[After hearing Evangeline's words, you confirmed your suspicion that she was indeed an avatar master. Otherwise, she wouldn't have spoken with such confidence about working together.]
[But this raised another question: Why hadn't she used the avatar crystal herself? Was it possible that Evangeline didn't know about the method?]
[You speculated that Evangeline might have realized that even if she absorbed the avatar crystal, her power would still be insufficient to defeat Hellhound.]
[It was a wise decision to offer an avatar crystal as payment for the bodyguard service of a more powerful avatar master, hoping they could at least fend off Hellhound.]
[However, there was always the risk that the commissioned avatar master might not be strong enough to stand against Hellhound. There was also the possibility of betrayal since someone with Hellhound's infamous reputation might deter other avatar masters from crossing paths with him.]
[You, however, were not afraid of Hellhound and even looked forward to fighting him. After all, a powerful avatar master like Hellhound likely had absorbed numerous avatar crystals, and defeating him could yield a significant amount of valuable loot.]
[You were given a thorough tour of the Solstice Family's stronghold to familiarize yourself with the battleground.]
[As you walked through the stronghold, you noticed the Solstice Family's soldiers and guards were on high alert, fortifying defenses and preparing thermal weapons.]
[No matter how powerful an avatar master was, they were still human, and thermal weapons posed a significant threat to many. The effectiveness of these weapons often depended on the type of avatar the master wielded.]
[You, however, had little to fear from most conventional weapons. Your Invisible Providence avatar could block an RPG before it even reached you, and with your nearly omnidirectional vision, you were protected from sniper rifles and other threats.]
[As you toured the stronghold, you engaged in conversation with Evangeline.]
[You weren't surprised by her openness. While it seemed like a simple recounting of her life, it was clear that Evangeline was giving you a deeper glimpse into who she was, allowing you to decide whether you could accept her.]
[After all, one of the rewards for your success included her hand in marriage.]
[You weren't opposed to the idea of marrying Evangeline—after all, she was like the embodiment of a goddess in most men's dreams: rich, beautiful, and possessing a noble character.]
[Compared to the fiancée forced upon you by the Outer God Association in the god-forsaken world, you preferred to choose your future wife yourself.]
[For instance, the women who had intrigued you so far were Magia Fleur and Evangeline. Although Seraphina was undeniably beautiful, you couldn't fully trust her since she was sent by the Outer God Association to spy on you.]
[Magia Fleur, being a magical girl and an enemy of the Outer God's lackeys and the Outer God Association, was naturally considered your ally. On the other hand, Evangeline Aurora Von Solstice had no ties to the Outer God, so you weren't against the idea of her becoming your wife.]
[However, it ultimately depended on whether Evangeline would accept you as her husband and agree to the marriage. You had no intention of forcing a woman to be your wife—you wanted not just her body, but also her heart.]
[After Evangeline finished sharing her life story, your curiosity led you to ask another question, "Are you an avatar master?"]
[Evangeline nodded in response. "Yes, but I'm not as powerful as you, nor as strong as the Hellhound. If I were, the Solstice Family wouldn't have needed to commission a bodyguard. Our lack of power in dealing with the Hellhound is why we sought your help."]
[Satisfied with her answer, you followed up with another question, "How many avatar crystals have you absorbed?"]
[Evangeline seemed to mutter something to herself, something along the lines of "As I expected," before answering, "Seven avatar crystals. While it's not enough to defeat the Hellhound, it's certainly enough to assist you in the battle."]