Lord of the Truth

"Hmm?" Robin tilted his head slightly, his expression shifting with a faint curiosity.

"...Up until this very moment, I was convinced it was nothing more than a casual promise you made simply to get those two volumes. I thought I would make use of it someday, exchanging your pledge for a favor when you finally mature. Then I planned to use it as leverage to bargain for Morgana instead, but..." Althera stared deeply into Robin's eyes, her voice softening as she continued, "After what I witnessed from you today, I believe you actually have a real chance at fulfilling your promise... no— I'll hold onto it tightly."

She paused, then fixed her gaze again into Robin's eyes, her tone turning more fragile, "...I only hope it happens before that one-hundred-million-year marker the Cosmic Elder mentioned. I don't know what might occur when that time comes, but I do not want him to face it alone as well."

"What are you even talking about?" Robin let out a light chuckle, then casually extended his free hand and pointed toward a metallic slab placed on the desk. "And what do you think that is? Instructions on how to plant watermelons?"

"...?" Althera furrowed her brows and turned toward the slab, confusion spreading faintly across her face.

When Robin first came and after Robin had arrived and spoke briefly about Morgana, he abruptly stood up in frustration and tossed that slab onto the desk before requesting to leave the room entirely... She assumed it was a resignation request as a professor or something.

"...Can it be?" Althera suddenly jolted, grabbing the slab with both hands. Her spiritual sense pierced through it within seconds, then she slowly closed her eyes and sank into a long, profound silence.

"Heheh~ I love those reactions when I exceed expectations." Robin tapped his chin proudly. "Hmm, maybe that Cosmic Elder was right— perhaps I really am someone who enjoys the spotlight." Then he pivoted, tossing all three sealed boxes toward Jabba. "How long are you planning to make me carry these?!"

"Ugh-!!" Jabba rushed forward and caught them as if they were three fragile infants, sweat rolling visibly down his forehead from their weight and pressure.

"...Big brother, did you actually create a manual that can genuinely strengthen a Monarch? What exactly did you do? Did you devise some way to accelerate her breakthrough from Low Monarch to Mid Monarch?" Shaddad finally snapped out of his first shock, only to find himself thrown into a larger one entirely. Anything relating to the Seventh Realm was nearly nonexistent—top-secret knowledge that rarely even had a written form.

The number of cultivators who ever reached the Seventh Realm was extremely small, and each one preferred to keep any discoveries strictly to themselves, or—at best—pass them in secret to a single heir. In truth, every Guardian, Monarch, or Behemoth was a researcher against their will, forced to advance knowledge in silence.

"Hmm? Of course not. I still haven't fully comprehended the breakthrough method toward the Nexus State— how could I possibly contribute to speeding up a Monarch's breakthrough?" Robin shook his head. "My agreement with her was for an increase in strength, not realm. I simply crafted a Fifth-Tier martial art that contains a refined mixture of fundamental laws, all structured to enhance the Fundamental Repetition Path, and perfectly reinforce her close-quarters fighting style."

"A Fifth-Tier combat art... specifically tailored to support a Seventh-Realm Fundamental law?" Shaddad whispered under his breath. It was something he would likely never achieve in his entire lifetime.

"What, do you think Tier Five is too low for her?" Robin smirked faintly. "True, it's only a Fifth-Tier art, but it's custom-fitted." He waved a finger thoughtfully. "On the battlefield, it can increase her combat power and overall efficiency by about seven to ten percent if used properly." Then his gaze locked onto Althera, waiting patiently for her eyes to open. "Let's see if she actually appreciates the amount of work I put into this."

Several long, quiet minutes passed—

"...." Althera finally opened her eyes, raising them slowly to meet Robin's gaze in silence, astonishment gleaming faintly within. "...How long did it take you to create such a combat art?"

