She Used Me for a Dare… Now I Own Her Mother Chapter 427: The Sacred Order

"You doubt my words?" Alex playfully inquired, a grin gracing his features as he met Viktor's eyes.

For a moment, Viktor stayed silent, his expression impossible to decipher.

‘Did he actually believe me?’ Viktor mused internally.

‘Yes... he must have.’

‘How could he possibly think otherwise?’

Considering all he had witnessed firsthand... the unbelievable feats Alex had accomplished, the sheer miracles he had performed... how could doubt even enter his mind?

Alex had an impeccable track record of fulfilling his promises.

Viktor, who had once resigned himself to never breaking through to the Apex realm, had not only achieved it but had done so with astonishing speed.

Now, he stood firmly in the Middle Stage of the Apex realm, possessing the capability to contend with cultivators at the Peak Apex stage.

All of this advancement... was a direct result of the man currently before him.

With a gradual movement, Viktor raised his head, his gaze interlocking with Alex's. His voice, though steady, resonated with profound and unwavering sincerity.

"I would never harbor any doubts about you, honored sir... It is entirely because of you that I stand here, alive and well. Furthermore, I possess the ability to meet her once more."

Alex's expression softened considerably. He gave a gentle shake of his head, the teasing smile receding, replaced by a gentler, more heartfelt warmth.

"You are family, Viktor. Not my subordinate. Refrain from addressing me as 'sir.'"

Viktor regarded him for a short while, then offered a slight, respectful inclination of his head. The concept of 'family' settled within his chest, radiating a quiet warmth that he seldom allowed himself to experience.

Alex observed him for another moment, his tone then shifting, tinged with curiosity yet underscored by a serious disposition.

"Viktor... Were you not formerly associated with the Sacred Order? Enlighten me further about their nature. Just how formidable are they, truly?"

The lighthearted ambiance evaporated in an instant. Viktor's demeanor turned somber, his stance becoming more upright as the implications of the question weighed upon them. He directed his gaze toward the distant urban glow, the wind softly playing with the strands of his dark hair.

"The Sacred Order," he commenced, his voice hushed and deliberate, "represents the most formidable entity in existence... its influence second only to that of the sacred families themselves."

He paused, each word carefully selected.

"Their allegiance is solely to the elders of the sacred families. Not even the patriarchs of these families possess direct command over them."

Alex absorbed this information in silence, his attention fully engaged.

Viktor's voice lowered further, imbued with the gravitas of historical accounts.

"Initially, the Sacred Order was established as a unified organization by the founding matriarchs and patriarchs of all seven sacred families. Its designated purpose was to preserve equilibrium between the mortal plane and the celestial domain... and to preempt any single family from achieving excessive dominance, thereby risking divine displeasure. It was conceived as an autonomous body, answerable directly to the gods, rather than to the families."

He cast a glance over the seemingly endless expanse of lights before resuming his explanation.

"However, with the passage of time, political maneuvering and internal conflicts among the families led to its fragmentation. The Sacred Order fractured into six distinct factions. Presently, each sacred family commands its own branch, with the exception of one. Their collective efforts ceased; instead, each faction now venerates the deity of its respective family, solidifying their role as the true bedrock of that lineage."

Viktor turned his head, his eyes locking onto Alex's, his gaze steady and grave.

"It is solely through the actions of the Sacred Order that large-scale uprisings or overt warfare against the sacred families have been averted. They have consistently upheld the established hierarchy, ensuring the preservation of the delicate balance."

A subtle breeze rustled between them, carrying the faint murmur of the city. For a considerable duration, neither man uttered a sound. The weight of Viktor's pronouncements hung in the cool night air, heavy with unspoken significance.

Alex eventually broke the quiet. He shifted his head slightly, his brow furrowing in genuine perplexity as he addressed Viktor.

"Viktor... If even the heads of the families hold no sway over the Sacred Order, how then did you come to be in the service of your family head?"

Viktor remained silent for a few moments, his gaze still fixed upon the glittering panorama below. The question seemed to draw him back into recollections he seldom revisited. When he finally responded, his voice was even, carrying a subtle undertone of his past experiences.

"I was indeed affiliated with the Sacred Order. That much is accurate," he stated. "However, my involvement was purely nominal."

He glanced toward Alex, his expression resolute.

