Overwhelmed by the confidence bestowed upon him, Arthur’s smile was a mirror to his gratitude, “Thank you for your belief in me, sir. You won’t regret your faith in me.”

Derek’s response was both warm and assured, “I know that, even without your promises. So…are you ready to accept your first official mission?”

Arthur’s response was immediate, his determination and eagerness clear in his eyes, “Of course. I-“

*Knock!*

Their moment was interrupted by a soft knock, promptly followed by the door swinging open to reveal Rachel. Arthur, upon recognizing the interruption of what he assumed was a private discussion, stood and offered his departure to Derek, “I didn’t know you planned a meeting with her. I should take my leave then.”

Derek, however, motioned for him to stay, “Don’t. I was planning to call her here anyway to discuss something with you two.”

Caught in the unexpected intersection of meetings, Rachel’s confusion was evident as she regarded this man, a stranger with an air of significance about him, “I am sorry, but may I know who you are?”

With a mix of respect and slight awkwardness, Arthur introduced himself, extending his hand in greeting, “Forgive my manners, Prefect Rachel. I am Arthur Evangelion, and I am looking forward to working with you.”

Rachel’s reaction was one of utter surprise, “Evangelion? Did I hear that right?” she echoed, her gaze flickering between Arthur and her father, seeking clarity, “Dad? What is going on?”

Arthur had a complicated look as he slowly lowered his hand. Derek answered calmly, “The thing is…” After Derek finished explaining Arthur’s identity, Rachel appeared visibly shaken as she slowly looked at Arthur, “So all this time…That woman had a little brother?” Her words were a mixture of shock and disbelief.

Arthur slowly nodded with a tight-lipped smile while Rachel’s voice was low, tinged with realization, “It makes sense that the Evangelion Family wouldn’t have remained silent after your sister’s disappearance if not for having an ace like you up their sleeves.”

“Rachel…” Derek’s voice was a gentle warning.

“Sorry. I wasn’t trying to be rude,” Rachel quickly amended, her words apologetic though her face didn’t seem to fully express it. Not only did that woman run away from the responsibility of explaining what happened to her fiance but she also ran away from her family and a little brother she probably didn’t even know existed.

Arthur reassured her with a gesture of dismissal, “It’s fine. It’s nothing compared to what I’ve heard from others.”

But Rachel couldn’t stop thinking about that woman after learning that she had a secret little brother all this time. Her question was direct, “Do you know what happened to your sister?”

Arthur’s sigh was laden with sorrow, “I also have been looking for her, to bring her back home. But so far…no luck,” His voice echoed his pain.

Derek, seizing the moment to steer their focus toward the path ahead, said, “Finding Aira has been tasked to multiple experts around the world. While it’s crucial to find her, we can’t neglect our duty to protect the world. That’s why I have a new mission for you two, and this will be Arthur’s first official task.”

Rachel’s reaction was a mix of surprise and contemplation.

The direct involvement of her father in assigning her a mission was unprecedented, “A mission?” she echoed, wondering if this meant her father had more confidence in her.

But if he was also tasking Arthur with this despite the fact that this was his first mission, does he have that much confidence in him?

Derek outlined their objective with stark clarity, “The mission is to destroy a cult named the Coven of the Damned. They’ve skillfully evaded our detection while wreaking havoc on guilds and cults alike, driven by a singular thirst for destruction and plunder. Their unchecked power poses a growing threat. We must crush them before they can inflict further terror upon the innocent. It’s our turn to damn them back to the deepest hell,” As he said the last sentence, Derek’s tone hardened.

Rachel’s hands tensed, mirroring her inner turmoil.

The mention of Asher’s cult by her father was a chilling revelation. Being an indirect member of Asher’s cult, she knew too well the implications of her father’s acknowledgment—they were marked as a significant threat.

As far as she knew, Amelia, Emiko and Yui were also forced into his cult and they all could get exposed if things go south.

Yet, the truth that only Rachel knew was that Asher’s motives were just; he targeted only the corrupt, those guilds and cults that wrought more harm than good in the shadows of their world.

Why can’t her father turn a blind eye if the world was better off without them unless he was morally concerned about letting the demons do as they please and bound by duty to put an end to any demon or cult?

Arthur’s response was immediate, his expression hardening, fists clenched as he took a stand, “I have heard of that name, sir. But I never knew things were this serious. We will see to it that they are punished for their evil acts,” His commitment was rock solid, his resolve to confront the perceived menace unwavering.

