Azrael gazed through the tinted windows of the Obsidian Pillar secret base vehicle, watching the cityscape blur past. The weight of recent events pressed heavily on his mind as Director Blonski sat beside him in contemplative silence.
If someone had told Azrael mere days ago that he would meet Lucian on this secret training mission, he would have laughed in their face. The very idea seemed absurd.
After all, the Empire of Aetherlight boasted only three Master Lore Cardians, and among them, Dread King Lucian commanded legendary status. He was primarily stationed in coastal cities, serving as the final bulwark against the chaotic riots in the secret realm that plagued the seas. People of his caliber, those who stood at the absolute pinnacle of the Empire of Aetherlight's power structure, were virtually unreachable. Wealthy families spent fortunes for the slim chance of a brief audience, often leaving empty-handed and disappointed.
Yet here Azrael was, having earned this extraordinary opportunity simply by eliminating a rogue black iron-level Lore Cardian. The implications sent a chill down his spine. This matter ran far deeper than anyone had initially suspected.
Director Blonski noticed Azrael's furrowed brow and the tension radiating from his posture. Mistaking his contemplation for nervousness, the older man offered what he hoped was reassuring guidance. "Student Azrael, there's no need to be anxious. Your contribution this time has been immeasurable. Master Lucian surely wants to meet the young hero who uncovered such crucial intelligence."
The words pulled Azrael from his brooding thoughts. He managed a grateful smile, though his mind continued to race. "Thank you for the encouragement, Director Blonski."
Soon, the vehicle pulled up to the imposing headquarters of the Velkairos Cardian Master Association. Its glass-and-steel façade reflected the afternoon sun like a beacon of authority. Director Blonski led Azrael through the marble-floored lobby toward a sleek elevator that practically screamed exclusivity.
"President Dareth specifically instructed that you go directly up upon arrival," Director Blonski explained as he swiped his high-clearance ID card. The elevator doors whispered open with mechanical precision.
Azrael took a deep breath and stepped inside. The interior of the elevator was luxuriously appointed with polished metal and soft lighting that spoke of power and privilege. As the doors sealed shut, he felt the slight lurch as the elevator began its rapid ascent to the building's summit.
The ride seemed both eternal and instantaneous. When the soft chime announced their arrival, Azrael's pulse quickened despite his attempts to remain calm.
"Ding dong."
The elevator doors parted like curtains to reveal a stage. Azrael found himself facing the presidential office, which occupied the entire top floor. The space was magnificent, expansive, and intimidating in equal measure. Floor-to-ceiling windows dominated one wall, offering a breathtaking, panoramic view of the sprawling metropolis of Velkairos.
However, Azrael had no time to appreciate the urban landscape spread out before him. Two figures commanded his immediate attention, and his training in proper etiquette kicked in automatically.
"Master Lucian, President Dareth," he said, bowing respectfully to the white-haired elder and the middle-aged man with a goatee. "I am Azrael. It's an honor to meet you both."
Despite his fearsome reputation, the white-haired man, unmistakably Dread King Lucian himself, proved surprisingly approachable. His weathered features revealed a kindness that seemed at odds with his deadly moniker. "Student Azrael, please don't be so formal. Have a seat and make yourself comfortable."
Azrael perched on the edge of the offered chair, maintaining proper posture while trying not to appear too rigid. His nervousness was clearly visible.
President Dareth of the Velkairos City Lore Cardian Association, a middle-aged man with a distinctive goatee, chuckled at Azrael's obvious discomfort. "Student Azrael, we owe you a significant debt of gratitude. Without your quick thinking and decisive action, our investigation might have taken considerably longer to reach its conclusion."
President Dareth's assessment was accurate. While the association had the resources and determination to eventually uncover the truth behind the attacks, the process would have been lengthy and complex. They would have needed to cross-reference the identities of everyone who entered the secret realm and systematically investigate the disappearances that coincided with the high school attacks. Azrael's evidence had effectively fast-tracked their entire investigation.
Recognizing the efficiency he had provided, Azrael felt emboldened to ask the question burning in his mind. "I appreciate your kind words, but what exactly did you need to discuss with me?"
Lucian's expression shifted, his previously gentle demeanor taking on a more serious cast. "Student Azrael, I understand you recovered some unusual material after the attacker's death?"
Azrael blinked in surprise. Had they summoned him for this? The request seemed anticlimactic given the buildup, but he didn't hesitate to comply. Without hesitation, he produced the material from his storage space and placed it on the desk between them.
His lack of concern was entirely logical. A master Lore Cardian of Lucian's stature would hardly stoop to appropriating a black iron-level material, regardless of its quality. Even gold-grade materials at that level would be beneath his notice.
"This crystallized from the attacker's remains after his death," Azrael explained, sliding the material across the polished desk surface. "I thought it might be important evidence."
The moment Lucian's fingers touched the material, his expression darkened dramatically. A heavy sigh escaped his lips, the sound of a man who had seen too much and hoped for too little.
Years of defending the coastal regions had made him intimately familiar with certain types of otherworldly corruption. "This is definitely material produced by a Demon Nest," he confirmed grimly. "There's no doubt that the Crimson Oath Society is behind these attacks."
