".....!!"

Everyone in the grand tiers shot to their feet; even the dark-skinned emperor furrowed his brows sharply at the unbelievable sight before them.

Marshal Aro — a man of their own standing, someone who could sit across from them during negotiations and make demands without fear. A single word from his mouth could send a tremor of anxiety through their territories. A figure with genuine influence across Mid Sector 99, a ruler who had hosted them countless times at lavish banquets where he boasted proudly of his empire's power and history... and yet now, this same man was almost fully prostrating himself before another — in public!!

"...?!" Shaddad's massive frame trembled as he shifted his gaze between Aro and Robin. Robin had taken him as a student, yes, but up until this very moment Shaddad knew almost nothing about him — only that he was a *Lord Human*

And now it turned out that this same man, this calm and detached teacher, was the one commanding the infamouse Centurial Grave Empire itself? The revelation struck like lightning through the hall. Who in the world is this man truly?!

(Hey, what are you doing? Why did you come here personally? And why are you bowing on all fours?) Robin's calm voice echoed directly into Aro's mind through thought transmission. (The usual military salute would've been more than enough.)

(I'm improvising,) Aro replied quickly, his tone carrying restrained amusement even as his forehead pressed close to the floor. (The Shadow Sword informed me that you claimed ownership of the Grave Empire under your personal banner — not that you're the emperor or its sovereign, but an owner. So, I thought I'd add a little… credibility to the scene. If Your Excellency permits, I'd very much like to stand up now; I'll still have to face these people later, after all.)

"Heh~" A soft laugh escaped Robin's lips. "Stand up, Aro. There's no need for such heavy formalities here."

That man… he was still the sharpest when it came to political theater. By exaggerating the bow to that degree, he had just magnified the weight of every word leaving Robin's mouth — turning the atmosphere into one thick with tension and awe. He had successfully painted Robin as a figure of supreme authority, one who could make even a powerhouse like Aro kneel completely.

None of those watching had ever heard of a "Robin" in the high circles of the cosmic powers, yet here he stood, calm and smiling, while someone of Aro's reputation knelt before him. From this moment on, they would all fear him — respect him — and most importantly, avoid crossing him.

…If before, Robin could have bargained for a mere inch, now he could demand a mile.

"Thank you for granting me the privilege to rise, Your Excellency." Aro straightened himself with disciplined grace, bowing once again before standing tall. His deep voice carried easily across the grand hall. "May I ask the reason Your Excellency has summoned me personally?" His eyes then swept over the rows of emperors in the tiers, and his expression hardened like stone. "Did any of these people dare to trouble you?"

"....!!"

A wave of dread rippled through the gathered emperors. Their throats dried, and even their powerful hearts skipped a beat.

Each of them here was of noble blood and commanding heritage, rulers of star systems and ancient dynasties — yet it was well known across the cosmic plane that a Millennial Empire had formed an alliance for one purpose: to contain the expansion of the Grave Empire. Even a Millennial Empire, with all its might and history, would be uncertain it could face the Grave Empire alone in direct confrontation without much losses!

"No, no~" Robin waved his hand casually, smiling as if to diffuse the tension. "I was merely trying to reach an agreement that benefits everyone present. They are our esteemed guests, after all."

"Oh?" Aro's tone shifted instantly, his serious expression giving way to a confident, broad smile. "Then whatever Your Excellency decides shall be done. Should I hand over the Grave Empire to one of them so we may redirect our focus to matters of greater importance? I can begin arrangements at once!"

".....?!?"

A murmur of disbelief swept through the tiers. Even Howard froze mid-breath, uncertain if this was some kind of cruel jest or a power display beyond comprehension.

"No," Robin replied smoothly, his tone calm yet firm. "We still have interests within Mid Sector 99." He then lifted a hand and pointed toward Howard. "From this day forward, the Abyss-Swallowing Jellyfish Empire will become a Wing of the Centurial Grave Empire — for a period of ten thousand years."

".......?!"

Aro's eyes widened subtly. His heart leaped with satisfaction, yet outwardly he maintained the posture of a composed officer. "Understood, Your Excellency. Your will shall be carried out."

"Hah... hah, we will be under your protection then, Marshal Aro!" Howard stammered, wiping the sweat from his face, his gills trembling slightly from nerves and relief. He bowed deeply towards Robin, finally certain that he had made the right choice — that his gamble on submission would not be in vain.

"You will not regret this decision, Lord Howard." Aro gave a slow, deliberate nod, his expression firm and dignified. Then his gaze swept over the remaining emperors, the weight of his presence pressing upon them like an invisible mountain. "Now… what about the rest of you?"

