When Edley offered his reward, Azrael naturally chose the Sovereign-tier material.
Currently, he only had two cards eligible for advancement to Master tier: Shiraori and Flame Blade Rekka.
However, due to Shiraori's [Goddess System] trait, she required only a single material to reach Sovereign tier.
Crucially, Shiraori's material requirements were remarkably flexible.
[God·Shiraori]:
Energy: 0
Current Status: Uncraftable. (0/1)
Any material containing the 'energy' property would suffice, meaning Azrael only needed to locate a few Master-tier materials with this property to complete the advancement.
Therefore, he ultimately selected one material for Flame Blade Rekka.
Sovereign-tier [Ebony] (Red).
"That leaves Flame Blade Rekka two materials short." Azrael's fingers drummed thoughtfully against the desk. "But Shiraori's bond deck needs to be assembled first."
Of course, he understood that merely two Sovereign-tier cards wouldn't provide adequate security. He'd also considered advancing cards like Saitama and the Abandoned Emperor.
But ultimately, his decision hinged on the materials available within the Empire of Aetherlight.
With this in mind, he exhaled slowly and transmitted his chosen materials to Edley.
Within moments, a top-tier material materialized from thin air before him.
Azrael's lips curled slightly at the display. "Warning me?"
Edley's theatrical delivery was undoubtedly a warning, a reminder not to shirk his obligations.
But Azrael wasn't one to be intimidated. He simply stored the materials with an expressionless face, then shared his conversation with Edley to Lucian and the others.
Naturally, Lucian and the others already knew Azrael and Edley had struck some arrangement. After all, the Skinner, who'd been taken away by Edley, had inexplicably reappeared in the Empire's custody.
After learning the complete story, Lucian frowned. "Azrael, do you need our assistance?"
"Teacher, just keep watch. A mere Apache isn't a serious threat."
Azrael had already formulated plans for the upcoming battle.
He'd witnessed Apache's capabilities firsthand. The only troublesome element was the [Annihilator Carrier Storm Tlaloc].
But for Azrael, who'd recently undergone significant power enhancements, this posed no real challenge.
The only person requiring genuine caution was, naturally, Edley himself.
That's right, Azrael refused to lower his guard simply because they'd reached an agreement.
Seeing this resolve, Lucian and the other two exchanged glances without further comment.
Time swiftly arrived at the day Azrael and Edley had arranged.
At this moment, Apache was conversing with another brown-skinned elderly woman. "Grandma Zia, I must trouble you again this time."
The elderly woman called 'Grandma Zia' sighed heavily. "I watched little Sakaga grow up. Now that something like this has happened, I certainly won't stand idly by."
"Tell me about this Azrael."
Hearing this, Apache shared Azrael's intelligence. "That kid's strength is genuinely terrifying, but his strongest card should be in Great Britain currently. He only has two cards with him."
"Two cards?" Grandma Zia frowned in confusion. "Do we really need two Master-tier Lore Cardians to encircle and suppress him?"
Apache, keenly aware of Azrael's devastating power, nodded immediately. "The quality of that kid's cards is exceptionally high. According to my assessment, they should all be multicolored."
"What a shame about Lord Edley!"
Apache was about to continue when Grandma Zia angrily interrupted. "Forget him! Since he wants unification, then everyone should be treated equally!"
The Radical faction within the Indo-American Federation originally had three Master-tier Lore Cardians: Skinner, Apache, and Grandma Zia.
The Conservative faction, conversely, had only two.
Logically, the Radical faction should have wielded greater influence within the Federation. Unfortunately, the Conservative faction had produced a Sovereign-tier Lore Cardian like Edley.
The problem was his insistence on abolishing factional divisions and unifying the entire Federation.
'Who exactly are the Conservatives? And do you really think we old-timers have forgotten what happened?'
Grandma Zia felt speechless at the thought.
As they conversed, they arrived at the location Edley had indicated.
Gazing at the boundless ocean before her, Grandma Zia frowned slightly. "Apache, are you certain this is the place?"
"Why isn't anyone here?"
She sensed that this stretch of sea was completely deserted, save for a few passing fish.
Apache had evidently noticed this as well. He scratched his head uncertainly. "It should be correct."
Boom!
Before Apache could finish his sentence, a dull thud echoed from the sky, followed by immense pressure that suddenly descended upon the sea.
The azure waters instantly surged outward from Apache and Grandma Zia's position.
The terrifying pressure distorted their faces, rendering them unable to speak complete sentences.
However, as Master-tier Lore Cardians, Apache and Grandma Zia weren't so easily defeated.
They instantly realized they'd been ambushed.
The question arose: how did the enemy know their route?
A terrifying hypothesis suddenly surfaced in their minds, but rational thought proved impossible under such pressure.
Survival took priority.
As Apache and Grandma Zia's cards manifested on the field, the pressure on them gradually eased.
Yet even now, they still couldn't identify the enemy's location.
The stalemate persisted until a piercing whistle from the sky shattered the impasse.
Apache and Grandma Zia looked skyward and witnessed a massive meteorite hurtling toward them at tremendous speed.
Due to its immense velocity, atmospheric friction ignited the meteorite, causing it to gleam with crimson light.
But this devastating sight, which to ordinary people seemed apocalyptic, only elicited a scoff from Apache. "A mere trifle!"
His words had barely escaped when a beam of azure light shot from the sea into the sky, detonating the meteorite.
Boom!
The crimson meteorite shattered into fragments, raining down in all directions.
Witnessing this, Apache shook his head disdainfully, about to taunt the attackers concealed in the shadows.
But then,
With a piercing cry, a lightning bolt suddenly pierced the sea surface, hurtling toward Apache's position.
