Villain Retirement
chapter-1078

The people of the Sole Remaining Universe all know of how abnormally powerful the gods are - it was them that wiped out almost the entire reality, after all. Whether they were just created by Paige or not, they still hold the memories of those they were copied from, their experiences were real, their fears were real.

Right now, however, as billions of them were flying through the expanse of space toward the place they were told they were never allowed to go, the only thing they could do was be in awe by the marvelous sight of New Theran. Some of them, however, were even in more awe of the person capable of flying them all out.

They know him as Paragon, the one who established, and for some, reestablished the Hero Association from scratch and helped them the past 16 years to adjust to their also reestablished mortality they have gotten used to for more than 600 years.

There were gods, and then there was Riley. The fact that he was flying all of them at the same time and bringing them to safety was enough for them to put him above the gods who caused all their tragedy and demise in the first place.

None of them realized, however, that Riley did not care for them at all and was just doing what he was doing because Aerith 2 and Hannah 2 asked him to bring the people with them to New Theran, where Lucy and the others were gathering.

Who the others were, he hasn't really told them yet.

The billions of people, surprisingly, did not really take that long to settle and calm down as soon as they landed in New Theran - perhaps the 600 years they have spent alive made them quite resourceful and accepting of things, no matter how weird. Of course, by settling, it only meant that they all were just finally able to close their eyes and relax; either on the ground, in the water, or wherever they were placed.

Their houses were gone, most of their friends were gone, but still - they all just took the moment to rest.

"These people..." Aerith 2, who had just been Megawoman days before, could not help but just be in awe of how resolute and resilient they were, "...Just what sort of lives have they lived for them to become like this?"

"Hundreds of years of endless war," Karina stood beside Aerith 2 as she looked at the group of people in front of them, "I don't really know whether or not I should envy you for living in much simpler times, Aunt-no, Aerith. Of course, I don't think any of them really lived it, but Paige created them with the same memories, same experiences... I honestly don't even know anymore."

"They are alive," Aerith 2 shook her head, "That should be the only thing that matters. They're here, and they are real."

"...Hm."

"People, let us move on!" And everyone was trying to make sure that the people were comfortable enough, Lucy clapped his hands several times before just doing an unnecessary pose while covering half his face, "My mother and the others await us. My handsome father, please!"

Lucy's feet left the ground as he gestured to his father to follow him. The others also soon followed, and the only one that was hesitating was Aerith 2 - but after a few seconds, she just let out a small but very deep sigh and flew to chase the group.

She was tired, extremely so when she fought Darkday, all she wanted to do was rest and give up. It was the same thing over and over again; she defeats Darkday, and he just comes back stronger than before... and she knew it would happen again and again.

But to think her rest would be short-lived, and not only short-lived but she was violently woken up and thrown into a world that was completely unfamiliar to her. And it wasn't like she was alone in this situation.

Hera she could understand. After all, her entire ability is all about adapting to anything and everything, no matter what. But the Ross family?

The three were in the same situation as her, and yet they fully adjusted to the situation. Not only did they adjust to it, they even just accepted all the disturbing and deranged facts that came with it.

Was it her? Was she the weird one for not just accepting her situation? Riley should have just left her there, in the world of illusions - at the very least, she would not have had to deal with anything anymore.

"And we are back! Mother, Mother! Father's back! Mother!"

"Don't shout, I can hear you!"

Aerith 2 then just landed back on the ground while shaking her head, finally choosing to accept the situation as it is, at least for now. She quickly scanned the area, only to find herself in a Field of Immortality, the sea of crystals where themarians rest.

"That—" There was, however, only one grave there. There were others, and obviously gods by the energy they were emitting, but they were obviously not buried there, but died the most gruesome way. And so, she only approached Alice's crystal, "...Isn't that Ms. Phoenix?"

"Yes. We buried her here."

"T—you...?" Aerith 2 quickly glanced at the person that suddenly stood beside her, only to see a complete reflection of herself-no. The person beside her seemed much... mature. She was the same person, but completely different now,

"Are you―"

"You, a few centuries later," Aerith let out a small but very deep breath as she smiled at Aerith 2, "You're... so angry and so young. I almost forgot I had that much passion, enough to sap me of my will to live. Just one look and I know you're not my variant."

"You-"Aerith 2 wanted to say what right she had to say that to her, and what she knew about the life she had lived...but she knew exactly, "How... can you still live with yourself?"

"Because I set a duty for myself," Aerith did not hesitate to answer as she just glanced at Riley, who was being embraced by Katrina and Liz, "Yeah, it's fucked up."

"Did you... honestly develop feelings for him? Of all people?" Aerith 2 gritted her teeth, "He's Darkday... and... and our son is-"

"Our son is long gone. I don't know the circumstances of how you came here, I'm only listening to them now," Aerith once again glanced at Riley as she listened in on what he was saying, "But treat me as if I'm not you - I'm someone... who has made a lot of mistakes. I... am attracted to Riley Ross and you know exactly why. Despite relinquishing our heritage, we're still themarians."

"But you admit it's a mistake."

"It is, and always will be," Aerith shrugged, "But I am owning up to that, and the results are not all bad."

"You're... mad," Aerith 2 could not help but just raise an eyebrow at Aerith, "You're right, you're not me."

"Hm," Aerith breathed in before stepping away, "If you're ready to talk more, then I would like for you to meet my son with Riley - perhaps the only right thing that came out from all

of this."

"Son..." Aerith 2 then turned to look to where Aerith was walking to, only to see a tall white- haired young man glancing at her, but he quickly looked away as soon as their eyes met.

"...Riley," Aerith 1 then approached Riley as he tried to calm down Katrina and Liz, "It's been

awhile...

...we need to talk."