The Empyreal Gem Master

In the crimson tinged skies.

Branch Leader Julius reached out to bind the caught enemy Branch Master with tendrils of flames as everything still remained so surreal.

He stared at the back of the figure shrouded with green battle robes all over his face.

The figure that stood above a unique Aerial Beast whose pressure and size had increased multiple times over.

His voice.

The fact that he called out and from his call, Claire Asmodeus had descended from the skies to appear beside him.

Her figure could still be seen on top of a massive Arctic Wolf as she valiantly threw out bolts of thunder towards the Tier 4 Beasts rampantly scrambling to run away.

With all of this knowledge, the shrouded young figure in the distance should be nobody else but his son, but he couldn’t believe it or process it.

Just what had happened in the past day?

There were many questions, but no answers at this moment!

CAA!

The cries of titanic Beasts echoed out as in the distance, close to the entrance of the Breach, a Flame Crow returned while grasping a Lightning Sparrow and Praying Mantis that were barely clinging to life.

Those who sought to run away were caught as the figure of Branch Leader Axel followed behind with a complicated expression.

The Flame Crow brought the two Tier 4 Beasts towards its new Master with a fawning expression, almost as if it wanted to be praised.

Yet as if it wasn’t entirely used to its power…

SQUELCH!

A horrid sound came from one of its flaming claws as the Praying Mantis that was already holding onto dear life became squeezed into a pulp of meat and bones.

"Ah…"

Four dazzling Gems and an Ascendant Life Gem fell from it that crimson lightning flashed near and they disappeared towards Alexander’s chest.

The Flame Crow bent its beak apologetically while carefully presenting the Lightning Sparrow in its other claws.

Alexander looked at it with cold eyes, his chest flashing with golden brilliance that wrapped around this Lightning Sparrow as well.

It didn’t even take a second for its wound to begin closing, its bones starting to crack and expand as it rapidly enlarged!

An Arctic Fox, A Golden Flame Lion, A Flame Crow, a Caladrius, and now a Lightning Sparrow.

Five titanic minions were obtained as Alexander only had two more slots remaining in his Minion King Gem Recipe to bind another two minions!

Seeing his actions and the actions of the Flame Crows, all others subtly understood.

Below him, the voice of the Envoy he had made his minion echoed out with intellect.

"Please allow me, Ascendant Master."

She called out with words that wanted to please, her body shining with brilliant white light as hundreds of vines stretched out towards the battlefield below.

The vines were thick and pulsing with lightning as they speedily appeared around the remaining struggling Tier 4 Beasts who were doing their best to evade the strikes of the Lightning Grounds Support Ability.

A Flame Hound.

Two Water Bisons trying to heal their heavy wounds with sparkling waves of water.

And another Flame Crow.

Their bodies were enslaved by thick Vines they couldn’t break, the power of the Caladrius supported by Alexander’s support Gems far exceeding theirs at this moment as every single one was brought in front of him as if to be judged!

He looked at the four Beasts for only a second before a golden light left his chest to go towards the Water Bison, and another golden light went towards the other heavily injured Flame Crows.

Feeling the unbeatable power surrounding them, these two Beasts only accepted their fate as they became bound minions soon after, the vines wrapping around them breaking apart as their bodies underwent transformations right after.

All around, only the crackling of lightning could be heard as the battlefield was filled with low, fearful roars of lesser Beasts and the silence of the Gem Masters as they watched this unfolding reality.

Alexander looked at the remaining Water Bison and Flame Hound still ensnared in the skies as he felt their downcast gazes.

But for them, there would be no salvation.

His slots for Minions were full.

So he raised his hand as a massive crimson bolt of lightning formed and reflected in the trembling eyes of the two Tier 4 Beasts.

Before it could crush down though…

"Ascendant Master, I know how they could be of greater use to you"

The voice of the Caladrius trying its best to be on good terms with the one who currently bound it echoed out.

"Oh?"

Alexander looked below him with a sharp gaze full of questions, and the green white bird of titanic size replied.

"Yes, Ascendant Master. You can use them to transplant their Four-Link Gem Socket Blueprint onto anyone you wish. I know the ritual and can aid you in it."

…!

Seeking to be helpful, the Caladrius voiced out shocking words of a certain ritual.

A ritual that would have been performed on Claire were he not here!

The bodies of the two Tier 4 Beasts trembled in shock and wrath towards the Caladrius at hearing this, the Flame Hound barely managing to roar out.

"You traito-"

Barely.

Many vines covered its rabid jaws and the rest of its body as it couldn’t even move a muscle.

Alexander looked at this scene and nodded before gazing around the battlefield before the walls of Carthage with contemplation.

All enemy Commanders were subdued.

The remaining Two and Three-Link Beasts of Corruption were fearful and seeking to run away.

And he…was tired.

He let out a silent sigh as he commanded the 7 bound Minions under his banner.

"Clean everything up and secure the entrance of the Breach."

And then towards the Caladrius below him specifically…

"You will come with me."

…!

The unique green white feathered Beast bowed its beak in affirmation as its voice echoed out again.

"Shall all the lower tier Beasts be killed, Ascendant Master? There are still uses in keeping them alive. To mine the Lodes inside the Breach. To-"

He raised his hand as she quieted down.

He looked towards the other Tier 4 Beasts that were ready to move as he made his verdict.

"Secure them all inside the Breach and wait for further instructions."

His command was given.

CAA! ROAR!

And cries of titanic Beasts echoed out thereafter as they moved to complete his commands!

At the same time, he turned around and stared at the Walls of Carthage.

The figure of Claire streaked across the skies as she came to land on the feathers of the Caladrius he was on, her gaze one of worry as she looked at the state of everything around them.

It was the dawn of a new era.

The Siege of Carthage was successfully defended against, and yet they still felt like they were in for so much more chaos.

They could all feel it!