Now, the chthonian forces alone remained within the sky. But though they'd theoretically made massive gains without a fight, no joy stood on their faces. From dukes to consorts, all could see the gravity of the situation. If they couldn't even end the foes in their territory, what guarantee did they have that they could achieve it in 1,500 years? Worse, as things stood, the enemy didn't even need to surpass Konrad. As long as they could cancel out, a disastrous result awaited.
The gap between their forces was just that deep.
This time, there was no room for supreme confidence. Only relentless improvement could cement their odds. But though the majority believed startling wars awaited, Konrad thought otherwise.
"Was I wrong?"
As he recalled Celestial Slaughter's assurance, he couldn't help but wonder that perhaps, just perhaps, his estimations were off the truth. At that time, Krann, the dukes and consorts, crossed the sky to land before him.
"Master, please allow me to lead our forces to pacify and enforce our dominion on those six multiverses."
Krann requested, but Konrad directly shook his head in disapproval.
"Denied. Although the Verse Masters each at least possess an early-stage Primordial God level cultivation base, to tame them, you are not necessary. The Twelve Dragon Dukes shall lead the legions in this task. This can also serve as training.
Split into six armies of 25,000 legionaries and 500,000 Devil Puppets, led by two dukes each. Krann can oversee the progress from a distance. I give you three years to end all conflicts and instore governments loyal only to me. Follow the Chthonian Realm's system. Later on, I shall devour all their Realm Wills."
Konrad ordered, and instantly, the dukes bowed in approval.
"As you command, your majesty!"
Not wasting a second, the dukes gathered their forces, and using coordinates provided by Konrad, led a 3.15 million man strong army to conquer the six primeval verses. Meanwhile, alongside his consorts, Konrad returned to the Myriad Dreams Valley, his stronghold within the former Celestial Realm. On the road back, he didn't forget to pocket the Warden.
In the Valley Lord's Hall, he sat on his throne, with the others forming a line before him. In another situation, Konrad's priority would have been to pull Yvonne in his arms. But in that precise moment, he couldn't muster the thought. And on the scene, there wasn't one person that couldn't see the worry on his face.
"Although Talr…no, Celestial Slaughter appears inscrutable, although he only has Infiniteness left to master, even if he could become Almighty. and that's a big if, as long as you can obtain the third Forbidden Physique and break all the locks, what is there to fear?
You will have Almighty Supreme level strength plus your Firmament Bloodline and Bridge. On cultivation alone, no one knows how far you can go. Let's not even mention that you already reached Profound Infiniteness Insight. With your means, becoming a High Supreme is just around the corner."
Gulistan began, unable to grasp the roots of Konrad's fears. For those of them that understood his means, they didn't doubt that among the three leaders, even if he didn't win, he absolutely couldn't lose. What method did Celestial Slaughter have to make up for all those gaps?
"The Devil Monarch Realm is the penultimate Realm. At the early-stage, I will match the peak-stage Primordial God Rank. At the mid-stage, I will match the Supreme level. At the late-stage, High Supreme. At the peak, beyond High Supreme, but below Almighty. Let's call it Quasi-Almighty.
Although I can't yet envision how to create the final Realm, with such strength combined with all the rest, who need I fear? It is rational, logical, simply straightforward. And that's the problem."
Konrad replied while resting his cheek on his fist.
"The Dharma Lord has been watching me from the start. He was there when I embarked on the road of Supremacy. There, when I forged my bridge. What he knows, Celestial Slaughter knows. With his intellect, how can he not put two and two and realize that such a long truce gives me ample time to crush him.
He knows, yet dares propose it. Which means that he has nothing to fear."
Konrad pursued, awakening his consorts to the realities of the situation. His eyes then shifted toward Krann.
"Krann, strike me with your All-Transcendence. I will resist with my Absolute Negation Physique."
Konrad ordered. Although Krann didn't have access to Physique Abilities, when Konrad became Supreme, so did he. Therefore, All-Transcendence was something he could also call upon. And while he didn't understand the reason behind Konrad's order, he needed not.
