Azrael remained expressionless in the face of his opponent's unethical sneak attack.
Suddenly, Ulquiorra materialized before him, his right hand gripping the pitch-black book tightly as fiery sparks danced across his pale palm.
"So it's made of metal," Azrael observed, his eyes twitching slightly.
By then, he had roughly deduced the identity of his attacker.
Considering the man's British background and religious attire, he was undoubtedly Christian. Whether he was Catholic or Puritan remained unclear, though within Great Britain's borders, Puritanism seemed more probable.
However, one shouldn't assume similarity simply because they were both Christian denominations. Sometimes heresy was worse than outright paganism.
Different Christian sects combined could create enough friction to ignite a war.
Fortunately, Azrael didn't subscribe to any particular faith. He believed that a reasonable explanation could clear up this obvious misunderstanding.
"Hey, let me explain,"
But the moment he began to speak, a blinding light erupted from the Bible in the blonde's hands, leaving deep gashes across Ulquiorra's body.
Seeing that his opponent clearly had no intention of communicating, Azrael's expression darkened considerably. "Fine then. Let's beat him half to death first and talk later."
With a flicker of thought, Ulquiorra forced the man back several paces.
"Stop this, Black-Winged Great Demon!"
A pale green spiritual pressure erupted skyward, and the surrounding air began raining down torrential spiritual energy particles immediately.
Meanwhile, Azrael had transformed into his Sacred Blade Armor and retreated with Amina in tow.
Amina's young mind swirled with confusion. She couldn't understand why Master Azrael would engage in combat with someone who appeared to be a High Priest.
Even more perplexing was the fact that Master Azrael's divine power seemed sinister and dark.
It matched the descriptions in the pamphlets the High Priests had distributed throughout the villages perfectly.
At that moment, Azrael experienced a subtle sense of déjà vu. He recalled that Teacher Glade had used the bat as a reference when designing Ulquiorra's appearance.
Bats also hold significant symbolic meaning within Christianity.
"Demon!?"
Azrael's expression fell further.
He knew with certainty that he was trapped in a situation where explanations would be futile.
"Is Great Britain still operating under such feudal restrictions?" he wondered, growing more frustrated by the second. Are they actually regulating Lore Cardian practices?
Such limitations didn't exist in the Empire of Aetherlight. Citizens could create satirical cards mocking the imperial family with impunity.
Meanwhile, the blonde man's face contorted with fury. His eyes blazed as he glared at the pale figure with jet-black wings spread behind him. "I warned them long ago that we should conduct a comprehensive purge throughout this jurisdiction!
Otherwise, abominations like you wouldn't have infiltrated our sacred grounds!"
As he spoke, golden flames erupted around his massive frame, incinerating his black robes and revealing his ridiculously muscular physique.
The contrast between his handsome face and enormous body was striking.
"Die, creature of darkness!"
With a thunderous roar, the Bible transformed into something resembling a miniature sun. He swung it viciously toward Ulquiorra, and its scorching heat distorted the air wherever its radiance touched.
Sensing the approaching biblical weapon, Ulquiorra maintained his emotionless expression and used his Sonido to instantly close the distance with the blonde priest.
However, just as he thrust his emerald spiritual lance toward his opponent, Ulquiorra realized the golden flames had begun climbing the shaft of the Bible.
The spiritual spear in Ulquiorra's grasp grew progressively shorter as the sacred fire consumed it. Soon, the golden flames spread toward his arm. Without hesitation, Ulquiorra retreated from the priest's immediate vicinity.
Feeling the searing pain course through his right arm, Ulquiorra severed it with unwavering composure, his expression never changing.
Azrael observed the battle from a distance with growing concern.
This blonde priest undoubtedly followed the same enhancement path as Master Tempest, though he appeared significantly more powerful.
Even Ulquiorra, in his first-stage Resurrección, couldn't overcome this opponent.
"I'll have to unleash his Segunda Etapa," Azrael decided grimly.
Just as Ulquiorra prepared to activate his second-stage release, a brilliant flash of light appeared between the combatants without warning.
Seeing this intervention caused the blonde priest's expression to shift slightly. Though his face still burned with anger, he ceased his aggressive movements.
A gentle voice echoed through the area: "Both of you should cease this conflict immediately. There's no need to waste precious energy on pointless violence."
The radiance faded to reveal an elegant woman draped in flowing, translucent veils.
However, her elongated, pointed ears clearly indicated her non-human heritage.
This unexpected development temporarily halted Ulquiorra's preparation for Segunda Etapa.
"It's been quite some time, David."
The speaker wasn't the otherworldly woman but a brown-haired man who materialized beside the blonde priest.
David extinguished the sacred flames surrounding his body, bowed respectfully, and replied, "Indeed, it has been far too long, Leon."
"Your Highness."
Hearing David's formal address, Azrael couldn't help but stroke his chin thoughtfully.
If the man's title was accurate, then this Leon must be a member of the British royal family.
After exchanging pleasantries with David, Leon turned his attention to Azrael in the distance. "Your Excellency isn't from Great Britain, I presume?"
"I've never encountered someone with your particular talents among our local demon worshippers."
