Lord of the Truth

Chapter 2153 Partnership

”...Everything you mentioned is part of the old agreement,” Saherʼs irritation became more visible as he spoke, and he hesitated slightly before continuing, as if choosing his words carefully, ”we are discussing the developments of the current situation, not what was agreed upon in the past.”

”Was Marshal Aro drawing the Sorcerer Behemothʼs forces back into his own sector and effectively handing you Mid Sector 97 on a silver platter also part of that old agreement?” Ryanʼs smile widened, carrying a faint hint of mockery, ”Your Highness, battlefields do not remain static. They evolve constantly, and all sides must adapt to that evolution. If every party were to stop at every shift and renegotiate terms from the beginning, then no war would ever progress, and no alliance would ever move forward. That is precisely why we took the initiative to provide such a significant form of assistance without consulting you beforehand or demanding additional compensation in return.”

Ryan, deep inside, let out a silent breath of relief when thinking about Marshal Aroʼs maneuver.

It had been recklessness taken to the extreme, a move that had cost the empire dearly in both resources and stability, and one that had been executed without approval from any authority. Yet despite all of that, without that single bold action, Ryan would not have been able to stand here now with even a fragment of confidence in his position.

”And what about our protection of the Shadow Swords in Mid Sector 95?!” Saher pressed sharply, his voice rising, ”Will that effort simply go unacknowledged? Will it pass without compensation?”

”I will address that.” Kiri raised her hand in front of Ryan, gently halting him before speaking. Her voice remained calm, but there was an undeniable sharpness beneath it, ”Thanks to Marshal Aro, you were able to free your fleets in Mid Sector 97. At this moment, they remain stationed there with minimal engagement, their engines practically idle, on the verge of rusting from disuse. Instead of allowing that stagnation, you can advance into Mid Sector 98 and support Marshal Aroʼs operations directly. That would eliminate the nearby threat from its roots rather than prolonging this exchange of words.”

She paused briefly, then continued with measured precision, ”...Or, if you prefer a more controlled approach, you could withdraw the majority of your forces and redirect them toward Mid Sector 95. You could justify this movement by citing the growing proximity of the Behemoth of Gravity and the need to secure your borders. In doing so, not only would the wider universe accept your deployment of large forces into that sector, but more importantly, the inhabitants of the sector themselves would welcome it, especially after witnessing the devastation caused by the Behemoth of Relativity and the Behemoth of Gravity in neighboring regions.”

Then she gestured lightly, clarifying her stance, ”Mid Sector 97 is already under your military control. What remains is the subjugation of local powers, and the Shadow Swords can assist in achieving that with minimal bloodshed.”

She continued without pause, ”Mid Sector 98 is currently in a state of chaos. It presents an opportunity for you to seize a significant portion of it with relative ease and trap the Sorcerer within his own territory.”

Her gaze sharpened slightly as she added, ”And Mid Sector 95... it is practically waiting to be claimed. You could occupy it without firing a single shot if you move at the right moment.”

”And all of this comes alongside a sixfold increase in your galaxyʼs profits?” Kiri herself seemed momentarily taken aback by the sheer scale of what she was outlining, ”Forgive me if my question seems abrupt, but since the founding of the Sand of Time Galaxy until now, when have you ever held such a combination of advantages at once?”

”Your question has gone beyond surprise and entered the realm of insolence,” Saherʼs anger surfaced clearly now, his composure cracking under the pressure.

”Hehe, my friend here did not intend any disrespect,” Ryan intervened smoothly, his wide smile returning as if to diffuse the tension, ”we are merely-”

Before he could finish his sentence, Ryan noticed the Temporal Behemoth Arkaile slowly raising his hand. The motion was subtle, but its weight was absolute. Ryan immediately fell silent, swallowing the rest of his words without hesitation.

He was not alone in his reaction. Kiri lowered her gaze instantly, her posture tightening, while Saher himself went silent and straightened, showing clear respect.

Only then did the Temporal Behemoth speak, his voice deep, heavy, and filled with quiet authority, ”What are the limits of your authority in these negotiations? Robin Burton would not send you here to discuss compensation for the Syndicateʼs harassment without presenting a proper offer... I will hear it.”

”Your Excellency has misunderstood us. We are merely here to listen to the complaints and nothing more, ah-ha...” Ryanʼs laugh faltered midway under Arkaileʼs gaze, and he quickly composed himself, ”...understood.”

His tone shifted completely as he continued, now serious and focused, ”Then please listen carefully, because what I am about to say represents the full extent of our authority. There is nothing beyond it.”

Saherʼs frown deepened further, his thoughts tightening.

