Lord of the Truth

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"We pay our respects to His Majesty the Monarch! We salute the Honorable Head of the Academy!"

The moment the portal activated and a figure emerged—an eerily pale woman moving with supernatural grace and utter silence—six portal operators and guards instinctively fell to one knee. Their eyes lowered, their breathing hushed. A wave of reverence and fear washed over them, as if a divine entity had descended.

Step… step…

In stark contrast, Robin stepped out behind her. His footsteps weren't soft, nor hesitant—they echoed with purpose, each one like a drumbeat that struck not just the ground but the hearts of those who heard it. He walked forward a few paces… then stopped.

"…"

With excruciating slowness, eyes wide open and unblinking, Robin turned his gaze in every direction.

He had just left a serene beach on a quiet island, where the air was crisp and the view could tame even the most restless soul. Before that, he'd wandered the Soul Society—he had seen things there that defied imagination, that redefined reality. And yet… this place?

This was something else entirely.

Before him stretched a walkway of shimmering marble that sparkled as if dusted with star fragments. It looked not like stone, but like it had been carved from the essence of pearls and light. To his right, an entire lake of raw energy essence pulsed gently with power, so pure it seemed alive. Several young men and women, clad in simple yet elegant uniforms, laughed and played within it, as if this were just another casual afternoon.

To his left sprawled a vast, emerald garden stretching to the horizon, filled with students—hundreds of them—wearing white and violet uniforms. But it wasn't just their clothing that stood out. The students themselves were a mosaic of diversity—different races, skin tones, body shapes, even different auras. It was rare to see even two who looked remotely alike. And they weren't idle: some were reading ancient tomes, others painting mystical symbols in the air, some sparring in hand-to-hand combat so fierce it shook the grass beneath them.

Ahead of them all stood several majestic buildings, each a sprawling architectural marvel. They were only a single story tall, yet so wide and beautifully crafted they could have easily served as the throne halls of emperors. Each one had its own distinct style—one of glistening obsidian, another of twisting crystal towers, a third blooming with vibrant vines that sparkled like stardust.

Between these buildings danced small grass-like creatures, spirit birds, and fantastical beasts. They moved freely, as if they were part of the academy itself. Joyful, harmless, yet brimming with energy. And then—Robin blinked—was that… a rabbit?

Yes. A white rabbit sprinting upright on its hind legs, holding a glass of juice, politely delivering it to a seated student.

"…"

Robin let out a small laugh, shaking his head. Even the wildlife here had a purpose, a role to play in nurturing these students. What kind of place was this?

He finally tilted his head upward… and his breath caught.

Above him weren't just stars or clouds—there were celestial bodies, moons so massive they made Earth's moon seem like a pebble. Each one glowed with its own radiant hue—emerald green, sapphire blue, crimson red—and they all spun and danced in harmonious rhythm, weaving past one another in a ballet of divine light. It was as if someone had scattered a handful of sentient gems across the sky and told them to never stop moving.

"...Wow."

Robin's lips parted, his voice barely a whisper. The sky of this planet alone… could shatter hearts.

"Keep moving."

A sharp yet familiar voice cut through his awe like a blade, dragging him back to reality.

"Huh? You're already that far ahead?"

Robin snapped to attention, eyes locking on Althera's figure far in the distance. "Could you maybe slow down a bit? I'm still just level 11, remember."

"…"

Only after he began jogging to catch up did the portal guards dare to raise their eyes, curiosity burning in their chests. They tried to get a glimpse of this rare guest who had arrived alongside their supreme Lady, something almost never seen.

"How are you only level 11? Aren't you a fourth-stage law wielder?"

Althera asked without inflection, but a trace of disbelief leaked through her typically emotionless face.

"I was a Martial Emperor… but the Cosmic Elder had a different opinion,"

Robin sighed deeply as he finally reached her side. "That's why I'm here, I suppose."

Althera stared into his eyes for a long, unreadable moment. Then, without a word, she turned and resumed walking—but her pace had slowed ever so slightly.

"So long as the Cosmic Elder has passed his judgment," she said calmly, "you are free to remain. Use any resource you wish. Climb back to your previous peak… and beyond."

"Lady Head of the Academy!"

"Your Majesty!"

As they walked through the academy grounds, the students began to notice. One by one, they paused their activities, their eyes widening as they recognized the woman in violet robes. Books were closed, fists unclenched, conversations silenced—and all of them bowed deeply in unison, their voices trembling with respect.

"Hmm?"

Robin noticed that they weren't just bowing to her. They were all… looking at him. Confused. Curious. Whispering silently to one another.

