The Qilu Cardian Master Association's conference hall fell into profound silence. After several long minutes, a young woman seated at the head of the polished mahogany table finally broke the quiet tension. "So, do you all think what Azrael said is true?"
Her naplate glead under the conference room's fluorescent lighting, clearly marking her authority.
Vladimir, President of the Qilu Cardian Master Association.
The middle-aged man seated to Vladimir's right leaned forward slightly, his expression thoughtful. "President, Azrael is Master Lucian's disciple. There's no logical reason for him to fabricate sothing of this magnitude," he said carefully. "Besides, he'll be arriving shortly to provide the physical evidence."
Vladimir nodded slowly, her fingers steepled before her. "This ergency session was called primarily because Master Tempest and his team placed significant value on the intelligence Azrael submitted. The implications are... concerning, to say the least."
A sharp knock echoed through the conference hall doors, interrupting her contemplation. "President Vladimir, President Azrael has arrived."
"Please, send him in."
The heavy oak doors swung open, revealing Azrael in his formal Association attire, crisp, professional, and carrying himself with the quiet confidence of soone far beyond his apparent years. He stepped into the room with asured strides, his penetrating gaze sweeping across the assembled leadership before settling on the president herself.
"President of the Donglai Cardian Master Association, Azrael," he announced with neither subservience nor arrogance, his voice carrying the weight of genuine authority. "I'm here for the ergency briefing, as requested."
Vladimir couldn't help but smile at his composed deanor, resting her chin on interlaced fingers. "Please, take a seat, President Azrael. No need for excessive formality."
"Thank you, President Vladimir," Azrael replied with a respectful nod, smoothly pulling out a chair at the conference table.
The young president had done his research thoroughly before arriving. Every detail about the Qilu Cardian Master Association's leadership structure was firmly committed to mory, including the most crucial fact: despite her youthful appearance, Vladimir was actually well into her sixties, easily old enough to be his grandmother. Such was the nature of high-ranking Lore Cardians and their extended lifespans.
It made him wonder, not for the first ti, why his own master appeared so remarkably aged despite his trendous power.
Vladimir's voice drew him back to the present. "President Azrael, I won't waste ti with diplomatic pleasantries. I suspect you've grown tired of such formalities by now."
Her tone grew serious as she gestured to a younger man seated to her left. "I called you here primarily to hear the complete details of that day's events. Allow to introduce Lord Yuseph of the Northern Defense Army."
Azrael's eyes flicked to the naplate, noting the formal title with interest rather than the confusion he might have felt weeks ago.
The military officer nodded politely, his deanor professional but urgent. "Greetings, President Azrael. I'm Commander Yuseph of the Northern Defense Army."
He leaned forward, his hands clasped on the table. "I'll be direct, Master Tempest has deed your submitted intelligence of critical strategic importance, which is why I've been dispatched to conduct this inquiry personally."
His gaze sharpened with military precision. "Could you please provide a complete recounting of the events from that day? Every detail, no matter how seemingly insignificant, could prove vital."
Azrael's mind raced as the implications beca clear. The Qilu Cardian Master Association had forwarded his report directly to the Northern Defense Army, ultimately reaching Master Tempest himself. No wonder it took them so long to summon for this eting.
A chill of apprehension settled in his chest as he began his thodical recounting, focusing particularly on the Onefold Doctrine's strategic planning and his thodology for identifying Li Gang's true nature.
Of course, certain aspects, particularly Shiraori's unique identification abilities, remained carefully omitted from his official account.
After Azrael concluded his detailed testimony, Commander Yuseph stroked his chin thoughtfully, clearly preparing to ask follow-up questions. Before he could speak, however, a sharp tallic clang interrupted the proceedings.
A large bucket filled with dark crimson blood materialized on the conference table's polished surface.
Azrael gestured to the tal container with practiced ease. "These are the foreign biological materials I extracted from the victims during my investigation. I assu the Northern Defense Army will require them for analysis, Commander Shu?"
