NOVEL NEXT Chapter 702: The aftermath
Back at the Death Clan, the aftereffect doesn't seem like a major change has happened, well, atleast for Azzy, as only twenty percent of the clan population when he was looking at like 60% possibility. With a little over fifty thousand citizens of the clan village still living, it gave Azzy a lot of relief.
He originally intended to give all of them a common surname if their number was too small, but since they were significantly higher, he announced the clan name changes.
For the Crescent Clan, he gave the option of choosing the surname of Phantom if they wanted a new beginning in the Clan of Forsaken/Phantom Clan, who would be taken care of by the palace and live in the Blood Clan compound with other forsaken warriors.
Or they can continue to remain in their own clan, which will be renamed Starlight.
Whatever is left will be divided among themselves but with a new surname of Starlight, although they were allowed to keep their former Crescent surname as a middle name instead as a reminder of their past. His granduncle, the former Crescent Clan leader, who stayed behind, took the temporary reigns of Starlight Clan.
As for Smoke Clan, the same option was given, and the clan name, as well as their surname, changed to Haze. And Emiya Smoke, now Emiya Smoke Haze, Harvard's own granddaughter and the clan heir left his side to become the Matriarch of the Haze clan.
But, still, the mood in the village isn't good. People are looking depressed, many stores are closed, Patrolling from Silver Clan is quite intense, and Night Clan is everywhere, spying on the villagers.
A grand banquet was held on the next day to uplift it. The palace chefs worked hard to the bones to make delicacies for the entire village to start a new beginning.
Of course, he had another meeting with the hidden clan heads, well, except for Einridi Odinson and Ayush, who left as soon as the meeting ended.
This was an unofficial hidden clan meeting, one that didn't involve establishing policies or making rules or taking any judgments on the world or anything.
It was simply a meeting between five clan heads without any clan heirs, discussing their clans' internal matters that aren't confidential.
Obviously, it goes without saying that everyone is curious about the sudden development of the Death Clan.
Azzy gave them vague answers before shifting the topic to the tournament that has been in the talks for several months.
When questioned about the other clans, Azzy merely shrugged it off, that it doesn't have to be an all-hidden-clan tournament. After the three-state hidden country was established, he planned on talking with the other two monarchs to establish an annual tournament and such among other stuff.
However, none believed his excuse, for they thought that Azzy was just too young to be broadminded. He was merely excluding the ones he had a problem with, in one way or another.
Other than the tournament, his plans for the academy, and the special joint squad, there aren't any significant issues they have discussed.
Another thing Azzy received advice, almost from every clan head, is not to go on a journey as he originally planned. He was asked to stay behind for atleast a few years to achieve stability.
Since he is the one who pushed forth the changes, if he leaves, he couldn't expect those policies to materialize in his absence. What if another clan meeting was held in a few months that might cancel his approved propositions instead? After all, the priority of humans would change constantly.
Azzy was quite conflicted about taking this decision.
Originally, he intended to depend on Leah and Gideon to look after the clan and his family while he was gone. However, Gideon left the clan, and Leah was unstable.
The last remaining option was Qridus. After rebuking him during the clan meeting, making unorthodox decisions, and then splitting up the clan into two, all of these could very well offend him very much, and Azzy wasn't sure whether the old man would now help him.
The blatant betrayal from the Crescent Clan now made him lose his trust in other clans. He doesn't know who would rebel against the throne in his absence. He doesn't know Yashna well enough to trust her.
What are his options?
Azzy explored for a bit.
The first option is to separate himself into two beings using soul fission, just like Gideon did. However, unlike him, there is a high chance that he and Tellus will be separated, giving him independence to act on his own.
The second option is to take a risk with Leah. She is currently stable enough as Neptune and Pluto both conceded and submitted themselves to Leah's will. However, the problem is the Jewel of Fire, which fused with her soul orb. If she were to go berserk, the entire clan would go down to ashes.
The third option is to be thick-skinned and ask his great-great-grandpa for assistance.
In the end, Azzy made a trip to the Forbidden Zone of the Arcana world, where Qridus returned after the clan meeting.
He reached a wooden house built on a little island filled with sand beaches and palm trees, spotting Qridus meditating alone. He sensed three more presences within the house.
As soon as he stepped on the island, one of them got out. A giant with eyes all over his body got out of the house with his broadsword. He didn't hide his wariness, brandishing his sword and growling at Azzy, "What are you here for, Azrael?"
Azzy glanced at Qridus, who was still in meditation, "I came for him."
Argus rejected it, "The mortal requested us not to let anyone disturb him. Leave."
Azzy shut his eyes, took a deep breath, and said, "I'm really not in a good mood, Argus. This is between me and my predecessor. Just stay out of this matter, and we'll be cool."
"Your predecessor is my guest, Azrael." Argus raised the sword and pointed at Azzy; its blade tip was just an inch away from Azzy's nose. Yet, he didn't flinch a bit. Argus added with a serious warning, "Don't think that you can imprison me like last time."
"Chronos, a little help here."
"Yeah, I know."
In an instant, Azzy's form changed. Flexed muscles, increased height, and long hair, change of eye color, and, of course, increased intensity of bluish-white lightning sparks; there was no surprise that Argus involuntarily stepped with his shivering hands, mumbling, "A true diety?"
Qridus was forced to open his eyes, and the remaining two also exited the house to watch him.
Rising slowly in the air, Azzy spoke in his deepened voice, "Do you want to challenge me, Argus?"