Villain Retirement

"The rest are just… animals."

It was obvious; at least it should have been.

Throughout their journey to Theran, Aerith has always warned them that most of the themarians are psychopaths—but in a way, Vera couldn't really see it. Granted, she had just been getting dragged along her stay and was locked in her own world throughout her stay in Theran—but she should have truly seen it.

She disregarded Princess Aerith's execution since each planet has its own laws; she wasn't going to judge a King for ordering his daughter's execution because she broke one of the planet's sacred laws. But in all honesty, she should.

And there were signs. There were already signs of what Aerith meant. As they walked through the streets of Theran; as soon as the people realized that they weren't one of them, the looks in their eyes changed.

Not necessarily in a bad way—they weren't treating her and the others badly, not at all. There were even instances where they even became more endearing. But the way they interact with her and the others change completely…

…it was almost as if they were talking to them like they were pets.

Yes, that is what it was—they see other species and races as truly inferior. Of course, as the undisputed most powerful race in the entire Known Universe, it would be more surprising if they didn't at least act like they were better—but she didn't imagine for it to be at this point.

And now, as she sees the eyes of Aerith's mother, a queen of Theran, a visceral and creeping chill starts to pierce through her bones. It was causing her skin to go numb, to the point that she was completely ignoring the serial mass murderer behind her.

"..." Vera glanced behind, only to see Riley just calmly floating with his arms crossed. At the very least, she felt that Riley wouldn't just kill her randomly out of nowhere—no. Riley wasn't better than the queen, but he was at least the type to plan a murder.

Riley wants to have fun in the most enjoyable way as he murders his way through everything—he gives the death of others meaning, in a way.

But for Queen Adel, it feels as if she was the type to just step on someone and not even think about it after—no, perhaps she wouldn't even notice; As if the person she just accidentally stepped on was less than an insect—this is what themarians are.

It is no wonder that Aerith wanted to abandon their old generation and start anew. For them, the rest of the Universe is just one big block of waste filled with microscopic insects.

But perhaps in a way, the Universe is safe because themarians are the way they are. If one day, they somehow crave for the rest of the Universe…

…who can stop them, really?

"..." Vera then blinked a couple of times as she once again glanced at Riley. Is this why Aerith was keeping him around?

But Vera was well aware of how strong Riley truly is—he is strong, undoubtedly so. But if even he is having difficulty fighting someone like Aerith, how would he fight a million of them?

But then again, Riley will only get stronger and stronger with time. But Riley wasn't a solution at all, if he became so strong that he could handle the themarians with ease, then that would mean the end for the rest of the Universe.

The themarians can stop Riley, and Riley can stop the themarians.

And now, Vera was finally seeing the benefit in Aerith's plan—to change the discriminating mindset of the younger themarians would be the only way they would truly be safe from both sides.

If the Norinlads' device does not work, then Aerith's plan must work.

"They are people, mother!"

"There's no use talking to you."

And while Vera's thousands of thoughts circled in her mind, Aerith and her mother were still gripping each other's hands. The tone of their voices, devoid of any friendliness or even familiarity.

"If you want to leave, then just leave. That would save your father the hassle of putting you to Eternal Death," Queen Adel breathed out as her bright blue eyes very slowly turned red, "But what is this that I am hearing that you're planning something? Like a little child that refuses to grow up, the unfilial daughter returns to just create trouble for her parents…

…and as if that wasn't enough, you bring these animals into our home?"

"These people are my friends," Aerith gritted her teeth as her eyes also turned red, "Well… not exactly, but they're not animals."

"I am going to give you advice, my daughter. And this time, I hope you actually listen," Queen Adel smiled, "Just leave. Just leave and never return. You don't belong here."

"You know what, fuck you!" And with a roar, Aerith pulled her mother's hand; slamming her head on her mother's face and causing her to just disappear as she was thrown hundreds of kilometers away in an instant,

"Get inside the ship! Go, go!" And without any pause, Aerith quickly turned around and flew toward Riley and Vera, placing her hand on the ship to turn it on and open the hatch. And without even saying another word, she practically grabbed both Riley and Vera by the collars and dragged them inside the ship,

"Gru, activate hyperspeed!" Aerith then screamed as she threw the two into the cockpit.

[Which destination would you like to visit, M'lady?]

"Just take us far away from Theran!"

[Very well, M'lady.]

And without even seconds of entering the ship, it disappeared from its spot as it started accelerating into hyperspeed.

"Damn it!" And while the view outside started to turn into blurs and streaks, Aerith once again let out a scream that shook the entire interior of the ship.

"Why did we fly away, Aerith?"

"...Dude."

And with Aerith slightly going ballistic and obviously wanting to destroy something but couldn't, Riley just casually approached him, while Vera could not help but roll her eyes from his insensitivity.

"We could have just killed your mother together," Riley said as he looked out the view.

"Can you just shut up!?" Aerith yelled as she pointed at Riley. But after a few breaths of just staring at his oddly calm and oblivious murderous eyes, her breaths started to calm down and she shook her head,

"We could have, but I am not taking that risk. Mother is as strong as Caitlain, and she's quite persist—"

And before Aerith could finish her words, a thud resounded from the window. She quickly turned to see what caused it, only to see Queen Adel latching outside the ship; her fist, already retracted back to hit the window.

"...Aren't we accelerating to hyperspeed?" Vera could not help but blink a couple of times as she saw the wild smile on Queen Adel's face, "Your mother… is quite fast."

"Shit… Gru, open the latch, I am going—"

"There's no need for that, Aerith," Riley placed his hand on the window, looking at Queen Adel straight in the eyes, "You just need to activate the wipers whenever insects latch on your windows…

…Let's meet again soon, Queen Adel."

"You—"

And before Queen Adel could do anything else, she was blasted away by Riley.

"..."

"..."

"...Your parents are insane, Princess Aerith."

"I know. We're all not blessed with a good mother like you, Princess Vera."