Chapter 2245

2245 - On the Verge

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“…I always thought she wanted to escape to commit atrocities in the world, so I tried to restrain her.” Morgana looked down. “But in truth, she was trying to kill me and commit suicide because she could no longer bear my spiritual domain?”

Tears began to well up in Morgana’s eyes.

She had literally tortured that consciousness in a hell that lasted hundreds of thousands of years, and she had nobly resisted its attempts to escape, believing she was preventing its evil from reaching the world!

“Yes. A consciousness of that power, possessing that much information about negative emotions and thoughts, and most importantly, having access to your memories. It’s only natural that it knew it couldn’t exist without a body or a Primordial Soul. It wanted to commit suicide.” Robin nodded, not taking Morgana’s expression into account.

“This is truly something unique, something that has never happened before. The birth of a star in such a place, and the movement of a dormant consciousness in this way, so anything that happens afterward will also be unique, something the universe has never seen… at least not to the knowledge of anyone still alive.” Then he furrowed his brow. “However, even though nothing should have surprised me after that point… I was surprised!”

He then turned to Morgana. "Your First Star's consciousness wasn't drawing its power from you during its ghostly phase. It knew that fighting for energy was futile because the Primordial Spirit was on your side, so it headed toward what it knew—toward its birthplace… toward the First Star."

"What do you mean… Your Majesty?" Morgana slowly opened her eyes.

Robin smiled. "Your first consciousness, in some way, draws its power directly from the First Star."

"…?" It wasn't just Morgana—everyone present opened their eyes wide.

"Is that even possible?!" Zara stepped forward. She had been preparing for her First Star for a while and had gathered as much information on the subject as possible.

The function of stars is to produce Purple Matter. That substance strengthens spirit units within its range by tens of times, and the more stars there are, the faster the conversion of units and the denser the Purple Matter within them.

Not because the stars themselves change.

But because they multiply.

The Royal Stars remain constant, emitting the same amount of Purple Matter without stopping until all absorbed units are converted, then they stop and only resume when needed.

No one controls them.

And no one knows the origin of that substance in the first place.

"Apparently, yes." Robin shrugged. "The Consciousness of the First Star used some method to draw energy directly from the Mother Star and was using it to attack Morgana. However, she was using the Strand of the Specters Shepherd and the Primordial Spirit to suppress it, so it was never able to display its true power."

Then he tilted his head toward Morgana. "Its true power, the one it showed against the Nascent Space Beasts, the power that made The Executioner think twice before attacking... an undeniably immense power, and one whose limits remain unknown as well." Then he smiled. "Tell me, O... Consort. You saw my battle against The Executioner. Do you think you could defeat me?"

*Swoosh*

Morgana's shadow materialized into another Morgana.

It was white and black, as if it had stepped out of a painted canvas.

That Morgana looked directly into Robin's eyes.

"I am not a thing, and stop talking about me in the masculine form. I can kick your ass whenever I want."

"Shame! Shame! Don't say those things!!" Morgana reached out her hand to cover her own mouth in panic, unable to imagine herself saying such things to Robin.

"Heh~" Robin laughed instead of getting angry. "I expected as much." He then continued gently, "How would you like me to address you then? Hmm, what do you think of 'The Companion'? It seems we'll have many dealings in the future."

"I don't want dealings with anyone." Morgana's Companion moved Morgana's hand away from her mouth. "I will continue to protect my body from death, that's all. Don't think you can use my power for anything in your favor. Even if you charm this foolish girl and make her your wife, that means nothing to me!"

"....!!!" Morgana's cheeks flushed even redder.

"And who said anything about making you fight my battles? It's just curiosity, nothing more. Please continue to protect Miss Morgana—or rather, protect yourself—that's all I want." Robin nodded with a smile.

In truth, he was using every ounce of his charisma, wit, and experience to keep himself composed in that moment, so that no hesitation or fear would show on his face...

He still remembered the Companion's expression as she stared provocatively at The Executioner, as if daring her to make a move if she had the nerve.

And that was after the long battle he had witnessed between The Executioner and Robin!

What level of power had she reached?

He didn't know.

And he didn't want to test it himself.

Fortunately, he had already purified her...

"Hmph." The Companion looked Robin up and down. When she saw his unwavering steadiness, she nodded and melted back into Morgana's shadow. "I won't thank you for the Torment of Purification, but I won't kill you for it either... Rejoice."

"Sorry about that!" Morgana quickly bowed. "I'll make sure to teach her manners soon!"

"I don't think that's a good idea..." Robin nearly cried. That thing was terrifying—how could no one else see it?!

But he continued with a smile, "Perhaps you two could become better friends. She has suffered greatly for many years because she was born within your Spiritual Domain. If I were you, I would compensate her for those years."

"Oh..." Morgana nodded in understanding.

"You may go back to what you were doing, Morgana. I'll think of something to break your Eighth Star Knot. A girl with your talent shouldn't remain trapped at the eighth star just because she had a difficult childhood." Robin nodded.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Morgana bowed with a very wide smile, then headed toward the Passage Gate after saying goodbye to Zara.

"..." Robin kept his smile until Morgana had completely left, then sighed in relief.

Thanking the heavens that she hadn't seen his sweat-soaked clothes.