2315 - The Corner
Middle Sector 250—
In a vast, spacious hall with a ceiling full of lifelike statues and walls adorned with majestic paintings, there stood a high platform shaped like a half-arc, open toward the hall's entrance.
At the center of that platform sat a person, chin resting on their palms. To their left and right were twelve identical seats, but only three of the twelve were occupied.
All of them were staring at one thing… at a scene emerging from a light disk operating in the middle of the hall—an epic scene… a terrifying scene.
It was the scene of the siege and killing of the Seventh Son of Zargul, the Seven-Star Royal Spirit Master!
After several minutes of silent viewing, the scene ended. Whoever had been filming had fled the moment the Seventh Son was killed, never looking back.
In front of the platform, a person stood in a bowing posture. That person spoke quickly as soon as the scene ended: "I didn't say anything or explain a word about the identity of those things, but I believe the picture is clear. The entire universe will recognize them once they are guided to notice the right details."
"...That was undoubtedly a Crimson Plague," one of those seated on the platform spoke.
"Hoo~" The bent figure let out a relieved sigh, then straightened up and stood with a confident smile... It was done.
He, as one of the second-tier children of Zargul, had worked hard to secure a meeting with the Lord of Thrones and several of his disciples, but he knew the mission would end in success the moment they caught a glimpse of the recording. After all, who knows the plague better than the Council of Stellar Academies?!
"The One with Braids is undoubtedly a Plague Queen with Law Dominator power," another disciple spoke, "and that giant in the back doesn't seem any less powerful."
"Did you say this battle took place near an artificial galaxy belonging to Lord Human?" a third furrowed his brows, "This is a new Abyss of Doom Focal Point!"
"Tsk, tsk, look around them, about a hundred Demons ranging from Nexus State to World Calamity," the first spoke with disgust, "and those armors, and their calm stance... If not for the Blood Techniques, I wouldn't have recognized them."
"That's not all!" the Son of Zargul interjected, then brought out several other discs, "We have the rest of the battle recorded. They speak audibly, they listen and understand, they give options and psychologically manipulate their victims. There was no noticeable evidence revealing their identity except, as Your Excellency said, the fighting style!"
"Hmm?" One of the disciples furrowed his brows tightly, then turned to the center of the crescent, "What do you think of this, Lord of Thrones?"
"..." Qarun began tapping his left hand gently on the table before him.
His intense handsomeness and piercing, confident gaze made one of Zargul's sons nervous, causing him to look down.
No one had ever seen Qarun fight, but that person possessed a strange aura that dispelled the thought before it could even form in people's minds.
After a few more seconds, Qarun gestured calmly toward the young man, "You may leave now, and take this Disk with you. Tell your father he can do whatever he wishes with it... The Council of Thrones has no involvement in this."
"...?!" The three disciples quickly furrowed their brows, but they did not utter a single word.
"What—?!" This was the last thing the young man expected to hear, "I don't understand. Will the Council of Thrones abandon the universe when you see a new Crimson Plague focal point of this magnitude? Moreover, against Robin Burton, who is building a chain of academies specifically to combat the plague? Isn't this your chance to question the credibility of Robin Burton and the Cosmic Elder, and strike the entire project at its heart?"
Then he turned to the disciples, "Isn't there a problem between the Cosmic Academies and the Stellar Academies? Everyone knows about it. This is the best opportunity and the best tool to achieve victory and tarnish the reputation of Robin Burton and those who follow him!"
"..." One of the disciples finally averted his gaze from Qarun and turned to the young man with a bored look. "The Lord of Thrones told you to leave. Leave."
"But—!!"
Before the young man could utter another word, he vanished from the hall without resistance.
As for that disciple, he returned to look into Qarun's eyes. "Why?"
Tap. Tap.
"Robin Burton... He played it beautifully." Qarun spoke with a smile. "A few years ago, the Shadow Swords spread news across the entire universe that Lord Human had begun preparing a method to specifically communicate with the Crimson Plague and make them cease their hostility toward humans. That information spread voraciously within the Spirit Society as well."
Then he continued, "...Since that information emerged, no one has laughed or accused Robin of betrayal. Everyone raises their hands to the sky and prays that the news is true, and all conversations revolve around when he will be able to complete the technique... Note that it's not *if* he can, but *when*."
With a smile, "His long track record and numerous surprises gave him a terrifying level of trust when it came to innovation, and his friendship with the Cosmic Elder gave him credibility when it came to dealing with the Anti-Life Beings. After all, the Cosmic Elder once saved the universe... And come to think of it, Robin was also the one who spread the tales of the Cosmic Elder's heroics, hmm."
"When did the spreading happen?" One disciple looked at his Qarin, "About five years ago?" Then he turned toward Qarun, "Is it possible that within five years he managed to subjugate two beings with Law Dominator Power and dozens at the Nexus State and World Calamities level? It's clear he's been feeding them for centuries without pause!"
Qarun pointed at him, "The announcement said he would find a way to communicate with them, not a way to raise them. Perhaps he found a ready-made nest and convinced them to follow him."
Another disciple interjected, "There are only a few Nests of this size in the entire universe. We and the major powers know each one of them and keep them besieged. How did he get one from underground?!"
Qarun gestured toward him with a smile as well. "Prove that he hasn't actually found a new one that we know nothing about. The universe is vast, after all." Then he leaned back, "Unfortunately, on this particular point, he won the moment he made his preemptive announcement. It's become a case of word against word. We have no proof. Even if we did, most people would still believe him."
He continued, "Why? Because he is the successor and friend of the Cosmic Elder. If he were to become an ally of the Crimson Plague, who would protect them? Their weak nature will make them cling to the faintest hope that he has truly created a technique and will protect them... And I will not enter a conflict against human nature. I would come out disgraced, called a jealous liar and an enemy of humanity's progress. That is unacceptable."
"..." The three disciples exchanged glances.
Then one of them turned to Qarun, "Then why didn't you stop him from releasing the recording? Zargul will certainly publish it if you don't give him a direct order."
"That is what I hope for." Qarun nodded. "Even if most people believe Robin, some will doubt him. Even if most cling to hope, doubt will creep into their hearts... Let Zargul bear the attacks against him, and let us watch from the sidelines, seeing people's confidence waver in their steadfast corner."