The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 2215: Grow stronger through conquest and death

Cain and Anark crossed the Golden Portal and appeared in the void surrounding the Everstrife Empyrean World. As soon as they were beyond the perception range of the other super-powerhouses of the Six Sacred Races, Cain turned toward Anark.

The Scarlet King’s eyes glowed with cold purpose and barely concealed hunger. "You still have the energy signatures and spatial traces of the three Empyrean Worlds that failed to send a representative, correct?"

The True Primordial of the Void studied Cain for a brief moment, then nodded.

"Perfect. I need you to search once more across the universe. The moment one of those worlds drifts close to ours, open a portal."

Anark understood Cain’s intention immediately, and his eyes sharpened. "If the others discover you are conquering other Empyrean Worlds, they may turn against you—even with the threat of the Root looming over all of us."

Cain nodded, acknowledging the truth in Anark’s words. However, there was no hesitation in his gaze. "There is no time to be cautious. We need to grow stronger, and we need to do it fast. For someone like me, there is no better path than conquest and death."

His voice hardened, and a condensed brutality rose within him.

"By the time they discover the truth, my influence over them will be strong enough that they will accept it. And those who don’t—" Cain’s eyes darkened, cold and merciless, "—I will kill."

The ruthlessness radiating from Cain only grew stronger as he turned fully toward Anark. "We are in more danger than any of us can imagine, brother. There is no room for hesitation, for mercy, or for pity. Only action. Only evolution."

Anark held Cain’s gaze, then nodded slowly. "Yes. You are right."

He turned his attention toward the distant boundary of their universe, the shimmering barrier of the Empyrean Wall far in the void. "I will contact you as soon as I can form a portal to one of the three leaderless Empyrean Worlds."

With those words, the True Primordial of the Void vanished into the distance. Cain watched the spot where Anark disappeared, a faint smile touching his face.

The Primordial was perhaps the only being with whom he could truly share the burden resting on his shoulders. Only Anark had both the power and the mentality required to face the horror of the Root head on.

Without wasting another moment, Cain teleported to the Scarlet Crown. The instant he arrived in the throne room, he sent out a summons. Less than five minutes later, several figures materialized before him.

The Six Chief Councilors and every ArchDeity stood assembled, expressions solemn and tense. When Radagon had spoken earlier, his intent had reached across the entire universe; they had all felt it. Now, a sudden emergency summons from the Scarlet King could only mean catastrophic news.

Cain did not waste a second. His Ego Wave erupted outward, connecting directly with the minds of every man and woman present. He shared with them the memories of the battle against the Root—the monstrous force behind Radagon, the terror of its consciousness, and the glimpse of its true magnitude.

The eyes of the ArchDeities and Councilors widened as the memories struck them. A suffocating dread flooded their souls. They experienced firsthand the monstrous presence of the Root, and the terrifying form of Radagon—an entity capable of making even gods tremble.

When the vision ended, Cain withdrew his Ego Wave.

Silence fell over the throne room. A heavy, sepulchral silence weighted by the horror of the enemy now looming over them all. The fear that had crushed five super-powerhouses of foreign Empyrean Worlds was now pressing onto every person present. Their spirits quivered under its pressure.

Yet slowly—very slowly—a faint scarlet glow began to kindle in their eyes. It grew brighter, steady, unwavering: a glow of power, of defiance, of determination.

Finally, the Six Chief Councilors and all the ArchDeities looked toward Cain. Their eyes burned with scarlet willpower.

Cain met their gazes, and the light within his own eyes intensified until it seemed ready to explode. It was a symbolic interchange: the king feeding strength into his subjects, and their resolve affirming that his chosen path was the correct one.

After a quiet moment, Cain focused his attention on the ArchDeities. His intent was clear—merciless growth through consumption.

"Soon," Cain said, "we will march into a new Empyrean World. And we will consume everything in our path. The wicked, the evil, the self-righteous, the cowardly—we will devour their souls and bodies and use them as fuel for our evolution."

His words ignited something deep within the ArchDeities. Their eyes gleamed with a dangerous light, and a dark, ancient, predatory aura began to radiate from their bodies.

They had followed the Scarlet Path for years, gradually strengthening themselves. But because the path had been peaceful for so long, many of their predatory instincts had dulled.

Now those instincts awakened with violent clarity.

They had all killed to rise to their current realm. And now, those hunting instincts were roaring back to life, eager for blood and prey.

Cain nodded with approval. He did not need sheepdogs. He needed wolves.

Then he turned toward the Six Chief Councilors, his voice sharp and full of authority. "From now on, direct all resources and focus toward the Prima Deities with the greatest potential."

The Scarlet Kingdom operated as a flawless meritocracy. Although a massive share of resources already flowed to those of higher rank, there were still substantial amounts distributed throughout the lower tiers to prevent long-term stagnation. Under normal circumstances, that balance ensured sustainable growth.

But these were not normal circumstances.

If they failed to defeat the Root, no future would remain. No path, no kingdom, no world. Only the Root.

Thus, the Councilors all nodded solemnly.

Cain lifted his hand, dismissing them. As their figures vanished, he stood alone in the throne room. He exhaled slowly, closing his eyes.

Understanding one’s enemy was essential. And now, with a fragment of the Root within him, he would attempt to peer into its history—no matter how dangerous or maddening such knowledge might be.