"Thank you for your generosity, Monarch Althera," Robin said, slightly breathless as he tried to match her steady, commanding pace. "You seem to have quite a deep connection with the Cosmic Elder. Was he perhaps your master in the past? Or someone you served under?"

"No," Althera replied without looking at him, her tone flat yet firm. "I've only seen him twice in my entire life."

She paused briefly, not in her steps but in her breath—as if remembering something sacred.

"Yet even with that," she continued, "I would give everything for him. Anything. The Cosmic Elder has given far more to this universe than any of us could ever hope to repay. He sacrificed enormous portions of his strength… and his lifespan… not for glory, but for us. It was he who ended the Age of Blood. He who stood against the rise of the dark creatures and the plague that threatened to consume reality itself. You've seen what he has become now… a shadow of his former self."

Her voice darkened slightly, her gaze hardening.

"Perhaps the Behemoths don't see it that way. They don't give him the reverence he deserves. Maybe they believe they could've done what he did, or maybe they resent him for limiting their ambitions. But here, in the Stellar Academies, we haven't forgotten. We would die for him—not because he owns us, not because he commands it… but because he earned it."

Robin remained silent for a moment, absorbing her words. Then, with genuine confusion, he asked,

"But the universe is still filled with bloodshed… Conquests rage on, and entire galaxies fall by the cycle. Are you saying it would've been even worse if not for the Cosmic Elder?"

"You can't even begin to imagine," Althera replied, her tone quiet, grave. My Virtual Library Empire (M|V|LE1MPYR) thanks you for reading at the source.

"His first deed was what I still believe to be the greatest act in all of cosmic history." She turned her head slightly, her violet eyes glowing. "Fifty-seven million years ago… he destroyed the Abyss of Doom."

Robin blinked. "The Abyss of Doom?" he repeated, eyebrows furrowing.

Althera's face grew pale. Even her steps slowed for half a second.

"The Abyss was not just a place," she said. "It was a nightmare. A gathering point for every form of Plague the universe had ever known. The Crimson Plague—devourers of the living. The Black Plague—corruptors of planets, rotters of stone and soil. And above them all… the Azure Plague—predators of stars."

She exhaled sharply, the mere memory wringing tension from her frame.

"At one point, those monstrous entities multiplied beyond measure. Many reached the Seventh Stage of power. And when they joined forces, they became something the universe had no defense against. An alliance of pure devastation, calling themselves the Abyss of Doom."

Her voice lowered, thick with the weight of ancient terror.

"They swept across sector after sector, destroying everything in their path. Not just people. Not just civilizations. They consumed stars. Entire systems blinked out. What they left behind wasn't ruin—it was void. Black, empty, unnatural space."

She turned her gaze toward the sky.

"Do you know the empty zones between sectors? The dark borders we now call 'sectoral boundaries'? Many believe they were always there. But no… the dominant theory is that those borders were created by the hunger of those creatures. That they devoured so much of existence that even space itself was torn open, leaving scars that could never heal."

Robin's throat tightened. "So what happened? How were they stopped?"

"The greatest coalition in the universe's history rose against them," Althera said. "Every intelligent force—regardless of race, ideology, or history—united to strike back. Even then, their forces were only barely enough to hold the line. The plagues reproduced at unimaginable rates. Every minute, new horrors emerged. Every hour, a new planet fell. It was only a matter of time before the entire cosmos was consumed…"

"…Until he appeared."

Althera stopped walking for the first time and looked Robin straight in the eyes.

"The Cosmic Elder."

"He didn't wait. He didn't rally allies. He didn't plead for permission. He dove straight into the heart of the Abyss. Alone."

"He killed their Kings in numbers no one could comprehend. Entire breeds of plague were annihilated at his hands. Those that survived scattered like rats. Fled into the void. And ever since, none of them have dared to gather again. No great campaigns. No organized strikes. Just isolated, cowardly attacks on weak planets… scavenging for food… always hunted down, always purged the moment they're discovered."

Robin stared at her, stunned. "…He did all that? Alone?"

"Yes," she said. "He changed everything."

"And now," she continued, beginning to walk again, "we the Stellar Academies carry his legacy. We are many. We are vigilant. We are prepared. Never again will we let such a threat rise unnoticed."

Her voice turned steely, eyes glowing faintly.

"Whether they are ancient plagues or newly spawned abominations, all of them will be exterminated on sight. We can no longer lean on the Cosmic Elder—not in his current condition. It's our turn now. And we will never allow another Abyss of Doom to rise again… no matter the price."