Lord of the Truth

Robin chuckled at Devos' reaction, though he had somewhat expected it… It was clear that not all Beast Kings were the same. Each one had their own distinct personality, shaped by their instincts, experiences, and perhaps even the very lands they ruled.

Cryxus the Purifier was the conqueror type, a ruler who thrived on expansion and dominance. He was always pushing forward, always leading waves of beasts to assert his control. His territorial ambitions and relentless offensives made it clear—he was born to rule through force.

Durger the Devourer, in contrast, was more of a guardian-hoarder, preferring to stay curled around his treasures, defending them with unwavering determination. His unyielding endurance and the sheer number of armies stationed around the Poison Sea spoke volumes about his obsession with keeping what was his.

And then there was Devos the Transcendent. He was different. Rather than seeking conquest or guarding material wealth, he preferred isolation, watching from a distance, uninterested in unnecessary conflicts. But perhaps that wasn't entirely by choice. Maybe his solitude and detachment weren't mere personality traits, but rather the result of his circumstances—a path he had been forced to take rather than one he had chosen.

"..."

Robin didn't press the matter further. Instead, he turned his attention back to the piles of treasure surrounding him. Carefully sifting through the various relics and artifacts, he examined the shimmering fragments of transparent coral before spotting three particularly intriguing relics—each exuding an aura tied to the Path of Time. A satisfied grin formed on his lips as he swiftly secured them within his spatial ring. He clapped his hands together, dusting them off, "Alright then, time to leave."

"...That's it?" Deivos tilted his head, his large ears twitching in confusion.

"Yeah. What else do you expect me to do?" Robin raised an eyebrow. "When I first heard that you attacked the neighboring village because of my arrays, I came here ready to fight. I was prepared to put you in your place and make sure you understood that my interests weren't to be messed with. But now that we've talked… it seems like you actually have some common sense."

He paused, then narrowed his eyes slightly. "You're not planning to throw another tantrum and start wrecking things again, are you?"

Devos let out a heavy exhale, his large tail flicking lazily behind him.

"I have to freeze the entire southern hemisphere. Do you have any idea how much energy that takes? If not for the Law of permanence anchoring my energy in the atmosphere and allowing it to linger, I wouldn't even be able to manage it. And now, those damn thermal devices have appeared, greedily siphoning off the energy I'm spreading. It's ridiculous!"

The massive fox huffed, sounding more like an overworked employee complaining about his impossible workload than a feared Beast King.

"If you want me to stop, fine! I'll stop! Let the planet burn for all I care!"

"..." Robin slowly dragged a hand down his face. If Devos did stop, the balance of the planet would be thrown into chaos. The rising temperatures would boil the seas dry, turning the planet into a molten wasteland.

"Alright, alright." Robin sighed. "I'll have my research and development team work on alternative methods to provide warmth without interfering with your freezing process. That sounds fair?"

Devos blinked, surprised by how quickly Robin conceded. Then, as if suddenly realizing that his problem might actually get solved, he perked up.

"Hey!" His voice rumbled as Robin prepared to leave. "You seem like a reasonable guy. Got any advice about that woman? The deadline she gave me is getting real close…"

For a Beast King, a thousand or even two thousand years was nothing. Devos could take a nap, and by the time he woke up, centuries would have passed.

That was the nature of Beast Kings and Tree Fathers—ancient beings with lifespans beyond mortal comprehension. Some of them had been alive long before energy cultivation was even a concept.

Take Durger, for example —he had existed for over a million years, despite the fact that energy cultivation had only been around on Poison Rock Planet for less than 400,000 years!

"I'm a kind person? …Well, thank you for your generous trust!" Robin burst into loud laughter. It had been a long time since he had heard those words, and hearing them now felt almost nostalgic. "And what exactly do you expect me to do for you?" He shook his head with amusement before his expression turned more serious. "You've gotten yourself tangled with a major figure. The only solution I can think of is smuggling you off Gudah Planet before it ascends to the middle planetary belt. But honestly? That would only bring me unnecessary trouble with that woman. Why would I risk my own neck for your sake?"

Devos' large, ethereal eyes blinked slowly as he tilted his head. "Why do you fear her? You seem strong too." His tone was calm, his gaze almost innocent, as if he truly couldn't comprehend why Robin was unwilling to confront her head-on.

