Lord of the Truth

"...What kind of service?"

Theo's brows drew together, a frown threading across his face like a shadow.

It wasn't just a question—it was suspicion wrapped in curiosity.

This was the first time he had ever heard someone from that syndicate utter that word.

A word so… civilized. So... unfitting for the monsters cloaked in gold and blood.

~Service.~

From their mouths, it almost sounded like a threat.

"I'll provide you with a Nexus Being," the man in the yellow cloak said casually,

"One you can actually afford to buy. A clean deal, a real opportunity. What do you say?"

"…"

For a moment, Theo said nothing.

His mind raced through every past interaction with the syndicate.

Every half-smile, every trap disguised as a gift.

Then, slowly, he nodded once.

"Two," he said.

"I want two. At the very least. And I want them delivered within five hundred years—no delays."

"Done."

The yellow-cloaked man grinned, then clapped Theo on the back with the laughter of a man who had just sold a loaded weapon to a child.

Then—whooo~—

With a flick of his fingers, the man reached toward his own head and drew out something that shimmered in the air.

It looked like a thread of liquid starlight, pulsing faintly with strange, arcane life.

He held it only a second before pressing it into Theo's forehead.

No pain. Just warmth.

And then—ownership.

"It's yours now," he chuckled darkly.

"Good luck... heheheh... HAHAHA!"

"…"

Theo exhaled deeply. That laugh grated on his nerves like sandpaper across bone.

He was used to it by now, though.

Used to being played. Used to the weight of foolish choices.

He wasn't even angry.

He knew he had been scammed.

He knew this "deal" would probably cost him more than just resources.

But still…

If this loss was the toll to enter the deeper waters of the syndicate,

If it meant having access to power others only dreamed of—

Then it was a price he was, reluctantly… willing to pay.

He inhaled slowly and turned to face the prisoner once more.

"Do you have a name… or shall I give you one?"

"…"

For the first time since their arrival, the prisoner stirred.

One eye opened.

Then the other.

They were narrow, alert—not the eyes of a broken man.

And within them glowed a furious, radiant red—like molten rubies, forged under pressure and time.

His gaze locked with Theo's, unmoving.

Unblinking.

But his lips remained still.

"…You're not going to speak?"

Theo tilted his head. Then he gave a faint smile.

"Fair enough. I was like you once, you know."

"When my new master—my father—first purchased me, the slaver told him my name was The Mute."

He glanced at the man sitting on the floor.

"That name… it fits you now more than it ever fit me.

So from today onward, your name is The Mute."

He motioned for him to stand, then turned and began walking away.

"Come. We're leaving. You've got a new home to get used to."

"…"

The Mute stared at Theo's back in complete silence.

Still motionless.

Still unbroken.

But slowly—ever so slowly—his body began to rise.

It wasn't will that made him move.

It was the curse embedded in his soul.

And so, with one last look at the crumbling wall that had shielded him,

He took his first step—

into servitude.

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

Two years later—

WHOOSH

A swirl of orange light descended into a grand, coliseum-sized hall lined with marble statues and ancient glyphs.

At the center landed a woman of almost mythical beauty.

Her nine flaming orange tails drifted like silk banners behind her, and her long hair, glowing with inner power, cascaded down her back like a living river of flame.

She stood tall, her presence undeniable—

A queen among monsters.

"Elder sister," she snapped.

"Why have you summoned me back so suddenly?

I told you I was in the middle of something crucial!"

Rinara, seated upon a stone platform carved with the sigils of the Nine Paths, sighed and rose slowly.

Her face was calm, but her eyes—those ancient, weathered eyes—carried weight.

"You mean your attempt to dissuade Caesar Burton from attacking the capital of the Iron Boar Empire?"

Her voice was quiet but cutting.

"That… is no longer an issue."

Elinor blinked, momentarily stunned.

"What do you mean 'no longer an issue'?!"

Her tails flared behind her like a fan of fire.

"Planetary Empires can lose territory. They can be cornered, blockaded, manipulated…

But you do not attack the Emperor's cradle!

That is the sacred ground! The one place even tyrants refuse to touch!"

"Such an act is a declaration of a war of extermination.

When you strike a homeworld, you don't just provoke the empire.

You provoke all its allies.

Its tributary empires. Its hidden supporters.

Even those with ancient debts will rise in defense!"

She clenched her fist.

"What they are doing is suicidal. The Empire of the Nine Paths cannot endure such backlash."

Elinor placed her hand on her slender waist.

"Didn't something exactly like this happen during our battles against the Twilight Spectrum Empire?

After we reclaimed every one of our planets and began our counteroffensive…

The moment we so much as touched their territory—

They struck back with overwhelming force, unleashing every World Cataclysm under their command and pushed us back!"

"Our ground forces—

Even the Frost Permanence Legion—

Were completely helpless against the might of just a single World Cataclysm!"

Then she furrowed her brows.

"That Robin Burton… he mocked us.

He laughed behind our backs when he only gave us a fourth-stage technique.

It's obvious he's capable of crafting fifth-stage techniques and martial arts—just look at the 'Breath of Ages'!"

"Enough, Elinor. Enough…"

Rinara rubbed the bridge of her nose, her expression weary.

"He showed up in the Soul Society today…

After decades of ignoring my messages, he finally decided to respond."

"You mean Robin Burton? He finally responded to our protests?"

Elinor's expression tightened, her golden brows furrowed.

"Hmph. Don't you dare accept any half-hearted apology for his son's behavior, Rinara.

Demand compensation—for all the years of neglect, and for the mental toll we've endured walking on eggshells around him!"

"Apology?"

Rinara shook her head.

"There was no apology. He didn't even sound like he cared.

He simply told me he's willing to rent the empire's name in exchange for energy gems…

Or just sever ties with us entirely."

"What…?"

Elinor's face shifted from disbelief… to frustration.

"Has that human gone mad?!"

"I don't know what's going on in his head anymore...

All I asked—all I asked—was to be notified about which planets he plans to conquer.

But instead, he starts talking about who's right and who's wrong?

And then he halts the trade of weapons and arrays we rely on for nearly every battle?"

Rinara frowned, genuinely confused.

"Where did I go wrong?"

"Forget it, sister."

Elinor waved her hand sharply, eyes narrowing.

"You put him on a pedestal… and he used you.

He used you to gather the planets he wanted.

He used you to reach the Middle Belt and build his precious new fortune.

Now that he has what he wants, he doesn't need you anymore. It's that simple."

She jabbed a finger in Rinara's direction, her voice rising.

Even her eyes—those seductive, dangerous eyes known to charm emperors and slay tyrants—

Now flashed with anger.

"I told you long ago—we needed to find ways to control him before this day came.

But you were too afraid to do anything!"

"…I didn't think he was that kind of person."

Rinara sighed, shaking her head slowly.

"But it's fine. He hasn't fully cut us off yet.

Even trade—he only doubled the prices, not ended it completely.

There's still room for negotiation.

I'll speak with him again…

Perhaps we can find a compromise that benefits everyone."

"You're going to act submissive again?!"

Elinor shouted, leaning forward with both hands on her hips.

"Haven't you had enough?

Even a handful of soldiers and slaves have started acting like equals—because of your softness!

And their leader… he dares speak to you like that just because he has some pearls?!"

"Money doesn't buy everything, Rinara!"

She pointed at her repeatedly, her voice like a sharp blade.

"Listen to me, and listen well.

I have more battlefield experience than you, and I know men like him.

The moment you show more weakness—

He will show more aggression.

And before long…

It won't be surprising if he tries to swallow the entire Nine Paths Empire—

The empire our father left us!"