Chapter 2258

2258 – The Truth of the Situation

“…?!” Everyone in the hall fell into a terrifying silence, then their eyes slowly began to open as if they were watching the world collapse before them.

The only one with a different expression was Servon, who started laughing madly. “Khee-khee-khee-khee-khee~” The laughter continued for a few seconds, igniting the tension even further.

He looked back and forth between Omis and Omira, as if telling them: <See? I told you it was time to eat salt!>

But his laughter quickly subsided, and that was when he realized something…

Holak’s words left no room for reconciliation, no room for negotiation, and there was nothing left to negotiate. In any world, in any dream, would a Guardian kneel to someone like Holak?!

Those words were a declaration of war.

And if war was inevitable… didn’t that mean he was going to die now?

“….” Omis finally lifted his head slightly. “A pity. I thought Robin Burton had a shred of reason, but clearly he surpasses all his opponents in arrogance and foolishness.”

Then he began to advance again, the short spear in his hand, while his killing intent rose. “Let your head be the message of accepting the war, then!”

“Tsk, a fool who doesn’t know when to stop.” Holak replied with pride, then nodded toward Glacion. “Come on, protect me.”

"...?!" Glacion snapped out of his shock and shouted, "Wait, Omis, wait!!"

"What am I waiting for?!" the Guardian replied, still advancing. "To negotiate the proper way to kneel? Or to convince him that my head hasn't fully formed yet?!"

"Just wait!!" Glacion thrust his hand forward, then turned around. "Holak, did Lord Robin say exactly what you just said?"

".....?" Everyone turned to look at Holak in confusion—his answer would determine a great deal.

"...He said something to that effect." Holak shrugged.

"What do you mean, 'to that effect'? Did he say it or not?!" Glacion was nearly losing his mind.

He had been told his mission was to protect a negotiator, not to witness a declaration of war in the most insolent way possible!!

"He didn't say it directly... nor even implicitly, really... He just told me to come and negotiate." Holak scratched his head, then pointed at Omis. "But listen, you and your brother—since the Lord chose me, he meant every single one of those words!"

"Please, be quiet for a moment!" Glacion waved his hand forcefully, then turned forward with a smile, relieved to have found a way out. "As you can see, Lord Robin chose the wrong person, that's all."

"...." Omis finally stopped, but his expression didn't improve. "No, it's clear he chose exactly the right person."

"Lord Robin wants to say that he is ready for war, and he will not negotiate beyond what you have heard from Servon. That is all." Glacion spoke calmly. "Honestly, did you expect any other outcome?"

"And we are ready for war!" Omira waved from behind.

"No, no, you are not ready for anything." Glacion turned toward the second brother. "It is no secret to anyone about Lord Blokan's journeys that began two weeks ago, during which he visited three or four Guardians or Monarchs from the Behemoth Galaxies, and all of them agreed to become Masters in the Cosmic Academies that have been built over the past years, and the visits are still ongoing."

"Are you threatening us with the Cosmic Academies, Glacion?" Omira furrowed his brows tightly. "Shall I remind you of the Cosmic Elder's declaration about their founding? And that they will not participate in Lord Robin's personal battles? Was that nonsense back then?"

"Did I say anything that sounded like a threat?" Glacion pointed to himself, then continued. "I'm pointing something out. Lord Blokan has full funding from Lord Robin, the agenda he follows, the entity that supports him, and everything he derives comes from Lord Robin. Tell me... why and how was Lord Blokan able to convince all these people to join the Cosmic Academies without a single person refusing among those whose visits have been documented?"

Then he continued, shaking his head. "Those visits are tracked by monitoring the movement of the Great Space Gate, and they cannot be falsified, just like the fact of the public knowledge that Lord Darvion is currently in Middle Sector 98." Then he stared into Omis's eyes. "What does Lord Blokan possess that enables him to recruit all these people so quickly and without resistance?"

"....." Omis furrowed his brows tightly.

But Omira spoke: "Money." His hands were clenched.

No one knows the true power of Robin Burton, and no one knows how he became friends with the Cosmic Elder. They only know that he is extremely wealthy and well-hidden, and with that wealth, and with the protection of the Cosmic Elder, he can do whatever he wants and buy whoever he wants.

"It is not wealth alone." Glacion shook his head. "Everyone knows the bad blood between Lord Robin and the Syndicate, and what is happening around sectors 99 and 100 is clear to all. What is happening to the Shadow Swords, in particular, is the greatest proof—he is their enemy." Then he continued. "Even if you took the treasures of the world, why would you jump onto a sinking ship with a man marked for death... unless you have confidence in survival? Unless you know something we do not?"

"..." Omira furrowed his brows. "What do you mean, Glacion?"

"I mean that while you are here making a life-or-death decision, and while a wrong word or move could cast you into ruin," Glacion pointed into the distance, "Lord Robin over there is sending Lord Blokan with terrifying information and wealth to recruit more followers for an unknown reason. He sent you his personal guard at random, without a negotiation strategy, because he never even bothered to give him one."

Then he raised his voice slightly. "While I am trying to save your lives, and while you hesitate to choose the side of Lord Robin and the Cosmic Elder or the side of the Syndicate and the Archon, Lord Robin has most likely forgotten that he sent his personal guard to negotiate with you, and has begun planning matters that touch upon the affairs of the cosmos itself!!"