A while later,

In the ancestral temple of the Minamoto Clan, Azzy was alone, concentrated on creating the teleportation array.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard behind.

Azzy didn't immediately look up from the intricate arrangement of the portal array. His fingers moved deftly, weaving streams of energy into precise patterns.

Finally, he paused and straightened slightly and furrowed his brows, glancing at Aya without breaking focus.

"I believe I asked your clan lord not to disturb me unless it was urgent," he said, his tone calm but firm. "So… is there a problem?"

Aya tilted her head with the faint glimmer of curiosity in her silver-white eyes. "I was going to leave," she said, her voice soft but measured. "But before I go… there's a question that's bugging me. Sorry for the disturbance."

Azzy finally gave her his full attention, letting his hands fall to his sides. "State it then," he replied, his voice carrying the same quiet authority that had made her kneel earlier.

Aya took a small step closer, her gaze fixed on him. "I want to ask… why do you want me to join your Shadow Guards?" There was no hesitation in her voice, no attempt to mask her curiosity.

Azzy paused for a moment, letting the hum of the portal settle into silence. His eyes met hers steadily, unflinching. "Because," he said carefully, choosing his words with precision, "someone like you… Someone with raw talent, unshackled by attachments, capable of thinking freely… shouldn't be wasted. You have potential, Aya. And potential… is wasted when left without purpose. Shadow Guards will give you purpose, a place to grow, and opponents who can truly challenge you."

Aya's expression softened slightly, though her tail flicked with a restrained energy. "Purpose… you think a bored, expelled genius like me can find purpose in serving someone else?" she asked, her voice half-teasing, half-serious.

Azzy smiled faintly, a rare, subtle curve of lips that conveyed both confidence and understanding. "Purpose isn't about who you serve. It's about what you become in the process. You'll have freedom, you'll have challenges, and you'll have a goal to reach… not because I command it, but because you'll choose to pursue it. That… is what I'm offering."

Aya looked at him, her eyes narrowing slightly as she considered his words. For a long moment, silence filled the temple, broken only by the soft hum of the portal still under construction.

Finally, she tilted her head and muttered, almost to herself, "Interesting… but feels like it is not the complete truth."

Azzy's eyes narrowed slightly, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Why are you even trying to question my motive?" he asked gently, tilting his head. "Do you think you don't deserve a position in the Shadow Guards or something? Or do you feel I'm trying to restrict your movements or something?"

Aya shook her head, her ears flicking slightly, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks. "No… It's not like that," she said softly. "You don't know me. You don't know what I've done here, what I am. And not only do you intend to put me in Shadow Guards, but you even gave me the goal of Shadow Commander. It's going to be the most elite force of the tri-state nation, independent of governance. Basically… it will be the most trustworthy army across all our clans."

Azzy chuckled quietly before stepping a fraction closer, his voice calm but firm. "When one becomes a demigod, they can sense things that normal humans can't see in others. Emotions, intentions, subtle energies… I don't know your circumstances, Aya, but I don't sense guilt. I don't sense malevolence, darkness, or any of the destructive tendencies your brother claims. I don't sense lies or deceit in your heart." He paused, letting the words settle. Then, with a faint tilt of his head, he added, "I also sense something… unusual. You are a virgin… which is… well, strange, given that your brother described you as someone who ruined marriages and enticed countless men and women."

Aya's face flushed red, her ears twitching a bit. She looked away, quietly murmuring, "It's… it's because of my unique constitution. Every month… during my periods, I secrete… high levels of pheromones. And as I've grown stronger, the level of attraction only increases. Those who are affected… even if they see me for a second, they become infatuated. They can't stop thinking about me all day."

Azzy raised an eyebrow, a small smirk on his face. "So that explains a lot," he said casually, though his tone carried an undercurrent of amusement. "No guilt, no malice, yet everyone thinks you're… dangerous because of a natural… biological effect."

Aya's ears twitched, and she looked down, fidgeting slightly. "Yes… exactly. It's uncontrollable. I've never wanted to… manipulate anyone. It just happens naturally."

Azzy nodded slowly, as if considering the information. "Then I understand," he said softly. "You don't need to hide who you are. our constitution, your abilities… all of it can be honed without harming innocents. That's what matters."

Aya looked up at him, her silver-white eyes meeting his golden gaze, a mixture of respect and curiosity in them.

Azzy blinked, tilting his head slightly as he regarded her. "But… I have a question that I couldn't find the answer to. You're more than five hundred years old," he said carefully, "so why do you still… have periods? Don't take offense—I'm just curious."

Aya's lips quirked into a small, wry smile. "I've lived long enough not to mind it," she said softly. Then, after a brief pause, she added, "But to answer your question honestly… even I don't know why."

Azzy's golden eyes softened, a hint of pity threading through his expression. "I see… I guess you've been carrying pain for centuries, haven't you?" he murmured quietly. "Over one hundred and thirty years' worth of it… accumulated into this one lifetime of yours."

Aya's silver-white eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by his insight. "You… you're quite perceptive, Lord Azrael," she admitted, a trace of awe in her voice. "Even though you haven't lived one-tenth of the life I've lived, you… see much more than I expected."

Azzy's lips curled into a gentle smile. "I've married, had a child… I've traveled through space, fought supreme realm experts, battled angels, Apostles, and even forgotten gods. I've carried the responsibility of leading the Death Clan. Experience like that… it teaches you a certain kind of wisdom. Perspective comes with surviving, with living through the impossible."

Aya fell silent, contemplating something in her head.

Azzy, noticing her quiet contemplation, leaned back slightly, still watching her with that calm, measured gaze. "You've seen much too, Aya," he said softly. "And I can tell… you're more than capable. You just… need purpose. That's what the Shadow Guards can give you."

Aya's lips parted, but no words came out immediately. Instead, her silver eyes glimmered with thought, a rare vulnerability hidden beneath her usual confident, untouchable exterior.

*

The same day evening;

Finishing his work at the Minamoto Clan, Azzy went straight to the Elven village instead of returning home.

It was a familiar place to him. Years ago, he came here to challenge the current king, who was a prince back then, and then took away his sister as his assistant.

But because of the failed marriage proposal from the Elves, Azzy didn't want it to be awkward for the Elves. Hence, this time, he was more low-key as he visited them.

Upon reaching his quarters, he skipped dinner, which was mostly a variety of fruits, vegetables that elves usually eat, and shut himself in his room, meditating and absorbing the rich natural energy from the forests around in order to look for a way to upgrade his Decarune seal.

His meditation was disturbed by a soft knock on the door that immediately made Azzy sit up from the reclining chair in his room. "Come in," he said, his voice steady, clearly knowing who knocked on. He recognized their aura.

The door opened slowly, and a tall, lithe figure stepped inside, moving with the graceful, fluid motions that only royal elves possessed.

"Elowen…" he breathed in recognition.

Elowen Searvale took a slow step toward him, her silver hair glinting in the soft light of the room. "It's been a while," she said softly, her voice trembling just enough to betray the emotions she had held back. Her smile, though gentle, seemed almost fragile, and her eyes glistened as if tears were threatening to spill.

Azzy gave her an awkward smile, unsure how to respond at first. He hadn't expected such a personal moment, not here, not now.

Elowen seemed to sense his hesitation and shook her head slightly. "Don't worry," she said, her tone lightening. "You don't need to feel awkward with me. My brother already told me about… everything. Back then, I considered marrying you because we were friends, and I heard whispers that you might take multiple women in political marriages. But… that was back then. The situation now is different."