My Soul card is a Reaper

The Minamoto clan is one of the strongest hidden clans in terms of power, but they are well known for valuing respect, humility, and politeness, deeply rooted in their traditions, emphasizing harmonious relationships and mutual consideration.

Displaying arrogance is something they deeply avoid, even in front of weaklings.

As the Clan Head of such a clan, Fujiwara Shuichi couldn't get angry with others unless it was necessary. But Neymerin, despite his haughtiness, also knew when to back down. He didn't prolong it and merely folded his hands to his chest, shifting his gaze to Azzy instead, "Clan Head Azrael, I was going to bring up this matter at another time, but since it has come, I might as well speak up. You defeated me and took away my sister from the clan. Even after the supposed servitude time was over, you still kept her with you, making her work for you. Now, went as far as rejecting a proposal from Lord Faelar, all because she likes you."

"Eh?"

"Brother…" Isolde grabbed her brother's sleeves in embarrassment, but he ignored her and continued, "Anyway, I'm just to settle this matter once and for all. Age is nothing more than a number in our race. If you are old enough to kill, drink wine, and reach the maturity of an adult, you are old enough to marry. That's all we care about. So, do you wish to marry my sister? No need to worry about the curse. If you don't want to, just tell it to her face right away so that this stubborn lady gives up and returns with me."

"Brother, stop it, will you…" Isolde's face turned beet red in embarrassment. She hurriedly looked at Azzy, "Azzy, Don't take my brother seriously. He was just trying to get back at me because I rejected his recommended groom."

"Well…" Azzy went speechless for a moment. Isolde is a good friend of his. He cherishes their friendship very much. As for whether she likes him or not, he wouldn't dare to think about it as it would only make their relationship awkward.

As he didn't know how to react, he cast a sidelong glance at the old man. His pleading gaze met with his, and Qridus immediately acted by commenting, "Decisions like this cannot be taken by Azrael alone and also not in haste, Clan Head Neymeryn. Azrael is now the Head of the Clan. As this involves the clan's future, if the Elven clan wishes to formally propose a marriage, we will discuss and give you a reply after the hidden clan meeting."

"Hmm… that's fine with us," Neymeryn didn't try to make things harder for the Death Clan, as no other hidden clan was currently in a situation to offend the Death Clan. Alongside big-name organizations, the hidden clans, too, were aware of the destruction of the forbidden region, which is somehow related to Azzy and Qridus. As for who is responsible for that act, different people have different opinions on it. Regardless, Death Clan got the credit in the end.

Of course, some would see this a good move as there is no longer a great danger to mankind from possible invasion of demigod realm beasts, while others would see this as a selfish move from the Death as they got a demigod for themselves but cut away the path for others for that realm.

Minamoto clan is the former type, and the Elves are the latter type. But, in the end, everyone is out for themselves.

Since the matter was over, Azzy didn't dare to speak too much to prolong it anymore and instead changed the topic to leave for the Arena, where various events were arranged for the newly appointed Clan Head.

On the way, Azzy consulted the Clan Founder regarding this curse the guests were speaking about.

A reply came from the remnant spirit right away, "Unfortunately, I can't say it. I made the rule myself that only the Clan Head and the subordinate Clan leaders should be learning the truth when they marry and have their first child. I can't break the rule to clear your curiosity."

The reply didn't satisfy Azzy one bit. The reason he lately depends on his Clan Founder is not only because the remnant spirit understands how he feels but also because he doesn't hide things from him. Hiding things and telling him that he isn't ready to learn the truth Such acts are usually done by the Reaper.

But, hearing a No from the Clan Founder disappointed Azzy.

Meanwhile, Hikari voiced out, questioning her ancestor without lowering her tone. The Flying card traveled at a slow pace.

"Hmm? Curse? What are you saying, Your Majesty? How come I never heard about this?"

Azzy's ears perked up, and he instantly paid attention to them as he, too, wondered the same thing.

"It's a story from a long time ago. Eros was…" Shuichi was about to explain right there and then, but Qridus interrupted them in a stern tone, "Not here."

Shuichi cast a meaningful glance at Azzy and gave a subtle nod.

After a while, the group of six reached the Arena, where warriors from various clans formed groups of fifty, with each group being led by a flag bearer on the front.

The royal guests separated themselves from the group, letting Qridus and Azzy enter the Arena, with a carpet laid on the front. Several members of Shadow Corps formed a barrier on each side.

A soldier of the Shadow Corps first went ahead to announce Azzy's entrance to the citizens.

"Here comes the Monarch of the clan."
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The citizens swiftly rose from their seats and had their hands on their chests; the clan warriors waiting on the ground went down to one of their knees, touching the ground. The subordinate clan leaders stood up. Only the royal guests were found sitting in their chairs.

After reaching a certain stage, Shadow Corps stopped, and only the Commander escorted Azzy to the seat of Monarch, lying in the center of the VIP section.

"By your will, we endure. Eternal be your flame"

"By your will, we endure. Eternal be your flame"

"By your will, we endure. Eternal be your flame"

Tens of thousands of citizens of the clan chanted the Death Clan's salutation to their monarch in sync as Azzy made his way to the throne.

Once Azzy reached his seat and gestured for them to stop, the arena became silent, and Azzy's voice echoed the arena, "Thank you, everyone, for your support and loyalty to the throne. The Clan Head has been changed. Naturally, the policies of the clan will also see a change. It will take time for all of you to adjust to the new changes. While I hope you welcome it rather than persistently stick to the old ways, I prefer free will over customary practices. You don't have to be bound by clan rules, but it is also equally important that every choice you make has a consequence, and you should own up to responsibility for your actions. Keeping this in mind, on the day of my ascension, I'm bringing the first change to the clan village as the Clan Head.

A new clan shall rise within the village. This specific clan isn't like the others. This clan will take in every exiled member of various subordinate clans who want to return but can't do it due to strict punishments or a clan member who doesn't want to stick to their clan's traditions but is forced to do so because they were born in that clan, or a descendant born outside the clan but cannot return due to various reasons, or even a clan member who was bullied by the strong but don't have any means to protect themselves because of the hierarchy within the clan. Their identity and circumstances don't matter.

Yes, they may feel like outcasts by the citizens who continue to stay loyal to the clans and their traditions, but that is a consequence they must bear. However, the Palace will ensure a home for every descendant of the clan to return to."

"Qridus, what is he doing?" Francis, who sat beside the former clan head, couldn't help but send a complaint of whisper directly to his ears. "He wants people to break their clan traditions? This will cause chaos. And this law mostly seemed like it was aimed at our clan."

Qridus replied with a simple statement, "Azrael is now the Clan Head, Francis. His will is the will of the clan. Neither you nor I have any say in this anymore. As a friend, the only thing I could do is to give you a way out."