I Have 10,000 SSS Rank Villains In My System Space Chapter 413: For Greater Good

"Yeah... it’s tough," Razeal replied with a light, seemingly indifferent shrug, like discussing a challenging chore instead of near-impossible feat, his voice steady yet infused with subtle conviction.

"But it’s doable." He reclined a touch, eyes wandering briefly before snapping back to them, "It simply won’t come easy."

"Since the gods won’t allow simplicity—they’ll

surely meddle." He cocked his head just a bit,

"Over and over." A wry, faint smile tugged at his lips.

"They keep shoving me into that villain spot... ensuring I remain the ’villain’..." Shadows flickered in his gaze, "Whatever the price." The offhand delivery only amplified the chill. "That’s precisely why I must stay ready."

Maria blinked, absorbing it gradually, then gave a soft nod as understanding dawned, "Hold on, so that’s why you’re battling gods," she murmured, mostly to herself, as the puzzle pieces clicked together in her mind.

Razeal nodded briefly, yet swiftly amended, "Not only gods, though." His voice stayed even.

"Anyone blocking the path." He opened his palms a little, "And not solely outright barriers."

"Troubles will arise... nonstop." He let out a quiet breath, "Events materializing from thin air... scenarios warping... allies flipping..." He shook his head lightly.

"That’s how it operates." His face grew more neutral, "This universal setup... those rules... and everything"

"They’re nothing but a royal headache." He waved a hand loosely around.

"Just glance at all this... does it even add up?" He flung his arms wide, as if to declare, behold my situation.

A heavy silence descended after his words. Truly, none of it did.

Now, Maria and Sofia grasped the immense burden fully. Beyond the peril. Beyond the vastness. But the sheer injustice. The blatant setup. The oppressive trap.

Maria drew in a sharp breath, thoughts whirling, seeking any graspable element, any quick fix, something tangible and actionable right away.

"Hold on, hold on," she burst out abruptly, advancing as if enlightenment had struck, urgency flooding her words.

"We’re approaching this all wrong." Her gaze sparked, not with ease but resolve.

"Our initial move should be... reshaping your reputation head-on. Right?" She bobbed her head fast, rallying her own conviction, "So why not head to Selena and Celestia..." Steel edged her tone.

"And compel them to reveal the facts." She advanced further, pivoting halfway to the door, "Somehow make them own up to their lies about you."

"We vindicate you publicly." Her stare intensified, "Without that first step... the entire scheme crumbles." She was already in motion. Nearly bolting. Nearly charging ahead.

"No." Razeal’s command sliced clean—not booming, but solid enough to halt her stride.

Maria halted, whipping around to face him, features hardening. "But... why?" Frustration laced her words now. "You said your reputation is crucial."

Sofia joined in too, creasing her forehead as she eyed him gravely, "She’s correct." Her voice rang firm, unwavering. "No time for restraint now." She closed the gap, "We act immediately." Her eyes tightened, "Your emotions toward them... irrelevant."

"It’s essential." United now, both poised for action.

Razeal merely regarded them. Then shook his head deliberately. "Don’t." Not stern, but unyielding. "It’s handled."

He sighed softly, rolling his eyes as if the matter was long resolved, "Selena will come clean." he stated.

That halted Maria dead. "What?" she demanded, fully facing him again, bewilderment resurfacing. "What do you mean?"

Razeal dipped his chin slightly, shrugging once more.

Sofia edged nearer, eyes narrowing keenly, "...you’re certain?" Doubt mingled with intrigue in her voice.

Maria sidled up beside her, fixing him with a piercing look, "Why would she?" Her brows knit, "...did you arrange something?"

Razeal held her stare, hesitating a beat—just long enough to hint at depths—then stated plainly, "No."

"Then how?" Sofia pressed right away, tone sharpening.

Razeal’s face remained unchanged. "I simply know."

Silence enveloped the room. Maria and Sofia fixed their gazes on him, exchanging a quick glance between themselves, their bewilderment growing rather than fading, since his response offered no clarity—it only heightened the unease.

Maria's mind whirled a bit as she grappled to comprehend it. What does he mean by just knowing? How can he feel so certain? A subtle tension crept into her face.

Yet Razeal offered no further details. "...she will," he stated with composure, as though the matter was already set in stone, inscribed in some realm beyond their grasp, "And even if she doesn’t..."

"it won’t change anything."

Those words froze them both once more. "...what do you mean?" Maria inquired softly, her tone now more measured, laced with greater caution and confusion.

Razeal regarded them steadily, his face serene yet carrying a deeper weight. "...no one will believe me." The statement hung simply. Blandly. "Like even if she confesses, folks will claim she was coerced."

"That she was compelled to utter it." His gaze drifted aside momentarily before returning.

