Chapter 204 Official Meeting—Fiander and Kurosaki Ichigo
"Good morning, everyone at Espada!"
The Arrancar assembled within the throne hall heard Fiander's voice. They all ceased their movements and looked toward the main entrance.
Seeing that the atmosphere had grown somewhat delicate, Fiander and Reinhard stopped lingering and walked into the throne hall one after another.
"Are you finally willing to emerge? Fiander!" At this moment, a cold female voice emanated from the position below the throne.
Hearing those words, Fiander glanced around the chamber. He spotted Lilynette reclining on a chair with her arms folded, wearing the white garment exclusive to Las Noches Espada.
"Yo, it's been quite some time, Lilynette! The last occasion we met was one year ago—"
Fiander smiled at the girl, then approached her position, bent down, and extended his hand to stroke her long green hair affectionately.
"Why do you persist in treating me like a child?!"
Lilynette muttered irritably. She waved away Fiander's palm and spoke with obvious dissatisfaction.
"But you are still young. I've heard that during my absence, you and Nelliel have been causing considerable commotion throughout Hueco Mundo!"
Seeing Fiander's teasing, smiling expression, Lilynette couldn't maintain her anger. She leaped upward and pinched Fiander's cheeks while shouting: "Which idiot dared to report on me?! Don't attempt to change the subject!"
"You've been hiding away for so long—when will you fulfill what you promised me?"
"Mmph—"
With his face being pinched, Fiander struggled to speak coherently. He frantically gestured toward Reinhard standing nearby, motioning for him to help extract Lilynette from his person.
Seeing Fiander's desperate hint, Reinhard didn't dare feign ignorance. He could only steel himself and approach Lilynette, saying: "Kurosaki Ichigo and his companions are nearly here. Please, Lady Lilynette, consider Las Noches' image!"
Reinhard didn't dare directly tell Lilynette to release Fiander, knowing their relationship defied normal hierarchies. This sort of playful fighting had occurred frequently even when Starrk had still existed.
"Hmm, that half-Shinigami kid? You summoned us here for something like this?"
"Didn't I hear that in order to defeat Aizen, he already lost his Shinigami power? Fine, I'll spare you this time!"
Hearing Reinhard's words, Lilynette ceased her antics immediately. She released Fiander's face, returning to her previous expressionless demeanor as she reclined on the chair with her head tilted back, her mind wandering elsewhere.
Fiander, having escaped catastrophe, rubbed his face where Lilynette had pinched him painfully. After all, she represented the strongest Arrancar besides Fiander himself. The intensity of her Reiatsu could make even Genryūsai feel genuinely threatened.
He didn't know whether this personality reflected her original nature, or if Starrk had been influenced by her after their merger. Honestly, Fiander truly missed the times when Starrk had been present—because when shirking responsibilities, nothing proved more satisfying than having a like-minded companion.
Returning to the matter at hand, after the playful exchange between Fiander and Lilynette concluded, the atmosphere throughout the chamber no longer felt quite so frigid. Although everyone present was familiar with one another—having served together under Aizen for considerable duration—aside from a select few, most weren't particularly acquainted with Fiander personally.
Because Fiander hadn't resided within Las Noches during that period, he hadn't concerned himself excessively with Espada affairs or changes.
Walking toward the throne positioned within the throne hall, Fiander sat down slowly. He extended his hand and rested his face against the armrest, glancing around at the Espada currently present.
Espada Number One—Coyote Starrk Lilynette. Her Reiatsu overwhelmed all other Arrancar, making her unquestionably the strongest blade.
Espada Number Two—Ulquiorra Cifer, presently absent. He'd traveled to the human world to escort Kurosaki Ichigo to Hueco Mundo according to Fiander's instructions.
Espada Number Three—Tier Harribel. After being defeated in Karakura Town, she'd been rescued by Fiander and returned to Hueco Mundo. Following a period of recuperation, her strength had improved to a certain extent.
Espada Number Three—Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck. Although her strength had fully recovered and her appearance had returned to its previous form, the current Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck possessed no interest in competing for Espada rankings. She obeyed only Fiander's direct commands.
Espada Number Four—Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, who had been defeated by Kurosaki Ichigo at the Fifth Tower. He'd recovered with Ulquiorra's assistance, and his previously rebellious temperament had also moderated considerably.
Espada Numbers Five through Seven remained temporarily vacant. No qualified Arrancar existed who could assume these positions.
Espada Number Eight (or Number Zero) remained Yammy Llargo. Although Aizen had placed tremendous expectations upon him—and his ability to increase strength when enraged held certain merit—this level of enhancement remained far too inadequate. Consequently, Yammy hadn't earned Fiander's regard. Simply because the other party followed Ulquiorra, Fiander hadn't bothered addressing him.
The sole individual who'd received promotion during this assembly was Espada Number Nine—Shawlong Koufang. Although his strength wasn't particularly outstanding, his strategic acumen proved relatively exceptional among all Arrancar. Because of this quality, he'd earned Fiander's favor and been granted special promotional qualification.
As for Number Ten at the hierarchy's end, Reinhard Cavendish would continue holding that position. According to Reinhard's own words: "This represents the only designation Lord Fiander has personally bestowed. As his subordinate officer, I shall continue maintaining this title."
Otherwise, regarding pure strength, Reinhard's capabilities ranked at minimum among the top three Arrancar.
"It's been quite some time since we've all gathered together. It's rare to assemble like this. I hadn't anticipated the atmosphere would feel so much colder. Many acquaintances have perished."
Fiander regarded the Espada present and spoke with a slight smile: "Is there truly no one who has gained strength throughout this past year? So many vacancies remain unfilled."
"Without Aizen's Hōgyoku, numerous Adjuchas-level Menos Grande cannot achieve their own Arrancarization. Moreover, Vasto Lorde capable of advancement have become essentially impossible to locate in recent years."
Tier Harribel lifted the steaming tea positioned before her, took a measured sip, and addressed Fiander.
"Hōgyoku?"
Hearing this term mentioned, Fiander pondered momentarily before speaking with sardonic amusement: "The power sustaining Hueco Mundo's new generation actually depends upon a Shinigami's creation. I must say—that's genuinely ironic!"
"Perhaps this represents the shackles this world has imposed upon us!"
Fiander gazed toward the space beyond the main gates, speaking with waning enthusiasm: "Forget it. Let's conclude this topic. Allow us to first welcome our visiting guests."
As his voice fell silent, beyond the throne hall's corridor, the figures of Ulquiorra and his companions had already materialized outside the entrance.
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