The atmosphere along the Donglai coastline carried an unsettling tension that had persisted since the previous night's extraordinary events. The bizarre confrontation between the Crimson Oath Society and the demonic forces had left the middle-aged officials struggling to make sense of what they'd witnessed.
Under normal circumstances, even a Lore Cardian from a foreign nation accidentally entering these waters and engaging the monstrous entities would have seemed more plausible than the Crimson Oath Society's sudden intervention. The organization's motivations remained utterly incomprehensible to the assembled authorities.
"Speaking of which," Diesel suppressed his mounting confusion and spoke with grave formality, "President Azrael, Director Godfrey, do you believe the intelligence that operative provided is credible?"
Azrael remained silent, allowing Godfrey to field the question. Godfrey understood perfectly well that Bruce's information was accurate, after all, as a member of the Crimson Oath Society, he could verify the authenticity of the report. However, he couldn't openly admit such a connection.
Fortunately, logical reasoning provided adequate cover. "The intelligence appears genuine," Godfrey replied with measured conviction. "The demons' behavioral patterns were distinctly abnormal. They possessed the capability to bypass Prime Minister Turtle's blockade and launch a direct assault, yet they remained passive."
He paused, considering his words carefully. "Furthermore, even if the Crimson Oath Society intended to create a diversion, engaging in actual combat with those entities would be unnecessarily risky and counterproductive."
Diesel nodded repeatedly, finding the assessment compelling.
With consensus reached, Azrael spoke with quiet authority. "I'll return to headquarters and brief President Kavach on the situation. The two of you should maintain your positions here."
Under normal protocol, if Kavach had requested reinforcements, support should have arrived by now. The delay suggested either communication failures or deliberate obstruction.
The two directors acknowledged the order and watched as Azrael melted into the shadows, vanishing from the coastline with practiced stealth.
"I hope everything proceeds smoothly," Diesel murmured, his voice carrying undertones of concern.
Godfrey's eyes flickered with unreadable emotions as he processed the director's words. Despite his organizational connections, he remained puzzled by the recent sequence of events. Why had this operation been initiated without prior coordination or notification? The lack of communication troubled him deeply.
At the Association headquarters, Azrael emerged from the darkness directly into the president's office, his sudden materialization causing Kavach to startle before raising an eyebrow in recognition.
"Why has President Azrael returned so quickly?" Kavach inquired, recovering his composure. "Does this mean the demonic threat along the coast has been neutralized?"
Azrael shook his head, his expression remaining impassive. "The Crimson Oath Society engaged those entities and revealed intelligence regarding an Emerald-level demon's presence in the area."
"The Crimson Oath Society?" Kavach's initial confusion quickly gave way to alarm as the implications registered. "Emerald-level?!"
The Association president, who had been conspicuously absent since Azrael's arrival in Donglai, shot to his feet. "Have they taken direct action against such a threat?"
Panic began to creep into Kavach's voice. An Emerald-level demon's appearance would devastate Donglai entirely. Even if every Gold-level Lore Cardian in the city united their efforts, victory remained questionable at best. The potential casualties would be catastrophic.
The prospect of his comfortable, peaceful existence being shattered sent waves of dread through his thoughts, darkening his expression considerably.
"Have emergency evacuation protocols been initiated?" he demanded urgently.
Azrael's response carried careful precision. "We've only confirmed reports of an Emerald-level presence. Neither Director Diesel nor I detected any corresponding spiritual signatures during our earlier reconnaissance. Furthermore, no attacks on Donglai have been observed."
Kavach's panic subsided slightly as understanding dawned. "Are you suggesting the Crimson Oath Society might be fabricating this intelligence?"
Hearing the skepticism in his tone, Azrael proceeded to recount the night's events in detail, including Godfrey's strategic analysis supporting the claims' credibility.
After absorbing the information, Kavach settled back into his chair. "I understand the situation. I'll submit a report to our superiors later tonight."
His dismissive attitude sparked immediate irritation. "President Azrael, you're free to return to your duties."
The casual indifference ignited Azrael's barely contained frustration. Since arriving in Donglai, he had shouldered virtually every significant responsibility while Kavach remained comfortably ensconced in his office. Anyone observing their dynamic might assume their roles were reversed, that Azrael held the presidency while Kavach served as his deputy.
The pattern had become insufferable. Azrael had handled the secret realm incident alone, dealt with the Onefold Doctrine crisis single-handedly, and now managed this demonic threat without meaningful support. Kavach consistently used "headquarters coordination" as an excuse to avoid field responsibilities.
