Chapter 1011: Preparations
"Volp and Shamshon?" Caesar raised an eyebrow. "Is that a good idea? They're already afraid of cooperating with us fully, trying to negotiate every step us they advance. Now you're sending them to convince another planet, one that was in a similar plight, to submit fully to us? You're not planning to turn R-1 into just another trade ally like we did with Gudah, are you?"
"Of course not- I wanted to avoid trouble with another Overlord, which is why I left Planet Gudah alone. That doesn't mean everyone gets the same treatment," Robin said with a smile, waving his hand. "And since they're afraid of us on Gudah, they'll try to appease us by offering up other planets so we shift our attention elsewhere. You'll see Volp and Shamshon will negotiate on our behalf as if their lives depend on it!"
Caesar shrugged and returned to reading the scroll. His father often behaved as if he were playing chess, moving pieces and expecting them to act as he predicted. Caesar, on the other hand, disliked that approach. He hated relying on waiting for someone else to act. Subjugation by force always worked- why change it?
"Your Excellency, what should we do now?" General Martin asked respectfully.
"Return to the planets assigned to you," Robin clapped his hands. "Until the negotiations are concluded, we don't know what will happen. Don't move from there until we've fully dealt with Pyther and ensured the threat is eliminated."
"Understood, Your Excellency." Martin bowed, then turned his muscular frame and left immediately, without needing to provide a report or ask for further orders. What was the point of staying?
The two women, Kassia and Victoria, stayed for about an hour longer, browsing through the scroll and discussing what they had encountered on their respective planets. When Kassia finally stood up, she grabbed her friend and they both left.
"We need to start designing ships of our own based on these preliminary designs. Riding those flying serpents is extremely uncomfortable," Caesar finally said as he finished reading. "...Focus on your next task. Hand over command to your brother Theo and don't worry about anything else." Robin looked at his son for a few seconds before adding, "When Hulak and Richard arrive, make sure to tell them the same thing. You all need to be at your best by tomorrow."
"....." Caesar sat, stared at the ground, and nodded a few times without saying a word. There was less than a day left before the negotiations, where he, Richard, Hulak, and Sakar would accompany his father to the enemy stronghold, the City of Hope. The number of things that could go wrong was overwhelming, and the chances of success were almost negligible. Was he scared? No, not really. But it would be a lie to say he wasn't expecting the worst.
"What are you going to do now?" Caesar raised his head and asked his father.
Robin looked up at the ceiling with a smile. "I'll sit here. It's not a bad place. That snake bastard enjoys the quiet, just like I do..."
Caesar smiled and shook his head. He immediately recognized that his father was trying to calm himself, likely considering scenarios for the upcoming battle. Staying here longer would only burden him, so Caesar patted his thigh and stood up. "I'll take my leave, then. See you tomorrow."
On his way out, he caught sight of someone out of the corner of his eye. It was Raiden, still sitting in the same spot with a wide grin on his face.
"...." Caesar approached him, grabbed the armor at the back of his neck, and dragged him out. "Hey, is the meeting over already? I still wanted to tell His Excellency about the details of the battles!!" Raiden protested.
But Caesar kept dragging him regardless. "Come on, hero. Tell me all about it outside."
Hmmmm.
"Hehe~" Robin chuckled at the scene before quickly adjusting his mental state. His expression returned to complete calm. Then, the light faded from his eyes.
Within his spiritual domain-
Raaaawr!!
Bam Bam
"Oh? The place seems livelier than usual," Robin's silver manifestation appeared, laughing. "Are you kidding me?!" Evergreen's voice echoed from a distance. She came running toward Robin, exhaustion, and anger evident on her face. "What exactly were you thinking?!" "What? Didn't you tell me to use the Soul Filling Technique more often?" Robin laughed heartily as he glanced around...
His soul domain was now teeming with shiny white orbs floating all over the place. Some bumped into each other, while others butted against the high silver trees and circled around the soul altars.
Some emitted growls and roars as if playing, yet none exhibited hostility. These were the nascent souls of the slain that Robin had gathered from the battlefield. Some were of human and durger human races, but most were beast souls- many of them beasts and humans at the Emperor realm!!
But their numbers were overwhelming. At this moment, several soul creatures within Robin's domain were trying to capture and restrain the orbs, but their sheer numbers and rapid movements made it look as though they were trying to wrangle a group of unruly children!
"...I'll need every bit of help I can get tomorrow," Robin's expression turned serious, and he raised both hands level with his shoulders.
Rumble Rumble
The ground of his spiritual domain began to quake for a few seconds before multiple protrusions emerged, shaping themselves into volcanoes. From each volcano, drills and numerous chains extended... Within minutes, Robin had created 20,000 new soul altars!
Ahhh!!
The nascent soul orbs scattered in all directions to escape the chains, but where could they go? Quickly and right before Robin's eyes, they were easily captured. Each orb was chained atop an altar before the altar's drill immediately started its work.
This time, the drills didn't move gently or wait for the drops to gather for minutes before softly dripping onto the ground for absorption. The collection process accelerated several times over!
"...." Watching this grand scene, Evergreen couldn't say a word. She could only glance sideways at Robin before returning to observe the grim fate of those soul orbs. Yet, the first step toward a new life awaited them.
As for Robin himself, he turned toward the largest soul altar present, walking toward it with visible determination and resolve. "Apologies for making you wait so long. Let's finish this."