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Hearing Grant's question, Russell nodded hesitantly.
Because he did have a lot of doubts in his mind right now.
However, after seeing the young man admit that everything he'd witnessed was his doing, Grant opened his mouth—but didn't know what to say. "..."
The man in the black suit felt extremely complicated at this moment.
Because just now, when those two demons were wiped out, he'd felt incomparable pressure.
The sense of threat from whatever had erased them was even greater than that from his own president, Regent Jin.
"Good job, Six."
After a long while, he finally managed a few words in a dry voice.
It was no wonder Grant had this attitude.
After all, when he'd first met Russell, the boy had been just a Bronze-rank nobody.
The last time they'd met, he'd just entered Gold-rank.
But now, less than two months since their last meeting, the young man had already found means that threatened even him.
No—it couldn't be called a threat.
It should be said he'd have no power to resist.
After all, judging from what had just happened, Grant thought to himself: if that method were used on him, he could only wait for death.
It was despairing, but it was the truth.
As if seeing through Grant's thoughts, Russell just said casually, "It's hard to replicate, Fifth Brother."
It wasn't that he wanted to actively expose this information.
He was afraid that what if Grant felt he could use this method freely and assigned him a high-risk mission?
Everyone knows their own situation. Russell didn't dare gamble his life on whether the [Gaze of the Superior] would trigger again if he really encountered a high-level demon.
Just in case, it was better to treat it as a one-time ability.
After hearing Russell's explanation, Grant suddenly understood and couldn't help but feel relieved.
Yes—if you wanted to use this kind of killer move, the price you paid was probably high.
He'd been so frightened just now that he'd lost his composure for a moment.
Thinking this, the man in the black suit pretended to be calm. He straightened his cuffs and managed his expression again. "Since you solved it yourself, I'll head back first."
"It would be troublesome if someone saw us."
Hearing this, Russell nodded silently. At this moment, his mind was filled with a thousand thoughts—he had no attention to spare for Grant.
Watching the other person leave, he fell into thought.
From everything that had just happened, Russell was certain this was caused by Kumoko's traits. After all, the scene just now was indeed very similar to the appearance of evil god [D] in the original work.
However, that time, evil god [D] hadn't shown the ability to erase living things.
Could it really be evil god [D]?
Russell was hesitant. After all, cross-universe enforcement was still a bit too outrageous.
But he couldn't think of any possible candidates.
After all, the only person he knew on Blue Star who could be considered the ceiling was Everett Zhou.
Not even his teacher Blake.
Everett Zhou's title was [Eternal Light]. If a sun had appeared and burned Will and the others to death, Russell might have guessed it was the Hall-level cardmaker.
But obviously not.
If it wasn't Everett Zhou, then other Hall-level cardmakers were even less likely—after all, Russell didn't even know them.
Thinking this way, he could basically rule out the possibility that the person on the other end of the phone was a cardmaker.
After thinking for a long time and still unable to figure it out, he could only suppress his doubts.
However, just as he was about to leave and return to East-Haven, two strange auras emerged from where Will and Grath had disappeared.
"...Materials?"
Arriving at the location where the two demons had been wiped out, Russell looked somewhat stunned at the two card-like things floating in the air.
He took the two materials into his palm and muttered to himself. "How did materials come out?"
According to Russell's previous experience, it was generally impossible to collect materials from demons whose bodies weren't left behind.
He'd already given up on the idea of getting rich.
But who would've thought that Will and the others had actually dropped materials?
Gold-rank [Pirate Swordsman] (Red).
"Grath's..."
The material revealed by the sword-wielding young man was exactly what Kumoko had identified.
But Will's material...
"Gold-rank [Kingly Might] (Red)."
"How can it be Gold-rank material?!"
Russell stared blankly at the material that should belong to Will.
Will was undoubtedly Emerald-rank. Normally, the material dropped should also be Emerald-rank.
But what he had was Gold-rank.
Only Red quality.
Russell suspected some middleman was taking kickbacks.
But he had no evidence.
"...But could this material be used for Luffy?"
With the self-comforting thought that having something was better than nothing, Russell put away the two materials.
"Time to go back."
