Villain Retirement

"..."

"..."

Princess Vera and Riley have been staring at each other for quite some time now; the two, not even uttering a single word as their eyes just reflected each other's silhouette.

The only movement between the two was Vera's batting eyelashes; which caused her bright green eyes to glow for some reason.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Aren't you going to say anything?"

And finally, after what seemed like almost a quarter of an hour, Vera broke the silence before it could build an entire bridge between them.

Riley, however, just continued to stare at Vera as the artificial winds of the ship caused the blades of grass beneath them to dance.

But after a few more seconds, he let out a small sigh and shook his head.

"I apologize, Princess Vera. Our circumstance now just reminded me of a scene from a TV show I watch," he then said before looking up towards the expanse of space, 

"Your mother sent you here to set up a marital engagement with me, why so?"

"...Most of the others I told this to either become nervous or excited," Princess Vera blinked a couple of times as she looked at Riley; her eyes, containing a bit of bewilderment.

"You are also betrothed to other people? Riley tilted his head to the side, "It would seem your mother only treats you as a political tool."

"No, and no," Vera sighed and shook her head, "It is ultimately my choice. As the future ruler of the evaniels, I would want my first act to be that of change, an alliance with a new race that has the potential to become one of the Higher Races, marriage would cement that.

"Hm."

"The Higher Races have become stagnant, you see. Other elements feel the same— like the people behind Voris and the assassins, but they want to change it through violence and war. I would like to change it… 

…with love," Princess Vera then closed her eyes; taking in a deep breath as the golden markings on her skin started to glow.

"I know of someone that feels and wants the same as you, Princess Vera. She is more literal than you with her methods, however."

"...Who?"

"It is not my secret to tell, Princess Vera. I just wanted to make you curious," Riley said as he finally removed his eyes from the view of the space above.

"...You really are different from the rest," a small smirk crawled on Vera's face, "Others just feign their stoicism, but jump at the opportunity for a chance to gain friendship with one of the Higher Races— much less a chance to marry one such as I and rule my species together. Suffice to say, I ignored all of them after the first meeting."

"That is because I don't need friendship, Princess Vera. But you do not have to worry, that is not your fault— I am just unexplainable that way."

"You did say you're completely different from your own race."

"That is true," Riley nodded, "And also, I do not need to be married to you to rule the evaniels, Princess Vera…"

"...Hm?"

"...I can conquer it on my own, as I did my world."

"...If we weren't just talking friendly just moments ago, I would think that's a threat," Vera's green hair started to slightly let out a glow; almost like the withering life of a bright firefly, "And since you were directly identified and singled out by Princess Aerith, that threat might hold merit."

"Please do not misunderstand, Princess Vera," Riley shook his head as he looked Vera in the eyes, "I do not threaten people, I merely tell them what could happen if I wanted it to happen."

"Hm," Princess Vera's eyes started to squint, "Like what you did to Commander Voris, in front of the admiral, Dr. Vella, and my brother?"

"You've seen it?" A small smile crawled on Riley's face, "Yes, like that. And like them, there is nothing anyone in your species could do to stop me once I do so. It is just the way it is."

"..."

"..."

"I'm starting to like you more and more, Riley Ross," Princess Vera's hair then lost its glow as she let out a small giggle, "If it were any other that said that to me, I would have probably just laughed at them— but you…

…you're actually quite scary, aren't you?" Princess Vera's face then slightly turned red as her eyes once again looked at Riley from head to toe; the smile on her face, widening by the second.

"If we do get married, would I be sharing you with those two?" Vera then said as she pointed at Tomoe and Paige, who seemed to be discussing something interesting with Val, "You don't have to worry, the evaniels are polygamous. In fact, you may still not know this, but only one race in the Higher Races is monogamous."

"Hm."

"And seeing as you are always surrounded by more than one woman, I assume the humans are polygamous as well?"

"A low percentage of the population is, including my adoptive father. Some pretend to be monogamous, while most truly are."

