Chapter 1778: The name that crossed realms
Chapter 1778: The name that crossed realms
The Lord of the Void’s eyes narrowed as he listened to the way Cain addressed him. Normally, the Prima Deities would show extreme caution and deference when speaking in his presence. They would tread lightly, carefully choosing their words to avoid the faintest risk of offense. Yet that was clearly not the case with the young man standing before him. Cain spoke with unshaken confidence, even borderline defiance.
Instead of anger, a faint smile crept across the face of the Arch-Deity. It was rare, almost imperceptible, but unmistakably there. He found it... refreshing.
"A good partner must be someone who can speak their mind," the Lord of the Void thought. "Otherwise, they’re just a pawn. I don’t need another obedient dog trained to follow commands."
"What I propose is an alliance of mutual benefit," the Lord of the Void said, his voice low but echoing with ancient power. "Based purely on terms. Not on friendship. Not even on trust. You do something for me, and I will do something for you. Simple as that."
A broad grin spread across Cain’s face at the words. That kind of arrangement was precisely what he preferred—straightforward, transactional, and devoid of the cumbersome baggage of loyalty or affection.
However, before giving his final answer, Cain’s eyes drifted toward Tiamat. He had already made a pact with the Dragon Empress, and her agreement took precedence.
If she disapproved of his potential connection to the Lord of the Void, then he would step back. No alliance was worth burning an existing bridge—especially not one forged with someone as powerful as Tiamat.
The Dragon Empress noticed the meaningful glance Cain gave her. A subtle smile curled her lips as she nodded slightly, pleased by his tact and prudence. His careful approach to decision-making showed wisdom.
"Our deal remains untouched by your new alliance," Tiamat said, her voice smooth and resonant. "In fact, your cooperation with the Lord of the Void will make things easier for me. My influence in the Chaos Beyond the Realm is minimal. I cannot be traveling here every time you face a problem."
Cain gave her a respectful nod. Then he turned back to the Lord of the Void, clasped his hands together, and performed a small bow. "I will be honored to call you an ally."
The Lord of the Void’s smile widened slightly at those words. In Cain, he sensed potential—raw, immense, and terrifyingly adaptable. This young man might just be the catalyst for his long-awaited evolution.
After the agreement was sealed, Tiamat and the Lord of the Void exchanged a silent glance. No words were spoken, but a thousand thoughts passed between them—calculations, memories, plans. Finally, both gave a slight nod, acknowledging the unspoken.
"I will summon you when the time is right," Tiamat told Cain and Meylin. Then, without another word, she transformed into a beam of radiant energy and vanished, returning to her Eternal Kingdom.
The Neo-Demon gave a small, respectful bow toward the spot where she had disappeared. Then he turned to the Lord of the Void. A wide, cold smile tugged at his lips as his gaze settled on the Arch-Deity. His energy suddenly surged outward, forming a dome of chaotic power that ensured no eavesdropper could hear their next exchange.
"Do you have a dungeon?" Cain asked, his voice low and edged with something primal.
The Lord of the Void had encountered monsters across the cosmos—abominations, tyrants, entities of pure entropy. Yet even he felt a fleeting shiver crawl down his spine at the hunger in the Neo-Demon’s eyes. There was something terrifyingly sincere in that gaze, something that whispered of conquest, of annihilation... and of transcendence.
Those watching from afar frowned as they failed to hear the final exchange. Before they could breach the swirling energy barrier, the duo soared away, flying together toward the Lord of the Void’s Divine Kingdom.
Though many questions swirled through the minds of the Prima Deities and Arch-Deities who had witnessed the meeting, one fact stood above all: the newcomer who had not only defeated the Sun Lord but also stolen everything he possessed—including his Oniric Truth and his Divine Kingdom—had now secured a foothold within the Chaos itself.
It did not take long for the name Cain Laurifer to spread like wildfire. And soon, everyone began to understand the true cost of provoking the wrath of the Scarlet King.
...
The Crimson World was vast—so staggeringly enormous that even Arch-Deities found themselves unable to fully comprehend its scope. The higher one ascended through its realms, the more formidable and dangerous it became. Some layers in the upper echelons were so treacherous that even beings like Tiamat would tread carefully, knowing that a single misstep could mean eternal imprisonment—or worse, death.
In one of the most extreme of these deadly layers, something impossible existed: a black hole. Not merely a gravitational anomaly, but a literal singularity embedded within the plane itself. It loomed in the center of the realm like a dark, ancient god—so massive it could dwarf entire Eternal Kingdoms. Its event horizon stretched across countless kilometers, a boundary from which no matter or energy could escape.
But this black hole was different.
It had been frozen in time.
A paradoxical phenomenon: ultimate destruction suspended within a single eternal second. The devastation it promised had been halted, as if by some divine or forbidden force. Still, no one dared approach it. Even in its paused state, its overwhelming gravity and dormant chaos annihilated those who drew too close.
And yet, within this frozen singularity—within the absolute void—there was a city!
Suspended inside the core of this cosmic paradox, the city defied all natural law. It was not grand or ornate like the citadel of the Sun Lord, but its architecture radiated menace and raw power. Towering spires pierced the eternal gloom, and shadowy structures pulsed with energy no one could name. At the center stood a castle. It wasn’t adorned with gold or bathed in divine light, but its very presence could stir terror in the souls of even the most ancient gods.
Within that castle, an entity sat upon a throne of silence.
His form could not be described. He was draped in a mantle of eternal darkness, inscribed with glowing runes that pulsed with malevolent intent. His presence devoured light, and his power radiated beyond comprehension.
Suddenly, two eyes opened within the void of his form—pale, colorless orbs that glowed with an intensity to rival the black hole itself. They were not eyes made for seeing—they were made for judging, for destroying.
A sharp glint passed through those eyes as he whispered a name.
"...Scarlet King..."
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End of Book 17 - Devouring the Sun