Lord of the Truth

Chapter 2329 tyranny

”...Renara?” Zavaros frowned deeply, his expression hardening as memories from the recent conversation resurfaced one after another.

”Whoʼs Renara?” Kiryan turned toward Zavaros with a puzzled look. ”Is that the name of some powerful figure? One of the Chaos Sovereignʼs disciples or something like that? Someone whose reputation simply hasnʼt reached my ears yet?”

Kiryan clearly remembered hearing that name a short while ago, but the way Robin spoke about her had led him to believe she was an entirely different person, someone whose identity had been deliberately concealed until now.

A declaration of war by two Behemoths backed by terrifying financial and technological power, countless fleets, unimaginable military resources, and preparations spanning multiple sectors... and all of it was merely preparation for the arrival of that girl, Renara?

”Itʼs her!” Zavaros raised his voice slightly as realization struck him all over again. ”The girl who was supposed to die at the hands of that wretched Helen. There isnʼt any other well-known Renara! Unless another one appeared out of nowhere, it can only be her!”

”Sheʼs different now.” Robin revealed a broad smile, one filled with unmistakable confidence. ”Sheʼs the spearhead of our front, and Iʼm confident sheʼll live up to the responsibility that title carries. When the time comes, youʼll understand why I chose those words.”

”...?” Zavaros knitted his brows tightly. ”The Seer did something to her... just like his rival did to Helmor? Is that how someone like her suddenly became capable of standing at the center of all this?”

”Does the Cosmic Elder know about this?” Kiryan frowned just as deeply, unable to conceal the disbelief in his voice. A nameless girl was supposedly stronger than the two of them, powerful enough for Robin to stake an entire front on her arrival?

As for Glatheon, he simply let out a sigh. He had witnessed everything with his own eyes from beginning to end, making him the only one present who understood exactly why Robin spoke with such certainty.

”The Seer?” Robin shook his head without the slightest hesitation. ”Iʼm the one who did it. Sheʼs my spearhead. This is my front, and my war. Anyone who wants to join it will be joining me.” He then shrugged as though he were stating something completely natural. ”The Cosmic Elder agrees with my vision, but he isnʼt the one issuing orders or moving the pieces. I am.”

His gaze then swept across the two of them before he continued in the same composed tone.

”Itʼs true that I began as someone on the Seerʼs side, but now the Seer may end up supporting me as part of my front. And if he doesnʼt... thatʼs perfectly fine too. It wonʼt change the direction this war is heading.”

”Lord Robin,” Zavaros narrowed his eyes intensely, carefully studying Robinʼs expression for any trace of exaggeration. ”Do you realize what youʼre saying?”

Zavaros was genuinely worried. The confidence in Robinʼs voice no longer sounded like ordinary self-assurance, and for the first time, he seriously wondered whether the overwhelming power Lord Robin had gained had begun to affect his judgment.

”What? Do I sound too arrogant?” Robin chuckled before suddenly becoming serious, the smile disappearing from his face almost instantly. ”If you believe me, good. If you donʼt... swallow it as it is. Reality doesnʼt become any less real simply because someone refuses to accept it.”

”...?!” Kiryan and Zavaros both frowned deeply, momentarily at a loss for words after hearing such an uncompromising answer.

”Gentlemen!” Glatheon drew their attention before looking at them with a profoundly meaningful gaze that was almost threatening, making it clear that he was speaking with complete sincerity. ”Lord Robin isnʼt boasting. Heʼs simply stating an undeniable fact, and heʼs making it clear now to prevent disagreements later, when Lord Robin gives an order you donʼt like and you end up asking the Cosmic Elder to step in...”

”...Iʼve had the honor of accompanying Lord Robin for some time, and Iʼve witnessed certain things firsthand that I still struggle to fully comprehend myself. Believe me, Lord Robin follows no one. He may be an ally to some and a friend to others, but he is no oneʼs subordinate, nor has he ever behaved like one.”

Kiryan frowned. ”Youʼre well-spoken, Glatheon, but when the words ʼbelieve meʼ come out of your mouth, they donʼt carry the weight you think they do. Not when what youʼre asking me to believe sounds this unbelievable.”

”Then it doesnʼt matter if you donʼt believe me.” Glatheon raised both hands in surrender with a helpless smile. ”Lord Robin has already arranged the battlefield, and everyone now knows their role. So whatʼs the problem with fighting while you wait? Youʼre going to fight regardless, and in the worst-case scenario, youʼll receive enormous support from Lord Robin that will stop the advance toward your galaxy and give you breathing room you wouldnʼt otherwise have.”

”....” Kiryan lowered his gaze for several moments, silently weighing every possibility in his mind before finally giving a slow nod.

