Chapter 2355

2355 - The Tyrant

Sector Number 1—

In a hall that resembled a piece of space, and upon a throne that overlooked numerous planets and galaxies, sat a person holding a light disk…

White-haired with wheat-colored skin, he had a tattoo that looked like a mix of a star and an X mark. Every piece of his clothing could buy entire solar systems… He was Intiras, the Tyrant.

*Whoosh*

At that moment, another person appeared in the hall, Drathan, with his arms crossed and an expression of urgency on his face. "Have you seen what's happening, Father? I came back as fast as I could."

"…" Intiras did not reply immediately. Instead, he continued watching the recording, then placed it beside him on top of a pile of other recordings, and leaned back comfortably on his throne. "Helmor crossed the line, and the reaction was heavier than he expected—heavier than any of us expected."

"This isn't just a reaction; it's a deployment of heavy weapons." Drathan spoke with a frown. "Why is the All-seeing God allocating this much power to create Liberated ones? Two of them?!" Then he narrowed his eyes. "Is what we heard about his condition incorrect?"

"...Stubbornness." Intiras replied calmly. "That's what happens when you push someone into a corner too much. That's what happens when you disrespect a man in his own home. This reaction is excessive, but it's understandable. I would have done the same if I had been pushed this far."

"There's a difference." Drathan shook his head. "For them, this is a playground and a place to earn seals. It's not something that tarnishes the All-seeing God's honor to that degree. That action of his will make his faction strong and cut a piece of the cake we've divided among ourselves for years, but it will weaken him in the Pantheon more than he already is."

"Oh, the All-seeing God is not weak, not even close to that word." Intiras showed a small smile. "But he still has much to learn. To learn that personal power isn't everything. That there are people you don't mess with." Then he stared at the horizon. "But you're right about one thing. Cutting off that power from himself will greatly weaken his standing in the Pantheon. His action will restore his position inside B-14, but his enemies will exploit it to the fullest outside."

"...Should we inform The Shepherd?" Drathan asked seriously. "He might give us something to help stop the Liberated."

"No." Intiras's face turned. "What could he possibly give us anyway? He contacted me for the first time after I launched the Era of Conquest and the space gates I created began to spread. I was already a Behemoth." Then he waved his hand. "True, he gave me the method to create the Soldiers, a method superior to the one Helmor possesses, in exchange for simple things like the monopoly over the Path of Space and hunting users of the Master Laws, especially the users of Truth at the Fifth Level... But I agreed because I saw it as beneficial to me, not because I was forced, or because it breaks my Eye."

"Even without him giving me the method to create the Soldiers and providing me with information about what lies beyond the Shell, I would have monopolized the Path of Space. Even if he hadn't asked me to kill those master rats, I would have done it. They are my interests, and I must protect them." Then he continued seriously with an annoyed expression, "...I dislike meeting that person. No matter how hard the Transcendents try to act generous and gentle, arrogance oozes from their marrow. Their gaze at you screams that they feel disgusted being near you." Then he waved his hand. "If he hears about what happened and comes of his own free will asking for something, let him. Other than that, I will not contact him."

"How will he know if we don't tell him?" Drathan asked. "We can't let the All-seeing God act like this without taking a step." Then he furrowed his brows. "...Or do you want to join his side, him and his candidate?"

"That's long overdue," Intiras replied calmly. "If the All-seeing God had come to me from the beginning, I would never have accepted the Shepherd. And if he had come trying to appease me afterward, I would have chosen him over the Shepherd without a doubt. After all... he is one of us." Then he looked at his throne. "But instead, he sent seven candidates with the intent to destroy me? That will not pass peacefully."

He continued, "Our Shepherd will know without a doubt, for those people do not only communicate with us. They have hands in several scattered minor powers, giving them scraps to report, ensuring that we, the big fish, do our duty. One of them will spread what is happening." Then he looked away. "Then, the All-seeing God will regret that choice of his."

Drathan nodded. "...What do we do until he contacts us?"

"The All-seeing God has entered a state of frenzy, and we cannot rule out that he might order an attack on us. So gather the army and establish a war zone between Sectors 950 and 50 starting today. No one is allowed to exit or enter." Intiras continued tapping on his throne. "...And I want you to prepare the Soldiers and train them on Severing Covenant Weapons."

"Will you reveal them?" Drathan asked quickly, as this was the core of the problem facing the universe at the moment!

"...In due time." Intiras raised his head slightly. "If the agitation of the All-seeing God's Candidate and the Liberated ones continues, I will not sit idle until my turn comes." Then he stopped tapping. "What is happening in the Cycles may be competitions and games in the eyes of the Transcendents, ways to prevent them from tearing each other's throats out, but for me, this is my life and my status. If war is written, I will drag the entire universe with me to hell."

Then he continued indignantly, "The All-seeing God, The Oppressor, and whoever else is sticking their fingers into my home—I will cut them all off if necessary!"

"Understood." Drathan nodded firmly and prepared to leave.

"Hey."

"Huh?" Drathan stopped when he heard his father's call.

"..." Intiras showed a small smile. "Monitor the movements of Robin Burton's followers for me in the coming period—his products, the output of Planet Donara... everything concerning him."

"Understood."

*Whoosh*

"Robin Burton..." Intiras gazed at the horizon. "...I don't know how you do it, but the amount of benefits you extract from the All-seeing God, the power you revel in that pushes you millions of years forward in mere months, will come back to destroy both you and him together."

Then he smiled, "If this continues, I wonder if Zolan will participate in this coming war."

His smile stretched from ear to ear. "A real Cosmic War."