Moreover, those deranged cultists would never show such consideration for innocent bystanders."
He gestured toward Amina, who remained huddled protectively behind Azrael.
Realizing his foreign status had been exposed, Azrael nodded calmly. "That's correct."
Then, with genuine curiosity, he asked, "But how can you be so certain?"
Hearing Azrael's question, Leon chuckled softly. "Now I'm even more convinced you're not from Great Britain."
"After all, His Majesty, King George VII, is a master-level Lore Cardian.
Nothing that occurs within the United Kingdom escapes his supernatural awareness.
"But I'm curious. Which nation do you hail from?"
Azrael felt genuinely surprised. He truly hadn't understood the current state of Great Britain in this world.
However, considering the country's relatively small size, one master-level Lore Cardian would have enough power to monitor it.
Faced with Leon's direct inquiry, Azrael saw no reason to conceal his origins.
After all, his Sacred Blade Armor and Ulquiorra were easily recognizable cards to anyone with sufficient knowledge.
"Empire of Aetherlight. Azrael."
He chose to omit his military rank, uncertain how such a title would be received in this context.
Upon learning of Azrael's origins, both Leon and David froze momentarily.
Leon had assumed the young man was from somewhere across the Atlantic Ocean and never imagined he was actually from the ancient Far Eastern empire.
Processing this revelation, Leon spoke with a somewhat peculiar expression. "Mr. Azrael, could you explain how you arrived here?"
"Particularly since you appeared directly within our secret realm."
Having already revealed his nationality, Azrael felt no need to conceal the circumstances of his arrival in this mystical space.
He proceeded to describe the recent conflict between the Northern Defense Army and the demonic forces, naturally omitting certain classified information that was inappropriate for foreign ears.
After listening to Azrael's account, Leon couldn't hide his disappointment. "What a pity! I had hoped you forced your way in through sheer power."
But he quickly explained his reasoning. "The exit from this secret realm is currently occupied by the Fallen Cult. If you want to leave, we have to find a way to eliminate them."
"The fundamental problem is their overwhelming numbers."
Azrael felt confused. "The Fallen Cult?"
"Precisely," Leon confirmed with a nod. "The Fallen Cult is an evil organization operating throughout Great Britain and France.
Their leader is the master-level Lore Cardian known as Inverted Cross Chris.
Hearing this name, Azrael silently repeated it in his mind and found it strangely familiar.
Then he remembered: This was the same master-level Lore Cardian he had encountered previously in Australia.
However, his expression betrayed no recognition, and he simply sighed. "Every nation faces its own internal struggles.
The Empire of Aetherlight contends with the Onefold Doctrine and the Crimson Oath Society, while Europe deals with the so-called Fallen Cult.
But Azrael quickly identified a logical inconsistency: "He's just a master-level Lore Cardian. With His Majesty King George VII's power, eliminating this Fallen Cult should be relatively straightforward, shouldn't it?"
He believed that a cult wreaking havoc across multiple European nations should have been eradicated long ago through coordinated governmental efforts.
At this point, Leon hesitated, glancing uncertainly at David before speaking with obvious discomfort. "The Fallen Cult exclusively recruits blessed children.
"In Europe, that particular blessing occurs with disturbing frequency."
This type of "blessing" clearly differed from divine favor, and Azrael immediately grasped the implication.
He couldn't help but glance at David, whose expression darkened like storm clouds.
As if attempting to provide context, Leon continued. "Of course, the primary reason for their persistence is that [Inverted Cross] Chris rarely takes direct action.
"That's what allows the Fallen Cult to maintain their operations."
Hearing this, Azrael felt compelled to ask, "Then why don't the priests simply stop bestowing such blessings upon children?"
Leon froze completely.
Honestly, he couldn't comprehend why Vatican clergy were so drawn to children, especially young boys.
It was as if they had all been infected by some sort of corrupting influence.
Unable to provide a satisfactory answer, Leon redirected the conversation. "I notice that your cards, Sir Azrael, possess quite remarkable capabilities. Perhaps with your help, we could break through the Fallen Cult's blockade."
Leon had carefully observed Azrael's summoned entities.
Whether it was the card manifesting the demonic form or the armor adorning the young man, both emanated an aura that made Leon distinctly uneasy.
Hearing this proposal, Azrael paused thoughtfully. "So, why exactly are you two here?"
The time had come for him to ask questions rather than simply provide answers.
David, having regained his composure, replied with characteristic stoicism. "To rescue the lambs of our Lord from corruption."
Leon hesitated briefly before explaining, "This secret realm contains materials I need to advance."
Upon learning of their divergent motivations, Azrael gained a general understanding of the situation. "It seems the Fallen Cult hadn't established their blockade before you entered."
He speculated that some valuable treasure must exist within this mystical space.
However, whatever secrets this realm contained were ultimately none of his concern.
For now, he simply wanted to break through the Fallen Cult's blockade as efficiently as possible and return to the Empire of Aetherlight.
Suddenly, Leon interjected, "I haven't acquired the materials I came for."
"I hope you might assist me in obtaining them."
I'll ensure you're handsomely rewarded upon successful completion."