Mystic Calling：Stone of Glory
Chapter 416: So strong…

Chapter 416: So strong...

Ethan was deep in thought...

Just how far was Cicero’s current strength from someone like Wisdom Angel Cain—someone who had just stepped into the realm of a Greater Deity, or in other words, a true King-tier being?

Was the gap 15 levels? 12? 10?

Or... was it even smaller?

"Heh..."

But just as Ethan was lost in that spiral of speculation, Wisdom Angel Cain suddenly chuckled and spoke, his voice calm but piercing.

"Lord Valkarion, you came all this way to see me, and yet you haven’t said a word. Why is that?"

Ethan blinked, caught off guard. Then he gave a small shake of his head and replied, "No... I was just a little distracted."

As he spoke, he lifted his gaze to meet Cain’s, a faint smile beginning to form on his lips.

"Wisdom Angel Cain," he said with a light laugh, "it’s been a while."

Cain smiled back, though his eyes were sharp, studying Ethan with a mix of surprise and something close to disbelief. "Yes... it really has been a while," he said slowly. "But I never expected that in such a short time, you’d already become a Crimson Ultimate Hero. Honestly... it’s hard to believe."

Coming from a Greater Deity, that wasn’t just flattery.

Cain could see through Ethan’s current state with ease. There was no hiding it from someone at his level.

And that was exactly why he was so shocked.

"A while," he’d said—but in truth, it had only been a little over a year since they last met.

And in that single year, Ethan had gone from a mere purple-tier Epic Hero... to a Crimson Ultimate Hero.

Who the hell could believe that?

It was insane.

"Honestly, it was just luck," Ethan said with a modest smile, brushing it off. Then, without missing a beat, he shifted the conversation. His eyes locked onto Cain’s, and his tone turned serious.

"Wisdom Angel Cain, I came here today because I need your help."

Cain raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Help? What kind of help?"

"It’s nothing too complicated," Ethan said, pausing for effect. Then he grinned. "I want to borrow some troops. Specifically... five hundred units of Tier-14 Mythic Archangels."

The words hit like a thunderclap.

Even Cain’s expression froze for a second.

And behind Ethan, even Cicero—stoic, composed Cicero—visibly flinched, his eyes widening in disbelief as he stared at Ethan like he’d just grown a second head.

Did he just say five hundred Archangels?

That wasn’t a request. That was a declaration of war.

Cain’s brows furrowed, his voice low and sharp. "Lord Valkarion... are you joking?"

Ethan shook his head slowly. "No. I’m dead serious."

"I really do need your help."

And that was the truth.

This—this was the real reason he’d come.

He wanted to drag Cain—and by extension, the entire Castle faction—into the mess. Get them involved. Use their name, their presence, their weight.

Then turn around and go after Sea King Maelthorak.

If he could pull it off, the benefits were obvious.

He’d eliminate a major threat, and more importantly—he’d cover his own ass.

Because if he could convince the world that the Castle faction was backing him, even if it was all smoke and mirrors, it would be enough to make his enemies hesitate.

Even if it was a bluff, it would be a damn convincing one.

And that hesitation? That fear of retaliation?

That was exactly what he needed.

Ride the wind. Borrow the storm.

Because truth be told, the idea of going after a Sea King on his own?

Yeah... it made him nervous.

First, there was the question of whether the Emerald Castle’s current strength was even enough. Could they really take down Maelthorak? Kill him outright?

He wasn’t sure. Not even close.

And second—and this was the real kicker—he was afraid of what might come after.

He was afraid of the Tidesworn faction coming for him later.

Sure, the seas were in chaos right now. The Infernal Legions were running wild, Fortress forces were taking advantage of the chaos, and the Tidesworn were getting pushed back hard, barely holding their own.

In this kind of mess, even if he did kill Maelthorak, chances were the Tidesworn wouldn’t have the resources to retaliate.

But still... what if?

What if they did?

What if they remembered?

What if they came for him when he least expected it?

Who knew if the Tidesworn were the type to hold a grudge?

Petty? Vindictive?

Exactly.

That’s why Ethan had to be cautious—painfully cautious. This was the strategy he’d come up with to cover all his bases.

Wave the tiger’s banner. Borrow the lion’s roar.

Drag the Castle faction into this mess and use them as a shield for Emerald Castle.

After all, thanks to Wisdom Angel Cain, Emerald Castle had already been forced out of the shadows and into the light. They were no longer a hidden force—they were now a visible player on the board.

So why not use that as leverage?

You want me to help you fight the Inferno and Dungeon factions?

Sure. No problem.

But I’m not strong enough on my own... so I need your help.

It was perfectly reasonable. Logical. Justified.

And that’s exactly why, even though Cain looked like he’d just swallowed a mouthful of lava—his face shifting from pale to purple to green—he didn’t immediately shut Ethan down.

Because deep down, he knew.

He’d been the one to manipulate Emerald Castle first. He’d forced Ethan’s hand.

So now that Ethan was here, asking for something in return?

It was only fair.

He had no one to blame but himself.

Still... five hundred Tier-14 Mythic Archangels?

That was insane.

Flat-out impossible.

Cain’s voice dropped, low and tense. "What exactly are you planning? I can’t give you five hundred Archangels. I may have them, yes—but I only have around eight hundred total. If I give you that many, what am I supposed to do with what’s left?"

He didn’t say yes.

But he didn’t say no either.

It was negotiation. A test. A counteroffer in disguise.

Ethan just smiled.

Then he casually pointed over his shoulder at Cicero. "Take a look at him. What do you think? I mean... his current strength."

Cain blinked, caught off guard.

Then his gaze shifted to Cicero, eyes narrowing as he studied the towering Green Dragon.

"...If I want to know his true strength," Cain said slowly, "then I’ll have to test it myself."

He stood up.

And drew his sword.

Shhhk—

The Angelblade slid free with a whisper of steel, and in the next instant—whoosh!—it ignited in a blaze of pure white fire. Light Magic surged around it, forming a roaring inferno of divine energy that danced along the blade’s edge, radiating a terrifying, holy pressure.

Even Ethan, now a Crimson Ultimate Hero—a second-awakened Crimson Ultimate Hero—couldn’t help but feel his heart lurch in his chest.

A cold shiver ran down his spine.

His breath caught.

So strong... he whispered to himself.

Then he turned to Cicero, his voice steady but low. "Cicero. You good with this?"

The Green Dragon’s eyes gleamed.

"For you, my honored master—I will fight."

"The warriors of the Green Dragon clan fear no battle!"

With a deep growl, Cicero launched forward.

Fwoosh!

Sacred Realm—activated!

A surge of raw magical power exploded around him, the air itself trembling as he vanished in a flash of green light.

BOOM!

In the blink of an eye, Cicero reappeared mid-air, charging straight at Cain with terrifying speed. His massive claws, wreathed in blinding magical energy, slashed down with enough force to tear through mountains.

The sheer pressure distorted the space around them.

Light bent. Air warped. Magic particles twisted and spiraled in chaotic patterns.

It was a breathtaking display of power.

And yet—

Cain didn’t even flinch.

With what looked like a casual swing of his sword—just a single, effortless motion—he met Cicero’s full-force assault head-on.

CLANG!

The impact rang out like a divine bell.

Cicero’s devastating strike was stopped cold.

Cain didn’t move an inch.

Not a single step back. Not a single tremble in his stance.

He had blocked it—completely.

Perfectly.

Like it was nothing.

...