Jacob knew that Amina wasn't Azrael's child. After all, it would be impossible to raise a child to this age in such a short time, and their physical features alone made it clear that they were not related by blood.
"It's just a joke, little brother. Don't take it seriously," Jacob said with a slight smile.
Hearing this, Azrael swallowed the explanation that had been on the tip of his tongue. "Big Brother, don't say such terrifying things with such a serious face."
He was still in his early twenties and couldn't accept such slander about his character.
After using the joke to ease the tension slightly, Jacob's expression shifted to something more serious. "All right, let's get down to business, little brother. Where have you been all this time? We were all very worried."
Azrael smiled bitterly. "I was teleported to Great Britain by the spatial turbulence caused by Greg's ability. It took considerable effort to make my way back to the Empire."
Hearing the words "Great Britain," Jacob froze in place.
He'd suspected his younger brother might have traveled outside the Empire's borders, but he never imagined it would be Great Britain, a nation tens of thousands of miles away across the ocean.
Azrael quickly recounted the events of that day in detail, carefully omitting anything that might reveal his identity as the Sixth Master of the Crimson Oath Society. He particularly avoided explaining exactly how he'd managed to return to the Empire.
Jacob didn't intend to delve too deeply into such details. He was already overwhelmed by the information Azrael had revealed, particularly the details about the World Devourer.
The senior brother no longer focused on Azrael's journey, but instead spoke with grave solemnity. "If your information is accurate, it certainly explains the increasing frequency of secret realm manifestations in recent years."
He stood abruptly. "No, I need to report this to Master Tempest and Master Fujimaru immediately. Junior brother, go back and rest."
With that, Jacob hurried away, his robes billowing behind him.
Watching him leave, Azrael gently ruffled Amina's hair before leading her back to his residence.
Regarding Gulan's situation and the truth he had learned, Azrael had simply attributed Shiraori's abilities to the card itself. After all, with summoned entities and their unpredictable powers, no one could predict what strange phenomena might occur. There was no need to worry about being exposed.
He suspected the two Master-level Lore Cardians would question him extensively about the details when the time came.
Besides that concern, he still had no clear path forward for completing the mission that Jin had assigned to him.
"Forget it. I'll just report that I'm safe first," Azrael muttered to himself.
After sending Amina and Nelliel off to play together, he pulled out his phone and began messaging his acquaintances.
Uncertain how many people knew about his disappearance, he first contacted Gabi and the others from his social circle.
Fortunately, after communicating with them, he confirmed that only a few of his senior brothers and sisters knew he was missing.
Reassured, Azrael opened the Loving Family group chat.
Azrael typed, "I've returned safely. Don't worry."
[Armani: ?]
[Corey: ?]
[Alice: Wait for me.]
Azrael paused when he saw the message from his senior sister.
"Oh my goodness, Junior Brother, you've come back to life!" I thought you were doomed for sure. You're truly the hope of our Lucian family."
Seeing the message from his third senior brother, Azrael couldn't help but curl his lips slightly. He knew Corey was genuinely concerned, despite the dramatic phrasing.
Azrael: Thank you, Third Senior Brother, for your concern. I took an unexpected tour of Great Britain."
[Armani: ?]
[Corey: ?]
Corey: I've never been that far abroad. Junior Brother, you're truly unbeatable.
For a moment, Azrael couldn't tell if his third senior brother was being sincere or sarcastic. Considering Corey's consistently abstract personality, though, he probably meant it sincerely.
Only Armani and Corey were talking in the group chat now. Apparently, Alice had already left for Gaza Town.
Azrael couldn't help but scratch his head. Before coming to Gaza, he told his senior sister that he would find time to return and spend more time with her. Now, that previous mission had nearly cost him his life.
Although he had ultimately helped Artoria advance to colored quality, the experience had left him shaken.
Soon, there was a knock on his door.
"So soon," Azrael muttered, feeling somewhat apprehensive. He forced a smile as he opened the door. "Senior Sister,"
He barely finished speaking before he was suddenly embraced in a tight hug.
"I'm glad you're okay."
The whispered words reached his ears like a dream, temporarily forcing him to abandon any attempts at breaking free.
After a long moment, he frantically patted the arms holding his head. "I...can't...breathe..."
As Alice released him, Azrael glanced warily at the valley beneath her turtleneck sweater.
He knew his older sister had an excellent figure, but he had never fully appreciated just how impressive it was until that moment.
Frankly, Azrael felt like he'd nearly suffocated. It would have been the most humiliating death imaginable for an Emerald-level Lore Cardian.
