As the holder of the Crimson Oath contracts, Jin naturally couldn't remain unaware of the seismic changes taking place.
At that moment, the old man, currently residing in Australia, stopped what he was doing and frowned, his gaze turning toward the distant Empire of Aetherlight.
"Why do I have such an ominous feeling?"
Although Jin had been completely rejected by the World Consciousness itself, he was still a Master-level Lore Cardian. He could still vaguely sense the danger that might soon befall him.
He pulled out his communicator and immediately prepared to message his contact about what was happening.
But just as the old man finished composing the message and was about to send it, his expression suddenly changed. Through gritted teeth, he growled a single name, "Edley!"
He had never expected this Sovereign-level Lore Cardian from the Indo-American Federation to interfere in the Empire's internal affairs.
After several deep breaths, Jin forced himself to calm down.
The incident had happened too suddenly. He could already see that most of the contracts he'd previously controlled had changed owners, leaving only a few strongly-bound agreements and contracts located outside the Empire.
The old man's best option right now would be to completely abandon his schemes in Velkairos and remain safe in Australia. Edley wouldn't bother tracking him down over something so minor.
More importantly, the Empire couldn't afford the price that would require.
But...
Jin felt he could still maneuver his pieces on the board. After all, the Skinner was on his side.
Remembering the complicated relationship between the feather-crowned woman and Edley, a dangerous smile crossed his weathered face.
"Lioren. Lucian."
"You really think I'm a pushover, don't you?"
"My meal isn't so easily stolen."
Beside the [Demon's Nest], Edley toyed with gold coins in his hand, his expression one of utter boredom.
He'd lied to the Empire's representatives. While his card [Grus'cap] did have certain limitations, it didn't necessarily require an unequal contract as he'd claimed.
But... whatever. They probably wouldn't care about such minor details anyway.
With this thought, he glanced at the young man standing beside him.
The person he was most curious about during this trip to the Empire was definitely Master Lucian's beloved disciple. Unfortunately, this wasn't the Indo-American Federation, where he could act with impunity.
Edley felt the scorching gaze directed at him from the distant sky and shook his head slightly.
Best not to cause any more trouble.
Just as Lucian was preparing to eliminate the remaining Crimson Oath leaders within the stronghold, a sickening, terrifying aura suddenly spread across the battlefield.
A sizzling sound, like flesh scorching on hot metal, rang out across the ruined base.
Vast white mist began emanating from the entrance to the secret realm near the Crimson Oath headquarters.
Azrael's eyes fixed on this familiar scene, immediately recognizing the origin of the phenomenon.
When he'd first arrived in this world, he'd encountered the [Demon's Nest] invading Velkairos.
The mist back then had been identical to what now filled his vision.
Undoubtedly, the master demon known as the Flesh King within the [Demon's Nest] had taken action.
"So Jin really was connected to them all along."
Although the young man had suspected this for some time, he couldn't help but feel disappointed at the confirmation before his eyes. He feared he wouldn't be able to eliminate One and his associates today after all.
However, the numerous contracts that had suddenly emerged in his mind brightened Azrael's mood considerably.
At this moment, Edley raised an eyebrow and said with mock politeness, "Master Lucian, do you need me to help you eliminate this demon?"
"It's not expensive, just three sets of Sovereign-level materials."
Hearing this, Lucian couldn't help but curl his lips, secretly cursing the man for his ruthlessness.
Even if the Empire could afford such a price, he would never agree to this deal.
He was old, not stupid.
Lucian could still see through such a transparent test of his intentions.
Taking a deep breath, the old man said calmly, "I appreciate the offer, Mr. Edley. What happens next concerns the Empire's internal affairs. If you need to depart, please feel free to do so."
"My apologies for the presumption."
Hearing this, Edley shrugged, crossed his arms, and said nonchalantly, "I'm in no rush. Quetzalcoatl is watching over Antarctica on my behalf."
Lucian smiled politely, then ignored the foreigner beside him and turned his gaze to the white mist below.
However, the Flesh King remained hidden within the secret realm, clearly wary of Edley's presence, the Sovereign-level Lore Cardian whose intentions remained unclear.
Even if the demon couldn't defeat Edley within the [Demon's Nest], he could still create significant complications.
"You think hiding your true form will stop me?" Lucian scoffed. "Ridiculous!"
With that declaration, the massive black-faced figure of Dread King Yama instantly materialized behind him.
While Edley certainly wasn't planning to attack, the old man could still leverage his intimidating presence.
Look, now the Flesh King could only watch helplessly as these scum of the Crimson Oath Society met their end!
The once-clear sky suddenly became overcast, and Dread King Yama's dark visage matched the color of the storm clouds gathering above.