Mentioning the Crimson Oath Society triggered Azrael's memory. Kent's dying words suddenly took on new significance. "Master Lucian, President Dareth, before the attacker died, he tried to say something that sounded like 'Crim,' but he died before he could finish the word."
President Dareth and Master Lucian exchanged a meaningful glance, the kind of wordless communication that passes between longtime colleagues who have navigated countless crises together.
"Student Azrael," President Dareth said carefully. "I need you to keep this discovery strictly confidential. Don't discuss it with anyone outside this room."
This warning wasn't born from distrust of Azrael personally but from genuine concern for his safety. The association could weather any storms that might arise from leaked information, but a young Lore Cardian who spoke carelessly about such matters might find himself in mortal danger.
However, their protective instincts proved unnecessary. Azrael had already demonstrated remarkable discretion by concealing Kent's identity, even though he recognized the man. He nodded with appropriate gravity. "I understand completely. Thank you both for your concern and guidance. You have my word that this information won't leave this room."
Both senior Lore Cardians smiled at his mature response. Azrael's conduct continued to exceed their already high expectations.
President Dareth was about to offer some encouragement when the elevator chimed again, interrupting the moment. A young assistant emerged, clutching a thick folder and moving with obvious urgency.
"President Dareth," the assistant said quietly, approaching the desk with practiced deference. "The background checks you requested have been completed. All the information is here."
After receiving a subtle nod of acknowledgment from President Dareth, the assistant bowed to the two senior officials and quickly departed, leaving the folder behind.
President Dareth opened the folder and began scanning its contents. With each page he read, his expression grew progressively darker and his brows knitted together in obvious consternation. Finally, he passed the entire folder to Lucian.
"Master Lucian, take a look at this pattern. In every secret realm where an incident occurred, there was at least one Lore Cardian stationed there who had filed for emergency leave or requested a last-minute assignment change."
Lucian accepted the documents and studied them with the methodical attention to detail that had kept him alive through decades of dangerous missions. The picture that emerged was both clear and deeply troubling.
After several minutes of careful analysis, he set the folder down with another weary sigh. "I was wondering how the Crimson Oath Society had managed to place so many operatives in strategic positions. Now it all makes sense."
He flipped through several pages, highlighting key details with his finger. "Look at these profiles carefully. Every single suspicious individual shares the same vulnerability. They're all facing severe financial hardship."
Sick mothers requiring expensive treatment, crushing gambling debts, children needing specialized medical care—the list goes on and on.
President Dareth stared at the evidence in disbelief. "You're telling me they betrayed the association, their oaths, and their responsibilities all for money?"
Lucian shook his head slowly, his expression a mix of anger and pity. "I doubt they understood the full consequences of their actions. These people probably thought they were just providing intelligence or facilitating minor breaches of protocol. But I've been fighting the Crimson Oath Society for many years, and this methodical exploitation of human weakness bears the unmistakable signature of their leader."
His voice took on a harder edge as he continued. "This is exactly how Demon Scale Jin operates. He identifies people in desperate situations and offers them solutions to their problems. By the time they realize they've become monsters, it's too late to turn back."
Lucian turned his attention to Azrael, his expression returning to one of paternal concern. "Student Azrael, I want you to be extremely cautious about any unexpected financial opportunities that come your way in the future. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is, and it might cost you more than just money."
Azrael nodded earnestly and filed away the warning alongside all the other crucial information he had absorbed. "Thank you for the advice, Master Lucian. I'll be very careful." He paused, then hopefully asked, "May I take my leave now?"
His eagerness to leave wasn't out of disrespect but out of his growing awareness that he was being exposed to intelligence far beyond his security clearance. As a mere Black Iron-level Lore Cardian, continued exposure to such sensitive information could be more harmful than helpful.
Lucian returned the gold Blood Demon material to Azrael with an understanding smile. "Of course, Student Azrael. Take care on your way home, and remember, discretion is often the better part of valor."
As the elevator doors closed behind Azrael, President Dareth turned to address his legendary colleague with obvious concern. "Master Lucian, what's your honest assessment of that young man? Could he pose any security risk?"
The question was reasonable. As president of the City Cardian Master Association, he couldn't afford to trust anyone blindly, regardless of their apparent contributions or innocent demeanor.
Lucian took the question seriously before responding. "The Crimson Oath Society would never sacrifice such promising young talent for a minor operation like this. Their resources are limited, and they're too strategic to waste genuine prospects on small-scale missions."
He paused, then gestured behind him. "Besides, Dread King Bao has been monitoring him throughout this entire encounter and has detected no deception or hostile intent whatsoever."
As if summoned by his name, a figure materialized from the shadows behind Lucian's chair: an imposing presence draped in crimson robes and bearing an ornate judicial token. The air itself seemed to thicken with otherworldly authority.
[Dread King Bao, Arbiter of the Fifth Gate].
President Dareth visibly relaxed upon seeing the spectral judge, his shoulders dropping as the tension left his body. "Well, that's certainly reassuring. If Dread King Bao vouches for the boy's innocence, then we can trust his loyalty."
He leaned back in his chair, but a new concern quickly replaced the old one. "The real question now is where the Crimson Oath Society is acquiring the massive funding necessary to corrupt so many association members simultaneously."