"And even if they buy it... that won’t alter their view of me—they’ll remain loyal to their side."

"Or perhaps they’ll outright laud her? For stepping up, owning her error, and such?" He gave a slight shake of his head.

"As far as I know, they’ll dub it bravery... A childish slip-up, something easily pardoned."

"And me?"

"I’ll remain the same.... the accused one, bound to that offense despite innocence proven."

"Because perceptions don’t shift so readily." His eyes met theirs again, steady yet burdened. "I mean... that’s simply how things go."

Sofia and Maria lapsed into quiet after Razeal's explanation, and although no words passed between them, the subtle, hesitant nods that came next revealed their grasp—and regrettably, their concurrence—since regardless of the injustice or distortion in his words, that's the reality of the world, where views outweigh facts, and once an idea embeds in minds, truth afterward holds no sway; Maria parted her lips, a soft "But..." slipping out, her natural urge still resisting, seeking any counter to challenge his certainty, any way to refute the unavoidable fate he described, yet before she could press on,

Sofia raised her hand softly to halt her—not roughly, merely signaling the futility of debating that angle—then turned her eyes back to Razeal, her look sharpening into focus, steadying amid the turmoil.

"So what then?" she posed, voice steady yet resolute, propelling the discussion ahead, "What are we doing?" Her eyebrows knit faintly. "Because whatever it is... it must be huge... and quick," urgency infused her words now, born from realizing their scant time.

"We can’t afford delays... and it’s not enough to merely react—we must plan for all angles," she pressed on, her thoughts already sifting options only to dismiss them swiftly, "Winning people over isn’t simple... particularly against the whole world... and worse still, when the system brands you the villain at every turn," she halted shortly, eyes tightening, "It’s not merely tough... it’s outright impossible."

And she truly believed it.

For as she uttered those lines, her brain churned through cases, situations, results—and every one failed.

Five or six years... to win the world's affection? The notion reverberated in her head, seeming ridiculous even to entertain, Even the Empress... the mightiest entity currently living... lacks universal adoration... They revere her... dread her... obey her... but true fondness or support? Another matter... Her eyes dipped a touch.

Clashing faiths, rival agendas, opposing doctrines always exist—uniting them all? Unthinkable. And a shadowier idea crept in next: Plus... gods exist, entities folks revere, rely on, view as justice incarnate—if they condemn him...? Who’d doubt them...? She breathed out softly, chest constricting. Just one charge can shatter someone utterly, and keeping a positive image? Far tougher.

Her gaze shifted to Razeal.

Because that was the harsh reality.

He’d been charged with an act he never committed.

And everything

His reputation.

His status.

His very self.

Vaporized in a flash.

As if worthless.

And that underscored its frailty... she reflected. That’s the ease of breeding hatred...

And Maria

Maria pondered the identical truth.

Her fingers tightened faintly in her lap while her mind raced wildly. Folks dedicate their whole lives merely to win affection from a single soul... and even that eludes many... yet he's declaring he'll make the whole world adore him? Her heart squeezed tight. While still breathing? While hunted relentlessly? While ensnared in schemes? Her gaze dropped a touch. That's beyond tough... that's pure fantasy.

And gradually,

Silence enveloped both women.

For every route they envisioned

Crumpled apart. No escape whatsoever..

Right as the quiet deepened,

Razeal broke it.

"War."

That single term sliced the atmosphere.

Plain, icy, and resolute.

"I’m going to war," he declared firmly.

Maria and Sofia's heads snapped up at once.

"What?" Both uttered nearly together, faces etched with disbelief and bewilderment, since of all possibilities, this ranked dead last in logic, and Sofia advanced a step, her eyebrows furrowing deeply.

"No... you’re not," she shot back right away, voice solid, dismissing it flat out, "And even if you were... how would that even assist at all?" Her tone grew edged, irritation bleeding in.

"War doesn’t win you fans.. it repels them," she motioned lightly, "Folks despise war... it unleashes ruin, terror, grief... far from improving your image, it’ll tarnish it further," her stare fixed on him, "This isn't merely flawed.. it's downright idiotic.. What on earth are you contemplating?"

Maria stayed quiet

Yet she dipped her head in subtle accord.

True enough.

At face value, and quite literally so.

However, Razeal showed no anger or defiance to her retort.

Rather,

He simply grinned.

Serenely.

Nearly subtly.

"It's truly straightforward," he explained, voice even, like stating the evident, "People won't back you... won't favor you... until they view you as one of theirs."

Sofia's brow creased.

Perplexed.

Yet Razeal pressed on.

"My plan... is to turn everyone into my followers," he stated, eyes unwavering, tone laced with soft assurance, "And when that's done..." a brief halt, "...they'll have no option."

Maria's breath hitched a little.

"You never despise your own, after all.." Razeal concluded, that subtle grin lingering. "I mean, no cause to."