One and the others inside the stronghold felt a deadly threat wash over them like a tidal wave, their eyes bloodshot with desperation.
"Azrael..."
"How could he be a traitor?"
Memphis muttered to himself, collapsing to the ground in disbelief. He had never expected Azrael, whom he'd personally invited to join the Crimson Oath Society, to betray them.
He'd even watched the young man sign the contract with his own eyes.
If Azrael had found some way to nullify the contract, Jin would have been aware of it immediately.
Hearing his words, One said with his gloomy fox-masked face, "There's no time to discuss this now. Have you contacted the President?"
As he spoke, he looked up at the white mist filling the sky above them.
"Fortunately, we have that being's protection. Otherwise, we'd already be dead."
But soon, One felt doubt creeping into his thoughts.
If he remembered correctly, there should have been a Sovereign-level Lore Cardian among their group, shouldn't there?
Then why hadn't that person taken action against their attackers?
Unless...
The fox-masked man's face changed drastically as he realized he'd found the answer. He hurriedly shouted to Three, "Quickly, notify the President! This is a trap, "
Before One could finish his warning, a sinister voice echoed beside him, "No need. I'm already here."
The man turned to see his guild leader standing at his side.
Besides Jin, he also recognized two familiar Master-level Lore Cardians:
A bronze-skinned woman wearing a feathered crown, and a naked black man whose white teeth seemed to glow in the darkness.
The Skinner and Marcus.
"President," One looked at the old man anxiously, about to explain the situation.
But Jin silenced him with a raised hand, then turned to the silent Skinner beside him. "The rest of this performance depends on you."
The Skinner smiled warmly. "Don't forget your promise, President Jin."
With those words, the white mist that had been lingering protectively above the ruined stronghold instantly dissipated, revealing the figures of Azrael and his companions hovering in the sky.
Upon seeing the Skinner and Marcus, Lucian's pupils constricted sharply. He immediately retreated, pulling Azrael back with him.
However, the Skinner ignored them entirely, instead glaring at Edley with a hint of mockery. "I never thought our Lord White Crown would be interested in serving the Empire of Aetherlight as a hired hand."
Upon hearing this, the remaining Crimson Oath Lore Cardians froze, their eyes mixing horror and desperate pleading as they turned toward the feather-crowned woman.
They simply wanted the Skinner to stop provoking the Sovereign-level Lore Cardian above them, or else none of those present would survive the encounter.
However, in response to the Skinner's provocation, Edley simply shook his head with mild disappointment. "Dear Sakaga, there's no need to be so harsh. This is merely a business transaction."
"I'll pay double whatever the Empire offered," Jin suddenly declared, his voice cutting through the tension. "Help me kill Lioren, Lucian, and the others."
Edley turned his gaze to the gloomy, hook-nosed old man. "Very well. The Empire's payment was one set of Sovereign-level materials. You now need to pay me two sets of Sovereign-level materials."
"So, do you wish to make this deal?"
Hearing this, Jin's face twitched violently before falling silent.
He could agree to other conditions, but even if someone killed him, he couldn't produce Sovereign-level materials on demand.
The Skinner remained silent for a moment, then said in a deceptively gentle tone, "For my sake, please refrain from making any moves today."
Edley gave the Skinner a long, meaningful look, then shrugged casually. "Today's contract was merely to terminate President Jin's bindings. I wouldn't have made any other moves regardless."
With these words, he walked away to a distance, standing apart from the confrontation as a distant observer.
Seeing this, Marcus stepped forward, approaching Jin with bloodlust clear in his eyes as he stared toward the Empire's defenders. He casually asked, "President Jin, what will you do next?"
"Fight, or flee?"
Jin rolled his cloudy eyes, a maniacal grin spreading across his weathered face. "I'm not about to surrender so easily."
"Besides..."
"I still need to see my dear Lewis."
Marcus rubbed his stomach and licked his lips. "That's right. I'm feeling a bit hungry myself."
Just as the two were about to move, the Skinner stopped them. "Aren't you afraid of Lord Lioren?"
Jin laughed, loud, wild, and unbridled.
But then, his laughter abruptly died. His eyes, when they met the Skinner's, were cold and calculating. "Don't forget our agreement."
With those words, the old man vanished from sight.
Seeing this, Marcus immediately followed, leaving the Skinner standing alone.
The woman glanced at Edley in the distance, then vanished as well.
She now understood why her initial offer had been so harsh, and why Jin had agreed to her exorbitant terms so readily.
It was nothing more than using the emperor as a hostage to control the feudal lords, a classic political maneuver.
With her presence, Lord Lioren wouldn't dare kill Jin, even if he desperately wanted to.
