"...?!?"

Everyone jolted at Ranther's words. The silence that had filled the hall shattered like fragile glass. The one most visibly affected was the Planetary Emperor with the horns, his eyes narrowing in disbelief.

"Hmm, logical once again," Robin nodded several times, his tone smooth and almost approving. "In terms of both strength and influence, your status is indeed more significant. It's only fair that you receive a greater share of benefits if you join as a Wing." He then gestured toward Aro. "If you decide to proceed, you can negotiate directly with Aro for whatever you deem fair. I'll handle the costs—within reasonable limits, of course."

Ranther's grin widened, his sharp teeth flashing under the dim glow of the chamber. "Does your wealth even know what 'reasonable' means?" he laughed heartily. "As long as our worth is recognized, there's no issue with becoming a Wing!"

After all, what was the harm in pledging allegiance for ten thousand years if it meant securing a personal connection with the Great Truth Chosen of this era—one who possessed both unimaginable wealth and unstoppable ambition? His body remained seated in the grand academy's hall, but his mind had already begun soaring, envisioning a future overflowing with treasures, opportunities, and power beyond reckoning.

"....?!"

Once again, the other Emperors were struck dumb by Ranther's dreamy smile. His rapid shift from hostility to silence, and then to this almost blissful expression, baffled them completely. What in the heavens was going on inside his head?

"Heh~" Only Howard let out a long, weary sigh—a mix of relief and helplessness all at once.

"Don't be sad," whispered Howard's wife gently, her voice soft as moonlight. "This will be a new beginning for us." She knew well the reason for his frustration; Ranther had insulted him openly, twice even. Yet Howard hadn't spoken a single word in his defense—because every word Ranther uttered was, painfully, true. In the hierarchy of power, he and Ranther simply didn't belong in the same sentence.

"Hey, don't get too lost in your daydreams," Robin snapped his fingers a few times, the sound echoing sharply across the hall. "Keep your demands within reason—or you'll end up getting nothing at all!" Then his gaze turned toward Howard. "....." After a brief pause, he looked at Aro. "I want you to prepare a clause ensuring that the Wings receive greater resources and more Pearls as their armies grow stronger through their own merit or as they conquer additional planets independently, understood?"

Perhaps Howard himself didn't realize it, but his bloodline was far from weak. What he truly lacked were proper activation methods and supportive techniques. Once those were provided, his Empire would rise to unprecedented heights.

"Of course, my lord," Aro bowed deeply, lowering his head until it nearly touched Robin's knee.

"Thank you, Your Excellency," Howard also bowed, gratitude burning in his chest. He knew this decision was made to comfort him, to restore his dignity. "I won't disappoint you!"

"Thank you, Professor!" Mirina bowed as well, followed by her mother and the rest of their delegation.

"Good, then," Robin clapped his hands together with finality. "It's settled. Everyone has made their choices. Please, take your leave—for the longer you stay, the more you'll owe Althera!"

"Wait!" The woman wearing the feathered crown stepped forward, raising her voice. "I'll take the same oath Ranther did. Tell me exactly what you told him!"

"I as well!" declared the green-skinned Emperor, his voice deep and resonant. "Perhaps—just perhaps—I'll reconsider my position too."

"...." The Emperor with the goat-like horns said nothing, but his heart was pounding violently. He wanted to take that step, but his pride shackled him in silence after his earlier refusal.

"No," Robin brushed his hands dismissively. "We're done for today. If you wish to follow their example and join me, you're welcome. If not, proceed with Aro and finalize the joint defense treaty."

"And don't forget—" His tone sharpened, his smile cold and knowing. "You are not speaking to me from a position of power anymore. With the addition of Howard and Ranther, we have already become a millennial empire~"

".....?!"

That announcement struck like thunder. A wave of shock rolled through the room as realization dawned.

It was true—the Grave Empire, the Astray Predators Empire, and the Abyssal-Swallowing Jellyfish Empire together now controlled 1,152 planets!

The most astonished of all was Aro himself, his mouth falling open as if the floor had been pulled from beneath him.

Clap!

Robin's palms struck together sharply, the sound echoing like a thunderclap through the grand hall. The golden light from the chandeliers shimmered across his calm yet commanding expression.

