บท 16: The Sacred Capitals

Azriel and Ragnar both deadpanned at Solomon, who had both his arms raised in the air, shouting excitedly.

Though a small smile appeared on Azriel's face, the mood between them was getting a little too intense.

'Not that they're wrong, though... especially Ragnar.'

Azriel had no choice but to accept every word spoken by Ragnar.

Being weak is indeed a sin in this world.

And staying weak is a disgrace.

'But... we will see if my dream comes true or not.'

Perhaps he would have no choice but to become a hero, but that didn't mean being a hero would be the end.

'A means to an end instead... I will become strong enough to make sure no one stands in the way of my future coffee shop.'

For some reason, he was determined to have a coffee shop now.

Perhaps it was a mix of the previous Azriel and Leo that birthed such a dream.

It was something he merely said in the spur of the moment,

but...

it wasn't something he minded.

It at least gave him a goal now.

Not even as Leo Karumi did he honestly have any big dreams like becoming a millionaire, famous idol, or astronaut like other kids his age.

A hollow laugh escaped his lips, drawing the attention of Ragnar and Solomon, who looked at him weirdly.

'Ah, dammit... I really am like an empty shell.'

Azriel shook his head, dispelling the self-deprecating thoughts he was starting to have.

"So when are we going back to my home?"

Luckily, Ragnar decided to ignore Azriel's strange laugh and accepted the change of subject.

"Thomas is already taking care of everything, but due to the disappearance of the Leviathan and the inability to communicate outside of Europe, it's taking a bit longer."

"Oh! Don't forget the sudden disappearances of all the known Monarch and Titan-ranked abominations as well," Solomon added, making Ragnar's face sour even more.

"Yes, even the recorded Void creatures of those ranks disappeared without any of us noticing in the slightest. Something is obviously very..." Ragnar began.

"Wrong," Azriel finished for him, humming in agreement.

"At first, I thought with the amount of coincidences happening and your sudden return from death, we were dealing with a skinwalker strong enough to take down the Leviathan and the other high-ranking Void creatures,"

"So, at least another Leviathan-ranked skinwalker or perhaps even a Defiled one, huh?" Azriel mused, making Ragnar nod.

"Correct, but fortunately, I was wrong..."

'So, what actually happened?'

Having an entire Leviathan-ranked Void creature, along with other high-ranking Void creatures, suddenly disappear into thin air while being monitored 24/7 would normally be seen as impossible.

Yet it still happened.

"Hmm, maybe it was another Leviathan Void creature? Maybe no one noticed when another Phase 6 Void rift finally appeared after a hundred years?"

Solomon shared his thoughts, but Ragnar merely looked at him skeptically.

"And none of you Saints would have noticed the amount of mana fluctuations the Void rift would have caused if it emerged?"

"We are not gods. We don't understand how the Void Realm came to be or why the Void rifts are emerging. We know nothing. So, always be prepared for the unexpected," Solomon replied, surprisingly serious.

The words spoken by Solomon had a deeper effect on the two, enveloping the room in silence.

'Not gods, huh... I know that. After all, becoming a Saint isn't the end, not by a long shot,' Azriel thought.

"Still, if another Leviathan appeared, we would have definitely noticed the two clashing for dominance,"

The two continued their discussion about what was happening, waiting for Thomas to return.

If another Leviathan-ranked Void creature had appeared, it would mean the emergence of another Phase 6 Void rift somewhere in Europe, undetected.

Even then, it wouldn't explain how the two of them clashed without anyone noticing.

Unless...

'What if they didn't fight?...' Azriel wondered.

The thought was absurd, but as Solomon had said, always be prepared for the unexpected.

'A mind control ability, perhaps? But if that were true...'

Azriel shuddered at the thought of two Leviathan-ranked Void creatures working together.

Unless the Void creatures were of the same type and one of them a higher rank, they would never work with each other.

Having Void creatures of the same rank and different types work together was even more unimaginable.

And if he was correct, that the Leviathan was being mind-controlled by another Leviathan, or perhaps another rank, then...

'...Solomon won't be enough. No matter how talented he is, there's no way a single Saint could take down a Leviathan and another Void creature strong enough to control it.'

Half of Europe would be decimated.

'...I could still be wrong,'

As Azriel was lost in his own thoughts and Ragnar and Solomon discussed what might have happened, the door behind him suddenly opened.

"Thomas," Ragnar spoke from the side as Thomas entered the room, bowing his head towards each of them before finally looking towards Azriel.

"I am glad to see that not even death could hold you down, Prince Azriel."

Azriel smiled at hearing Thomas' words.

'Well, not entirely...'

"It's good to see you again as well, Thomas."

Nodding, Thomas addressed each one of them.

"I have prepared a helicopter for us. Though out of caution, we will be taking a longer route to reach EASC."

EASC, also known as East Asia Sacred Capital, is the largest and most populous city in East Asia where the Crimson clan resides.

Just like in East Asia, the other parts of Asia also have their own mega cities: NASC (North Asia Sacred Capital), WASC (West Asia Sacred Capital), and SASC (South Asia Sacred Capital).

NASC is ruled by the Frost clan, WASC by the Dusk clan, and SASC by the Nebula clan.

Each of these sacred capitals is the largest and most populous city in their respective territories. They are also known to be among the safest places to live in Asia.

In the center of Asia lies CASC (Central Asia Sacred Capital), the city where the Hero Academy resides and a neutral place where all four of the great clans rule together with the government.

"Finally..."

Azriel stood up, stretching his body as Ragnar and Solomon followed suit.

"Whoa! My shoulders feel so stiff."

"How is that possible? Aren't you a Saint?"

Azriel shook his head, hearing the conversation the two were having.

'Are they really among humanity's greatest powerhouses?'

'Doesn't matter, I guess...'

After all...

'It's finally time to go home.'