Lord of the Truth

Chapter 1515: Siege!

”This...?”

Robin’s brows tightened so hard that faint lines etched deep into his forehead.

That flame—bright and azure—was burning calmly within the very walls of his soul domain. Its form, its purity, its oppressive aura... he knew it instantly. It was the Purgatory Flame no doubt!

”I’ve never witnessed anything like this in all my years,” Neri murmured, her icy eyes fixed on the still, unwavering fire. ”Nor have I heard the slightest rumor of such a phenomenon in any records, in any legend... anywhere.” Her gaze slid toward him, sharp but laced with awe. ”Owner, you’ve acquired a new soul trait.”

”A soul trait?!” Robin’s voice rose with disbelief. ”Soul traits can be acquired?!”

”They’re not supposed to be.” Neri shook her head slowly, almost in reverence. ”But reality clearly doesn’t care for ’supposed to.’ Look.” She gestured with her chin toward the flame. ”The Purgatory Flame is burning inside your domain. It isn’t consuming soul units. It isn’t devouring corruption. It is simply... existing. Unfuelled, eternal. And the fact that it has anchored itself into the very walls of your soul domain means one thing—it has become a soul flame. A permanent trait, bound to you forever.”

”Purgatory Flame... as a permanent soul trait?” Robin whispered. His throat was dry. ”What... what does that even mean?”

”It means corruption will never again lay claim to your soul domain,” Neri said firmly. ”The instant it appears—it will burn.” She exhaled, a long breath as though shedding tension, then turned fully to him. ”That’s why I haven’t scolded you despite all the chaos you caused. I don’t know how or why this happened, but today... you gained something beyond priceless.”

Robin’s lips parted, a hesitant smile forming, spreading into something warmer. His soul domain, once vulnerable, was now shielded forever against corruption and negative energy. Did this mean... he would never again live that nightmare? Never again fall to that suffocating darkness?

”Heheh... heheheheheh...” The laughter was weak, shaky, but rich with relief.

”Hehh~” A small, rare laugh escaped Neri too. Then she gestured to the distance. ”Don’t laugh too soon. Gather all the truths first—then laugh with everything you’ve got. Look carefully.”

”Hah?” Robin stopped his laughter abruptly, his head turning in the direction she pointed. There, huddled together, were the remnants of his soul creatures, Pythor and the rest. His eyes widened. ”...Wait. No... could it be?!”

”Exactly.” Neri’s voice was low, but satisfaction glinted in her tone. ”The essence of the Purgatory Flame has spread to them as well. Every last one of them carries a flicker of azure fire within their chest.” She smiled thinly. ”Each one of them is now an unstoppable weapon against demons.” She slapped Robin’s thigh lightly. ”I don’t know if your future soul creatures will inherit this trait too—but even this group alone is enough to let you rampage through Ghost Valley without anyone daring to stand against you.”

Her smile faded as her gaze drifted, her tone sharpening. ”...Of course, that’s assuming that girl doesn’t corner you first—with an unyielding army of specters at her side. Remember, sometimes destruction born of one hand can outweigh all the defenses, all the attempts at repair.”

”Will you stop mentioning her?” Robin groaned, half annoyed, half weary. ”We’re unlikely to ever see her again. We’ll wait until Malak and Wade wake, then we’ll head straight to Jura. In the meantime, I’ll keep myself busy repairing this soul domain of mine~” He smirked, stepping closer to the azure flame, examining its silent burn within the fissure.

Already he had been blessed with one soul trait in his life—one that had saved him, shielded him countless times. And now, suddenly, he had been granted another. How could he not be thrilled? How could his heart not sing?

”I just...” Neri’s voice trembled for the first time, her arms folding across her chest as if to contain herself. ”...I just want you to live. To hold onto your life a little longer. These disasters, these near-deaths... they terrify us. Evergreen and I—we never interrupt you in the middle of them, afraid to cut the thread of your focus. But don’t think for a second that we are calm. Every single time you hover at the edge of death, we are terrified. You... you are our future now, Owner.”