Robin's lips curled into an amused smirk before he let out another hearty chuckle. "Oh, you sly fox! You want to pit us against each other while you sneak away to some other planet, find a nice quiet spot, and go back to your nap? Not happening." He waved a finger mockingly. But after a moment, his smirk shifted into something more contemplative. "…That being said, I won't say it's completely out of the question. The matter is still open for negotiation." His golden eyes narrowed slightly. "So, tell me—what exactly do you have to offer me? You should know by now, I don't do favors for free."

Devos remained silent for a long moment, as if weighing his words carefully. When he finally spoke again, his voice was calmer, more measured. "I have no land, no followers. Even my treasures— you just took the best one I have. And considering how little interest you've shown for the rest, I doubt they hold any real value to you." His sharp eyes gleamed slightly as he rested his chin back against his large, thickly furred tails. "So, tell me… what else do I have to offer, aside from myself?"

Robin's smirk deepened, his expression shifting into something far more predatory—calculating, almost ruthless.

"Now… we're talking."

"..."

----------------------

Two Days Later – Skyrock Planet – The Imperial Palace's Slave Quarter

"Ahh~ I still can't believe His Excellency actually did it!" A human guard clutched his head with both hands, pacing back and forth in excitement. His expression was a mix of disbelief and awe. "He conquered the Great Serpent Empire using only the Demon Army! The very same army that had been destroyed in the Shadow Attacks!!"

"You're still talking about that?" Another guard, leaning casually against the wall, let out a small chuckle. He adjusted his helmet slightly, covering his eyes to shield them from the harsh sunlight. "And besides, the Demon Army didn't fight alone. You're completely disregarding the other forces that took part in the battle."

"Forces? What forces?" The excited guard stopped in his tracks, turning toward his colleague with a frown. "You mean the Shadow Swords? Sure, they made a great sacrifice, but—"

"Of course, they were important," the lounging guard cut him off, smacking his thigh with a gloved hand. "But I'm talking about His Excellency and his sons!"

The first guard's eyes widened in realization. "Oh! You're right! The Supreme General of the First Army and the Crown Prince… With the two of them around, the empire will be safe—even if His Excellency isn't present!" His face lit up with absolute pride, his chest puffing out.

BANG!

The heavy iron door suddenly slammed open, sending a loud echo through the chamber.

A third guard rushed in, panting heavily, carrying a large metallic tablet in both hands as if it held the greatest treasure in the universe.

"Have you seen the leaks yet?!" He practically shouted, his excitement barely contained.

"Leaks? What leaks?!" Even the lounging guard immediately threw off his helmet and stood up straight.

"Look at this!" The newcomer fumbled with the device for a second before activating it. Instantly, a floating image materialized in front of them, projected clearly in mid-air.

In the image, an awe-inspiring aerial battle was taking place—an epic clash of power and might.

At the center of it all was General Sakaar, Supreme Commander of the Second Army, locked in combat against hundreds of martial emperors—alone.

His blade gleamed under the twin suns of the battlefield, moving so fast it left streaks of light in its wake. The raw power radiating from his figure was overwhelming, and the sheer number of enemies he was holding off single-handedly was nothing short of legendary.

"WOOOOOAH!!"

Both guards' jaws dropped in unison, their eyes practically sparkling with admiration.

"Where did you get this?!"

"Supreme General Caesar ordered some images from the final battle to be leaked to the public in response to overwhelming demand." The third guard grinned triumphantly. "They're even putting together a full film covering the entire war. I can't even begin to imagine how incredible it will be!"

He swiped the tablet again, revealing another image—and this one was somehow even more breathtaking.

This time, the scene depicted Crown Prince Richard standing tall and imposing, gripping a marshal by the throat, effortlessly lifting him off the ground as if he were weightless. Under his foot, another marshal lay crushed beneath him, utterly defeated.

And behind Richard?

His Excellency himself, seated calmly before Pythor, locked in a silent, intense stare-down.

It was an image of absolute dominance. A single still frame that exuded such power, such control—it was as if the entire fate of the battlefield had rested in that very moment.

One of the guards began tearing up, overwhelmed with sheer emotion. His hands clutched his head, his whole body trembling from the sheer excitement surging through him. If someone had told him to charge into battle right then and there—alone—he probably wouldn't have even hesitated.

"Ahhh! If only I had been there!!"

His voice echoed through the chamber, filled with nothing but pure, undying loyalty and admiration.