Catherine walked through the imperial gardens in a daze. Her mind was blank to the point even thoughts couldn't form. She walked like a puppet but her heart bled with intense emotions like never before.
Crushed between a blank brain that knew she had no choice and a heart that vehemently rejected reality, the Princess walked.
The maids tending to the plants whispered as her silhouette grew distant. There was something wrong with her.
Anticipating this situation, the Duke sent a few of her close relatives and friends. But they all failed to make her speak.
The Duke didn't want to force her to the point she might do anything unpleasant for both him and her, so after the failed attempts, he let her be.
Catherine just wandered aimlessly as the marriage grew near.
"Come on! Fight! Let's fight you bastard!"
"Hahahaha! I love you! I love you all!"
"And I hate you! We all hate you! Your face is so so so punchable!"
"Bite me!"
The frustrated familiar voices and a less familiar but recognizable joyful voice sounded as she passed by the Imperial Guards training hall.
Catherine wanted to leave but her feet stopped by themselves. Placing her hand on her heart, she bit her lip.
If this man could solve the drug mafia in days that the Duchy couldn't in decades, then perhaps he'd have a solution for her problem too.
She entered the training hall through a secret entrance. What greeted her was a ridiculous scene she'd never witnessed.
The rank 1 guards off duty were all seated across the people along with the rank 2s, eating snacks, drinking alcohol, and cheering out loud!
Like fanboys and fangirls worshipping their idols, they discussed the battle with eager faces.
Their idols were fighting in the bubble.
The first was very familiar, an exceedingly beautiful woman whose talent matched her beauty.
Rachel was the undisputed warrior queen of the Imperial Guards. Since Akira didn't reveal her true rank, everyone believe Rachel to be the strongest woman in the Duchy.
The other was a handsome young man, unknown to almost everyone, Constantine.
But today, he garnered as much support as Rachel in the audience.
"Beautiful lady, one more round, please." Varian wiped the blood off his face and smiled.
Rachel fumed at his choice of words and drew out a whip. "You're so good at forcing people to beat you!"
"People envy me." Varian shrugged cockily and pointed to the audience. "Right?"
The ones supporting Varian roared a big "YES" and burst out laughing.
"Such a punchable face you're making." Rachel disappeared from her position.
When she next appeared, her fist grazed over Varian's face who just bent down.
Varian jumped up and slapped her on the back. With the sound of bones cracking, Rachel crashed to the floor.
"You're courting death!" A rank 3 officer from the audience stood up in anger. He's Rachel's most ardent pursuer and happened to be a mid rank 3.
Varian beat him badly a few hours ago but this guy didn't seem to have learned his lesson.
"Courting death? Yes, of course. But she never responded. She must be gay since no woman can be immune from my charms."
"…Your wives must be rolling their eyes every day." Rachel stood up with difficulty and fixed her displaced bones.
Varian smiled heartily and his figure flashed. He appeared right next to Rachel and slapped her on the back of her neck as he whispered. "Right observation, wrong reason."
Rachel fainted on the spot and everyone stood up in shock.
"Next?" Varian crossed his arms and asked.
One of the few peak rank 3 officers stood up and wanted to go when a heavy voice sounded. "None. Everyone else is going to be busy with security arrangements. You brats, go to the Barracks and take up the work!"
Admiral Yaras didn't give Varian any chance to refute his words and disappeared. Even the old man learned in these two days that this bastard could annoy people to death. If he stayed any longer, he might be drawn into a debate that he would almost certainly lose.
The guards began to disperse with the Admiral's order.
Varian remained in the hall with a pitiful face that screamed that he was abandoned by the world.
But after everyone did leave, his expression changed to joy and he checked his status.
[Mystic Rank 2: 175/250 (+75)
Famine Rank 2: 125/250 (+75)
Spirit Rank 2: 75/250 (+75)
Matter Rank 2: 100/250 (+90)
Energy Rank 2: 100/250 (+90)
Space Rank 2: 100/250 (+95)
Time Rank 2: 100/250 (+95)
Remarks: Fighting against rank 3s that actively avoid killing you is a rare opportunity. You've squeezed it dry and gained as much as you can. And you once again broke the previous record, this is the largest strength increase you've ever witnessed.
You're trying to use other powers while fighting and trying to bring them up. Had you not done that and just gone for improving Mystic powers, you could've reached Rank 3. But this is better in the long run.
PS: Even if you feel full of strength, don't fight rank 4s. They'll slap you to death.]
'Pretty good, except for your unnecessary PostScript. Do you think I'm mad enough to fight a rank 4? Even I'm not that crazy, you know?' Complaining inwardly with a small smile, Varian turned around to leave.
But a familiar aura he checked with the power of his slivers appeared in the vicinity. Varian narrowed his eyes and turned towards the top right of the training hall. There was just a wall there, but he said with no hesitation. "Princess, what are you doing here? I still don't give autographs to my fans, you know?"
Catherine opened her mouth in shock. Even the Admiral couldn't find her in this secret room. So, just how did he?
The tiny hope in her heart blazed up again.
'Maybe he can tell a way…'
The space rippled and Catherine landed in front of him in an instant.
