Lord of the Truth - Chapter 1858

Chapter 1858: Instantaneous ignition
“Hmmm…” Hedrick let a very faint smile appear on his lips, so subtle it was almost invisible, yet it was clear enough to show that his mood had shifted ever so slightly.

There is nothing more terrifying for the leader of a nation at war than sensing—even for a moment—that his followers have lost the will to continue fighting. Such a feeling means morale is dropping, loyalty is weakening, and the possibility of betrayal grows… and ultimately, it means defeat creeping closer with every heartbeat.

In truth, he was ready for negotiations—after all, that was the entire reason he accepted to come here today—but he intended to negotiate freely, on his own terms, in a way that safeguarded his interests and delivered justice for every fallen soul who had died throughout this brutal conflict. He absolutely did not come here to raise a white flag or admit surrender.

The words of his strongest ally were, at the very least, something that eased the heaviness in his chest—a reminder that strength and confidence still existed among his inner circle, even if the advice was not meant to be carried out literally.

“Put his boot in whose mouth?!” Draice shot a sharp glance backward, his single eye hardening. “Theo, I respect you greatly for everything you’ve done for the Empire, but it’s time you helped us take a step toward something better… toward a future that isn’t just survival.”

“Strength is what allowed all of you to endure until this day, and strength is the only thing that will carve a path toward peace. Acting hesitant or appearing meek will only bring the opposite.” Theo responded with composed calmness, not even bothering to turn his head. “Besides, Lord Hedrick asked for my humble opinion. You are free to act however you wish—my support will remain.”

“You…” Draice exhaled slowly, his frustration simmering beneath the surface, then turned his eye forward again.

Theo deserved gratitude for claiming to put himself second, but that was far from the truth—and all of them were fully aware of it. Theo’s position in this war, and the weight of his contributions, were no less significant than those of Lord Hedrick himself. A single change in Theo’s wording, a single shift in tone, could tilt the scales entirely.

Unfortunately, with his latest words, he had undeniably shifted something deep inside Hedrick’s heart. If only he had remained silent for a moment longer…

…At that moment, Lord Hedrick reached the massive central tent. Without waiting for acknowledgement, without even slowing his stride, he swept the curtain aside with a whoosh and stepped inside. His gaze swept across the interior. “Hmm?”

The inside of the tent was modest in structure yet pristine in appearance, almost unnaturally clean. Everything within was white or in shades leaning toward white—the feathers scattered like drifting snow, the half-dressed beautiful dancers moving rhythmically at one side, the soft furnishings that looked untouched, and even the neatly arranged fruits on the tables carried a pearly, milky color.

The entire atmosphere radiated an involuntary sense of serenity and inner stillness. The place itself had an aura—a quieting force that could lull even a raging beast into wanting to curl up and rest.

Yet Hedrick’s eyebrows did not lift, not even slightly, and the glow in his eyes remained sharp. He brushed aside all the calming details and fixated on a single figure seated at the center of the tent…

A human man—young, seemingly just past his thirties. His eyes were half-lidded in a state of perpetual calm, and strands of dusty-gold brown hair fell across both sides of his face like soft threads. He sat slightly hunched, relaxed, his expression peaceful to an almost unsettling degree.

As a whole, the young man looked like someone who had never experienced hardship, tension, or fear at any point in his life.

The young man lifted one of his hands—resting a moment ago on his thighs—and motioned gently forward.

“Lord Hedrick, it has indeed been a long time… Please, take a seat and rest from your journey. We have an entire day ahead of us.”

Heigra and Draice exchanged a quick glance and let out a relieved sigh, pleased that there were no provocative rituals, no unwanted guests, no unnecessary theatrics. Perhaps—just perhaps—today truly might pass peacefully.

Then they turned their attention back to Hedrick, waiting for him to take the step forward to sit so they could follow behind him as protocol dictated.

But Hedrick did not move.

“Lord Orion, eldest son of the pure Kaylis, and the man renowned for overseeing the Bright Galaxy!” Hedrick raised his chin slightly. “…Have you not learned to stand and greet those of equal —or higher— status?”

“…?!” Heigra and Draice were startled, though their age and long experience allowed them to keep their faces steady.

What in the world was their lord doing!?

“This is outrageous!!” one of the people inside the tent—someone at the peak of a Nexus State—pointed at Hedrick and raised his voice. “You are a man without land or title! How dare you think you have the right to hold your head level with our Lord?”

“…” Orion also showed a faint smile after staring at Hedrick’s face for several seconds. “And are you of equal standing to me, Lord Hedrick? Or perhaps higher? It would be interesting to hear your reasoning behind this idea.”

Hedrick displayed the same faint smile. “I can kill you whenever I wish… isn’t that enough?”

“…!!!!!!!”

“I doubt that very much,” Orion replied calmly, then lifted his hand lazily. “But even if we assume you could, that only makes you strong. It does not give you status.”

“Hm? Strange logic. Strength is a source of status—actually it is the most important one. Anyway…” Hedrick tilted his head slightly toward Orion. “Stand up and greet me properly, or I will bring this place down on everyone inside.”

“…?!?”

The refreshing, serene atmosphere within the tent trembled and vanished instantly. Even Orion—who was notoriously difficult to provoke—had his expression shift.

Draice shot a quick glance backward toward Theo, who was hidden behind Lord Hedrick. His single eye was screaming, as if he wished he could shout at him aloud: Do you see what your advice has done!?

But Theo continued staring straight ahead, as if he could see through Hedrick’s back. His expression was utterly calm, his posture relaxed, as though he had no awareness of the disaster he had just pushed them into.

Whether he realized it or not, whether he was ready to fight or not, none of it mattered… With Theo’s sheer power—as a Martial Empire—he would still die as collateral the moment a battle broke out today, in a place filled with nothing but Nexus State experts and two Monarchs!

The negotiations had ended before they even began.

Indeed, another Nexus State pointed at Hedrick and raised her voice: “Do you think you—”

“Enough.” For some reason, Lord Orion lifted his hand to stop his subordinate, then slowly stood and gestured toward the empty seat before him. “Would you please take your seat so we may begin today?”

“Was that so difficult?” Hedrick let a broader smile spread across his face, then walked forward with his head held high and sat comfortably on his white chair. “Very well. You invited me—speak.”

“…” With furrowed brows, Orion stared at Hedrick for a moment before sitting down himself. And just as he was about to speak, he noticed something…

Standing beside Hedrick were his two usual aides, Draice and Heigra. But there was also a third—a figure standing directly behind him—someone wrapped in darkness within darkness, eyes like hollow pits swallowing any light that neared them…

“…Allow me to guess,” Orion said, narrowing his eyes at the handsome young man with genuine seriousness. “The Supreme Sword of the Shadow Swords… Theo?”