The same day evening;
The whole Crescent clan compound was decorated with lights and a huge tent with chandeliers and furniture was set up in an empty space. Prominent guests from other subclans were arriving one after another and they were received grandly by young men and women.
Due to the swift working of the clan members, the Crescent clan managed to do this within 10 hours under their Patriarch's orders.
As everyone including Velez Garcia, Qridus, and other sub-clan leaders attended the event and begin to converse with each other, Azzy's family of three was the last to enter, instantly gaining attention from the guests.
Whisperings also started as everyone's eyes fell on the big belly of Izora. All of them just had one thought. "When in the hell did Izora become pregnant and how in the hell the unborn child was so big now?" After all, it wasn't long after the both of them woke up from a coma and left for someplace after Vesyrn challenged Velez for the clan heir position.
Raising his glass filled with white wine, Qridus officially announced the pregnancy of Izora and congratulated the couple. As everyone followed the suit, Qridus then informed everyone that he had two more important things to announce.
Everyone went silent as they looked at their monarch. Even the subclan leaders weren't informed about anything. So, they too were curious.
Taking a glance at everyone, Qridus then spoke, "This matter should have been announced long ago but I thought the time wasn't right due to various reasons."
As everyone's curiosity spiked up, Qridus continued, "All of you must have heard of the upcoming invasion. It is a fact that our humanity doesn't have enough strength to protect our world.
To defeat them, I decided to step forward and make a breakthrough to the next realm. To achieve that, I will have to go on an adventure and might not return for decades. Hence, in my absence, the clan heir will also be the acting monarch for our Death clan. All of you must help the inexperienced acting Patriarch in leading the clan."
The whole place around Qridus went silent as he finished his first announcement. The world might have thought that Aelius Crescent is the greatest murderer of all time but the descendants of the Death clan knew that a few fellow hidden clans and secret organizations were the ones who instigated him to go crazy.
Hence, they were quite surprised to hear that their current clan monarch is going the same way and worried that they will witness another unfortunate incident. Since the clan has no other supreme realm expert, they will not be able to feel safe and secure anymore while staying in the clan.
No one but Qridus and Azzy's family knows the existence of the secret guardian. So, they were right to think that way.
But, who would question him? No one dares to speak against Qridus. As a result, the clan leaders couldn't help but give a meaningful look at the Blood clan's leader who is a close friend of Qridus.
Francis Blood understood everyone's thoughts and he was also under the same impression. He tried to convince Qridus to come out of this foolish dream. "Qridus, why don't we think about it once again? There's no need to place the entire responsibility on our heads. And you should know better than anyone about the risks of making a breakthrough to the demigod realm."
The subclan leaders nodded in agreement with Francis Blood's words but Qridus appeared to be adamant about his decision. "No, Francis. The decision has been made." He replied with a hardened expression.
As Francis became silent, no longer able to argue further, Qridus continued with his announcement, "now, onto my next announcement. This isn't about me but my descendant and Vesyrn Garcia's son, Azrael Crescent Garcia."
Everyone turned their heads to spare a glance at the teenager standing beside his parents. As they shifted his attention back to Qridus, the latter spoke, "Whether it is my blood or someone from an offshoot branch, geniuses should always be protected by the clan for they were the future pillars. One such person is my great-great-great grandson."
He gestured for Azzy to come to him. Azzy walked toward him while inwardly surprised.
Qridus softy patted Azzy's shoulder in affection and continued to address his clan members, "Azrael is the holder of the Death scythe and the Hourglass, something that only happened once in the post-apocalyptic world. He awakened the abilities of time and death just like our founder.
And a while ago, he proved his abilities to me by accelerating the growth of the unborn child in Izora's womb and helped his parents to achieve the legendary realm, making them rare geniuses who became 8-star realm Arcana Masters when they weren't even 150 years.
I'm confident that such a child will protect the clan's future even if something unfortunate happens during the war. In fact, if not for Azrael's existence, I wouldn't have thought of leaving the clan for a while and trying to become a demigod.
So, under my absence, if his life falls in danger, all of you must be prepared for the consequence." Qridus openly gave the warning to the six subclan leaders with a stern expression. He looked as if he meant it.
The listeners shuddered in fear while Azzy frowned inwardly. He didn't like his ancestor's intimidation for it only restricts his freedom in the end.
Wasn't this party announcing his departure after the New Year? Since when did this turn him into the main character? Azzy wondered.
Qridus promised him that he won't directly announce the abilities of his hourglass but only let his parents say it in a casual manner. And then, on the day of New Year, Azzy was supposed to reveal his Hourglass, removing the last shred of doubt in the minds of clan members.
And now, the situation has completely gone down a different path than what he expected.
But then again, since his ancestor had already spoken, there was no use in him speaking against it. Once he is gone adventuring, Azzy could still do whatever he wants anyways. Or so, thought Azzy and stayed silent.
Everyone was cool with Qridus' orders as they were already treating him like a treasure in their hearts ever since it was revealed that Azzy is a 7-star Arcana Master.
However, one person seemed to have an issue. It's obvious who it was.
"I'm sorry, Lord Qridus but it would be more convincing for us to see Azrael's abilities with our own eyes to see if he is worth sacrificing our lives for." Velez's words attracted the attention of everyone and Qridus furrowed his brows in displeasure.
Velez Garcia felt like Qridus is trying to hide a secret as he did with Azzy's birth. Everyone in the clan only knows Azzy from the age of 8 but Velez, who had fought Azzy 27 years ago, had different thoughts.
All this while, he was under the impression that Qridus and Azzy's parents manipulated Azzy's appearance and age. When he saw Izora's state, he felt like they were doing it again as both of them appeared to be linked from his point of view.
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