In a mere span of moments, the Crownless had convened a legion of Tacet Discords too vast to enumerate.
They blanketed the very heart of the Norfall Barrens… Viewed from a distance, the landscape appeared to have been swallowed by a substantive, undulating black tide.
Whether upon the scorched earth, beneath the dark waters, amidst the roiling skies, or even burrowed deep within the subterranean strata… were one compelled to quantify the density, the ratio of Tacet Discords to the very soil of the Norfall Barrens had reached a terrifying minimum of three to one.
Moreover, the entities present were of no trifling stature; the absolute weakest among them belonged to the Tidal Class. As for the lesser Ripple Class—numerous though they usually are—there was evidently no standing room for such fodder in this gathering.
Yet, upon reaching the small plaza at the epicenter of this convergence, one would find the press of bodies strangely alleviated, leaving a hollow of ominous calm.
However, the entities manifesting within this circle were, without exception, titans of terrifying renown.
The Hegemon of the Dim Forest, the Spearback King; the Monarch of the Whining Aix's Mire, the Mourning Aix; the mechanical monstrosity from the Mire's eastern flank, the Mech Abomination; the Usurper of the Violet Banyan, the Feilian Beringal.
From the depths of the Tiger's Maw Mine, the trapper Lampylumen Myriad; the Vanguard of the Withering Front, the Tempest Mephis; the mimetic avian of the Distant Camp, the Impermanence Heron…
In short, every entity gracing this assembly was a sovereign in its own right, claiming vast territories across Jinzhou and commanding legions of lesser Tacet Discords.
In terms of raw power, even the weakest among them had ascended to the mid-stages of the Surge Class, with a select few peaking at the very zenith of that rank.
Seeing that the attendance was virtually complete, the Crownless descended from the firmament, flanked by the Thundering Mephis and the Inferno Rider, timing his arrival with theatrical precision.
"Hail, my King!"
As the Crownless's confidant and Vanguard Officer, the Tempest Mephis was naturally the first to offer a ceremonial bow of subjugation.
It was apparent that, previously, the Tempest Mephis was the only subordinate the Crownless could truly command. This necessity explained the Crownless's urgency in forging a blood-brotherhood with the Thundering Mephis and the Inferno Rider.
Without attaining his current echelon of power, he knew well that this summit would not have unfolded according to his grand design.
As for the other Tacet Discord Overlords, each was an entity of immense pride and arrogance, beholden to no master. Naturally, they would not mirror the Tempest Mephis's obeisance.
"Hmph. Has the roster been filled?"
The Crownless paid their insolence no mind, offering a curt nod to the Tempest Mephis before inquiring.
"Reporting to my King: with the exception of the Bell-Borne Geochelone of the Gorges of Spirits, all anticipated guests have arrived."
Having delivered his report, the Tempest Mephis retreated to the periphery, ceding the central stage to his liege.
"That old tortoise? Let it be… rousing it from its slumber is a tribulation in itself."
The Crownless pondered for a moment, concluding that the creature's absence might be a blessing. Otherwise, it would likely prove to be a significant complication.
Despite his own ascension to the Tsunami Class and his home-field advantage, that tortoise's defensive capabilities were, to put it mildly, absolute horrors to overcome.
"Let's dispense with the trivialities. Crownless, you'd best explain why you've summoned us with such frantic urgency."
"What exactly is your scheme? If there is no substance to this… I have no intention of lingering here to indulge your games."
The Impermanence Heron interjected, its tone dripping with discord. In truth, it had long harbored friction with the Crownless.
The reason was simple: their territories were uncomfortably adjacent, a proximity that bred inevitable conflict.
Though its dealings had largely been with the Tempest Mephis, and this was its first true audience with the Crownless… that did not stop it from perceiving this summons as a personal provocation.
Its words were calculated to isolate the Crownless, framing the gathering as a waste of the collective's time.
Sure enough, as the Heron's voice faded, the more volatile members of the assembly began to radiate impatience.
"My objective is simple… Behold the current state of Jinzhou, the meteoric rise of Rinascita and the Septimont."
"Humanity has seized absolute dominance. If we Tacet Discords do not unite now… the ultimate outcome will be the erasure of our final living space."
"Thus, the time has come for the Great Unification of the Tacet Discords."
"I summoned you here today to elect the King who will lead this unification."
Though the Crownless's preamble failed to garner the Overlords' respect, his final declaration—to elect a King of all Tacet Discords…
It struck with surgical precision at the one vulnerability shared by all these creatures: a philosophy where might makes right.
They cared little for human supremacy, available living space, or solidarity, provided the war did not reach their doorstep.
But to sit upon the throne as the Supreme King of Tacet Discords? Who among these arrogant monsters would not covet such a crown?
"Good! Good! Good! A splendid proposal. Let the election commence…"
The Spearback King stepped forward, its posture making its intent to contest the throne unmistakably clear.
"Unnecessary. I stand before you… and I shall occupy this throne."
"Whoever dissents, or believes themselves my superior… step forward!"
Before the Spearback King could finish, the Crownless silenced him with a dismissive wave, delivering a decree of absolute tyranny.
As his voice fell, he unleashed a cataclysmic pressure of Havoc energy, instantly draining the color from the Overlords' countenances.
None had anticipated that the Crownless had evolved to such a terrifying magnitude.
The Tempest Mephis gazed upon the Crownless with stars in its eyes—a true fanatic of its liege.
"Excellent. If there are no objections, then…"
The Crownless swept his gaze across the silent throng. Just as he was satisfied with the silence and about to declare his sovereignty…
An anomaly disrupted the inevitable. A colossal silhouette ignited a berserk fury, unleashing a roar that shook the heavens.
Interrupting the Crownless mid-sentence…
"ROAR—! ROAR—! ROAR—!"
"I acknowledge your strength. But if I were to retreat solely because of that… my evolution ends here."
"Therefore, I challenge you!"
It was the Feilian Beringal. As it spoke, the chaotic energy within its frame hit critical mass.
Gale-force winds began to shriek, scouring the faces of the assembled Tacet Discords.
—