Godfrey secretly watched the alluring presence of the spider-like girl with apprehension, startled when Azrael questioned him directly. "That's correct, sir."
"However, you needn't worry. I personally led the operation against the association last time, ensuring no casualties occurred."
He hesitated before asking carefully, "Are you inquiring about this because you're considering revenge?"
Observing the unfamiliar young face before him, Godfrey pondered momentarily before offering cautious advice.
But Azrael suddenly spoke with approval, "You handled the previous operation excellently."
"No unnecessary damage, that's commendable. We'll simply need to find opportunities to reveal more of their hideouts to the association."
Godfrey felt startled, swallowing the words that had risen to his throat. He bowed his head respectfully. "Your assessment is wise, sir."
"My thinking was indeed narrow."
Seeing the Director of the Public Security Office in such a deferential state, Azrael's eyes flashed with mild surprise.
Godfrey kept his head lowered, sensing Azrael's gaze but remaining perfectly still.
After several moments, the young man's voice reached his ears again, "I summoned you today to inquire about something. I heard that the Onefold Doctrine members were defeated by the new Vice President during that incident."
"What's your assessment of him?"
Upon hearing this question, Godfrey's expression remained unchanged. After considering carefully, he offered his measured opinion, "Vice President Azrael possesses remarkable talent."
"He created a formidable card shortly after achieving Gold-level status."
"Based on my observations, it appears to be red-quality."
"Regarding his specific performance, sir, you should have seen footage captured by bystanders and posted online."
"From our brief interactions, I found him to be both compassionate and level-headed."
Hearing these consistent praises from Godfrey, Azrael couldn't help raising his eyebrows slightly.
Noting Azrael's expression, Godfrey's next words shifted direction, "Of course, he must represent the most formidable enemy of the Crimson Oath Society."
"Naturally, his cards remain far inferior to yours, sir."
Azrael remained noncommittal. Perhaps Shiraori's raw power did surpass Misaka's capabilities, but in a genuine life-or-death confrontation, the outcome would likely favor Shiraori decisively.
The gap wasn't as exaggerated as Godfrey suggested.
Godfrey paused before continuing, "Sir, President Kavach and Director Diesel appear to be secretly planning something, likely targeting Vice President Azrael."
This information immediately captured Azrael's full attention, finally, intelligence he genuinely needed to hear.
"Elaborate on this."
However, Godfrey shook his head apologetically. "I regret that I lack specific details about their conspiracy, sir."
"Based on my analysis, it likely relates to Vice President Azrael's external appointment."
"Without his presence, Director Diesel would naturally assume the vice presidency."
Hearing this assessment, Azrael sighed internally. 'This aligns with my expectations.'
He'd previously speculated that his absence would result in one of the current directors claiming the vice president position.
"Now, tell me about the Donglai Association's current situation."
Godfrey nodded. "President Kavach currently leads the association, maintaining close cooperation with Director Diesel of the Secret Realm Office."
"As for Director Godrick from Personnel Management..."
"He suffered injuries during a mission several years ago, and his subsequent cards haven't provided full recovery. He's essentially in semi-retirement now."
Azrael understood immediately. "That explains his eagerness to avoid responsibility during that meeting. He clearly wants no involvement in internal power struggles."
"So the Donglai Cardian Master Association isn't a unified bloc after all."
During his first day's observations, he'd assumed the several officials formed a coordinated front. Now it appeared that only President Kavach and Director Diesel presented actual concerns.
Godfrey continued, "However, after handling the Onefold Doctrine stronghold that day, Vice President Azrael should have established his position within the Donglai Association."
"Is that so?" Azrael touched his chin thoughtfully.
"Sir, do you have additional questions?"
"You should return now. Exercise caution to avoid detection."
"Understood."
Before departing, Godfrey felt an unsettling gaze observing him. Glancing around the abandoned factory, he noticed the spider monster's crimson compound eyes silently watching him.
Feeling distinctly unnerved, he quickly exited the facility.
"So, how did the intelligence gathering proceed?"
Seeing the factory return to silence, Azrael whispered to Shiraori beside him.
"Hmph! With me, Shiraori, handling such trivial matters becomes effortless. Azrael, you're underestimating my capabilities."
Shiraori began displaying her characteristic arrogance again, sharing the information she'd obtained through [Ruler: Wisdom] with Azrael.
[Name: Godfrey][Title: Director of the Security Office, Donglai Cardian Master Association (Agent of the Crimson Oath Society)][Rank: Gold][Cards Held: ???]
After reviewing this intelligence, Azrael fell silent.
