The ground of Laiyang Village Three was now littered with charred demonic corpses, their twisted forms still smoldering in the aftermath of battle. The once-pristine residential complex had become a crater-riddled wasteland, its smooth pavement now resembling the surface of a war-torn battlefield.
Several dilapidated residential buildings had long since collapsed into the earth, their concrete foundations cracked and shattered by the overwhelming force of the confrontation that had just concluded.
Azrael and Misaka stood atop the black sand giant, flanked by several silver-level cards that Fubuki had telekinetically launched into strategic positions around them. The electromagnetic field around Misaka crackled with residual energy, her brown hair still sparking with occasional electric discharges from her recent electromagnetic manipulation.
"This wave should be repelled," Azrael sighed softly, his gold-level mental power sweeping through the ruins alongside Misaka's electromagnetic waves. The combined force of their abilities created a thorough scan of the devastated area, searching for any remaining demonic presence.
As he finished speaking, the massive black sand giant instantly disintegrated, its particles scattering to the wind. Azrael landed steadily beside Diesel, who stood on the scarred ground with visible exhaustion etched across his weathered features.
Diesel's face was drawn with fatigue. To quickly recover his mental strength, he had already recalled all his summoned cards, their energy flowing back into his reserves. After all, not everyone possessed Azrael's seemingly inexhaustible stamina and mana capacity.
Of course, there was also the fact that Azrael could only maintain one gold-level card at a time, limiting his overall drain. But even if Diesel's cards remained manifested, he wouldn't have been able to discern this limitation. After all, Shiraori couldn't appear to use her identification abilities without revealing Azrael's true capabilities.
"Are you alright, Director Diesel?" A Shadowkhan soldier materialized from the shadows, producing two chairs with practiced efficiency.
Azrael gestured to the middle-aged man not to force himself and to rest wherever comfortable.
Diesel didn't protest and sat down heavily, his usual professional composure giving way to exhaustion.
"President, would you like one?" He pulled out a worn metal cigarette case from his pocket and shook it at Azrael with a weary smile. "I rolled them myself."
Azrael waved his hand politely. "Thank you, but I don't smoke."
The square-faced middle-aged man didn't take offense and extracted a thin cigarette from the case.
Click.
The crisp sound of his lighter rang out, and the cigarette tip flickered as the flame caught the tobacco.
Whoosh.
A long puff of white smoke escaped his lips, and Diesel's tired expression improved marginally as the nicotine worked its way into his system.
After a moment of contemplative silence, he sighed with a mixture of disbelief and concern. "I never thought we could actually repel those demons with just the two of us."
Despite his words, Diesel was fully aware that the young man beside him had been the decisive factor in their recent victory. Without Azrael's overwhelming power, this battle would have ended very differently.
"They'll return again," Azrael shook his head, pouring cold reality over Diesel's momentary relief. "They're just probing our defenses and capabilities right now."
He understood the tactical situation perfectly. The demons in the secret realm, unaware of the true strength present on Earth, had undoubtedly been conducting reconnaissance in force. Instead of encountering minimal resistance as they'd expected, they had run directly into Azrael and Diesel's defensive position.
Facing this unexpected demonic invasion, Azrael had naturally unleashed his full arsenal: Caliburn, Thunderbolt, and Qilin. Such overwhelming magical firepower had dealt catastrophic losses to the demonic forces as they emerged from the secret realm, forcing them into a hasty retreat.
The demons were surely wondering, "We barely stepped through the portal and encountered this level of resistance. Was this an ambush? How much firepower do these humans actually possess?"
But Azrael, with his extensive knowledge of demonic tactics and psychology, knew they wouldn't remain passive for long.
"After regrouping and analyzing what happened here, they'll return with significantly more powerful forces," he continued grimly.
Diesel nodded, understanding the implications. "President Azrael, I've been stationed in Donglai for quite a few years now."
"It was manageable a few years ago," he reflected, taking another drag from his cigarette. "But in the past two years, secret realms have been appearing with increasing frequency and intensity."
"Still, this is the first time we've encountered a secret realm of this particular strength level."
Hearing this, Azrael offered a wry smile. "Think of it this way, at least this secret realm hasn't reached Emerald Level yet."
If an Emerald Level demon had truly breached into their world, all of Donglai would have been placed under martial law by now. Both Azrael and Diesel would have evacuated immediately and called for massive reinforcements. At that level of threat, Azrael would have contacted his most powerful allies without hesitation.
