My Soul card is a Reaper

Azzy narrowed his eyes. "We are living in a landscape that is already terraformed."

"Still, back then, the times were different," Ayush argued. "Yes, there are many difficulties, but it wasn't so far from the sense that you need to terraform the world. The world is beautiful because it has ups and downs, highs and lows, happiness and the poor. Uniformity will bring stability but destroy the beauty of contrasts. If I have to tell you an example. You know that there is evil all over the world. Yet, why haven't we just destroyed every evil thing? Why haven't we go and just massacre every monster out there in the Arcana world? Because dark and light need to coexist. Your village didn't have a single night for a hundred thousand years. Tell me, haven't you or your clansmen ever wished for the night? Life is the same. Without bad, good has no value. Without failure, success has no value. Your intentions are good, Lord Garcia, but the consequences will be dire if we proceed with your proposal. I'm sorry. I reject this notion."

Influenced by his talk, the others rejected one after another, except for Estella.

Azzy leaned back to his throne and took a breath. "Alright, the proposal is rejected. Let's move on."

"Is there anything more?"

"Didn't he say earlier that this is the last thing?"

"Maybe, he was proposing another thing because we rejected this one?"

As everyone had thoughts about Azzy's continuation, he let out a forced smile, masking his earlier displeasure. "Relax, this isn't any proposal. I only want to talk about cores that I haven't given during the last meeting."

He turned first toward the Minamoto Clan Leader. "Clan Leader Fujiwara," Azzy said, "I promised four Rank-9 spirit cores and the governance of Dragon Clan to you, but as you can see, the Sun and Dragon Clans are now independent. Since I cannot fulfill the request, I can add 4 more spirit cores for the compensation, or you may request any other thing as a replacement."

Shuichi replied. "I have something else to ask for compensation. However, I would like to discuss that in private."

Azzy gave a respectful nod. "Alright."

He turned to Neymeryn. "King Searvale, you rejected the spirit core as they weren't useful to your race, and instead only asked for the merger and the governance of the Sun Clan. Do you have any other requests to compensate for the governance of the Sun Clan?"

Neymeryn wasn't as polite as Shuichi. He directly spoke. "Yes, I have. An alliance by marriage. You have yet to give your answer, whether you accept it or not, marrying my younger sister, who has been waiting for it for the past 18 years."

A strange silence filled the room now. Even Azzy had to lean to the front, resting his elbows on the table to deeply stare at him. "Well?" As Neymeryn raised his eyebrow, Azzy leaned back and replied, "Elowen is a good friend of mine, but no, I won't have multiple wives. I'm already married and would like to stay loyal only to my wife."

"You are not a kid anymore, Lord Garcia. You can't be that ignorant." Francis suddenly interfered with a chuckle, earning a frown from Azzy. "Your great ancestor, the founder of the clan, married multiple wives, not because he was filled with lust or something. He married to expand his bloodline in order to serve mankind. As the Head of the Clan, you cannot be considered an individual, and your individualistic interests cannot outweigh the duties of the Clan Head. I heard that your wife was a plainfolk and your son has only inherited divinity through you but still a plainfolk. As for your successor, Affea, I heard that she was also a celibate who doesn't plan on marrying or giving birth to kids. So, if you don't marry someone else, isn't it the same as cursing your own clan? Isn't it your duty to give the heir the clan needed?"

With that, gazes fixated on Azzy, especially that of Neymeryn and Shuichi's hopeful gazes.

"Damn, this geezer is trying to purposely sow discord amongst us." Azzy averted his gaze and said firmly. "First of all, I'm a demigod, Clan Leader Blood. I cannot sire children anymore. Only a mortal can. Secondly, if my sister is truly celibate, I'll respect her wishes, but if she isn't and you are purposely trying to malign her image, you will have to be prepared for the consequences."

Francis didn't take his warning seriously, as if he were either unconcerned about Azzy's prowess or he is truly confident.

"Thirdly, whether my son is a plainfolk or not, you will see it in the upcoming tournament. Fourthly, I have another sister, Lord Francis, and many other qualified candidates to succeed me. So, the clan's leadership will not go anywhere. And finally, my son is not celibate. He can father children to continue my bloodline. So, I'm not worried about anything."

As his explanation caused Neymeryn and Shuichi disappointment, Azzy said to Neymeryn. "So, as I have said earlier, the marriage is impossible. So, please state another request. If you have none at the moment, you can think and request in private."

Neymeryn nodded, letting out a sigh. "A pity indeed. My sister will be heartbroken by this. But it's alright. She is still young. She has a long life ahead of her."

Azzy no longer paid much attention to the Elf King and turned next to Estella and Ayush, seated side by side. "Anyways, let's go back to the matter. Clan Head Moon, Clan Leader Ayush, Eight Rank-9 spirit cores, each."

Both leaders nodded with smiles. Rewards lightened up their moods as if every bit of displeasure moment faded away.

Then he turned to the Asgardian leader. Azzy didn't hesitate to point out. "Your clan voted against my propositions last time and rejected the offer. You're not due for any spirit cores."

A few murmurs followed, but Azzy raised his hand.

"That said," he added, his tone softening slightly, "I'm not here to pick fights. I will extend a goodwill offering of two Rank-9 spirit cores for long-term cooperation in building the nation and the Elite team."

The Asgardian leader narrowed his eyes but gave a curt nod. "Understood."

Azzy's eyes shift to the Sun and the Dragon Clan leaders. "Clan head Qin and Clan head Ravillon. I will also extend a goodwill offering of a Rank-9 spirit core to each of you, expecting your clans to work hard in restoring the trust that you destroyed in us."

Qin Wuye cupped his fists. "Thank you. We will try our best."

Lysandra Ravillon simply nodded in silence.

Finally, Azzy's eyes rested on Francis Blood, the infamous leader of the Blood Clan. "You weren't present last time," Azzy said plainly. "So you are not entitled to any spirit cores."

Azzy didn't provide further explanation, but it was clear for everyone. Even as a goodwill gesture, everyone got atleast one spirit core but not the Blood Clan. It was as if he was stating that he doesn't need his goodwill gesture.

Francis leaned back in his chair, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Well, I understand."

Azzy nodded plainly and once again addressed everyone. "Tomorrow morning, those who are due, you'll all receive your cores. The Death Clan will oversee the distribution at sunrise. I trust you'll have the proper representatives present to collect them."