Lord of the Truth
Chapter 1293 1293: The four power centers of humans

"If we set aside the empires for a moment, that still leaves us with the families, commercial entities, clans, and academies... Tell me about them," Robin said as he continued walking forward, his footsteps steady while a quiet sigh escaped his lips.

"Let's start from the weakest to the strongest in terms of influence and power… First up: the commercial entities," Pitsu replied, raising a single finger as a sign of enumeration.

"There are certain exceptionally intelligent humans who managed to achieve wealth—whether through luck, hard work, or sheer cunning—and used their financial gains to establish businesses. In the beginning, when their ventures were still small and vulnerable, they purchased slaves to guard their establishments. Over time, as their influence grew, they began attracting more humans and loyal followers. Eventually, their operations evolved into massive commercial powers recognized across entire sectors."

He pointed toward a distant street. "For instance, about six blocks from here, there's an enormous pill store called Safe Haven. The owner is human, and every single worker inside is human as well. He started his journey in the same uncertain, chaotic way as many others, fumbling through trial and error. But now? He has built extensive networks—alliances with numerous clans, academies, and even human kingdoms. His connections stretch so far that he's managed to forge ties with planetary empires of different races!"

Pitsu's voice took on a proud tone. "The Safe Haven Grain Store operates on every major commercial planet within Sector 100 of the Mid Belt. In fact, it also maintains branches in several planetary empires, where governments have pledged to shield the stores from any sectarian or racial attacks."

"That's quite impressive… but isn't that more of a personal success story? What does that have to do with the core structure of the human race?" Robin asked with genuine curiosity, his tone innocent and sincere.

Pitsu shook his head slightly. "How can it not be relevant? Safe Haven is protected and supported by a web of human clans, academies, and small kingdoms—but it also gives back. It funds those institutions generously and supplies them with powerful pills that help strengthen their forces. You could say the owner acts as an unofficial patron of the human race—a foundation that helps prevent our total collapse."

He held up another finger. "Not only that, but his shops and factories provide countless job opportunities for fellow humans. He trains them in pill refinement, alchemical methods, and rune carving. You'll find this pattern repeated among most of the great human commercial powers. There aren't many of them, true, but each one of them has played a critical role in supporting and uplifting the human race."

He paused, then added with emphasis, "In return, they receive protection from the human combat forces and are given priority access when it comes to selling their goods. It's a mutually beneficial relationship, built on cooperation and loyalty… though not without risks."

Pitsu sighed again, his gaze distant. "Of course, not all human merchants follow this path. Only the honorable ones do. The rest pretend race doesn't matter—they shy away from supporting their own people and offer no aid whatsoever. And naturally, we treat them like any other neutral party. They receive no special consideration from us either."

"I see…" Robin nodded a few times, deep in thought. "And what exactly are these human combat forces you mentioned?"

Pitsu's expression grew more serious, and he motioned for Robin to take a turn down a different street.

"Now we're getting to the core of it—the clans, academies, and noble families," he said, his tone steady and composed.

"Let's begin with the academies. These are powerful institutions formed by groups of friends, former comrades, fallen families, or people who share mutual goals and interests. Over time, they grow by recruiting new members and expanding their knowledge base. Unlike kingdoms or empires, academies are not ruled by a single sovereign. Everyone in an academy works toward their personal interests—but within an organized, structured framework that ensures growth and progress for all involved."

He continued, "Within an academy, you'll find nearly everything a cultivator or warrior might need—rare techniques, specialized instructors for all kinds of cultivation paths, detailed recordings of legendary battles, all varieties of pills, elixirs, weapons, enchanted tools, and more. Of course, the extent of their offerings depends on the academy's level and the kind of environment it operates in. You can't compare a small academy on an outer planet with the powerful Stellar Academies that span star systems."

Pitsu then smiled faintly. "But no matter how prestigious or modest an academy might be, one thing remains constant—you have to pay for everything. Nothing is free. Even entrance exams come with fees."

