Villain Retirement

Chapter 1140: Welcoming Party

Chapter 1140: Welcoming Party

"Perhaps we should call Death so that the two of you could reunite?" Riley's calm voice cut through the tense air like a blade made of ice.

"Huh…?"

Everyone in the room turned their eyes to Riley in confusion. Well, everyone except for Miss Pepondosovich, who just grinned to herself. V, meanwhile, only remained puzzled for a brief moment before she remembered that Riley indeed had a somewhat... unconventional relationship with the literal concept of Death itself. But, of course, no one else knew that. Even Heli, whose eyes usually carried the weight of exhaustion and immortality, couldn't help but widen them in genuine surprise. She stared at Riley for a few seconds, her lips twitching before a small, manic chuckle escaped her red lips.

"You say you can call Death…?" Heli breathed out, her voice sharp yet somehow amused, as if she were toying with the thought.

"I could," Riley nodded, as nonchalant as ever, the expression on his face as indifferent as if he were discussing the weather. "I have ways to do so, Heli. If you really are her mother, then I think she would be happy to see–"

"Stop this mockery at once, you puny creature!" Heli's voice thundered before Riley could finish, her hand cutting through the air as she thrust her palm forward. Her head tilted upward in disdain, as if she believed she could look down on him from where she stood. "You think someone as young as you could command Death? I sense youth in you—you are the youngest here, not even wet behind the ears!"

Riley's expression didn't change, though. His eyes, as usual, were half-lidded, reflecting neither fear nor interest. It was as if Heli's grand proclamation barely registered.

"Heli," Monkeh interjected quickly, stepping between Riley and Heli as the tension in the room thickened, "I'm saying this for your sake—leave now. If you want me, I'll go with you. Don't pull anyone into your antics; they're not involved in what happened between us."

"Oh—but he is involved in what's happening between us now!" Heli's hand shot out, pointing sharply at Riley as her eyes glowed with an unhinged gleam. "Why do you think I tried to kill him?!"

"Why did you try to kill me, Heli?" Riley asked, his head tilting slightly to the side, as if he were genuinely curious. His voice remained calm, almost detached, as though being the target of an assassination was simply another day in his strange existence.

"Because no one else can have Monkeh!" Heli's voice erupted, causing a ripple in the air that reverberated through the ship. The metal floor beneath her feet groaned, creaking as rust began to spread from where she stood, slowly consuming the gleaming surface. "Since he is the only man here, I was simply removing the threat."

Riley blinked slowly, his eyes darting between Heli and Monkeh without much concern. "I see. Makes sense, I suppose."

Monkeh let out a long, exasperated sigh, shaking her head. "I was male in my past life. What makes you think I'm not involved with one of the women here?"

"Wha—" Aurora's eyes widened in shock, her mouth hanging open as she took a sharp breath. Did Monkeh just make all of us a target? It would have been one thing if it were only V or Miss Pepondosovich, but no—Monkeh had to involve her, the one person who would probably die if someone so much as sneezed too hard in her direction.

Fortunately for Aurora, her worries were short-lived. Heli laughed, a cold, chilling sound that seemed to dance through the room like a sinister melody.

"I know you, Monkeh…" Heli's lips curled into a mischievous smile as she slowly traced a finger across her red lips, "...And I know that when you change your sword into the scabbard, your… appetites change with it."

"I have no such thing as appetites," Monkeh scoffed, crossing her arms. Her voice carried a note of boredom. "Such things are beneath me now."

"They didn't seem beneath you when we were together," Heli purred, stepping closer. Her movements were fluid, almost feline, as her fingers trailed across Monkeh's chest. "In fact, I remember you trembling beneath me as I–"

"Stop it," Monkeh growled, grabbing Heli's hand just as it reached her chest. The threat in her voice was clear. "If you came here to kill Riley Ross, then I won't stop you anymore. But I'll tell you this…"

Monkeh's grip tightened as she leaned in closer, her eyes locked onto Heli's. "...You will die."

"Pft…" Heli let out a sharp laugh, covering her mouth as she tilted her body to glance at Riley. "You really think this child could kill me? You must've forgotten how strong we are, Monkeh." Heli's gaze settled on Riley, her eyes glinting coldly. "If you think defeating Monkeh means you're strong, let me remind you—Monkeh's strength is sealed. That's the only reason he's allowed to roam free on the islands."

