Lord of the Truth

Chapter 1250 1250: Planetary Bulletin

”Hey there, Harry!”

Robin stepped into the warm, aromatic embrace of the café, the familiar chime above the door welcoming him like an old friend. He made his way to his usual table in the corner—one with a clear view of both the bar and the large holographic screen—and sat down with a relaxed sigh.

”Bring me your finest drink. The most expensive one youʼve got.”

”Right away, Mr. Robitango!”

The boy, barely past his teens, had four wide, alert eyes that sparkled with energy. He gave Robin a quick salute and darted off toward the kitchen, his little legs nearly a blur as he disappeared behind the swinging door.

#In todayʼs top story, the Thirty-Seventh Light Swords Academy has officially opened its doors on Planet S-15. His Highness, Billy Burton, Supreme Commander of the Planetary Police, made the announcement earlier this morning. He stated that admissions for the next class of Light Swords will begin in the coming days. His Highness emphasized that the true mission of the Light Swords remains unchanged—serving and protecting the innocent—and vowed to personally ensure that the values of discipline, honor, and justice are instilled in every cadet before he officially steps down.#

Robinʼs gaze drifted to the glowing broadcast as the voice of the news anchor echoed from the ceiling-mounted holo-display. He squinted slightly, recognizing a name he hadnʼt heard in quite some time.

Leaning sideways in his seat, he addressed the person sitting at the table beside him in a hushed voice. ”Pssst… hey, friend. Do you know the real reason why Billyʼs stepping down from leading the Lightblades?”

”Shhh!”

The man beside him immediately raised a hand and made a rapid gesture to lower his voice, looking around cautiously.

”You canʼt just toss around names like that out loud. Show some respect—itʼs His Highness Billy Burton, mind you. Heʼs a close confidant of His Majesty himself!”

He then leaned in a little closer, eyes narrowing with the air of someone sharing a carefully guarded secret.

”His Highness Billyʼs core path is Flame, you see. He never intended to run the Light Swords long term. He stepped in only because they didnʼt have a proper leadership structure back then. But now? Now theyʼve got a wave of new leaders—true warriors, martial emperors with real presence and skill. Some of them have accomplished amazing feats on and off the battlefield. So, His Highness believes itʼs finally time to pass the torch.”

Robin raised an eyebrow, giving a low, appreciative whistle.

”Heh… Billyʼs always been soft-skinned. If it were someone else, they wouldʼve clung to power under the excuse of ʼdutyʼ or some nonsense. Itʼs good I remembered that guy during my retreat—heʼs stayed true to himself.”

He turned back toward the man at the next table.

”Listen, friend. Iʼve been away on a long, long hunting journey—years, in fact. Iʼve missed a lot. Can you tell me… has anything big happened in Jura recently? Especially problems stemming from the recent wave of off-world migrants. Iʼve got a large family, and I need to know theyʼre safe and well.”

Robinʼs voice was calm, almost casual—but his eyes, sharp and alert, scanned the manʼs face carefully, waiting for even the smallest reaction. This was not a simple question.

After a century of so-called peace—during which the empireʼs army had turned its full attention to outer conquests—Robin knew that internal issues would have been pushed to the background. But now, they must be bubbling to the surface.

That was the core of his concern. The Empire of True Beggining had expanded at lightning speed, yet politically, it remained a fragile creature. It lacked experienced statesmen—people capable of drafting solid laws, managing civil systems, and maintaining social cohesion.

The only true politician Robin trusted was Aro, but Aro leaned far too much toward warfare. He wouldnʼt settle for paperwork or public welfare.

Who else could manage an empire of this size? Certainly not Zara, who was consumed by the endless projects in the City of Research and Development. Nor Emili, whose obsession with financial records, vaults, and budgetary control left little room for visionary leadership.

Robin knew that, for a while, Alfred Marley had handled the empireʼs internal affairs, first supported by what was left of the old royal family, then by the Burton Family. But none of them had shown the kind of brilliance needed to govern a multi-planetary empire in its prime. Not a single one stood out as a born ruler of law and order.

The man beside him gave him a slightly puzzled look.

”Huh? A major problem? Youʼve really been gone a long time, havenʼt you? Let me tell you something, friend. You donʼt just ask questions like that out loud. Jura has become the center of a vast Empire—who in their right mind would dare cause trouble here?”

He leaned in a bit, dropping his voice further.

”Nothingʼs happened since that legendary event a hundred years ago—you know, the one where His Majesty fought not one, but two individuals who had reached the Nexus State, and won. After that, silence. Peace. Nobody has dared to stir anything up since. Not here, Not in the other S-type planets.”

”Wait… His Majesty defeated two Nexus at once?!”