Sofia's lips parted at once

"No, that's not how it operates.." she started, poised to refute, set to unravel the reasoning

But abruptly.. she halted halfway.

For a realization struck, freezing her features. Her pupils constricted faintly as his words' implication sank deep.

Turn everyone... into his own...?

Even Maria felt alarm bells tolling in her mind..

"No... you aren't try...?" Sofia faltered midway once more.. as though voicing the idea aloud might make it real, her gaze glued to Razeal’s visage, frantically probing for any hint it was jest, a fleeting notion he'd soon reject, yet his face held zero trace of doubt, and that realization alone planted an icy dread in her core.

Razeal, meanwhile, held back a beat, merely reclining in his seat with casual ease, like his upcoming revelation was mundane rather than earth-shattering, then, wearing that same subtle, eerie smile, he uttered, "War against the whole world."

"I am going to conquer the world," the declaration emerged softly, no volume required, for its gravity alone thickened the room's air instantly, as though reality itself halted to absorb it.

A beat passed with Sofia and Maria speechless, not from reluctance but incapacity, the notion so radical, so divorced from sanity, their thoughts reeled to comprehend, and the hush grew oppressive before..

Sofia edged ahead once more, head shaking, brows clenching as she fought to inject reason, "No... no, calm yourself and consider this rationally," she urged, voice steady and rooted, aiming to pull him to sense.

"This isn't wise. Ponder it.. truly ponder. Even supposing you pull it off... they won't admire you, won't rally to you, they'll brand you mad, fixated on domination. Such thinking... it's misguided... It can't succeed," urgency sharpened her tone now, words tumbling quicker to shatter the concept fragment by fragment.

"War inevitably exacts a heavy toll. Every time. Innocents endure torment, forfeit all they cherish, and in the end, they curse the victor rather than express gratitude. Imperialism disgusts everyone. Everyone. You won’t earn love or admiration this way—you’ll merely harvest resentment. This stands as the most flawed path to unite people behind you," and right beside her...

Maria nodded right away too, her face grave as she chimed in, "She’s correct... this approach is basically flawed," her tone steadier yet equally resolute, "Suppose you triumph—which, frankly, seems utterly improbable anyway—but even if you manage it... what follows? What remains afterward? No other outlet for their anger. You’ll turn into the focal point of every issue, every setback, every hardship. Societies thrive by having foes to blame, adversaries to resist." Her ideas fell into place swiftly now.

"Folks cherish their kin out of dread for outsiders. Those divides, those borders... they forge solidarity. They provide a common enemy to battle. Yet if you obliterate them all, if you emerge as the sole authority... you’ll also become the lone target. Nothing but you left to despise," she shook her head, her tone easing a bit.

"This strategy fails... we must pause and devise a superior plan, one that avoids such an outcome,"

Razeal heard them out without a word, his face steady, that subtle smile lingering as though he’d pondered every point they raised, and only when he spoke did his voice emerge serene, perhaps overly so, "I know all that," he stated plainly, his gaze shifting from one to the other.

"Hatred fixates on a single figure only when no other options exist for it," his retort caused Sofia to scowl at once, the supposed hole in his reasoning—or what she perceived as one—irking her even more.

"Isn’t that precisely our point?" she shot back, her tone edging sharper, "Once you dominate it all, who remains for them to battle? Who to defy? No one. You’ll stand alone. Thus, every ounce of rage, every bit of bitterness... it’ll land squarely on you. How can’t you grasp that?" Her irritation shone through clearly, for in her view, his plan’s defect was glaring, irrefutable.

Yet Razeal’s smile broadened just a touch, not in mockery, but as if he’d anticipated that very query, and his reply came with such crisp insight that it stunned both women into stillness.

"Heavens," he uttered, nearly offhandedly.

"I’ll turn their hatred toward the heavens. I’ll offer them a loftier foe to challenge, something transcending mortal limits... and then..." he formed a tiny bursting motion with his fingers, simulating an eruption, "They’ll forever have cause to rally beside me."

"I intend to drag the heavens down to this world."

For an instant, his declaration failed to sink in, their thoughts resisting the implication, but once it hit, Maria and Sofia’s faces transformed in a flash, eyes bulging with a mix of astonishment and incredulity.

Maria broke the silence first, her voice hushed yet intensely grave, "You... aren’t suggesting you plan to manipulate the masses, are you?" she probed, eyes fixed on his, hunting for rebuttal.

"Stir hatred against the heavens... weave a fabricated tale casting you as their savior? Is that your scheme?"

Razeal offered no direct reply, but that quiet, along with the faint, informed arch of his mouth, conveyed volumes beyond speech, and Sofia shook her head vigorously, advancing once more, her words now brimming with insistence.

"No. No, that’s not the right