The fact that they could stand here having a casual conversation in the ruins spoke to the relatively manageable nature of this incursion.
"That's certainly true," Diesel agreed, crushing his finished cigarette butt under his boot.
Just then, a Lore Cardian materialized behind them, approaching with respectful urgency.
"President, Director Diesel."
Azrael nodded slightly in acknowledgment. "Have all the civilians been evacuated from the area?"
"Yes, there are no non-combatants remaining in the danger zone, President," the leading Silver-level Lore Cardian reported with professional efficiency.
He silently surveyed his surroundings, his mind struggling to process the scope of destruction. This area had been completely intact when he'd left to assist with evacuations. In such a brief time, it had been transformed into a hellscape of rubble and scorched earth. The devastation extended far beyond Laiyang Village Three, the surrounding districts bore similar scars of magical warfare.
While he possessed the power to cause such destruction, it would have required hours of sustained effort and careful planning.
"Maintain the security cordon until the civil engineering teams arrive," Azrael instructed. "Also, have someone collect all the demonic materials and deliver them to the Association for proper processing and distribution."
"Understood, President."
A sudden demonic invasion couldn't be handled with temporary measures. Specialized Lore Cardians trained in defensive construction would need to establish permanent fortifications around the breach site. The Association's strategic focus would shift to this location, transforming it into a heavily defended outpost.
"I hope the Onefold Doctrine won't choose this moment to cause problems," Azrael thought grimly.
The Crimson Oath Society was under his direct control and wouldn't act without explicit orders. But the Onefold Doctrine was unpredictable and might see this crisis as an opportunity to advance their agenda.
"Or perhaps I should let those fanatics create problems for the Onefold Doctrine instead?" The thought crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it as impractical.
The reason was straightforward, asking the Crimson Oath Society to directly confront the Onefold Doctrine at this critical moment would risk exposing too much of his hidden influence. He'd barely managed to avoid scrutiny so far.
"However, this situation might provide the perfect cover to complete Memphis's mission," he mused, considering the strategic possibilities.
As Azrael pondered the specific implementation details, Godfrey arrived with a contingent of Lore Cardians, their expressions grim and focused.
"Vice President, Director Diesel," Godfrey greeted them with his characteristic stoic demeanor before immediately beginning to assign tactical positions to his forces.
Diesel frowned at the arrival. "Why are you here alone? Where is President Kavach?"
"President Kavach must remain at headquarters to coordinate our overall response," Godfrey replied with professional detachment. "He won't be joining us in the field."
Hearing this explanation, Diesel's eyes flickered with understanding. He glanced surreptitiously at the young man who was casually sipping a drink that Misaka had conjured, remembering his earlier display of overwhelming power.
"Tsk," Diesel muttered under his breath, recognizing the political undercurrents at play.
"President, Director Diesel, Director Godfrey," another Lore Cardian approached with a stack of documents. "The material assessment is complete. Please review."
Azrael examined the collection. The first item caught his attention immediately, a Gold-grade [Prayer Spellcaster] (Green quality). The remaining materials were of similar caliber, with the rest being Silver-grade demon cores and essence fragments.
Azrael wasn't particularly surprised by the modest quality. After all, he hadn't felt genuinely challenged during his battle with the demonic forces. They had been powerful but not extraordinarily so.
"I'll retain these materials for now," he decided. "Do either of you have any objections?"
Diesel and Godfrey shook their heads simultaneously. What could they possibly object to? Setting aside the fact that these demons had been defeated primarily through the combined efforts of Azrael and Diesel, even if Azrael intended to claim everything, they wouldn't dare voice dissent.
But Azrael genuinely didn't covet these particular spoils. If they had been red-quality Gold-grade materials, he might have shown more interest. As it stood, these were adequate but not exceptional.
Azrael casually handed the stack of materials to his Shadowkhan soldier, who immediately melted back into the shadows. Looking toward the massive secret realm portal not far away, its edges still crackling with interdimensional energy, he addressed his colleagues.
"Since Director Godfrey is here to take over field operations, Director Diesel and I should discuss our recent tactical observations."
"The demons in this secret realm appear to be highly organized and coordinated."
Secret realm demons weren't monolithic in their approach. Some were fractured into competing factions that spent as much time fighting each other as they did planning invasions. Others were isolationist, content to remain in their pocket dimensions with no interest in expanding into the real world.
