Lord of the Truth

Chapter 1273 1273: Perfect as can be

Five Days Later—

Craack!

”Father.” A calm and resolute male voice echoed through the grand throne hall, carrying the weight of presence and purpose. ”What an unexpected yet joyful surprise. You really shouldʼve informed us of your return beforehand—we wouldʼve prepared a proper welcoming ceremony befitting your status.”

”Haha, perhaps,” Robin chuckled lightly, his expression unreadable. ”If you had arrived just a bit earlier, I might have actually believed this surprise was joyful.” He gestured toward the chair in front of him with a casual wave of his hand. ”Iʼve been here for nearly two months, Richard. What took you so long?”

Richard let out a tired sigh, his shoulders relaxing as he stepped forward. ”Your empire is what delayed me. Managing the governance of all those S-class planets is turning into an increasingly difficult task by the day, especially as their number continues to grow rapidly. Ever since you signed that decree to Caesar, the demons surrendered a planet immediately, and Aro is currently preparing to hand over one as well.”

”I have faith that youʼll sort everything out swiftly,” Robin said with a subtle nod of admiration. ”Iʼve witnessed your work firsthand—itʼs truly something that deserves genuine praise.” A wry smile formed on his lips. ”I once uttered the wrong words in a local café in Jura, and I was almost arrested on the spot.”

”This is an empire, not a republic where people elect their leaders,” Richard replied, his tone pragmatic. ”No matter how much we try to satisfy them, there will always be those who disapprove. If peace is what we seek, then a firm hand is sometimes necessary.”

”I donʼt disagree with that sentiment,” Robin said thoughtfully. ”But tell me—how did you manage it? Youʼre my son, and yet even I didnʼt realize this side of you existed.”

”Can we set that topic aside, if you donʼt mind?” Richard responded with a slightly awkward laugh. ”Iʼm simply fulfilling my duties. Nothing more, nothing less.” Then, with a shift to a lighter tone, he added, ”Word is youʼve been distributing some valuable gifts lately. I assume you brought something for me as well?”

”...” Robin raised a single eyebrow, his gaze locked on Richardʼs face for several long seconds. Then he exhaled slowly, shaking his head. ”Donʼt get your hopes up too high.”

”Oh...” Richardʼs face showed a hint of disappointment, though he remained silent, perhaps out of respect.

”Iʼve handed out merged laws to others,” Robin continued, ”but you—unlike the rest—already possess one. And not just any law... yours is exceptionally powerful. As for your brother Caesar, I merely gifted him the Major Law of Death to deepen his understanding of the law fragment heʼs inherited. But you—you already have complete mastery over both the Laws of Life and Fire. To the extent that you can independently utilize one hundred percent of each.”

A nostalgic laugh escaped Robin. ”I still vividly remember how you managed to uncover the first few levels of the third stage of the Life-Fire Law all on your own, back when you were imprisoned. I always though that only a Truth Chosen can formulate such precise combinations, and yet—you achieved it by yourself, under duress and torture, no less. Youʼre a genius. A true prodigy, at least when it comes to Life Fire. I wouldnʼt dare tamper with any part of it on your behalf.”

”Youʼre exaggerating, Father,” Richard replied modestly, scratching the back of his head. ”I was only able to make progress because you laid down the foundation. You created the first two stages—I just expanded on what you started.”

”Even so, what you did remains a rare and impressive accomplishment.” Robin waved his hand gently, a proud smile resting on his face. ”Now then—there are two specific aspects I can still enhance within you. Strengthening either one will cause a massive surge in your power. Letʼs start with the first...” He extended his palm forward. ”Give me your hand.”

”...”

Without hesitation, Richard stepped closer and placed his hand in his fatherʼs. Instantly, a powerful shock surged through his entire body—fierce, overwhelming, yet somehow controlled.

Several minutes passed before Robin finally let go. ”I see that youʼve successfully unlocked your soul domain. Having a Planetary Spirit to guide you can be quite advantageous—occasionally—even if itʼs an irritating one like Juri.” Robin laughed heartily. ”You previously had about 3,000 soul units. Iʼve just supplied you with a set of initial souls that, once fully refined and tempered, will allow you to reach as many as 50,000.”

”Fifty thousand?!” Richardʼs eyes went wide with astonishment, unable to hide his surprise at the sheer scale of what he had just received.

His soul had already reached a formidable state—exceptionally powerful, in fact—thanks in large part to his experiences manipulating entire cities, orchestrating their movements, and clashing against full-scale armies. Such feats came at a cost; they drained his energy, pushed his limits, but in equal measure, they tempered him like steel in a furnace.

