My Soul card is a Reaper-Chapter 894: Orion’s departure from the Clan

Fujiwara Shuichi frowned. His tone was pragmatic, blunt as always. "Three months is a long wait. Are you certain the alignment is worth it? Our enemies will not sit still. They may strike before we are settled."

Azzy leaned back, letting out a soft breath. His golden eyes sharpened."That's why we plan ahead. I don't mind waiting, Clan Leader Shuichi. A rushed move will invite chaos. But a carefully timed one… will make even the heavens open a path for us."

Nemeryn gave a slight nod, lips curving into the faintest smile. "You speak like a true sovereign. Then it is decided. I will prepare the druids to bless the day of the twin moons."

Fujiwara's projection shook his head with a resigned sigh. "Hmph, I only hope your faith in the heavens pays off. Very well. My clan will hold our blades until then."

Azzy's lips curved into a small, confident smile. "Good. And Clan Leader Searvale..."

Nemeryn's image then shimmered faintly, his tone carrying a trace of satisfaction as though he had anticipated Azzy's question. "I already consulted with the druids and fairies beforehand. Three auspicious timings were revealed. The first lies between June 17th and 20th. The second, between September 1st and 2nd. The third, next year, between January 4th and 11th."

Azzy rubbed his chin, thinking. His gaze shifted toward the glowing ceiling mural of the hall, painted with constellations. "So the nearest one is still… two and a half months away, huh? That's fine." He leaned forward on the throne, tone decisive. "That would give us enough time to construct a direct teleportation array between our clans and the moon."

Fujiwara grunted in the fading projection. "You're ambitious."

Azzy ignored the jab, continuing smoothly. "By next week, I'll begin preparations for the teleportation portal. As for the Freyles…" He sighed faintly, lowering his voice. "The King's Council will pass the resolution soon enough, and it will go to Parliament. With the support lined up, I have little doubt it will pass. What worries me are the people's reactions. Netizens, foreign nations… the noise will be unbearable. These days, the internet is pure hell. Unlike eighteen years ago, it feels like people have lost their ability to think logically."

Nemeryn chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Perhaps mortals have always been this way. The internet only makes their chaos louder."

Azzy gave a helpless smile. "Maybe."

Just then, the creak of the great doors echoed. Orion stepped into the hall, his presence breaking the tense air. He bowed lightly to the two projections before focusing on his father.

Azzy glanced at Nemeryn and Fujiwara. "I'm sorry. I have my son here. Let's talk later." With a wave of his hand, the projections vanished, the spiritual orb of the Death Clan retracting back into his palm. The throne room fell silent again, save for the sound of Orion's steady footsteps.

Azzy straightened, golden eyes narrowing with faint curiosity. "What is it, Orion?"

Orion stood tall, fists clenched at his side. His tone was calm but determined.

"Father… I wish to leave for the Tower of Abel. I want to start my training there."

"What?" Azzy blinked at his son's words, a faint crease forming on his forehead.

"It hasn't even been two weeks since the tournament," he said, his tone half-stern, half-concerned. "Why don't you take more rest?"

Orion shook his head, eyes steady, not backing down. "Dad… everyone has their own destiny to fulfill. Fiona has hers. You have yours. And I have mine." His voice carried a quiet strength, something that wasn't there before. "I need to find it. I'll be leaving tomorrow morning. I only came here to ask for your permission."

Azzy leaned back on the throne, his golden eyes narrowing slightly. For a long moment, he stayed silent, his thoughts drifting inwards.

"Did I really do the right thing by giving him that manual?" The question gnawed at him. At first, Orion's personality change looked good, but now, it felt like he missed the old him. However, at the same time, he couldn't disagree with his words either. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

He exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. No… everyone has their own destiny to fulfill. If he has chosen his, then as his father, I can only watch where that path leads. Perhaps it's better this way—sending him far from the storm that's brewing.

His mind flickered to the threats looming ahead. The Angels. The Apostles of the Olympians. Their shadows grew darker by the day. They may launch their attack at any time. And I… I can't protect everyone at once.

At least Orion wouldn't be alone. Gideon would be by his side, watching him, guiding him. That gave Azzy a sliver of reassurance.

Meanwhile, the pile of pending laws still weighed heavily on his shoulders. "I need to fast-track every resolution," he muttered under his breath. "If I waste even a month, we'll fall behind."

Finally, Azzy looked at his son again. His lips curved in a faint, tired smile.

"Very well. If this is what you've decided, Orion… go. Find your destiny. Just remember—you're still my son. Don't lose yourself along the way."

*

The next morning, the Garcia clan's courtyard was unusually quiet. Even the servants kept their voices low, as though sensing the heaviness of the day.

A tall figure stepped through the gates—Gideon. His presence was calm yet commanding, his aura restrained, but still sharp enough to make the guards instinctively lower their heads. He made his way directly to the main hall, where Azzy sat waiting.

"I received your message, Lord Garcia," Gideon said, bowing his head slightly. "I'm here to take Orion."

Azzy studied him for a moment before nodding. "Then I'll entrust my son to you. See that he finds his path."

When Orion entered, Leiza and Izora were already there, standing by Azzy's side. His steps were steady, his expression calm, though his eyes betrayed a hint of emotion.

Leiza rushed forward first, gripping her son by the shoulders. "Are you sure about this? You don't have to rush…" her voice faltered, eyes glistening.

Orion gave her a small smile, one that carried both warmth and finality. "Mom, I'll be fine. You've always believed in me, haven't you? Believe in me now, too."

Finally, Orion turned to Azzy. Father and son locked eyes. No words passed between them at first, only silence thick with understanding.

Azzy broke it. "If you go, don't look back until you've found what you seek." His tone was steady, but his gaze softened. "Just know, this will always be your home."

Orion bowed his head. "I know."

With that, he stepped toward Gideon, who simply nodded once before leading the way out. The two figures walked side by side, their silhouettes growing smaller until they vanished past the gates.

Leiza clutched Azzy's arm tightly, watching her son leave. "Do you think he'll be alright?"

Azzy exhaled slowly, eyes lingering on the distance. "He will. He has to be."

*

Later that evening, the clan residence felt strangely hollow. The corridors were quiet, the air heavy with the absence of Orion's presence.

Inside one of the chambers, Leiza sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze unfocused, lost somewhere far away. Her hands rested on her lap, fingers tightening unconsciously as though clinging to something that was no longer there.

The door creaked open. Azzy stepped inside without a word, his expression calm but shadowed. He crossed the room and lowered himself beside her. For a moment, he didn't speak—just reached out and gently took her hand in his.

"It's better to let him go," Azzy said softly, his voice steady but gentle.

Leiza's lips trembled as she nodded faintly. "I know… I agree. But…" her voice cracked, and her fingers tightened on his hand. "I never let him out of my sight. No matter where he went, I always had eyes on him. Always worried… because since he was little, he kept getting abducted, dragged into danger. I just…"

Before she could finish, Azzy pulled her into his chest, wrapping his arms firmly around her. "Enough," he murmured against her hair. "Don't carry that weight alone."

Leiza's composure broke. Her body trembled as she buried her face against him, sobbing softly.

Azzy's hold didn't waver. "Thank you," he whispered, "for always trusting me, even when the world didn't."

Leiza slowly raised her head, her tears glistening under the lantern's dim light. A faint smile touched her lips despite the sorrow. "I always do," she whispered back, her voice fragile but resolute.

Azzy brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, holding her gaze. In that quiet room, they sat together, leaning into each other's warmth, the silence between them carrying more weight than any words could.