Russell let out a long sigh, pinched his brows tiredly, and had the Shadowkhan take him back to East-Haven.
Now that Will and Grath were dead, East-Haven was basically out of danger. He didn't need to rush back.
And even though Kumoko and Frieren were still alive, it would be troublesome if he ran into an Association cardmaker from East-Haven who'd come out to look for him on his way back.
East-Haven, on the coast.
Looking at the remaining steel warships that had fallen silent in the distance, Warren's expression was serious.
"What's the situation in the city?" He was silent for a moment, then asked in a low voice to Bianca beside him.
Bianca also looked solemn. "President Simon is already organizing the evacuation."
"But..."
"Did Vice President Russell really disappear with that Emerald-rank demon?"
Hearing this, Warren nodded with difficulty.
He'd witnessed all of it with his own eyes. It couldn't be false.
Although he didn't understand what had happened.
"I'm afraid..." Bianca had mixed feelings. Since she'd gone back to inform Simon about the Emerald-rank demon's appearance, she didn't know the situation at the scene.
All she knew was that when she returned, Warren said the young Vice President and the two demons had vanished from the battle site.
Whether he was alive or dead was unknown.
"Vice President Russell is in grave danger."
As much as she didn't want to admit it, this was the most common-sense inference.
Vice President Russell must have used himself as bait to lure away the two high-danger demons.
This had bought East-Haven precious time.
Logically, this was indeed the best option in that situation. If it were any other time, both of them would only maintain the highest respect for such sacrifice.
But the problem was...
Russell was also Blake's disciple.
Although Warren and Bianca, as cardmakers who'd worked in the coastal area for years, were familiar with Master Blake's character and knew he definitely wouldn't be angry with them over this...
If someone really did get angry at you, demotion was the lightest punishment you could expect.
"This is going to be difficult."
The two exchanged glances and saw a hint of bitterness in each other's eyes.
Just then, two low groans came from behind them.
They turned quickly and saw that Zayne and Luther—who'd fallen unconscious from the impact of the Emerald-rank demon's arrival—had opened their eyes.
Thanks to Warren's timely support and the fact that Will and Grath had been led away by Russell, the two of them hadn't suffered any harm.
Under Townes's leadership, the remaining demons hadn't attacked the coast again.
Not that they didn't want to—but mainly because without Grath and Will, the remaining dregs were just cannon fodder.
"...What's going on?" The square-faced middle-aged man covered his head with his hands as if in pain, his face full of confusion.
The incident had happened suddenly. Before he and Zayne could react, they'd fainted from being at the center of Will's aura.
Zayne beside him still had that deadpan expression, but judging from his furrowed brow, he seemed unwell too.
Seeing this, Warren and Bianca surrounded them with concern. "Directors, are you alright?"
Luther covered his face with one hand and struggled to get up with Bianca's help. "What happened?"
Hearing this question, Warren and Bianca quickly recounted what had happened, their expressions heavy.
Luther's expression kept switching between surprise, fear, and anger. If a Sichuan opera face-changing master were present, he'd probably ask him for tips.
Finally, he was silent for a moment, then asked in a low voice. "So Vice President Russell led the Emerald-rank demon away?"
Luther didn't expect an answer. When he asked this question, the answer was already in his heart.
He couldn't imagine how a Gold-rank could survive at an Emerald-rank's hands.
Even though Vice President Russell was extremely talented, the gap in strength was still difficult to bridge.
Rather, it was beyond his imagination that Russell could successfully lure away both an Emerald-rank and a Gold-rank at the same time.
Zayne, standing nearby, wasn't surprised about the Emerald-rank demon. After all, their Spirit Begging Society had been the first to know.
What he hadn't expected was that the timing of the Emerald-rank demon's appearance was so unfortunate.
Fortunately that person was willing to sacrifice himself, otherwise...
But I think the lord will be pleased.
At this moment, the expressionless middle-aged man felt not only lingering fear, but also an inexplicable joy.
Just as the four of them had different thoughts, a voice sounded beside them.
"What are you four talking about?"
They turned and saw Simon.
The President of the East-Haven Association had finally arrived.