"....." The four remaining Planetary Emperors exchanged silent, loaded glances, the tension between them thick enough to crush the air itself. Each of them carried an empire's worth of weight on their shoulders—civilizations, legions, families—and in that instant, they all understood that whatever decision was made here would mark their rise, or their end.

The woman adorned with a grand feathered crown narrowed her gaze ever so slightly. A storm of thoughts swirled behind her composed expression. She longed to question the vassalage deal Howard had secured through Marshal Aro, to see the fine print, to know whether the terms he'd accepted were even real. But she stopped herself.

The marshal—one of the most powerful men in their quadrant—had just declared, without hesitation, that he would surrender his entire empire at a single word from this mysterious man called Robin. That declaration alone had shattered every assumption about who held true power in this hall.

"These distinguished rulers before me," Robin's voice broke the silence, smooth and sharp all at once, "still have four choices to make."

He leaned back slightly, resting both hands on his abdomen, one leg casually crossed over the other atop the polished desk. His posture was relaxed, but the weight of his presence pressed down on the chamber like a mountain. "I trust," he continued, tone calm yet edged with unmistakable command, "that you'll begin making your decisions now. We wouldn't want to waste each other's time any longer, would we?"

"...."

Beside Howard—who had already chosen his path and now exhaled with relief—the others remained silent, trapped in the whirlpool of their own calculations. Their minds, sharpened by millions of years of rulership and tempered by endless wars, spun furiously. Each emperor began sending hidden messages through spiritual channels, speaking with their advisors, spouses, and ancient ancestors sealed within their bloodlines. Every second stretched like eternity.

In truth, when one stripped away the shock and the pride, Robin had not pressured them. If anything, he had displayed a generosity that bordered on divine.

Even in the worst outcome—if they rejected his every offer—they would still walk away with empowered heirs, capable of defending their realms and ensuring the survival of their dynasties for a new age.

And yet... that was what frightened them most. The fact that his power and confidence made refusal itself feel irrational.

"I will refrain from making any decision for the time being," said the Planetary Emperor with the antlered horns. His voice, though deep and controlled, carried a note of caution. "I offer my gratitude for the gift you granted my child. However, I will respond to the rest of your proposals only after consulting the ancient line of ancestors that guides our empire. Perhaps we shall join this 'Mutual Defense Pact' you offer... or perhaps we will remain independent. But I cannot pledge anything now."

"Understandable~" Robin replied with a smile that seemed to glint with both warmth and warning. "Just ensure that not a single word of what was said here leaves this room." His eyes gleamed faintly—cold, knowing. "Because I will know."

He leaned forward slightly, his tone lowering like a quiet thunder. "You have one hundred years. Think carefully during that time. The longer you delay your choice, the fewer the benefits you'll gain. After the hundred-year mark… all my offers vanish completely."

Less than five hundred years remained before the coming war. Any delay in integration would render their contribution meaningless. Their armies would need time to train, rearm, and adapt to the Grave Empire's system of warfare.

"....!" The emperor furrowed his brow but eventually nodded. It was logical—those who pledged themselves early would gain favor, strength, and resources beyond measure, while the latecomers would be left with scraps.

Still, as the sovereign of an empire spanning more than three hundred inhabited worlds, he couldn't afford to act rashly. A single impulsive choice could doom entire civilizations.

"As for us," said the green-skinned emperor, stepping forward with a voice that carried the weight of a thousand councils, "we are interested in the Mutual Defense Pact. However, we must discuss revisions to several of its terms."

"And we as well," interjected the feather-crowned woman, her tone firm but elegant. "The method and timing of the public declaration, the procedures for exchanging troops and expertise, the purchasing of weapons and talismans from the Grave Empire—these all require clarity. If we are to defend each other's existence, it must be built on genuine cooperation, not fragile promises."

She lifted her hand gracefully, feathers shimmering under the ethereal light. "We speak not only of alliance, but of shared destiny."

"Reasonable~" Robin said, nodding slowly. "You won't receive the privileges of my Wings, of course, but certain benefits can be arranged."

Then his eyes shifted to Aro, his gaze piercing deep into the marshal's very essence—like a command written into his soul. "Negotiate every detail with them. They will join our Mutual Defense Pact for ten thousand years. Base every term, every condition, on that duration."

"Yes, Your Excellency." Aro bowed till his head nearly touched his knee, he was screaming with enthusiasm from the inside!!

Finally, Robin turned toward the last of the four—the dark-skinned emperor who had remained silent throughout.

"And you," Robin asked, his tone calm but carrying a faint, dangerous curiosity, "what say you?"

The man's expression did not falter. His gaze met Robin's without fear or submission—only quiet defiance. After a long silence that stretched into a minute, he finally spoke, his voice steady and absolute:

"I object."

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