"...Interesting," a small smirk once again crawled on Princess Vera's face as she looked at Tomoe and Paige, "I guess I would just have to compete."

"There is no need, Princess Vera. I have no intention of getting married to anyone."

"...Great," Princess Vera's shoulders started to lower as she heard Riley's words, "The very first one I am actually interested in, and I get rejected."

"I would not be a great spouse as well if you want to build a relationship with Earth. I plan to leave the planet with Aerith sometime in the future."

"...To do what?"

"I don't know yet. But I am leaning towards the idea of conquering the universe. With Aerith by my side, it should be possible."

"...I don't know if you're serious about the whole ruling and conquering thing."

"I am," Riley tilted his head, "I believe it is slowly becoming my purpose. In the past, it was only to kill and hurt everything and everyone, but it is changing— I can feel it."

"You're crazy, are you aware of that?"

"It runs in the family, both biological and adoptive."

"I'm still not giving up on trying to pursue a relationship with you, Riley Ross," Princess Vera then suddenly stood straight, "Knowing you more and more, I feel like it is slowly becoming my responsibility to get you to our— to my side."

"If you truly want to build a relationship with the humans, may I suggest pursuing the son of Aerith?"

"No. You're the one that she singled out— and I am starting to slowly learn why from our brief but intimate talks."

"I do believe our conversation has not been brief, Princess Vera."

"...That's true," Princess Vera let out a small giggle as she covered her mouth, "Our conversation could have even been an entire chapter if it was a light book. But it is necessary, I needed to get to know you, and you needed to get to know me."

"Perhaps."

"And now there's only one thing left for us to do to truly know about each other,"  the markings on the princess' face once again started to light up, "Now that I have an idea of who you are, it's time to learn what you are."

"..." Riley could really only take a few steps back as trickles of what seemed like golden strands of lightning started to emerge from Vera's tattoos.

"I hope you'll oblige me with this, Riley Ross," Princess Vera muttered as… her silhouette seemed to be slowly splitting into two, "For two nations to fully become allies, they must first know what each other is capable of— what better way to check than a battle?"

"I should not be your standard of measurement in regards to humans, Princess Vera. May I suggest just fighting my Second Subordinate?"

"I'm not talking about the humans, Riley Ross— only you. Checking the other humans is Varen's job."

"..."

"Do you accept this invitation to a friendly match, Riley Ross? Do not worry, I know the both of us are strong enough to stop ourselves before one of us gets seriously hurt."

"That is the problem, Princess Vera…" Riley could really only sigh, before ultimately nodding his head as his feet started to leave the blades of grass, "...you and I have very different definitions of 'hurt'."

"Well, as long as no one dies…

…everything is cool."

And halfway through Vera's words, she suddenly disappeared from her spot, almost instantly appearing behind Riley Ross with her hand already only an inch from his neck; her fingers, letting out some sort of a whirring whisper as they vibrate at an insane speed.

"What are you going to do now, Riley Ross?"

"This."

"!!!"

Vera could not help but widen her eyes as she heard Riley's words— not from the front, but from behind her. She was quick to move away, but as she did so, it almost felt like an immovable wall was suddenly blocking her path; causing her body to slightly be squished as she instantly stopped moving.

"Oh," Vera then touched the invisible wall; a side of her lips, slightly turned upward as she tapped the wall several times, "This is what killed the assassins."

"It might very well also be the thing that kills you, Princess Vera," Riley sighed, "May I suggest not continuing this friendly match? You will really only lose."

"What are you talking about, Riley?" Vera then let out a small giggle as her face once again slightly turned flush; her hair, now also glowing even brighter— and soon, it was almost as if her silhouette started to fade from existence,

"We've only just begun."

***ANNOUNCEMENT***

Hi, if you still don't know--- my most famous book before this one, 'My Hermes System', is getting a remake with a whole entirely new story entitled 'Speedster in a Fantasy World.' Check it out if you want to see more speedsters!

'Speedster in a Fantasy World.'