Lord of the Truth

"Rise." Robin gestured gently with his hand, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable weight of command. His tone wasn't one of harshness, but rather of quiet dignity—like a father addressing his children after a grave decision had been made. Slowly, the figures before him stood, their postures straightening with a mix of awe, respect, and lingering apprehension.

His eyes flicked back and forth between Sakaar and Amon, holding their gazes with a steady intensity that conveyed both understanding and warning.

"Your reaction," he said slowly, his words deliberate and heavy, "tells me something important—it tells me that you understand the reality we now face. That is not only good… it is essential. It will make what I am about to say next easier—for you to accept, and for me to enforce."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in, then continued with firm clarity.

"I ask that you and your kind refrain from visiting or involving yourselves with any other planetary territories beyond S2, S3, and S4. I have given you three entire worlds, even though your numbers are currently modest. I did this not because of obligation, but to grant your people the freedom to move, the space to grow, and so you never feel trapped or leashed by this empire. But… with that same generosity comes a firm boundary. You are not to interfere with the rest of the empire's planets. Please understand this decision is final."

Sakaar bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment. "Understood."

In truth, he had anticipated something much worse—a total severance of ties, perhaps even forced isolation—especially after the terrifying threat issued earlier by Lady Renara. By comparison, Robin's decree was more than reasonable. It was merciful. It was even… kind.

Robin gave a small nod, then turned to Theo, his voice steady again.

"Choose a select number of Shadow Swords to be stationed permanently within the Second Army. They will not only serve in military matters, but also act as continuous ambassadors and messengers between the Second Army and Imperial Headquarters. From this point forward, the demons will no longer be able to access the heart of the Empire freely—unless a truly exceptional situation arises."

"Understood." Theo nodded solemnly, already considering the ideal agents for such a delicate role.

Then, Robin's gaze returned to Sakaar, and the warmth in his eyes cooled to a steely edge.

"I am well aware of the natural instincts that lie within your kind," he said plainly. "I understand your hunger. But let me be absolutely clear—these military campaigns are not an invitation to feast. They are not hunting expeditions. They are a means to spread my rule."

He took a single step forward, voice rising slightly.

"You may feed on the corpses of those who fall in battle against you—those who meet you sword for sword, claw for claw. But you are never to harm civilians. Never lay a hand on the defenseless. Never touch those who surrender. Never burn a field, destroy a village, or defile a single tree unless there is a strategic reason. Is that understood?"

"Perfectly understood." Sakaar answered without pause, his face unreadable, but his tone laced with sincerity. There was no room for error in these words.

Robin then turned toward Aro and Caesar, sweeping them both into the judgment of his next decree.

"And the same applies to you," he said firmly. "Your battles must remain strictly confined to the battlefield. Any act of unnecessary violence will be recorded by the Shadow Swords, and those responsible will face punishment by the Light Swords. And if any such act is linked to orders issued by one of the generals standing before me, then that punishment will not come from the Shadow and Light Swords—it will come directly from me. Is that absolutely clear?"

"Understood!" Caesar, Aro, Theo, and even Billy all answered together, their voices ringing with certainty. Billy's heart swelled with a quiet pride; it was moments like this that reminded him why he had always believed in Robin—even when the world doubted him.

"Good," Robin nodded, taking a moment to let the silence reaffirm his words. Then he turned to Caesar.

"You and the First Army will be based in Greenland, Jura, Poison Rock, and Gudah. That means your expansion will occur simultaneously in Sectors 99 and 100. At this point in time, your army has the advantage—both in numbers and in organizational maturity. I expect you to outperform the other two armies by at least double in the first hundred years. After that, the true mettle of each army will become visible."

"Even after that century has passed, we will continue to outperform them," Caesar declared confidently, without even acknowledging the presence of Sakar or Aro beside him.

Robin gave him a slow, serious nod, then looked across the three commanders standing before him.

"From this day forward, the system of autonomous armies will take effect. Each of you will possess authority equivalent to that of a planetary emperor. I will not judge you by your words or your promises. Only your results will determine whether I was right—or terribly wrong—in granting such power."

Then, with a sudden change of tone, Robin's expression softened. He turned to Holak, placing a strong but affectionate hand on the man's back.

"By the way," he added, "Holak is now officially the Commander of the Imperial Guard. I'm also placing the Three Beast Kings under his command. His authority will be entirely defensive—his duty is to protect the planets already under our rule in the case of external attack."