Unless the Empire's Sovereign-level Lore Cardian was already prepared for open war with another nation's Sovereign-level power.
Even knowing this, Jin's decision bordered on irrational madness.
But the Skinner had long known what kind of lunatic lurked beneath the other man's civilized facade.
And lunatics were capable of anything.
Meanwhile, Lucian had already returned to Velkairos with Azrael in tow.
Even before this battle had begun, the elder had prepared contingency plans for the possibility of facing multiple Master-level opponents simultaneously.
What he hadn't anticipated was the apparent connection between the Skinner and Edley.
Had Lucian known about this relationship beforehand, he would never have sought out the Indo-American's assistance.
"A miscalculation!"
Fortunately, the elder had implemented additional backup plans for precisely such scenarios.
"Master Lucian, what happened?" a gentle feminine voice echoed beside them.
It was Fujimaru.
This Master-level Lore Cardian, who was supposed to be stationed at the northern border defending against demon incursions, had now appeared in Velkairos.
Seeing the woman, Lucian briefly recounted everything that had transpired.
After hearing the full account, Fujimaru couldn't help but frown deeply. The situation was spiraling beyond their carefully laid plans.
Just then, strange laughter erupted from nearby, and Jin and Marcus materialized before them.
The old man fixed his eyes on Azrael, who stood protectively beside Lucian, and said in an unnaturally cheerful tone, "Haha! I never thought I, Jin, would one day have my eyes pecked out by a young sparrow."
"Isn't that right, Lewis?"
Hearing this pet name, Memphis's nickname for him within the Crimson Oath Society, the young man silently stepped back, positioning himself as a shield before his teacher. He summoned a towering creature that was half-human, half-spider in form.
Shiraori manifested in her battle-ready state.
Seeing his defensive actions, Jin laughed mockingly. "What's wrong? Too embarrassed to face me?"
"Or perhaps..."
"You're scared?"
Before he could finish his taunt, Azrael's vision blurred.
He felt a withered hand suddenly grip his throat with crushing force.
Two startled cries rang out simultaneously, "Azrael!"
The young man realized his precarious position with dawning horror.
He was now held captive in Jin's iron grip.
"How did you manage that?!"
Azrael was genuinely baffled by what had just occurred.
Seeing his confused expression, Jin kindly whispered directly into his ear, "I've never demonstrated this particular ability in front of your teacher."
Yet Azrael could hear the veil of deep-seated resentment underlying every word.
Jin then inquired with false gentleness, "So, can you tell me how you escaped from my contract?"
"If you explain it to me, perhaps I'll consider sparing your life."
Beside the old man, the magnificent figure of Hermes appeared, toying casually with his iconic caduceus staff.
As one of the Twelve Olympians of Greek mythology, Hermes protected not only merchants and travelers, but also thieves and tricksters.
In other words, the god possessed the divine authority of theft itself.
Stealing from people was, after all, still a form of theft.
Quite literally.
But facing Jin's threats, Azrael gradually calmed down, his racing heartbeat slowing to a steady rhythm.
He had long known the old man was criminally insane. He'd anticipated the possibility that Jin might attempt anything, absolutely anything, if betrayed.
Fortunately, he had prepared a contingency plan for precisely this scenario. He simply hadn't expected to need it so soon.
Azrael stared intently at his teacher and carefully mouthed several words, knowing Lucian could read lips.
"Teacher, do it."
Lucian was stunned for a brief moment, his aged eyes widening. Then he pursed his lips and slowly closed his eyes in resignation and trust.
Seeing this reaction, Jin laughed wildly with genuine delight. "What's this?! Lucian, can't bear to watch your precious apprentice die right before your eyes?"
"Hahahahaha!"
However, his mocking laughter was answered by the world itself changing color in the blink of an eye.
In that single moment, the entire realm seemed stained with a layer of thick, insoluble ink. Everything became pitch black, not the black of night, but the absolute absence of light itself.
Jin's weathered face rarely showed genuine surprise. "You actually couldn't bring yourself to do it?!"
"No," Lucian opened his eyes, his voice carrying absolute calm despite the cosmic forces he was unleashing. "I simply believe in my apprentice."
The next moment, the ink-black darkness surged forward like a living tsunami, completely submerging Jin.
Along with Hermes and Marcus...
And Azrael himself.
"Jin?!"
"President?!"
At this moment, the Skinner, along with One and the other surviving Crimson Oath members, arrived late to the battlefield, staring at the scene before them in absolute astonishment.
The young man they'd known as Lewis had just been consumed by his own teacher's ultimate technique, sacrificed as collateral damage in the strike against their President.
Or had he?