Isadora was taken back by Varian's words.
Even when faced with the wrath of a divine ranker, one of the strongest ones no less, saying those words and saying them with conviction would mean courage that would border on madness.
"A-Are you even hearing yourself?" Isadora didn't know why but she wanted to make sure.
A part of her wanted him to say that again. To assure her and tell her those sweet words.
"I am." Varian nodded with a smile, his grip on her hand growing tight."I am with you, whether you're against a rank 9 or a new divine ranker or a veteran or all of them together."
As the sunlight reflected off his handsome face, Isadora felt that his smile wasn't so shameless. It was also reliable, like the cool shade of a tree in the summer.
Her unsettling heart calmed down and she gradually relaxed. The catastrophe remained unresolved but worrying was the last thing that would help.
Isadora had centuries of experience as a warrior. Once she resolved herself, she wouldn't be shaken in the face of adversity. It's just that the adversity this time was so big that even she felt helpless in front of it for a moment. But that's it.
'I'll overcome it or I'll die trying. There is no other option.'
Sensing her relaxed state, Varian withdrew his hand before she could use that as a chance to chide him.
As expected, Isadora clicked her tongue in disappointment. She was grateful to Varian and no longer considered him as an 'obstruction' to be removed.
In fact, he was her first friend after the betrayal. And in a sense, he was also the first person to make her question her own talent. In that view, he was the first person she viewed as an equal.
Whenever she was in his presence, she'd feel a constant urge to one up him, to compete and to prove that she was the best.
This was a new thing for the legendary princess whose speed of progress caused even the best geniuses to despair.
Unfortunately for her, Varian didn't seem to be intimated or even affected by her presence. Contrary to others, even those of the same rank who'd feel pressured by her presence, he didn't even bat an eyelid.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtIn the past, when she was present in a conversation, be it a serious meeting or small talk, she would be the dominant voice even though she spoke only a few words. Heck, even if she stayed silent and someone was speaking, she'd still be the one dominating the conversation.
And now—
In the presence of Sia—who would be a dangerous powerhouse, Enigma—who could be the leader of the best assassins and Sarah—who could run command an elite army, and her—the legendary princess.
Even in their presence, he's still dominant and by a far distance. He's the heart of the team and the spearhead of the group.
Isadora bit her lip and turned her head away from him. She decided to duel with him later to calm her nerves and hopefully defeat him.
The document provided no more essential information other than hundreds of thousands of unwanted calculations.
"So, who is this Immortal anyway?" Sia sat next to Isadora and grabbed her arm.
Enigma also took a seat but without any words and patted Isadora's hand gently.
"Phew~" The Princess sighed, as if she couldn't bear their nagging but the corner of her lips went up.
Even though the three always fought on the topic of Varian, their bond was getting better and better.
"As far as I know, it was the nickname of a so-called genius. He was a rank 3 when I started out. By the time I reached rank 9, he was rank 6, I guess? I never paid attention so I can't say for certain. I'm not even sure if this Immortal is the same Immortal the document talks about."
Isadora went over her memories and looked at them with a wry smile. "Maybe it has changed now. We should ask ones who might know—Sonya can help. Should I call her to the meeting?"
"…I'm not interested in calling her to the family meeting." Sia raised her hand almost instantly.
"Seconded." Sarah was just a millisecond late.
"…" Enigma raised her hand in approval.
"But she's my sister!" Isadora slapped the round and looked at them as if they stabbed her in the back. "Sia, Enigma, in a sense, she's also your sister. So, why can't Varian's sister-in-law attend the family meeting?"
"It's different." Sia harrumphed.
"Yes. It's different." Sarah narrowed.
"Nod. Nod." Enigma nodded.
"You idiot nymphos!" Isadora clutched her forehead at the mental pain that physically hurt.
Then, she glared at the man who was silently watching the show.
"Do something!"
"What?"
"Are you even interested in hearing about the Immortal? An informed person will be a lot more helpful."
Varian looked between his wives and Isadora. He did want an opinion but it looked like they would kick up a storm if the 'outsiders' get invited into this family space. "Let's pick something that both sides can agree with."
With a snap of his fingers, a hologram appeared in front of them.
Sonya who was snoring softly while writing a 'Million Sorry Book'—where you write 'I Am Sorry' a million times by hand and without any powers—appeared in a blue princess dress.
Beside her was Reina in her maid uniform, dozing off while standing in a standard posture. There was a cleaning cloth in her hand and she was holding a picture of…Isadora?
Feeling a foreign presence, Sonya's eyes snapped open, ready to attack. But after noticing the four people, her back straightened and she almost gave a military salute.
"Yes, Sister! Greetings, Sister! How are you, Sister?"
Reina on the other hand jumped on her feet and did the 90-degree bow. "I slept during duty hours! Please cut my neck and cleanse me of my sins!"
Isadora covered her face in embarrassment.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmEver since Isadora decided to not kill them, these two were working to their bone, trying to repent, even though it wasn't really their fault.
The Princess tried to talk them out of it but the two just wouldn't listen. Like stubborn bulls that refused to stop hitting that thick wall even if their horns broke, these two marched on.
"Varian, aren't you good at these things? Consider this a favor and please fix those two." In the end, the Princess turned to him for help.
"No," Varian replied without even thinking.
"What th—why?"
Varian looked at the two women who lowered their heads on the screen and shrugged. "500 years of suffering should get at least 500 days of repentance. It's not their fault but they need to understand how much it affected you.
Words won't do justice to the feeling of being stabbed in the back.
Only experience can equate to experience.
But putting them through the same thing you suffered for centuries wouldn't be fair when it wasn't their intent or fault.
So, letting them repent is the best option. You're mistaking that it's a burden for them. Nope. This repentance is actually what is taking the weight off their shoulders.
One day, not too far from now, they'll look you in the eye."
Isadora sighed in frustration. "Isn't there any faster way? I feel bad imagining they will be like that for so long."
"…A bit too kind now, aren't you?"
"I can't help it. That kid is my little sister and I picked that girl from the wilderness. They grew before my eyes. If they didn't do anything wrong and merely got used as pawns…I'll feel terrible if they experience hardships on top of the guilt already crushing them."
"Become happy."
"What?"
"If you become happy and they see your smile, their guilt will reduce."
"…I guess they will be repenting for 500 days then."