Lord of the Truth

Fifty years after Robin entered the Middle Belt — within the vast expanse of his soul domain

"Here you go," Robin said calmly, his voice steady despite the visible exhaustion in his eyes. "This is the finalized solution to Request #334. It was a floating-type commission this time—a rather vague one, honestly. The goal was to create a region of extremely fertile land on a planet deemed completely uninhabitable."

He paused for a moment, then continued with a subtle nod.

"The budget was 2.5 million, so I poured everything into crafting a colossal-grade formation. I embedded within it runes of minor Laws of Life and Time. Once activated, this array doesn't just enrich the soil enough to grow ancient, rare herbs… no, it does far more than that. It generates a massive, self-sustaining dome, large enough to shelter an entire city. Even if the rest of the planet turns into a burning inferno, this dome will remain untouched… serene and secure."

A radiant orb of light emerged from Robin's palm and floated gracefully toward a large mirror before him.

He folded his arms, exhaling slowly.

"I also enhanced it with early warning systems for natural disasters and a self-feeding energy conduit that extracts power from the planet's atmosphere. Its only significant vulnerability lies in direct strikes from World Cataclysm-level individuals—but… well, that kind of scenario wasn't within the scope of the request, was it?"

<Minor laws of Life and Time? Disaster prediction enchantments?>

The fairy, hovering nearby, accepted the glowing sphere with reverence. Her hands trembled ever so slightly as she activated a projection behind her—a brilliant white realm filled with glowing arrays and sigils. Her eyes widened at the sheer complexity.

<This… this formation required 120 core panels just to etch out its base structure! It's a marvel… no, a masterpiece. A work of genius.>

She whispered as though afraid to disturb its grandeur.

Then she compressed the projection back into a compact seal and turned to Robin, her expression distant with awe.

<…You didn't receive even a basic framework from the requester, did you? This entire design—it's your original work, isn't it?>

"Exactly, It was a plea to create something like that." Robin replied with a tired smile. "Maybe that's why he was willing to pay a lot for it~"

Though he smiled, it was clear the formation had drained him. This wasn't the product of a few weeks or months—it had consumed three full years of his life.

<This array… it could revolutionize colonization efforts. Dwarf planets, half-destroyed worlds, scarred battlegrounds—places long deemed uninhabitable could suddenly bloom with life. Any empire that gets its hands on this would gain the power to expand rapidly, establishing cities and strongholds on forgotten planets. Even small empires with only one or two planets could double in size overnight!>

Robin simply shrugged again, unconcerned with the grand implications.

"Well, congratulations to the client, then."

He had already begun considering the next request in the long queue of commissions awaiting his mind.

But the sprite's tone suddenly turned serious—uncharacteristically so.

<Mr. Human… do you truly not realize the value of what you've created?>

Her voice dropped slightly.

<You didn't use a single resource or component provided by the client. Which means… by the laws of the Soul society, this formation belongs entirely to you. You're under no contractual obligation to deliver it to him.>

Robin raised an eyebrow. "What are you trying to say?"

<I'm saying… why accept a one-time payment of 2.5 million… when this could earn you ten times that, maybe more?>

She leaned forward with a glint in her eyes.

"You want to put it in an auction?"

<No, even an auction would only sell it once. And yes, it could easily reach 30 million pearls or more, but that still limits your gain to a single sale. What I propose is different: I want your permission to list it in the Soul societyStore.>

She continued, her voice clear with ambition.

<Even if we list it at just a million per copy… and only fifty clients purchase it, you'd walk away with fifty million in total. And unlike most formations, this one is universal—it can be adapted to countless worlds. Its potential isn't bound by geography or race. It's timeless.>

Robin chuckled softly, shaking his head.

"As expected from the minds behind the Soul society. When it comes to profit… you people are unmatched. Maybe I should just send you Emily to teach her a little hehe."

He spoke half-jokingly, but his mind was already processing her words at blinding speed.

"…Alright," he finally said. "I'll leave it in your hands. But under one condition—send a copy of the formation to the original client, and at the same price we'll list it in the store. Don't list it at one million and still charge him the full 2.5. If anything, offer him a discount. It was his idea, after all."

In truth, this wasn't Robin's first attempt at such a formation.