"Ahem, Senior Sister, please come in first," Azrael said, masking his embarrassment as he ushered Alice into his residence.
After having one of his Shadowkhan brew a pot of tea, he began recounting his recent experiences.
Alice listened with a slight frown, then whispered, "Junior Brother..."
She opened her mouth as if to say something but then pursed her lips and remained silent.
Azrael knew exactly what she had been about to say: she wanted to dissuade him from remaining in the Northern Defense Army.
However, after learning some of the truth from Gulan, Azrael knew the planet would only become more dangerous over time. What would withdrawing from the Northern Defense Army accomplish? Pixar itself had experienced secret realm invasions before.
"I'll be careful, Senior Sister," Azrael assured her as he watched her expressionless face. Then he deliberately changed the subject. "Let's not talk about this anymore. Senior Sister, I have a favor to ask."
He had one of his Shadowkhan bring Amina over. "It's not appropriate for her to stay in Gaza Town with the military, so I hope you can take her back to Pixar. She can stay at my residence, but I need you to occasionally look after her."
Also, if possible, please find someone to properly teach her our language."
Having spent time with Amina, Azrael could readily discern her kind nature. Otherwise, she wouldn't have saved him when she herself was so vulnerable.
However, Azrael had another reason for entrusting Amina to Alice: to provide companionship for his often-lonely older sister.
Looking at the timid girl, Alice nodded silently.
Having heard Azrael's story, she knew that it was Amina who had saved him. If Azrael had been left unconscious in the wilderness, no one could have predicted the outcome.
Azrael gently explained the situation to Amina in simple terms.
Though somewhat reluctant to part from him, Amina ultimately agreed after Azrael's patient explanation.
After only a short time in Gaza Town, the girl had already noticed the stark difference between this military city and her homeland. She hadn't seen a single ordinary person; everyone here possessed powers beyond normal comprehension.
After making arrangements for Amina, Azrael prepared to chat more with Alice.
Just then, his phone began vibrating insistently.
It was a message from Jacob:
"Junior Brother, come quickly! The two masters want to see you."
After reading the message, Azrael sighed inwardly. "Just as I expected."
He turned off the screen and looked apologetically at Alice. "Senior Sister, Master Tempest and Master Fujimaru need to see me. I'm afraid I can't keep you company right now."
He stood up and pushed open the door.
As he was about to close it behind him, a voice called from within, "Junior brother, be careful."
Azrael paused, then softly replied, "I will."
With Azrael's departure, only Alice and Amina remained in the room: one older and one younger.
Amina clutched the corner of her clothes nervously and huddled in the corner of the sofa. Although Master Azrael said Miss Alice was his sister, Amina was still a little afraid. After all, Alice had kept a stern expression the whole time, making Amina wonder if she had done something wrong.
Just as Amina hesitated about whether to speak, a slender, pale hand reached out toward her.
It was Alice.
Amina mustered her courage and took the hand of the tall, beautiful woman.
"So warm!"
Despite her cold and distant appearance, Miss Alice's palm was warm and gentle.
"Let's go," Alice said quietly. "Back to Pixar."
After one last look at Azrael's residence, Alice pulled Amina along with her.
Elsewhere, Azrael found Jacob waiting for him in the designated meeting area.
"Big Brother, are the two masters looking for me about the Gulan incident?"
Jacob nodded, then offered reassurance. "Don't be nervous, little brother. You've actually done a great service this time. Just tell the truth; the two masters won't make things difficult for you."
Azrael wasn't particularly nervous to begin with. His only real vulnerability was his identity as the Sixth Master of the Crimson Oath Society. But, objectively speaking, he hadn't actually done anything wrong during his time in that position.
The few times he'd disguised himself and eliminated people, they'd either been genuinely bad actors or individuals with malicious intent toward him or innocent people.
Could there be anyone in the Crimson Oath Society more righteous than him?
Furthermore, Masters Tempest and Fujimaru didn't consider the Crimson Oath Society relevant to the situation. After all, the entire incident had nothing to do with the organization since the siege.
"Big Brother, where should we go now?" Azrael asked.
Master Tempest and Master Fujimaru couldn't be stationed in Gaza Town itself.
Hearing Azrael's question, Jacob replied casually, "We just need to wait here. Master Fujimaru and Master Tempest will arrive shortly."
Azrael was puzzled by this statement. He hadn't expected his influence to be significant enough to warrant the personal arrival of two Master-level Lore Cardians.
But he soon understood what his senior brother meant by "shortly."
