Chapter 1831: Chapter 1831 Facing a Millennium Empire

"You can't build a Millennial Empire through force alone." Aro tapped lightly on his lips, his brows folding into a deeper knot, as though the weight of the entire starfield sat on his mind. He had already crafted a comprehensive defensive plan -layer upon layer- prepared specifically for the possibility that Sylas might unleash his fury upon them in Apocalypse. Some time ago, after months of searching and negotiating through secret channels, he succeeded in acquiring a colossal and tremendously ancient array believed to date back to the legendary Abyss of Doom War, an era where entire civilizations vanished overnight. The Shadow Swords had managed to secure the relic for an astronomical four billion Pearls, and Aro snatched the opportunity the moment it appeared. This array wasn't just powerful-it was monstrous. It could stop a Guardian without question, restrain him, and prevent him from even stepping onto the surface of the planet. Beyond that, Aro had summoned, pressured, and gathered every Nexus State available across the Double Centennial Empire, pulling strings from every Wing until all forces converged in Apocalypse. With surprising ease, he amassed more than fifty Nexus States-each one an elite powerhouse capable of shifting the tide of war- all ready to confront Sylas head-on. And if they were fortified by the ancient array, then not only could they repel the Guardian, they might even wound him. perhaps heavily. Such an outcome, while bold, was not unthinkable. The fact that Sylas did not launch an immediate retaliation revealed only two possible interpretations. Either he was deliberately minimizing losses, trying to halt the hemorrhage of resources, soldiers, and planets-because every single world that slipped from his grasp was a blow to his prestige and authority. Or, more concerning, he had sensed that a meticulous trap awaited him. The Grave Empire would never strike in such a decisive and coordinated manner without crafting a layered contingency plan to neutralize him. And so, Sylas might have forced himself to take a step back, suppress his wrath, and observe the battlefield more carefully before committing. Whichever scenario was true, both painted a picture of a man far too composed and far too calculating for anyone's comfort.