I Have 10,000 SSS Rank Villains In My System Space Chapter 426: New Revelation?

In that instant, a portal materialized behind Areon and Nova, its surface undulating gently with a peculiar, controlled stillness that bespoke of something far beyond the ordinary. The sudden manifestation triggered immediate reactions from both. Areon's eyes narrowed, his stance subtly shifting to one of readiness, while Nova's gaze intensified, focusing unerringly on the old man. Her instincts flared, recognizing the action as something extraordinary and uncommon.

Control over portals? Such an ability alone warranted apprehension, and now, these very portals seemed to have a deliberate presence both within and surrounding the Empire. Their gazes locked onto Riven's disguised form, each unconsciously cataloging every detail. This was not a capability to be dismissed lightly, so they committed his appearance to memory as a safeguard.

Nova, particularly, did not merely observe. Her senses extended outward, a subtle and precise wave of mana reaching towards Riven. She sought to comprehend his essence, his depth, his true nature – perhaps even his strength, or to discern if it was merely a disguise. But the moment her mana made contact, it simply vanished.

It wasn't blocked. It wasn't deflected. It was utterly erased, as if it had never been sent in the first place. Nova's eyes narrowed further, a slight crease forming between her brows as the implication of this result settled in. A silent alarm resonated within her, far deeper than any outward expression suggested, because this was profoundly abnormal, even for the exceptionally powerful. For the very first time since their arrival, her perception of this 'old man' shifted from cautious curiosity to genuine apprehension.

Yet, she did not attempt to probe again. She didn't push further, for she understood. Whatever he was, it was beyond her current capacity to casually investigate or contend with. She forced herself to let the thought dissipate, turning her attention back to the paramount concern: the individual she had come here for. Her gaze found Razeal once more.

And yes, he still wasn't looking at her. That fact, more than anything else, stung. Nevertheless, she stepped forward, as if a sudden idea had struck her.

"Little brother..." The words escaped her lips before she could restrain them, soft and instinctive, carrying the weight of years of familiarity that refused to be extinguished despite the complete shattering of their world. Razeal's response was immediate.

"Don't call me that," he stated, his voice flat, quiet, and devoid of emotion. Nova's expression faltered for a fleeting moment at his rejection, after which she briefly lowered her gaze and nodded.

"Yes..." There was no protest, no insistence on her part, only a quiet, painful acceptance. Silence descended, stretching between them, heavy and immutable, as if they were positioned on opposite sides of an invisible chasm neither could traverse. Then, Nova raised her eyes again. This time, a different quality softened her gaze – not determination, not resolve, but something gentler, something that made no attempt to fight, argue, or prove a point.

"Can I ask you for one favor?" she inquired, her voice soft, almost hesitant, yet steady enough to convey her intention clearly. Razeal tilted his head slightly, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. He looked at her, attempting to decipher her actions, to comprehend what she perceived this situation to be. From his viewpoint, nothing had changed, nothing had been mended, yet here she was, requesting something as if a space remained for such a plea.

What kind of favor could she possibly ask? His thoughts raced, analyzing instinctively, questioning, trying to anticipate. Nothing about this entire affair felt straightforward. Deep within his mind, he had anticipated something significant, something connected to the confluence of events, something that would validate fate's orchestration of their current circumstances. But nothing had materialized. Not yet. And that fact made the entire situation feel even more disconcerting. Still, he waited, a mixture of curiosity and confusion coloring his gaze as he watched her.

And then, Nova finally spoke. "Can I hug you?" The words landed with a delicate softness, but their impact was anything but light. For a brief, suspended moment, everything seemed to freeze. Even the air grew perceptibly heavier.

"I don’t know when or how long it will be before I see you again..." she continued, her voice now quieter, imbued with a fragile sincerity that made no effort to conceal itself. "Just once... it won’t take long." Her eyes met his, not with demand, not with force, but with a simple, earnest question. In that gaze, there was no trace of pride, no hint of authority, no underlying expectation. Only a quiet, aching hope, and that alone rendered her request more profound than anything she had uttered previously. Around them, all attention shifted, drawn to the unspoken moment unfolding between them.

Sofia’s gaze shifted from Nova to Razeal, her expression clouding with uncertainty about the unfolding events.

Maria’s eyes narrowed slightly as she watched both of them, scrutinizing every subtle shift in their demeanor.

Nancy remained by Razeal’s side, her lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes darting between the pair, comprehending more than she cared to admit about the significance of the moment.

Even Areon, who had already edged back slightly, found himself pausing, observing the scene with a quiet, expectant tension.

And then there was Riven.

Riven simply observed.

Silently, and now with profound interest.

Because the situation had just become considerably more engaging.

“Just once…” Nova’s voice was softer this time, barely a whisper. “At least… let me have this much.” She made no move closer, nor did she extend a hand.

She remained precisely where she was.

Waiting.

Razeal regarded her.

And continued to gaze.

For an extended period.

Their eyes met and held, neither breaking the connection, neither looking away, as if their entire history together had condensed into that solitary, silent exchange.

