2237 – Lord's Affairs
“…Congratulations to the universe on your safety, Lord Robin.”
“….!!!”
Every eye on the mountain widened to its fullest.
Even Zara, who had been comforting Althera moments before, completely forgot what she was doing and stared at Blokan with her mouth open.
Robin's grandchildren knew very well who this person was.
Just seeing him made their hearts tremble.
They only remained standing and did not bow before his overwhelming aura and presence because their grandfather was among them—their pillar and shield—and his existence gave them the courage to stand firm.
But…
Blokan knelt?
He knelt on all fours?!
Even Holak and the squad leaders were deeply shocked, but soon their heads rose with pride.
They treated Blokan as a major figure.
They called him Lord.
They listened to his instructions.
And they dealt with him as one of the known pillars of the universe.
And that same person was kneeling before their master!
Once again…
Only Caesar, Theo, and Peon maintained their complete composure.
“Rise, Lord Blokan, there’s no need for this.” Robin showed a faint smile.
“What happened three months ago hasn’t been leaked yet, and what you did for the entire universe…” Blokan stood up slowly and began dusting off his knees. “If it were fully known, every living being would have to kneel.”
Then he looked directly into Robin’s face.
"And please, you can dispense with the titles. Blokan is enough."
"My apologies, then, Blokan." Robin nodded. "I'm just glad you don't blame me for opening the breach in the first place."
"I am not a child." Blokan shook his head. "There are many reasons that justify your opening of the Shell and make blame pointless. The simplest of them is that I would have broken it myself if I had possessed enough power. Who among us does not want to see what lies beyond their prison?"
Then he stared into Robin's eyes.
"Everything that happened up until the appearance of the Executioner was something anyone in your position could have done. Breaking the Shell, exploiting the Reapers, trying new methods to kill them… all of this was rational. Even the Cosmic Elder agreed with you and supported you in that."
Then he continued in a more serious tone:
"But your steadfastness before the Executioner, your fight against her, and forcing her to retreat in that manner… this is something no one else has done, and most likely no one else will. You used immense power and nearly sacrificed your life to defend the universe while I watched helplessly, and for that, you have my respect… and my services."
Then a clear expression of regret crossed his face.
"But your body…"
Blokan was able to examine Robin's body with ease.
The latter had not raised any defense.
Nor had he tried to hide anything.
Robin's body appeared sound and healthy from a theoretical standpoint.
His limbs function.
There are no wounds.
No visible injuries.
And yet…
With just one look, one could tell he had been struck by extreme weakness.
It was like looking at a three-year-old child.
A healthy child…
But so weak that you wouldn't expect anything from him.
"This? It's nothing serious." Robin spoke calmly. "I overused the Master Laws with a body that wasn't meant to bear even a single one of them in the first place. But it's fine, my body will gradually return to normal—it's only a matter of time."
"…." Blokan nodded slowly. "Until you recover, Lord Robin, your life is my life. Sleep soundly and rest, and don't worry about anything."
I overused the Master Laws…
Who in history could utter such a sentence?
But when he thought of his form while fighting the Executioner, and those five symbols that revolved around him…
Blokan's body trembled involuntarily.
"It seems you take the Executioner's threat very seriously, Blokan." Robin chuckled lightly.
He could easily guess what was on his mind.
There is no such thing as blind loyalty.
Nor is there such a thing as absolute acknowledgment of superiority.
Loyalty is tied to what you have to offer.
And acknowledgment of superiority is tied to what you drive others to do.
Blokan realizes that as long as the Executioner has withdrawn, she will one day return with greater power.
And who can stand against her again if not Robin?
Sevar?
Athena?
Or the Cosmic Elder, who disappeared months ago?
Blokan wants to push him to stand before the cannon once more.
He wants to use kneeling, respect, and the aura of saints he tries to paint around him to make him stay and defend the universe instead of fleeing or abandoning responsibility.
And this...
Is fine.
Because Robin never intended to run in the first place.
There are still many matters pending in
B-14.
And when he thought about it, he slowly turned toward The Gate.
Right...
What happened to that old man?
And why isn't his shard responding?
"We must take everything that happened seriously." Blokan pressed his hands firmly. "Opening The Shell exposed us to a world we should never have dealt with. Fictional characters and powers, terms we knew nothing about. But what happened has happened, and now we must become a party in the conflict or be silently annihilated."
Then he looked directly at Robin.
"Your existence is our only hope of becoming a faction and posing a threat to the aggressors. Therefore, I ask you to take care of your health, to rise above personal wars and feuds, and to lead us, the Star Academies, in defending the right to life."
"Hmm?"
Robin turned to look at him.
This time, his smile was neither calm nor gentle.
Instead, it became sharp and questioning.
"Are you now telling me what I must do, and who I must fight?"
"...I am merely reminding Your Majesty that the battles are no longer personal," Blokan replied firmly. "Your existence has become far greater than leading planetary empires and expanding territories."
Then he cast a glance toward Caesar and the others before returning his gaze to Robin.
"What we must do is focus on the real threat. On what is coming."
"We?" Robin slowly shook his head. "You are just like Althera. You still don't understand... No one understands yet..."
"What do you mean, Lord Robin?" Blokan furrowed his brows slightly.
"He means mind your own business and receive your orders in silence like a good subordinate," Caesar spoke with an indignant expression. "Whether he fights, expands, makes enemies, or sits around playing... that is none of your concern."
"...?"
Blokan stared directly at Robin's face.
He did not even glance toward Caesar.
"And is it fitting for the Ruler of the Cosmic Academies and the Bearer of Hopes to behave in such a manner?!"
"..."
Robin laughed weakly.
Then he immediately changed the subject.
"I won't close The Gate, nor will I shrink its size. I'll leave the responsibility of providing the Law Dominators to protect it to the Cosmic Academies."
Then he tilted his head slightly.
"Can you do something like this?"