The Epic Tale of Chaos vs Order Chapter 2420 The end of the alliance

"STOP!"

The yell erupted from Kriz.

He floated shakily in the sky, his complexion ashen from the heavy blood loss, the stump of his severed arm still releasing faint traces of life essence even with the hasty bindings sealing the injury. Even in his damaged condition, his gaze stayed keen and pitiless, and his tone bore such commanding force that challenging it seemed like inviting certain doom.

Cain observed him with icy detachment.

The earlier strike from Morningstar had been savage-yet not lethal. Kriz might have rejoined the conflict ages ago. Rather, he had concealed himself, preserving his power, biding his time until the peril had faded before showing his face. And now, having deserted the battle and almost sealing everyone's fate, he dared to bark orders still.

Cain offered no immediate reply.

Instead, a crimson figure emerged gradually from the Blood Sun's vast ocean, scarlet fluid gathering into a lofty, majestic shape. Its empty sockets locked onto Kriz with frozen apathy.

"Clarify what you mean," the figure stated tonelessly.

Kriz's features grew stormy at the delivery. Fury ignited in his stare, and briefly, he appeared set to erupt. Yet then he sensed it-the weight of Morningstar's regard, crushing and suffocating, bearing down on his spirit like a dagger at his neck.

Kriz balled his hand into a tight grip and choked back his anger.

Drawing in air to compose himself, he addressed them once more, his tone restrained yet biting.

"Those three aren't merely fighters from the Kalous Kingdom. Their roots lead straight to the Dark Blood Kingdom." His gaze

toughened. "Since we've overcome them and they present no further danger, the wisest path ahead is to seize them and bind them shut."

He halted on purpose, allowing the gravity of his following statement to settle.

"You wouldn't wish to invite the fury of the Dark Blood Kingdom. Or would you?"

The crimson figure showed no emotion, yet far inside Cain's essence, a grave wave rippled outward.

The Dark Blood Kingdom held no small influence. Stirring the mightiest realms in Paradise's Dark Blood domain wasn't a step to take without care.

"I might release Gilgark and Orfin," Cain assessed steadily. "But the Crown Prince lies dead already."

As that realization hit, Cain eased a bit.

"The slaying of one will already pull eyes my way. Freeing the remaining pair changes little-and I'd forfeit vital assets."

Then the crimson figure gradually denied with a shake.

"They're all gone now."

"What?!" Kriz bellowed, astonishment and doubt crossing his features. A spark of dread chased right after. "How did you finish off all three so swiftly?!"

The crimson figure denied once more with a shake.

"To begin with, I didn't end them. We did," it amended evenly. "Your strike wounded the Crown Prince's spirit, rendering him helpless against Morningstar's blows. Regarding the others, the Crown Prince's end sparked a linked collapse in their essences."

The figure's words resounded over the whole expanse of the Blood Sun ocean.

"You hold equal share in their demise."

A subtle grin tugged at the figure's mouth.

"The last assault merely broke shells that were already fractured. They died the instant they plunged into the blood sea."

The grin stretched a touch, keen and eerie.

"Should you doubt it," Cain went on, "feel free to dive into the Blood Sun ocean and check the remains personally."

Cain already knew mending ties was out of reach. No point in courtesy or yielding. He cornered Kriz without mercy.

Kriz ground his teeth.

He longed to reject those claims-but he couldn't.

Insisting his blow hadn't touched the Crown Prince would turn him into a joke, ruining his position in the Royal Family. And regardless, it wouldn't wipe away his role in the Crown Prince's end-or the linked fall of the other pair. Following a drawn-out, fraught quiet, Kriz compelled himself to settle. The searing wrath in his core chilled into a deeper shadow.

"You ought to watch your tone with fellow fighters," he

stated icily.

"Hmph."

The crimson figure scoffed outright this round.

"A partner who flees at the first sign of trouble isn't one to keep. If you're done with this pact, fine by me."

The figure's sockets flashed.

"Our pact ends here."

"What?!"

The pronouncement struck Kriz like a blow. He stiffened, completely caught off guard

by the reply.

He had meant to lean on the pact to sway the Blood King-

not shatter it completely. The pact proved far too crucial.

"He's surely bluffing," Kriz urged himself. "Lacking us, he can't stand against the Kalous Kingdom."

But as the idea took shape, his eyes lifted-to the trio

of Royal Guards suspended above.

Satan. Hades. Morningstar.

With Morningstar now in the fold, their united might sufficed to ward off any strike-particularly after the Kalous Kingdom's crushing toll in fighters and top talents this clash.

Kriz's spirit plummeted.

"Let's not hasten this," he urged hastily. "For starters, we should—"

"Enough from you," the crimson figure cut in, refusing him even a look.

It shifted to face Mirena.

"Kindly tell your superiors the pact is broken, and recount what brought this about. Should they seek to rebuild it, I'm willing

to discuss-but the conditions shift."

Its regard intensified.

"This wasn't my choice. Your companion pushed me to it."

A tangled look crossed Mirena's face. She sensed Kriz's stare fix on her, pressing her to step in, to ease the rift and rescue the mess. She parted her lips to reply

Then a whisper rang in her thoughts.

"Why aid him?

He's injured. His moves hurt the kingdom.

You, though, bested a Dark Blood

Kingdom foe and remain at full strength.

Should he drop... you climb."

The whisper felt familiar.

It echoed her inner voice.

Mirena went quiet.

After a beat, a soft grin formed on her mouth. She nodded

toward the crimson figure.

"I'll relay what truly happened."