2330 - Logic
“…Even the Syndicate didn’t ask us for an oath!”
Glacion also stood and took a step closer to Zavarus. “Your Excellency, there’s just one small thing you need to—”
“Shh.” Robin waved for Glacion to be silent, then looked seriously into Zavarus’s eyes. “Are you comparing me to the Syndicate now? Do you see my request as diminishing your respect? Well, let’s see what the Syndicate has been doing for millions of years to make the comparison fair. Did the Syndicate respect you while draining your money and information, and roaming through your vaults? Did the Syndicate respect you while they killed the universe’s geniuses like Arkalon to ensure we never advanced? Did the Syndicate respect you while they fed and spread the Plague to drain the universe’s resources of wealth, men, and equipment, in collaboration with the cheap Council of Thrones?!”
“Brother Zavarus didn’t mean to compare.” Kiryān interjected. “Everyone knows the Syndicate’s past. He’s only talking about the system of joining both sides. They don’t ask for an oath, while you do, and this…”
"And this diminishes you?" Robin waved dismissively. "The Syndicate didn't demand an oath from you because they don't need one. They intend to use you as trained dogs to attack me, to test the pulse and weaken my allies. If you don't comply, you'll be destroyed—and that's already happening in the Oppression Galaxy while you waste your time here."
Then he swept his eyes over Kiryān. "In circumstances like these, why would they demand an oath? Both of you are doomed to destruction. Whether you attack me or refuse, in all cases you will perish. In their eyes, you are dead, dead~ As for the Syndicate's true followers, they certainly take a soul oath, and if they don't take a soul oath, Sevar has arranged something for them."
Then he pointed to himself. "I am giving you the opportunity to be true followers, an integral part of my retinue. Whoever touches you touches me, and whoever tries to kill you will have to go through all my power first… And this has become an insult?" Then he waved. "No need for an oath then. I will send each of you support in money, weapons, and equipment worth 100 billion Pearl, unconditional support, and I wish you good luck!"
After that sentence, Robin returned his focus to the sword.
The sword was already in his hand, settled to the point where it no longer tried to escape, but it still pulsed with a yellow glow, emitting heat and aura, as if threatening Robin… At this moment, Robin was compressing a quantity of Soul Energy within himself, examining it thoroughly, trying to understand its secrets.
The sword’s reaction and its aura made Robin smile… Robin could sense the sword’s embarrassment and its feeling of humiliation at what was happening to it!
“….!!” But that smile from Robin made the hearts of Kiryān and Zavarus stop.
They thought he was gloating over them, already envisioning a future where the two of them would be destroyed and dead.
“Allow me to intervene.” Glacion finally found a chance to speak. “Lord Robin’s words are not beyond Logic. Let us not forget that Lord Robin’s goals and those of The Syndicate are completely different.”
“Different in what way?” Zavarus gritted his teeth. “They are two opposing factions!”
“Incorrect.” Glacion shook his head. “The Syndicate and its followers have existed for a long time, destroying the universe and humiliating its greats. Even today, they support Helmor the Destroyer against you as a message to all other Behemoths to submit. They are advancing toward true domination, toward an era more oppressive than the era of the Ruler of Chaos.”
He continued, "While Lord Robin is the weaker side. He himself is as powerful as the Archon in my opinion, but his followers are inferior in both quality and number. Therefore, he must first gather a strong inner circle—a team he can trust and that trusts each other. With this team as a core, he can truly stand and defend, even if it's just a reasonable expanse of space, and withstand the tyranny of the Syndicate!"
He then added, "How can a small team of top-tier elites like yourselves be compared in any way to the criminals of the Syndicate? That would be a true insult to you if you were to receive the same treatment. You are above that; you deserve different treatment and a high status, where you are included in plans and information, not left on the sidelines to be treated like replaceable mercenaries!"
"……?"
"And there is absolutely no need to worry, my lords!" Glacion pointed to himself quickly. "Lord Robin has entrusted me with the task of drafting the details of the Oath. I will write something specifically for you as elite decision-makers—a light oath that does not diminish your respect, and one your tongues can easily utter. And as Lord Robin said, we can discuss its details. I see that he has clearly left you plenty of slack, which shows his great esteem for you and the high status you will hold after taking the Oath!"
“…” Kiryān looked down slightly, then raised his gaze back to meet Glacion’s eyes. “…I’ve heard of you before—of your skill at staying neutral and your way of dodging responsibility without angering anyone. I never expected you’d one day use those skills for someone else. What exactly happened?”
“….I saw things,” Glacion replied calmly and seriously. “Things that rearranged my understanding of everything I know.” He paused for a moment. “Things that taught me that neutrality these days is foolishness, silence is a crime, and turning a blind eye would be a sin against myself that I’d regret.”
“…” Kiryān turned to Zavarus with a meaningful look, and when he saw Zavarus’s equally calm expression, he nodded toward him, then turned his gaze back to Robin. “…I’ll take the Oath if it’s reasonable. I’ll join your faction and await your support. Let’s hope Renara won’t be too late.”
“A wise decision.” Robin nodded, his golden eyes never leaving the blade.
“…I’ll take the Oath too.” Zavarus sighed and looked at the ground. “But on one condition.”
“…?” Robin raised an eyebrow and turned to him. “This is interesting. Let me hear your condition.”
“Whatever it is that makes you so confident in Renara’s power, I want it for myself.” Zavarus struck his chest. “Whatever made her strong will make me stronger!”
“Hehe~” Robin laughed.
"What's so funny about that?" Zavarus took a step forward. "Do you find me inferior to Renara?"
"I'm laughing at your foolish priorities." Robin looked Zavarus up and down. "Wouldn't it be better to ask for healing?" Then he pointed in a certain direction, where an Emperor-class beast was staring at Robin and the others as if they were a meal. "Wouldn't it be better to ask to save your children from their inevitable fate?" Then he returned to examining the sword. "What a terrible father you are."