Villain Retirement

Chapter 1154: A Different Dimension Altogether

Chapter 1154: A Different Dimension Altogether

"Off with his head! Off with it!"

"He killed my daughter! She was just working there and serving him tea! What did she do to deserve that!?"

"You dare kill my brother!? Free him! Free him and let me fight him!"

"Do we know if he has family!? Kill them! Kill 3 of his generations!"

The screams of the people were enough to cause the very air itself to tremble. The birds which were peacefully resting on the ceramic tiles of the roof, all flew away as even their eggs were vibrating from all the shouting and stomping of the people's feet.

Now, what could actually be the reason for this commotion? What would make a crowd this large to gather together and throw their anger at one single person?

One single person, who was now being escorted across a wide street—a wide street that was narrowing by the second as the crowd became wilder and wilder. None of them, however, actually dared to cross the invisible line that would allow them to reach for the man.

Why would they? They were all afraid of him. Even the soldiers and escorts of the prisoner, whose head was completely covered by a sack, were making sure to have at least a little distance away from him. Not letting an inch of their robes to even be within the prisoner's reach.

His feet were bound together by chains, just loose enough so that the prisoner would be able to walk. His hands were bound together too—no. They weren't just bound, they were cemented together.

And very soon, the prisoner's entourage seemed to have reached their destination—an executioner's block. The prisoner was pulled up the flight of stairs leading to it; each of his steps, causing the wooden floors to creak.

The back of the prisoner's knee was hit by a staff, and yet the prisoner did not even flinch at all. Instead, before anyone could actually react to what happened, the prisoner just casually knelt down in front of the block; his white robes, practically absorbing the blood that was still fresh from the previous prisoner that was beheaded before him.

The escorts and soldiers all looked at each other, silently having a battle on who would remove the sack from the prisoner's head. Fortunately for them, the executioner seemed to not carry their fear as he removed the veil separating the prisoner from the rest of them.

And as soon as the crowd saw his face, all of their whispers and screams died down; replaced by a gasp that seemed to be even louder than all of their qualms.

How could they not, when the prisoner was smiling at them? Smiling at them wide enough that even the people from the back could see it; his white, almost blinding face, causing them to narrow their eyes.

The executioner then pushed Riley's head down, but Riley just turned his head at the executioner; staring the executioner at the only part of his face that was exposed from the black mask he was wearing, his eyes.

"You dare look me in the eyes!?" The executioner punched Riley right on the cheek, only for him to almost hide his fist away as he felt a small crack snap through it. As for Riley, well, the smile on his face did not fade away at all as he very slowly leaned his head on the executioner's block.

"You…" The executioner stammered, but quickly grabbed his large cleaver and stood beside Riley, "...Any last words, criminal!?"

"Yes," Riley whispered, "I am not supposed to be a criminal…

…I am a hero."

"You dare utter such words after what you've done!?"

"Kill him already!"

"We'll fuck your corpse!"

"Die! Die!"

And with the crowd once again craving for his death, the executioner finally swung his giant cleaver down Riley's neck—but then, all of a sudden, everything just stopped… and the only thing that could be heard was Riley's breath as he opened his mouth; his eyes, nose, and ears bleeding.

No, that wasn't the only sound that was whispering in the air—there was also a footstep.

"Oh, you…?" Riley smiled as he heard the footsteps coming closer and closer to him, "Well…

…I suppose you might be wondering why I am here. Would you like to know?"

"Sure, we have all the time in the world.

***

An unknown amount of time ago, Riley was still inside the Nothing Nothing ship—watching over his crew who were practically just lounging around and doing nothing at all.

Well, it had always been like that ever since they started traveling. The only one who was actually always doing something was Aurora; piloting them across the colorful expanse of the Grand Triangle.

But very soon, however, everyone was once again gathering around in front of the window shield as they reached their next destination—Camrose, Monkeh's supposed home planet.

"That is where you are sealed, Monkeh?" Riley floated and joined the others as the planet reflected in his eyes…well, if it could actually be called a planet.

"What… even is that?" V raised an eyebrow, "It just looks like… a miniature galaxy."

And perhaps that was the best description anyone could give. It truly did look like a miniature galaxy was right in front of them, shaped into a rose.

"Huh…" Miss Pepondosovich narrowed her eyes, "...That's not a planet at all."

"Should… I stop?" Aurora asked as she glanced at Monkeh.

"No, continue at this pace," Monkeh shook her head as she stood in front of everyone, "It will give me enough time to explain about what my world is—and Heli is right, it is a completely different dimension altogether."

"Oh…?" Heli's lips curled, "Does that mean we're together again now that you're complimenting me, my love?"

"Go away," Monkeh's tail violently wagged, almost hitting Heli when she wanted to approach. But after a few seconds, Monkeh cleared her throat and started explaining, "Camrose has different sets of rules, different physics, different laws of the world altogether. Once you are inside, you will be given a book—and this book will represent you and all that you are."

"...A book?" V placed her hand on her chin, "Like someone will hand us a book?"

"No." Monkeh shook her head, "The book is you—you will be able to call upon it anytime you want. It will show who you are, and what you need to be…

…you need to follow that or you will be punished, and maybe even die."

"Oh?" Riley tilted his head to the side, "That is very interesting, Monkeh."

"This book… is it like our guide or something?" Aurora raised an eyebrow, still completely confused with what Monkeh was saying, "I'm actually still not sure what you mean by that."

"You'd know once you are there," Monkeh raised a finger, "And most importantly, and this is perhaps the most important part to us since we're practically a squad—once we enter Camrose…

…all of us will be separated and we will need to find each other."

"What…?" V glanced at Riley, "Isn't there… a way to enter together?"

"No," Monkeh shook her head, "But I'm pretty sure we will be able to find each other, considering… our nature. Except for Aurora, I don't know how we can find her."

"Gee, thanks." Aurora rolled her eyes.

"You can have this, Aurora."

"Huh?" Aurora narrowed her eyes as Riley just handed her another weapon—and this time, it was a pair of knives, "Knives…? I don't think—"

"Those daggers were made by Rennalyn—they can slash and pierce through a themarian's skin, Aurora."

"...What's a themarian?" Aurora raised an eyebrow.

"If I were you, I'd keep that," V quickly urged Aurora to hide the pair of daggers, "Seriously."

"Okay…" Aurora quickly attached the pair to her waist, "So, when are we—"

"Now."

And before anyone else could say anything, a bright light suddenly enveloped the entire ship; blinding all of them.

"Oh?" Riley blinked, suddenly finding himself standing in the middle of a forest. He wore black robes with red linings across them. He hadn't even felt the transition—one moment, he was on the ship, and now he was here.

"Interesting," Riley muttered as he looked up, only to see the night sky and a single moon, "Is this Camrose? If so, then—"

And even before the thought could seep out of his lips, a large book suddenly popped up in front of him.

"Oh?" Riley quickly caught the book, "It knows my name?"

His name was etched on the hardcover—but most importantly, there was a label below it.

It said Hero.

"...Interesting."