, after this is over, I hope you can come to France."
"Don't worry. I'm not Edley."
Apache's face darkened at this, but he didn't dare object.
Azrael could roughly guess the French Emperor's intentions.
After a moment's thought, he neither agreed nor refused. He simply said calmly, "I need some time to consider. Your Majesty, I hope you'll understand."
"Then I'll await your good news, Lord Azrael."
Louis XXIV smiled faintly and vanished.
George VII breathed a sigh of relief at the French Emperor's departure. He'd truly feared the man would refuse to leave.
But then, catching sight of the glorious tower still standing tall in the distance, his heart ached.
Great Britain was undoubtedly about to suffer heavy losses.
First, there were the twenty Master-level materials promised to Azrael and Apache before the World-Devouring Disaster appeared. Then, there was the "any conditions" George VII had recently agreed to for Azrael. Finally, there was the gift of gratitude to Louis XXIV for his assistance.
Although Louis XXIV hadn't demanded payment from Great Britain, George VII understood basic etiquette.
All of this, taken together, was a significant blow to Great Britain.
I wonder how long it will take to recover.
Pondering this, George VII turned to Azrael and asked, "What reward would you like? So I can have my people prepare in advance."
Azrael paused, then shook his head. "I haven't decided yet. I'll tell you later."
Actually, Azrael had already made a decision, but with so many people present, he felt it was inconvenient to reveal it. He'd inform George VII later.
However, upon hearing Azrael's words, George VII's heart sank. He suspected the young man was preparing to ask for something outrageous.
But there was no way around it, since he'd said anything was acceptable.
Of course, George VII could have chosen to renege on his word, but the problem was that he couldn't defeat Azrael.
Therefore, after a moment's silence, the King of Great Britain reluctantly said, "Then, Lord Azrael, please tell me when you've made up your mind."
He then looked toward the distant pillar of light and said, "By the way, now that this is over, Lord Azrael, please put away this tower."
After a brief silence, King George VII stiffly turned to look at Azrael, who remained motionless.
With a hint of foreboding, he called out again, "Lord Azrael?"
Only then did Azrael slowly speak. "This tower is a one-time ability. Once used, it cannot be retracted."
"And even if it could be retracted, I wouldn't do it."
Upon hearing this, King George VII froze, thinking Azrael was trying to threaten him.
Before he could even ask, Azrael explained, "A large portion of Great Britain has become a secret realm. It's only been preserved in its former state thanks to my card's abilities."
The Pillar of Light released by Artoria merely halted the erosion of the World-Devouring Disaster, pinning Great Britain to Earth, but it did nothing to reverse Great Britain's transformation into a secret realm.
Therefore, even though the World-Devouring Disaster had departed, without the tower, Great Britain would remain a secret realm.
Azrael had no idea whether it would be expelled from Earth or face some other fate.
After all, nothing like this had ever happened on Earth before.
King George VII was dubious about Azrael's explanation.
If anything, the King of Great Britain certainly didn't want such a wonder, created by a Lore Cardian from another country, standing in his own land.
It would threaten the British royal family's rule in every conceivable way.
Furthermore, the wonder was created by a card named King Arthur.
But if Azrael truly couldn't retrieve it, King George VII would have no choice but to accept it.
He sighed and said in a complicated tone, "Thank you for your hard work today, Lord Azrael. I'll deal with the aftermath and then we'll discuss the rest of the matter."
Azrael could roughly guess what King George VII was thinking, but honestly, whether he believed it or not was of little concern. After all, the king had no choice.
It was a good thing the young man hadn't asked him to kowtow twice.
Although if just two kowtows were enough to settle the debt, King George VII would most likely agree.
Meanwhile, Apache, who had remained silent since the appearance of the World-Devouring Disaster, now had a gloomy expression.
This Master-level Lore Cardian from the Indo-American Federation had never expected things to unfold this way.
The appearance of the mastermind, the arrival of Louis XXIV, and Azrael's intervention to resolve the crisis, every step had been beyond Apache's expectations.
We can't let him continue to improve, or Sakaga's life will be in danger.
And what they just said...
Recalling the conversation between the mastermind and the young man beside him, Apache's eyes flickered. He keenly sensed that something was definitely amiss.
As if sensing Apache's ill intentions, Azrael glanced at him and said to King George VII, "Come find me here when this is over."
"I'll be staying here for the next few days."
He gestured toward the distant tower.
After Artoria had pinned him to Great Britain's soil, Azrael no longer needed Great Britain's shelter.
George VII nodded slightly. "Then I'll trouble you, Lord Azrael, to wait patiently for a few days."
With that, he and Apache disappeared from Azrael's sight.
After watching them leave, Azrael turned and walked toward the tower.
Entering it, he arrived at a vast platform. The most striking feature was the throne in the center, and the serene blonde king atop it.
"How's it going?"
Azrael asked casually, then summoned his Shadowkhans to prepare dinner.
The Shadow Kingdom always had a vast supply of provisions, so even if Azrael were stranded on a deserted island, he could still live comfortably.
As wisps of smoke rose and the aroma of food filled the air, Artoria sniffed. Her expression softened at first, then became serious again. "Without my blessing, this Pillar of Light will be greatly diminished."
"So I'll need to guard it from now on."
Hearing this, Azrael was stunned. "Is there such a thing?"
He'd been about to say it would be difficult to maintain Artoria's presence across half the planet, but he stopped himself.
After a moment's consideration, he nodded and agreed. "Okay."
In Azrael's perception, the Pillar of Light he stood upon had become an anchor point.
In simple terms, if Azrael was a signal base station, then the Pillar of Light was a secondary signal base station. From now on, he could summon cards with the Pillar of Light as the center.
Furthermore, no matter where he was on the planet, he could instantly reach this Pillar of Light.
If King George VII knew this, he wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully. But of course, Azrael wouldn't tell him.
Without Artoria by his side, Azrael's combat effectiveness would decline significantly. Fortunately, after receiving his reward from Britain, he should be able to craft new Master-level cards.
Meanwhile, the Shadowkhan had already prepared dinner.
Seeing this, Azrael released all of his remaining cards.
Now that things had come to this, they might as well eat first.
Three days later.
Britain had gradually stabilized the effects of the secret realm transformation, but only if one ignored the veins of golden light that flickered across the land like breath.
Leon and Charlotte stood before the towering Pillar of Light, swallowing subconsciously.
They hadn't previously felt it, but now, standing before it, they could truly grasp its power.
A moment later, Charlotte spoke first. "Let's go see His Majesty Azrael."
With that, she entered the tower.
Leon stared at his sister's back, feeling confused.
His Royal Highness was unsure why King George VII had sent Charlotte along, considering he and Azrael were more familiar.
Confused, Leon followed Charlotte into the tower.
The next moment, they found themselves on a vast platform.
Spotting Azrael playing video games not far away, Leon and Charlotte hurried forward, bowing slightly and calling out in unison, "Your Majesty Azrael."
Azrael paused, then turned and asked, "Is everything settled?"
Leon was about to speak when Charlotte spoke first. "Yes. His Majesty sent me to invite you to the Royal City."
Leon's teeth nearly ground together, and he cursed inwardly. Bitch!
He'd sensed something was amiss since suppressing the secret realm a few days ago, and today's events had undoubtedly confirmed his suspicions.
Leon was now like an ant on a hot pan, frantic, but at a loss for what to do.
Azrael, however, didn't care what his old acquaintance thought. He simply said, "I understand. Let's go."
He then stood up and prepared to see the price offered by King George VII.