After all, an Emerald-rank demon had appeared. His excuses were no longer effective.
Never mind about the Sect for now. If they really let an Emerald-rank demon into the city, it would be no different from a wolf entering a sheepfold.
By then, East-Haven would probably become a demon stronghold.
Although if it were only an Emerald-rank demon, it would be quickly wiped out by the Association.
After meeting Simon, Warren recounted what had happened.
Who would've thought that Simon looked somewhat strange after hearing everything?
Warren and Bianca couldn't tell if it was their imagination, but they felt President Simon seemed to be gloating over someone else's misfortune.
But when they looked closely, they only saw an expression of pity. "Alas, heaven is jealous of talent."
"East-Haven will remember Vice President Russell's dedication."
Seeing this, Zayne curled his lip but didn't say much.
A hint of anger appeared on Luther's face, but he finally just pursed his lips and swallowed the words in his throat.
In order to suppress the corners of his mouth that were harder to control than an AK's recoil, Simon mentioned another matter as if nothing had happened. "I've already reported the Emerald-rank demon situation. An Emerald-rank cardmaker should be coming to support us soon. Don't worry, you four."
Hearing this, Warren and Bianca felt relieved.
As long as an Emerald-rank cardmaker arrived, East-Haven's crisis would be resolved.
Just as they fell into silence, a somewhat familiar voice came from beside them.
"I'm glad to see no one was injured."
The sudden voice caused several people to turn their heads.
What came into view was Russell—whom they'd just been discussing.
Several people widened their eyes. The scene before them was like seeing a ghost in broad daylight. The young man who'd been sentenced to death in their hearts was actually standing here.
Besides looking a little disheveled, he wasn't even injured.
"You're not dead?!" A somewhat surprised voice suddenly sounded.
It was Simon.
As if realizing his blunder, the President of the East-Haven Association quickly added, "It's wonderful that Vice President Russell isn't dead."
"You're truly worthy of being the Federation's pillar."
Russell glanced at Simon, who was pretending to be sincere, and couldn't help but say, "Oh? President Simon is here too?"
You really couldn't blame Russell. Anyone in his position would probably feel resentful, right?
If it weren't for Simon's tricks, Russell wouldn't have had to risk his life today.
Although he considered himself to be a good person, being a good person didn't mean being a saint.
Besides—should good people be held at gunpoint?
Russell silently raised the priority of killing the man before him and ignored him.
Simon was also embarrassed by Russell's sarcasm for a moment, but he finally said with a thick face and normal expression. "Look at what Vice President Russell said. As the Association's president, how could I back down at such a time?"
Hearing this, the other three Gold-rank cardmakers belonging to the East-Haven Association curled their lips.
Warren and Bianca felt the atmosphere among the four was somewhat strange, but as outsiders who didn't understand the conflicts, they had no interest in exploring these things. They just asked Russell the biggest question in their hearts. "Vice President, where is the Emerald-rank demon?"
"Dead."
Russell said these two words casually.
Dead?
Those two short syllables exploded like a bomb in everyone's hearts.
They repeated these words in their minds, dazed.
The massive impact left them confused for a moment.
After a long while, Simon was the first to recover. He laughed dryly a few times. "Is Vice President Russell joking?"
"Haha."
His voice also brought the people around him back to reality.
Compared to Simon's disbelief, Luther and the others were left with only shock.
After all, in their opinion, there was no reason or need for Russell to lie about such things. Who would do something with absolutely no benefit?
Although they believed the Emerald-rank demon was dead, several people still didn't think Russell had done it.
Therefore, Luther asked hesitantly. "Did Miss Hazel take action?"
He'd thought about it and concluded that Russell must have already sent a message to his senior sister—the Diamond-rank cardmaker Hazel—before the battle started.
Later, she'd happened to encounter the monster and easily dealt with it.
Although Russell had indeed called for someone and waited for them to arrive, he couldn't say the person who came was from the Spirit Begging Society.
Therefore, he could only deny he'd called anyone and put the blame on whether his cards had some hidden killer move.
After all, no one could verify such things, and Kumoko was indeed his card.
"No. I killed it."
Looking at the calm young man before them, everyone was stunned.