I Have 10,000 SSS Rank Villains In My System Space

Slap

The sound cracked through the room like a whip.

Selena's head snapped violently to the side as pain exploded across her face. The force behind the blow was brutal so strong that her skin burned instantly, fingers imprinting themselves clearly against her cheek. A thin line of blood welled where the skin had broken, trickling slowly downward. Her face flushed an angry red, heat radiating from the impact.

Yet Selena didn't cry out.

She didn't lift her head nor look back.

She simply stood there, tears spilling silently from her eyes, accepting the strike without resistance as if she believed she deserved every ounce of it.

Nova's hand trembled as she lowered it.

"I never imagined you could do something like this," Nova said, her voice shaking, raw with fury. "Never."

Her chest rose and fell unevenly, breath sharp, unsteady. Rage, grief, guilt every emotion she had tried to suppress came crashing together, twisting inside her until she could barely tell one from another.

"But not only did you do it," Nova continued, her voice rising, breaking, "you hid it from me?"

She took a step forward, eyes burning.

"I protected you. I stood by you like an older sister protecting someone who'd been wronged. All these years.." Her voice faltered for half a second, then hardened again. "And you turned out to be a snake."

The words left her mouth like venom.

Nova had cried for nearly ten minutes before this collapsed into Marcella's arms, screaming until her throat burned, until her body shook so violently she could barely stand. Only now, after forcing herself to breathe, after clawing back some fragile control, could she even speak.

Crying wouldn't fix anything.

The truth was out now. And something had to be done.

Selena finally spoke, her voice barely audible.

"I never wanted him to suffer," she said. Her words shook, fragile as glass. "You've seen my memories. You know why I did it."

Her hands curled into her dress as if gripping onto the last threads of herself.

"I'm so sorry."

She swallowed hard, her throat aching.

"I'll accept any punishment," she continued quietly. "Even death. I won't ask for forgiveness or mercy nor will i make excuses for what I did or why I did it."

Her knees suddenly gave out.

Selena fell forward, crashing onto the cold floor, the sound echoing painfully through the room. She knelt there, head bowed so low her chin nearly touched her chest, tears dripping onto the stone beneath her.

"I only ask for one thing," she whispered.

Her shoulders shook.

"Please… bring Razeal back."

Her hands pressed against the floor as if grounding herself.

"He's suffered enough because of me," she said, voice breaking completely now. "Please… give him back the love and the family he lost because of what I did."

She didn't look up.

"Just… save him."

There was no desperation left in her voice only exhaustion. A quiet, hollow plea. Selena felt no will to live anymore. No hope for herself. The only thing keeping her upright was this single, fragile wish: to undo even a fraction of the damage she had caused.

She knew it was impossible.

But she had to try.

That was why she had come here despite Celestia's silence, despite Nancy's warnings. This was her last hope. The truth had to be known, no matter how ugly it was. If there was even the smallest chance that Nova could fix what had been broken… she had to take it.. And now she took it.

Nova stood over her, fists clenched so tightly her nails bit into her palms.

Tear stains were still visible on her face. Her breathing was controlled now but barely. Her royal-purple eyes trembled violently, the fury in them barely restrained, swirling with grief so deep it threatened to consume her.

She stared down at Selena's bowed form.

Pathetic.

That was the word that burned in her mind.

Yet the more Selena spoke, the harder it became to breathe.

Nova said nothing.

Not a single word.

Her body shook as she fought the urge to lash out to kill, to destroy, to end the source of her pain standing right in front of her. She could feel her killing intent rising, sharp and suffocating, aimed directly at Selena.

Selena felt it too.

The pressure was unmistakable.

But she didn't flinch.

She didn't move.

She remained kneeling, silent, waiting.

She meant every word she had said. If Nova decided to kill her, she would accept it. Nova had every right to do so.

The room felt like it was holding its breath.

"Killing her would be a mistake, young lady."

"There would be serious repercussions," Marcella continued evenly. "The Luminus family. The Church. Her death would not end here it would ignite conflicts far beyond this room."

Marcella spoke from behind, her voice low but firm. She had been watching Nova closely and was surprised by how well she was holding herself. Nova hadn't done anything drastic yet. Marcella had been ready to step in at the slightest sign of loss of control, fully expecting emotion to take over.

As vice commander of the Virelan household, Marcella could not allow a matter this sensitive to be handled so casually. Even now, she stood alert, hands clasped behind her back, prepared to intervene if necessary.

"Let the matriarch return," Marcella said directly. "She will decide the right course of action. This is a delicate matter."

Her tone carried respect, but it was hollow. Beneath it, her distrust was clear. In her eyes, Nova was not yet someone worthy of making decisions of this scale on behalf of the household.

Nova heard Marcella's words.

But did not react immediately.

The killing intent that had filled the air only a moment ago folded back into her without warning, as if it had never existed. The pressure vanished so completely that the sudden absence felt almost louder than its presence had been.

