Void Evolution System

Time nearly froze.

This was that moment.

It was the moment when Bai Yumo felt true death encroaching him at the hands of another for the first time in his life.

Damien's strike…truly was beautiful.

It was a colorful mixture of several equal and opposite Laws, a strangely ordered mix of chaos that was bound to explode at the slightest disruption.

How was he able to control something like that? The amount of effort it'd take to so precisely handle mana so these elements didn't prematurely connect was mind-boggling, and Bai Yumo was sure he wouldn't be able to replicate it.

This time, his loss was completely undisputable. His opponent might've had strength similar to his, but his control over not only his mana, but his Laws and physical body, made him someone Bai Yumo would lose to 9 out of 10 times no matter how much they fought.

They said one's life would flash before their eyes on the verge of death, but Bai Yumo didn't see anything like that.

What he saw in his final moments was a mountain.

He was born at the foot of this mountain and had been so desperately trying to climb it his entire life.

But it wasn't just difficult, it was impossible. No matter how hard he tried, no matter how much he grew, he could never make it more than a few hundred meters past its base.

Now. with his chance to see the peak almost extinguished, he began to wonder: why was he so obsessed with this mountain?

Why did he allow it to control his life like so?

His vision was shifting between blackness and a blurry view of the world. The closer Damien's fist came, the harder it was for him to stay conscious.

And in that final moment, he saw that mountain again.

"Enough."

BOOOOOOOOM!

A cold voice resounded before Damien's attack finally exploded. Waves of chaotic mana filled the space and, mysteriously enough, passed through the arena barrier like it didn't exist!

WHOOOOOOSH!

Furious winds crashed through the atrium, accompanied by the panicked screams of the crowd. The Demigods and Supremes among them rapidly put up barriers to defend their juniors, marveling at the beautiful yet deadly impact of the explosion.

It took several seconds for the storm to calm, and when the light and dust finally settled…

Gasp!

A wave of gasps spread through the crowd.

Standing in the middle of the arena, between Damein and Bai Yumo, was none other than the Saint Emperor.

He held Damien's fist in his grasp, staring down at the human genius who coldly met his gaze.

"Boy, release your hostility," he said calmly, ignoring the killing intent radiating off Damien's body in waves.

Damien gritted his teeth as he felt the Saint Emperor's firm grip.

This interruption was…expected. There was no way the Saint Emperor would let his son die here.

But he didn't seem the slightest bit angry about Damien's victory. He was even a bit…happy about it?

Damien sighed and retracted his killing intent, backing away as the Saint Emperor freed his fist.

"Hmph."

The Saint Emperor moved his hands behind his back and glanced at Damien.

'Not bad…' he thought with a slight smile, feeling the barely noticeable burn mark on his palm.

He didn't speak too many words from that point.

He lifted Bai Yumo with his mana and flew out of the arena, turning to address the entire crowd in the atrium.

"This loss…This Emperor will acknowledge it. As such a thing has taken place, This Emperor will make a proposition."

His eyes turned to Luciel.

"2 years…" he said.

"Let us call a ceasefire for 2 years."

This was perhaps the greatest shock of the Grand Assembly thus far.

The Saint Emperor himself was offering such a thing?

Not a single person believed it wasn't a trick.

"What are your terms?" Luciel responded calculatively. Just like the rest, he was certain the Nox Emperor would propose extremely restrictive terms.

However…

"I will guarantee that my Nox Race will not attack the boundaries of Eien for the next 2 years, and those above 4th class stationed in your universe will be retrieved. If any attack takes place without direct provocation, I will take responsibility and personally destroy those who disobey this treaty."

"And in return?"

"Your people will also be retracted from Eien, and…"

The Saint Emperor smiled strangely as his eyes turned back to Damien.

"...that man must be disallowed from participating in any plans your universe creates during these 2 years. When they pass, he will have a rematch with my son to determine the final winner among the younger generation."

It was natural that many gazes turned to Damien. They'd witnessed his great victory moments ago, but there had to be a greater reason for the Saint Emperor paying specific attention to him.

Damien had a frown on his face as he received their suspicion and admiration. He didn't have much of an opinion on the Saint Emperor's terms, except…

'Why does he want me to fight the Saint King so much?'

Damien could find a million loopholes to abuse if he wanted to take part in the universe's matters, but the Saint Emperor's agenda continued to elude him.

After all, the man's actions were too disordered. Nothing he did made sense in the grand scheme of things, and he seemed to help the universe just as much as he hurt it.

The Marionette Lord was a confusing individual, but they had nothing on the Saint Emperor.

Even among the Nox, he was an enigma.

Luciel looked between Damien and the Saint Emperor several times as he tried to rationalize their connection with the information he had on Damien, and he paid attention to the reactions of his peers towards the Nox Emperor's proposition.

If it was another Emperor, nobody would trust their ability to speak for the entire Nox Race, but the Saint Emperor truly held a special position among their race and showed several times in the past that he could control even those who shared his title.

The terms were too good to be true, but if he was willing to seal this ceasefire with a Mana Oath, could it be doubted anymore?

There were too many questions about intention or long-term benefits and disadvantages that made one hesitate when facing a deal like this, however, Luciel couldn't deny that this was the best course of action for the universe at the moment.

He looked at Damien one more time, and Damien met his gaze with a helpless shrug. Luciel smiled slightly and nodded before turning his attention back to the enemy leader.

"Very well. We are willing to accept these terms."

His words were the start of something great, and also the signal that marked the start of the coming calamity.

The Saint Emperor smiled with a hidden glint in his eyes. His expression was arrogant, as if he'd just achieved a victory under everyone's noses.

And without hesitation, he summoned his mana and made an Oath, an Oath with the lives of his entire race on the line.

All that was left was for the universe to return his sincerity.