The aftermath of the battle between Azrael and Crowley continued to reverberate throughout the Empire like ripples from a stone cast into still waters. For Azrael, one of the primary participants, the subsequent events remained connected to him, though it was clear that public attention had shifted decisively toward the Mizuno family's disgrace. He had become almost peripheral to the scandal that now consumed political circles.
Not that Azrael minded this development in the slightest. He was perfectly content to retreat from the spotlight and allow others to deal with the consequences.
His peaceful meditation was interrupted by the familiar presence of a Shadowkhan materializing beside him, the spectral warrior respectfully holding his mobile device with military precision.
[Fredrika: Azrael, are you free today? If you are available, please visit me.]
Azrael's eyes opened as he read the message, and he couldn't suppress a slight frown. Seeing Fredrika's name on his phone always filled him with a subtle sense of unease, though he couldn't quite articulate why her communications made him feel so cold.
After a moment's consideration, he typed back a brief response.
[Azrael: I'll be there shortly.]
Meanwhile, at the Velvet Springhouse, Fredrika's stunning features couldn't entirely mask the exhaustion weighing heavily upon her shoulders. The events of the past few days had caught her completely off guard, forcing her to navigate political currents she'd never anticipated.
President Jin's orders had been crystal clear: elevate Azrael's authority to the absolute highest level within the organization. This meant that despite his Silver-level status as a Lore Cardian, he now ranked second only to Jin himself within the Crimson Oath Society's hierarchy.
The implications were staggering, and Fredrika was still processing what this promotion meant for the organization's future.
Not long after sending her message, shadows began spreading across her office floor like spilled ink. A familiar figure emerged from the darkness with practiced ease, his presence commanding immediate attention.
"What did you want to discuss?" Azrael asked without preamble, already swiping through his phone to respond to the flood of congratulatory messages that had been pouring in since his victory.
The battle's impact had been far-reaching indeed. Even former classmates from Silverbrook High School had sent him messages, their words carrying mixtures of amazement and barely concealed envy.
"Sir, this time I need to discuss something of paramount importance," Fredrika's melodious voice carried across the office, though her tone suggested serious business rather than casual conversation.
Azrael's fingers paused over his phone screen as he looked up at Fredrika, noting how carefully she'd dressed for this meeting. Suspicion colored his expression as he studied her calculated appearance. "If you have something to say, just say it directly. This game of yours is getting tiresome."
Fredrika's carefully posed figure froze for a moment before she adopted an expression of wounded innocence that would have fooled most observers. "Sir, do you truly hate me so much?" she asked, her voice trembling with manufactured emotion.
Azrael couldn't decipher what this woman was attempting to accomplish with her theatrical performance. "Enough," he said curtly, gesturing for his Shadowkhan to prepare for departure.
Panic flashed across Fredrika's features as she realized he was genuinely preparing to leave. "No, wait! I'll explain everything immediately!"
"The President has elevated your authority to the maximum level possible."
Azrael stopped in his tracks, genuine surprise registering on his features. "What exactly does that mean?"
Seeing that she'd successfully captured his attention, Fredrika couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, though her hand unconsciously moved to her chest in a nervous gesture. "You should have encountered Master Memphis, or perhaps other high-ranking members of our organization?"
"Master Memphis."
Azrael repeated the name silently, immediately recalling the suited man who had essentially forced him into joining the Crimson Oath Society through a combination of threats and incentives. The individual who had identified himself as Memphis during their first encounter.
If anyone within the Crimson Oath Society could be described as "Master Memphis," it could only be that particular operative.
After a moment's contemplation, Azrael responded carefully. "I've met him. What's the significance?"
Before Fredrika could elaborate, understanding dawned in Azrael's mind like lightning illuminating a dark landscape. "Are you telling me I've achieved equivalent rank to him?"
Seeing that Azrael had grasped the implications, Fredrika's smile transformed into something resembling a loyal dog eager for approval. "Precisely, you are now Master Azrael within our organizational structure."
A cascade of question marks seemed to materialize above Azrael's head as confusion overwhelmed his thoughts.
What the hell just happened here? he wondered with growing bewilderment. I was originally planning to extract some modest benefits from this arrangement. How did I suddenly become a high-ranking member of the Crimson Oath Society?
The situation felt surreal beyond comprehension. After all, the Crimson Oath Society wasn't some random criminal organization operating in the shadows. From any objective governmental perspective, they represented the primary internal threat to imperial stability.
However, Azrael possessed enough self-control to conceal his emotional turmoil behind a mask of casual indifference. "Is that all? I thought you were going to discuss something more significant."
Observing that Azrael seemed unaware of the practical implications of his new authority, Fredrika felt compelled to elaborate. "Sir, due to the President's contractual magic, you can now sense the existence of binding contracts affecting other individuals."
"Additionally, you possess command authority over any member whose rank falls below your own."
This revelation sparked genuine curiosity in Azrael's expression. "Including you?"
Fredrika's response came with visible reluctance. "Yes... including me."
"Then bark like a dog for me."
