The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 329 Cain vs the Fourth Azure Prince

”Your words are indeed true, big brother. As sons and daughters of the Golden Emperor, we should be together, especially with the advances of the Dark Races.”

The one who answered the words of the Crown Prince was a beautiful woman with long blonde hair and golden pupils, and her aura seemed to merge with the world around her.

That was none other than the Second Princess. Although in this world, power mattered more than anything, there were still those who believed that gender should be decisive in the leading roles of a force. But the woman had managed to carve her path with impressive accomplishments and remarkable personal power, allowing her to be second only to the Crown Prince.

After that small toast, people finally began to eat. There was a certain level of finesse in everybodyʼs behavior, suitable for a place like the Heaven Sundering Hall.

However, one person did not particularly care for that, and everybody saw how they devoured the food in front of him like madmen. Yet, no one said a word since it was none other than a member of the Deus Bahamut Race.

While some frowned upon that behavior, Cainʼs response was different. He looked at the young man with a short smile as he liked that behavior, to truly act according to your heartʼs desires.

Still, Cain kept consuming his food with calm. There was not an excess of etiquette, but neither was he as wild as the members of the Deus Bahamut Race. He just followed the table manners his father taught him.

”Fourth Brother, I see you have a young hero in your group. Shouldnʼt you present such a rising star to all of us?”

It did not take long for the small chatter between the princes and princesses to stop as the Third Prince spoke loudly, drawing attention towards Cain.

Klausʼ eyes narrowed as he heard those words from the Third Prince. He, of course, knew of the animosity between Cain and the Azure Royal Family, so this exchange could not be a good one. But there was no point in keeping silent.

”Of course, most of you should already know him. He is Cain Laurifer, Colonel of the Imperial Army and the Blood Sea Civil War hero. The man who managed to frustrate the plans of a Dark King.”

People turned toward Cain and began to look at him with extreme focus. All those present were aware of such an important event as the Blood Sea Civil War since it involved two Dark Kings.

Cain stopped eating and glanced at the people in the room before nodding to them. He did not offer words and instead stared at the Third Imperial Prince. It was clear that things would not end with that small introduction, but he did not lose his calm.

”Colonel Laurifer. It is a great pleasure to meet such a young hero. Irion, I heard that you and the colonel have already met.”

The person that the Third Imperial Prince referred to as Irion was the Fourth Azure Prince, and a poisonous light appeared in his eyes as he prepared to talk. However, Cain was faster.

”If Your Highness refers to the time the Fourth Azure Prince aimed his weapon at my back, then yes, we have met.”

Surprise appeared in the people in the room as they heard that. They could detect the animosity between the two but were surprised to hear such an accusation. After all, the Fourth Azure Prince was over two hundred years old and a Late Wave King.

For someone so older and with such a higher cultivation base to aim his weapon at the back of a seventeen-year-old Middle Wave Champion was a great shame.

”What are you talking about!”

The Fourth Azure Prince shouted, with burning rage in his heart. He was ready to disparage Cainʼs name, but this one was faster, and just as he intended to lie, his eyes turned towards Magnus.

If there were no one else around at that time, Irion would lie without hesitation, but there was someone who saw everything, and he did not know whether Magnus would back up his lie or not. In the end, he just clenched his teeth, took a deep breath, and carried on with his plan.

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”That was a misunderstanding, but I would never attack a Colonel of the Imperial Army since I have too much respect for them. After all, they are the sword of the Empire.”

Cainʼs eyes grew cold as he heard those words from the Azure Royal Prince since he could detect their falsehood.

Irion did not care if people did not believe him and would be happy if this one called him a liar since there was no way to prove such words. However, Cain remained quiet and did not fall for such an obvious trap.

”The Imperial Army is a source of honor. Unfortunately, as of late, their fame and prestige have weakened due to the presence of criminals among their ranks.”

Cainʼs eyes immediately narrowed as he detected the goal of those words. It was clear to him that the Azure Royal Prince wanted to use Kraneʼs presence to tarnish his reputation and, from there, devalue his character in several ways.

Irion did not care that Cain knew his plans, as he carried on with a smile on his face.

”I wonder what Colonel Lauriferʼs opinion is about that topic. After all, our great heroes should not fight side by side with a bunch of criminals since the only ones that would feel comfortable in their company are those without respect for the codes and rules of the Empire.”

People focused on Cain, wanting his opinion. The topic regarding military criminals in the war effort was very important, as it involved not only meaningful ethical points of view but was also related to the security of the Empire.

There was a silence in the hall as everybody waited for Cainʼs response. He glanced at the Third Imperial Prince, who looked at him with a smile before turning toward Irion.

Only peace and serenity appeared in Cainʼs eyes as he took a sip of his drink before speaking.

”No matter their strength, there is no one fighting in the war against the Dark Races who is not a hero, and I would understand if some of them feel discomfort about having criminals among their ranks.”

Irionʼs smile grew wider upon hearing that, as it was the response he expected. He was now ready to call Cain a hypocrite. However, before he could do that, Cain proceeded.

”However, I am a Colonel, and I should lead millions of soldiers in the future. Any measure I can use to secure the lives of those heroes is more important than their personal feelings. Only a child would think that feelings matter more than security in war.”

The Fourth Azure Royal Princeʼs eyes grew cold as he felt the hidden intent in those words, but he did not care, as it did not affect his plan. While there is justification for military criminals in war, using them inside the Empire, especially in the capital, could easily be controversial.

Unfortunately for Irion, Cain had not finished yet.

”Since you brought that topic, I would like your insights, Azure Prince.”

Irionʼs eyes narrowed as he felt something was wrong, but he did not lose focus and came up with what he thought to be the perfect answer.

”I am not an official member of the military, but of course, I have had several skirmishes with the Dark Race in the darkness. I do not glorify them since it is just my duty as a member of the Empire.”

Irion knew his lack of military background could be brought up, so he gave that answer. It was not odd for those of Noble Families to fight members of the Dark Races away from the spotlight.

The truth was that Irion had never gone to fight the Dark Races, as in his mind, there was no reason to go to such dangerous places, but no one could verify his words.

Cain did not attempt to verify the truth of those words and simply continued.

”I know that you lack military merits, but I expected the insights of someone close to you. I expect you to have a profound meaning behind discussing the military criminal policy that could save soldiersʼ lives. There must be a family member or close friend who shared those experiences with you.

After all, you would not bring this topic only to cause controversy since such political maneuvers were unworthy of a descendant of the Azure Emperor.”

Irion clenched his fists beneath the table as he heard that. He had only intended to bring up the policy to bring out Kraneʼs presence. Still, Cain redirected the topic to his lack of military experience; even worse, this one called him a politician.

For the Godslayer Humankind, the term politician was infamous since it depicted a group of people who only knew how to cause trouble and draw attention without offering solutions.