Compared to the detailed information from the original series, what Shiraori had gathered seemed rather basic.
With this realization, Azrael retrieved the specialized phone Jin had provided him. "Shiraori, analyze this device as well."
"Hey, hey! Leave everything to Shiraori!"
The results returned quickly, matching exactly what Azrael had observed personally.
"So the card requires direct observation before revealing specific details?"
"Or perhaps I need comprehensive understanding before information becomes available?"
He favored the first theory, if the latter were true, the ability would prove rather useless.
"I'll test this again when I have opportunities to observe other people's cards."
With this thought, Azrael had Shiraori prepare her spatial magic for departure.
While he'd somewhat reduced the risk of identity exposure today, maintaining the deception required him to skip work tomorrow morning, pretending to have just returned to Donglai.
Of course, he recognized this as merely a temporary solution. The optimal approach would be for him and Bruce to appear simultaneously.
This would require coordination with a card he was preparing to create later.
Wouldn't that be perfect, Aizen?
For the body double who would impersonate Bruce, Azrael had already selected his candidate. As a Crimson Oath Society member aware of his dual identity, Shawn represented an excellent choice.
"Hold tight, the Shiraori Express is about to depart! Wooooooooo!"
As Shiraori chattered enthusiastically, she and Azrael vanished from the abandoned factory in an instant.
Meanwhile, a young man in a red dragon robe gently touched his right cheek, where faint burning pain still lingered.
This person was, naturally, Li Xie.
After carefully examining the mirror to ensure no visible scars remained, he sighed with relief before growling through clenched teeth, "Azrael."
"I swear I won't rest until I've avenged this humiliation!"
"Just wait, that day approaches rapidly!"
Thinking of his reason for appearing in Donglai, Li Xie couldn't suppress his laughter.
As time passed, his amusement grew increasingly unrestrained.
Knock, knock.
A sharp rap at the door interrupted his revelry.
"Young Master, the Master requests your presence."
Upon hearing this summons, Li Xie straightened his clothing and responded, "Understood. I'll come immediately."
Shortly afterward, he appeared in a darkened back chamber.
"Do you understand why I've summoned you here?"
From the shadows, a middle-aged man dressed identically to Li Xie spoke with calm authority.
Li Xie's heart trembled. He recognized that when his father, Li Gang, adopted this tone, it indicated profound dissatisfaction.
He ventured tentatively, "Because I secretly borrowed your card to confront Azrael?"
Li Gang scoffed dismissively. "Do you imagine I wouldn't notice you carrying my cards?"
Hearing this response, Li Xie appeared momentarily bewildered. "Is it because of my antagonistic relationship with Azrael?"
Observing his son's confused expression beneath the makeup, Li Gang couldn't help sighing heavily.
The sound made Li Xie shudder involuntarily.
"Look at yourself! Do you retain any dignity befitting royal bloodline?" he demanded sternly. "You've brought disgrace upon the Li family name!"
Li Xie replied defensively, "Father, you've never permitted me to create cards since childhood."
He felt that if allowed to craft cards, his abilities would rival Azrael's.
Li Gang rubbed his temples with evident frustration. "That's not the issue I'm addressing at all."
"Confronting those traitors isn't problematic in itself."
"The crucial point is that someone of your high station personally entered dangerous territory. Don't you understand that wise leaders avoid unnecessary risks?"
"That aside, when facing an opponent you couldn't defeat, why didn't you retreat?"
"If our ancestors hadn't intervened to extract you, your corpse would already be cold!"
Faced with his father's interrogation, Li Xie found himself speechless. He dared not admit that his rage had completely overridden any thoughts of retreat.
Seeing his only son's pathetic state, Li Gang's eyes flashed with disappointment before hardening into cold indifference. "Return to your quarters and reflect on your mistakes. Don't emerge until our plan reaches completion."
Li Xie froze. Being confined was more agonizing than execution for him.
However, his father's next words instantly dissolved all resistance, "Endure this temporary restriction. Once our objectives are achieved, we can return home."
"As my sole heir, you'll naturally inherit the crown prince position of Goryeo."
This sudden promise left Li Xie stunned. "Father, I acknowledge my errors."
"I'll conduct proper self-reflection over the coming days."
"I'll take my leave now."
Li Gang shook his head as he watched Li Xie depart with renewed energy.
Shortly after Li Xie's exit, a young man bearing slight surgical marks entered the secret chamber at a quick pace.
"Your Majesty, several additional bases of our organization have been reported to the heretical Crimson Oath Society."
As if suddenly energized, Li Gang's frown immediately relaxed.