Pitsu gave a slight shrug, his expression thoughtful.

"That dynamic makes academies a gathering place for individuals united by a single goal—power. But aside from that shared ambition, they're fundamentally divided. Each person fends for themselves, focusing only on how to scrape together the money needed to access what the academy offers—be it techniques, pills, or weaponry."

He then raised a finger in emphasis.

"Still, academies have solutions in place for poorer students. They offer a range of missions—tasks done either for the academy's benefit or for external factions—and these tasks pay generously. It's a system that supports the academy while also giving struggling members a chance to grow."

Robin blinked, considering this.

"It doesn't sound like much of a unified force. If disaster struck, wouldn't they all just run off in different directions?"

He raised an eyebrow, skepticism clear on his face.

Pitsu grinned slightly, amused by the question.

"You're absolutely right. Academies are not cohesive armies. Loyalty isn't their foundation. But that doesn't mean they're powerless. They're home to a vast number of cultivators, warriors, scholars. And when an academy enters conflict—whether it's a war, a territorial dispute, or a political struggle—they simply set rewards for participation."

He leaned closer, voice dropping conspiratorially.

"And trust me, academies are never short on resources. They take a sizable cut from every completed mission, and those funds pile up over the years."

Robin raised his eyebrows, nodding thoughtfully.

"So... they rely on incentives rather than commands."

Pitsu nodded.

"Exactly. In an institution like that, wealth is power. Even if the academy doesn't hand out divine treasures, the mere promise of access to advanced techniques, deeper comprehension of natural laws, or secrets that were once forbidden—it's more than enough to move the hearts of most cultivators."

He paused briefly, looking down the road before continuing.

"Now, when it comes to human academies, most of them lie dormant—quiet, hidden, almost forgotten. You rarely hear their names involved in major scandals or interstellar power plays. But make no mistake—they exist. They operate quietly, often on harsh, unclaimed planets where living conditions are poor. And how do they survive? Through steady funding from large commercial entities that have a vested interest in seeing them thrive."

Pitsu then smiled again, his tone turning enthusiastic.

"Now, let's talk about clans or you may call them sects… At first glance, clans resemble academies. They often form in the same way—starting with a small group of aligned individuals—and they also expand by recruiting promising members. They might even share the same locations, residing on barren planets or remote stations. But the key difference lies in how they treat their own."

He stopped for a moment, eyes flicking to nearby pedestrians. When he noticed a few suspicious glances, he waited in silence until the strangers passed, then resumed.

"When you join a clan... you're bound for life."

"Hmm?" Robin tilted his head, intrigued.

"Clans don't ask for payment every time you need something. Once you're inside, you're treated as part of the system. The stronger you become, the more access you get—to techniques, treasures, weaponry, you name it. No immediate cost. Sounds great, right?"

He leaned closer.

"But there's a catch. In truth, you become their servant, their property. Unlike academies—where you can leave freely if you're dissatisfied—leaving a clan is nearly impossible. If you try, they'll calculate everything you ever used or received from them and demand repayment—at inflated, merciless prices. And if you refuse or can't pay? They'll send their own members after you. No one escapes for free."

Robin's face darkened slightly, and Pitsu noticed.

"I see you understand."

He nodded.

"And that's not all. Because you're using their resources for free, the clan has every right to order you around. They accept commissions too—guarding convoys, exterminating beasts, even assassinations. But all the rewards go to the clan's treasury, while the members are sent out to risk their lives. And when war breaks out? Every single member is expected to fight, no questions asked."

Robin gave a slow nod. He had established something similar before. The Nihari Union, He knew exactly how these structures worked.

A clan was, in essence, an empire without citizens or territory. An elite society where everyone was a soldier, and the ruling system was built on loyalty, power, and fear.

Then Pitsu stopped walking. He furrowed his brow, his tone turning somber and cautious.

He turned toward Robin and asked,

"And finally… families."

He stared directly into Robin's eyes.

"Tell me—what do you know about the Destra Family?"

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