The Empyreal Gem Master

Anastasia’s voice chirped incessantly as Alexander didn’t ignore it, the information of his Vigor and Energeia fading from his eyes as he lay back on the Peacock and relaxed while replying.

"No secret techniques from me."

No secret techniques- simply pure nonsensical capabilities from the Enneagram.

"Do you two have any Gems related to summoning?"

His collection so far didn’t have anything sufficient as maybe his Minions held something. After all, the Variant Gem that just boosted his life force came from Vishpala!

But…

"No, Master."

"Nothing from me, Master. But…"

Both Anastasia and Vishpala denied having anything like it, with Anastasia adding extra information happily thereafter.

"One of the Armies under the command of Variant Beast Lord Atticus has the Beast Lord Summoner, Dread, in the lead. He was sent out to conquer another Ascendant Stronghold as he should have what Master is looking for."

"Oh?"

Alexander’s lips curved into a smile as he learned of this.

Summoner.

If he could add scores of more Minions through another Gem Recipe and then boost them with the ridiculous boons of his Gem Constellations…

What he could do should be raised an octave higher.

He glanced at Vishpala beside him, who had only said no, and then towards Anastasia, who also said no but proactively gave more details that gave him exactly what he wanted.

He noted this behavior down as after a few minutes, they already arrived above the skies of the City of Anan.

"You know the direction of the Stronghold this Beast Lord Summoner was sent to?"

"Yes, Master. I can lead you there whenever you want."

Anastasia replied with enthusiasm as Alexander rose from her back, looking at the darkened skies around them as he gave a command.

"First thing in the morning tomorrow, we will set off towards this Beast Lord Summoner. You all rest and recover for tonight."

"Yes, Master!"

"Yes, Master."

The voices of the two Beast Lord Peacocks echoed out as Alexander’s figure came to float on the skies, briefly observing the decimated army below where the heads of the remaining Beasts hung low- the Tier 6 Orc and Peacock Minions overseeing them as he went towards the inner City of Anan where he could feel the auras of Claire and Azazel.

In the skies, Anastasia transformed into her human form as she looked towards Alexander’s disappearing figure with a smile.

Vishpala floated beside her as she seemed to have a complex expression, her voice light as it echoed out between them.

"You’ve been bound to him for a fraction of the time that I have, yet you have raised him to such a high pedestal and obey him as if your life depends on it."

Her words were pointing out how Anastasia had been acting this whole time since she was bound to Alexander.

Her agreeableness.

Her enthusiasm.

She seemed to be going above and beyond as, at this time, she blinked innocently while turning her green-gold eyes to Vishpala.

Her simple beauty was amplified even more as she replied.

"Sis Vishpala, I don’t think a lot like you or Brother Atticus. I normally just sit back and follow orders. When it comes to the new Ascendant Master…I just came to accept that with a single move from him, he was able to give me something that no Tier 8 or even the distant Tier 9 Peacock Emperor we hear the legends of was able to give me.

Naturally, I placed him higher than all of them and plan to devote myself to him wholeheartedly. I don’t even know why you still have any reservations, Sis Vishpala. You’ve been with him longer, so you should know even more than me. Ah, I don’t know. Maybe it’s just me being stupid, but that’s how I’m looking at it. Give it some thought…"

…!

Anastasia released a terrifying set of words before she left a shocked Vishpala in the skies, her figure also flying into the City of Anan!

—

At the center of Anan.

Inside a Command Center, a bustle of conversations and activities were abundant as the Human Gem Masters who came from the City of Carthage seemed to be celebrating in awe as they spoke of the power that the Young Master of Carthage wielded.

Deeper within the command center, Alexander drank a cup of purified water as he pushed away a silver plate, watching Claire and Azazel carefully as he asked again.

"You two are sure you’re doing okay?"

He thought that he may have acted too coldly when he offered them power through being bound to him, but they still had the same states of mind as before.

Azazel rose up from the table that held a small feast as he excused himself while looking at him and Claire.

"I’ve never felt better, Young Master Alex. But don’t let this old man sour the mood of you young ones at a time like this. Just let me know when we are setting off to handle more Beasts, and I will be right beside you!"

Azazel left with booming words of valor as Alexander nodded towards him while turning his head to Claire who had only touched half of the food on her plate.

She wasn’t able to fully meet his gaze before, but after he returned…

"You’re finally smiling again like you used to. I thought taking on the role of some leading Gem Master was slowly changing you…"

She spoke in a barely audible whisper as Alexander tapped on the table between them and replied while meeting her gaze.

"You’ve changed too. The timid little girl is slowly disappearing."

"What timid girl?!" Claire huffed as she rose from the table while raising her fist.

"Did you not see me engage that Tier 7 Beast Lord? Hmph, no shred of a timid girl there."

She seemed to be trying to convince herself and Alexander of how strong she was, and Alexander only nodded in defeat while rising up himself.

"It’s been a heavy last few days. Get some sleep for now as things will start to get a little wilder tomorrow. If you need anything, just ask."

Within this Command Center, there were a few lodging areas for the Commanders as there were four doors from this dining area that led to them.

Alexander pointed towards one of them as Claire nodded and grabbed what remained of her plate, skipping towards one of the expansive lodgings while giving Alexander one last look before disappearing!