Chapter 1803: Assessing loyalty
Rather than shrinking beneath the immense weight of expectation placed upon him, Cain’s eyes sharpened further, and his resolve solidified like tempered steel. Leading armies into the fray were nothing new to him; after all, he had once guided an entire world through a cataclysmic war.
Although the present conflict far surpassed that previous war against Dark Sky in terms of raw power, the stakes then had been unimaginably high—the very survival of Aether had rested upon his shoulders. Now, Cain knew he was facing a profound challenge: commanding Prima Deities and Legends whose loyalties he had yet to secure.
Discarding distracting memories of past conflicts, Cain focused intensely on the present. His gaze hardened, emitting a fierce determination, as he turned to face the vast assembled army. Deep within him, the powerful currents of the Oniric Truths of Gluttony and Dominion surged forth, flooding every cell in his body.
The Neo-Demon’s presence transformed instantly, radiating an aura so overwhelming it seemed capable of devouring the very heavens and ruling unchallenged over the void left behind. This powerful aura intensified further as the majestic strength of his True Name awakened, manifesting itself vividly as an unstoppable sovereign of destruction. To those who beheld him, Cain appeared capable of setting entire worlds ablaze and building new civilizations from their ashes.
In response to this overwhelming aura, every single Legend on the ground instinctively felt compelled to lower their heads in reverence. Even those formidable cultivators at the Void Eclipse Rank—those who had begun touching upon the mysterious Oniric Truths—found themselves forced to bow, their pride subdued before the Scarlet King’s commanding presence.
The Prima Deities, far stronger and more resilient, managed to withstand Cain’s dominion-infused aura without bowing. However, their expressions shifted subtly; a solemn realization appeared in their eyes as they began to appreciate just how formidable this so-called Scarlet King truly was.
Yet even amidst this recognition, many among the Prima Deities still harbored defiant gazes, their pride resisting submission. It was clear they were not easily commanded, their allegiance yet to be firmly established.
Tiamat had explicitly placed Cain and Meylin at the forefront, entrusting them with leadership over her forces. Yet she had intentionally refrained from personally securing the allegiance of her Prima Deities, believing firmly that a true leader must demonstrate the strength to command respect through action alone. If Cain could not establish authority here, leading them successfully into battle would remain a distant fantasy.
Cain’s eyes began glowing intensely with a golden brilliance so profound it seemed as though twin suns had replaced his pupils. Turning his blazing gaze upon the millions of Legends assembled below, he asked a single question, his voice thunderous enough to reverberate across the entire sky.