Rachel’s heart squeezed tight at Arthur’s declaration, a flurry of worry coursing through her. Did Asher know the extent of the attention they had garnered? Was he prepared for what was coming?

Derek’s voice, deep and contemplative, filled the room, “So far, they haven’t tried anything too ambitious. But we have reason to believe that their greed might know no bounds. Maybe they might target a school or an entire city next. We are probably looking at a cult that knows what they are doing, even if their actions seem erratic. But what we know for sure is that it’s very hard to catch them. They always leave before anybody else can get to them.”

Arthur, his brow furrowed in concentration, refused to be deterred, “There must be a pattern, sir. We will figure it out and plan ahead before they can strike,” His determination to preempt and neutralize the threat before it could manifest was clear.

Derek, acknowledging Arthur’s resolve, offered a strategic advantage, “There is no need for that since we already have intel on the possible targets. I will hand over the list, and then you two can focus on putting up safeguards and measures to destroy them the moment they show up. Apparently, their leader is a powerful peak S Ranker. So be very careful,” he cautioned, his gaze briefly locking with Rachel’s—a silent, grave warning to tread carefully.

Derek, acknowledging Arthur’s resolve, offered a strategic advantage, “There is no need for that since we already have intel on the possible targets. I will hand over the list, and then you two can focus on putting up safeguards and measures to destroy them the moment they show up. Apparently, their leader is a powerful peak S Ranker. So be very careful,” he cautioned, his gaze briefly locking with Rachel’s—a silent, grave warning to tread carefully.

Rachel’s brows furrowed as she wondered how her father or his people came up with that list. Did they really carry out deep research, or did her father already know?

Rachel didn’t like how she was second-guessing her father’s every move. She didn’t like doubting her own father, who had always tried to do what he felt was best for her and loved her.

“We shall, sir,” Arthur affirmed, his voice a bastion of resolve, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

“You may leave now, Arthur,” Derek concluded, prompting Arthur to salute, “Sir!” With those final words, Arthur turned and exited, leaving behind a heavy silence as Rachel slowly turned to face her father.

Derek reclined in his chair, a warm, reminiscent smile lighting up his face, “You rarely come to my office these days, unlike the good old days. I still remember when you were barely tall enough to reach my waist, and you’d just rush in for a hug, even when I was buried in work. Am I being too sentimental to wish for such times, even if you are no longer that small?”

Rachel’s gaze drifted away momentarily, reflecting a storm of emotions, before she faced her father with a smile tinged with complexity, “Dad, all kids become different when they grow up. It’s not that I care about you less. I’m just…too busy with everything these days.”

Rachel felt worried if her father noticed anything different about her. But ever since Asher made her start to doubt her father, it affected her interactions with her father even though she was trying her best to keep things normal.

Derek’s sigh was one of understanding, not of disappointment. He nodded, his eyes warm with pride, “I know, and I don’t blame you. I could never do that. In fact, I’m proud of the extraordinary woman you’ve become, leading those beyond your rank and age. You are born to be a leader and a protector, Rachel.”

Rachel acknowledged his words with a stiff nod, her smile fleeting.

The conversation shifted as Derek sensed his daughter’s preoccupation, “It seems something else is on your mind. Do you need my help with anything since you came all the way here?”

Rachel’s posture changed slightly as she broached her concern, “Did Bernard visit you or send you any messages?”

Derek’s expression briefly hardened at the mention of Bernard, “Bernard? What does he want now after begging me to reinstate him? I doubt he’d have the gall to ask for another favor after the Victor incident.”

Feeling a wave of relief yet aware of the need to preempt any potential issues, Rachel ventured, “Well… I wanted to report something before he caused a fuss. It’s about the new Combat Advisor I recommended. Bernard doesn’t agree with my choice and might create problems in the future.”

Derek’s interest was piqued, his eyebrows lifting in surprise, “You recommended someone for the Combat Advisor position of your Starfire Cadre? Who?”

Taking a moment to gather her courage, Rachel responded, “A man named Ash. I’ve sent his profile to your tablet,” Rachel knew her father would have known anyway since the departments under him would have to clear her recommendation. And so she thought it was better to get ahead of it.

Curiosity marked Derek’s actions as he navigated his tablet to view the profile Rachel mentioned. But the moment this man named Ash’s profile came into view, Derek’s eyes widened.