"I don't care about her family," Nova said at last, her voice even. Too even. "Or the conflicts that would come after killing her."

She paused, then continued calmly, almost casually.

"If I wanted to kill her… you wouldn't be able to stop me. Trust me."

Nova turned her head.

She looked directly at Marcella.

Their eyes met.

Nova's gaze was empty.

Not cold rage. Not madness. Not the familiar wild glint that always appeared when she lost control or when bloodshed excited her. There was no fire, no instability, no emotion at all. Just a still, hollow stare that reflected nothing back.

Marcella nerrowed her eyes.

She had never seen Nova look like this.

Normally, when Nova was angry, it was obvious. Her eyes burned. Her smile twisted. There was always that unmistakable spark of insanity that made it clear she meant every threat she uttered. It was terrifying, yes, but it was also predictable.

This was different.

For the first time since she had met Nova.. Like from birth she had never seen her like this.. sge looks utterly serious which is not like nova at all, Marcella felt unsettled in a way she couldn't explain. The absence of emotion made her feel weird more than any violent outburst ever had. It felt deliberate. Controlled. Final.

Dangerous.

Nova didn't blink, frown or even smile.

She simply stared.

Marcella felt more weirder the she stare ar her.

Something about that emptiness pressed against her nerves, whispering that this Nova was far more serious than the one she thought she understood. This wasn't a woman driven by rage. This was someone who had already made a decision and would see it through no matter the cost.

Marcella frowned, her brows knitting together as she tried to rationalize the unease crawling under her skin.. She felt kinda threatened.

This shouldn't be possible, she told herself.

Nova was still far from her level. Far from her reach.

This reaction didn't make sense.

"This can't be…" Marcella thought silently, shaking her head as if to clear the feeling away.

Nova broke eye contact first.

She turned her gaze downward, looking at Selena's unconscious form on the ground.

"Keep her alive," Nova said. Her tone didn't change. "Make sure she doesn't kill herself."

Marcella blinked, momentarily thrown off.

"And if anyone from her family or the church comes for her," Nova continued, "stop them. Reject them directly."

She paused, then added, her voice flat and absolute:

"If they try to force it… erase them."

The words were delivered without emphasis, without malice. As though she were giving instructions to clean a room or lock a door.

Marcella stared at her.

Oh?

She had expected many things. Violence. A declaration of war. Perhaps Nova ripping Selena apart with her own hands.. And going crazy.

But this?

This was definitely not one of them.

Gentle orders. No execution. No bloodshed.

And this, coming from the woman who now knew Selena was directly responsible for the destruction of her brother's life.

Marcella felt genuine surprise flicker across her face before she could hide it.

Keeping Selena alive wouldn't be difficult. Preventing her from killing herself was well within her ability. Even denying her family and the church access could be handled quietly.

But she couldn't understand Nova's intention.

She glanced at Nova from the corner of her eye, studying her profile. The way she stood straight, shoulders relaxed, as if nothing weighed on her at all.

Did Nova go easy on her?

Because she still cared?

Because Selena was like a little sister to her once? Is she getting soft?

The thought crept in uninvited.

Marcella looked down at Selena again, her expression unreadable.

Still, she didn't voice the question.

Nova noticed her gaze.

Nova turned her head slightly, enough for Marcella to see her expression.

She shook her head once.

Slowly.

Dismissively.

"You really think I'm that stupid?" Nova said quietly.

Marcella didn't answer.

"I didn't build an intelligence organization by being sentimental," Nova continued. "I can afford to be crazy about things that don't matter. I can act however I want when it's just me."

Her voice lowered.

"But this is my brother."

"This is more important to me then any of my emotions, feelings."

That was all it took.

The air shifted.

"Killing her won't solve anything," Nova said. "I need her alive. I need her breathing."

She turned her gaze forward again.

"I need to prove my brother's innocence first.. To give back everything i took from him."

Only then did something flicker behind her eyes.

Not anger.

Resolve.

"Prepare everyone for war."

Marcella straightened.

"Tell them to stay alert at all times. No exceptions," Nova continued, already turning away. "I want information on every faction nearby. Their weaknesses, their secrets, their internal fractures."

She stopped for half a breath.

"And include the Imperial family."

That made Marcella's eyes widen slightly.

"Gather everything we secretly been gathering and put them together in detailed report."

Nova didn't look back as she began walking toward the gates.

The heavy doors loomed ahead, bathed in dim torchlight. Each step echoed against stone, steady and unhurried.

Seeing her about to leave, Marcella spoke before she could stop herself.

"Are you going to look for your brother now?"

Nova halted.

She didn't turn immediately.

"No," she said.

The word was quiet, but firm.

"I won't stand in front of him," Nova continued, her back still to Marcella, "until I can prove Razeal's innocence in front of everyone."

Her hands curled slowly at her sides.

"And until they both be kneeling before him."

Nova turned her head just enough for her profile to be visible.

"For him to kill," Nova said calmly.

Silence stretched.