He looked once more to the three generals.

"If any of you find yourselves overwhelmed in a battle too large to handle, and you cannot call upon your fellow generals, then you may request Holak's aid. But know this: he will arrive with his elite force, resolve the threat, and then depart. He is not under your command, and you may not issue him orders. Is that clear?"

"...Understood."

The three generals subtly shifted their eyes toward the towering blue giant of Nihari. His imposing figure stood as a silent symbol of unshakable authority.

Though both Sakaar and Caesar quickly returned their focus to Robin, the subtle tension in their posture betrayed their lingering distaste for Holak. Despite their personal feelings, they could not deny the logic behind his position—his role in the Empire was well-earned. Only Aro allowed his gaze to remain on Holak for a few extra moments. His expression softened, and a long sigh escaped him—not out of frustration, but from a quiet sorrow, mourning a missed opportunity that might never come again.

"With that, everything has now been prepared," Robin declared, his voice firm yet calm. A note of finality echoed in the chamber, yet it was not cold—it was the voice of a leader who had thought through every detail.

"There is one final note I must leave with you, not as a command, but as a safeguard," he continued, lifting a hand gently. "While all of you are engaged in your campaigns, should any conflict arise between your forces, or if you require someone to mediate or issue decisive direction... refer to Richard. I refrained from assigning him permanently to the First Army precisely for this reason."

Then, with a smile that mixed warmth with command, Robin asked, "Does anyone here have a question, or perhaps a concern they wish to raise?"

"No, Your Majesty," came the firm and unified response. No hesitation. No uncertainty.

"Father," Richard stepped forward slightly, tension tightening his features. His tone carried resolve. "I would like to participate directly in the battles."

The very reason he had returned to the Empire's heart had been to share in its fight, not to observe it from the sidelines.

Robin let out a rich, heartfelt laugh, filled with a father's pride and affection. He reached out and affectionately patted his son's head.

"Then follow the war from the central command for now. Watch closely. And when you see a front that captures your spirit, Join it directly. What do you say?"

He grinned broadly. "And I sincerely doubt any of our supreme generals here would have any objections to your presence on their fields."

"Of course not."

"Son of the lord is more than welcome with us at all times."

"Come and go freely, little brother~"

Their responses came with sincerity, without a trace of hesitation.

"Good." Robin nodded approvingly, then clapped his hands once with a brisk sound, dismissing them with a smile. "Begin preparations. There's much to be done."

The generals bowed lightly in acknowledgment and began to file out of the platform, each one already retreating into his own world of duty and thought. Even Hulak, now released from formality, stretched like a beast released from its cage, then bounded toward Crixus, eager to share the latest events.

"Wait a moment."

Robin reached out and gently grasped Zara's hand, stopping her just as she was about to leave. He waited patiently until the others had fully exited.

Only then did he pull from his robes a small, shimmering metal Card, its surface etched with runes that pulsed faintly with power. He placed it carefully into her hand.

"In the coming days, I want you to find individuals who possess this particular affinity," he said softly, but with weight behind his words.

"...This one?" Zara's voice dropped almost to a whisper, her brows furrowing in disbelief. "Are you certain about this?"

"These individuals will serve in the Imperial Guard," Robin explained, his tone steady. "We cannot allow another incident like the Jura invasion to happen again—ever. Not on any planet under our banner."

He turned his gaze toward the distant horizon, as though looking beyond the very skies themselves.

"Renara told me that the planets within the Mid belt often change hands every few thousand years. She said nearly all of her ninety-one planets have been lost and reclaimed countless times—some conquered, others abandoned. She gains some, loses others... Honestly, that terrified me a little."

He turned his gaze back toward Zara, a spark of defiance burning in his eyes.

"I am a greedy man, Zara. I like keeping what belongs to me. I refuse to be part of this endless game of 'exchange.' Not now. Not ever."

"...I'll do what I can," Zara responded with a deep exhale, her tone resolute but uncertain of the scale of the task ahead. "Shall I accompany you to the Imperial Palace to begin your retreat?"

"The Palace?" Robin raised an eyebrow, then chuckled lightly. "No... This time, my retreat will be long. I don't want to be boxed in by stone and walls, no matter how grand they are."

He turned from her, his footsteps echoing through the hall as he walked away.

"I have a place in mind. Somewhere better suited for what's to come."

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End of Volume: A Foothold

Tomorrow begins Volume: Lone Wolf