In the eastern part of the secret realm, high above the ground, two formidable forces clashed in the sky.
One of them, the Ancestor of the Illyria Royal Family, was unleashing devastating fire spells, a signature of the royal bloodline.
His blazing attacks lit up the sky, a testament to his immense power as a Demigod Tier-10. His opponent, however, was equally fierce. Wielding the raw power of lightning elemental spells, the masked individual donned a devil mask, signifying his allegiance to the Truth Order.
Their battle was a sight to behold.
The clash of fire and lightning sent shockwaves through the air, causing the very earth below them to tremble.
Other mages and warriors who had entered the secret realm could only look on in awe and relief, knowing that as long as these two Demigods were occupied with each other, they had the freedom to search for treasures and resources elsewhere.
Edward, standing on the ground, let his spiritual consciousness sweep across the entire secret realm.
His sharp mind focused on locating the two members of the Truth Order, the two Tier-8 Arch Mages who had been tasked with breaking through to Tier-9.
With ease, he pinpointed their locations and, without delay, used his formidable strength to pick them up and carry them toward the center of the secret realm.
At first, the two Arch Mages were filled with terror as they felt an overwhelming power lifting them effortlessly through the air.
They feared they had been captured by a hostile force.
But as soon as they recognized the devil mask worn by Edward, their terror turned to awe.
To them, this was a clear sign that their decision to join the Truth Order had been the right one. An organization capable of producing not one, but two Demigods in such a short time was clearly one of unimaginable depth and power.
After reaching the center of the realm, Edward's voice rang out, calm and commanding.
"Inside the temple, there is a spiritual pool. It will elevate your strength to Tier-9, and there lies the inheritance of a Demigod. The inheritance will be mine, but the pool is yours. Now go."
The two Arch Mages, who had been nervously awaiting instructions, obediently nodded.
They knew that reaching Tier-9 was more than enough of an opportunity for them. The Demigod inheritance was a prize far too great for mere Arch Mages, and offering it to Edward, a High Councillor of the Truth Order, seemed like the perfect compensation for his assistance.
With newfound determination, the two rushed toward the temple. Meanwhile, Edward remained stationed at the entrance, standing guard.
His Demigod aura spread out in waves, warning any potential intruders that this area was off-limits. Even the most powerful mages in the realm could feel his presence, and none dared approach.
As time passed, Edward's patience was rewarded. After about the time it took for a stick of incense to burn, two powerful auras erupted from within the temple.
The two Arch Mages had successfully broken through to Tier-9. The surge of power they exuded was palpable, sending ripples through the mana-filled atmosphere of the secret realm.
Emerging from the temple, the two newly promoted Tier-9 Arch Mages bowed respectfully before Edward. Their expressions were filled with gratitude, as they understood the significance of what had just occurred. They had achieved what many only dreamed of, and it was all thanks to the Truth Order—and, more specifically, Edward.
In response, Edward produced two devil masks, each embedded with three stars. Handing them over, he spoke calmly, "Congratulations on your promotion to Commander rank."
The two Arch Mages accepted the masks with reverence, recognizing the significance of this promotion.
The three stars signified their new status within the Truth Order, elevating them from ordinary members to Commanders.
"It is all due to you, High Councillor. We will forever remember your guidance," one of them said, their voice filled with respect and awe.
Edward simply nodded in acknowledgment. He wasn't one for empty praise, but he understood the importance of maintaining order within the Truth Order's ranks.
As the two newly minted Commanders made their way from the temple, Edward's attention shifted back to the battle in the skies.
The fight between the two Demigods had reached its climax. The Ancestor of the Illyria Royal Family, once proud and imposing, was now severely wounded.
His fire spells had dimmed, and he was clearly struggling to hold his own against the relentless lightning strikes of the Truth Order Demigod. Finally, with one last desperate effort, the royal ancestor fled the battlefield, his body battered and burnt.
His retreat was swift, leaving behind a trail of fiery embers in his wake as he hurriedly exited the secret realm.
In stark contrast, the Truth Order Demigod stood calm and composed. Not a single scratch marred his body, and his presence remained as dominating as ever. Those who witnessed the battle couldn't help but feel a deep sense of respect and fear. It was clear now that the rumors were true:
"Everyone who can join the Truth Order can rival those of the same realm and can fight beyond their tiers."
This phrase had often been met with skepticism. Many doubted the truth behind it, as the Truth Order was a secretive organization, and there were few recorded instances of their members engaging in combat.
But today, in the heart of the secret realm, the truth of those words was undeniable.
As the other factions looked on, some in awe, others in fear, they began to realize the true extent of the Truth Order's power. The fact that the identities of their members remained hidden only added to the mystique surrounding the organization.
No one knew who these masked figures truly were, but one thing was clear: those who stood against the Truth Order did so at their peril.
With the royal ancestor defeated and the two new Commanders ready to return to the fold, Edward felt a sense of satisfaction. The Prophet's plan had unfolded perfectly, and the Truth Order had once again proven its dominance.