Lord of the Truth

Chapter 1282 1282: Robinʼs wish

Inside one of the sealed halls—

Whoosh!

Renara materialized in a swirl of wind and authority, the long silken folds of her robes fluttering slightly from the residual momentum. Behind her appeared Robin, stepping out of thin air with a calm that bordered on arrogance.

”Could you perhaps show a modicum of respect in front of my court, Robin Burton?” Her tone was sharp, yet controlled—like a blade sheathed in velvet. ”How dare you utter my name so casually, stripped of title or honorific, in front of all my elders and palace guards?”

Robin merely folded his arms across his chest, one eyebrow raised in what could only be described as amused contempt.

”Youʼre offended that I speak your name without ceremony—yet you let your followers drag my soldiers in chains across your courtyard like criminals? The irony is rich.”

Renaraʼs eyes narrowed as she pointed back toward the shattered gates.

”It was a simple misunderstanding,” she said with clipped words. ”You couldʼve requested my presence. Or, at the very least, waited for our scheduled meeting before launching a full assault on my people and leveling the courtyard of my palace.”

Robinʼs jaw tightened for a moment before he replied.

”Did you wait for a meeting—or offer the courtesy of a warning—when you showed up uninvited on my lands attacking my sons?”

He uncrossed his arms and wandered leisurely over to a chair, slumping into it like he owned the room.

”Back then, you attacked first with the intention to send a message. And now, so did I. Message received, I hope.”

Renara paused for a beat, visibly trying to keep her composure.

”You seem to be comparing yourself to me in every phrase.”

”No need to feel flattered, heh.” Robin let out a short, confident laugh, dripping with irreverence. He gestured at the seat across from him.

”Come on now, letʼs put the theatrics aside. Have a seat.”

Under normal circumstances, she would have struck down any fourth-stage law user who dared speak to her like this—but these were no ordinary circumstances. The All-Seeing godʼs soul shard, revealed not long ago, had shaken the very foundations of her beliefs.

Without another word, Renara walked forward, her every step elegant and deliberate. She took her seat with grace, her posture impeccable, one hand resting over the other in her lap.

”Very well. I am seated, Robin Burton. Speak—what is it that youʼve brought for me?”

”Exactly what we agreed upon.”

With a relaxed smirk, Robin produced a small, rectangular metal tablet and held it out to her.

”I trust that, after all these years, youʼve finally familiarized yourself with our tablet technology?”

Her eyes widened instantly, shimmering with disbelief.

”The Frost Permanence Law… itʼs complete?”

She snatched the tablet from his hand with a tremor of excitement, her fingers already channeling spiritual essence into it. A surge of knowledge flowed into her mind. Moments passed. Her lips parted in awe.

”...This is extraordinary. Itʼs authentic. Without a doubt—itʼs the real thing!”

”Naturally.” Robin threw his arms wide with pride, grinning like a showman on stage.

”What do you take me for?”

He leaned forward slightly, eyes gleaming with triumph.

”So, with this, the largest and most ambitious trade between our empires comes to an end: seven fully-equipped Stellar Scout vessels in return for the merged Frost Permanence Law up to the fourth stage. Are there any concerns, Empress?”

Renara couldnʼt contain her smile. Her imagination was already running wild, foreseeing generations of cultivators transformed by this law.

”None whatsoever. Itʼs beyond satisfactory.”

”Good.” Robinʼs smile faded just a fraction, a touch of seriousness returning to his voice.

”Have there been any updates on the Planetary Displacement Tool we discussed?”

Renaraʼs gaze turned more somber. She slowly shook her head.

”In the past century, only one unit has been found—first grade. But as we both know, you require a unit of at least third grade for your purposes.”

Robinʼs expression hardened, surprise flashing across his eyes.

”Only one? Thatʼs disappointing. How much did it go for?”

”Thirty-seven million energy pearls,” she replied, her tone laced with frustration.

”Thatʼs the current average when it comes to any survival based gear.”

”Thirty-seven million?!” Robin nearly shot out of his seat.

Even he, a ruler of one of the most resourceful domains, hesitated to burn that much wealth. He rubbed his forehead in frustration.

”Thatʼs robbery, even for a first-grade unit...”

He exhaled deeply, then looked up, hope flickering in his gaze.

”What about the Curse of Eternal Stillness? Any leads, any solution at all?”

