2283 - Master Law
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“…I want you to be my personal guard.”
“…Me?” Althera pointed at herself with difficulty. “A personal guard… for you?”
“Mm-hmm.” Robin nodded. “Holak will probably be angry, but I can’t think of another suitable position for you. You’re like him—only good at close combat—and I can’t just toss you far away to be a spearhead somewhere like Renara or Hedrick. Your nature as a candidate means you’ll need to be transferred to a Master Law and spend a long time studying and advancing in it before you have any kind of power, and after that, it would be a waste to send you off to fight some scum. The best place for you is by my side, and the best role by my side is guard or servant… and I think guard suits you much better.”
“….” Althera stared at Robin, feeling as if her heart had dropped to near her heels.
He was thinking with simple, straightforward logic.
One plus one equals two.
But she wasn’t calculating things the same way.
Just a few centuries ago, Robin had worked under her administration as an instructor within the academy.
He held his meetings there.
Conducted his research there.
Used the academy as a sanctuary where he could feel some semblance of safety from his enemies and pursuers.
But now…
He wanted her as his personal guard?
How had the situation turned around like this?!
How had all those years passed by so quickly?
And how had that strange teacher, who stirred up trouble wherever he went, transformed into someone who could grant Master Laws as if they were ordinary gifts?
"…" Robin tilted his head slightly, waiting for an answer, unable to comprehend the complex look in her eyes.
Glacion noticed Althera's lost expression, stepped forward, and crouched beside her to be close to her ear.
"If the Cosmic Elder asked you to be his Guard, and without giving you a Master Law, would you have hesitated too?"
"N-no, but!!" Althera pointed toward Robin, but found nothing to say.
"I don't know what happened before I came, but I heard he fought an Ancestor Space Beast and drove it away. His status and the Cosmic Elder's are not as far apart as you imagine." Glacion raised his hand to calm her and give himself a chance to finish his words. "This is your opportunity. An opportunity that will never come again. Even if you refuse and walk your own path, in the end, you'll stand behind him and behind the Cosmic Elder. I know you, Lady Althera—you'll always stand with the side that defends life."
Then he winked at her.
"As long as you're going to stand behind them and listen to them anyway... why not just take a Master Law?"
"..."
When Glacion noticed Althera's continued silence, he continued in a more serious tone.
"Lady Althera, I still mention the Cosmic Elder in the same breath as Lord Robin out of respect for his contributions and to simplify the picture for you, but let me tell you this... the Cosmic Elder could not and never will be able to develop bodies and distribute Master Laws."
Then he pointed toward Robin.
"But that man can."
Then he leaned back, resting his hands on his knees.
"That man took the place of the entity that terrorized and confounded the universe for ninety-eight million years with complete nonchalance, without even knowing exactly what he did... and he did it at just a thousand years old!"
Then he continued.
"Honestly, Lady Althera, if you refuse, it serves my interest. We don't know how many candidates Lord Robin can nurture and grant the Golden Honor. If you refuse, I will do my utmost to earn that honor, even if it means taking the place of a servant instead of a personal guard... but out of respect for your efforts that I have witnessed over a long time, I am only trying to show you the full picture, and then you can choose for yourself."
Then he left her and stood up again, letting out a long sigh.
"Servant, huh?" Robin showed a half-smile.
"Hehe~" Glacion laughed sheepishly. "I'm not one for arguments, leadership, or politics. Give me the Law of Creation, and I'll prepare you the finest tea set the universe has ever known."
"Hahaha!" Robin laughed out loud.
Only someone with skin as thick as the wall of an Imperial Capital would ask for a Master Law just to prepare beverages!
"...I accept."
Robin's laughter was cut short by a serious female voice.
Althera raised her head and looked directly into Robin's eyes.
"I will be your personal Guard."
Then her eyes filled with tears.
"But I will not tolerate any insult... Lord Robin."
"I won't give you a Master Law today only to humiliate you tomorrow." Robin waved his hand. "Stand up."
Then he placed his hand behind his back again, smiling.
"Which Master Law do you want?"
"...."
Glacion's heart pounded.
How many people in all of history could say those words in that order and with such simplicity?!
As for Robin, he continued, raising five fingers.
"Spacetime, Causality, Creation, Balance, and Primordial Chaos."
Then he lowered his hand.
"Any one except Truth I can give you right now. Master Laws don't have pre-existing affinity like Heavenly Laws do; you can choose whichever you feel is closest to your heart."
Glacion raised his hand to get attention.
"In my opinion, Causality would be excellent for Lady Althera. As someone accustomed to the Fundamental Repetition Law, Causality would be a perfect upgrade and would maintain almost the same fighting style."
"Spacetime is also good." Robin nodded. "The time element will greatly benefit her in matters of repetition."
Then he stared into Althera's eyes.
"Hah, what do you think?"
"..." Althera stood up, brushed her clothes with her hand, then raised her head and answered with complete seriousness.
"I want Balance."
"....." Robin stared into Althera's eyes. "Repeating events from the historical laws of Balance, and you'll be able to find excellent ways to use it that way, and the law will grant you immense power with every sacrifice... but..."
In truth, Balance was the first law Robin wanted to recommend to her.
But he backed off due to its side effects.
"I'll take Balance." Althera replied.
Then she looked down.
"...When you were talking with the Cosmic Elder about the matter of disciples, and he wanted to take Jabba as a disciple, I was tearing myself apart inside with envy, but I knew how impossible that was for me... Now the opportunity is before me, and I won't turn to another law even if it's more suitable."
Robin smiled, then stepped toward Althera.
"We will find ways together to avoid physical sacrifices."
Then he raised his hand and placed it on her forehead.
"Now... clear your mind."
Oooooommmm
A golden light emerged from Althera's mouth and eyes, filling the entire mountain for nearly an hour.
Only then did Robin slowly withdraw his hand.
Then
Thump
He caught Althera before she fell to the ground.
It was clear she had completely lost consciousness.
He nodded toward Glacion.
"Help me sit her up on the bed in the remaining Glass House. I have injected the First Level of Balance directly into her spiritual domain, accompanied by all its engravings and all its fundamental interpretations. She will need a long time to digest all of this."
"Understood." Glacion did not delay.
He carried Althera in his arms, looking at her with obvious envy he didn't even try to hide.
After a few minutes, Glacion returned with a big smile on his face.
"Your bed is no longer yours now. If I had the Law of Creation, I would have built you a new one."
"Hehe, I won't need it anyway." Robin looked in a certain direction. "I've spent too much time in seclusion."
Then he clenched his fist, as if confirming the power he possessed.
After that, he smiled.
"It's time for my feet to take a little stroll."