Robin’s lips curled gently, and after a pause, he lifted his hand and placed it softly atop Neri’s head, patting her hair like one would a precious younger sister. ”...Everything will be alright. I’m safe now. We are safe now.”

Rumble—

”Hm?” Robin looked upward, the ground beneath him trembling faintly.

”Your body outside—it’s not in danger directly,” Neri said, her gaze lifting as well, ”but the earth beneath it is shaking. You’d better leave and see for yourself.”

”...Alright.” Robin nodded gravely, then slowly closed his eyes, letting his awareness rise back toward his body.

-------------------------

Outside—

BOOOOOOOM

Robin’s consciousness jolted as the thunderous blast tore through the ground, his eyes snapping open. The instant the echo reached him, he was already on his feet, body stiff, gaze darting toward the exit of the cavern.

BOOOOOOOOOOOM

Another detonation roared, fiercer than the first. This time the cavern itself shook violently, a tremor that rattled his bones, while fragments of stone rained down from the ceiling.

CRACKBANG

With a swift motion, Robin struck the falling debris midair, pulverizing the stone before it could crash down upon the unconscious Malak and Wade.

His hand swept outward again, gathering the scattered banners of the triple-formation. With practiced precision, he reset them around his comrades, weaving a canopy of glowing energy above their heads. The translucent tent shimmered, sturdy enough to repel falling rubble, sturdy enough to grant them a fragile cocoon of safety.

But Robin’s eyes did not linger on them. His focus was already turning outward, toward the hidden cave mouth sealed behind layers of protection. The wards shimmered faintly—barriers of silence, of illusion, of veils meant to trick the senses. To any wandering gaze, this cave did not exist. To any probing soul sense, it was nothing but a solid cliff face.

Step by step, Robin advanced, his movements cautious, deliberate. Instinct gnawed at him—a primal warning that the heart of the explosions lay close, too close. That danger was crouching just beyond. Yet he restrained himself from extending his spirit outward. To reveal himself now, even by a flicker of awareness, would be madness.

Step by step. Breath by breath. Until only a hand’s span separated him from the gate of the formation.

WHOOSH

Robin’s body stiffened as his eyes widened. ”By the heavens...”

Figures moved. Blurred silhouettes swept across the concealed entrance. Specters—dozens of them—sliding past in uncanny silence.

The cave should have been untouchable, buried beneath its layers of deception and suppression. Yet here they were, massing so close he could almost feel the chill of their passing. Why? Why were they here?

WHOOSHWHOOSHWHOOSH

More came, rushing, streaming past like a tide of shadows. Some flew low, their forms streaking the air. Others thundered across the ground, clawed feet gouging stone. All of them surged in a single direction, urgent, relentless.

Robin’s jaw clenched as the tide swelled. Within mere minutes, hundreds had passed before his eyes.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOM

The earth quaked with another blast, stronger, deeper, shaking dust loose from the cavern roof.

”Damn it...” Robin turned, his gaze darting back to the figures lying within. Malak. Wade. If they were whole, they could have fled, or even fought. But in their state? Carrying both would cripple him. Fighting while burdened would be impossible.

If only he had a spatial ring capable of carrying living beings...

”No. Focus.” He snapped his head hard, forcing clarity. His eyes burned toward the outside once more. The endless tide of specters poured past, surging toward some distant calamity. Robin’s chest rose and fell sharply, and then he whispered: ”...All I can do is remain hidden. Pray the wards hold. They won’t find us... they can’t find us.”

”Khhhkkk!!”

Agony tore through him without warning. His body convulsed violently, his tendons pulling taut as if invisible strings were yanking his limbs apart. His nervous system rebelled, a surge of ghostly memory tearing his control away.

”Damn!” His hand lashed up and struck his own face with brutal force. The pain jolted him, anchoring his mind, clawing back control. His breathing steadied. His hands stopped trembling. For a heartbeat, he was himself again.

But then his eyes widened in horror.

Somehow, without realizing, he had crossed the boundary.

He was no longer behind the safety of the barriers.

Robin stood in the open, just outside the hidden cave— with dozens of specters eyeing him.