"There isn't a precise continuous duration," Robin replied, shrugging lightly. "But you could say it took roughly a century. Every few years I would reopen it to add something new~" Robin smiled warmly. "If you accept it as repayment for my debt, then consider it yours. Of course, you can refuse and swear never to use it. If you do, then I'll simply think of something else for you instead... I can make a few adjustments and sell it for a few billions."

"...I accept it as repayment. Your debt with me is concluded." Althera exhaled slowly, her shoulders dropping in a gesture of reluctant surrender.

She had thoroughly examined the martial art, scrutinizing every sequence and hidden layer, searching desperately for even the slightest flaw—yet she found none. It was nothing short of a carefully sculpted masterpiece. If her judgment wasn't mistaken, this martial art alone could increase her total power output by roughly three percent, and at her level, such an increase was nothing less than monumental, practically earth-shaking.

"...Lord Robin, I am painfully aware this request may come across as greedy, but could you—someday—create a Sixth-Tier version of this combat art once you ascend to become the Sixth Great Truth Chosen?"

Robin smiled openly, genuinely amused and secretly flattered by how firmly Althera already believed in his inevitable rise to such a legendary position. "We'll discuss that when the time comes." He extended his hand toward her with a broad, almost mischievous grin that radiated far more confidence than necessary.

"Hmm?" Althera briefly glanced at his open hand, then raised her eyes to his annoyingly smug expression. "What exactly do you want?"

"My tip. Did you forget already?" Robin chuckled lightly. "Not even a full day has passed since you promised me a gift. You're not planning to retract your words now, are you?"

"...And what precisely do you want as a gift?" Althera felt a sudden wave of regret washing over her; she shouldn't have allowed her emotions to push her into making promises while she was still excited.

What could she possibly offer someone who already possessed a Seventh-Tier planetary artifact, an Eternal quill infused with ancient authority, and more than twenty mature space-beast core crystals of staggering potency?! If he were to sell just one of those cores as a top-tier weapon, he could live beyond wealthy for the remainder of his natural life—multiple lifetimes even.

Robin casually placed both hands behind his back, taking a relaxed stance. "The third volume of the Soul Atlas. I want official publishing rights within my empire, exactly like the first two volumes."

"You're absolutely certain?" Althera blinked, genuinely taken aback. "The first two volumes are already more than enough for you— and practically sufficient for nearly every empire in existence. Those who need the third volume are royal-class Soul Masters, so they can learn their new limitations, evolutionary paths, and how to harness their expanded authority. It offers you no direct benefit whatsoever. Why would you waste decades reading and studying it just so others could possibly benefit from it?"

"Oh, I think it's useful enough in its own way." Robin chuckled knowingly, a hint of meaning hidden in his eyes. "So should I assume that's an agreement?"

"..." Althera nodded quietly. "You must want it for Morgana. Very well then, it's yours."

This request cost her absolutely nothing; there was no political pressure, no resources lost, no favors owed. Why would she refuse? She genuinely expected him to request something absurdly large—like a billion Pearls, or something equivalently terrifying.

"Haha, excellent!" Robin clapped once, producing a sharp sound. "By the way, I intend to remain within the academy for a while longer. During that period, I will allow Morgana to decide freely what she wishes to do. She may continue working as a teacher, and she can provide soul borrowings to your institution if she chooses. I will not take any payment in return for that—just ensure she's compensated properly for her efforts... and while we are still here, try to find a suitable replacement for her."

Then he offered a small, respectful nod. "If you don't require anything else, Your Majesty, then I formally request permission to depart."

"...Thank you, Lord Robin." Althera nodded softly. With a simple flick of her fingers—whoosh—the three figures vanished instantly from the room.

Althera remained seated, unmoving, for a long stretch of silent time. Her mind wandered through everything that had transpired today—Robin's actions, his surprising capabilities, and the words of the Cosmic Elder regarding the ominous approaching event...

Her thoughts drifted back, circling quietly around Robin.

"It seems..." Althera whispered, gazing at the space where Robin had disappeared, her voice tinged with a mix of anticipation and unease, "...that we are stepping into a new era."