2247 - The Negotiator
The Sorcerer Zargul, the Cursed Darvion, the Empire of the Lame Thing, and the Continuous Fart…
All those things now seemed so small.
“…?” Caesar was puzzled by Robin's question and expressions when Mid Sector 101 was mentioned.
He turned completely toward him.
"Hey, I know that look. Don't make any rash decisions you'll regret."
"Calm down." Robin chuckled. "I was just thinking that their affairs have dragged on too long, that's all."
"They are millennial empires that have survived and expanded for millions of years, or Behemoths with the souls of galaxies behind them. Show them some respect, if you please. The Seven Thrones Empire alone has caused me endless suffering and still refuses to go to Hell. Those entities don't just disappear because you find them annoying."
"Perhaps…" Robin kept his gaze fixed on Haros's eyes. "But the problem of the Endless Chaos Empire will disappear because I willed it. It must disappear for the sake of Planet Donara."
"Give me your orders." Haros replied swiftly to that declaration.
Strategically, attacking the Millennium Eternal Chaos Empire under the current circumstances was suicide, but as the saying goes: tie the horse where its owner wants it.
"If His Majesty wanted to devote all his forces and efforts to that war, he would do everything in his power to make it succeed… at least he would try."
"I just want you to prepare." Robin showed a small smile. "Contact all your wings and stop unnecessary invasions. Gather every soldier and every vehicle you can, and begin a terrifying military display in the near future, but do not advance."
"Understood." Haros nodded firmly.
"Theo." Robin turned to his side. "Speak to the Emperor of Vast Ice. He has become one of our wings, correct? Tell him he will accompany someone into the Endless Chaos Empire. He will only accompany them and ensure their extraction and protection if the situation escalates. He won't need to say anything or strike anything."
"That won't be easy…" Theo stared into his father's eyes. "The oath that Lord Glacion took does not obligate him to carry out orders like this."
Of course, oaths differ from person to person.
The oath of a defeated person is not like the oath of a volunteer.
And the oath of the strong is not like the oath of the weak.
As for Glacion's oath, the Guardian who joined without war, it was extremely loose and very limited.
"And who said anything about giving him orders?" Robin shook his head. "Give him some money to buy whatever he wants—a few fleets or some nice toys for his children... A billion Pearl will be enough for this mission."
"......" Robin's grandchildren exchanged wary glances.
They had just received the same amount as a welcome gift... each one of them!
"Understood, I'll handle things with him." Theo nodded. "Who will go with him?"
Then he looked around.
"Servon is the best negotiator we have, but if you want to send someone better, who would it be? Kristan? The Committee of Elders? Haros himself?"
"Tsk, tsk~" Robin shook his head. "What has negotiation ever achieved but more negotiation? We have a man locked up there. This time, I want someone to deliver my final word—with a small threat and a calm declaration of what will happen if the stalemate continues."
Then he looked in the other direction.
"You will go. Begin your preparations."
"....?" Theo furrowed his brows heavily at this choice.
As for Caesar, he uncrossed his arms from his chest, his expression souring as he turned back to look at his father in utter bewilderment.
"You really mean no good!"
"Haha, why? I think it's a good choice." Robin chuckled, then looked in that direction again. "Isn't that right, Holak?"
"Good choice, Boss. I'll even negotiate his underwear off if you want!" Holak thumped his chest hard.
As for the five leaders of the Imperial Guard, they didn't share the same confidence. Instead, they all shot strange glances at Holak.
Him of all people would negotiate... for peace?!
"Father..." Zara looked extremely worried.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Robin smiled gently, then turned his gaze back to Holak. "Take a cross-planet instant teleportation array with you. When the negotiations take a bad turn and they try to keep you there, use it to escape to the nearest planet. Theo will give you the array and secure the nearby planet, and Glacion will be enough to buy you a few seconds to escape."
".....?!" Everyone turned back to Robin with puzzled looks and furrowed brows.
Did he just say
*when*
it fails, not
*if*
?
"Perfect." Holak nodded. "I'll smash a wall or two before that."
"Smash three." Robin chuckled.
Then he turned to Haros.
"When you receive Holak's message of failure, use the forces you've gathered to protect our assets. If you need any ancient or modern array, tell the Shadow Swords to bring it to you."
"Defense only, Your Majesty? Not for offense?" Haros wondered.
"Indeed." Robin turned his gaze back toward Holak. "There's no time for a thousand-year planetary war spanning decades or centuries. The Imperial Guard and the men of the Burton Family will handle the assault this time." Then he continued, looking toward The Gate. "From what I see, half of the Guard's numbers are currently necessary thanks to Althera's help, and until the breakthrough is complete, the other half can go play elsewhere."
"Haha, no problem for me!" Holak raised his voice with a laugh.
This would be a very short negotiation.
He himself would make sure of that!
After that enthusiastic declaration, Robin nodded, then returned to silently watching The Gate with a faint smile.
Holak, the Guard commanders, Haros, Theo, and Caesar then began consulting among themselves on how to execute the orders with the fewest possible losses.
Then, within minutes, Holak and the Guard commanders left to reorganize the forces and split them into two halves in preparation for the worst-case scenarios. As for Haros, he knelt once more before leaving to arrange the military parade required of him.
Only after the atmosphere had calmed down again did Robin open his mouth:
"Zara."
"Here!" Zara approached with a gentle smile.
"How is the Fifth Generation of Ordinary Vehicles family project progressing?" Robin asked in a low but audible voice. "I understand the delay in the Sovereignty Note, as it still needs more... but the changes in the Fifth Generation of Ordinary Vehicles are not significant enough to take centuries to implement. Is it ready yet?"