But then there were those like these, unified, disciplined, and actively working together to breach into Earth with conquest as their clear objective.
Based on Azrael's careful observation of their combat formations and tactical coordination, this secret realm definitely belonged to the most dangerous category.
Diesel nodded grimly in agreement. "President Azrael is absolutely correct. The previous wave of demons showed clear signs of military training and battlefield discipline."
"Their formations and response patterns were remarkably similar to the organized demon armies we've encountered in the northern territories."
Hearing this comparison, Godfrey's typically impassive expression darkened with concern. The northern demon armies were among the most formidable threats the empire had ever faced.
"Therefore, our most urgent priority is to rapidly construct defensive fortifications and concentrate our forces for a preemptive strike into the secret realm," Azrael continued. "We need to seize control of the portal entrance before they can mount a larger invasion."
Understanding Azrael's strategic thinking, Diesel immediately responded, "I'll expedite the construction process and mobilize additional resources."
Seeing that the director grasped the urgency of the situation, Azrael nodded approvingly.
At that moment, the Silver-level Lore Cardian who had been leading the evacuation efforts approached the three leaders with somewhat hesitant steps.
Noticing his three superiors looking at him expectantly, he addressed Diesel with obvious reluctance. "Director Diesel, someone is requesting to see you."
"He claims to be your son."
Diesel's face immediately flushed red with anger. "What is he doing here?!"
"Get him out of this area immediately!"
But even as the words left his mouth, a cacophony of voices reached the ears of the three Gold-level Lore Cardians.
"Don't try to stop me! I'm telling you, my father is Diesel!" The voice carried a tone of desperate urgency mixed with stubborn determination.
A group of security personnel were attempting to restrain a young man and woman as they pushed toward Diesel's position.
Seeing this breach of his security cordon, Diesel laughed bitterly with frustration. "I ordered martial law, and this is how you implement it?"
"All of you will write 10,000-word self-critiques when this is over!"
Several Lore Cardians' faces fell as they realized the magnitude of their failure, slinking away in disgrace.
Observing his son's approach alongside the manipulative young woman beside him, Diesel's expression grew thunderous. "What exactly do you think you're doing here?!"
The visitors were, of course, Ace and Autumn.
Hearing his father's sharp question, Ace froze momentarily before answering. "I was worried about you, so I came to check on your safety."
He didn't dare admit that it had been Autumn who had insisted on coming, practically dragging him along with her schemes. If Diesel learned that truth, he might very well beat his son senseless on the spot.
But even this sanitized explanation seemed to calm Diesel slightly, as paternal concern warred with professional fury.
However, his gaze immediately fixed on Autumn with undisguised hostility. "Your father is perfectly fine! Now get out of here!"
Diesel was increasingly certain that everything happening today, apart from the genuine demonic invasion, was orchestrated by Kavach as part of some larger political maneuvering.
Autumn met Diesel's murderous glare without a trace of fear. Instead, she appeared on the verge of tears, her voice trembling with apparent emotion. "Uncle Diesel, I asked Ace to bring me here. Please don't blame him."
"I noticed you hadn't eaten all day and thought you might be hungry after such intense fighting, so I prepared some food myself and brought it over."
The seemingly vulnerable girl offered Diesel an elaborate multi-tiered food container, its expensive construction and intricate design immediately apparent.
The container had three distinct levels, clearly accounting for the presence of three Gold-level Lore Cardians. Each tier was perfectly prepared and elegantly presented.
However, Diesel made no move to accept the offering, continuing to regard Autumn with cold suspicion.
Undeterred by his hostile reception, Autumn began unpacking the containers with practiced grace.
"This one is for you, Uncle Diesel," she said, revealing a beautifully arranged meal.
"This is for Uncle Godfrey," she continued, presenting the second container with equal care.
"And this," she said, unveiling the final and most elaborate container, "is for you, President Azrael."
The last container was clearly the most expensive, crafted from rich mahogany and adorned with intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes. Its value was obviously substantial, and its intended recipient was unmistakable.
Her true target had been revealed.
But Azrael simply observed the calculated performance of the manipulative young woman before him with analytical detachment.
"I won't disturb your important work any longer," Autumn said with false modesty.
Seeing that Azrael and the other two remained completely motionless, neither accepting nor rejecting her offerings, Autumn's eyes lit up with what she clearly considered a successful first move. She carefully placed the mahogany container on a nearby chair, offered a respectful bow, and turned to leave.
Noticing her departure, Ace hurried to catch up with her.