”...I must apologize,” Renara said after a momentʼs hesitation, her voice calm yet heavy with subtle regret. She drew in a breath, her golden eyes flickering faintly. ”I havenʼt had either the time or the necessary resources lately to investigate the whereabouts of a royal-ranked Soul Master. However...” she continued, adjusting her posture as she clasped her hands gracefully in her lap, ”a major event for Soul Masters will be held soon—an unprecedented summit that will draw the most powerful ones across the sector. There is a strong chance that one of the Royal-class Masters may offer their services... for the right price, of course. If so, we may be able to secure what we need then.”

Robin nodded slowly, silently absorbing her words, then responded with a faint smirk curling at the edge of his lips.

”Ahh, I see…” he said thoughtfully, tilting his head slightly. ”Well, that wonʼt be necessary anymore.”

He shifted his weight and stood up with practiced ease, maintaining a composed yet confident demeanor.

”Iʼve decided to take matters into my own hands. Iʼll search for a solution personally. You—” he added with a faint gesture toward her, ”—should return your focus to the ever-growing mountain of issues plaguing your empire.”

Renara raised a finely arched brow, her curiosity piqued.

”Leaving so quickly? Just like that?” she asked, folding her arms lightly. ”Did you really travel all the way here merely to deliver a single tablet? You, of all people, could have easily entrusted it to one of your elite subordinates.”

Robin gave a dry chuckle, but the humor in it was razor-sharp.

”If only it were that simple…” he replied, his tone growing colder, more biting. ”I did, in fact, come here with a proposal. One that could have reshaped the relationship between our two empires. But then I saw what was happening at your gates—my people, my warriors, shackled like criminals… It was enough to change my mind.”

He lifted a hand and flicked it dismissively through the air.

”It was just a small squad and yet, you saw it fit to chain them like wild beasts. Now tell me—if this is how you treat allies during training, what might you do should our bonds deepen? Hmm? Tsk tsk~ Forget it. Whatever idea I had, itʼs gone.”

Renara sighed softly and motioned for him to sit again. Her voice, however, now bore a firmer edge.

”I was about to speak to you about that exact matter.”

She gestured toward the cushioned seat beside the obsidian table.

”I want Raiden back under service. Let the squad remain here and fulfill their role. Iʼll spread official word throughout the empire declaring them as allies—not as subordinates, not as conscripts. They will receive the recognition, the status, and the dignity you insist upon. Will that satisfy your pride?”

She leaned forward, her voice sharpened by urgency.

”The planet Armando is under direct assault from the Iron Boar Empire. The moment Raiden withdrew, they struck with devastating force. I dispatch more World Cataclysm warriors under my personal watch to stop the momentum, but that wouldnʼt do for long. If we do not act and gain land again, I will lose control of the planet... and all the rich resources it holds.”

Robin narrowed his eyes slightly, then raised a single brow.

”Then letʼs be clear. They must be paid—monthly.”

His voice turned steely, devoid of any room for negotiation.

”These men are no longer trainees. If they fight, bleed, and possibly die for your banner, then you bear the burden of their daily sustenance.”

He lifted one finger and added,

”After each major engagement, they are entitled to a substantial bonus. And the families of the fallen? They deserve double. No arguments.”

Renaraʼs lips tightened.

”I will treat them as I treat my soldiers,” she stated, not without firmness.

Robin scoffed lightly, pulling a scroll from a glimmering ring on his hand.

”Thatʼs not even close to acceptable,” he replied coldly.

Unrolling the parchment, he began jotting down numbers, terms, and clauses, the ink glowing faintly with magical verification runes. After a few moments, he slid the document across the table.

”These are their wages.”

Renara leaned forward to examine it—and her eyes widened.

”…Are you mad?” she blurted, taken aback. ”Who in their right mind pays their soldiers this much? These are outrageous sums!”

”You will,” Robin said plainly, tapping the scroll with the back of his stylus.

”Use the mineral wealth of Armando if you donʼt have enough energy pearls on hand. Give them raw resources—theyʼll trade them back home when the time comes. Simple economics.”

He allowed himself a small smile.

”Not sure if you know this or not, but Iʼm in the middle of a high-stakes territorial race in the young belt. I need every fighter I can spare. Iʼm not lending them to you out of charity. If theyʼre going to fight for a foreign power—even one as mighty as yours—they will be compensated accordingly.”

Renara clenched her fists slightly, her jaw tightening. She closed her eyes for a few seconds, then exhaled slowly.

”…Fine. I will redirect a portion of the planetary tithe from Orlando to fund their upkeep and rewards.”

She opened her eyes again and leaned back with a weary sigh.

”Was this the great proposal you came here for?”

Robin grinned broadly.

”Of course not. Paying troops—mercenary or not—is standard business.”

He leaned forward once more, his voice growing more serious.

”Hereʼs what I truly want… I want ownership over a few planets within the middle belt.”