Meanwhile, as the Three Realms' fate was being decided by a single battle, within the Infernal Realm, Hell's Will still grumbled, unleashing relenting waves of Infernal Tribulations on Hell in retribution for its Law Enforcer's fall! But though the Devils occupying the Central Domain had long since grown accustomed to it, for those low-level demons, fiends, and humans, it was another story.
Of course, on this particular day, none cared for Hell's wrath. Projection mirrors stretched throughout the Infernal Realm, observing the mind-blowing battle tying the Profane Prince with those Firmament experts. Although they couldn't join the fun, Hell's deities were long prepared to watch it from afar.
Therefore, they'd not missed anything. Within the Central Domain's sovereign palace, the Overlord's former residence, Yvonne, Else, Gulistan, Krann, Elia and Helmut stared – through a Truth Projection screen – at Konrad's epic battle. Though none doubted Konrad's ability to squash his foes, at the end of the day, those were Supremes. If nothing else, the battle was a learning opportunity for them all. And should anything go awry, they stood ready to intervene.
But as the battle went on, and Konrad's superiority became evident, they all relaxed, ready to enjoy it to the end. However, as the battle reached a critical point, they felt a strange smell coming from the adjacent hall: The smell of cooking!
By itself, there was nothing wrong with that smell. However, the timing was entirely ridiculous. The location also didn't match. Worse, as the smell intensified, they couldn't feel the presence of the one driving this operation!
"Elia, Helmut, stay here. Else, Gulistan, stand ready. Krann, come with me."
Yvonne ordered, and stood up, vanishing alongside Krann to appear in the adjacent room. Never did she expect that there, she would find a supremely handsome man with features 80% similar to Konrad's, dressed in an apron and marinating sliced chicken parts in an exotic sauce. On the side, a sauce and sides boiled, releasing the aroma that pulled Yvonne there.
"Tal-roth?"
Yvonne stammered the name, unable to believe her eyes. This time, even Krann was left slack-jawed, unable to fathom how and why the former Southern King of Hell, a stately Demon King, was turning their hall into a kitchen and cooking with rapt attention!
"Oh! Greetings, daughter-in-law. Apologies for the intrusion, I merely wished to give you all a surprise."
Talroth began without shifting his focus from his cooking tasks. Krann and Yvonne both blinked in disbelief, not knowing how to process this scene.
"You…cook?"
Again, Yvonne stammered. Speaking as if the two words were the world's greatest absurdity. Talroth merely nodded in approval.
"But of course. I love cooking. Soothes the mind and liberates the heart. I used to cook for every single one of my consorts at least once a year. More depending on their rank. Asmodeus got four Talroth-made meals per year.
You'd be surprised by how their eyes sparkle as my hands go through the ingredients."
Talroth replied in such a natural, relaxed tone that Yvonne almost believed herself in the wrong for thinking that beneath him.
"But you donated them all to your son…all to buy yourself time."
She countered, obviously seeing through Talroth's previous move. And indeed, she was right.
"Ah, the necessities of plotting."
Talroth didn't deny it. Why did he donate all his consorts except Asmodeus? For impression. By donating his consorts, by taking that humiliating steps, he was telling the world that he surrendered to Konrad's might and knew himself unable to challenge his will. However, going too far was as bad as not going far enough. If he truly gave them all up, Konrad would have been too suspicious of how the Demon King could so easily give up his prized possession.
Therefore, he had to keep Asmodeus, the one whose value eclipsed all the others combined, and through that tell Konrad, that there still was someone he couldn't give up. In truth, he couldn't care less.
An eternity of sexual dominion had long grown stale. Though hearing those women writhe under his hands still wrought some delight, as the years wore on, cooking became a stabler, more reliable source of mental relief.
A simple, appreciable routine. But knowing that in the future, even that would lose meaning, Talroth couldn't help but sigh.
Regaining her composure, Yvonne cast an intense gaze at Talroth.
"Why are you here?"
She directly asked, knowing that regardless of Talroth's purpose, it couldn't bring them any good.