Watching the two retreating figures, Azrael considered the interaction for a moment before addressing Diesel directly. "Director Diesel, regarding your son..."
"It would be wise to provide him with better guidance, so he doesn't allow himself to be manipulated by those with ulterior motives."
This was the first time Azrael had encountered such a pure example of a manipulated fool in all his experiences across different worlds. It was almost like watching someone eagerly volunteer to be used as a tool while remaining completely oblivious to the manipulation.
Wasn't Ace even slightly aware of Autumn's true purpose in coming here today? The food was merely a pretext, her real objective was to create an opportunity for future private meetings with Azrael.
After all, such an obviously expensive container couldn't be given away permanently, could it? That would provide her with the perfect excuse to dismiss the inconvenient Ace and arrange a private meeting with Azrael to "retrieve" her property.
Such transparent manipulation tactics were child's play to someone like Azrael, who had been exposed to countless similar schemes in both his current and previous life. Besides, his relationship with Mikeala had taught him to recognize such patterns immediately.
"I apologize for embarrassing both of you," Diesel sighed deeply, his shoulders sagging with the weight of parental disappointment.
The situation had reached this point entirely due to his own poor judgment and inadequate supervision of his son.
"It would be wasteful to let this food go uneaten. Please, for my sake, try a little."
With that resigned statement, Diesel opened his own container and began eating quietly, his movements mechanical and joyless.
Godfrey curled his lips in distaste. "I've already eaten. No need to trouble yourself."
As Azrael was about to politely decline as well, he paused thoughtfully. "Actually, I'll take care of Director Godfrey's portion as well."
Both men looked at him with surprise, uncertain about this sudden change of heart.
Azrael certainly had no genuine desire to eat food prepared by someone with such obvious ulterior motives. His primary motivation was curiosity about what schemes Autumn might have planned next.
It was better to maintain awareness of potential threats than to ignore them and be caught off guard later. If Autumn was merely a manipulative opportunist, Azrael wouldn't waste energy worrying about her. But if she represented something more dangerous...
The two men watched as a Shadowkhan soldier emerged from the shadows, collected the food containers, and disappeared back into the darkness.
"You're not eating immediately?" Godfrey asked with confusion.
Azrael remained perfectly calm. "I'm not particularly hungry at the moment. I'll eat later when I have time to properly appreciate it."
While he wanted to understand Autumn's next moves, he wasn't willing to risk his safety to do so. Who knew whether she might be similar to certain other dangerous individuals whose cooking could have explosive or toxic effects?
Besides, he had Shiraori available as a living poison detector. Allowing his spider companion to test those two portions would eliminate any risk while providing valuable intelligence.
Based on the quality of the meal Diesel was currently consuming, the food itself was probably harmless. Autumn likely hadn't expected Azrael to possess such an effective method for safely testing potentially dangerous offerings.
Godfrey and Diesel exchanged bewildered looks at Azrael's cautious approach.
After a moment of awkward silence, Godfrey finally broke it. "If you two are satisfied with the current situation, you should return and rest. I'll maintain security here."
"The three of us will establish rotating watch schedules to prevent any additional demonic incursions. Once our fortifications are complete, we'll lead a combined force into the portal to secure the entrance point."
Azrael nodded in agreement. "Then I'll leave the immediate area under your capable supervision, Director Godfrey."
"I'll be taking my leave now."
With that decision made, two Shadowkhan soldiers materialized from the shadows to escort Azrael away from the ruins.
Diesel quickly finished his meal and bid farewell to Godfrey as well.
Returning to his secure residence, Azrael carefully ensured no surveillance was monitoring his activities. He then retrieved his secondary communication device and performed his daily routine check for messages from the Crimson Oath Society.
[Memphis: Sixth Master, I've acquired the contracts and supplies you requested from the organization.]
[Memphis: When would be convenient for you to receive them?]
His systematic approach to information gathering ensured he never missed crucial intelligence.
[Sixth Master: Meet me at our usual location.]
Soon, they were back at the familiar abandoned factory building that served as one of their regular rendezvous points.
A middle-aged man with a permanently scowling expression bowed respectfully to the younger figure. "Here are the requested items. Would you please examine them?"
Hearing this, Azrael calmly assessed the quality of the Crimson Oath Society's latest collection of materials and contracts.
The first item immediately caught his attention and brought a smile to his face.
Gold-level [Cold-blooded Fraudster] (Red quality).