Lord Shadow

Azief sighed as he leans back on his chair.

'Long day?' a voice echoes in the large room.

Azief did not see anyone but he saw a snowflake flies into the room, gently like a leaf being blown by the wind and he smiles

The snowflakes then shine with bright light before morphing into a woman. A woman of great beauty, long black hair, a piercing blue eyes that shines before it turning into green appear in front of him

Wearing a white robe that sways left and right like there is gust of wind swirling around it, this woman is none other than Katarina.

She came to him and kiss him in the cheek. Usually, such cute act would make Azief feel a bit happy. But his face did not change and the frown is still there on his forehead.

Katarina sighed and said

'I guess this time the problem is really big' Azief rub his temple and sighed.

'Hirate did not know' he suddenly said.

'The Trident?'

Azief nodded.

'You think he is telling the truth?'

Azief sighed and nodded.

'He is telling the truth. He knows that the trident possess great power but he simply thought of it as another replica of a true Divine weapon. As you know such things are powerful and do add up increasing one ability in attacking or defending depending on the artifact' Katarina nodded.

'But, he did not know that the trident is the real trident of Poseidon'

'How can you be sure he does not know? How can you be sure that he does not lie?

'Heh' Azief snickered as he said

'A weapon that could even hide and constrain me? If he knew that the trident is that powerful, he would send every available power he could to snatch that trident'

Azief then continue

'He might act with more finesse and a little bit subtler but he would surely send his elite to accompany Raymond to get that trident. Don't be fooled by his face of cooperation and his alliance with us. He proposes cooperation because he knows he could not go against the general trend. And that general trend is me. If he could overturn the general trend, he would have'

Azief goes silent for a while.

Katarina also knows what happens. But unlike Azief, she did not have that many worries. It is not that she is simple.

It is simply because there are only a few things in this world she cares about and wanted to protect.

It is her brother.

And Azief.

And a few of her maidens and some people she could call friend.

The people she wanted to protect could be counted in one hand

this is why many people said that Katarina is not suitable to become a politician. The only reason she insisted in staying as the High Chancellor is to support her brother.

Out of the many rulers in the world, she is the only that is so carefree because most of the administration is handled by her brother.

She knows why her brother wanted her to sit at that seat.

And she sits on it to help him. If she doesn't like it, she knows Boris would rather see her not sitting on that seat.

But she wanted to help. And Boris could not stop her. So, she sat on the seat. However, sitting on that seat, she rarely does anything

It is also fortunate that the Republic is unlike Pandemonium in that there is not only one voice.

If Pandemonium could be likened to a conglomerate with an inherited family, then the Republic is like a huge corporation that break the position of power of a conglomerate family and hired management specialist to oversee their company

The reason why the Republic could survive those early days is because they pooled their intelligence together and work together to find the most perfect solution.

So, she did not know what to say right now. Or what to suggest to Azief

But she thinks for a moment. And she has question.

Because even though she is not fit to become a politician, she does learn how to become a Queen when she was in the Seresian world.

Just because she is not interested in it, doesn't mean she doesn't know. She thinks for a moment, and she could see the many problems that is plaguing the world right now

She doesn't care about the world but Azief clearly cares about it now. So, she would care for a moment

'The explosion? Did you know who did it?'

Azief shakes his head

'I have been in video conference with the other world powers. We have a few suspect. It is still under investigation. And Jean ability to recreate the time scene is ineffective. Whatever bomb that these pope, sues, it messes with time and space. It also messes with the perception of Divine Senses.

Katarina thinks for a while and she thought about the explosion and then her mind reaches to a conclusion

'It was a demonstration' Azief look at Katarina and nodded.

The bomb did not kill anyone.

It hurts a few people and create massive damage to the infrastructure but in terms of casualties, with all three Divine Comprehension leveler making a move, no people was killed in the attack.

At first, Azief thought he had succeeded in foiling the plan of the mastermind.

The building could easily be rebuilt. But the more he thinks about it, the more he thinks this is not so much about killing people.

But it is more like as spectacle.

If it's, what does these people in the dark wanted to display?

This thought of him is also shared by the other world leaders

So, when they brainstorm their mind and started thinking about it, they reach the conclusion that the bomb is a demonstration of a new kind of weapon.

The bomb itself is unlike any bombs in the vault of the world powers.

It needs more research and more observation, but the properties it exhibited is unlike any other weapons that any of the world powers possesses.

It not only messes with Time and Space, it disrupts Divine Sense, s much so that nobody notices the explosion

It is only after it exploded that Azief and the other two Divine Comprehension leveler notice that there is an explosion.

