I Have 10,000 SSS Rank Villains In My System Space Chapter 417: Leaving Empire

Razeal continued his conversation with Sofia and Maria for a while, disclosing just enough of his future strategies to ensure they grasped his intended trajectory, withholding certain details.

As the discussion concluded, the atmosphere settling into a charged yet resolute silence, Razeal subtly raised his hand and snapped his fingers. Instantly, the floor's shadows writhed unnaturally, spreading like dark liquid before ascending. From this shifting void, three figures materialized—first as silhouettes, then solid forms, as Levy, Aurora, and Yograj were drawn from the shadowy space and deposited back onto the shop floor as the darkness subsided beneath them.

Levy's eyes blinked as he adjusted to the abrupt shift, his gaze quickly finding Razeal before him.

"You finally remembered us," he commented, a note of dry irritation coloring his tone, yet devoid of outright anger, conveying more a sense of contained frustration. "I thought you had simply abandoned us without a word," he added, scanning the room anew as if to confirm he hadn't missed any crucial developments during their unseen absence, for from his perspective, time had stretched significantly, allowing unease to settle in.

"We attempted to enter," he further explained, his voice gaining a more serious edge. "However, there was a type of resistance... similar to an invisible barrier." His brow furrowed slightly as the memory surfaced. "Had it not been for that, we would have entered sooner, within the timeframe you had set..." As he spoke, his eyes subtly swept across the room, noting Sofia and Maria positioned to the side, then returned to Razeal, and finally took in the condition of his shop.

The minor details didn't escape his notice: a dislodged shelf, faint fracture lines marring the wall, subtle evidence of an intense event having transpired while they were excluded. Nevertheless, he opted not to address it directly, instead exchanging a brief, knowing glance with Aurora, who stood silently beside him.

"Yes... I erected that barrier," Razeal stated plainly, offering a slight nod, his tone casual as if no further explanation were necessary. His eyes briefly glanced at Maria before refocusing on the group, as the barrier's purpose had been not for them, but for her—to contain any potential surges or instabilities that might have emanated during her condition, incidents that could have escalated into significant trouble if left unchecked.

Levy nodded gradually in comprehension, accepting the explanation without further inquiry, though his gaze momentarily rested on the subtle signs of disruption around him before he straightened, redirecting his focus to the present matter.

"So... what is your decision?" Razeal finally inquired, his voice steady as his eyes moved over the three individuals, first landing on Levy, then Aurora, and finally Yograj, who stood with his arms crossed, his posture resolute, his presence calm yet keenly observant.

Yograj responded without the slightest hesitation.

"I will go wherever my daughter goes," he declared instantly, his voice calm, firm, and imbued with a straightforward sincerity that needed no further elaboration. He turned his head slightly to regard Aurora, his eyes softening almost imperceptibly—not with weakness, but with a protective, unwavering steadiness.

Aurora blinked, clearly taken aback by the immediate affirmation. Her gaze rose to meet his for a fleeting moment, a subtle flicker of surprise gracing her features before settling into a quieter expression of acknowledgment, perhaps even gratitude. She remained silent, however, turning her attention instead to Levy.

Her hand moved delicately as she interlaced her fingers with his, taking his hand fully. Her grip was firm yet serene, her eyes locking onto his as if conveying everything without a single word: *Whatever you decide... I am with you.* There was no ambiguity or doubt in that unspoken message.

Levy felt it too. His gaze briefly dropped to their clasped hands before rising again, first to Aurora, then to Yograj, and finally settling on Razeal. His jaw tightened slightly as he composed himself, ensuring no lingering uncertainty remained within him before he spoke.

He nodded firmly.

"We will accompany you," he stated, his voice resolute, though carrying a certain weight. "Aurora and I... we are prepared to offer you our loyalty... permanently." The words were delivered with conviction, yet for just a second, his tone shifted, a hint of hesitation weaving into it as he added, "...But... under one condition."

"If you promise," Levy continued, his voice softer now, more personal and vulnerable despite his effort to remain composed, "that you will remove the negative side effects of the boons we possess," his grip on Aurora's hand tightened slightly, almost unconsciously, "or even remove the boons themselves if necessary," his eyes remained fixed on Razeal, "we simply do not wish for these curses... to be disguised as divine gifts."

The final words were uttered with a heavier weight, carrying something deeper than mere dissatisfaction—resentment, perhaps even pain.

As soon as he voiced his request,

he felt it.

That faint, unsettling awareness began to surface.

Is this wrong?

Am I asking too much... from someone who has already aided us?

His expression hardened slightly, not outwardly apologetic, but inwardly conflicted, for he knew this was not pure loyalty.

This was a transaction.

And he was fully aware of it.

Yograj, overhearing this, raised an eyebrow subtly, his gaze shifting towards Levy with quiet surprise, assessing the statement rather than reacting emotionally. His eyes then lowered to their hands, still clasped tightly, and a softening occurred in his expression as understanding dawned upon him, connecting the dots.

So, he carries one too...? Huh? And it's not a blessing... for him either... Sigh...

