Beyond the Apocalypse-Chapter 997: Five vs one

Kinto did not dare remain another second. The instant he regained the strength to stand, he staggered upright and fled the chamber, face pale and bloodied, his breath ragged with fear. Never in his life had he felt death so near, cold and absolute, pressing on his very soul.

Akai watched his younger brother’s retreating figure with a sigh. For all his anger, a flicker of sorrow passed through his eyes. Then, as the sound of the prince’s footsteps faded, his gaze hardened, the sorrow giving way to iron resolve.

When he turned toward Vlad, the air itself seemed to bow. The Faelara Prince stood tall, posture poised with the unmistakable bearing of command, disciplined, regal, and dangerously calm. Yet instead of speaking with pride or challenge, he clasped his hands and bowed deeply.

"In the name of the Imperial Family," Akai said, his voice resonant and controlled, "I offer my sincerest apology. My brother should never have been permitted to attend these negotiations. Certain individuals sought to curry his favor and undermine my authority. They will never be a problem again, for either of us."

There was something in Akai’s tone, a cold finality that spoke louder than his words. Vlad understood immediately: those "certain individuals" would not live to repeat their mistakes.

Vlad’s bright eyes lingered on Akai’s for a long moment. Then, slowly, he nodded.

"Your apology is accepted. And I truly do hope for an alliance between our forces. But understand this, if such a flaw ever happens again, there will be no third chance."

As he spoke, the air trembled faintly around him. The light dimmed, and for a brief heartbeat, the True Depravita of Wrath showed his true nature, an aura so sharp and cold that even a Lord would feel its edge.

"We are at war," Vlad continued. "A single mistake can cost millions of lives. I will not allow incompetence or arrogance, no matter its origin, to endanger my people or my allies."

Akai listened without offense. Instead, he bowed his head again, deeply and deliberately. His expression did not falter, for he understood the truth in those words. On the battlefield, arrogance killed faster than any blade. A strong enemy was dangerous; a foolish ally was catastrophic.

"You have my word," Akai said solemnly. "From this moment onward, I will be the sole link between the Xaos Kingdom and the Faerathia Empire. I will personally lead my people into battle."

Vlad studied him quietly. He had met countless generals, some loud and boastful, others cold and cunning. Akai Faer, however, possessed the rare calm of a true commander, the kind of man who understood both the burden and the sanctity of leadership.

"Very well," Vlad replied. "Let us speak as equals, then."

Akai gestured toward the table once more, inviting Vlad to sit. Casira, still shaken from what she had witnessed, received a sharp glance from her prince and immediately left the room. Moments later, she returned carrying two crystal cups.

Akai took a small vial from his space ring and poured the drink himself, the gesture one of respect rather than servitude. He handed one cup to Vlad.

The True Depravita of Wrath accepted it without hesitation. Poison held no power over him; his body had long transcended mortality, so there was no need to worry about that. But as he drank, the sensation that followed took him by surprise.

It began as a soft warmth in his chest, then spread through every vein, into every thread of his being. His spirit vibrated, and for a moment, he felt something ancient and vast brushing against his soul. His mind cleared, his essence tempered, as though the impurities of existence itself were being burned away.

"This..." Vlad breathed, eyes widening slightly. "This cleanses the soul. It strengthens potential. It even refines the pathways of power. Incredible."

Akai’s lips curved into a faint smile.

"It is called the Blood of Yggdrasil, the lifeblood of our Sacred Ancestor. It flows at the heart of our world, beneath the roots of our great tree. Upon ascending to Lordhood, my father granted me a small portion of it. I am honored to share it now, with an ally."

Vlad’s eyes narrowed slightly, not in suspicion, but in recognition. He understood the gesture for what it was. This was not merely a gift. It was a statement, a demonstration of sincerity and trust. The Faelara Prince had offered him something irreplaceable, something only given once in a lifetime.

Vlad smiled faintly.

"A rare gift indeed," he said, placing the cup down. "Then allow me to offer one in return."

He lifted a hand, and a faint pulse of crimson energy rippled through the air. A small black ring materialized before Akai, floating gently until the prince reached out and caught it.

Akai examined it curiously. He inspected it and saw it was full of parchment carrying Legendary runes. Impressive, yes, but not beyond the capabilities of his empire.

Then he looked closer. His pupils dilated.

"These..." he whispered, realization dawning. "These are Legendary Demon Cages, keys to the Demon Soul Master System!"

Vlad inclined his head slightly in confirmation.

The Demon Soul Master System was one of the most powerful innovations to come out of the Graecia Empire’s commercial routes in recent centuries. It allowed a cultivator to bond with demonic entities—gaining enhanced cultivation speed, unique abilities, and even the power to summon their bound demons in battle. For some, it was like acquiring a second life; for others, a weapon beyond comprehension.

"There are one thousand within the ring," Vlad said. "Enough to strengthen your elite legions, a vanguard capable of piercing any defense."

Akai stared at the ring as though beholding a treasure beyond measure. His hand tightened slightly, the weight of what had been offered settling on him.

"This..." he said quietly, "is more than generosity. It is partnership."

Vlad’s gaze remained steady.

"War leaves no room for half-measures, Prince Akai. If we are to stand against the Vorometallicae, we must strike as one hand, not two."

For a long moment, neither man spoke. The air between them hummed with quiet understanding, the kind that could only exist between warriors who had looked death in the eye and chosen to keep walking.

At last, Akai slipped the ring onto his finger and raised his cup once more.

"Then let us drink to that," he said. "To alliance—and to victory."

Vlad lifted his own cup in return. Their eyes met with mutual respect and understanding. Yet, soon their gazes sharpened.

They had shown their goodwill, and now it was time to get down to business. Alliances were essentially commercial agreements dressed in war paint: both parties wanted the same outcome, but each would always place the safety of their own people first.

"My purpose in helping your kingdom push back the Vorometallicae across this Doomsday World is simple," he said. "We want to guarantee absolute success for your forces so this world can become a secure staging ground —, a breachhead into the Chaovoratities Plane, the true homeland of the Vorometallicae."

The prince’s eyes sharpened and a frown crossed his face. "You want an invasion, with just our two forces?"

Akai’s question was blunt but justified. The Vorometallicae were not merely a powerful race; they were a civilization that had hardened into a military machine across countless worlds. Their ranks included dozens of Lords and several Sacred Kings whose raw might could flatten entire worlds.

To strike them within their own territory was a nightmare: the World Will there would favor them, the environment would heal their wounds, and every advantage would be on their side.

Vlad had expected this objection. He did not flinch. "No," he said calmly. "We will not be only the two of us."

He paused long enough for the words to sink in, then continued. "My people are already executing the exact same approach I’m proposing here. While you and I negotiate, the Xaos Kingdom is mobilizing allies, supplies, and covert forces in four other Doomsday Worlds — including the Land of the Three Calamities. The strategy isn’t a frontal assault by two armies. It’s a coordinated, multi-theater campaign of five forces against one."

Akai’s expression did not soften; he was a warrior, not a dreamer. "You propose to pull the Vorometallicae into conflict on several fronts, strain their resources, and then strike the heart of their power. But how do you intend to secure those Doomsday Worlds long enough to use them as staging grounds? Those worlds are themselves battlegrounds — fragile and dangerous, anything could happen to the supply lines, leaving us stranded in the enemy world. Lords like us could escape, but the rest will die."

Vlad nodded as there was logic in the man’s words, but then he smiled. "That is true if we embark on a long war, but my goal is much more direct. I will march straight into the heart of the beast, along with all the Lords that will fight with me, and engage in a direct battle against the Sacred Kings right from the start."