"Woof!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Fredrika barked obediently before immediately covering her mouth with both hands, her face flushing crimson with embarrassment and shock.
Azrael stared at the scene with amazement. He genuinely hadn't expected such a crude test to actually work. The power of Jin's contractual magic was apparently far more comprehensive than he'd realized.
Of course, Azrael understood that such authority couldn't be unlimited in scope. If he issued an order for Crimson Oath Society members to commit suicide, Jin would probably appear at his doorstep within minutes to have a very unpleasant conversation.
Still, having acquired such influence without any real effort on his part, Azrael felt comfortable accepting these benefits with a clear conscience.
Fredrika's blush deepened as she attempted to move past the previous embarrassing episode. "Master, I asked you to come here to inform you that your undercover mission remains active, so your true identity within our organization will not be revealed for the time being."
Azrael nodded slightly to indicate his understanding. While he acknowledged that Jin's contractual magic was indeed formidable, he remained uncertain whether exotic cards might exist that could bypass such restrictions to uncover his real identity.
Therefore, maintaining secrecy regarding his elevated status seemed like elementary operational security.
"Is there anything else?" Azrael asked, noting that Fredrika appeared to have additional matters to discuss.
Fredrika hurriedly retrieved an envelope from her desk drawer. "Master, this contains a stipend provided by the President in recognition of your new position."
Azrael felt initial surprise followed by pleasant satisfaction. He hadn't expected additional material benefits to accompany his promotion.
Opening the envelope, he discovered three familiar-looking materials nestled inside.
Silver-level [Demon Hunter] (Purple), Silver-level [Resurrection Blood] (Gold), Silver-level [Power Demon] (Gold).
Shaking the envelope thoughtfully, Azrael fixed Fredrika with a pointed look. "Why do these materials seem identical to ones I've received before?"
An awkward smile crossed Fredrika's features. "The organization's resource base isn't particularly extensive, Master. Please accept our limitations."
Azrael shook his head with wry amusement. While he'd understood that the Crimson Oath Society couldn't match the wealth of the Cardian Master Association or the Imperial Court, he hadn't expected his "promotion bonus" to be a carbon copy of previous rewards.
However, since his mental energy hadn't expanded sufficiently to accommodate another card recently, he could potentially use these materials to upgrade Shinobu's capabilities. The cards he'd been using during Crimson Oath Society missions were becoming increasingly inadequate for his advancing power level.
If the organization assigned him to more demanding operations in the future, his current arsenal would prove insufficient for the challenges ahead.
Originally, he'd planned to create an equipment card for Artoria, since she essentially became useless after firing her devastating light cannon attack. But with free materials now available, such projects could be postponed.
Handing the envelope to his Shadowkhan attendant, Azrael addressed Fredrika with finality. "I'll be leaving now. Contact me if anything important develops."
Fredrika, who typically projected an aura of untouchable seduction in front of outsiders, lowered her proud head in respectful submission. "Master, please take care."
Azrael waved dismissively and departed her office under the protection of his spectral escort.
As soon as Azrael left, Fredrika collapsed into her executive chair with visible relief, her heart still racing from the encounter. Due to the hierarchical authority structure, she would have been powerless to resist anything Azrael might have chosen to do to her during their meeting.
Fortunately, this Sixth Master didn't seem inclined toward such inappropriate behavior.
Azrael remained unaware of Fredrika's internal anxieties, though if he had known, he would have found her concerns rather contradictory. There seemed to be a disconnect between her provocative presentation and her genuine thoughts about potential consequences.
Even if he had been aware of such concerns, Azrael possessed no interest in exploring them further. After all, he wasn't some predatory individual seeking to exploit power imbalances for personal gratification.
The tragic narrative of a gambling father, sick mother, younger brother in school, and a woman broken by circumstances, he'd heard variations of that story far too many times to find it compelling or arousing. Real human suffering held no appeal for him whatsoever.
As his Shadowkhan carried him through the realm of shadows back toward his residence, Azrael reflected on the unexpected turn his relationship with the Crimson Oath Society had taken. What had begun as a reluctant association born of necessity had somehow transformed into a position of genuine authority within their hierarchy.
The irony wasn't lost on him that he'd essentially become a leader among the very forces working to undermine the empire he was supposedly loyal to through his connection to Master Lucian and the Cardian Master Association.
Politics in this world are more complex than I initially realized, he mused as familiar surroundings materialized around him. But as long as I can continue advancing my own power and protecting those I care about, these temporary contradictions are manageable.
The materials in his possession offered new possibilities for strengthening his capabilities, and his elevated position within the Crimson Oath Society would provide access to resources and information that could prove invaluable in the challenges ahead.
For now, he would continue playing all sides while pursuing his ultimate goal: becoming powerful enough that such political maneuvering would become irrelevant to his security and freedom.
After all, when one possessed sufficient personal strength, the schemes of organizations and governments became merely entertaining background noise rather than existential threats.
The game was becoming more interesting by the day, and Azrael intended to emerge victorious regardless of which faction ultimately claimed dominance over the empire's future.