The military officer's prepared questions died on his lips as he stared at the unexpected evidence. "Thank you, President Azrael," he managed, quickly regaining his composure.
With a subtle gesture, he activated a spatial storage technique, and the blood bucket vanished into his personal dinsional space.
"President Azrael," Commander Yuseph continued, "I'll also need you to transfer Li Gang's remains to our custody for further examination."
Azrael nodded without hesitation. "Of course, but I'm afraid this conference room lacks the spatial capacity for such a large specin. Perhaps we should move outside?"
The four officials relocated to the Association's outdoor training grounds.
Within monts, half of Li Gang's massive draconic corpse materialized before them, its scales still gleaming with residual demonic energy despite death. The sheer size of the transford cultist's remains drew sharp intakes of breath from several observers.
Commander Yuseph approached the corpse with professional caution, extending his right hand to place it directly on the creature's scaled hide. His expression grew increasingly puzzled as he conducted his mystical examination.
After several minutes of analysis, the Northern Defense Army officer straightened and bowed respectfully to the three Association leaders. "Thank you all for your cooperation and assistance. Master Tempest is awaiting my imdiate return with this evidence, so I won't delay any longer."
With practiced efficiency, he stored the dragon corpse in his spatial inventory and prepared to depart. "Until we et again."
Azrael felt a wave of relief wash over him as his primary objective reached completion. "Then, President Vladimir, shall I return to my duties in Donglai?"
However, Vladimir raised a hand to halt his departure. "President Azrael, there's actually another matter that requires your imdiate attention."
Her tone grew more serious as she continued. "You've recently achieved Erald rank, correct?"
Azrael nodded carefully, uncertain of where this conversation was heading.
The president's next words stopped him cold. "President Azrael, would you consider transferring to the Qilu Cardian Master Association?"
Her expression grew sympathetic as she explained, "Erald rank capabilities are sowhat... underutilized in a smaller city like Donglai. Your talents would be better served here."
Azrael's instinctive response was imdiate concern. "What would happen to Donglai in that scenario?"
His question stemd from genuine worry, during his tenure as president of the Donglai Cardian Master Association, the coastal city had faced an unprecedented series of supernatural threats. A standard Gold-rank leader simply couldn't provide adequate protection; the position legitimately required Erald-level capabilities.
He'd been planning to remain in Donglai for an extended period precisely because of these security concerns.
Vladimir exchanged aningful glances with the middle-aged executive beside her before he spoke with careful diplomacy. "President Azrael, given your status as Master Lucian's disciple, I'll be completely transparent with you."
His expression grew grave as he continued. "The Northern Defense Army's defensive periter is preparing for a strategic withdrawal. This will inevitably increase the pressure on all Qilu region cities."
"Consequently, we're seriously considering closing several smaller municipal centers and consolidating their populations with larger, more defensible urban areas."
"Donglai, unfortunately, falls into the category of smaller cities that may face closure."
Vladimir's revelation left Azrael montarily speechless.
He hadn't anticipated that the northern situation had deteriorated to such a critical point. After all, retreating the defensive lines would effectively constitute abandoning significant portions of Empire of Aetherlight territory to hostile forces.
After a prolonged silence, the young president asked quietly, "President Vladimir, I assu I have so ti to consider this proposal?"
Vladimir's smile returned, though it carried a note of understanding. "Of course, President Azrael. Take all the ti you need to make such an important decision."
Her voice carried genuine warmth as she added, "I look forward to the day when we might work together directly."
Azrael nodded silently and activated his transportation technique, vanishing from the Qilu Association headquarters.
Returning to his private residence, Azrael collapsed onto his comfortable sofa with a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of impossible choices pressing down on him.
He'd never imagined that a simple intelligence delivery would cascade into such monuntal consequences.
After brooding for several minutes, he forced himself to sit upright and analyze the situation logically.
If he chose to decline Vladimir's offer, he would undoubtedly secure a position as headquarters director or vice president when Donglai eventually rged with surrounding major cities. There was also the possibility of retaining a branch presidency.
