Chapter 2316

2316 - Intimidating the Savage

Middle Sector 105—Beast Galaxy

In the middle of an endless, seamless forest, beneath colossal trees that stood like pillars holding up the sky, atop thick green grass that seemed to conceal an entire world of life within its blades, and beside lakes that appeared as vast as entire oceans—oceans teeming with wild lifeforms found nowhere else in the universe...

Zavarus stood.

In the middle of the Beast Garden, in the relaxation area where he spent most of his time, he stood with his body tense, hands clasped behind his back, his purple robe neatly arranged, and his expression serious.

It was clear he was waiting for something.

After several minutes, he finally sensed something. The Gate near his council chamber activated, and several people emerged from it. Since they were still a bit far away and hidden behind the trees, he couldn't see the arrivals... yet he let out a long, tense sigh, "Hooo~"

Whoosh

Those people flew a short distance, then all stopped respectfully in mid-air, except for one. That person landed on the ground with force.

Bam

Step by step

That person smiled casually, "That was exhausting, Zavarus. Why didn't you wait for me in the Throne Hall or even in a guest area? Or have you become completely barbaric and forgotten how to behave like a ruler?"

He was a young man with long, braided pink hair, wearing loose clothing that fully exposed his stomach and its muscles, which appeared as if forged from metal. Even if one overlooked his sharp handsomeness and the aura that spoke of nothing but killing, it was impossible to ignore the three swords hanging at his waist.

"Your Excellency, Marlik the Butcher, it is an honor." Zavarus gave a deep nod, then gestured for him to sit on his personal couch. "I felt that receiving you anywhere other than my favorite spot would be an insult."

"Hmm, if that was your intention, then I won't hold it against you." Marlik leaped onto the couch and carelessly tossed the three swords beside him, then closed his eyes, lifted his face toward the sky, and smiled broadly. "...There are more living things here than even during my last visit. I didn't think that was possible."

"It's a small hobby." Zavarus pulled a side chair for himself and sat on it formally. "Those who live to our age must find something to occupy themselves, or madness will be their only fate."

"And you found that living among animal waste is the best way to pass the time?" Marlik chuckled.

"The waste that comes from the mouths of animals is better than that which comes from the mouths of humans." Zavarus waved his hand.

"Wise one!" Marlik slapped his thigh and looked toward Zavarus. "Why didn't you hear the orders and carry them out? Do you also find what comes out of my mouth to be garbage?"

"How would I dare, Your Excellency?" Zavarus displayed a strange smile. "I have undoubtedly received the Syndicate's advice: to attack the Shadow Swords as a subversive organization, to resume the siege of Middle Sector 101 with Darvion once more, and even to ignore what Helmor is doing and leave Middle Sector 106 to him. But unfortunately, this does not align with my policy."

"Advice?" Marlik showed a meaningful smile.

"..." Zavarus stared directly into his eyes. "My relationship with the Syndicate is not one of master and subordinate, Your Excellency. You possess superior wisdom and give me advice from time to time, and I, with my small mind, carry out what I find suitable."

Marlik's expression turned serious. "That's a polite way of saying: go fuck yourselves!"

"Lord Marlik, let's not escalate things." Zavarus raised one hand. "I have no business attacking Lord Robin at the moment. There is no enmity between us worth attacking him over, especially since the backlash could greatly harm my interests. I found no reasons to compel me to follow the advice, so I avoided it. That is all."

"What could a Martial Emperor possibly do to harm your interests?!" Marlik raised his voice slightly. "Don't be as stiff-necked as Kiryān. Perhaps you've heard what's happening to him now!"

"...I've heard," Zavarus forced a smile. "I've also heard that the Syndicate is supporting Helmor with money, weapons, information, and means of transportation to quickly take control of Sectors 106 through 114. Then your assistance appeared again during the invasion of Sector 115 itself, the sector of the Oppression Behemoth... That's a frightening bias compared to your usual policies."

"Times change." Marlik waved his hand. "The front that the Cosmic Elder is preparing for has become clear and has an impact on the ground. He is no longer an absent heroic figure; he is now trying to infiltrate the depths of the ruling layers through Robin Burton. We can no longer follow a policy of neutrality and distant benefits. There must be a reaction, and a strong one at that!"

"And the reaction you mean, Your Excellency, is to force the Behemoths to attack the Cosmic Elder's front, or to use Helmor to humiliate them and swallow their sectors?" Zavarus tried to force a smile. "Don't you see, Your Excellency, that you are pushing everyone who refuses to join the Syndicate's front into joining the Cosmic Elder's front?"
"Are you threatening me that you'll join the old man?" Marlik laughed.

"How would I dare?" Zavarus shook his head calmly. "I'm just wondering what you're thinking, dividing the universe like this... What if the Cosmic Elder's front decides to respond in the same way? By supporting the Behemoths who refuse to listen to you, and by killing those who join you?"

"Haha, that sounds like a truly naive question." Marlik laughed anyway, then showed murderous intent. "Let him try. His useless Young front hasn't reached enough strength to do anything. They don't have enough fleets or armies, they have no experts, no Behemoths, no one... There's only Arkail and Kaylis—one is still neutral, and the other is useless. So who could make any difference?"

"..." Zavarus looked down in restraint. "I'm just trying to—"

Zavarus stopped mid-sentence and furrowed his brow for a moment, then smiled at Marlik. "There's someone we know who appeared at the Great Space Gate of Sector 105 Medium. I think he'll join us for the rest of the discussion."