His gaze lifted once more, briefly resting on Aurora's face, observing the subtle tension, the unspoken burden. He exhaled softly, shaking his head slightly, not in disapproval, but in quiet resignation.

These children...

They have already endured more than they should have...

And—the moment Levy's condition hung in the air, the entire room was enveloped in a dense, almost suffocating silence. It was a quietude that didn't just exist externally but pressed inward, compelling everyone present to feel the gravity of his words.

Sofia and Maria fell silent instinctively, their eyes flickered first to Levy, lingering on the bluntness of his demand, its raw honesty, and then to Razeal, watching him intently, attempting to gauge his reaction. From any reasonable viewpoint, Levy's request bordered on audacity, almost bordering on selfishness, particularly given the disparity in their power. Neither of them could confidently predict whether Razeal would accept, reject, or simply depart.

For a fleeting instant, stillness permeated the room.

Then—

Razeal nodded.

Just like that.

"Alright," he said calmly, as if the decision required no effort, his voice steady and unperturbed, "I promise you that." As he spoke, he extended his hand towards Levy.

The gesture was simple.

Yet, definitive.

And entirely unanticipated.

Levy froze.

Not outwardly, not dramatically, but internally, the reaction was instantaneous. His mind faltered for a split second as he stared at Razeal's outstretched hand, unable to comprehend what had just occurred. He had braced himself for resistance, negotiation, hesitation—anything but this immediate acceptance. And with that acceptance came something else, something heavier.

Shame...?

A faint tightening in his chest as the realization of his actions dawned upon him.

I asked for too much... Sigh...?

For someone like me... this isn't loyalty... it's bargaining...

Slowly, he raised his gaze from the hand to Razeal's face, seeking any sign of doubt, annoyance, or calculation, but found none—only that same placid expression, which made it worse.

"Are you... truly alright with this?" Levy asked quietly, his voice losing some of its earlier strength, now replaced by something more genuine, more uncertain. "You're not suspicious? Not even a little irritated?" he continued, his brow furrowing slightly. "Because even from my standpoint... it appears selfish," he admitted bluntly. "Would you truly be able to rely on my loyalty... when it's tied to a condition like this? Or a bargain?" He made no attempt to conceal his thoughts.

Neither did he soften them... because he knew the truth of it himself.

Aurora's fingers tightened around his hand once more at his words, her eyes glancing towards him with concern, even confusion. *Why is he saying this?* From her perspective, Razeal had already agreed; the path forward was clear, yet Levy was the one introducing doubt, almost as if he were trying to undermine the agreement himself.

Razeal, however, did not react negatively. Instead, he gave a small, almost amused nod.

"Someone once advised me," he began, his tone casual yet deliberate, "if you can purchase someone's trust and loyalty... then do so," his eyes met Levy's directly, "because that's the most economical way to acquire it." He shrugged lightly, as if the notion held no moral weight for him, "Anything else... comes at a far greater cost."

His hand remained extended... motionless.

"I'm simply doing what seems logical to me," he added plainly.

Levy's brow furrowed slightly, not in disagreement, but discomfort. While the reasoning was sound, it felt cold and transactional, missing something he still valued.

"But..." he hesitated again, his internal conflict more apparent. "Would you truly rely on that kind of loyalty?" he probed further, his voice softer, more reflective. "What if... one day... someone offers us the same?" His gaze briefly dropped before returning to Razeal. "Freedom from these boons... in exchange for betraying you?" A faint, self-aware laugh escaped him, though it held no mirth. "To be perfectly honest... I wouldn't even trust myself in that scenario."

Aurora's hand tightened abruptly. Her eyes snapped toward him, a mix of frustration and bewilderment flashing across her face. What are you doing? To her, it sounded as if he was undermining himself, questioning his own value at the precise moment it was being recognized.

Razeal, however, merely chuckled softly.

"Betrayal, you say..." he murmured, shaking his head subtly, not dismissively, but with understanding. "You have no need to fret about that. It's not as though I can truly place my trust in anyone. And, in all honesty, no one ever fully trusts another, nor are they immune to betrayal. It's simply inherent in our nature."

"People don't betray out of a lack of loyalty or love. They betray because circumstances compel them. When the stakes escalate sufficiently, when the need becomes overwhelming, principles begin to yield."

"Consider Aurora. You two appear close now. You refer to her as your wife; she calls you her husband. But do you genuinely believe that love alone would deter her from betraying you? No... if the situation demanded it, she would. And the same applies to you. If you ever found yourself in a position where betrayal became essential... you would choose it as well." He shrugged, as if stating a self-evident truth.

Aurora's expression instantly hardened.

"No," she retorted without missing a beat, her voice firm, almost sharp. Her eyes fixed on Razeal, clear offense evident. "That isn't true. I love him," she affirmed, her grip on Levy tightening as if tounderscore her words. "I would never betray him."

Levy instinctively squeezed her hand back, his expression softening as he looked at her, offering silent validation of her words, though he remained quiet.

Razeal offered no further argument.

He simply observed them.

"Very well, if you insist..." he replied, not mockingly, but with a detached air, as if finding the situation mildly amusing.

Aurora's jaw clenched subtly, but before she could speak again, Levy intervened.

