Varian embarked on a journey back to the capital.
Even though he didn't show it on the surface, he was constantly scanning his surroundings, even using the power of slivers to keep his stealth at the maximum.
If the past few days had a taken huge a physical toll on him as he tried to break out of the prison, the past few hours had drained his mind with the life and death situation.
He's a step away from a rank 9 who could kill him with a snap.
Knowing it was one thing. But escaping death by a hair breadth was something else.
'Arghh! I want to reach rank 9 soon! Why is my growth so slow?'
[…It's a little over half year since you slayed the Abyss Emperor. You're already half way through rank 7. Even though the next two ranks are each larger than rank 1 to rank 7 put together, you've covered an incredible ground in just half year.
The rank progression in celestial ranks, for any person, would slown down tremendously. Even Empire geniuses spend decades and centuries in some ranks.
Put your hand on your hand and swear, did you ever spend a year in one rank? At least one?]
Varian was speechless by the rebuttal.
It's not like he didn't know his own abnormality. Isadora and Sarah had their reasons for their breakneck growth.
But they weren't the real monsters.
He was.
It's common knowledge that the difficulty in growth multiplies with each path.
Even if Isadora or Sarah were to magically get seven paths today, to show the same progress as him, they'd take at least ten times longer.
'What if I grow strong? My enemies are always stronger!'
Varian spread his senses and checked his surroundings one more time before shooting his counter.
[…So, what will you do when you face the strongest?] The System's voice turned stern.
'Reach his rank. I am growing fast. Even if it's divine rank, I think a century is the maximum period I have to wait.'
[Your growth in divine ranks would be interesting to see. But Host, God Emperor is at the very peak of his rank for a very, very long time. Do you think you can win him just because you are in the same rank?]
The System seemed to be asking a question but its voice was confident of the answer.
Varian narrowed his eyes. 'Even with the slivers?'
[Slivers? Hah!] Logos seemed to chuckle, as if it had heard some joke.
'What? Explain.' Varian asked.
[The probl—]
The spaceship, travelling in inner space, was suddenly swept by a space storm and flipped violently.
"Damn it!"
Varian used his space powers and stabilized the thing. These type of space storms were rare but he happened to be that unlucky. Ironically, he didn't doubt he could be that unlucky.
'You were saying something?'
The System sighed.
[Nevermind. Ignorance is dangerous but so is knowledge.]
'There you go again.'
Varian shook his head but didn't press for an answer anymore.
He actually agreed with Logos' view that knowledge could be dangerous. Knowing things you shouldn't know, at least before the right time, could really put you in danger.
[Just one thing, Host. You wouldn't take a century. Not even half.]
*** *** *** ***
The streets were filled with crowds as Varian landed in the spaceport and headed to the royal district.
It's not that he wanted this publicity. Once he entered the capital, someone leaked about his arrival.
It spread like wildfire.
Most people believed he's gone—fled or kidnapped or dead. The majority believed he's kidnapped thanks to the expert opinions published on media.
'What did the kidnappers want?'
'Is brother-in-law worth the ransom?'
'Why isn't Princess Isadora acting yet?'
There's a widespread confusion among the masses.
Varian didn't really mind this. Staying in the public consciousness was what he wanted, for good or bad reasons was something he couldn't care less about.
But—
"Brother-in-law! Autograph!"
"Brother-in-law, is it true that your third wife kidnapped you out of jealousy?"
"Brother-in-law, did Princess Isadora take you out for punishment because you were flirting with her disciple?"
There were people, lots and lots of people on the streets as far as eye could see.
But somehow, the most annoying of them seemed to be around his slow moving carriage. Their questions, which honestly deserved a punch in the face more than anything, always reached his ears.
Varian wasn't in a great mood after his near death encounter. And these guys pissed him off. Even so, if this was on earth, he might have behaved.
But he's the brother-in-law, wasn't he? He couldn't not be arrogant.
"Autograph? Fuck you, you peasant!"
"Kyaaa~"
The fan girl trembled and spasmed at his words, her reaction completely against his expectations.
"My third wife? Hah! Yes. I have a third wife! Oh and guess what? I have four wives! You bastards don't have a single girlfriend."
"Woah!"
"Man among Men!"
"You are my idol!"
Even this harsh response, instead of garnering hate, earned him respect. The guys walking along the carriage bowed their heads and paid respects, as if they were worshipping a diety.
Varian gnashed his teeth.
'Why are you like this?'
In the end, he decided to cross the line and reply to that last quesiton.
"Yes! I met with Isadora! Yes, she's angry that I flirted with her disciple."
At his mention of the legendary princess, the crowd who were walking alongside the carriage paused. The powerhouses hiding in the crowd perked their ears.
"But do you know why she's angry?" Varian snorted and asked.
Everyone shook their heads.
But in their hearts, they were complaining. It's obvious why she's angry! You married her little sister and still flirt with her disciple!
"Stupid! It's because she's jealous of her disciple! Hahahahaha!"
The whole crowd, numbering hundreds of thousands, fell silent. Only Varian's arrogant laughter sounded everywhere.
For the next hour until he reached the royal district, not a single person opened their mouth.
By then, however, his brazen words spread not just to the borders of the kingdom, but also to distant kingdoms.
