My Soul card is a Reaper

At first, Azzy wanted to rebuke her, agreeing with her clan Matriarch about knocking some sense into this girl who went crazy, but then, as the remnant spirit of the founder added that Estella looked just like his wife, Azzy became speechless for a while and could only tell her that he would think about it, but added that he wasn't considering due to their alleged past life connection or something. It is because she is the heiress of the Moon Clan.

Azzy didn't want to handle this at the moment. It is too complicated for his mind to wrap this up. The ex-girlfriend of his best friend is his wife from his past life? Moreover, she not only remembers her past life but is also now willing to marry him in this life too, and further promising to wait for even a century or two as long as he says yes? He doesn't know what to make of it.

The hidden clans are eyeing him like a big apple pie where all of them want a share, and his priorities lie in securing his clan's protection and reuniting with Claire first before anything else.

As a part of that, he sent Estella away without giving any closure as Elyssa hoped and went on having another private meeting, this time, with not a guest but a clan lord of his own instead.

Azzy expected this old vampire would look all broody, accusing him one more time trying to throw Blood Clan away. After all, he just allowed unrelated hidden clans to merge with his. How could he ask Blood Clan to separate themselves now, on the grounds that they aren't blood-related to Death Clan?

No, he was worried that Francis Blood would propose a four-state country with the Blood Clan having their own territory and administration. It is the best thing for them.

Hence, Azzy was all prepared to reveal the truth if he had to send him away. No matter what, he doesn't want to have the Blood Clan coexist with them due to the future he saw through his precognition soul skill.

Little did he expect Francis would act all calm and cool as he put another proposition, or more like a statement, taking Azzy by surprise.

Azzy's gaze grew icy, sharp, and unfeeling. He was clenching his fist tightly and trying his best to control his emotions, "So, you really intend to break my clan, huh?"

Francis Blood shrugged his shoulders in indifference, "Well, since you intend on sending us away for some reason you aren't willing to tell, you should pay for it, didn't you?" After a brief pause, he added with a question, "Do you know why Crescent and Smoke Clans are really willing to follow us, and it isn't just a simple threat back then?"

As Azzy stayed silent, Francis continued, answering his own question, "The almost extinct Dinosaur Clan, the Aqua clan, Temple of Ares, and a few ancient surviving families are willing to move on with us. You can expect the Blood Clan to become the strongest hidden clan, Azrael. I should thank you for pushing me through this. But, too bad that I don't want to do that."

As Azzy shut off his eyes tightly, controlling himself not to punch this old man, the latter developed a look of smug satisfaction playing on his face and crossed his legs, "Now that the Blood Clan is declared as a hidden clan, touching my members using force will call for the attack from the rest of the hidden clans, according to the pact. So, you don't have any choice, kid."

"But I have the right to protect those who volunteer to stay back at the clan, correct?" Azzy put up a counterargument. To which, Francis let out a smirk as he leaned back, "Oh, that… Yeah, you have every right to keep those who want to stay back. However, would they stay back with the Death Clan when they hear that Clan Lords have the right to enforce the revocation of surname on the expelled clan members, and not even the Garcia family has the right to give their surname back to the expelled clan members?"

Azzy's brows knit together, a frown forming as he processed the grave news, "Damn it. I truly underestimated this old fox. Our population is going to be cut down by 60%, and the other two clans will be coming in. We will end up in the minority at this rate. At the very least, Silver Clan decided to stay loyal."

Taking a deep breath, he got up and stretched his hand to the old man, "Clan Head Francis, as I have promised, I will separate your Blood Clan compound from our Death Clan by the end of this day. You can convince the villagers who are willing to follow you before the time limit. Tell them to pack their bags and leave their homes by then. Since we can't just live in the same place, I'll do a favor for you by moving it away to a place you desire."

Francis grabbed his hand, "You took it great, kid. But, it is fine. You don't need to cut off the clan village. We already found a new place to move into. We are at peace with this. It is just I feel too bad that you are going down in history as the one who ruined the clan. Qridus will be too disappointed in his choice, too."

.net

Azzy was slightly taken aback by his choice but he didn't waver a bit and said, "We'll see about it, Clan Head Francis. By the way, while scheming behind my back, have you ever wondered why I made so many changes as soon as I got the power? Why was I kicking out Blood Clan using some lame excuse? Why did you think I agreed to let those two clans merge with ours for simple proposals? And what made them think of extending the propositions of merger to me? Both of them were coincidentally the ones that attended my ascension ceremony. What kind of deal do you think I made with them? What do you think my end game was?"

"Hmm?" Francis' face stiffened a bit, and Azzy let out a smile, "Enjoy the mystery, Clan Head Francis."

As the old man left his sight, the Reaper's words heard in his head, "What was your end game? Please, kid, you don't have one. You are merely following your instincts and your wishes. Azrael, your bluffs could be easily seen through."

Azzy replied, "Well, only those who knew me can catch that. A person like him would probably think I have something up my sleeves, don't you think?"

"Still, it is beneficial to draw up closure rather than giving stupid ideas to a man like that, Azrael." The Reaper commented.

"Well, I don't want him to think that he has won or something."

"Your wish, Azrael. You take actions, you either harvest the rewards or pay for the consequences…"

"Anyways, now that I'm done with him, it's time to meet with my mother-in-law…"

"Alright, but be careful on what to reveal and what not to reveal…"