Lord of the Truth-Chapter 1174: Break

After recovering from the initial shock, King Aiko took a deep breath and forced himself to move forward once again. His mind was still reeling, trying to process the grandeur and overwhelming sensations surrounding him.

The city had already begun to fill with people, and it was unlike anything he had ever seen before. Besides the invited guests from other planets, the streets were bustling with locals—citizens of Planet Jura—going about their daily lives. What surprised him most was the sheer number of children and young people in the crowd, their laughter and excited chatter filling the air, creating an almost surreal atmosphere of joy and celebration. Despite the powerful military presence outside the city walls, inside, the mood was strikingly different—warm, vibrant, and full of life.

Rumble—King Aiko's eyes widened as he witnessed something extraordinary. The smooth marble floor beneath his feet shifted and molded itself into the form of a small dog, which immediately started playing with a nearby child, wagging its tail as if it were a living creature. A few steps away, one of the towering streetlights morphed into the shape of a mighty bull, lowering its body to assist an elderly woman who struggled to stand. Without hesitation, it gently lifted her onto its back and carried her toward a resting area. These miraculous transformations were happening all around him, and the people seemed to regard them as perfectly normal occurrences.

Seconds later, the small dog gracefully merged back into the marble ground as if it had never moved, and the bull, having delivered the elderly woman safely to a nearby bench, calmly strode back to its original position, hardening once more into an ordinary-looking streetlight.

King Aiko furrowed his brows, his mind racing. "This…? What kind of magic is this?"

Joseph, ever the enthusiastic guide, chuckled and slapped his large belly. "Ah, I see you've noticed! This is one of the proudest innovations of the Research and Development City, specifically the work of the Soul Division. It's a grand soul array covering the entire inner section of the Imperial Capital, designed to sustain and distribute soul force and life energy throughout the city. This energy is continuously supplied by a carefully selected group of volunteers."

King Aiko narrowed his eyes. "Volunteers? You mean people willingly give away their life energy?"

Joseph nodded with a broad grin. "Of course! But don't misunderstand—these volunteers aren't being drained endlessly. They have designated rest periods, and they receive generous compensation for their contributions. It's a well-regulated system, ensuring that no one is overworked or harmed in the process... Oh, did I mention we have a Life Law Forces? I showed have started with that hehe."

He then gestured toward the magnificent cityscape ahead of them. "The idea for this array actually comes from the heroic exploits of Crown Prince Richard during his legendary defense of the previous Imperial Capital. To honor his achievements, this technology was developed in an attempt to replicate even a fraction of his immense power. Of course, the formation itself could never reach the level of power his highness displayed single-handedly. Plus it serves a different purpose—enhancing the lives of our citizens, making their daily existence as comfortable and effortless as possible. The city is alive now, watching over everyone individually… You could say it's an artificial intelligence system governing the very fabric of the capital itself!"

King Aiko remained silent for a moment, his mind trying to grasp the full implications of such a creation.

Joseph continued with pride gleaming in his eyes, "This array doesn't just provide comfort—it actively serves the people. It ensures that the elderly, the weak, and the disabled receive assistance whenever they need it. It eliminates the possibility of any toddler getting lost, and most importantly, it completely prevents crime before it even begins! There is no place for criminals to hide in this city, no chance for mischief to take root. The streets, the buildings, even the air itself—everything is connected, everything is monitored." He spread his arms wide, beaming.

King Aiko exhaled slowly, feeling an unusual weight settle over him. "An artificial intelligence… A city without crime… Even a child getting lost is impossible…" He muttered the words under his breath, trying to process their meaning.

However, Joseph's enthusiastic explanations weren't the only things that left an impression on him. No, the very existence of this city was mesmerizing in a way that was almost terrifying.

Everywhere he looked, there was something astonishing. The gleaming streets, decorated with intricate engravings and symbols that pulsed faintly with hidden power. The moving walkways, specially designed to assist the elderly and facilitate long-distance travel within the massive metropolis. Floating screens hovered above the roads, broadcasting footage of the True Beginning Empire's army in their latest battle—scenes of victory, conquest, and glory. As he watched closely, he noticed that some of the footage displayed moments from previous wars against the Great Serpent Empire, capturing battles that had shaped the course of history.

The towering skyscrapers stretched into the sky, their upper floors disappearing into the clouds. At the lower levels, vast weapon exhibitions were on display, showcasing the latest advancements in combat technology. s for prestigious academies flickered across bright digital boards, inviting warriors and scholars alike to join. Nearby, recruitment tables for the Research and Development City were set up, open to anyone regardless of their background or origins.

Food stalls lined the streets, offering delicacies and exotic dishes from countless different planets. Cultural performances unfolded at every corner, dancers, musicians, and storytellers sharing the traditions of their worlds in a grand, never-ending spectacle of diversity.