Indeed, he had nothing to lose by making these preparations. Regardless of whether Robinʼs confidence proved justified or not, his own situation could hardly become worse than it already was, and if everything eventually fell apart, Lord Robin alone would be the one to lose face when that girl appeared... only to be swept away like autumn leaves before everyoneʼs eyes.

”.....” Zavaros nodded as well after reaching his own conclusion, then extended his hand toward Robin with a faint smile.

”Then hereʼs to a fruitful friendship, Lord Robin.”

”.....” Robin looked seriously at Zavarosʼ outstretched hand, studying it for a brief moment before slowly raising his eyes to meet Zavarosʼ once again. ”Friendship?”

”....?” Zavaros quietly withdrew his hand, unable to understand the reason for Robinʼs reaction. ”Whatʼs that supposed to mean?” He then turned toward Glatheon, hoping for an explanation.

”About that...” Glatheon rubbed his hands awkwardly, already sensing that another misunderstanding had just been born. ”When I mentioned an alliance, I meant his alliance with the Seer. And when I mentioned friendship, I was referring to his personal friendship with the Cosmic Elder. Those are two completely different things.”

”Ah, I see...” Zavaros nodded several times as the misunderstanding became clear, but his expression quickly hardened again before he turned back toward Robin with obvious irritation. ”So weʼre not worthy of that status?”

”Mn.” Robin nodded expressionlessly, neither softening his tone nor attempting to offer any additional explanation.

”You...!!” Zavaros shot to his feet, unable to contain himself any longer. ”Just a moment ago you were talking about repaying favors and giving me a second chance, yet now youʼre treating me with arrogance and condescension? Even the Cosmic Elder didnʼt treat me like this when we met!!”

”He most likely doesnʼt know who you are.” Robin casually raised an eyebrow as though he were merely stating an obvious fact.

”You...!!!!” Zavaros nearly choked with fury, his face visibly twitching as he struggled to keep himself from exploding.

”...” Glatheon let out a weary sigh. Lord Robin was making his job far more difficult than it ought to be, effortlessly turning what should have been a straightforward negotiation into a constant struggle to prevent the conversation from collapsing.

”Brother Zavaros, please calm down.” Kiryan looked directly into Robinʼs eyes, choosing to ignore the previous exchange for the moment. ”What is it that you want?”

”I want a small oath.” Robin raised two fingers with a calm expression. ”An oath drafted by Glatheon and recited upon my own tablets. Naturally, the two of you will be free to revise its wording as long as the minimum conditions I set remain untouched.” He continued without the slightest hesitation, ”Only then can we fight side by side without either of us needing to second-guess the other.”

”Donʼt you trust us?” Kiryan gestured toward himself with an incredulous expression. ”Weʼre literally at war with the other side! Our enemies are the same.”

Robin merely shrugged.

”I completed the Seerʼs first mission without even realizing it.” Then he stared directly into Kiryanʼs eyes, his gaze becoming noticeably sharper. ”Who can guarantee that everything happening right now isnʼt simply a scheme orchestrated by my enemies to plant traitors within my ranks? Who can guarantee that none of this was prepared specifically to earn my trust?”

”I assure you weʼre nothing of the sort!” Kiryan stood up as well, unable to remain seated any longer. ”Havenʼt you read anything about my past? Havenʼt you heard anything about the wars Iʼve fought or the choices Iʼve made?”

”You can wipe your ass with your assurances and your past.” Robin replied with obvious annoyance, his expression remaining completely unchanged. ”Iʼve already shown more than enough respect by not asking either of you to kneel. I wonʼt back down from my right to demand an oath, and I wonʼt invest all those resources, all that wealth, all those formations, and all those plans in people whose loyalty is still questionable from my perspective.”

He then waved his hand dismissively, as though the entire matter were remarkably simple.

”And whatʼs the worst that could happen? You refuse the oath? Be my guest. After Darfion is dead, Iʼll simply begin arming Middle Sector 102, while the two of you are free to die however you please—or even join the Syndicate if that suits you better. Two more people on the Syndicateʼs side wonʼt make much of a difference. I already know how many Behemoths the Syndicate is capable of mobilizing whenever it needs them.” Then he pointed directly at Zavaros. ”I came here to give you a second chance, not to win your friendship! Whether you accept that chance or throw it away is entirely your own decision.”

”....!!” Fury flashed across Kiryanʼs eyes as his breathing noticeably grew heavier.

His instinctive reaction was to reach for his war spear and attack after such an insult, but Robinʼs faint smile—one that practically screamed, If youʼre a man, then do it—made him forcefully suppress that impulse. For the first time in many years, he had the distinct feeling that the person before him genuinely hoped he would lose control first.

Even Zavaros slowly lifted his head, anger clearly visible in his eyes as he stared at Robin.

”...Even the Syndicate never tried to force a Soul Oath upon us.”