If they had indeed come with an offer, then why all this resistance when speaking with him directly? Why bypass him entirely and address his father instead?

The more he thought about it, the clearer it became... whatever they were about to present was not meant for him to negotiate. It was meant to be

decided.

Ryan continued, his tone steady and confident, ”The offer is to facilitate your complete control over Mid Sector 97, and to grant you Mid Sector 95 as well. The Shadow Swords will handle the groundwork alongside the local forces, ensuring that resistance is broken before it even forms. And it will not merely be political influence or surface-level authority, the three sectors will become your exclusive domain in every sense, just like Mid Sector 96 itself... and all of this will take place in the near future.”

”...?!” Saherʼs brows tightened in disbelief, the reaction instinctive.

To establish military presence in a neighboring sector was one thing, something achievable through time, persistence, and pressure. But to completely dominate it, to reshape its internal structure and bind it fully under one rule, was something entirely different.

Every Behemoth in existence had struggled for tens of thousands, sometimes even hundreds of thousands of years to fully subjugate the sector they inhabited, fighting countless wars and crushing endless rebellions... yet this man stood here, calmly promising the submission of two additional sectors,

and doing so in the near future?

It sounded absurd, almost insulting.

”And how exactly do you intend to accomplish something like that?” Arkaileʼs voice descended, heavy and measured, carrying the weight of someone who had witnessed countless ages unfold.

”All we need to do is deal with the forces within those sectors, correct?” Ryan replied without hesitation, his smile never wavering, ”When it comes to major powers, there are only three effective ways to handle them.”

He raised three fingers slowly, making sure every word carried its full meaning. ”First, through intimidation... blackmail through secrets, economic suffocation, silent eliminations, and calculated assassinations. This aspect will be handled entirely by the Shadow Swords. They are already embedded across these sectors, and their reach extends further than most are willing to admit.”

Saherʼs expression tightened once more. Was this entire structure of control truly going to rely so heavily on the Shadow Swords alone? ”Second, through incentive,” Ryan lowered one finger, his tone shifting slightly,

”There are many forces that will submit willingly once they are shown the rewards, wealth, stability, economic growth, and a comfortable existence without constant conflict.”

He gestured toward himself with quiet pride, ”That responsibility falls to us. His Majesty possesses more than enough wealth and resources to bring any force that can be persuaded under control, and not just barely... but completely.”

Saher felt irritation rise again. The confidence in Ryanʼs words bordered on arrogance, yet it was backed by undeniable results.

Ryan lowered the final finger, ”And finally, there are those who will refuse everything, those who cling to pride, stubbornness, or outdated loyalties. Those individuals... we leave to you.”

He paused slightly before continuing, ”By the time we reach that stage, their numbers will have already been reduced, their influence weakened, and their alliances broken. What remains will be fragmented resistance, something your fleets can eliminate with ease.”

”But for this sequence to succeed,” Ryan added, his tone growing more deliberate, ”Your Excellency must adopt a governing model similar to that of Lady Kaylis in Mid Sector 101. Local powers will govern themselves internally, maintaining stability, while you stand above them, enforcing your laws, collecting your taxes, and ensuring absolute loyalty.”

Then he patted his large belly with both hands, smiling as if presenting a finished masterpiece, ”Well... what do you think?”

He suddenly raised a finger, as if recalling something crucial, ”Ah, I nearly forgot

to emphasize an important condition.”

Ryan leaned forward slightly, his smile turning more meaningful, ”All of this is contingent upon a public declaration of partnership between you and His Majesty, announced across the largest platforms within the Soul Society, in a way that leaves no room for ambiguity.”

He then showed a smile that seemed almost appreciative, ”So that His Majesty may share in your eternal glory once you establish complete control over three sectors... as the first Behemoth in history to achieve such a feat.”

The Temporal Behemoth Arkaile allowed a faint smile to appear, one so slight it

was almost imperceptible, ”Share in my glory... or send a message to that

Syndicate so clear that there is no doubt he and I stand as one, inseparable?” ”Hehe, the benefits of such a declaration are indeed numerous, Your Excellency,” Ryan rubbed his hands together, his eyes gleaming faintly, ”So, what is your decision?”

Arkaile lifted his gaze upward for a few moments, as though observing

something beyond the visible realm, weighing not just the offer, but the consequences that would ripple across the universe.

”I have always believed that one day, someone would have to stand against that Syndicate... someone would have to be the first to say no!” His voice carried a quiet weight as he spoke.

”I simply never imagined that I would be among those who would take that

step.”

Then, slowly, he lowered his gaze and looked directly into Ryanʼs bright pupils,

his decision now clear,

”Prepare the announcement.”