2317 - The Owner of the Place
A few minutes later—
Zavarus stood once again in the middle of his council chamber, this time with one hand behind his back and the other extended to his side, his posture relaxed and a wide smile on his face.
When he sensed the Gate activating and someone approaching, Zavarus opened both his arms, "Welcome, my dear brother, haha."
From above, a figure descended quietly, his aura blazing with rage and oppression, yet his face bore calm, almost frozen expressions.
He wore a black robe with a wide gray belt at the center, a massive war spear strapped to his back, and his long black hair, tied in a ponytail, fluttered above him.
"Brother Zavarus." The young man nodded calmly, then landed, took two steps forward, and firmly shook Zavarus's hand, "It has been a long time."
"What do you mean, a long time? This is your first visit to my humble garden—it's a day for the history books, haha." Zavarus gestured toward one of the side seats, "Please, brother Kiryān, have a seat."
"…" Kiryān, the Oppression Behemoth, cast a quick, calm glance at Marlik, who was lounging comfortably on the main sofa, then went to sit where Zavarus had indicated.
"You don't seem surprised to see me here, Kiryān." Marlik flashed a wide smile, "If I were in your place, I would undoubtedly be terrified."
"I was informed of your arrival by my delegate from the Savage's galaxy the moment you reached the Great Space Gate."
Kiryān sat with dignity. "But I chose to come anyway." Then he stared coldly into Marlik's eyes. "We need to talk."
"Talk." Marlik waved, then shot a sideways glance at Zavarus. "Warning him, are you?"
"It's a guest's right to know the other guests—it's courtesy, not a warning at all." Zavarus waved both hands with a feigned smile.
"Lord Marlik." Kiryān raised his voice slightly to draw attention. "May I understand why you helped Helmor in what he did against me? To my knowledge, I pay you taxes, grant you access to my land, and provide you with intelligence reports and inventories of my empire's vaults, as all other Behemoths do continuously. Why did you take Helmor's side against me? I haven't even been informed of the reason yet."
The fingers on Kiryān's face began to writhe as he spoke those humiliating words aloud.
"You came just in time. I was speaking with Zavarus about the reason." Marlik gestured beside him. "Go on, explain to your associate."
"..." Zavarus tried to maintain his smile as he looked at Kiryān. "He says the reason is your failure to carry out orders to attack the Shadow Swords."
"This is illogical!" Kiryān turned to Marlik with furrowed brows. "What do we have to do with the Shadow Swords? And since when do we take orders from the Syndicate?" Then his tone sharpened, "Isn't it enough that you bully us, collecting tributes, resources, and information unjustly, just because you're backed by the Archon? Now we have to carry out your orders too?!"
"Haha." Marlik slapped his cheek and looked toward Zavarus. "See this? This is precisely why Kiryān was chosen to be the first to fall, and you were deferred to be the second."
"...Thank you?" Zavarus felt even more insulted.
As for Marlik, he turned back to Kiryān with a stony face. "Yes, you must carry out the orders. What's the problem with that? The Archon has the power, influence, and followers to do as he pleases, yet we rarely interfere in your affairs. So when we give you orders, or advice, or whatever label makes you feel better, you must execute them without argument!"
"This is unjust and illogical!" Kiryān stood with a wave of his hand. "Just because we don't want trouble with someone we don't even know, we've become the guild's target? Have you become so small-minded and narrow-hearted? I've tolerated your envoys' rudeness and your representatives' discourtesy all these years because I still hold the Archon Sevar in regard as one of the Pillars and Protectors of the Universe. But if it's come to the point of giving us ridiculous orders or else destruction, then to hell with that regard!"
"Haha, bold." Marlik slapped the scabbard of his nearest sword. "Come, let's test the strength backing those big words?!"
"Hold on!" Zavarus stood quickly. "Haha, here in the Beast Garden, people come to entertain themselves and drink something hot, not to fight, alright?!" Zavarus gestured for Kiryān to sit. "Everything has a solution. Sit down, my dear, you've only just arrived."
"……" Kiryān's expression twisted, but he slowly sat down.
Regardless of the Archon, who hadn't moved personally in countless years, Marlik was present, and everyone knew his power.
This old man uses the Seventh Level of a technique derived from the Law of Causality, the Law of Causes Accumulation. With this law and his terrifying swordsmanship, he has bullied Behemoths before, killing some and humiliating others. No one has ever managed to make him break a sweat, and no one has escaped the inevitable outcome.
"Hmph." Marlik let go of the scabbard. "You come here and act like a big shot in front of me, yet you fled your galaxy through a Space Gate just to avoid facing Helmor. You even left your army and disciples behind. What a brave man you are!"
Crack. Kiryān pressed his fingers with immense force, "..." Then he turned to Marlik. "I have seen what his children do, and since you are cooperating with them, you know what they are like. There is something strange behind them, and there is something strange behind you too!"
"Shh, be polite, my dear." Marlik gestured for him to be silent, then turned back to face Zavarus. "Listen, the fugitive here has a point about something. You won't be able to stand against Helmor and his children of the Second and Third Ranks if they decide to attack you. The atmosphere of hostility and enmity we have fostered will not help you in a real confrontation."
"...?!" Zavarus clenched his fangs so hard that even his eyelids began to tremble from sheer rage.
Marlik's words were full of hidden meanings and threats. Any word spoken out of place, and Marlik would stand up and leave.
Was he afraid of Helmor? Perhaps not. But if he angered the Syndicate, he would have no place in the universe anymore!
Zavarus cast a glance at Kiryān, who was burning with rage beside him, as if begging him to say something and relieve him of the responsibility of responding... but he realized that was impossible. Kiryān's eyes were shaking wildly as he looked at Marlik—the eyes of someone weighing whether death was worth striking Marlik even once right now.
The situation was bad for both of them. Marlik had come to fish in troubled waters; now he had to try to extract himself from this disaster without insulting or angering him in any way. He had to buy himself some time until—
*Huum*
At that moment, a rectangular golden Gate opened beside the council, and Robin stepped out, hands behind his back, speaking, "Tsk~ First Arkail, and now this woman. Everywhere I go, someone comes out to ruin my mood..."
"Hmm." Robin stood beside the council, facing several people staring at him in shock. He pointed at the person sitting on the central sofa, "You, get up from your seat and sit over there."