Robin scratched his head slowly, the gears in his mind turning as he tried to remember.

”Hmm… yeah… yeah, I do recall something like that hehe…”

#...In other developments, skirmishes have persisted for a third straight day in the city of Alassandria.#

Robinʼs gaze sharpened instantly.

Even after years away, that name—Alassandria—struck a chord. It wasnʼt just any city; it was one of the legendary three cities from which the Peopleʼs Resistance Movement had once emerged. If trouble was surfacing there again, it might signal the beginning of deeper unrest. Was the flawless surface of imperial rule finally cracking?

#The confrontation was sparked by a heated dispute between students from two rival families, allegedly over school-related issues. After a Light Sword operatives arrived on scene and imposed a fine on the instigating side, tensions de-escalated and the city has reportedly returned to a state of calm.#

Robin blinked. Then—

”A school fight? Thatʼs what counts as a clash now?” he burst out, incredulous.

”No whispers of betrayal? No secret plots? No signs of factional hate? How can an empire this colossal be so silent in the news?!”

”Shh—please!”

The four-eyed waiter practically flew over, placing a cup on the table with a slight tremble. He leaned in, whispering urgently while darting glances at the other patrons.

”Sir, donʼt say things like that so openly. You might draw the wrong kind of attention. There are ears everywhere—and not all of them are friendly.”

Across the room, another guest shifted uncomfortably. He raised his voice just enough to be heard.

”Harry, switch off the news, will you? Put on a film or something light. This is starting to feel… risky.”

”Right away, sir!”

The boy behind the counter retrieved a polished metal stone, pressed it multiple times, and aimed it at the holo-projector.

The news dissolved into a new scene: a soft-focus romance drama.

A tall, red-skinned human from the planet Gudah leaned in to kiss a silvery-haired girl of the Dorgrien race. She let it happen for a heartbeat—then abruptly shoved him away, eyes welling with tears, before turning to cry by the riverside. A classic interspecies heartbreak.

Robin silently sipped his drink, his brow deeply furrowed.

He wasnʼt interested.

In fact, this kind of idyllic, artificial calm frustrated him.

Heʼd seen enough of the galaxy to know: no empire, no matter how powerful, ever ran smoothly forever—especially not one lacking strong political leadership. Peace like this? It was unnatural. Manufactured. A lie.

”Thereʼs no way everythingʼs really this quiet,” he thought to himself.

”Unless… societyʼs reached a point where nobody even cares anymore?”

CLANG!

At that very moment, the caféʼs front door creaked open with a jarring metallic thud.

A figure stepped inside—tall, rigid, imposing.

He wore radiant white armor, polished to a mirror-like sheen, marked unmistakably with the sigil of the Golden Sun—the emblem of the Light Swords. The entire room shifted in mood at his arrival.

His steps were slow but deliberate. The floor seemed to echo beneath each one as he made his way toward Robin, standing firmly between him and the holoscreen.

Click. Clack.

Instantly, tension spread across the room like a fog.

Every eye avoided the newcomer. The man seated beside Robin rose from his chair, subtly turned it, and pretended to stir his tea with excessive focus.

Then the Light Sword spoke. His tone was honeyed and professional, but his words were edged like a blade.

”Weʼve received word that somethingʼs been weighing on you, Mr. Robitango. If youʼd kindly accompany me to the local command post, weʼd be happy to hear your concerns... and perhaps assist you.”

Robin leaned back slightly, his fingers drumming against the table. His eyes didnʼt flinch.

”Spare me,” he said flatly. ”Iʼm in no mood to dance circles with low level civil enforcers right now.”

The Light swordʼs smile remained, but the temperature in his voice dropped.

”Iʼm afraid I must insist.”

His right hand moved behind his back, while his left gestured calmly toward the door. Though polite on the surface, there was a weight to his presence—a quiet pressure that pressed against the room.

Clink… clink…

The only sound came from the uncomfortable sugar-stirring of Robinʼs neighbor, who now appeared to be counting grains in his cup.

Robinʼs jaw tightened. His eyes, sharp as ever, scanned the Light swordʼs expression, then pointed a finger at the manʼs face. ”Looks like today, Iʼll have to—”

WHOOSH!

The atmosphere shifted.

The air itself twisted. A sudden gust swept through the enclosed café, spiraling toward a central point.

From the swirling current, a figure began to take form—small, delicate, glowing faintly with arcane energy. Wind gathered around her like a protective veil.

Then she appeared: a young girl, arms crossed sternly, hovering midair. Her short hair fluttered behind her, and her eyes were narrowed in frustration.

”Oh please,” she said, exasperated.

”Donʼt tell me youʼre really about to start a dramatic face-off with this poor Light sword. Are you really that bored?”