Lord of the Truth

"Ooh..." Robin raised a single brow, his expression unreadable, but chose not to utter a word just yet. Instead, he calmly received the luxurious new robe from Theo — a flowing garment, pure white and elegantly adorned with intricate golden lines that shimmered softly in the light — and began dressing slowly and methodically, as though he had all the time in the world.

"And tell me... what exactly do I gain in return for all this generosity?" His voice was low, measured, and laced with subtle amusement.

"Protection, of course," the woman cloaked in black replied smoothly, her lips curling into a knowing smile.

"Protection from me... and from anyone else who might dare threaten you, use you for their own gains, those who appear as angels but are wolfs in the inside... At least I am clear of what I want, and I say it out loud!" Her gaze slid sideways, landing momentarily on Rinara with a warning.

"What is this nonsense?! You create the danger and then offer yourself as the solution? Is this how street gangs operate these days?" Rinara finally snapped, regaining control of her voice. Her tone was incredulous, her eyes flashing with fire.

"Naturally, he doesn't need to kneel — he's a Soul Master, and not just any Soul Master. A great one. With the strength of his soul alone, he's qualified to be a general's right hand in your army and guard a planet. So why would he grovel at your feet? As for the ninety percent of the empire's revenue — that's daylight robbery! And what's this about a 'personal assistant'? That's just a polished excuse to keep him leashed under your watchful eye and quietly siphon off whatever secrets or power he possesses!"

Then she turned to Robin, her gaze wild and intense, burning with desperation and purpose.

"Listen to me, Robin Burton — if you choose to align yourself with the Nine Paths Empire, and accept me as your Overlord, you will receive our absolute protection. You will owe us nothing from your harvest, not even a single energy stone. I don't even want to hear another word about that galactic seed you carry. And should we desire anything you possess, we will pay for it. Handsomely. Without trickery or theft!"

At that moment, Rinara cast aside millennia even of cultivated composure, roaring with such raw urgency that all her hard-earned prestige seemed to vanish. But she couldn't care less. The very idea of a Master Law technique falling into the hands of a rival empire had shaken her to her core, overriding every other concern.

"Ooh..." Robin raised his other eyebrow now, amused, and began adjusting the sleeve of his new robe with practiced ease.

"And what do you expect in return for all of this royal treatment?" he asked, his voice as calm as ever.

"Priority. Full priority access to anything of interest that you come across," Rinara replied without hesitation, her voice now sweet and seductive like a practiced diplomat.

"Of course, I'll also compensate you in whatever manner you see fit. Robin Burton, I know there are things in this world — and beyond — that can't be bought with wealth. But I, too, possess things that transcend value. Judging by the size of your entourage and the number of your children, you're clearly a man who appreciates the company of women. So tell me, what would you say if I offered to marry you to my younger sister? She's quite the beauty — but fair warning, her dowry won't be small. Hehehe."

"Ah, how romantic..." Robin chuckled, his sarcasm apparent.

"So I hand over things beyond price, and in exchange, you offer me marriage? Yes, yes... sounds incredibly balanced." He nodded, mock-serious, eyes twinkling with mischief.

"You don't get it, Robin Burton," Rinara responded quickly, her tone turning sharp with urgency.

"My younger sister is next in line for the throne. If anything happens to me, she becomes the Empress of the Nine Paths. With this alliance, you wouldn't just be gaining a wife — you could very well become the ruler of a near-centennial empire." She stepped forward now, her words tumbling over each other.

"Just think: your elite troops could train under my best generals; your strategists would attend the most prestigious war colleges; you'd gain full access to secret auctions where priceless treasures are sold... and as a personal welcome gift from me, I'll purchase you any Grade-A artifact of your choice from the Soul Society — no matter the cost."

"...!!" Even the woman in black couldn't hide her reaction. Her eyebrow twitched ever so slightly at that final offer.

"I can build my own centennial empire with my own hands," Robin scoffed.

"I can train my own elite soldiers. My generals are already strong, chosen with precision. Real battle will teach them more than any school could. As for these secret auctions... I have a planet seed. Who needs more than that? And Grade-A artifact? Something tells me I'll be able to buy one myself before long."

He laughed dismissively, waving off her list of incentives like crumbs on a table.

Then he turned his whole body toward her, eyes gleaming.

"Here's my offer — accept me as YOUR Overlord, and I will take care of you. I will raise your Nine Paths Empire to the status of a true Centennial Power — for the first time in your history. Think about it. Hehehe~"

Rinara's mouth opened to respond, words forming before her mind could even catch up — she didn't know what to say, only that something had to be said, now!

This wasn't about magical armor or a living city anymore.

This was about a Master Law technique, the kind of power that could shake empires from their roots!

"Enough!" A cold voice suddenly thundered from above before she could utter a syllable.

"You dare negotiate right in front of me? While I am still standing here?" The woman cloaked in black turned her piercing gaze to Robin.

"You dare ignore me, Robin Burton? Do you truly believe you are safe from me now?"

Robin's face grew slightly more serious. He furrowed his brows.