Years ago, he had developed a similar foundation on Planet Gudah, constructing initial settlement zones infused with temporal laws. But over the past three years, he had expanded upon that seed of an idea—refining it, reshaping it—until it evolved into something far greater.

What once served to nurture small colonies… could now sustain entire civilizations.

And most importantly… the array now bore fifth-stage runes of multiple heavenly laws—runes of such complexity and depth that Robin had only begun to understand them during the long years he spent painstakingly building this formation. It was not merely a tool; it had become a testament to his evolving mastery, the crystallization of decades of experience and insight.

With a single clap of her delicate hands, the fairy declared,

<You will not regret this decision, Mr. Human. I swear it. Our elite team will craft a tailored pricing strategy and a majestic, high-visibility promotional campaign just for you. This array shall be placed at the very summit of the Grand Registry of Soul Innovations, and featured in the Public Highlights and Galactic Recommendations for no less than an entire month. That is my solemn vow.>

Robin raised a brow slightly, studying her in silence for a few moments.

"I've always been curious… What are you, exactly? You're far too intelligent to be a mere construct of soul force… and yet, you don't feel like a living creature either."

<I am what you might call… a function given form. My sole purpose is to serve.>

Her smile deepened, eyes glinting like stardust.

<Your vast contributions to the Soul Society have earned you a tremendous amount of what we refer to as Friendship Credit. Consider it a currency of goodwill—a recognition of your value to our existence. You may invoke it at any time, and for any request.>

"Friendship Credit?" Robin echoed, intrigued.

"You're saying I can ask for anything?" Robin asked again, half-joking, half-curious.

<Indeed. If the Soul Society has access to it, I will find it for you. And if it's possible to source it through our channels, I'll ensure you receive it with the highest possible discounts.>

Robin gave a slight nod, then cast a glance at his own balance of energy pearls—an enormous, jaw-dropping amount. A small smirk played on his lips.

"Alright then… I want to hire a Royal Soul Master to forge a custom key—one specifically tailored to break an Eternal Stillness Curse that has bound my closest friend. Is that something you can arrange? I've searched for fifty years, and not once has such a service been offered, even in whispers."

<A request to hire a Royal Soul Master…>

The fairy looked down, her cheerful demeanor briefly vanishing as her voice dropped an octave. It was as if even speaking of such beings invoked a sense of reverence.

Robin chuckled quietly.

"So the almighty Friendship Credit can't do everything, huh?"

Truth was, Robin hadn't just spent fifty years completing contracts. He had meticulously combed through the Soul society's archives, dissected every feature, explored every offering. He had already bought dozens of rare and ancient artifacts—many of which had been created by Royal Soul Masters—but he had never seen an open service listing by one.

Even the so-called great soul master gathering that Renara once hinted at? Robin had monitored the system obsessively ever since, and not a single Royal Soul Master had appeared there.

<The Soul society is, at its heart, a network. We connect those who wish to sell with those who wish to buy. In this situation, you are the buyer. But Royal Soul Masters? They have no reason to listen. Not to us, and not to you. Their wealth is unfathomable, their authority unshakable. Friendship Credit holds no weight with them.>

She hesitated for a breath, then pointed at him again, more firmly this time.

<But… I will offer you a proposal.>

"What kind of proposal?" Robin asked, now fully attentive.

<That number over there.> The fairy pointed to Robin's huge energy pearl balance, <Provide me with more solutions, and innovations I can sell in the shop or at auction. Triple that number, that's my stipulation.>

"...And what do I get in return?" Robin asked calmly.

He knew this would mean tireless work, countless sleepless nights, a grind bordering on madness—but he also knew the rewards would be more than worth it.

<In return, I will personally ensure that you are granted an audience with a Royal Soul Master from the Dreaming Galaxy of Morpheus.>

Her words came slow and heavy—measured.

<As for the cost of his services… he will decide that only after reviewing the full details of your friend's curse.>

"…Then we have a deal."

-------------------------------

Later that month---

"Huh? What's this? A planetary array capable of terraforming dead, inhospitable worlds…?"

"Wait, who's the seller? 'Human'? That can't be a real name."

"No… it's him! The one from the Chamber of Truth!!"

"Inform the guildmaster immediately—HUMAN HAS BEGUN SELLING TO THE PUBLIC!!"