By the time the massacre at the heart of the former Imperial Capital unfolded, he had ascended to the level known as the Silver Soul, a monumental milestone equivalent to possessing around 1,000 soul units—a level many dreamt of but few ever attained.

Following that brutal chapter, Juri, ever the persistent and somewhat intrusive spirit guide, channeled her own energies to amplify his, doubling his capacity to nearly 2,000 units. Then came the slow, agonizing climb—a century and more of isolation, meditation, and rigorous soul training, wherein he used the Flame of Life not just as a weapon but as a tool of purification and refinement.

Through sheer will, pain, and persistence, he pushed that number to 3,000. In his eyes, it was a staggering achievement—one that had taken everything he had to earn.

”Donʼt let your mind scatter,” Robin advised in a steady voice, laced with quiet authority. ”Just breathe. Center yourself. Use the soul-refining techniques I passed on to Emily—they were crafted for this exact purpose. Thereʼs no reason to rush. Those larger, initial souls—the truly volatile ones—save them for last. They require precision, not haste.”

Robin reached out and gave Richardʼs thigh a gentle tap, almost paternal in gesture. ”As your soul force grows, so too will your command over everything you breathe life into. The stronger your soul becomes, the clearer your perception, and the more efficient your use of Life Energy. Itʼs not just a path, Richard—itʼs the backbone of everything you are. Donʼt ever underestimate it.”

”I understand,” Richard replied, nodding with a newfound weight in his eyes. His voice held no hesitation—only resolve.

”The second element we need to focus on,” Robin said, shifting slightly, ”is your physical body—your vessel.” He motioned toward his son, as if outlining the shape of his form. ”The more powerful your body, the more Life Energy it can channel, hold, and manipulate without collapse. You wonʼt constantly find yourself dancing on the edge of exhaustion. And more importantly, when your reservoir of life energy finally depletes, you wonʼt be left utterly vulnerable.

Your combat style thrives in close-quarters engagement—in direct confrontation. So tell me, why havenʼt you put more effort into refining your physical form yet?”

He continued, voice firm but not unkind, ”Begin the process of engraving the Human Tattoos—push through until you reach the fourth stage. Once youʼve achieved the physical strength of that of a Martial Emperor, I want you to make a journey to the Sky Opening City.

There, request the removal of excess structure and the transformation of your tattoos into those of the Nihari Giant Kin. Endure the pain. Let it shape you. And after a few years of adaptation, I want you to seek out Zara and her team. Ask them to craft for you a diluted version of the tattoo I entrusted to Holak. I think your body can take it, you refined it to the limits time and time again using Life energy. Is everything clear?”

”Crystal clear,” Richard said, his head nodding again—this time with unmistakable certainty and purpose.

Robin opened his hands slightly, as though releasing the last of his advice into the air. ”Thatʼs all I had to say for now. If you accomplish these two core tasks, youʼll dramatically increase your capacity for storing and wielding Life Energy, and your ability to stretch that power over longer periods will grow exponentially. And even when your life energy runs dry, you wonʼt be left broken—youʼll have a resilient, nearly indestructible body and a fortified soul to fall back on. You wonʼt be as helpless as you are now.”

Then, with a half-smile tugging at his lips, he added softly, ”Maybe thatʼll calm the storm of anger I sense still raging within you.”

”What anger?” Richard asked, arching a single brow in playful deflection.

”The one you keep hidden behind your composed face,” Robin replied, eyes narrowing as he studied his son. ”The one that compels you to draw up schemes, systems, and iron-fisted policies to suppress entire populations.

And frankly...” he sighed, ”I donʼt even want to imagine what fate befalls those who refuse to bow before your rule.”

”Are you still going on about that?” Richard muttered, brushing a hand across his forehead, clearly trying to end the conversation.

”Iʼm not condemning your actions,” Robin clarified, his tone even. ”But I am saying that I donʼt want my son—my blood—to become a man obsessed with torture, manipulation, and endless political games. Thatʼs not who you are, and itʼs not who youʼre meant to be.”

He stepped closer, the fire in his voice growing stronger. ”You should be striving for power. For absolute dominion through might and wisdom—not pettiness. Not revenge. Youʼre better than that. And you must act like it.”

”This is starting to get annoying,” Richard groaned, raising both hands in mock surrender. Then his expression shifted—softened slightly—as he added, ”…Would you care to join me on a brief trip?”

”A trip?” Robin raised an eyebrow, skepticism laced in his voice. ”Youʼre trying to change the subject, arenʼt you? Just because I wasnʼt always around to teach you life lessons like a proper father doesnʼt mean you can just ignore every word I say.”

”Just come with me,” Richard said as he stood, brushing off his robe. Then, in a calm, deliberate voice, he called out, ”Juri, open a path... to that place.”

BZZZZZZZZZT—