But then, grasping the implications of this report, his eyes blazed with fury. "Those persistent parasites."
"If they refuse my generous offers, they'll face the consequences."
"It seems time to teach them the price of obstructing my plans."
At the Donglai Cardian Master Association headquarters, President Kavach addressed the three individuals before him with evident irritation. "We have a serious situation. The Onefold Doctrine and Crimson Oath Society have engaged in open warfare."
"That uninhabited coastline area has become completely chaotic."
"Fortunately, no civilian casualties have occurred yet."
His frustration was understandable. He stood mere months away from transfer out of Donglai, and he'd never anticipated the Onefold Doctrine would create such massive complications.
He'd secretly contacted them previously, advising caution and restraint until after his departure.
After his exit, there would be a transitional period before the new president assumed control, during which they could operate with greater freedom.
It wasn't that Kavach couldn't eliminate these two cockroach-like organizations, complete eradication was simply too difficult to achieve.
Ultimately, he'd privately chosen an appeasement policy, hoping to prevent major incidents before his transfer.
"Truly unfortunate," Kavach thought bitterly. "This brat proves worthless as a collaborator."
"No wonder they've failed to breach the northern border defenses for so many years."
Suppressing his anger, he took a deep breath and declared, "Director Diesel, Director Godfrey, you two will handle this."
"Restore order as quickly as possible while minimizing the impact."
"I've already contacted President Azrael, requesting his immediate return."
Kavach wouldn't personally venture to the scene. He needed to remain at headquarters in case this represented an attempt to lure him away from base.
As for Azrael, his vacation period hadn't concluded, and he wasn't yet present in Donglai, so criticism would be inappropriate. He could only request expedited return.
"Understood!"
The two summoned individuals responded solemnly before hastily departing to mobilize their subordinates.
Only Kavach and Godrick remained in the conference room.
Godrick glanced through the window at the pitch-black night and chuckled softly. "Then, President, I'll return first."
The Personnel Management Director prepared to make his customary disappearance.
"Useless!" Kavach cursed internally, but considering the man's condition, he ultimately waved dismissively. "Exercise caution."
Godrick forced a wan smile. "Ah, if my health permitted, I'd fight those bastards to the death myself."
"I'm departing then, President. Try not to let anger consume you."
Watching the middle-aged man slip away, Kavach felt as though phlegm had lodged in his throat. He finally collapsed into his chair, completely overwhelmed and at a loss for action.
"Search thoroughly first, ensure no residents remain who haven't evacuated."
Director Godfrey spoke flatly to the Lore Cardians beside him in the open coastal area near Donglai.
Seeing the Lore Cardians disperse, he turned to Director Diesel. "Let's proceed, Director Diesel."
"We need to assess what the Onefold Doctrine and Crimson Oath Society are attempting."
Diesel nodded, and both men advanced rapidly toward their destination.
Soon, a middle-aged man wearing a red dragon robe appeared before them.
"Li Xie?" Diesel asked with confusion.
However, Godfrey quickly corrected him. "No."
"It appears that Goryeo's Li family and the Onefold Doctrine are indeed connected."
Diesel recalled the speculations from their previous encounter, and his expression grew grave.
The middle-aged man seemed to notice their arrival, turning his head to address them with icy contempt, "Who did I think was approaching?"
"It turned out to be you bunch of lawless traitors."
"Remain where you are obediently, or I won't hesitate to deal with you as well."
Having delivered this threat, he dismissed them entirely.
Both Godfrey and Diesel's faces darkened at this obvious disrespect for the association's authority.
Diesel suppressed his anger and whispered, "We'll wait until both sides exhaust themselves before intervening."
Godfrey curled his lips upon hearing this suggestion. "Agreed."
Noticing the subtle expression on the director's face, Diesel assumed he'd lost emotional control due to anger.
Godfrey was actually wondering why the Gold-level Lore Cardian who'd appeared previously hadn't taken action, and where the Sixth Master had gone.
If he'd come alone this time, he would have already acted.
Unfortunately, Diesel's presence complicated matters.
Since Diesel had already stated their strategy, Godfrey lacked proper justification for independent action and could only watch Crimson Oath Society members being slaughtered.
He certainly felt no sadness, his greater concern was potential punishment from the Sixth Master.
This thought filled him with anxiety.
Just then, a cold voice rang out across the battlefield.
"You think you have the situation under control, don't you?"
"Li Gang."
As these words echoed, a young man accompanied by a ferocious white spider appeared before everyone's eyes.
"My subordinates are grateful for your... care."
"As a return gesture, you can remain here permanently."
"You beasts of the Onefold Doctrine."