"I don't know what you've endured," he stated, his tone now steady, yet carrying a distinct gravity. His gaze met Razeal's directly. "I don't know who betrayed you... or how many times," he continued, his voice softening slightly. "But it doesn't function that way for everyone." He gave a faint shake of his head. "At some juncture... individuals must place trust in someone," he added. "We require it... love, support... someone dependable," his eyes remained unwavering. "If no one is loyal... if no one is dependable... then what is the purpose of anything?" He paused, his expression tightening momentarily.

Then, he exhaled.

"...You'll simply end up isolated," he concluded quietly. He didn't press the matter further, sensing that Razeal was not someone who would be swayed by such reasoning, that his beliefs were not recently formed but deeply ingrained through experience.

Thus, Levy ceased speaking, shaking his head, unwilling to continue. From Razeal's demeanor, it was evident he had accepted Levy's words as fact, yet harbored no inclination to alter his perspective.

It was as if, from the very inception, his sole desire had been normalcy—to believe in loyalty, to have people he could trust. Yet, deep down, he could never quite accept that such things were genuinely possible, because every lesson life had taught him dictated otherwise, and that conviction had solidified into something he no longer knew how to change.

Levy exhaled slowly, as if releasing the lingering weight of his own uncertainty. He then gave a faint shake of his head, almost dismissing the entire cascade of doubt he had just conjured moments before. "Let it be," he declared, his voice more grounded and steady now.

"Consider it a done deal," he stated, his grip on Aurora’s hand subtly intensifying. Then, with renewed firmness, he declared, "But understand this clearly: I will not betray you." His gaze met Razeal’s directly, unwavering. "Not even if a better offer comes along, or a more enticing one." A fleeting intensity crossed his features, hinting at past experiences. "Betrayal isn’t easy," he continued in a lower tone. "It sounds simpler than it is. Guilt weighs heavily, and living with it is even harder." With that, he clasped Razeal’s outstretched hand, solidifying their pact. It wasn't blind devotion, but a conscious, deliberate choice—a deal, indeed, but a meaningful one.

"Guilt, you say..." Razeal mused softly, observing him as their hands joined. A faint, almost amused ripple went through him at the word. He gave a slight shake of his head, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, finding the concept somewhat amusing given his perspective. He didn’t challenge it; the outcome was paramount, and that outcome was now concretely in place.

"Good," he said coolly, releasing Yograj’s hand.

A sliver of the room's tension dissipated.

Yet, it didn’t vanish entirely.

"So," Yograj’s voice cut through the atmosphere, his tone practical and direct as he shifted his posture, arms still crossed but his full attention now on the path forward. "Where are we headed, and what exactly is the objective?" His inquiry was straightforward, lacking any hint of skepticism, as befitted someone who had already committed.

"To the Kingdom of Denvaar," Razeal responded without hesitation, his voice maintaining its even cadence. "As for your role, you will understand upon arrival." He offered no further details, evidently disinclined to reveal everything upfront.

Yograj did not probe further.

Nor did Levy.

They exchanged brief glances, acknowledging the lack of explanation but implicitly accepting it, whatever the underlying reasons might be.

"I understand," Yograj nodded once, seemingly satisfied.

Sofia, however, stepped slightly forward, her brow furrowed as she re-evaluated their schedule. "You mentioned we begin tomorrow," she stated, her gaze locked on Razeal. "So, are we departing immediately?"

This question redirected the focus.

The concern now wasn't about the 'what,'

but the 'how.'

"Tomorrow?" Yograj echoed, his tone instantly becoming sharper as he looked between them, a flicker of disbelief crossing his features. "Are you serious?" he pressed, his voice firm, verging on incredulous. "Have you forgotten the current state of affairs?" he questioned, taking a small step forward. "The entire region is overrun with monsters, unstable rifts, and dangerous ruins. The empire’s borders are effectively sealed." His expression hardened. "There’s no simple route out." He paused, then added more pointedly, "And let’s not forget, after our last escape, we are undoubtedly top targets for the empire. I’m sure that incident caused considerable embarrassment." His arms uncrossed slightly as he gestured outwards.

"Even if a passage existed, Denvaar is hundreds of miles away. Reaching it by tomorrow?" He shook his head. "That’s not merely difficult; it’s impossible."

Sofia listened, then simply shook her head.

"I don’t believe it’s that impossible," she countered, her tone calm yet assured. Her gaze shifted from Yograj back to Razeal. "We traveled from the heart of Atlantis to here almost instantaneously," she pointed out, her eyes narrowing in thought. "Using your shadow ability," she added, her focus intensifying. "So why can’t we do the same now?"

"How long would that take?"

At her words, Yograj paused.

"...Ah," he murmured, the memory resurfacing, followed by a slow nod. "Right… that."

Levy and Aurora exchanged a knowing glance, the realization dawning on them: if such a feat was possible, then distance was indeed irrelevant.

All eyes turned to Razeal.

Anticipating confirmation.

Instead…

He shook his head.

"No," he stated plainly.

This response

caught Sofia completely by surprise.

"What?" she frowned slightly, her earlier certainty dissolving into confusion.