Published at 10th of February 2026 7:26 am

Chapter 1986 Price of the way out

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"...There is a way out, without a doubt."

"..?!"

Hedrick turned sharply, his hand instantly gripping Theo's shoulder. "There is a way out? A method to drive both the Savage Behemoth and the Cursed Behemoth out of the sector?! Tell me what is it? Quickly!"

"For everything, there is a solution when His Majesty Robin is involved."

Theo revealed a faint, restrained half-smile. "But this time... this time will be different."

"What do you mean by different?"

Hedrick pulled his hand away from Theo's shoulder, his voice tightening. "Do you have a solution, or do you not?"

"We do," Theo answered calmly. "A solution that would allow you to achieve your dream-this is your ultimate goal, is it not?"

He paused briefly before continuing, "However, the partnership agreement will not include that solution, Lord Hedrick. It is... extraordinarily costly. Costly to a degree you cannot even begin to imagine."

"..?!"

Hedrick's expression collapsed almost instantly.

A solution too costly to imagine?

If his memory served him correctly, Robin had already supported him-directly and indirectly with tens of billions of Pearls. That was aside from the intelligence support, the leasing of the interstellar communication network, and the influence of the Shadow Swords in attracting allies and reshaping the opinions of the sector's population regarding his actions.

And beyond all that, actual armies had arrived from the doubled Centennial Empire itself-led by Robin's own blood son.

If Hedrick were to calculate the value of all that non-financial support, assign it a price, and add it to the direct financial aid... then perhaps-just perhaps-he was indebted to Robin by nearly one hundred billion Pearls by now.

One hundred billion Pearls.

That was the sum that had enabled him to stand against two Behemoths.

The sum that had allowed him to unify the entire sector under his rule today.

And yet, Theo was describing what was coming next as something far beyond imagination in its cost?!

"I will repay those debts by killing Robin Burton's enemies," Hedrick pressed, forcing his tone to stay firm. "That is how partnerships work. Each side offers what it can."

Theo slowly shook his head. "That may suffice for your previous obligations. Or -pardon me-let us not call them debts at all. They were assistance, extended by a partner to another partner in a moment of need."

He continued evenly, "His Majesty never once referred to them as debts, nor did he demand fees or interest. You are free to repay that assistance in whatever manner you deem appropriate."

Then Theo looked directly into Hedrick's eyes.

"But what comes next is not merely assistance. This will be direct intervention by His Majesty, with his full weight and authority, carried out in the manner he sees fit-placing his future, his name, and his honor on the line. All to stand in open hostility against two Behemoths... or more. For the sake of a war that has nothing to do with him, in a sector that has nothing to do with him."

"Do not forget, Lord Hedrick," Theo added, his voice unwavering, "the agreement began with the protection of Nihari in exchange for the protection of Virillion-a logical, short-term arrangement. Yet your problems grew more complex over time, and His Majesty never abandoned you for a single moment." He paused, just briefly.

"But not this time..."

"This time, Lord Hedrick, such intervention will not be measured as aid offered to a reliable partner."

"Then how will it be measured?"

Hedrick asked, a mixture of restrained anger and unmistakable embarrassment seeping into his voice.

"Let us say," Theo replied calmly, "that it will be an entirely new agreement between you and His Majesty."

He continued, "And this time... the agreement will not end with a simple handshake."

"...?!"

Hedrick's eyes slowly widened, the crimson glow within them intensifying.

Did Theo's words mean that he would be required to swear an oath at the end of this new agreement?

And what did he possess that could possibly serve as payment-aside from combat, which he had already offered, openly and without hesitation?

Was it really possible that he was thinking of going beyond a simple partnership?

Did he intend to bind him with an oath of loyalty-to have him act under his direct command, following his will?

That... that couldn't be right. That was impossible, wasn't it?

The more Hedrick allowed those thoughts to linger, the more violently his anger swelled, and with it the crimson glow in his eyes intensified, burning hotter with each passing second.

On the opposite side, Theo's eyes remained utterly pitch-black and unfocused, as if they were a bottomless well-one that silently swallowed all that radiation, all that pressure, and every trace of threat directed toward him. He did not step back, did not flinch, and did not avert his gaze even once.

That silent confrontation-an unspoken clash of wills between two of the most dangerous men in this region of the universe-dragged on for nearly a full minute. Finally, Hedrick turned his gaze away and faced the gate once more.

"Let us pray it never reaches that point, then," he said, his voice restrained as he began to walk. "I will meet him to offer my thanks-after I achieve my own

victory, by my own hand."

"Of course."

This time, Theo remained standing where he was. He gave a firm nod, one so deep and deliberate it almost resembled a formal bow. "Thank you again for

today's work."

Hedrick lifted a hand in acknowledgment, offering a brief gesture of farewell, but he did not utter a single word. It was obvious he was in no state of mind to

speak any further.

He continued forward until he stood before the gate itself, then silently handed the card to the portal's attendant.

"At once."

The man accepted it with both hands, carefully entered the coordinates engraved upon the card into the massive control panel, and then bowed slightly

in respect.

"Have a pleasant journey, Lord Hedrick. And do not forget to close your eyes- spatial storms can be rather unforgiving"

Then-whoosh-in the very next instant, the great portal activated and swallowed him entirely, his figure vanishing where he stood.

Only after Hedrick was gone did Theo slowly raise his head, his gaze settling on

the colossal portal towering before him... and then he smiled.

He had succeeded in planting the seed today.

That, above all else, had been the true purpose behind inviting him here.

As for Silas? There had been several other possible solutions available for him.

Hedrick had been asked to come at Theo's request and to act according to a plan devised by Aro. He had needed to accept the notion of working alongside individuals of Theo's and Aro's caliber, coordinating with them and following their plans-even without a formal summons from Robin himsef.

And as for what would become of that seed-whether it would one day sprout into something formidable or rot away beneath the soil... that depended entirely on how tightly Hedrick clung to his dream, and how much he was

willing to sacrifice for it.

"Hey, First Sword!"

"Hm?"

Theo's chain of thoughts was abruptly severed, his faint smile fading as he

turned toward the great space portal operator.

"Why don't you increase your trips with us here, huh?" the man said cheerfully.

"Instead of having your followers rely on spatial flow necklaces and spend an entire year traveling, just come through here. I'll even give you a discount."

He rubbed his hands together eagerly. "What do you say-ninety-nine thousand Pearls per person?"

Theo's brows drew together slightly as he stared at the man, then he began walking toward the massive portal.

"Stop sticking your nose into matters that do not concern you," he said calmly,

"and I might consider it."

With a simple, almost dismissive motion, he handed the man a card containing

the necessary coordinates.

"Haha, I'll try" the man laughed. Then he glanced down at the coordinates, blinked, and looked back up at Theo in clear surprise.

"Oh? Middle Sector 97? You're not heading off to play around in Middle Sector

101 like you usually do?"

Theo showed a small, knowing smile and murmured under his breath,

"Playing in the same place for too long tends to get boring."

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