Chapter 2453

2453 - Temporary Agreement

"...I think I got my answer." Robin muttered with a few gestures.

"And what is that answer?" Helmor was clearly annoyed. "That we're trying to survive a hopeless situation? We're just part of a game. The Transcendents are the ones who return all planets to Primordial Chaos and wipe out all beings to use them in a new Cycle. So what can we do other than try to survive individually?"

Then he raised his voice slightly. "In the mortals' chicken farms, does a chicken have the choice to stop laying eggs? Can it ask the farm owner to stop the slaughter? They all share the same fate, unless the owner happens to like a certain chicken and decides to take it as a pet."

"Heh~" Robin sighed and then laughed. "So we're chickens waiting for slaughter... That's a bit depressing."

"That is the state we opened our eyes to, the state we must deal with as it is." Helmor calmed down a little, "We, the Fearful Ones, who have external patrons, discovered the truth that unnecessary pursuit will only add to our exhaustion, and we decided to band together and ease each other's tasks so we might survive together. This way, we will all have a chance to survive in the end… But what about you, you who serve the All-seeing God—what chance do you have when he hasn't even told you about The Eternal Sanctuary Land?"

"Hmm…" Robin nodded, "The decision to leave behind what you built over millions of years and seek survival on your own, far from even your families and loved ones, must be harsh to contemplate, but I understand… Those Cycles are truly cruel, don't you think?"

Helmor furrowed his brows for a moment, then replied, "…For your information, there are other universes—unnamed, unowned, and of unknown number due to their multitude… Those universes have no patrons, are not part of the Rehabilitation System, and do not have many confusing rules like ours, and of course no punishments either. They simply exist, waiting for a new Transcendent to claim them."

"….?!" Robin was greatly astonished.

Helmor smiled, "You might think those universes are extremely powerful. Of course, they have living beings whose ages span billions of years, and there are no penalties or rules, so what would stop them, right?" Helmor raised his head slightly, "In fact, their situation is worse. Without a leader to guide them, without a goal before them, without anything to fear… the inhabitants of those universes multiplied and reproduced and spread until their universes became too cramped for them, and after that, as is the habit of humans, destructive wars erupted."

He added in a quieter, deeper voice, "All those universes, without exception, were destroyed. Their situation is worse than B-14 by stages, and life in them is scattered and fading, and the Plague and the beasts in them have become feral. Yes, there are people among them whose ages are estimated at billions of years, but these are mostly those who become ashen transcendents. Most of them use the Demons to commit atrocities for forced transcendence and at a very late age. If we are talking about justice and destruction, then their existence is useless in The Last Sanctuary Land, and if they had stayed in their universes it would have been more honorable for them."

Then he pointed to himself, "You might think the Rehabilitation Program is harsh, but it renews life in humans, renews motives, and restores destroyed lands to their natural state. It is a Cycle, a cycle of life that must be completed… Humans cannot be left alive for too long, or they will kill themselves by their own hands. There must be a final day that restores things to order." Then he opened his arms, "But this has nothing to do with us, the elite, for we—"

"We are pet chickens!" Robin raised his voice joyfully.

"……" Helmor slowly lowered his arms, "I can no longer tell whether you understand me or are mocking me."

"Both." Robin sighed with a smile, "I don't know what to tell you, Helmor. I am in a bad situation right now and cannot yet decide my path, nor can I judge The All-seeing God from the words of his enemies… I will wait for my next contact with him to settle my decision."

Helmor stared at Robin with annoyance, "….I did not reckon that the famous Lord Human was such an indecisive character."

"I like to call it wisdom, but if you see it that way, then fine." Robin shrugged.

"Clearly I was wasting my time." Helmor spoke coldly, placing his hands behind his back, "Some people do not believe the sun is hot even as they burn in its fire."

"If it consoles you, then you haven't wasted your time—you've given me plenty to think about." Robin showed a small smile. "And until I settle my decision, I no longer want personal problems with you and your companions. I realize now that you want to survive an inevitable death, and that you don't see yourselves as traitors… that at least gives us common ground for discussion."

Then he continued, "I will offer you a truce for some time, until I settle my affairs and give you my answer."

"A truce?" Helmor furrowed his brow tightly. "We simply pull back our hands and watch from the sidelines? What if, after that period you want, you decide to continue the hostility?"

"You will have gained some time for yourselves without me snapping any of your necks in a fit of rage." Robin showed a small smile. "As I almost did a short while ago."

"…..?" Helmor's eyes stared at Robin angrily. "What exactly is that period you want?"

"I don't know—you'll receive the answer in due time." Robin placed his hand on his chest. "But a promise from me… I will not make any major move or bully any of you before I announce my decision. Treachery is not among my traits—I, Robin Burton."

Then he continued seriously, "In the meantime, my forces will not withdraw from any sector, but they will not advance either, and no major movement will occur against you, the Fearful. You can continue fighting them calmly and sensibly as is happening now, without launching large attacks, or you can stop, and they will stop where they are as well."

"…." Helmor raised his head slightly, "If this will give you time to jump to our side, then fine. I will halt any major movement against you in the coming period, but for a maximum of ten years." Then he smiled, "We don't want to wait until Nihari ascends according to the All-seeing God's plan and gains greater power, and then we go back to wailing, right?"

"….." Robin's eyelid twitched for a moment, but he wasn't very surprised that this information had been leaked now.

Then he nodded, "Ten years." And he waved.

The Golden Door closed.

"….." Helmor kept staring at that spot for minutes, before he raised his head and finally looked upward, toward the Great Dragon who had watched everything, "Do we continue or what?"

"…….."