2344 - Ignorance
“…?!” Hedrick stared at Robin’s face with extreme astonishment.
Under that gaze, Robin raised his head slightly with pride, not budging.
“What exactly is going on…” Hedrick wondered. “You’ve never spoken to me like this before. In the two or three times we talked, you were polite and cautious. What changed all of a sudden for you to speak to me this way?”
“A lot.” Robin replied calmly. “A lot has changed while you’ve been sitting here.”
“What could change in a few decades to make you transform this much?” Hedrick raised his voice slightly.
How long had he been here? Seventy years? A hundred years? These numbers held no weight on the cosmic stage—they were a nap for the greats of the universe, a single tick of the clock for the billions of scattered planets. By his estimates, the war between the Six Greats against Zavarus and Darvion should still be raging at the same pace!
“What happened? Oh, where do I begin.” Robin turned his gaze back toward the distinctive Threads—or more accurately, toward the black spots visible behind them. “You entered your seclusion before the Donara passage was opened, correct?”
“Donara?” Hedrick was puzzled.
"Hmm... At that time, I was still under Althera's protection at the academy. The Shadow Swords barely had any weight beyond some experience in information transmission. The title of Lord Human was barely known, just as a mere researcher. My relationship with the Cosmic Elder was unknown. The Cradle and the Grave were struggling to survive." Robin tapped his chin. "It was undoubtedly a difficult period."
"A century ago, you were in a difficult period?" Hedrick chuckled. "Has the situation changed now?"
"It's a short period in your eyes. Someone like you, who has lived for millions of years, advancing like a tortoise, would of course find a century trivial. But for me, those 100 years represent 10% of my lifespan. It's a long time, and I've meddled with the universe enough to change it." Then he gave him a sidelong glance. "In fact, that's the only reason this conversation is being prolonged. If you knew my current standing, if you knew what I did to Marlik the Pink before coming directly to you, you wouldn't have taken all this time with me. I would have given you only two options and then left."
"Marlik?" Hedrick was surprised by the sudden appearance of the name.
Then Robin laughed, "Do you remember that day when we first met at the Soul Society? I still recall your patience and composure, how you tried to smooth things over without calling me ignorant outright, calmly explaining what would happen when Nihari was upgraded, even telling me about what was happening in Virilion and sharing your dreams with me." He then shrugged, "Of course, I realize you didn't do it out of kindness, but as a means to use me and reach the All-seeing God, but that's fine... I also want something from you."
"And for the patience you showed me back then, I'll do the same for you today." Robin nodded toward Hedrick, "Tell me, what are your highest ambitions that you'll pursue 105 years from now, after you become an Intermediate Monarch!"
"......" Hedrick stared at Robin with irritation but also surprise—the conversation from start to finish was bizarre.
It was like a college student tutoring a wealthy elementary school child; that college student went to take a nap, only to open his eyes and find the wealthy child speaking to him as if he were a professor at the academy.
If that young man in that situation were to ask himself a question... how long exactly had he slept for things to change like this? And secondly, had that elementary school child gone mad!
"An interesting question." Hedrick decided to answer in a low voice, still trying to understand what was happening, thinking whether Robin was controlling his body from the outside and could harm him, which was why he was speaking this way. "First... I will drive Zavarus and Darvion's forces out of Middle Sector 101. I will follow through with isolating Kaylis and convince the other Millennium Empire to submit to me here, until the sector is unofficially mine." Then he continued, "After that, I will help you when you upgrade Nihari, and then each of us will go our separate ways." Hedrick's eyes gleamed. "Then I will wait until Virilion ascends and use it to become a second galaxy in Middle Sector 101. With my power and the galaxy, I will be able to achieve my dream and become a Behemoth of destruction."
Then he flashed a wide smile. "What do you think of my grand plans? Can you stop them?"
"Actually, yes." Robin chuckled. "Because of me, you won't be able to complete a single one of them."
"Do you want to bet on that?" Hedrick spoke with blind confidence.
"Haha, come on, let's bet on my life if you want!" Robin laughed loudly.
"...?!" Hedrick's expression changed instantly.
"You don't understand. Your ignorance blinds you, but that's fine—it's natural given your seclusion. However, your pride makes you refuse to learn, and that is the problem." Robin raised one finger. "How exactly will you drive away Zavarus and Darvion? Zavarus has sworn Absolute Loyalty to me, while Darvion will soon die at the hands of one of my followers."
"Oh!" A wide smile appeared on Hedrick's face. "Did they also see your meeting with Marlik?"
"Are you mocking me?" Robin chuckled. "Zavarus saw the meeting, yes." Then he continued regardless, "Kiryān has also sworn loyalty to me."
When he noticed Hedrick was about to laugh, he raised his palm to stop him. "I'll complete all the terms first, then you can laugh as much as you want." He lowered it gently. "What was the next term? Ah, the plan to control the Sector. In truth, all of the Six Greats are now working like dogs for the Shadow Swords. All that's needed is to send Glacion to speak a few words with them, and they will swear loyalty to me."
Then he continued, "Kaylis also has a protection card from me. She is now the guardian of my son. That galaxy will belong to my son and his wife, and no one will disturb their peace." Then he showed a smile. "Will you help me with Nihari? Nihari will advance ten years before you emerge from seclusion, so even this will be of no use to you."
Then he raised his voice slightly, "Gather your strength and fight your father? Suppose you took Verlion somewhere else and decided to move forward, just three or four of the Second Tier Brothers would handle you. If they remain alive, that is, because I plan to use Kiryān and Zavarus to kill them all, including your father."
"Are you done?" Hedrick lifted his head slightly. "You asked me about my dreams, and you respond with even crazier dreams?"
"No, no, you're the one who's done." Robin pointed at him. "What I'm saying is the Truth. I'm not dreaming—I'm executing. And now that you've heard the Truth, you can't pretend ignorance."
Then he placed his hands behind his back. "And based on the Truth you've heard... I'll give you a chance." He looked directly into Hedrick's eyes. "I want to see whether intelligence or pride will have the final say."