In a secret void space, the top forces of the Dimensional Alliance convened a meeting.
"Where are the other sects and families?" Arnulfo from the Donmarch Family asked.
Only five of the top sects and nine of the families were present at the gathering.
The Ashura Sect, Immortal Palace Sect, Eternal Sect, Mechanical Alliance, Sterling Family, Elfalhn Family, and Fritz Family were noticeably absent.
"It would be inconvenient for them to be here," Yumar, the one who organized the meeting, reasoned.
"Indeed, those groups are close allies of the Shadowcrest Family,"
"What do you mean, Shadowcrest Family? Is this what the meeting is about?" Neil from the Nexus Family asked with a frown.
The representatives from the Donmarch and Eonfrir Families shared his expression of disapproval.
These three families had no idea what was brewing within the Dimensional Alliance.
While they knew of Maximus Shadowcrest, the Supreme Primordial Candidate, their familiarity ended there.
As families backed by the Overlords, they disdained to concern themselves with mundane affairs.
"Conceited," Aurilous muttered with disdain.
Yumar, noticing the tension, sighed and began explaining the situation from the beginning, outlining their suspicions.
"So, that kid can produce unlimited strands of causality? Is this confirmed?"
"No," Shenri from the Divine Sect replied with a sigh.
"Even when our founder divined the matter, we couldn't get a clear answer."
"You haven't confirmed anything? How dare you make such reckless assumptions?"
"It doesn't matter. Just the sheer volume of strands of causality in his possession is enough to warrant our action."
The Dark Disaster was becoming closer and closer.
Remembering the catastrophic losses from trillions of epochs ago, they were determined to avoid a repeat of history.
With the Selection Trial granting them a contract with the entities of Origin of Laws, they only needed energy to ascend to the Absolute Realm.
Unfortunately, no matter how vast the foundation of their forces was, they lacked the means to support such ascensions.
Even sacrificing all their resources would barely be enough for one or two Absolutes of Law to emerge.
If caught, they would be dismantled by the Dimensional Alliance itself.
With the decision made, the meeting disbanded, as each of them returned to their base to prepare for the impending war.
...
Meanwhile, in the Etherium Realm, upon receiving the war declaration, Maximus' eyes glinted.
"The time has come!"
Instructing all members of the Order of Maxim to remain vigilant, he returned to his castle to make preparations.
Fully aware of their intentions, Maximus couldn't afford to be careless.
Deploying numerous Tier 11 Dimensional Defensive and Offensive treasures throughout the Etherium Realm.
Spreading out the newly upgraded Micro Surveillance Bots, he ensured constant monitoring of the void space.
Maximus even used Origin Energy to stabilize the void, consolidating its structure.
He knew that if left unattended, the coming battle could wreak havoc on the void topography.
Void storms, cracks, and pollution would ravage the Etherium Realm's environment.
In such a scenario, even victory would force him to relocate the Etherium Realm to a more stable space.
While attending to these preparations, Maximus received messages from his allies, offering their assistance.
Seeing their willingness to support him, Maximus couldn't help but smile.
"I don't need any help. This is a battle we must endure alone—a baptism we must undergo..."
"However, if the Masters of the Ocean of Law intervene, I hope you can hold them off for me," Maximus requested.
As long as no Masters of the Ocean of Law joined the fray, Maximus was confident in taking on any number of Masters of the River of Law.
Reassured by Maximus's message, his allies quickly agreed, vowing to handle any Masters of the Ocean of Law who dared to step in.
Malgron even promised that if an Absolute of Law appeared, he would summon his master to intervene.
As the strongest Absolute, Malgron's master feared no one.
As for Iris, she was still in seclusion, preparing for her advancement.
"Now, all we need is the tailwind..."