His face remained inscrutable.

Utterly unreadable.

Nothing could be discerned.

Only a profound stillness.

And then.

“No.”

The word was delivered with stark clarity. Its simplicity was ruthless. It was utterly devoid of emotion.

There was no hint of hesitation or softening.

No room was left for any further discussion.

And just like that.

It was concluded.

The silence that followed his refusal did not feel like an absence of sound; it felt weightier than any words spoken prior, as if the very atmosphere had grown dense, pressing down on everyone present. In this stillness, Nova remained fixed in her position, her eyes still locked on him. Her expression held steady for a moment before an internal shift began.

She nodded once, then again, slowly, deliberately, as if acknowledging something she had already known but needed to hear articulated. Her lips parted slightly as she spoke, her voice soft and distant.

“I see…” Although her tone was composed, her eyes revealed a hidden depth. A faint shimmer gathered at their edges, a sign not of sudden sorrow but of something profound, something that had been accumulating for too long and had finally reached a point of unavoidable emergence. Yet, even then, she offered no tears, maintaining her composure with a quiet, unyielding fortitude that refused to fracture before him, even if it meant inwardly fragmenting.

The simple request for a hug had cost her more than anything she had previously undertaken, stripping away the meager defense her pride had erected against her vulnerability. Now, faced with its denial, the burden felt even heavier. However, she offered no protest, no further plea. She simply accepted the outcome for what it was, understanding that any attempt to push further would only exacerbate the situation.

“Let’s go,” she stated after a brief pause, her voice regaining a measure of steadiness. She turned slightly towards Areon, who stood beside her, still processing the recent turn of events. Before he could fully respond, before he could utter another word or take another step, she grasped his arm and, with a swift, decisive movement, pulled him forward, propelling him directly into the portal behind them. His form vanished through its surface instantly, his surprised exclamation cut short abruptly as the portal consumed him entirely, leaving only the faintest echo of his astonishment.

For a fleeting instant, Nova found herself alone once more.

Her back was to the portal, her face still turned towards Razeal.

She took a step forward, as if preparing to depart without another word. But she stopped, her movement arrested mid-stride by something that held her back – not physically, but by something far more substantial, something she could not simply leave unspoken. Slowly, almost reluctantly, she turned once more to face him for a final time.

“I’m going,” she said, her voice now quieter, stripped bare of all pretense, revealing only raw honesty. Her gaze met his again, carrying that same profound depth that refused to fade, regardless of how forcefully he pushed her away. “I just want you to know… I miss you.”

A brief silence followed, not for dramatic effect, but because the weight of the words themselves demanded it.

“And I still love you.” Her gaze remained unwavering.

“And I always will.”

The confession was straightforward, direct, offered without any attempt to cushion or conceal it, as if she had already resigned herself to whatever reaction, or lack thereof, he might display, and proceeded regardless.

“Just know that… even if you don’t want it… I’ll keep my eye on you.” Her voice solidified further as a quiet resolve settled within it. “And I’ll always protect you. No matter what.”