Even now, when immediate reporting to higher authorities was clearly necessary, Kavach demonstrated his trademark procrastination.
Did he truly believe Azrael was someone to be taken lightly?
At worst, Azrael could simply reveal his Crimson Oath Society connections and orchestrate a direct confrontation. While dragging Kavach into the organization wasn't realistic, a Lore Cardian of his caliber wouldn't risk his promising career for underground activities, eliminating him remained a viable option.
A battle between Gold-level Lore Cardians couldn't be concealed easily, but creative solutions existed. Azrael could have Misaka and Aizen stage a convincing performance while Shiraori and Frieren provided strategic support, with Magnus coordinating from the shadows. The combined assault would almost certainly overwhelm Kavach.
However, such direct action would undermine his carefully maintained cover. If Kavach was eliminated by the Crimson Oath Society, shouldn't Azrael, as vice president, also be targeted for consistency? This contradiction would expose his dual identity, the very secret he'd worked so diligently to protect.
As Azrael considered his options, the murderous intent crystallized into clarity. The freedom that came with embracing violence seemed to sharpen his strategic thinking dramatically.
Beyond Kavach's current obstructionism, Azrael still harbored deep resentment over the Autumn incident. That elderly manipulator's death had been satisfying, but the larger pattern of corruption and incompetence demanded additional attention.
Unaware of the dangerous direction of Azrael's thoughts, Kavach noticed his subordinate's reluctance to leave and allowed irritation to creep into his voice. "President Azrael, are you attempting to instruct me on proper procedure?"
The response came with cold precision. "I merely believe the situation's urgency demands immediate reporting. President Kavach should contact our superiors without delay."
A brief pause heightened the tension before Azrael added his trump card. "Perhaps I should contact Master Lucian directly to ensure proper protocols are followed?"
The statement was pure bluff, Azrael possessed no means of contacting Lucian independently. However, he felt confident that Kavach wouldn't dare call his bluff.
The mention of Lucian's name achieved the desired effect. Despite attempting to project confidence, Kavach's voice carried a slight tremor. "Overstepping established authority represents a serious violation. President Azrael, avoid making that mistake."
Azrael's expression grew amused, though his tone remained deadly serious. "I'm merely fulfilling my obligations as a disciple. President Kavach needn't concern himself with my personal communications."
Silence descended upon the office as the power dynamic shifted palpably.
Finally, Kavach capitulated with forced pleasantry. "I'll submit the report immediately. There's no need to disturb Master Lucian unnecessarily."
He began typing rapidly, compiling the incident details that had been prepared during Diesel's earlier report. The only addition required was the phrase "suspected Emerald-level threat."
The word "suspected" represented Kavach's final act of defiance. Since no Emerald-level demon had actually manifested, and the intelligence originated from the Crimson Oath Society, even Lucian couldn't fault such qualified language if he chose to investigate personally.
The Qilu Cardian Master Association's response arrived with remarkable speed, demonstrating the report's high priority classification.
"President Azrael, would you care to review their response?" Kavach inquired with barely concealed satisfaction after reading the message.
Sensing trouble from his expression, Azrael turned the monitor toward himself with growing unease.
The document's contents were diplomatically worded but devastating in their implications. The Qilu Association claimed severe personnel shortages prevented meaningful assistance with Donglai's situation. The justification appeared legitimate, the Onefold Doctrine's activities were intensifying across northern Qilu cities, requiring all available personnel for suppression efforts.
Additionally, the increasing frequency of secret realm manifestations had stretched their resources to breaking points.
However, as a gesture of support, the Qilu Association indicated they would dispatch several Gold-level Lore Cardians to provide limited assistance.
That was all.
After all, the reported Emerald-level demons were merely "suspected," weren't they?
Azrael had, of course, noticed Kavach's semantic manipulation and understood how that single word had undermined the entire report's urgency.
"Excellent work," Azrael commented with expressionless appreciation, turning the monitor back. "President Kavach truly demonstrates exceptional patriotic dedication. I'm thoroughly impressed."
His bloodlust intensified with each word.
Suddenly, he recalled a line from a time-travel novel he'd once read, something about windmills and impossible quests.
"..."
Azrael glanced at Kavach, who appeared confused by the cryptic reference, then departed the office without further explanation.
Words had become meaningless. Once the coastal situation stabilized, he would take decisive action.
Watching the young vice president disappear, Kavach's expression darkened considerably. Events seemed to be spiraling beyond his control at an alarming rate.
