The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order

Chapter 1805: Real target

After nearly a month of marching, the massive army finally arrived at a mountainous range so colossal that even the enormous bodies of Prima Deity Dragons seemed small in comparison. A sharp glint appeared in the eyes of many Prima Deities as they focused on the vast horizon ahead—they were about to enter the territory of one of the most feared and enigmatic beings in the entire Second Realm: the Enlightened One.

Of all the ArchDeities on the main landmass of the Second Realm, the Enlightened One ruled over the smallest dominion in terms of physical territory. Yet not a single soul dared to underestimate his power. Many remembered the stories—how he had slain ArchDeities who were arrogant enough to test his bottom line.

Some claimed the Enlightened One was one of the oldest beings in the Crimson World, a veteran of the Great War, and possibly even someone who had witnessed the fall of ancient pantheons. Others went further, insisting that he could have conquered the entire landmass long ago had he wished it and that he now stood one step away from becoming an Alpha-Omega Overgod.

Regardless of which rumors were true, one fact was universally acknowledged: provoking the Enlightened One was suicide.

Given that knowledge, it was understandable that a heavy sense of dread was beginning to stir within the hearts of the Prima Deities. Their normally unwavering auras flickered with unease. Yet, in stark contrast, Cain wore a faint smile on his face, calm and unbothered. His tone was serene and aloof as he gave his orders.

”Set camp and wait for my next instructions.”

With a casual wave of his hand, Cain manipulated the surrounding earth, warping it to form a massive fortress made entirely of obsidian rock. He entered the newly constructed stronghold without another word, Meylin following close behind.

Outside, the growing discontent among the Prima Deities became palpable. Many exchanged suspicious glances, their distrust mounting. To them, Cain’s behavior was dangerously dismissive of the threat ahead. Some began to wonder whether he even understood the kind of peril they were approaching.

Still, they obeyed. The Prima Deities and their forces set up camp throughout the mountain range, preparing themselves physically and mentally for what might come. But whether they would still obey Cain if he ordered a direct assault on the Enlightened One’s Eternal Kingdom remained an unanswered—and dangerous—question.

Inside the fortress, Cain and Meylin walked silently through grand halls of stone and crystal, deep into the heart of the structure until they reached a massive chamber capable of housing dragons at their full size.

”Their resentment is reaching a dangerous level,” Meylin said calmly, her eyes briefly glowing with spiritual insight as she looked back toward the army outside.

Although she wasn’t a master of The Flow like Cain, as a Depravita, she had an innate sensitivity to emotions—especially negative ones. The anger, fear, and mistrust in the army were growing stronger by the hour.

Cain merely shrugged, a sly grin playing at his lips.

”That’s exactly what I need—for now, the image of an incompetent leader serves my purpose.”

He then turned toward the spatial ring Tiamat had given him. With a flick of his fingers, he pulled out a five-colored halo. It was similar to the one Bahamut had used to transport them from the edge of the Second Realm to Tiamat’s Eternal Kingdom, but this one was vastly more powerful—capable of spanning massive distances and remaining open far longer.

”You know what to do,” Cain said to Meylin without further elaboration. He didn’t need to. He trusted her entirely, especially when it came to executing the most delicate parts of his plans.

Without hesitation and with his eyes full of lethal determination, Cain stepped into the portal—and vanished.

...

Far away from the Enlightened One’s domain, nestled deep within the heart of darkness and despair, was a place unlike any other in the Crimson World—an Eternal Kingdom that resembled a prison more than a divine sanctuary.

There were no gleaming towers or golden gates here. This place was cloaked in an oppressive, haunting atmosphere. The very air felt heavy with sorrow and decay. At its core, bound in chains of ancient metal darker than the void, sat an old man. His body was skeletal, his skin like parchment, and he radiated an aura so suffocating that space itself seemed to bend in submission.

He was the Lord of Ages—the first ArchDeity Cain had encountered in the Crimson World.

The Lord of Ages’ glowing eyes pierced the distance as a deep frown formed on his gaunt face.

”She’s targeting the Enlightened One? What is going on in her mind?”

He muttered the question more to himself than to anyone else. The Lord of Ages had known of Tiamat’s intentions to spark an Eternal War for a long time. In fact, he had prepared extensively under the assumption that he would be her target. He had reinforced every Divine Kingdom under his control, erected ancient seals, and forged energy channels that could empower his Prima Deities the moment battle broke out.

Even when the army had begun to march in a different direction, he had maintained his defenses, doubting that Cain or Tiamat would make such a blatant tactical misstep as to reveal their true target so early.

But now...

Now his certainty was crumbling.

Finally, convinced that he was not the immediate target, the Lord of Ages had begun to scale back his massive, energy-draining defenses. His guards were relaxed. His seals were loosened.

A smile slowly began to form on his face.

”If Tiamat goes to war with the Enlightened One—even if she somehow wins—she will be left wounded, vulnerable. That would be my time to strike. I could take massive territory and Origin Power in the aftermath. Perhaps even kill her outright.”

He chuckled darkly, the sound echoing like a death knell throughout his shadowed hall.

”And no doubt, her death would please that man.”

Ambition flared in the Lord of Ages’ ancient eyes. As possibilities coursed through his mind, strategies began to crystallize. This could be his moment. All he had to do was wait for the two titans to destroy each other and swoop in for the kill.

But then—he froze.

His pupils contracted.

Suddenly, he sensed something—an overwhelming shock cascading through the feedback channels of his domain. One of the Divine Kingdoms in his domain had just been... destroyed.