There was no trace of pride in her declaration, no assertion of authority, only a solemn promise."And… if you ever need anything…" she added, her tone softening noticeably, "if you’re ever in trouble… you can come to me." Another brief silence followed. "I’ll never give up on you." Razeal didn’t offer a reply. He just remained standing there, observing her, his expression completely still, his gaze unwavering. His silence persisted, unbroken. Nova watched him for a few more seconds, as if expectant not of words, but of some tiny indication, some fleeting reaction, but when none materialized, when his eyes continued to hold that same unreadable, distant quality, she nodded again, a subtle sadness beginning to deepen on her face. "Please…" she murmured, her voice dropping even lower, a fragile tremor beneath her attempt at steadiness. "Someday… find it in your heart to forgive me… and my mistakes." Her lips pressed together for a moment before she spoke again, a slight tightening in her voice. "Because I…" She hesitated. "…I don’t like being hated by you." These words emerged softer than any before, carrying a profound sense of personal vulnerability, a raw exposure. "I hated it… when you said you hate me." Her gaze remained locked on him, but a subtle shift had occurred, a crack finally appearing in the controlled facade she had maintained. "And… I… don’t want that." A soft exhale escaped her. "So… please… don’t hate me." There was no hint of pride left in her plea, no attempt at defense. It was a simple, unvarnished request. "You’re the last person… I would ever want to hate me." Razeal listened intently. To every single word. To each pause. To every subtle change in her vocal tone. He could perceive the gravity behind her words, the sincerity, the unspoken pain she held within. Yet, even so, he deliberately chose not to respond, his silence serving as a resolute shield, an impenetrable barrier. Nova seemed to grasp this unspoken understanding. She didn't press further. She didn't prolong the agonizing wait. Her answer was already clear. Therefore, without another word, she turned away. This time, she didn't falter. She proceeded towards the portal with measured steps, her posture erect, her pace neither hurried nor hesitant. As she crossed the threshold, as her face turned from the assembled onlookers, the composure she had so carefully guarded finally faltered, allowing thin trails of tears to silently stream down her cheeks. They flowed without sound, without restraint, for there was no one left to witness them, no longer any need to hold them back. Even then, she didn't glance back, didn't permit herself that final moment of weakness. She simply continued forward until her form vanished completely into the portal, leaving behind only the palpable weight of her parting words. The portal hummed and closed shortly thereafter. And just like that, She was gone. A heavy silence descended upon the group. The void she left felt strangely hollow, an emptiness difficult to articulate. It wasn't merely the absence of her physical presence, but the echo of everything that had transpired, all that had vanished with her. Razeal remained stationary, his gaze fixed on the space where the portal had been. His expression remained unchanged, his body language relaxed as was his custom, but his eyes lingered for a fraction longer than necessary, hinting at an internal stillness, a part of him that hadn't quite moved on, despite his resolve to do so. Those around him observed. Sofia’s eyes rested on Razeal, filled with unspoken questions, yet she remained silent. Maria’s gaze was sharp and contemplative, her lips sealed. Nancy stood beside him, her demeanor quieter, a palpable sense of melancholy about her. Riven watched the scene unfold, his typical amusement subdued by a more watchful intensity. And Razeal... After a moment, he let out a soft, barely audible breath. "Well…" he mused internally, his gaze shifting subtly as his mind detached from the emotional residue of the recent event, re-engaging with a more detached, analytical perspective. "Nothing too significant occurred… contrary to what I anticipated." A faint crease appeared in his thoughts, unseen on his countenance, but evident in the way his mind processed the unfolding situation. "It went… suspiciously smoothly?" he pondered. No ensuing chaos. No unforeseen repercussions. No immediate consequences. And that, more than anything, felt fundamentally wrong. Because if there was one certainty he had come to embrace, It was that events rarely unfolded so seamlessly for him. And this particular instance was "Too smooth…" His thoughts dwelled on this anomaly for a moment longer, a quiet bewilderment settling in. "What was the purpose of all this?" If destiny, or whatever cosmic force he acknowledged, had exerted effort to orchestrate Nova's appearance, it should have signified something more substantial, something impactful, something that would actively impede, challenge, or disrupt his path. But this? This amounted to… nothing. Or at least, It certainly appeared to be nothing. And that very appearance made it all the more suspect. Nevertheless, he decided against dwelling on it further. Not at this precise moment, at least. Because regardless of whether an underlying significance existed or not,

He resolved to handle it if it ever made an appearance. For the present, however, he had no desire to expend any further effort on the matter. After the portal had vanished, Razeal allowed a few moments of stillness to settle around him. His gaze remained fixed on the vacant space where Nova had been, as if seeking confirmation that absolutely nothing was left. Only then did he finally divert his attention, turning slightly. His eyes swept over the assembled group before landing on Maria. His expression was devoid of any distinct emotion, maintaining that ever-present calm and controlled demeanor. The question he posed next felt almost spontaneous, as if it had just surfaced in his mind rather than being a long-considered point of contemplation. "You do not wish to see your mother and bid farewell, or anything of that sort?" he inquired, inclining his head marginally in her direction. His tone was neutral, not entirely dismissive, more akin to presenting an option than urging her towards it. Maria regarded him for a brief interval, her countenance steady. She then shook her head without the slightest hesitation. "No." Her response was unburdened by conflict or second-guessing, a clear and simple refusal. Razeal’s eyebrows lifted subtly, not necessarily surprised, but certainly taking a second look. "Are you quite certain?" he probed, casting a quick glance over his shoulder with a backward jerk of his thumb towards Riven. Riven, who was observing the proceedings with quiet interest, stood not far away. "Because we currently have this wish-granting fairy right here. I'm uncertain when another opportunity like this might arise." A faint trace of dry humor colored his tone, yet the underlying message was unambiguous: this chance was not one that would be readily available again. Maria followed the direction of his gesture for a moment before returning her gaze to him, her expression unwavering. "No... it is quite alright," she responded placidly. "I have already spoken with her. I approached you after explaining everything... And informing her of my destination." Her voice held a quiet certainty, free from any regret or lingering attachment that might cause her to waver. She had already committed to her decision before accompanying him. Razeal scrutinized her for a beat, then offered a slight shrug. "Naturally, you would have." There was nothing further to be said on the subject. "Very well then..." he continued, shifting his focus once more, this time towards Riven. "Portal to the Denvaar Kingdom." Riven, who had reverted to his original appearance, stood before him, a familiar, unreadable smile gracing his features. His presence once again exuded that subtle power, felt without needing any announcement. However, instead of complying immediately, he raised his hand slightly, gesturing behind him. "First... accept this," he stated, his voice smooth and measured. "As you gave your word." Razeal's gaze followed the line of his gesture, settling upon the object hovering behind Riven – the Dimension Eye. It remained suspended, emanating an peculiar, unsettling aura that made it seem less like an inanimate artifact and more like a living entity. "Yes, certainly," Razeal conceded without any hesitation. But he did