Chapter 1438: Strong foundation

"What in the world is all this? Has the Nine Paths Planetary Empire took all the action in the sector to themselves?!"

Robin jumped to his feet, eyes darting from one floating dialog box to the next as his surroundings were overwhelmed by a chaotic cascade of information windows.

He took several hurried steps backward, as if trying to escape the flood of notifications pressing in from every direction.

"Hide it all! Hide this madness! It's giving me a splitting headache!"

The fairy clapped her hands lightly, her wings fluttering with a soft magical pulse. In a moment, all the windows vanished, and peace returned.

The artificial sky above shimmered gently once again, and the familiar scenery in front of Robin reappeared as if nothing had happened.

"... What evenwasthat?" Robin muttered, rubbing his temple.

"All of those werenews reports... about the Empire of the? All of that chaos happened just over the lastfive years?!"

He felt a chill crawl up his spine as realization settled in.

"Is thesky literally collapsingon their heads over there, or what?!"

the fairy replied gently, floating closer before landing gracefully on Robin's shoulder.

"Please do," Robin waved his hand again, his tone half-irritated, half-weary.

"But be concise. I don't need a deep dive into political marriages or the naming ceremony of some elder's grandson.

If the reports are full of useless ceremonies and nobles trying to outshine each other, don't even bother."

The fairy paused slightly, adjusting her posture before continuing.

"....."

Robin's expression slowly twisted into a scowl.

His jaw clenched. His eyes narrowed. His anger was no longer subtle—it was written across every line of his face.

Despite everything... despite the arrogance, the political maneuvering, and the suffocating restrictions they had tried to impose—he had given them one final chance.

He let them rent his name. He allowed it not out of weakness, but as an acknowledgment of what they had done for him—opening the path into the Middle Belt.

And also because she, Renara, had seen too much on the day of his coronation.

But clearly... she didn't value that gesture.

Perhaps she saw it as submission? A sign of fragility?

What did she hope to accomplish with such a move?

She'd just thrown away everything—cutting ties with someone destined to become one of the greatest Truth Chosen in history.

Did she think he would come crawling back? That he'd kneel at her feet and beg for protection again?

Was she planning to demandeven morefrom him if he did?

None of it made sense.

She had tested his pride and his resolve more than once. She should've known better.

She knew exactly what he and his army were capable of.

"... What happened after that?" Robin asked coldly, his brows drawing into a tight line.

"AHigh-LevelNexus State?"

Robin's eyes went wide with genuine shock—then he laughed.

He laughed harder than he had in days.

"Ahhh! That kid's got some real fire in him! Hahahaha! He pulled it off!"

"Heh... Oh, I'm sure their intentions are nothing but pure goodness," Robin said with a smirk, his voice laced with sarcasm and amusement.

For the longest time, his greatest dilemma had been a simple one:

Who would wear the crown?

You couldn't place a World Cataclysm on the throne—they'd bring ruin.

A rented Nexus State? Too weak. Too temporary.

Caesar? Ineligible.

Robin himself? Impossible. His ascension would bring nothing but destruction.

Every option was blocked.

But now... Renara had gambled on the same unsolvable problem—and lost.

And as for Theo?

Theo had finally found someone... he could truly rely on.

"This coronation took place a year and nine months ago, you say?" Robin asked, his voice laced with a mix of curiosity and calculated interest.

He tilted his head slightly and narrowed his eyes, clearly trying to piece together the implications.

"So then... what happened next?"

The fairy's tone turned grim, her tiny eyes narrowing with weighty seriousness.

"At this point..." Robin muttered, his tone cool and detached,

"I no longer care what becomes of the Empire of the Nine Paths.

Whether they burn to the ground or bask in undeserved glory—it's of no importance to me anymore."

He waved his hand twice, as though literally brushing the thought away.

"What matters... is what happened to the Cradle Empire after the Five-Empire Coalition began their war."

The fairy's tone shifted, a trace of awe in her voice.

"...."

Robin nodded several times, slowly, his expression one of deep satisfaction.

A small smile played at the corners of his lips—quiet, yet powerful.

After centuries of toil, exile, betrayal, and war...

he had finally created a foundation that could last.

A foundation strong enough to stand anywhere—in any sector, under any sun.

He scratched the back of his head and turned, eyes scanning the floating interface of the truth chamber's request panel once more.

"Looks like I'll be needing a lot more pearls soon..." he mumbled with a smirk.

The fairy fluttered into the air, her wings glowing as she landed on his shoulder briefly—her voice filled with enthusiasm.

"... No. Not yet," Robin sighed, folding his arms.

"I need to improve myself as well.

I can't just pour effort into others and forget my own power. I must grow stronger."

He glanced at the fairy again, his expression firm.

"Just let anyone who submits a task know this:

the higher they price it,

the more likely it is thatLordHumanhimself will take notice—

and finish itpersonally."

The fairy gave a crisp, mock-serious salute, her eyes glimmering like twin stars.

"Good." Robin nodded once, then waved his hand, dismissing the screen.

"Now... let's go and see what the second book has to say."

Shhhhhh~