King Aiko felt overwhelmed. It was as if he had stepped into another world, one that defied everything he had ever known.

For a brief moment, he wondered—was this reality? Or had he unknowingly stepped into some kind of elaborate dream?

He was finally jolted awake from that surreal dream when a child's voice cut through his thoughts, catching his attention.

"Uncle! Uncle! Where's the restroom?"

Who… Who was the child talking to?

Was there anyone in this empire that fit such a title? It was absurd! All members of the True Beginning Empire were utter lunatics! Here he was—King Aiko—feeling an inexplicable urge to bow before that rotund man, Joseph Burton, a person who didn't even hold an official title!

His gaze followed the sound, and sure enough, he spotted a small, red-skinned human child tugging on the robe of a figure clad in dazzling white armor. The man was mounted on a mighty terra beast, which was also armored in a sleek white exoskeleton. What's more, the child had smeared food on the man's pristine white cloak!

The knight's armor was designed to be both lightweight and visually striking. A golden sun emblem was emblazoned across the chest, and a flowing white cloak, embroidered with radiant sunbeam patterns, draped elegantly from his shoulders down to his ankles. At the moment, however, it hung slightly off to the side, partially covering the flank of his terra beast.

Even though King Aiko had never encountered this specific armor before, it was evident that the man belonged to some sort of elite guard—perhaps a prestigious division of the empire's forces.

"Hmm?" The white-armored knight turned his head, scanning the area for whoever had called out to him, only to find the red-skinned child standing beside his beast's leg, still clutching at his cloak as if it were a lifeline.

A figure came dashing toward them in a flurry of movement—someone older, flustered, and clearly panicked, "My deepest apologies, sir! He's just a child, please don't mind him! I—I will clean your cloak immediately!"

To everyone's astonishment, the white-armored knight simply smiled. And it wasn't a forced, condescending smile—it was genuine, warm, and full of patience, "Your Majesty, King Shamshon, there is no need for such distress. It is just a cloak."

Then, without the slightest hesitation, the young knight dismounted from his terra beast, gracefully bending down to gently ruffle the red-skinned boy's hair, "Come on, little one. I'll show you where the public restrooms are."

"A-Ah… T-thank you…"

The man who had come rushing forward—King Shamshon—suddenly seemed to remember who he was. He took a deep breath, attempting to regain his royal composure. But despite his best efforts, he still found himself giving the white-armored knight a small bow before stepping aside.

King Aiko, who had been watching the entire exchange unfold, narrowed his eyes in contemplation.

Joseph Burton, standing beside him, took a step back before crossing his arms.

"That young man is part of the empire's police force—the Light Swords."

His voice was calm, as if stating something obvious.

"Inside the empire's cities, you won't find a single soldier stationed. Instead, you should get used to seeing the Light Swords. As you've just witnessed, they are trained to serve the people, to maintain order and security among the citizens."

He tilted his head slightly, a knowing glint in his eyes.

"Memorize their appearance well, King Aiko. You will be seeing them quite often from now on. But don't trouble yourself with unnecessary concerns—so long as you abide by the laws, you have nothing to fear from them."

Then, he gestured forward with a nod.

"Come along. The Grand Plaza isn't far from here."

Gulp.

King Aiko wasn't sure how many times he had swallowed his saliva today, but he was certain that this wouldn't be the last.

Something about all of this—about this empire—was utterly unsettling.

Did he… Did he just feel threatened by a mere police officer who hadn't even reached the peak of Level 31?

No, it wasn't just him.

There was another—another king, like himself—who had bowed.

A high-ranking ruler, a monarch of an entire realm, had bowed to a police officer.

Until now, neither he nor anyone in his company had been directly threatened. No one had insulted them. No one had belittled them.

On the contrary, everyone they had met had been shockingly polite, addressing them by their proper titles, treating them with a level of respect they had rarely seen even in their own courts.

So why…

Why was this suffocating sense of inferiority sinking into his chest like an unshakable weight?

Without realizing it, he had already started bowing slightly to Joseph Burton earlier.

And now, another king—a powerful emperor-tier figure—had bowed to a mere police officer, someone who had barely stepped into the realm of a Sage.

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If this was the kind of presence exuded by a simple officer of the Light Swords…

What would happen when they stood before the empire's generals?

No, more importantly…

What would happen when they faced the planetary emperor's children—Robin Burton's very own heirs?

No…

What would happen if Robin Burton himself looked upon them?!

Crack

A slow, creeping chill crawled up King Aiko's spine.

He exhaled a deep, weary breath.

Strangely, that single sigh brought him a sense of relief he could not quite explain.

Perhaps…

Perhaps the age of arrogance, of scheming for personal gain, of endless plotting and deceit—perhaps that age was already behind them.

Perhaps, for the first time in a long time…

It was time to stop resisting and simply take in the spectacle unfolding before them.

"Sigh~ Please, lead the way."