They know that some weapons do disrupt Divine Sense. There is many such weapons or warding, shields or formation that could disrupt Divine Sense

But, none was as strong as this. That even Divine Comprehension leveler divine sense was interrupted that badly.

The traces of the bomb are also very minuscule, as its energy could not be trapped. Order of Thinkers would send some of their researchers to Arturia

Of course, they also said they could only send it after they solve some of their problems in the Blood Sea

And that is the objective. That is what the people behind this want to show to the world.

Yes, they did not manage to kill anyone. But they did do something.

They sow a seed

And that seed is germinating

They show to the world that it needs three Divine Comprehension leveler to contain the effect of the bomb.

It shows that the Three Divine Comprehension leveler did not notice the bomb until the first explosion.

And it shows that the world powers could not use Jean time and Space manipulation to track the people behind the scene.

And that is a very effective advertisement.

Yes, they might not be able to fight against the world power. But such a bomb being detonated in their regions where no Divine Comprehension leveler is present...

It is a weapon advertisement and Azief, Hikigaya and Jean is the model.

'What are you planning to do?'

Azief sighed and said

'I don't like being used like this'

Katarina then jump onto his lap. Azief was shocked a bit but he opens himself up and let her fall on top of his lap

He did not want to but he could not help but laugh at the situation. Smiling, he asks

'Hah…what are you doing?' he could not help but chuckle at the situation.

'No one ever did this to you'

No one ever dare

'Then I am the first' Azief shakes his head and laugh. The problem is still there. But for some reason, he did not feel the burden that much

Katarina then said

'I know that the problem is serious. I know the matter involves the world, space and the Universe' she said it with rising tone, emphasizing the world, space and the Universe with dramatic flair.

'But, with you, when does it not affect this thing. You remember our times in the Seresian world. Sure, we have monsters and demons to fight, but at the end of the day, we have time to appreciate the sunset, wake in the morning to watch the sun goes up. The scenery is a bit different but when we left that world, it is kind of beautiful.'

'So, this is your way asking me on a date?'

Katarina laugh

'You think of yourself too highly, dear.'

She kisses him in the lips and he kissed her back.

They were familiar with each other and they were familiar with each other lips. And kissing is like a habit.

A habit that they both shares and like.

She broke the kiss and look at him, her eyes that is pure and beautiful, looks ta his eyes. One different than the other.

She knew the story behind it. Azief did not hide a lot from her. Of course, there is a part of him that he would not share. And there is a part of her that she could not share either.

They know that only time would solve this.

She flicks his nose and said

'Sometimes, just take a break. I know the whole world seems to be relying on you right now. And I know why you are doing all of this. But, even if you owe them something, take a little break sometimes'

And she kisses him again. This time on top of his nose.

And she jumps from his lap.

She sighed.

'Will is here. I guess it is time for you to solve the world problem again. I guess I should be prepared for this. That is what I get for dating the strongest man in the world' she said while chuckling

Azief wanted to ask her about what she talks about with Jean. There must have been some progress with their talks regarding Boris.

But he halted himself.

If she needed help, she would ask him.

because that is how she is.

And Azief also knows that the more he does not meddle in this matter, the lower the possibility for it to go wrong.

The Republic does not like him that much.

Even though they are thought to be allied with each other, everyone on both sides understands that the point of alliance is between Azief and Katarina.

It is a personal alliance instead of a world power alliance.

It is for that reason the conflict that should have broken out years ago only broke out now and with such a shocking conclusion.

Because of that, it would be better for him to stay out of her way when negotiating.

'There's that frown again' she said. Shaking her head, she said

'You think too much'

He nodded.

'It would not be like this for long. When I settle this…. when I pay back what I owe…then I am going to rest'

Katarina only look at Azief and she did not know whether to believe it or not. Even if he did not want to meddle in the affairs of the world, his position would not allow him to do

So, to this promise she could only sigh. And Azief knows why she sighed and he also sighed.

He knows it would not be easy.

As long as he lives in the world, how could he truly be free of the world?

There are people and there is relationship so he could not just go up and leave

But, he still wanted to truly to keep this promise.

He could only think of it as a wish he wanted to fulfill.

'I'll meet you later' she closes her eyes, her energy become unstable and the space around her began to sparkle.

and then she turns into a snowflake before disappearing from the room. The only thing she leaves in the room is the spiraling gust of wind that has the coldness of winter.

Azief caress the wind, feeling the cold on his hand and he smiles bitterly.

Zzzst!

A second later a flash of a purple lightning flashes in to his room. Azief sighed and then thought to himself

'Once again, I am back in the mortal world handling the affairs of the world'

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