"Is that Master Fujimaru's card?" Azrael asked, somewhat dazed, as he gazed at the massive floating mountain drifting toward them in the distant sky.
Jacob nodded with evident pride. "That's the effect of Master Fujimaru's Venue Card, Kunlun Mountain, combined with her Master-level Card, Kunlun Mountain God·Luwu."
By the time they finished talking, Kunlun Mountain had already arrived near Gaza Town.
Only then did Azrael realize that the giant mountain floating in the sky was several times larger than Gaza Town itself. The sheer scale was breathtaking.
Suddenly, a beam of earth-yellow light shot toward them from the mountain.
"Don't be nervous. Master Fujimaru is transporting us up," Jacob explained calmly.
Despite his senior brother's explanation, Azrael couldn't help but feel his heart race slightly.
As the ochre-colored light enveloped him, his vision blurred momentarily. When it cleared, he realized that his surroundings had completely changed.
Unlike what he'd imagined, the architecture on Kunlun Mountain was highly advanced and technologically sophisticated, with gleaming metal structures and crystalline pathways that seemed to pulse with spiritual energy.
Furthermore, he was surprised to see that there were many other Lore Cardians on the mountain besides the two of them. They were all going about various tasks with quiet efficiency.
As if sensing his confusion, Jacob whispered, "These Lore Cardians are accompanying the two masters on their inspection tour of the entire northern defense line."
"Follow me," he added, taking the lead down one of the crystalline pathways.
Azrael followed obediently. As they ascended toward the summit, however, the modern buildings gradually gave way to more natural surroundings, until only a lush, primordial forest remained.
At that moment, Azrael's entire body tensed involuntarily.
He sensed something extremely dangerous watching him from within the forest—something ancient and powerful beyond his current comprehension.
Jacob bowed respectfully toward the trees. "Lord Luwu, Master Fujimaru wishes to see my junior brother."
As he spoke, a magnificent creature with a human face, the body of a tiger, and nine tails materialized before them. The being studied Azrael with intelligent, piercing eyes for several long moments before disappearing back into the woods without a sound.
"Let's go. Lord Luwu is always like this. You'll get used to it, junior brother," Jacob said with a wave of his hand. He was clearly accustomed to such encounters.
It took a considerable amount of time for Azrael and his companion to reach the summit. Without enhanced movement abilities, the distance between the mountain's base and peak was quite substantial.
Azrael's gaze met a tranquil bamboo hut shrouded in wisps of spiritual mist.
"You're here? Come in," a gentle female voice called from within before Jacob could announce their arrival.
Azrael followed his older brother into the structure.
However, the interior did not match the traditional exterior at all. Instead, it had a modern aesthetic with comfortable furniture, soft lighting, and advanced monitoring equipment displaying various locations along the northern border.
Of course, Azrael wasn't focused on the décor. Two Master-level Lore Cardians awaited him inside.
"Hello again, young Azrael." The elegant, middle-aged man with distinguished, gray hair smiled faintly. "I heard from Master Fujimaru that you were missing. I was genuinely concerned about how to explain this to Master Lucian. It seems my worries were unnecessary."
Hearing this, Azrael gave an awkward smile. "Thank you for your concern, Master Tempest. I survived purely by fortunate circumstances."
At that moment, the beautiful middle-aged woman beside Master Tempest looked genuinely apologetic. "I'm deeply relieved you're safe, Azrael. Otherwise, I would have been too ashamed to face Master Lucian."
Upon hearing Master Fujimaru's words, Azrael quickly waved his hands. "Master Fujimaru, please don't say that. Anything can happen on the battlefield. How could I blame you?"
He genuinely understood her position. After all, the battlefield had been absolute chaos. As a Master-level Lore Cardian, she had been busy dealing with Master-level members of the demon army. How could she have had the attention to spare for monitoring every Emerald-level combatant?
Without wasting time on further pleasantries, Master Tempest immediately addressed the matter at hand. "I've heard the general situation from Jacob, but we'd still like to hear your account directly, Azrael."
Azrael immediately repeated the information Gulan had revealed, maintaining consistency with what he'd told Jacob while remaining vague about certain details.
Upon hearing that a mysterious being had accepted Gulan's offer and claimed the reward, Master Tempest and Master Fujimaru exchanged meaningful glances.
After Azrael finished, Master Tempest sighed heavily. "This is the first we've heard of this 'World Devourer,' but if your information is accurate, it certainly explains why the situation has been deteriorating over the past two years. The pattern fits disturbingly well."
He paused meaningfully. "As for the being who accepted Gulan's bargain..."
I believe we can make an educated guess about their identity."