Chapter 2485

2485 - The Millennium Birthday

Donara—Atop the Mountain

"...You can't keep me away, your Majesty~" Billy approached from behind, his legs barely carrying him.

Then he continued at the same pace, nearly fainting from the sheer stupidity of what he was doing, and from what might happen once Robin learns what's going on... until he finally reached Robin's side.

And he stood there stunned for a moment.

Robin was... somewhat different.

His golden hair was neither long nor short, just long enough to be combed back smoothly and masculinely, befitting a king. Even his handsome yet sharply masculine features gave the same impression.

He had a short golden beard, its longest hair the length of a finger joint, neatly trimmed, and it was clear he had specially groomed it today. Likewise his white robe embroidered with gold—a robe whose price could solve the problems of millennium empires.

He was sitting on a white chair that resembled cheap garden chairs, not large or luxurious in any way, yet in this moment it seemed like a true throne.

Robin had his right ankle resting over his left, holding a goblet filled with a thick black liquid like tar in his right hand, while his left hand rested comfortably on his thigh.

But none of this was what drew the most attention, nor what made Billy freeze in place, bewildered… it was that gaze.

Robin was looking ahead, toward a distant horizon above the clouds, with relaxed, half-open eyes and a faint, contented smile.

That posture, that sitting position, those expressions…

Billy felt as though he was standing before someone who had already ruled the universe and no longer had anything left to do.

"…Who am I to drive you away, Billy?" Robin's small smile widened slightly, then he gestured for Billy to sit without looking at him. "I've been waiting for you, actually."

"Waiting for me?" Billy sat down quickly, having already forgotten that he was still streaming after finding himself in Robin's presence after all those years. "You knew I was coming even after you threatened everyone to stay in their places and focus on the war?"

"I was certain." Robin replied calmly. "While my sons and followers fear seeing even a frown between my eyebrows, you are the only one who fears neither punishment nor my wrath. Besides, you wouldn't let an opportunity like this slip by to escape your responsibilities and take a short vacation, haha."

Then finally, he gave him a sidelong glance, "I remember when you brought a cake to celebrate my 187th birthday with me? We were barely trying to control Planet Jura at the time and things were tense, but you left all your responsibilities and came, cake in hand."

"Hey!" Billy frowned heavily, "Who's running from their responsibilities?!" His face began to redden, "Is it my fault I didn't want you to spend your thousandth birthday alone?! Someone of your status should have thrown a celebration that shakes the universe and stops all wars for a day — this isn't an ordinary occasion, man!"

"I came and that's that." Robin extended his left hand toward Billy, "Where's my cake?"

"Tsk~ You're a really infuriating person." Billy wiped his ring with his soul sense and began preparing the table next to Robin to receive the small birthday celebration.

The Grand Hall—Soul Society

"What the hell is happening?!"

"Why did we switch from war to reality show events?"

"Is there a malfunction in the Soul Society?"

"Fix it! Fix it, you money-sucking bastards, I paid for an extra hour in advance!!"

Amid hundreds of billions standing to watch, nearly half of them hadn't even tried to listen and had already begun shouting and demanding to return to watching the war. Some even started opening a window to watch it privately, but everyone found that all the other broadcasts were closed!

As for the other half, they stood stunned…

Robin Burton!

This was Robin Burton who moved the entire universe!

"He's

human

in the truest sense, just as he called himself — just a human… All those theories that he was pointing to something or diverting attention from his true race will go to the trash after today."

"He looks more handsome than I imagined… I always pictured him as a crazed old scientist with disheveled hair."

"The scoundrel is sitting there drinking something and celebrating his thousandth birthday while Sector 90 burns above its inhabitants' heads!!"

"…Wait…"

"Did he say his thousandth birthday?"

"Thousand? Like a thousand years?!"

"A genius! I swear he's a genius the likes of which has never been seen!!"

"What a ridiculous play and an obvious lie!! Only a thousand years? Who does he think we are?! My son is two thousand years old and still failing to study at Stellar Academy!!"

"Liar! Robin Burton is a liar and a charlatan, just as expected from a herald of The Plague!!"

Alongside the shouts of the deniers, other shouts rose.

In that tiny second when Billy began to take out the cake, shouts filled the universe, each with a different word, each with a different opinion.

Amidst quadrillions of humans and non-humans watching, whether inside the Soul Society or outside it, it was hard to find two who shared the same opinion after hearing those brief exchanges!

Especially regarding the number that struck everyone dead… Some cursed, some interpreted that they were speaking in riddles.

And some of Robin's fans shouted that it was a permissible trick to protect his real age so that curses wouldn't befall him.

But no one, no one… thought for a moment that it was real.

Then at that moment, a wide window and a whistling sound appeared before everyone—

Beep

Beep

And in it was a phrase:

[The Soul Society congratulates Lord Robin Burton on his thousandth birthday according to his soul age registered with us, and wishes him a pleasant day and a happy holiday.]

"…………?!"

"……………………….???!!!!"