Lord of the Truth

Chapter 2313 THE event

In the Palace Gardens—

”Youʼre Robin Burtonʼs son?!” Sirene shoved Richardʼs right shoulder with enough force to make him instinctively take a step backward.

”So it would seem.” The young man answered with an innocent smile, taking another step back as though he had already anticipated another shove.

”How is it possible that you never told me?!” Sirene pushed him again. ”Weʼve spent centuries together! Centuries!!” She immediately shoved him yet another time. ”And not once—not a single time—did you ever think to say, ʼListen, Sirene, Iʼm the son of one of the wealthiest men in the universe, the future Great Truth Chosen, and a friend of the Elder Cosmic!!ʼ”

”I didnʼt know, I swear!” Richard quickly replied while retreating another step with an embarrassed smile. ”Donʼt you remember? I told you about him and my family once. I told you he had been an ordinary man from an ordinary family, then somehow became a Planetary Emperor within a very short period of time!”

”Ah!” Sirene gently grabbed her head as one realization after another struck her. ”The adopted older brother you used to talk about... is he Marshal Caesar, the founder of the Cradle Empire?” Her eyes widened even further. ”And the other one who obeys your father without question and hardly ever speaks... is he the First Sword, Theo?!”

”Mhm.” Richard nodded without hesitation. ”Now that I think about it... Iʼm probably the least accomplished member of the family.”

Amid the seemingly endless gardens, surrounded by strange fields of flowers and breathtaking natural phenomena, the way the two of them behaved looked exactly like a pair of lovers having a harmless quarrel.

”Donʼt ever say that about yourself!” Sirene suddenly shouted at him before quickly looking away. A few moments later, she lowered her gaze shyly before looking back up at him from beneath her lashes, asking in an unusually quiet voice,

”...Are you... my fiancé?”

”...” Richard scratched the back of his head awkwardly. ”Weʼve always been friends. I never asked my father to arrange an engagement between us, but he decided to do it after noticing how badly I wanted to protect you. Later, I simply decided to go along with it. Being engaged to me would keep you from being sent to Zargul... or anyone else.”

He then forced a smile onto his face.

”From what I witnessed two weeks ago, Zargul is already on the verge of death. Once that happens, I can cancel the agreement and ask my father to find a better way to establish ties with Radiance Galaxy.”

Bang!

Sirene smacked Richardʼs shoulder once again.

”Oh? Am I not good enough for Lord Robinʼs son, huh?! Why donʼt you just say it outright?! Our family lost the war, weʼve lost everything, and we no longer possess anything worthy enough to honor such a marriage alliance!!”

She puffed out her cheeks in frustration as a thin layer of tears gradually formed within her eyes.

”....” Richardʼs expression first became one of genuine surprise after receiving the heavy blow before slowly softening into a faint, helpless smile accompanied by a quiet sigh.

”...Does anyone happen to sell ice cream somewhere nearby?”

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Throne Hall—

”Hmmm... A pleasant place. It reflects radiance, purity, and everything those ideals represent...” Robin slowly nodded while leisurely looking around the spacious hall, taking in every corner with casual interest. ”But it lacks light to truly shine, and cleanliness to truly be pure... Why does it feel so gloomy?”

”What exactly do you want by coming here, Lord Robin?” Kaylis frowned deeply, her eyes never leaving him. ”The last time I tried to contact you, you immediately told me not to bypass the Shadow Swords and never to speak to you again... So what exactly has changed for me to receive a visit like this today?”

In truth, Kaylis still regarded Robin with lingering suspicion. The only thing that had compelled her, out of pure caution, to address him as Lord Robin was the simple fact that Glatheon himself was respectfully calling him my lord.

She did not know Glatheon personally, but she had encountered him at grand banquets and major gatherings over the years. After hearing countless praises regarding his wisdom, foresight, and extraordinary cunning, she had deliberately engraved his appearance into her memory. After all, anyone who lived for millions of years was bound to cross paths with their peers eventually, especially if they happened to be an Elven Emperor.

”A great deal.” Robin revealed a calm, confident smile while leisurely surveying every corner of the hall. ”Weʼll soon become one family, so I have no intention of hiding anything from you... The original plan was to keep that damned Darvion occupied in Mid Sector 102, gradually wear him down, and make consolidating his control there his greatest concern, ensuring he would forget—or at least deliberately ignore—everything taking place in Sectors 99 and 100. Otherwise, someone like him wouldʼve inevitably stuck his nose into my affairs sooner or later.”

”What a plan.” Kaylis raised her chin slightly, though not the slightest trace of surprise appeared on her face.

”A beautiful one, actually. And it worked exactly as intended.” Robin smiled faintly. ”You people of Mid Sector 101 gained the strength necessary to defend yourselves, and you earned the respect of the entire universe. You astonished everyone with your determination and unwavering resolve by turning those planets into weapons and standing against Darvion himself. His strength was steadily exhausted, his armies collapsed, and several of his sons died—including his eldest son at Helenʼs hands... Everything has been progressing remarkably well from beginning to end.”

Robinʼs smile broadened even further.

”More importantly, youʼve completely regained control over your own family. They were trained to become capable warriors, while many others were personally trained by the Shadow Swords to become admirals, military commanders, and politicians. Theyʼre the ones truly governing this galaxy now and defending it with their own hands. Little by little, the Pureheart Family has transformed into a genuine Behemoth Family because of everything that has happened... because of me. Thereʼs no need to thank me.”

”Thereʼs truly no need.” Kaylis slowly shook her head. ”Your plan merely required that they be educated and strengthened. Nothing more.”

”Oh?” Robin chuckled. ”Couldnʼt the Shadow Swords have simply left them exactly as they were, then brought you a group of mercenaries to operate the spacecraft and fill the ranks of your military? That wouldʼve been easier, cheaper, and much faster... And in the middle of a war, you wouldnʼt even have thought about asking for your own family to be trained. It wouldʼve seemed perfectly natural for the Shadow Swords themselves to take over the management of the galaxy.”

”…What changed, Lord Robin?” Kaylis felt her blood beginning to boil despite maintaining her composure. ”Why did you come here?”

By now, she had become completely convinced that he truly was Robin Burton.

It was exactly the same mocking, overbearing manner in which he had spoken to her before, the same attitude that left no room for doubt.

”Hmm, then letʼs continue our discussion.” Robin was visibly irritated by the interruption, yet he casually scratched his head before deciding to overlook it. ”According to the original plan, the war here wouldʼve continued until after Nihariʼs promotion and my coronation. Only afterward wouldʼve I dealt with that damned fellow. But thatʼs no longer necessary. The damned Darvion will die before my coronation, so thereʼs no reason to postpone all of our agreements or leave you suffering for any longer than necessary.”

He then leaned comfortably against his chair, resting both arms upon it.

”Soon—more precisely, ninety-five years from now—my official coronation day will finally arrive. And a day like that shouldnʼt be ordinary... It should be a day when everyone has a reason to celebrate!”

Then he laughed.

”And that coronation will begin with my sonʼs wedding to your daughter, while simultaneously announcing her as the new Behemoth of Purity, during an event that will shake the entire universe from top to bottom... So, what do you think?”