"Alright then," he said, his voice ringing with finality and authority, "this meeting is officially over for me. From this point forward, your discussions, your negotiations, and even your complaints will be directed toward Aro, my appointed representative. Whatever agreements you reach with him will be binding upon me personally. And as for those among you who swear allegiance and take the oath to become Wings of the Grave Empire, I'll immediately grant you access to the second level of the technique. Aro will handle the rest of the commitments, resources, and allocations as promised."

He stepped forward with measured grace, his cloak brushing lightly against the floor, and handed Aro a silver ring gleaming with faint inscriptions.

"Inside this," Robin said, his tone softening slightly, "you'll find new Oath Tablets—crafted by my own hands. They're bound directly to my soul force, so use them wisely, and only when you're certain."

He patted Aro's shoulder once, a gesture filled with both trust and burden, then turned, ascending the marble staircase toward his apartment above. His steps were unhurried, confident—as if he were walking away from the world's noise itself.

"Hey! This is unacceptable—our discussion isn't over!" the woman wearing the feathered crown suddenly cried, her voice rising in anger and disbelief.

"Do you even understand what's at stake here?! These are the destinies of empires! Whole civilizations!"

Bam!

At that precise moment, the apartment door slammed shut with a deafening echo, followed instantly by the bloom of golden-white light. A layer of radiant energy covered the entire doorway like a divine seal—calm, yet unbreakable.

"That man is unbelievable!!" the antlered Emperor roared, pointing at the sealed door in outrage, his aura flaring in frustration. "Who ends a meeting like that?!"

Whoosh!

"Haha," Ranther appeared beside Aro in a single smooth movement, his tone switching instantly from irritation to amusement. He casually slung his arm around Aro's neck from behind, like an old friend who had known him for ages.

"So then, my dear friend," he said with a grin that carried both charm and menace, "when do we start these so-called negotiations? I have a feeling this is going to be an extraordinarily long day for the both of us."

"Ah~ where could I possibly go to escape you?" Aro sighed, shaking his head. Ranther—sharp, cunning, and endlessly calculating—was one of the most dangerous negotiators in the entire sector. When it came to profit and advantage, he was like a predator scenting blood. His Majesty had truly thrown Aro into the fire this time.

Turning toward the rest of the assembly, Aro extended a hand toward the grand doors.

"Please," he said formally, "anyone wishing to strike a deal with the Grave Empire, follow me. We'll be heading to Necropolis, our capital, where we can finalize the details and put your seals to paper."

"The capital of the Grave Empire lies on the opposite side of the sector," the green-skinned Emperor interjected, frowning deeply. "It will take several days to travel there. I'm not prepared for such a long absence."

He rubbed his chin, already forming plans. "Wait a moment—I'll send messengers to our home world and neighboring systems to inform them of my departure."

"No need," Aro replied with a knowing smile, waving his hand casually.

"What do you mean no need?" The green-skinned Emperor blinked, realization dawning slowly across his face. His expression stiffened. "Wait… how did you even get here this quickly?!"

".....?!"

A hush spread through the hall as everyone suddenly processed the same thought.

Whoosh!

In Aro's hand appeared a magnificent pendant—a glowing crystal charm inscribed with flowing spatial runes that shimmered with faint azure light.

"Who's coming along?" he asked lightly, the corners of his mouth curving upward in a teasing smile.

"...?!"

Every Emperor present recognized it instantly—the pendant wasn't an ordinary artifact by any means.

Those from the empires already allied under Robin recognized it at once. It was a Spatial Phasing Pendant, originally a legendary relic used by the Shadow Swords, yet this was clearly an improved and refined version—its craftsmanship almost divine.

This newer model had been developed by Sky Opening City, enhanced through the fifth-tier spatial inscriptions personally granted to them by Robin himself.

Though these pendants couldn't yet allow inter-sector travel, they had revolutionized movement within a single sector, allowing rapid jumps between worlds in mere moments—and their production was only increasing.

"I'm obviously coming!" Ranther said with a laugh, reaching out and taking the pendant with eager curiosity. He began examining it closely, his eyes narrowing in appreciation of its delicate power.

"Let's go!" Howard said cheerfully, leaping to his feet with renewed vigor, his entourage quickly following behind him.

"..."

The green-skinned Emperor and the feather-crowned woman exchanged a meaningful glance—one filled with silent calculation—then both nodded and stepped forward together.

"Alright," the woman said at last, "we're coming too."

"...Wait! I'm coming as well!"

Finally—even the antlered Emperor followed.

After the three of them saw how Ranther behaved, it would be extremely stupid if they didn't get the mutual defense pact at least!

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