2219 – The Court
“…The boy will not die, and Universe B-14 will not be punished. Claim your price.” The All-seeing God's projection raised his head slightly, turning his back to Robin.
“Do you intend to hinder the work of an Executioner, Your Eminence?” Tanuya raised her eyebrows slightly. “Can you bear the responsibility for something like this?”
“I did not interfere when your colleague seized 90% of B-14's area, annihilated a civilization that had flourished for nearly thirty million years, and reduced it to below zero, concentrating all power and knowledge in the hands of a small number of surviving factions. Since then, humanity in B-14 has never reached its former glory, and may never do so again.”
Then he narrowed his eyes. “If it weren't for one of the Geniuses of Universe B-14 risking himself and taking revenge on that Executioner who abused his power, who knows what more would have happened? I remained silent and did not document the incident or demand compensation for that harsh, seemingly orchestrated event. But I will not allow another one.”
“…?” Robin's expression shifted with every moment.
One of the Geniuses of Universe B-14… Does he mean the Cosmic Elder?!
The situation was extremely strange... He had summoned The All-seeing God because he knew he would die at the hands of The Executioner if the fight continued anyway, and he wanted to reproach him for hiding the existence of such things outside. But for some reason, The All-seeing God stood with him and tried to find a solution?
"Orchestrated?" Tanuya showed a small smile. "Is Your Grace prepared to defend these words before the court?"
"Don't try to scare me with the court!" The All-seeing God waved his hand forcefully. "I said nothing in the first case so as not to lose my prestige and have it said that I cannot bear a loss. But I will not allow further punishments, even if I have to convene the court—I don't care!"
Then he pointed toward her. "If I am right and this surveillance is indeed orchestrated, then you should be aware of my status and what I am capable of. Do not try to gamble on the limits of my reach!"
"..." Tanuya furrowed her brows tightly.
"Wait, I want to say something." Robin raised his hand, then pointed toward The Executioner. "She called you a dirty cheater."
"Me?!" The All-seeing God pointed to himself in shock.
"Liar, he's a liar!!" Tanuya quickly took a step back. "How can you take such a despicable liar as your candidate?!"
"You can search my memory as you wish; I am telling the truth." Robin nodded toward the All-seeing God. "She said you are a cheat, a scumbag, useless, and also trash."
"You!!!" The Executioner was on the verge of tears.
"Enough." The All-seeing God raised a hand and looked at Tanuya sternly. "She is merely a low-level employee, a trivial entity. By the Court's standards, she is nothing more than a soldier, and by the Pantheon's standards, she does not even qualify as a servant." Then he spoke with some anger, "But she speaks rudely here only because she has the Pantheon's protection while carrying out her duties—that is all."
"...!" Tanuya forced a smile onto her face. "It is good that Your Lordship understands I am merely performing my duties, so why not allow me to do so? Please dismantle your shard. I am not selling my services; I will continue to carry out my duty to the best of my ability. And again, you may complain about me if you wish."
"So that's how it is..." The All-seeing God stared at her for a few moments before revealing a strange smile. "The lazy, useless Executioners have suddenly become active and fond of their work?" Then he raised his voice and gestured around him. "What about all those humans who pierce the shells of their universes and move through the Void day and night, especially those from Class A universes? Why don't you hunt them down and punish their universes?"
"I cannot speak on behalf of anyone; I am merely doing my duty." Tanuya replied without emotion, though her body trembled slightly.
"And it just so happens that the dead dog who came before you was also diligent and loved his work?" The All-seeing God raised his voice, then nodded, "So it is a conspiracy against B-14, as I imagined..."
"Your Excellency is jumping to baseless conclusions." Tanuya was sweating slightly, "Please do not fabricate theories and major problems and place me in the middle as evidence. I am only doing my duty."
"Oh, but you are inevitably in the middle." The All-seeing God flashed a wide smile, then pointed into the distance, "Unless you open your mind and listen... go and kill one of the rats fleeing from other universes if you want a victim. If you put in a little effort and shed the notorious laziness of Executioners, you could catch two or three before the end of the millennium. Isn't that safer than fighting candidates? Look at him!"
Then he spread his hands slightly, "Then come to me. I realize you don't fully know who I am; you only know my rank from the aura of the shard. But I know you... just come to that place, and I will reward you. You know I can."
Tanuya's body shook, "...I apologize. I must do my duty."
"....." The All-seeing God slowly lowered his hands, his eyes blazing with anger.
He then turned towards Robin, "Here's a new mission for you: protect Universe B-14."
"Huh?!" Robin was flustered by the sudden change.
"This mission has nothing to do with paying off debts or training. Protect the universe. Even if you could escape and save yourself like that girl Athena did, don't. Fleeing and leaving the universe to other consequences would only be a slower death." The All-seeing God spoke seriously, "...Do what you can. If you succeed, you'll be rewarded. If you fail, go knowing that you've already achieved your own glory, and with this power of yours, far greater things were destined for you."
The All-seeing God extended his hand and placed it on Robin's shoulder, "Whether you win or lose, I'll turn the court upside down." Then he smiled, "...I've given you many missions, and you haven't completed a single one, but I'll bet you can handle this one... It's Universe B-14's only hope."
*Whoosh*
The All-seeing God's projection began to fade, then entered Robin's forehead.
"Huh?" Robin took a step back, his face showing expressions of shock and a sense of loss.
"Phew~" The Dark Executioner let out a relieved expression, "Meeting someone is always difficult." Then she raised her scepter towards Robin, "Come on, give me your head. I have to return with your corpse before he files his report."
"This…." Robin took another step back, his eyes filled with a thousand questions. "How… how!?"
"Don't exhaust your little mind with what you've heard." The Executioner began wiping the Four Symbols and the Eye stealthily, preparing for another round. "…You won't hear those big terms again."
"How…" Robin placed his hands on his head for a moment, then lowered them and looked toward Tanuya with wide, dilated eyes. "…How exactly does he intend to reward me for killing you? Do you think he meant what he said?"
"………?!"