It did not take long for Cain to purify every Ancestor Drop and fuse them with his own. Once that process was complete, he did not rest. Instead, he imdiately continued modifying and enhancing his new body, refining every aspect with ticulous care.
Although the Scarlet King was confident that the Aztorus Kingdom would recognize the value of turning the Ocean of the Blood Sun into the primary battlefield, he was not the type to entrust his fate entirely to others. Contingency was power.
That was why golden orbs began to appear across key points of the blood ocean, sinking beneath the crimson surface like stars swallowed by a red sea.
"I truly hope I won't need to use these rely to defend against the Kalous Kingdom," The Scarlet King murmured.
A sense of solemnity spread through his soul as he continued his work, expanding the Ocean of the Blood Sun and improving the might of his new body.
Days passed. Then weeks.
Yet there was no sign of the higher-ups of the Kalous Kingdom.
That absence unsettled Cain.
"Did I misjudge them?" the thought crossed his mind.
Just as it did, the Scarlet King sensed it.
A massive floating white fortress was moving toward the Ocean of the Blood Sun.
It was gargantuan-its sheer size rivaled nearly ten percent of the blood ocean itself. The structure radiated power, countless auras overlapping and colliding, creating pressure that bent the air and dimd the sky. Cain's perception swept across it instantly, identifying dozens of formidable presences.
Yet one aura stood far above the rest.
It burned so intensely that it distorted space itself.
The fortress ca to a halt at the edge of the Ocean of the Blood Sun. A mont later, three figures erged from its gates.
Mirena stood to the left.
Kriz stood to the right.
And between them... stood a man who commanded the scene without uttering a word.
His white hair fell to his shoulders, his physique imposing-muscle sculpted perfectly for speed, power, and endurance. Every movent carried restrained violence, like a weapon that had mastered stillness. Most striking of all was the red eye embedded in his forehead, blazing even brighter than that of the fallen Crown Prince of the Kalous Kingdom.
The trio advanced, stepping onto the surface of the Ocean of the Blood Sun just as a blood avatar rose to et them.
A small smile appeared on the middle-aged man's face as he saw the incarnation of the Blood King.
"I am Eonar," he said calmly. "King of the Aztorus Kingdom."
His voice was gentle, peaceful-yet the authority within it made the sky tremble.
Cain analyzed him instantly.
"So this is the might of a King of Paradise.
His physical capabilities rival those of the Monster of the Root... but the true source of his power lies in his Ancestor Drops.
And I can't detect them at all.
Dangerous."
Those thoughts passed through Cain's mind in less than a heartbeat.
The blood avatar clasped its hands together and perford a deep
bow.
"It is an honor to et you, King of Aztorus."
Eonar smiled faintly and nodded. Then his gaze sharpened as it turned toward Kriz.
The Royal Blutlinie had already recovered his severed arm, but his complexion remained pale. The King had made it clear that Kriz was only granted the necessary resources because of the looming war. Once it ended, punishnt would follow.
Taking a deep breath and swallowing his pride, Kriz lowered his head.
"I ask for your forgiveness," he said stiffly. "My words were rude and in no way represent the will of the Aztorus Kingdom."
The blood avatar glanced at him briefly.
"Apology accepted."
That was all.
Cain imdiately redirected his attention toward Eonar, not sparing
Kriz another look.
"I assu Your Majesty has co to address our alliance."
Eonar nodded.
"I will be direct," he said. "The Kalous Kingdom used nurous treasures and formations to paralyze the northern battlefield, casting
an energy wall we can not cross. Afterward, our intelligence confird they withdrew under the cover of darkness, retreating toward their capital."
His eyes narrowed.
"They are consolidating their forces and preparing to march here. There are also confird reports that the Kalous King has begun contracting rcenaries from other kingdoms to bolster his strength."
As he spoke, Eonar subtly extended his perception toward the Ocean of the Blood Sun, searching for any hint of disturbance or fear within
the will that perated it.
He found none.
Only a calm nod from the blood avatar.
Eonar shrugged faintly and continued.
"So among my council suggested we exploit the opening and strike
their capital while it is exposed," he said. "But I had a different idea."
Cold brutality flickered in the King's eyes.
"We will move our forces into the Ocean of the Blood Sun and fight
them here-with everything we have."
He gestured toward the sea.
"This is our ho ground. Your enhancents give us a decisive
advantage. If we play our cards correctly, we will gain far more than
territory."
His voice dropped.
"We will annihilate them."
The blood avatar remained silent, but deep within Cain, exhilaration
surged.
"I won't even need to convince them."
Outwardly, however, the blood avatar adopted a thoughtful
expression.
"A battle within my domain will greatly benefit your forces," it said calmly. "But the collateral damage will be imnse. It will wreak havoc
on my body and soul."
Eonar nodded once, then waved his hand.
In response, tens of thousands of unconscious Blutlinie were released from the floating fortress, their bodies suspended montarily in the
air.
"This should more than compensate for any losses you endure."
The blood avatar's smile widened.
The sheer number was staggering. Though none were Royal Blutlinie, their quantity alone was enough to offset the lack of elite quality.
"So," Eonar said smoothly, "we have an alliance?"
The blood avatar imdiately nooded.
Eonar gestured again.
The bodies were released.
They fell.
Countless waves erupted as they plunged into the heart of the Ocean of the Blood Sun, dragged down by its current, sealed, and consud.
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