Chapter 2397

2397 - Face on Blood

"...My lord?!" Sakaar for a moment forgot that his bones were breaking and opened his mouth in shock.

He had come after being summoned, full of hope that the Master would give them orders to ascend to the Middle and attack the Millennium Empire, or even an entire galaxy, brimming with enthusiasm ever since he heard that the Master had broadcast his experiments on the Crimson Plague and knew that the time for their emergence was near!

Then he saw those dense and heavy memories that the Master had sent him, and his enthusiasm and hope grew even more. He knew that the coming period would require the strength of the demons, that they would have to emerge to fight the Behemoths and expand the sphere of influence of the True Beginning Empire!

But this...

The Master's words now had shattered everything.

"To be honest with you, Sakaar, I began preparing the groundwork to reveal you so that I could concentrate the First and Third Armies in Sectors 100 and 99 and the rest of the eastern direction, while pushing you out starting from 102 and the rest of the western sectors, especially since during that period I had begun to lose confidence in how useful Hedrick was, and I had not yet obtained my seals."

“…This would have placed me under a great deal of scrutiny, and I have indeed been following the Soul Society's talk against me lately. The rumors are multiplying, and Qarun is funding a major campaign to tarnish my name—supposedly covert, but quite obvious with a bit of tracing… And this campaign will only grow fiercer if you appear and start fighting in the Middle Belt.”

Then he chuckled, “At that point, even if one of you killed a soldier from the enemy's army, it would be filmed and spread as if you had assaulted innocent life, claiming that I am exterminating the Sectors and have allied with the devil… Perhaps you understand this.”

“……” Sakaar gritted his teeth hard to suppress his pain, “With us present… you would control the Sectors more easily… faster… with less bloodshed. Our raids in the young sector gave us experience in taking over planets quickly and handing them over to humans. We fight only armed enemies and do not attack civilians or kill a single tree, as you commanded.”

“I apologize, Sakaar, but the Cosmic Elder said I am fond of the spotlight and fame, and perhaps he is right. I will not allow myself to build up the Universe and strengthen it, bearing its burden, only to end up as the Great Devil in everyone's eyes,” Robin waved his hand, “You are right—your presence would reduce the bloodshed, but it would ruin my reputation… So I prefer to let the blood flow as it pleases.”

“…” Sakaar maintained his heavy silence, “What fault is ours in this? We never broke your orders, never failed you—are we destined to live in the depths of the abyss forever?”

“You were born as plague.” Robin shrugged, “Don’t speak as if I’m wronging you, Sakaar. Since the events of the Abyss of Destruction, have any plague foci received the amount of privileges you have? A hunting ground spanning an entire sector, supported by vehicles and Gates, weapons and identity-concealing armor, even space beast blood… these privileges weren’t granted even to the Law Dominators of the Abyss of Destruction. Have I fallen short with you?”

“…” Sakaar clenched his fists tightly, then released them, “No…”

The frustration in Sakaar’s voice and body language reached its peak.

“Hmm,” Robin scratched his forehead with an embarrassed smile as he watched Sakaar’s dejection, “Can you stand on your feet now?”

“…?” Sakaar gritted his fangs hard and began to rise, still able to hear the faint cracking sounds, but he managed to stand, “I’ll take my leave now and let the Master rest.”

“Hmm? I’m not so cold-hearted as to force you to leave in this state, man.” Robin stood up laughing, then *pop* opened a small blue Gate and slapped Sakaar on the back, “Come with me.”

"…?" Sakaar felt his body grow lighter. The transformations were still proceeding at the same pace, but his body suddenly felt weightless.

He easily took two steps and entered the Gate behind Robin with a *zap*.

"Hm?" The moment Sakaar stepped out, he knew exactly where he was...

He had been standing at this very spot only an hour ago... It was in front of the Gate leading to what lay beyond the wall!

"What do you think of what's happening here?" Robin was standing at the very edge of the Gate, so close it nearly touched his nose, gazing at the other side calmly with eyes glowing gold.

"A massive killing field. Satisfying." Sakaar spoke quietly and took two steps to stand directly behind Robin.

"But it doesn't interest you much, does it?" Robin understood the silence immediately.

"Beast blood fills the belly and gives me momentum and fulfillment, but it doesn't raise my level," Sakaar replied at once. "An open field in the Middle Belt is better in terms of returns."

Then he continued while spreading his soul sense beyond the Gate, "Secondly, the Imperial Guards and the Cosmic Academies are in control here. They don't need us."

"Hmm, your love for battle hasn't made you forget your goal of saving your own kind, and only with human blood will they survive. Do you understand this?" Robin nodded, then continued at a slower pace, "What if I brought you blood and human corpses, then?"

"...?" Sakaar turned toward Robin, "Do you want to replace us with the Imperial Guard here that badly?" Then he returned to scanning the area around him, "This place can't hold the entire Demon Race; only Amon can send a squad or two to take care of it..." Then he nodded, "If that matters to you, count on us—we'll find a way to feed ourselves too."

*Whoosh* At that moment, a human who had just come out of the Gate passed by overhead, his skin blue and his eyes nearly bursting from their sockets. Immediately he began breathing with difficulty and set up medical kits and food in a safe spot.

And in his place, another one entered.

"Taking care of the place?" Robin shook his head, "That's easy—even without the Guard, Caesar or Aru could handle it. I want you for something else... something bigger."

"....?" Sakaar was puzzled.

"..." Robin stared at the Gate before him for a few more seconds, then took a step and circled around behind it.

Then he gestured for Sakaar to follow.

Without hesitation, Sakaar took two steps. *Hoom*