Lord of the Truth

"...."

Latania dropped to her left knee, her right fist slamming against the cold, metallic ground with a sharp clang, her eyes locked downward, unwavering. She couldn't raise her head. She dared not... Her entire body trembled, shoulders quivering as a stream of sweat rolled steadily down her temples, soaking the edges of her collar.

Her very first encounter—her very first meeting—with His Majesty, and she had already disgraced herself in front of him… no, worse—he had directly threatened her!

She clenched her teeth.

This wasn't just a failure.

This was a disaster. An unforgivable humiliation.

The worst possible outcome.

"..."

An oppressive silence swallowed the atmosphere whole.

Not a whisper, not a breath, not a twitch.

The air itself seemed to freeze.

Every head was bowed. Every face turned away in shame, reverence, or sheer fear—except for two.

Robin… and Latania.

Robin narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression unreadable. Then, unexpectedly, he raised both eyebrows in silent thought. Normally, he never paid attention to appearances, never lingered too long observing someone's body unless necessary—but this situation was different.

Something needed confirmation.

A faint flash of light shimmered across his eyes as his divine perception activated for a brief moment.

And there it was.

Bold and unmistakable—glowing under her uniform like carved starlight—the fourth stage of the Body Strengthening Divine Tattoo, the Nihari Giants edition!

"Hmm... So it's true, after all," he muttered, a subtle nod following. "You really are from the Imperial Guard."

With that single statement, all the heavy tension in his aura vanished. His hostility dissolved into a mild, almost inquisitive interest. He tilted his head slightly, regarding her with curiosity rather than judgment.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, voice calm but firm.

"In response to Your Majesty..."

Latania began, her voice formal but restrained. She paused for a brief moment, glancing cautiously at the surrounding guards and servants who still lingered at a distance. Her eyes sharpened.

Then, almost inaudibly, she whispered, "Leave."

"Kieh!!"

With a sudden ripple of movement and a gust of spiritual wind, dozens of armored figures blurred away in all directions, vanishing into thin air without protest—none of them wanting to linger a second longer after hearing that one word spoken in that tone.

The space became instantly emptier.

Latania slowly lowered her gaze again, inhaling deeply.

"His Highness Prince Theo managed to trace Your Majesty's registration her as a professor at Dawn Light Stellar Academy. The alert reached us immediately to get here. Wherever Your Majesty walks, the Imperial Guard must be close behind. That is our sacred duty."

She hesitated briefly, then continued.

"At first, the entire Guard Battalion wished to come. But the Supreme Guardian advised against it, saying Your Majesty would not approve. In the end, the order was given to dispatch only three of us."

"...The three of you?" Robin asked, his voice carrying a hint of suspicion.

"Yes. Commander Malek and Commander Wade—leaders of the First and Second Divisions—are stationed here as well."

Her tone was rough, yet respectful. It carried the strength of a soldier, but the reverence of a believer. She glanced up quickly, just for a second, then bowed her head again as if scorched by the weight of his gaze.

"Your Majesty..." she said softly, hesitation evident in her voice, "I offer my deepest apologies for the... disgraceful scene earlier. It was nothing more than light activity. Simply sparring to pass the time."

Robin stared at her for a moment, then allowed a faint smile to curl on his lips.

"No need to apologize," he said with quiet amusement. "I'm sure you did it for their own good."

Ba-dump!

Latania's heart skipped a beat as she raised her head a little—then thundered in her chest.

The last time the Empire saw His Majesty…

It had been years ago, during the grand coronation.

He had worn his hair long, reaching his shoulders, his face clean-shaven and youthful.

But now…

Short, slightly messy hair. A sharp, trimmed beard.

A matured presence that couldn't be captured by any photograph or projection.

It was like standing before an entirely different being.

That was what made recognizing him so hard for most…

But once you felt it—

Once you felt this—there was no mistake.

Even seated, even bandaged, even bruised and bound to a chair… His Majesty's presence felt like a mountain pressing down on the room.

A tidal wave held back by mere thread.

An aura so potent, she could barely breathe beneath it.

If he willed it… he could probably crush her with just his will.

Even though she knew he hadn't yet reached the World Cataclysm level of power… somehow, it didn't matter.

This… was the majesty of the man who forged the Empire of True Beginnings out of nothing.

This… was the overwhelming presence of the one who battled not one—but two Nexus State cultivators… and forced them both to retreat.

This… was—

"Wait!!" Latania jerked her head up, utterly shocked. "Your Majesty is injured?! What happened to you?!"

Her aura erupted chaotically, uncontrolled and fierce. In an instant, the odd hat and the moisturizing mask vanished like smoke. Her expression turned razor-sharp. "Who dared to lay a hand on His Majesty?! Who has the audacity?!"

"..." Robin exhaled slowly, watching her murderous aura surge. For some reason, something inside him whispered that he probably shouldn't mention Shaddad's name. "It's just… a cultivation method. A brutal one to strengthen the body. I'll be fine within a few weeks."

He then lifted his face slightly, tilting his head with a faint gesture. "Go summon the other two. We're heading out."

"Yes, Your Majesty!!"

In a blink, her furious and battle-ready aura shifted into sheer delight. They had stayed in this place for far too long… she'd almost forgotten the outside world even existed!

Whoosh!

At that moment, another figure materialized in the area. A blond man with a small, pointed beard, and eyes narrowed under blade-like eyebrows. His aura was soaked in killing intent, as if he had just emerged from a pool of endless blood.

In each hand, he gripped the neck of a different person. Then he smirked coldly and spoke mockingly, "Hey, little girl, I caught your slaves running around like headless chickens. What'll you pay to them back?"

But his laughter died quickly as he noticed the scene before him. "Hm?"

His usual rival, Latania—the one who always stood toe to toe with him in both height and rank—was kneeling on the ground, lowered in submission. He was used to teasing her, competing with her, provoking her…

But like this? Kneeling before someone?

It was… disgraceful.

"..."

Latania simply smiled without saying a word.

In truth, her entire soul hoped that her rival would embarrass himself today.

BAM BAM

With a sharp motion, the man—Wade—hurled the two guards in his hands left and right. Each one smashed into a nearby house and disappeared through the walls.

"Oi. What the hell is going on here?" he growled.

"The way you appeared out of nowhere like that…" Robin looked him up and down with a curious smile. "Are you the captain of the Space Division in the Imperial Guard?"

"...?"

Wade narrowed his eyes and turned to Robin with a confused frown. He glanced back at the kneeling Latania. Then to Robin. Then to her again. Then—

BAM!

Wade dropped to one knee and slammed his fist to the ground.

"Wade, Captain of the Imperial Guard's Second Division, greets His Majesty!!"

"Go and retrieve your third member," Robin ordered simply, his voice calm yet firm.

"At once!" Wade nodded sharply while remaining on one knee, and vanished immediately.

Robin grinned, watching the spot Wade had just disappeared from.

"I've used the Law of Space extensively throughout my life… but this is the first time I've ever seen someone else use it in front of me. How should I put it… it's kind of exciting."

"Would Your Majesty like to see me use the Law of Resonant Waves?!"

Latania lifted her head, her voice bursting with enthusiasm.

"You'll get your chance soon enough," Robin chuckled and turned his chair around, leaving her behind. "Let's go. We'll wait by the gate. We need to reach the Mission Hall as fast as possible."

Woosh

Latania immediately leapt forward, closing the distance between them in a flash. She grabbed the handles of his mobile chair and began pushing him herself, full of energy.

"May I ask where we're going, Your Majesty?" she asked eagerly.

"..." Robin smiled with deep determination.

"To the place where I will become… a Royal Soul Master."