2343 - The Axis
"...You can enjoy what remains of your breakthrough." Robin spoke very calmly, cast one last look at the torn threads, and then prepared to leave.
"Wait right there!"
Hedrick stood up hurriedly, anger apparent on his face.
"Dissolving the partnership is not something you can decide on your own out of a whim of arrogance. I won't allow this. Neither my goal nor yours has been achieved yet."
"Of course I can." Robin showed a big smile. "There was never any written agreement or sworn oath; it was a verbal agreement: I benefit you and you benefit me. But if my partner is drowning in his dreams and refuses to accept reality, then he is of no use to me. Stay in your dreams here."
"And is reality that I'm just a living weapon, and there are copies of me?!" Hedrick waved his hand forcefully. "Who in existence would accept this nonsense?"
"All you had to do was ask for proof and go along with me, so we could think out loud together. It's my right to know if my alleged partner is just a developed weapon that can be brought back under control at any time, just as your brothers of the Second Tier are controlled." Robin shrugged, then stared into Hedrick's eyes. "But you chose to respond to me with insults and kick me out. So how exactly do you see me?"
"...." Hedrick looked Robin up and down with undisguised contempt, then put on a forced smile. "I'll think about what you said. When I finish my breakthrough, let's meet and talk more about it. We'll discuss the weapons, the clone brothers, and all those interesting topics!"
"Hehehe..." Robin began to laugh. "I think that's the answer to my question. You see me as a child with too much free time. Oh, that's dangerous..." He then tilted his head slightly. "And insulting."
"What do you want now, Robin?" Hedrick raised his voice slightly. "Do you want to dissolve the partnership? Fine, but not now." He then continued seriously: "Wait until I finish my breakthrough, and I'll come out to repay the help you've given me all these years. After that, let each of us go our own way." Then he showed a puzzled expression for a moment. "Oh... by the way, how did Drais allow you to get close to me?"
"...." Robin stared into Hedrick's eyes for a few seconds... He was completely serious.
For a moment, he thought Hedrick felt he would miss out on something if the partnership were cut off, which was why he called him. But in reality, he simply didn't want to end the partnership while he was still the indebted party.
"I've always admired your personality, Hedrick." Robin nodded, then began pacing in circles again. "Straightforward, stubborn, afraid of no one, capable of turning from friend to foe in an instant if someone touches your pride, taking orders from no one, and never doing anything unless you're fully convinced of it. You built a thousand-year empire from scratch, almost effortlessly, as a favor to Kaylis... You're remarkable, and I appreciate that for one reason."
Then he pointed to himself. "Because I know well that if I were only pursuing power, I would be exactly like you." He slowly lowered his finger. "But you have one flaw."
"...?" Hedrick furrowed his brows slightly at this shift. "And what flaw might that be?"
"You see yourself as the main character." Robin shook his head. "You're not."
"Haha, is that so?" Hedrick laughed proudly. This problem was, in truth, a compliment to him.
"That's very true." Robin nodded. "Each of us is the hero of our own story, and I understand that. Everyone has dreams, enemies, friends, beginnings, and endings. But there are those who know their place... and then there's you." Robin gestured toward him with a tilt of his head. "You don't just think you're the hero of your own story—you think you're the great champion who will break all conventions, overthrow the unjust father, and have the entire world standing and applauding."
Then he continued: "Even in your alliance with me, you resented that the All-seeing God contacted me instead. You tried to get close to me to reach Him, to prove to Him that you were better, that you were the smarter choice to receive the Support, and that He was wrong to look at anyone else but the hero."
"Oh, are we having a therapy session now?" Hedrick's fake smile grew even more peculiar as he narrowed his eyes slightly. "Go on, analyze more. Get it all off your chest."
"......" Robin furrowed his brows tightly.
Hedrick's gaze was one of pure contempt, like a millionaire looking at a beggar while giving him investment advice for the next hundred years.
"...You're truly hopeless. Talking to you rationally will get nowhere." Robin stared at Hedrick with bewilderment. "You really think you're the center of the Universe, don't you? That's astonishing. Why? What gives you that idea? Even your talent turned out to be fabricated."
"You're far too young to understand anything." Hedrick shook his head. "Unfortunately, the term 'partnership' between us deluded you into thinking we're equals, which is why you speak to me this way. And unfortunately, I've been forced to accept help from your followers and your wealth more than once, putting me in your debt and compelling me to engage in a discussion like this. That's a second mistake of mine."
Then he stared at Robin seriously. "I thought I'd have a chance to repay all of this and more after my breakthrough, and we could continue this happy partnership—a partnership of money and status. But unfortunately, you rushed too much and lost me... You said it yourself: the partnership is over, and my dignity won't allow me to remain your ally even if you come back begging me. But your favor will be repaid, and the debt will be erased when I'm done. At least I'll fulfill my part of the agreement and secure Nihari for you after the Ascension."
"Heh~" Robin shook his head gently. "There won't be any need for that. Your presence or absence won't make a difference. I'm enough to secure Nihari's Ascension."
"Haha, really?" Hedrick laughed loudly. "Even I have trouble with Virilion, yet you alone will protect Nihari?"
"Yes, do you know why?" Robin tilted his head slightly. "Because I represent everything you dream of... I am the center of this universe."