Upon arriving at the entry gate of the secret realm, Edward found the royal procession team already gathered, blocking the entry. The team was an impressive force, consisting of a Demigod Tier-10 powerhouse, one of the revered ancestors of the Illyria Kingdom, and eight Arch Mages whose tiers ranged from 7 to 9.
The sight of them, cloaked in their royal regalia, was an imposing one.
All of them were preparing for the unknown dangers and opportunities that awaited within the secret realm.
Edward, hailing from a marquis lineage himself, received respectful nods from the assembled group as he approached. Although the royal family had ultimate authority, even they could not afford to ignore the influence of the powerful houses like Edward's.
Among the familiar faces, he quickly spotted his long-time friend, Nicole, an Arch Mage from a prestigious duchy.
Approaching Nicole, Edward asked in a hushed tone, "What's the situation? Do we know anything more about the secret realm?"
Nicole leaned in slightly, her voice low but filled with intrigue.
"Word is, this realm is from the antiquity period. It belonged to a Demigod or perhaps someone even stronger. The royal family is desperate to get their hands on whatever treasures lie within. But it's still too unstable to enter. We're waiting for the gate to settle."
Edward nodded thoughtfully.
An ancient Demigod's secret realm was bound to contain artifacts and knowledge that could elevate a mage's power significantly. But it wasn't going to be that simple.
As they waited, an ominous sensation swept through the air.
A sudden, terrifying presence surged from the other side of the gate. It was like a massive wave of power, pressing down on all who were present.
The oppressive aura signaled the arrival of individuals with ill intentions, and they weren't making any effort to conceal their strength.
Within moments, the source of the presence came into view: three figures approached the gate, each of them cloaked in shadow and wearing devil masks. One of the figures bore a mask embedded with four stars, while the other two had masks adorned with two stars each.
The sight of the masks sent a shiver through the royal procession team.
The Truth Order had arrived. Their reputation preceded them, an enigmatic organization that held incredible sway across the Grand Magus World.
Known for their secrets and their strength, the Truth Order wasn't a force that could be easily ignored.
The royal procession's Demigod, the Ancestor of Illyria, wore a grim expression as he took in the scene. His gaze flicked over the Truth Order members, lingering especially on the one with the four-star mask. It was a symbol of rank—High Councillor, a Tier-10 Demigod like himself.
The others, the two-star mask wearers, were likely Tier-8 Arch Mages, but they too were dangerous. In any other situation, the royal team would have made efforts to block or deter those trying to enter the realm, but not this time.
The Ancestor knew better. Engaging the Truth Order would only lead to disastrous consequences for the Illyria Kingdom.
As much as it pained him, standing against such a powerful organization could shift the balance of power, leading to the downfall of Illyria's royal family.
"We'll take the left side," the Ancestor said curtly, signaling for the royal team to move aside and let the Truth Order proceed unimpeded. While the decision wasn't well received by some of the Arch Mages, no one dared to question it. The stakes were too high.
As the royal team stood to the side, watching the Truth Order's members, other hidden factions who had been lurking in the shadows began to emerge. They had been watching, waiting for their moment.
Now, emboldened by the Truth Order's presence and the royal family's retreat, they moved into position, ready to stake their claim within the secret realm.
The Ancestor's face darkened further. So many forces gathering at once was never a good sign. While he had the strength to repel most of them, doing so would only weaken their standing once inside the realm. Letting them enter would allow them to compete on their own terms, and there was no telling who might come out on top.
Suddenly, Edward's mind buzzed with a telepathic message. It was short, but its meaning was clear: "Take care of the two Arch Mages. I'll handle the Ancestor."
Edward understood immediately. The Prophet had foreseen everything. The two Tier-8 Arch Mages of the Truth Order were soon to break through to Tier-9, and his job was to protect them and ensure they monopolized the opportunities within the realm.
The Demigod of the Truth Order, the one with the four-star mask, would keep the royal Ancestor occupied, leaving Edward to manage the rest.
It was a flawless plan. Edward marveled once again at the Prophet's foresight, the precision with which he orchestrated events. Every step had been calculated, every move anticipated. With newfound resolve, Edward prepared himself.
The air around the gate shimmered as the portal to the secret realm finally stabilized. One by one, groups from various factions began stepping through the gate. Each was transported to different locations within the secret realm, ensuring that no one group could immediately seize control.
When it was Edward's turn, he took a deep breath and donned his devil mask. The moment it settled over his face, a wave of powerful Demigod aura burst from him, sending ripples of power through the air. The mask, now fully attuned to him, cloaked his identity and concealed the fact that he had only just recently ascended to Tier-10.
As he stepped through the portal, Edward found himself in a vast, ancient landscape. The secret realm stretched out before him—an endless expanse of towering mountains, dense forests, and forgotten ruins.
The air was thick with mana, and the energy of the place was overwhelming.
Immediately, Edward scanned his surroundings, searching for the two Truth Order Arch Mages. He could feel them nearby, their auras pulsing faintly in the distance.
As expected, they would be the key to securing the Prophet's plans within this realm.
But Edward's gaze also fell on other figures moving through the landscape—rival factions, powerful mages, all intent on claiming the treasures of this forgotten world. The secret realm was a battlefield, and every moment counted.
With the weight of his mission clear in his mind, Edward set off, his Demigod strength now fully realized. He would ensure the Truth Order's dominance here, just as the Prophet had foreseen.