The situation had been deteriorating since Autumn's elimination. He hadn't anticipated the seemingly mild-mannered Azrael possessing such ruthless determination. That elderly woman's death should have served as a warning about his true nature.
Pulling out his phone, Kavach stared at the screen with furrowed concentration. The displayed chat log showed a conversation with an unnamed contact.
"They promised additional reinforcements," he muttered to the empty office.
"Where are they?"
Returning to the coastline, Azrael briefed Diesel and Godfrey on his headquarters encounter, recounting Kavach's bureaucratic obstruction and the Association's inadequate response.
Diesel's expression reflected disgust after hearing the account. At this critical moment, President Kavach was still engaging in political maneuvering rather than addressing genuine security threats.
His earlier decision to cooperate with such leadership now seemed blindingly foolish.
Glancing at the capable young man beside him, Diesel found himself wishing Azrael held the presidential position instead. Since arriving in Donglai, the youth had demonstrated far greater responsibility and competence than Kavach.
Godfrey maintained his poker face, making his thoughts impossible to discern.
"We cannot afford further delays," Azrael decided with barely concealed determination. "Once the Gold-level reinforcements arrive from headquarters, we'll take proactive action to eliminate the distant demonic forces."
The strategy made tactical sense. Since powerful support wouldn't be forthcoming, clipping the demons' wings preemptively was preferable to facing an Emerald-level entity surrounded by subordinates.
"In the worst-case scenario, I'll have Magnus assume my identity while Shiraori and Frieren coordinate a joint assault," he thought grimly.
Azrael had prepared for the ultimate contingency. He believed that with all his cards played and the support of Gold-level Lore Cardians affiliated with the Association, even an Emerald-level demon wouldn't be completely overwhelming.
Although he'd never witnessed an Emerald-level entity's capabilities firsthand, his experience with Diamond-level and Master-level opponents provided some reference points for comparison.
Godfrey and Diesel, understanding the stakes involved, silently acknowledged the necessity of aggressive action.
The three men turned their attention toward the distant Steel Fleet, maintaining their vigilant watch.
Two days passed before Azrael and his colleagues welcomed the arrival of two Gold-level Lore Cardians dispatched from Qilu Association headquarters.
Only two.
According to the newcomers, this represented the maximum support available. Cities further north were experiencing even more severe crises than Donglai.
The pair introduced themselves as Kishimoto and Toriyama, a male-female team with complementary skill sets.
"If I may ask," Kishimoto inquired hesitantly after receiving Azrael's situation briefing, "where is President Kavach?"
"Isn't the president right here?" Diesel's instinctive gesture toward Azrael revealed his true sentiments before he caught himself. "President Kavach remains at headquarters to guard against Onefold Doctrine infiltration."
His lip curl spoke volumes about his opinion of that arrangement.
Kishimoto and Toriyama exchanged meaningful glances, clearly sensing the underlying tensions despite the reasonable explanation.
Azrael moved quickly past the awkward moment. "The situation demands immediate action. I'll entrust this coastline to your capable hands."
"The three of us will conduct a reconnaissance in force against the enemy positions."
"If circumstances deteriorate, I trust you'll provide whatever support becomes necessary."
Having received orders to provide assistance, Kishimoto and Toriyama recognized Azrael's authority despite his recent promotion to Gold-level status. However, his rapid advancement since the Nationals, barely two months prior, raised concerns about his practical combat experience.
They attempted a diplomatic suggestion. "Perhaps this arrangement would be more prudent: President Azrael could remain here while we accompany Directors Diesel and Godfrey for the assault?"
Their tone remained respectful, but Azrael understood their underlying concerns.
Godfrey and Diesel, having witnessed Azrael's true capabilities extensively, recognized the newcomers' ignorance regarding his actual strength.
Most Lore Cardians couldn't replicate Azrael's unique advantages, his ability to essentially plagiarize existing characters, complete with their abilities, personalities, and combat experience, from established sources. Traditional card creation required extensive conceptualization, character development, and ability design.
"I appreciate your consideration, but I must respectfully decline," Azrael replied diplomatically.
Hearing his firm refusal, Kishimoto and Toriyama abandoned their insistence. They would simply have to remain alert and provide immediate support if the situation demanded intervention.
"Very well. Please exercise maximum caution, all three of you," Kishimoto concluded with genuine concern.
As the trio prepared for their hazardous mission, the weight of Donglai's fate settled upon their shoulders. The coming confrontation would determine whether the city survived the growing supernatural threat, or fell to forces beyond mortal comprehension.