While such a transition might appear to be a demotion on paper, the resource disparity between major cities and smaller ones was enormous. In practical terms, it would be a superficial downgrade masking a substantial improvent in access to materials, training opportunities, and advancent potential.
However, accepting Vladimir's proposal would transform Azrael into what was essentially a glorified firefighter, similar to the role Master Pierre had occupied when they'd t earlier. He'd undoubtedly sacrifice his administrative title, but would likely receive significant compensation increases; otherwise, Vladimir wouldn't have made the offer.
After all, the privileges associated with being a master Lore Cardian's disciple carried considerable weight in such negotiations.
"What's the optimal choice?" he muttered, leaning back in frustration.
After extensive deliberation, Azrael reached his decision, "Better to be the firefighter."
He was prepared to accept Vladimir's offer, despite the apparent drawbacks.
The saying held true, the greater the storm, the more valuable the fish caught within it. The deteriorating situation in the north filled the young president with a vague sense of unease, but also... anticipation.
Compared to the comfortable but ultimately limiting life of a major city administrator, firefighters clearly offered access to superior resources and naturally accelerated skill developnt.
"Ti is the critical factor here," Azrael acknowledged grimly.
Although he'd reached his decision, there remained one crucial task before he could respond to Vladimir's offer.
His Erald-level ntal energy instantly swept through the surrounding area, confirming no unauthorized surveillance was monitoring his activities. Satisfied with his security, he retrieved his secondary communication device.
[Six: President, I have critical intelligence to report, but it cannot be transmitted through normal channels.]
[Jin: Co to my location directly. You know the address.]
Seeing Jin's response, Azrael felt a mont of confusion. How could he possibly know that location?
Then mory clicked into place, his last journey to Australia had originated from Jin's private chamber.
Azrael retrieved his [Blood Sacrifice Ritual: Teleport] card and paused in contemplation. Could it be that I haven't visited that city since returning from Australia, so the exact anchor point coordinates are uncertain?
With this realization, he imdiately departed for the coastal area where he'd previously t mphis.
His reluctance to perform the blood sacrifice ritual within his residence wasn't just about avoiding cleanup complications. More critically, if soone discovered him missing while the ritual evidence remained, it would create catastrophic security vulnerabilities.
Unlike the beach location, where ocean tides would naturally erase all traces of his activities.
He soon arrived at the familiar shoreline and activated the blood sacrifice teleportation ritual.
However, when Azrael materialized at his destination, his expression darkened with grim recognition. "I should have anticipated this."
Instead of appearing directly within Jin's private chamber, he found himself standing before the gates of the underground city within the city.
He casually donned the black robe identifying him as a Crimson Oath Society mber and proceeded in the direction he rembered from previous visits.
Shortly thereafter, he reached the location where Jin's chamber had been positioned during their last eting.
Azrael knocked gently on the closed door before him.
Rather than the expected sound of his knocking, he found himself already inside the room in a disorienting instant.
"Interesting. You've achieved Erald rank?" a hoarse voice suddenly spoke from behind him.
Azrael spun around quickly to find Jin observing him with obvious intrigue.
He couldn't suppress a shiver of apprehension as he replied with nervous laughter, "It was largely fortuitous, all thanks to your guidance, President."
Jin's response carried a note of skeptical amusent. "How curious, I wasn't aware of providing any such assistance."
Azrael's entire body tensed, and he barely dared to breathe.
Observing his subordinate's reaction, the hook-nosed elder waved dismissively. "Enough. Proceed with your report. Anything requiring face-to-face communication must be genuinely significant."
Azrael imdiately launched into his detailed recounting of Li Gang's entire operation, concluding by retrieving the carefully preserved fragnt of the dragon's remains he'd retained from his spatial storage.
As he spoke, Jin's expression grew progressively more serious, until he finally reached out to conduct his own mystical examination of the draconic corpse specin within the confines of the chamber.
After several minutes, the elder withdrew his blood-stained right hand and turned to face Azrael directly, delivering a few words that caught him completely off guard.
"Join the Northern Defense Army."
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