"To pass time. The chapter of the Three Realms is approaching its end. And with it, so does my life. I wish for one last humane conversation before making my final move."
Talroth replied, speaking with a sincerity that few could doubt. Yvonne did.
"That simple?"
"That simple. Tell me, daughter-in-law, what's the highest single digit?"
Talroth asked as he pushed the sliced meat parts into a self-made oven. Hearing this, Yvonne's face contorted in a frown. Clearly, the answer was nine. But if it were that simple, how could Talroth ask it? This wasn't about numerical digits at all. For an instant, Yvonne closed her eyes, reminiscing a discussion she had with Konrad many years ago.
"Three."
Her eyes opened wide, and she gave that odd reply. Unexpectedly, Talroth nodded in vigorous approval.
"Well said! My crown prince did choose an outstanding wife. Indeed, three is the highest. Everything revolves around three. Nine is the largest single digit but it still takes three three. Therefore nine is inferior. I love three and all the games revolving around it."
Talroth followed in a speech that made Yvonne's eyes narrow further.
"But following that logic, isn't one the highest?"
She countered.
"Of course not, one is the start, the origin, the beginning and finality. Alone it is worth so little. How could it be the highest?"
Talroth replied, and unbeknown to Yvonne, his lips curved into a grin.
At that time, Konrad's Myriad World Explosion blasted Night and Cloud, awakening Heaven's Will and bringing the battle to the final stage. As if sensing this, Talroth waved his hand, causing an hourglass to appear beside his oven.
"I dislike using such tricks during my cooking session, but time is of the essence. It will all be ready when the last bit of sand drops. I truly hope you will enjoy it. Farewell."
Talroth stated and vanished from the scene.
…
Meanwhile, within the Heaven Warding Temple, the appearance of Heaven's Will sent the world into chaos. Heavenly Tribulation dropped in a deluge of pure white lightning bolts, all targeting Konrad!
When Primogens died or lost their Blood Origins, the parts of Heaven's or Hell's Will within them automatically returned to their original owner. Of the past Deva Primogens, only Daksha and Chandra were still alive. And of the two, Daksha alone retained his Blood Origin.
Having regained most of the scattered force, Heaven's Will could unleash a dreadful tribulation! Alas, its power alone was nothing before Konrad's nefarious might!
"Innate Skill: Devouring!"
Konrad exclaimed and opened his mouth, swallowing all Heavenly Tribulation in one go. His eyes then shifted toward the tumbling Night and Cloud!
"God Executing Immortal Art, Final Form: Extermination Anima!"
Konrad bellowed, became one with the God Executing Immortal sword and turned into a massive black veil. The veil morphed, becoming a gargantuan lion of oppressive darkness. From that lion's glowing red eyes, soul-rending extermination will rippled, making all that glanced at it shiver in fright!
*ROOOOOAR!*
The lion roared, destroying all of Night and Cloud's lingering forces with absolute might, and shredding them body and soul!
Before that casual roar, even before the lion bared its fangs and claws, the two collapsed in utter defeat!
Konrad then shifted his eyes toward the sky, challenging Heaven's Will with his glowing hues. In that form, he flew toward the heavens and bared his fangs!
"Innate Skill: Devouring!"
Konrad bellowed, not even bothering using the Underworld's strength. Before his current devouring abilities, Heaven's Will was but a lamb awaiting slaughter! A white, blinding orb appeared in the sky, and unable to resist, that orb dropped in Konrad's maw, merging with his Chthonian Will!
Konrad's appearance changed, returning to his human shape, and as his Chthonian Will devoured Heaven's Will, as he claimed sovereignty of the Celestial Realm and mastered the Fate of all its denizens, he closed his eyes, letting the might of his Fate Laws skyrocket, defying their current limit to reach the true acme!
A white light column tore through the Celestial Sky, announcing to the world the achievement of Konrad's fourth Transcendence!
Alongside it, the other Primal Laws merged in All-Transcendence and Konrad's Supreme Will condensed.
Henceforth, he could also say the three words:
"I am Supreme!"
