The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 1936: Join the Scarlet Alliance

There were many reasons why Divine Sea might feel wary, even paranoid, about Cain’s proposal—but before making any decision, she had a single question.

"And what," she asked slowly, her voice carrying the calm weight of an Archdiety, "would I gain from this arrangement?"

The red flame in Cain’s eyes flared, becoming richer, deeper, almost hypnotic. He smiled—not the smile of a salesman or a manipulator, but of a conqueror offering a bargain he knew could not be ignored.

"Many things," he said simply. "First, I will establish permanent trade routes between our domains. My kingdom is wealthy and overflowing with innovation in several key fields—Runic Crafting, Genetic Coding, Treasure Forging, and Tribulation Enhancement. For the first decade, you will purchase all Scarlet Path goods at production cost. After that, you will receive a permanent thirty percent discount."

Divine Sea’s eyes flickered with interest. The treasures of the Scarlet Path had already been displayed to the entire world during the Everlife War, and they were impressive—especially the runic creations. And though they had not been openly flaunted, everyone knew the Scarlet King was a supreme genius in Tribulation Enhancement. If he had truly mastered that art, then there must be a vast reserve of powerful Revolution Flames within his domain.

Even without the discount, she would have traded with the Scarlet Kingdom eventually. Such goods could empower her forces, strengthen her foundations, and increase her influence. But trade alone was not enough to sway her into granting Cain’s bold requests. Still... it was a promising start.

Cain, sensing her interest, struck directly at her deeper desires.

"I will also provide you with one Archdiety Treasure every two years for the next decade. The first will arrive in six months. After that, you will receive one every five years for as long as we remain partners."

If she had been intrigued before, now Divine Sea’s soul burned with temptation.

Archdiety Treasures were rarer than stars in a barren sky. The number of craftsmen capable of creating them could be counted on one hand, and most barely reached the minimum level required to truly benefit an Archdiety. The vast majority of such treasures in the Everstrife Empyrean World were not forged at all—they were born naturally, birthed over eons by the universe’s cosmic forces. Even one could take hundreds of millions of years to form.

But while her heart stirred, Divine Sea’s will was as refined as tempered steel. She kept her composure and asked the critical question.

"What kind of treasures would these be, exactly?"

Cain’s smile widened. He appreciated that she could keep her emotions in check—it made the conversation far more interesting.

"The quality of the treasures is guaranteed," he said evenly, "but their exact nature will remain a mystery until they arrive. I will, however, promise to choose each one with care, doing my best to give you something of true use."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. That answer told her much. The Scarlet King clearly had access to a hidden source of Archdiety Treasures, but not one under his direct control—at least not enough to dictate precisely what emerged. She was curious, but wise enough to avoid pressing for details she would never be given.

The randomness of the gifts did diminish their value somewhat in her mind. Yet the spark of interest quickly returned. Even if a treasure was not ideal for her personally, she could always trade it with other Archdieties for something more suitable. It would require effort, but the potential gains outweighed the inconvenience.

"So..." she summarized, her voice slow and deliberate, "a trade agreement and recurring gifts—in exchange for allowing you to purge the continents under my rule and spread your Path among my people."

Her gaze sharpened as countless thoughts crossed her mind—calculations, risks, advantages, hidden consequences. At last, the flicker of decision settled in her eyes.

"I agree."

"Excellent."

Cain’s smile became radiant, and the flames in his eyes danced in a way so mesmerizing that even Divine Sea felt her focus slip for a heartbeat. But before she could speak, he continued.

"Now that this is settled, I have another offer before I leave. If you refuse, I promise I will take no offense—there will be no repercussions."

Her eyes studied him carefully. The way he said it, the weight in his tone, suggested something significant—something far more personal than a trade pact. And yet... the Scarlet King had a reputation for keeping his word. If he promised not to retaliate over a refusal, then he meant it. Of course, most of the examples of his "word" being kept involved promises to kill someone, but that was beside the point.

Still, she drew a slow, steady breath, calming the slight tension in her chest. "Speak."

"It’s quite simple," Cain said. "I will soon forge the Scarlet Alliance. And I would like you to join it."

The flames in his eyes pulsed, daring her to meet them without flinching.

"You may join as an Honorary Partner," he continued, "which would mean we sign a mutual defense pact. If anyone dares attack you, I will stand at your side. In return, you will stand with me."

Her eyes glimmered thoughtfully. The Scarlet King was, by every measure, a monster. His power was not theoretical—it had been proven against the strongest in existence. If she could count that power among her shields, no one would dare challenge her.

Of course, there was a shadow on the other side of that bargain. The kind of enemy who would attack the Scarlet King would not be a petty rival—they would be an abomination, a nightmare in flesh, or a force so immense it could shake even the most ancient powers. And if such a thing rose, she would be bound to face it at his side.

Cain let her weigh the thought without interruption. Only when her focus returned to him did he speak again.

"If you wish," he said, "you could also join as a Core Member. That would mean accepting me as your leader—and in return, I would devote my full strength to helping you grow."

At this, her interest cooled. She had climbed to her current place without anyone’s guidance, and she could climb higher still. Becoming a subordinate, even to someone like the Scarlet King, was not appealing.

But then Cain spoke again, and the words that left his mouth changed everything.