2213 - The Executioner
"I... I don't understand." Robin's voice began to falter, from both exhaustion and shock, "Why are you seeking to turn back the distinguished universe millions of years, as you put it?" Then he raised his voice, "Isn't the goal of the Planet Spirits and the Power Systems to increase the power of the universe's inhabitants? Isn't everything moving toward that path?!"
Robin had noticed this a long time ago, and the Planet Spirits had confirmed it to him in indirect ways.
The simplest example and clearest proof of that is the Law of 100,000 Years and the Binding of Planet Spirits: whoever wants to extend their lifespan must enter into planetary conflicts and become stronger individually or collectively in order to protect their planet.
And besides this, there are hundreds of proofs that drive all intelligent creatures to fight, to innovate, to bring forth geniuses!
"...For the sake of justice." The Female Beast spoke, "If the power gap between universes becomes too great, then it won't be fair... it won't be fun." Then she spoke calmly after a slight pause, "Yes, the general direction is gaining power... but within a certain measure, within permitted limits... but if a universe evolves too quickly, it must be stopped at its limit, or else the system will end."
"Which system exactly?" Robin took a step forward, his blood boiling, "Who is doing this to us?!"
"What exactly is this nonsense? They're pushed to become stronger, but when they actually become stronger, they're killed and weakened? What kind of stupid system is this?!"
"...." The Female Beast stared at Robin with her white eyes, "I'm not obligated to tell you anything." Then, after a slight pause, she continued, "I said what I said out of respect for the level you've reached with the Master Law of Truth. You deserve some answers before your departure, but not all of them—that would be a waste of time."
"....?" Robin flinched, beginning to sense that the Ancestor Beast was preparing for battle. "There must be another way..." Robin muttered in a low voice.
Then he raised his voice, shouting, "When The Shell was breached millions of years ago, the punishment was applied to the universe, but the one who breached it wasn't killed—it still lives in peace to this day. There must be room for negotiation and circumventing those stupid laws!!"
"The Shell was opened here before?!" The space beast's eyes wavered, then she lifted her head slightly. "No wonder you're not all that surprised by my existence, given the gap in power between us... So you've experienced the power of a Fellow Executioner before. No wonder."
She then continued with a very slight furrow in her brows, "Where is he? Is he still inside the universe causing trouble? I apologize on his behalf for that. He will deeply regret not submitting the report and killing the Shell Breaker as the Law stipulates. I will personally see to it." Then she continued with a hint of anger in her voice, "And he will regret allowing another Breach Incident while he is inside among you. This is unacceptable."
"He is dead." Robin flashed a small smile. "Not a single intact piece of him remains, and all the beasts that came with him were either killed or exiled."
"...?" The Female Beast's expression turned for the worse. "That is a lie."
Robin's smile widened. "What, did you not believe me when I said there are people inside more powerful than me?" Robin pointed toward The Gate. "Then believe this... Even if you get past me today, you will be dead the moment you enter."
Robin's heart nearly failed to beat from the fear and the risk he knew he was taking.
He was deliberately increasing the danger to the universe, but he wanted to see if he could achieve any outcome other than the expected original one.
What was the expected outcome?
That The Executioner would kill him and enter the universe with her squad.
Would she truly die inside at the hands of Sevar or Athena? Perhaps, perhaps not... It did not matter.
He will be dead or nearly dead by then!
Any other option would be fine… any other option!!
"So that's how it is…" The Executioner raised her head slightly, a hint of anger and humiliation lingering in her gaze. "This universe produced a Shell Breaker millions of years ago. That Shell Breaker killed The Responsible Executioner, and he is still alive? And you're another one besides him?" Then she looked toward The Gate. "…This is no longer a Class B universe. I must report what is happening after the Execution of the Law."
"No laws will be executed here!" Robin waved forcefully, then pointed at her. "Don't you understand? I'm enough to take at least half your life. And if you try to do anything else to the universe after what your filthy colleague did—ripping off 90% of our world—you will be killed and your body mutilated. Sevar might even order you raped before that. Don't overestimate yourself!!"
"…?!" The Executioner was stunned.
"Look." Robin pressed his left hand downward in a dominating, suppressing gesture. "As long as the previous Executioner did his deed and died without anyone knowing, that means there is a way to avoid today's meeting without anyone getting hurt."
Then he pointed behind the Executioner. "Leave and pretend you saw nothing. I will return to the Shell and never come out again. That way, we each keep our heads on our shoulders and finish the day in peace." He then waved casually toward the beasts around him. "If you wish, we can let those things in. They can try to destroy the universe as they please, but we will hunt them down—that is our rightful claim."
Then he smiled at her with hostility. "Ha, what do you think? Shall we choose peace tonight?"
Robin's cruel smile, coupled with the giant Open Eye looming above him and the Four Symbols coiling around him, made him appear like a supreme authority dictating non-negotiable orders. Even the Adult Space Beasts, along with Blokan and the rest, felt uneasy at this sight.
But the Executioner did not seem equally tense. After a few seconds of thought, she lifted her head slightly. "I will not enter." Then she stared into Robin's face. "But I will take your corpse with me."
Then she extended her spiked mace forward and began to advance.