Simultaneously, a massive golden fox emerged from the water beside Grandma Zia and delivered a devastating blow.
"Azrael!!" A furious roar echoed across the sea. Apache, recognizing the attacker, shouted, "Come out and face me!"
However, the only response came in the form of lightning bolts fired from Sasuke's Tailed Beast Susanoo.
Vast expanses of seawater evaporated. Only when he confronted Azrael directly did Apache truly comprehend his power.
Fortunately, he wasn't alone.
With this thought, he turned toward Grandma Zia standing nearby, only to see the white-haired elderly woman being assaulted by the massive fox.
But it didn't matter. As long as he could hold off one card, Apache felt confident he could still personally avenge his sister. After all, Azrael only had one remaining card.
Wait.
The Indo-American Federation's Master-tier Lore Cardian suddenly sensed something amiss.
He abruptly looked skyward again, only to see a petite, green-haired girl glaring coldly at him, arms folded across her chest.
Before Apache could react, an invisible pressure, even stronger than before, descended from the heavens.
In a split second, Apache and his cards were crushed against the seafloor. The massive mothership collided with the seabed, sending up clouds of dust.
"Damn it!"
Apache finally couldn't restrain himself from uttering an Indo-American curse.
Even though he'd prepared himself mentally, he still found reality difficult to accept.
'How can we all be Lore Cardians, yet your card creation speed is so rapid, and your cards are so ridiculously powerful?!'
Of course, what terrified Apache most was how Azrael knew he and Grandma Zia were here.
"I've already made the deal to eliminate Azrael."
Edley's words flashed through his mind, sending chills through his veins.
Before Apache could process this revelation, Tornado, using her esper powers, dragged the carrier back and forth across the seabed.
The disturbance resembled Nezha's legendary rampage, sending surging waves across the waters.
Coupled with Sasuke's occasional lightning strikes, Apache rapidly fell into a disadvantage.
His expression darkened, realizing this situation was unsustainable.
At this juncture, Apache understood he couldn't possibly match Azrael if the battle continued, so he swiftly reached a decision.
Escape!
As long as there was life, there was hope.
As long as he could escape to the Indo-American Federation, the Empire wouldn't dare pursue him.
With this plan, Apache immediately commanded the [Annihilator Carrier Storm Tlaloc] to rise against the aerial pressure, attempting to escape with Grandma Zia.
However, just as he surfaced, a mocking voice suddenly rang out in his ears.
"Don't you want to avenge your sister?"
It was Azrael. He certainly wouldn't stand idle and watch Apache escape.
As expected, Apache erupted in rage. "Azrael!!"
"You deserve to die!"
The scene made Azrael feel momentarily villainous, but he didn't mind.
At his signal, Tornado employed stronger esper abilities to shape the surrounding water into a giant sphere.
Observing the trapped Apache, Azrael stated indifferently, "Don't worry, your sister will soon be there to accompany you."
With that, he drew the blade from his belt.
"Fire Blade! Baki. Boki. Born! Gaki. Goki. Born! Primitive Dragon!"
As passionate music played, Azrael was instantly enveloped in blue and black armor.
At that moment, Apache sensed the terrifying aura emanating from Azrael and gaped in disbelief.
His pupils constricted as he stared at the figure in the sky, suddenly realizing something.
The Empire's Lore Cardian before him wasn't wielding three Master-tier cards, but four.
"How is that possible? How is that possible?!"
Apache couldn't help questioning reality itself.
Just as despair threatened to consume him, a voice suddenly rang out beside him.
"Ah..."
"You're so useless, Apache."
Apache's expression froze momentarily, but then ecstasy washed over his face.
He recognized the person's identity.
"Edley, "
He began to call out, only to feel sharp pain lance through his chest.
Apache lowered his head in bewilderment, staring at the mechanical arm clutching his heart. He uttered the last two words in disbelief.
"Sir?"
Bang,
His heart was crushed. He was dead.
The Master-tier Lore Cardian of the Indo-American Federation had never imagined he would die at the hands of the man he'd always revered, Lord Edley.
Witnessing this scene, Grandma Zia's face cycled through several expressions before finally roaring in rage. "Edley, you, !"
"Stop bothering me, old woman! If it weren't for you people, I would have succeeded in reunification long ago." Edley interrupted coldly. "Forget it. Go down and join him."
Grandma Zia's face suddenly changed, but before she could protest, she followed Apache's fate.
Azrael stood frozen by the sudden turn of events.
He was genuinely puzzled by Edley's abrupt action, considering their agreement stipulated that he would eliminate Apache.
Despite the presence of the elderly woman, Azrael hadn't felt he was losing.
He glanced at the two corpses that had already fallen into the sea, then calmly inquired, "Mr. Edley, are you that impatient?"
"I saw you seemed to be struggling, so I'd help accelerate things a bit." Edley shrugged casually. "By the way, there's one more matter I need your assistance with, Mr. Azrael."
Azrael naturally wouldn't agree rashly, and caution rose in his heart. "Speak first."
"That would be, "
Edley deliberately drew out his words, attempting to capture Azrael's attention.
"Mr. Azrael, please lend me your head."
The next moment,
Ding!
A crisp sound of clashing metal rang out. Azrael tightly grasped Flame Blade Rekka, firmly blocking the mechanical arm that had appeared behind him.
Azrael wasn't surprised by Edley's sudden attack; rather, he'd been prepared for precisely this.
The young man's expression, hidden beneath the mask, gradually turned cold, and his tone became rigid:
"Mr. Edley doesn't think I'm as foolish as Apache."
As soon as he finished speaking, he exerted strength to deflect the mechanical arm.
Witnessing his sneak attack blocked, Edley remained unconcerned. "What a pity."
"But if you think you can survive like this..."
"Then you underestimate me."