"I said stop it, Heli," Monkeh snarled, pushing Heli away with a forceful shove. The impact made Heli stumble, though she quickly regained her balance with a graceful step.

"Oh my, my, my…" Heli licked her lips, her fingers tracing the spot where Monkeh had touched her. "...Rough, just like old times. But don't worry about me, darling."

Heli spun around on her heel, her hips swaying dramatically as if to taunt Monkeh and the others. She seemed to be walking away, but just when everyone thought she'd leave, she dropped gracefully into one of the crew seats, lounging as if she owned the place.

"...What are you doing now?" Monkeh asked, her voice sharp with suspicion.

"I'm taking you all to Aegard," Heli replied casually, crossing one leg over the other. She pulled her dress up slightly, exposing pale, alabaster skin as her eyes gleamed with amusement. "After all, I find it curious that you're traveling with this group. And as you know, Father wants to know everyone who enters and leaves Aegard."

"We were already heading there," Monkeh replied, narrowing her eyes, "You didn't need to—"

"Well, that's convenient, then," Riley cut in before Monkeh could finish. His voice was so neutral it almost seemed like he was commenting on a traffic detour. "It'll make it easier for Aurora to navigate the Grand Triangle since you'll be guiding us."

Heli's lips twitched, and she let out a scoff, her eyes flicking toward the compass floating in front of Aurora. "No one said I'd be guiding you. Just follow the map."

"Then that makes you useless, Heli," Riley remarked without missing a beat. He tilted his head slightly, his voice still devoid of emotion. "And since you're not part of the crew, you should pay us for hitching a ride."

"...What?" Heli's eyebrow arched, disbelief flickering in her eyes. "Do you even understand the situation you're in, child?"

"Do you?" Riley blinked, his face completely expressionless.

Heli's lips parted as if she were about to respond, but the sheer absurdity of Riley's deadpan response left her momentarily speechless.

Monkeh placed a hand on Riley's shoulder, shaking her head with a small sigh. "Riley, she's a bit… peculiar."

"Pft…" Miss Pepondosovich chuckled, the corners of her mouth twitching in amusement. "Trust me, Momo, Riley's seen weirder things and met far more ridiculous people."

"I suppose so," Riley shrugged nonchalantly, turning his attention away from Heli. "She does seem like a budget version of Xra."

"I haven't met this Xra person yet, but I keep hearing about her," Miss Pepondosovich added with a smirk, joining in the quiet mockery.

The journey to Aegard continued in silence after that, the awkward tension in the room thick as Monkeh occasionally let out a low growl. Heli, on the other hand, stared at Monkeh like a predator watching its prey, her eyes lingering a little too long.

Monkeh wasn't feeling anything romantic or sexual toward Heli—she had moved beyond that. Heli was right, though; Monkeh's tendencies had shifted over the years. If she were attracted to anyone, it would probably be Riley, though that was a thought she quickly dismissed.

Soon enough, they arrived at the 4th Island Planet, Aegard.

If Heli hadn't been present, Aurora might've sighed in relief. Unlike the 2nd and 3rd island planets, Aegard resembled the 1st—a true island planet. However, Aegard was far more advanced, its towering buildings sharp and angular, piercing through the clouds like jagged blades. The sky was filled with ships hovering like metallic birds, buzzing with life and energy.

Aurora admired the sight, her awe palpable. But Heli, watching her reaction, scoffed, "Hmph, peasants."

Monkeh pointed to the tallest tower looming over the city. "We're docking, but Heli, are you sure–"

"The others are gone," Heli interrupted, her voice tinged with wicked delight. "They're off on an expedition to the Grand Triangle. Even Father."

"Odun? But you said–" Monkeh's eyes widened.

"Oh… did I say that?" Heli burst into full-blown laughter, cackling like she had just shared a private joke with herself. "Oops. It's only me. Which means… I have you all to myself."

"Aurora," Monkeh swallowed hard, her gaze sharp. "Turn the ship around. We'll dock elsewhere."

But Heli wagged her finger, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "Tut tut, I already ordered my soldiers to shoot the ship down if you try to leave. So… don't even think about it."

"You—"

"Relax, Monkeh," Heli's voice dripped with menacing glee, "We're going to have a very nice… welcoming back party for you."

Monkeh clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She glanced at Riley, her voice barely a whisper. "Riley… can you really call Death herself?"

Riley nodded calmly. "Of course."

Monkeh's voice trembled slightly as she added, "...Maybe call her now?"