"We made an agreement, did we not?" he replied calmly.

"Or are you planning to break it already?"

"Ignore her." Rinara waved her hand in an almost dismissive, queenly gesture, not even bothering to look upward. Her voice was calm, confident, and laced with a layer of certainty that couldn't be ignored.

"She can't break the agreement. It's simply not possible."

Then she added, her tone turning colder, sharper:

"She's already accumulated a tremendous load of negative karma for launching that attack and injuring a planet in the Young Belt. That alone is enough to place her under watch by the enforcers. She knows it. She won't dare earn more negative karma today—not unless she's completely lost her mind."

She tilted her head slightly, eyes locking onto Robin.

"Once she leaves this place—leave with me. Come to the Empire of the Nine Paths. We can continue this conversation in a more secure location."

Robin's golden eyes narrowed as he remained silent, deep in thought.

It was clear now: she had understood his true intentions.

He had no intention of lingering here.

The moment the woman in black was gone… he needed to vanish.

Escape Planet Jura, leave its atmosphere behind without a trace, and disappear into one of the countless planets outside the thirteen.

He might even have to sever his connections with them, at least temporarily, until everything calmed down—until he figured things out.

From a logical standpoint, the woman in black should be leaving soon.

She had already stretched herself thin. Another attack could put her in danger—serious, irreversible danger.

But if she decided to come back, then by the time she returns… he must be gone.

By then, whether she intended to honor her promise or not would be irrelevant.

She wouldn't be able to act carelessly.

Why?

Because she wouldn't risk obliterating entire planetsrecklessly—not when her true target was Robin himself. Those floating balls of rock meant nothing. Her goal was him.

It made far more strategic sense for her to send her forces, invade silently, rather than incite more karma by destroying planets outright.

And more importantly…

She couldn't afford to turn Robin Burton into a lifelong enemy.

If she slaughtered his people, razed his worlds, killed his sons and daughters—then the man she suspected of wielding two Master Laws would become the incarnation of vengeance.

He wouldn't rest.

He would hunt her until the end of eternity.

In truth, it wouldn't even be difficult.

All he had to do was offer one technique—just one—based on a Master Law as the bounty.

And then wait.

There were entire galaxies of assassins and divine killers who would line up for the chance.

So yes, if Robin escaped now, she might pursue him.

She might try to silence him quietly.

Or perhaps, in some twisted calculation, she'd try to bring him back into her fold.

Either way…

She wouldn't touch his followers.

She wouldn't push him any further.

"Negative karma…? For merely injuring a planet?"

The woman in black snapped back with a scoff, her voice rising with disdain.

"Do you honestly think I care about that? I came here fully intending to destroy it."

Then she shifted her focus back toward Robin. Her eyes narrowed, filled with venom and dark curiosity.

"Robin Burton, let me ask you—what exactly was our agreement?"

Her voice dropped low, dangerous.

"That if you died in the attack, I would spare your followers. But tell me now—

Have. You. Died?"

Woooooohh~

The air trembled as a dense gray orb, thorned and humming with destructive power, began forming in her hand again.

Another Nature Destruction—the same attack that wiped out most of the western sea, and nearly erased him.

"I would love to see you handle a second one."

She smirked, her eyes gleaming with malice.

"Maybe this time, I'll even guess which of the eight you're trying to hide."

"...You wouldn't dare."

Robin's voice was low, steady… but deadly serious.

His golden eyes flashed with defiance.

"You've already reached a dangerous level of power consumption. One more strike, and you might not survive. The vacuum of space doesn't forgive recklessness."

"Oh? So now you want to bet your life on that? I'm impatient and foolish in your eyes, right? One whose thoughts you can map and manipulate?"

Her voice exploded in volume, echoing through the burning sky.

"No, Robin Burton. You don't get to stall anymore. Not today. Not with me. You will agree to my terms, now, or—"

VOOOOOOOOSHHHHHH—!!

The full destructive force of her second attack surged into existence.

It was ready.

It was real.

"...!!"

Robin's breath hitched.

His eyes widened, lips parting in shock.

She was serious.

She was gambling with her life just to corner him.

And for what?

For control? For pride? For a Law?

Whatever the reason…

After a moment of frozen silence, Robin chuckled.

He lowered his gaze… and slowly, shook his head.

No spacetime tattoo.

No fuel left in his energy gathering center.

His life artery was depleted.

His soul domain had dried into an empty husk.

his body is as strong as a new born.

There would be no more dances today.

He turned to Caesar, speaking softly, yet clearly.

"Use the instant spatial portals. Move everyone to the far side of the planet. After what's about to happen… she won't strike again."

Then, turning to face his children, he swept his gaze over each of them with quiet reverence.

"Keep your heads high—she hasn't won."

He tapped his forehead.

"What that woman truly wants... is still here. And only here."

"After she's gone, live your lives. I've dragged you all through endless wars, I've been a terrible father."

His words hit harder than any attack.

They reverberated like thunder through their hearts.

And everyone—every single one of them—knew what was coming.

That madman…

Was preparing to take another hit.