"Following the official designation of a sacred family's leader, the Sacred Order dispatches a select contingent of its members to attend to and safeguard that individual. This is a long-standing tradition. It serves as a gesture of deference... and as a means of oversight. I was counted among those assigned members."

Alex listened intently, his initial confusion gradually yielding to comprehension.

Viktor proceeded, his tone reflective.

"I served the family head directly, executing their directives and acting as their clandestine agent when required. Yet, my ultimate allegiance was never truly to the leader themselves. It remained with the Sacred Order... up until the very day I chose to depart."

He exhaled softly, the wind gently ruffling his dark hair.

"That’s how I know so much about them. And why I can say with certainty... even the most powerful family leaders still walk carefully when the Sacred Order is involved."

Alex nodded slowly, absorbing every word. The night felt heavier now, filled with unspoken history and the quiet bond between the two men.

Alex stood in silence for a while, his gaze fixed on the endless sea of lights below. Thoughts turned in his mind, one after another, until finally he spoke.

"Viktor..." Alex’s voice was calm but serious. "Since you abandoned not only your leader but even the Sacred Order... is it going to create any problems for you?"

Viktor listened quietly. Then, a soft chuckle escaped his lips. He turned his head and looked at Alex with a faint, knowing smile.

"Why, Alex... Are you afraid of them now?"

Alex smiled at first, the corner of his mouth lifting in amusement. But the smile slowly faded. His expression turned calm, steady, and filled with unshakable conviction.

"Afraid?" he said quietly, his voice calm yet carrying an unshakable weight. "I’m afraid of nothing, Viktor. Not those families. Not even the Sacred Order. One day, I’ll create something that everyone will have to bow to... even the Sacred Order."

Viktor stared at him for a long moment.

The sheer scale of Alex’s ambition hit him like a sudden gust of wind. Most men would have trembled at the mere thought of standing against the Sacred Order. Yet here was Alex, speaking as if it were only a matter of time. A man like him would never bow to anyone.

There had been countless prodigies who rose and fell over the years... talented cultivators who built their own forces, their own organizations, their own legacies.

The most noticeable figure among them was a man in the Blackwood Domain, famous for his assassin organization.

Yet none of them had ever dared to stand against the Sacred Order, not even him.

But Alex was different.

He possessed something none of them had ever possessed... resources and methods that defied the natural order of this world.

Viktor slowly nodded, respect flickering in his eyes.

"I’m not afraid of problems, Alex. In fact, I’ve been waiting for them to come." He said, accepting the truth without hesitation.

"I’ve already noticed a few of them have entered Blackwood territory. They’re still small figures... but I’m waiting for the big fish to come."

He paused, his gaze turning calculating. "As for the Sacred Order... it’s still too early for them to interfere in such a small matter."

The wind swept past them once more, carrying the distant hum of the city. Alex remained silent, but the faint smile that returned to his lips said more than words ever could.

After a brief silence, Viktor turned slightly toward Alex, his expression turning more practical.

"Well, Alex... I wanted to talk about the recruitment of new members you mentioned earlier," Viktor said. "I’ve already selected a few trustworthy people with good potential. But the problem is... we’re not an established group yet. People are hesitant to join an unknown organization, even if the promises sound too good."

Alex remained quiet for a moment, his gaze still fixed on the glittering city lights below. He nodded slowly, as if he had already considered this possibility.

"Hmm... That much I expected," he said calmly. He paused, thinking for a few seconds before continuing.

"But don’t worry about it for now. Just point out the potential people to me. Don’t approach them yet."

Viktor gave a small nod, respecting Alex’s decision without question.

After a moment, Viktor glanced at Alex and spoke again, his tone shifting slightly.

"And one more thing..." he said. "I think this will be a very good opportunity for us. To get what we wanted."

Alex turned his head slightly, giving Viktor his full attention.

Viktor continued, his voice calm but carrying a hint of excitement.

"The Steele family is organizing an event... a large-scale competition with a very big prize: fifty million dollars. But this isn’t just about the money. It’s also a recruitment event. All the smaller families, and even some bigger ones, will be sending their eyes to this competition in search of good candidates. This could be a big opportunity for us."

Alex’s lips curved into a smirk the moment he heard the name.

"Steele family?" he repeated, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Very good. This will be the moment when we will show ourselves to the world."

Viktor watched him quietly, a faint smile forming on his own face.

The night wind swept past them, as if acknowledging the weight of those words. For the first time in a long while, the path ahead no longer felt uncertain... it felt inevitable.