2340 - The Title
Somewhere in Middle Sector 100—
*Whoosh*
A small golden gate opened, and Robin stepped out, his hands clasped behind his back.
*Rumble, rumble*
Above him, a violent storm raged with such force it seemed intent on devouring the planet. Rocks around him shifted from the sheer power of the wind, trees were uprooted and tossed about like chaff, yet Robin's clothes didn't even flutter.
"Hmm, the coordinates weren't very precise this time," Robin looked around calmly, spread his spiritual sense, and then began moving quietly in a certain direction. "Well, it's not too far either."
*Whoosh* Glacion emerged, and the gate closed behind him. "...?" After a quick glance around, Glacion hurried his steps to follow Robin. "Where are we now, Your Majesty? I thought we had returned to Donara so you could prepare the aid for Lord Zavarus and Lord Kiryān!"
"We are in Middle Sector 101. I have a pending destination here." Robin continued advancing calmly.
"Middle Sector 101!?" Glacion exclaimed in surprise. "Weren't we here just two hours ago?"
"Yes," Robin nodded. "I had intended to make this visit, but in the cave, I received news from the Shadow Swords that Marlik the Butcher had arrived at Middle Sector 105 and was received by Zavarus's followers. So I had to adjust my plan a bit... I went to Kaylis to waste some time—enough time for Marlik to reach the Savage Galaxy and bully him a little."
"You knew Lord Marlik was here?!" Glacion's eyes widened to their fullest.
"Yes." Robin nodded. "I was heading to Zavarus anyway and requested his coordinates, which is why the warning from the Shadow Swords about Marlik's presence came to me. But this delighted me and increased my motivation to go... for I wanted to deliver a message."
"..." Glacion was puzzled. "That message the Butcher Marlik was told to relay to the Archon?"
"Those words? No." Robin shook his head. "The message was the mark of my boot on his face."
"…?"
"In truth, when Aru told me that the Nihari Galaxy had been attacked and that we had won, I showed a smile, but I was sad, angry." Robin tilted his head slightly. "The galaxy is my home, my backyard. How dare a bunch of scoundrels attack me like this? Is it so easy to assault my galaxy without consequences? How could they even think of it?! Even if they were destroyed, it still affected my psyche greatly."
"..." Glacion nodded. "That's why you wanted to declare your strength, so they would focus on you and postpone any plans against the galaxy itself."
"Or at least send a respectable army next time!" Robin spoke with irritation. "They send me an army fleeing from a war in a neighboring sector? That's truly an insult!" Then he chuckled. "I want to see what they'll do after what happened today."
"..." Glacion nodded. "I can imagine that the threats will multiply, and the danger will increase."
"Let it increase." Robin waved his hand. "I've also become more dangerous, and I have stronger followers. Whoever escalates against me, I'll escalate against them, and may the most enduring win!"
"..." Glacion continued walking in silence for a few seconds. "Do you know what you need, Lord Robin?"
"What I need?" Robin smiled. "What is it that I need?"
"A title!" Glacion declared.
"...?" Robin paused and looked back with a raised eyebrow. "A title?"
"Yes," Glacion replied quickly. "The Cosmic Elder, the Archon, the Ruler of Chaos, the Butcher, the Savage, and the Conqueror!" Glacion listed the names one after another. "Each of them has a powerful title that represents them and intimidates their enemies. Their real names are rarely mentioned—only those of the same level or higher dare to speak the true name!"
Then he continued, "But you, my lord, don't have such a title." He shook his head. "I felt embarrassed saying 'Lord Robin' repeatedly today, then calling the others 'Lord Kiryān' and 'Lord Zavarus.' That put you all on the same standing."
"Haha, that's easy," Robin waved his hand and resumed walking. "Strip them of their titles."
"Impossible!" Glacion ran after Robin. "I'm still weaker and lower in rank than them!"
"Hmm, I suppose I do have titles..." Robin began to be slightly convinced.
"Lord Human?" Glacion shook his head. "That makes you seem humble and gentle, which is far from the reality I've witnessed."
"....." Robin chuckled. "I won't argue with you about that." Then he pointed two fingers back over his shoulder. "What about 'Chosen of War'? That sounds powerful..."
Robin had disliked that title the first time he heard it, not because it was untrue, but because of the reason it was given.
Every time he invented something, people used it in wars. Even if he released something healing or something that restored a woman's youth, it would immediately be dragged into warfare. People noticed this. He had never produced anything that didn't spark a war or escalate one.
Even the Spirit Legacy Array, which strengthened the entire universe and increased individuals' wealth and power, ignited countless wars!
In truth, any invention has military applications, and this applies to all Truth Chosen and even the non-chosen as well. It was only because of Robin's sheer output that people noticed this in him…
…Or that's what he convinced himself.
"…Chosen of War?" Glacion rubbed his chin. "That's slightly better than Lord Human, but I don't think it suits you." Then he shook his head. "The Cosmic Elder, the Archon, the Ruler of Chaos—all are personal titles that describe the person, their status, and their power."
He continued, "But Chosen of War is an impersonal title. It describes someone obsessed with bloodshed who watches from the shadows out of fear. Unfortunately, that was your image among the public—a recluse who produced all those tools for killing. But that doesn't suit you now. You have your own power that qualifies you to sit among those three."
"Hmm," Robin murmured as he approached the turn. "Think of one at your leisure, then. I trust you'll come up with a good one."
"...Really?!" Glacion's eyes flew wide open, then he stopped and bowed. "Thank you for this trust."
Choosing a title for someone like him—a title that would easily spread across the entire universe—was a great honor, something to boast about even until the day he died!
"Heh~" Robin chuckled, then turned the corner.
Afterward, he stopped and flashed a broad smile.
There was a white-haired person sitting in a meditative pose with closed eyes, utterly indifferent to the raging storm around him.
Robin looked in a specific direction, toward another figure staring at him from the darkness with a single eye full of murderous intent. It was clear he was trying to assess Robin and his companion's strength, but the fear was too great, preventing him from taking a step—especially when he looked at Glacion!
Seeing this, Robin waved at him. "You're Drais, the Four-Star Royal Spirit Master, right? Rest easy. I'm Robin Burton!"
After announcing his name, he turned to Glacion with a strange expression. "You were right, man. Announcing your name really kills the grandeur... Make sure you give me an imposing title."
"Yes!!"