"I don't have the right to apologize to him yet," she went on. "Not until I fix this."

Her voice faltered just slightly.

"How would I even face him otherwise.. I don't have face to even look at him going empty handed not to say deserve to be called sister.. He was right i have lost that right.. ?"

She paused mid-sentence, as if the words had caught in her throat.

"But I'll earn it back.. Even if i have to burn this whole empire down for that." She said now a crazy glint in her gaze

Marcella just started down at her not saying anything..

Her expression was blank but definitely concerned about something now...

Still she didn't said anything about this part rather asked which she didn't get.

"These two?" Marcella asked slowly obviously refering to nova statement seconds ago.

"She," Nova said, meaning Selena, "and Celestia."

Marcella heard Nova's words

As her words clicked into place with a quiet, unsettling finality.

Her eyes narrowed slowly as understanding crept in, piece by piece, rearranging everything she thought she knew.

The imperial princess… had lied.

She had been the one to judge him.

Did she give him the wrong judgment?

If that was true, then the situation wasn't merely unjust it was catastrophic. This wasn't a simple political conflict or a case of misunderstanding.

This was far worse.

Marcella exhaled slowly through her nose, her gaze sharpening as she looked ahead.

This goes deeper than it ever should have.

Nova stopped.

She turned slightly, her attention shifting back to Selena, who was still kneeling on the cold stone floor. Her posture hadn't changed even once. Head bowed. Shoulders stiff. As if she were afraid to face nova.

Nova's voice cut through the silence.

"And from today onwards," she said coldly, "you are no longer the sister I took you for."

The words landed like a blade.

Selena's body jerked.

Just a sharp, involuntary shudder, as if something inside her had snapped.

She didn't raise her head or look up.

Her hands clenched tighter against the fabric of her clothes, knuckles whitening as more tears spilled free, dropping soundlessly onto the stone beneath her.

"I… I'm really sorry," Selena whispered.

Her voice was hoarse, trembling, barely holding together. Each word sounded like it scraped its way out of her throat.

"I am… really sorry."

Nova didn't turn back.

Not even for a second.

She didn't acknowledge the apology. Nor slowed her steps. Didn't offer a single glance of recognition.

She walked past her as if she were already a ghost.

Marcella watched the scene unfold, unease tightening her chest. The silence Nova left behind felt heavier than any shouting ever could.

"Where are you going?"

The question slipped out before Marcella could stop herself.

She wasn't afraid of Nova's reaction but she was worried.

Nova paused near the exit.

"To look for Nancy," she replied.

Marcella was confused.

Nova continued, her voice steady but sharp with intent.

"From Selena's memories just now, I saw something she didn't even realize she revealed. Nancy knows about something important."

Nova turned her head slightly, just enough to show her profile.

"Razeal is in serious danger."

"I need to know what she knows," Nova went on. "And I need to deal with it first."

Her fingers curled at her side, controlled but tense.

"His protection comes before everything."

There was no mistaking her priority. Razeal's safety stood above everything else, untouched by guilt, anger, or pride.

What unsettled Nova most was not just the danger itself, but the implication behind it. Nancy knew the truth. Selena had not told her, and Celestia certainly wouldn't have. Yet Nancy had seen through the lie when even Nova and their mother had failed to do so. That alone meant she understood something deeper, something hidden. And when Nancy spoke of Razeal being in danger, fear had been written openly across her face. Not suspicion. Not judgment. Fear.

After saying no more, Nova turned and left.

Her footsteps faded down the hall, leaving Marcella standing alone in the heavy silence. Slowly, she lowered her gaze to Selena, still kneeling where she had been left, broken and unmoving.

Marcella exhaled through her nose, thoughts turning inward.

What does the Dragonweaver family have to do with this now?

The question lingered, unanswered. She shook her head once, setting it aside. That was Nova's path to walk. For now, she had orders and she would carry them out. Razeal was her family as well. If he had been wronged, then preparations were inevitable. More than inevitable necessary.

The matriarch would want the same. Marcella was certain of it.

Perhaps Nova was too.

Perhaps she was already waiting for the moment she could return with Razeal, truth in hand, and let judgment fall upon everyone who had hurt him.

Still, worry gnawed at Marcella's thoughts. Nova going to Nancy meant stepping dangerously close to the Dragonweaver estate. And Nova's history with Duchess Arabella was anything but peaceful. A single misstep could ignite something far larger than intended.

Still only thing to give her relief was that… Nancy did not seem like an enemy.. Atleast not from Nova's tone.

If anything, she might be the one person who could help.

Marcella let out a quiet breath and straightened, forcing her concern down. Whatever storm Nova stirred, no one would dare to killing her not that its easy to kill her jn first place

Not to say after after the breakthrough Nova had made during their recent training… her strength was no longer something to underestimate.

She would be fine..

At least that was what Marcella chose to believe... Ofcourse not taking arabella in list.. nova strength was still farr from that level Afterall.. But still maybe running could be possible.

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