Instantly, Krann stepped forward, releasing the full might of his Supreme Will in one palm strike!
Without rising from his throne, Konrad unleashed 30 Forbidden Locks that rippled with negation power.
"Negation."
Konrad uttered, and Krann's All-Transcendent palm strike collided with a negation wall that constrained his offensive. However, with 30 locks alone, Konrad couldn't wholly nullify the strike. The forces canceled out, warping space as they competed for dominion.
*Bang*
In a low ringing sound, the forces collapsed, and Krann backpedaled. Konrad, however, remained still on his throne.
"Point proven. There is no strength difference between 30 broken locks and the Supreme level. I can also affirm that there is no difference between 60 and High Supreme level.
However…"
As Konrad's words trailed his consorts finally realized the source of his worries.
"The same might not be true for an Almighty Supreme."
Else chimed in, pulling an approving nod from Konrad.
"Right, I reckon that an Almighty Supreme cannot be defeated by anyone besides the Firmament's Sovereign. Perhaps, that is the true meaning of 'Almighty.' And if that is correct, regardless of how strong I become. Celestial Slaughter only needs to grab Sublime Infiniteness Insight, and no matter what I do, I can only lose."
Konrad hypothesized.
"That being the case, the race is not so simply about strength. The true target is the Firmament's throne. Yet, knowing that, he still chose it for the final battle? I'm afraid he has already made plans to ensure I can never get it.
And I believe the critical point in this game…is Regretless. Whoever can control him, is whoever wins.
And on that topic…I just lost.
No.
I lost trillions of years ago."
And since seizing wasn't viable, there were only two options left.
…
As Konrad's words echoed, Celestial Slaughter took office in his new capital, a world that he morphed into the past Empyrean. Everything was the same, from the tiniest street to the imperial palace. There, Celestial Slaughter walked into the throne room, with the new Asmodeus at his right and Dragon Dark at his left.
But while Asmodeus' eyes only showed the same blind loyalty as all the rest, Dragon Dark's brimmed with life.
"Ahh, it feels good to be back. Imperial mother, don't you agree?"
Dragon Dark asked with a low sigh while stretching like a man awakening from eons of slumber. However, no answer came from Asmodeus' lips. Only Celestial Slaughter could prompt words from her.
Seeing this, Dragon Dark no longer paid her attention. Of the reincarnated experts, only he got to keep his original will. The rest were puppets of Celestial Slaughter's. And though in the past, he was exceedingly close to his mother, discarding her for his father's favor was a decision that required no effort.
"Dragon Dark, because in the past you willingly perished for plans you knew nothing of, despite all your flaws, I gave you preferential treatment.
Now, I hope that all those samsaras, especially the time spent as Malkam in your elder brother's service, helped you mature. Though at the end of this game you shall be the only son left by my side, if you fail to live up to my expectations, I won't mind removing your free will."
Celestial Slaughter declared as they reached the throne's stairs. There, the other two stopped, and he alone walked toward the throne, taking his rightful sit on it.
"Imperial father, have no fear. That Malkam was only a sliver of me. I've long-since learned to curb my past flaws. Serving you to the best of my abilities is my only aspiration."
Dragon Dark replied with a sincere bow.
"Good boy. A pity that your elder brother lost his filial piety. Henceforth, you are the crown prince."
Hearing this, Dragon Dark went wild with joy and dropped on his knees.
"Thank you, imperial father!"
Though the position of eternal crown prince was a ludicrous concept, as far as Dragon Dark was concerned, it was a proof of acknowledgment and value. How could he not relish?
With a nod, Celestial Slaughter waved his hand, making two dormant figures appear in the throne room, floating before his eyes. Seeing them, Dragon Dark couldn't restrain his smile.
"However, your eldest brother is ultimately the most filial. Highest Dragon didn't raise him in vain."
Celestial Slaughter remarked, and Dragon Dark couldn't help but agree.
