My Soul card is a Reaper
Chapter 804 - 804: On the way to meet his mother

Azzy responded to their greetings. "You may arise."

As they were about to stand, Azzy's gaze turned sharp when it fell on two specific people. "Not you two, Lord Haze and Lady Ash."

Redgar and Irene continued to kneel, and Azzy spoke again. "Give me one proper explanation as to why I shouldn't punish you for defying my decree?"

As Redgar and Irene's heads hung down and collectively apologized, Affea grabbed his arm, "Chuck… *Ahem! I mean, Lord Garcia, I ordered them to settle down their differences with a fight."

Azzy didn't look at her and asked. "And did they remind you of the decree I passed? Or did you or Dad abolish that decree?"

As Affea stayed silent, Azzy asked them again. "Lord Haze, Lady Ash, I have asked a question. I need an answer."

Irene, who felt the shuddering to even her Arcana spirit's soul, replied. "Your Majesty, I accept the punishment."

Redgar went along. "I apologize, I too accept the punishment Monarch feels befitting."

Azzy took a deep breath and replied. "I have sealed up your soul realms earlier, and it will remain that way for the next 7 days. That will be your punishment. Do you accept?"

Both of them collectively replied. "We accept."

"Good." Azzy nodded calmly. "Now, Arise."

As they got up, Azzy gave the order to them. "All Pavilion Masters and Clan Leaders, go and await me at the Throne Hall. We will talk there." He then glanced at the public that was still kneeling. "The rest of you, my clan members, are dismissed. You may return to your homes or continue your daily duties."

"Your Majesty."

"All Hail the Monarch"

"All Hail the Monarch"

*

After leaving the arena, they separated from Qridus and flew toward the Crescent/Starlight Clan Compound, where his mother was staying.

On the way, Orion couldn't help but say. "It's seriously amazing that people over here act as if nothing happened, even though you returned after 17 years."

Leiza also gazed suspiciously at Azzy, as if she was asking whether he really had gone away for 17 years, or that story of the blackhole is also false, and he had been here after this long, too, just used that old man to cover up the truth instead?

Azzy shrugged in response. "People have lived here for centuries. My great-grandfather you met earlier, was over 9000 years old, by the way. 17 years is not too long for them."

"9000 years? You kidding right?" Orion almost had his jaw drop in shock.

Azzy shook his head with a smile. "Nope. Normal people here had similar lives to those in your world. But when one carries soul energy, they will extend their lifespans every time they make a breakthrough after reaching rank 3. If you reach rank 4, your lifespan is over 200 years old, rank 5 will increase your lifespan to 500 years. Rank-6 will give you a 1000-year lifespan, then 2000 years, 5000, and then 10,000 at rank-9. Once they reach the demigod realm, their life extends to over 100,000 years. And after that, there is the god realm, which is basically achieving immortality."

"Wow… your world is indeed awesome, Dad…" Orion seemed genuinely impressed for a moment, but then something struck him. "Wait a second. Didn't your ancestor say that I lack soul energy, just like my mother? Does that mean I only live 100 years, just like every mortal?"

As Leiza was taken aback and felt a bit disappointed at that, Azzy shook his head. "Not really. I just didn't want to reveal some truths to him, even if he is my predecessor. Soul energy is just the concept that the people of my world invented. If I had to explain it through science, it is basically nothing but unlimited access to your cellular energy. In your and your mother's case, it is divine energy. While your mother had formed a divine core because I merged a divine artifact with her, you have yet to form one. You just have to form that core. Then, everything will be on track. In plain terms, no, you won't live as a mortal."

"Really? That's good…" Leiza's eyes lit up before Orion could properly digest that entire explanation. And then, her face filled with guilt, remembering how she wants to destroy that divine energy all along, but she doesn't have the power. So, she suppressed it with technology.

Orion, meanwhile, asked. "How to form a divine core?"

To this, Azzy could only avert his gaze as he replied. "To be honest, I don't know. In our world, we form our soul orbs from birth. It's like I can't teach you how to breathe because it just happens naturally." At the same time, he also felt a bit of guilt, as even though he had a divine core, he wasn't the one who formed it on his own. He always had outside help, first Reaper, then Raphael…

Claire's spirit chuckled in his head. "I will do it for you, Azzy."

"Hmm?"

"I can visit your memories and see how it happened." Claire clarified.

"Oh, that's good." As Azzy felt more relieved, Claire then asked. "So, Azzy, when will you plan on telling your wife about my presence here?"

Azzy felt a bit pressured by that question. "Never, I hope?"

"She carries the power of Odin's eye. One day, when she manages to unleash her full potential, she will find it out, though," As Claire reminded him, Azzy started sweating.

Leiza saw him. "What happened, Honey? You were sweating…"

Azzy awkwardly smiled. "Nothing, just thought of something." He looked at Orion, who suddenly seemed worried and somewhat displeased. "Don't worry, son. I'm there to help." Azzy gave a smile of assurance.

Orion nodded.

"He was probably worried about Orion's future." Leiza misunderstood and patted Azzy's shoulder. "Everything will be alright… No need to feel pressure."

Azzy: "???"

The main gate of the Starlight clan compound's clan leader mansion creaked open as Azzy and his group approached, the guards already bowing low, they had been expecting him.

Waiting just inside the grand hall, a man stood with arms crossed behind his back. Elderly, but far from frail. Silver robes with the insignia of the Starlight Clan draped across his lean frame.

"Lord Garcia," the old man greeted. His voice was like still water—deep, unmoving. "You haven't changed a bit, Lord."

"Put away the formalities aside, Granducle," Azzy said with a smile. "I'm here as your grandnephew, not as the Monarch of the Clan."

Kylan Crescent Starlight smiled as he stepped forward, giving a hug to Azzy. "Azrael…" His eyes fell upon Orion and Leiza behind Azzy.

Azzy introduced them. "This is my wife and my son."

"This is my granduncle…"

Their conversation was brief. It's just an exchange of greetings. After all, the pressing matter remained upstairs.

They didn't linger.

By the time they reached the third floor, the halls had grown quieter, lined with faint wards. The others halted at the stairwell. Affea was waiting for them on the third floor, escorting them to the farthest room.

The moment the door opened, the smell of jasmine and old books spilled out. Soft light filtered through sheer curtains.

And by the window, draped in moonlight, sat a woman with long, white hair falling in unbrushed sheets down her back. Her eyes were glassy.

"Mom…" Azzy's voice quivered, seeing that weak look on her. "That white hair…"