The 7th Prince's army at the border pulled back without any prior signs.
Pala kingdom's forces weren't the only ones confused. Even the divine rankers who were preparing for a full blown out were in the same state.
This included the big seats like Keman, Yami and the trio of Nexus.
It's not that Samael Artress, the bloodthirsty demon who butchered entire kingdoms in his initial days, would consider the loss of lives as a reason to halt the war, right?
Then what was it?
Since Jai Empire's rank 2s rarely, if ever intervened in administrative matters, Samael had only two equals. And there's a very low chance that they would be able to pressure him to back off.
This man was stubborn as hell.
Once upon a time, he let a million men of his army get destroyed just to inflict a lot of damage on the Mythril Quadrilateral.
Rumors go that the army was told to either die under the hands of enemy and get honored in the homeland, with their families getting good compensation or desert, only to be hunted down by the 7th Prince's elite guard, along with the destruction of their families, friends and relatives.
The confusion did not last long.
An announcement came from the 7th Prince's forces.
[Opening of God's Eye]
It was supposed to come up only a century later. But irregularities weren't too uncommon.
With a mix of relief, confusion and suspicion, the divine rankers of the Alliance returned home.
*** *** *** ***
A week had passed since Varian visited the mountain with Primula.
After spending a few days with his wives and playing with the little girl, Varian found his mental state had recovered more or less.
Perhaps it was a blessing. Perhaps it was a curse.
But a human's ability to 'adapt' to both good and bad things was just astonishing.
Varian had seen races which would grieve their entire lives for the loss of a child, races which spend the rest of their lives which would celebrate that one big victory.
Of course, he didn't forget what had happened. He made a promise to himself.
'In the far or near future, if I could, when I could, then I would…'
Perhaps it was the quiet resolve that allowed him to finally let the matter rest and focus fully on his practice.
He didn't know if he would be able to break to the divine rank right away or would have to pass the pseudo divine rank in the middle.
There's no need to fret about it though. Logos would take care of such issues.
[…This system feels like it has become a personal assistant.]
'Weren't you always one?'
[The fusion of slivers, the greatest natural creation to exist in the cosmos, the dream of Nexus, a living wonder to witness…is a personal assistant?]
Varian smirked. 'If something so amazing is my personal assistant, imagine how amazing I am?'
[There are only two constant things in the universe. God Emperor impregnating a woman every second and your narcissism.]
Varian winced at the comparison. But at the same time, he wondered what the heck was the issue with God Emperor?
What was he trying to do? Populate the entire Jai Empire with his genes? Then wouldn't it be inc—
[Don't go there!] Logos said. [It'll take a long time to make it make sense.]
Varian shook his head.
'Status'.
[Rank 9:
Paragon Body: 99,999/100,000 (+14,000)
Ignis: 99,999/100,000 (+14,000)
Death Giant: 99,999/100,000 (+14,000)
Order: 99,999/100,000 (+14,000)
Chaos: 99,999/100,000 (+14,000)
Space: 99,999/100,000 (+14,000)
Time: 99,999/100,000 (+14,000)
<You're very near, Host. It's been a tough journey so far. The divine ranks are the end goal for most people. But for you, it's only the first step for the mission you want to accomplish.
The enemy you're about to face is a man is unlike anyone you've ever fought. Perhaps if you fought someone like him, you could've gotten a first hand experience.
For better or worse, there is no one like him. He is the only one.
And you.
You too are the only one.
The System had tried very, very hard to find a suitable candidate to bore the weight of this fate, searched across the alliance, even the Jai Empire.
People resembling a fate as volatile as yours are rare but a handful of them exist. But why did the System choose you over them all?
Well…it's a strong feeling that. Even if fates are the deepest criterion this system could use for screening, there was a feeling that you had something that others didn't have, something I couldn't see even if I wanted to.
Would you believe that the system heard a voice whispering? It convinced me to bet on you. Maybe slivers too can dream?
Your journey so far had been nothing but miraculous. You've exceeded all the expectations I had for you.
So, I do not know if it's okay for me to hope now that we've come to this critical moment.
Even in the darkest hour, may the will of your soul stand firm and may the blessings of the cosmos be with you in this arduous, dangerous and seminal journey.>]
Varian read the system's commentary with a contemplative expression. Honestly, he didn't have the mind to care the 'why' at this point. He just gotta do what he gotta do. All the deep, philosophical questions could come later.
But before that—
"Var! There is a nice movie coming up!"
After he freshened up from the long practice session, Sarah jumped around with an exicted expression, pointing to a poster.
[Making Of Steelheart
From cold and handsome maiden charmer to serious and unforgiving general to a good and kind old man!
Live the experience.
You might be the next general!]
"That old man's biography? No way!" Varian groaned.
Sarah slapped his arm lightly. "You used to call him master!"
"He's turned very bad these days." Varian shook his head and then his eyes lit up. "Primula!"
The space around him distorted and the girl who now seemed to be a month older in just a week appeared in his arms.
"Broo?" Primula was confused at first before she recognized him and lifted her hands in excitement.
"I'll see you later." Varian waved his hands at Sarah and yelled. "Let's go meet an annoying old man!"
"Yaaay!"
"Yaay!"
The two pumped their fists into the air and disappeared.
"Haa~" Sarah shook her head with a helpless smile. "A girl who regresses infinitely and a young man who lived through a billion years…who is the kid here exactly?"