The SSS Ranked Villain's Return

The moment Neraxis and the others reappeared, they were met with a rather peaceful world.

Beaches filled with people to the side, a large mountain surrounded by tourists in the distance. It seemed like paradise.

But the faint presence of a Sovereign was something that Neraxis had caught onto the moment he arrived.

And because of that, he knew that this was nothing but a facade.

<Don't judge a book by its cover, or something...?> Raguel mumbled. <I think that's how the saying goes.>

Are you suggesting Greed is a good person? You have seen a bit of my memories, right? He killed my parents while I was mourning the death of my sister. Added to that, they were killed less than 100 meters away from me, Neraxis shot back with a frown. So tell me, do you still think he's a person whose true goals are worth considering?

Raguel sighed. <All I'm saying is that you should have an open mind. He might have killed your parents, and hell, I don't doubt he's a terrible person. But someone going by the name of Greed likely has a lot to offer. Though that's just my rambling, ignore me.>

Neraxis didn't bother with him any longer as he spread out his mana around the world, covering it in an instant.

Soon, he managed to spot Greed, and to Neraxis's surprise, he was strolling through the streets with a woman, hand in hand.

Is he out on a date...? Neraxis thought, stunned.

It seemed like Violet had also caught onto that as she soon giggled.

"He's always been a playboy. So much so that I'm surprised he didn't become the Sovereign of Lust, but I did," she remarked. "Though you shouldn't feel pity for him as his relationships never last—"

She halted, and so did he.

All of a sudden, a surprising sight emerged.

It was a child that seemed to be nearing puberty. A beautiful young girl that perfectly resembled the woman he was walking with.

At first, Neraxis thought it was a coincidence; however, with each step Greed took, the child mirrored like an imp.

Until eventually, Greed halted and picked the child up, cradling her in his hands.

And of course, not before shooting a glance at Neraxis, who was several continents away.

"Um... well, what now?" Evangeline muttered, puzzled. "Do you wanna... you know?"

"..." Violet scratched her cheek, unsure of what to say.

And then there was Neraxis, who was blankly staring into the air, unsure of how to proceed further.

Greed was an enemy, but he was now also a father.

In the grand scheme of things, that didn't change what had to be done, but feeling the guilt of doing something Greed had done against him made him feel disgust.

After all, by killing Greed here and now, he'd be replaying the situation he had experienced.

But before he could dwell on it further, Evangeline approached and tapped him on the head, returning him back to reality.

"Neraxis. Your parents were always cruel to you, at least as far as you can remember. This child has a loving mother and a father whose intentions are unknown. For all you could know, Greed is only using them to guilt-trip you into not killing him," Evangeline remarked, narrowing her eyes.

"Just look at how big of a coincidence it is, I mean... you're his enemy, and he..." she trailed off, not finding her words.

Neraxis let out a sigh. "I know what you mean, and it's weighing on my mind as well."

Did he have the guts to kill someone with a family?

Yes.

That was the gist of it—he wasn't going to hesitate now, even if it meant he had to separate a child from their father.

So with that, he grabbed the hands of the girls surrounding him, then teleported, reappearing on some sort of monument towering several hundred meters away from Greed's family.

Violet still seemed hesitant, so he tapped on her shoulder, getting her attention.

"Speak now, or you'll regret it later," he said flatly.

Her brows twitched as she clenched her fists, glancing in the direction of Greed and his family. If you're not on M*VLEM*PYR, you're viewing a copy.

"Say... could we leave him for last?" Violet suggested. "I'm sorry... but he knows what's happening. He knows his time is now, and... I wish for him to spend a few moments longer with his family before you..."

Neraxis's eyes narrowed at her request, but he didn't seem that averse to it.

If anything, it felt like a relieving request—one that he could grant and come back later to without regrets.

But for insurance, he stepped down, reappearing behind Greed.

Greed didn't even flinch, but what did happen was Neraxis meeting eye to eye with Greed's child.

Neraxis tilted his head with a smile, then tapped Greed on the shoulder.

Immediately, a faint golden marking appeared, then settled into his skin, almost like a mark.

And of course, that was exactly what it was.

Greed let out a chuckle, slightly turning his head to face Neraxis.

"Right now?" Greed asked. "Should I step aside, mister executioner?"

Neraxis shook his head. "In a bit, Greed. Your time will come soon enough."

With those words, Neraxis vanished, reappearing back onto the monument he stood on moments ago.

When he did, he saw Violet's slight smile that soon vanished, replaced by a serious expression.

"So... since Pride, Envy, and Wrath are gone... we're putting Greed on hold for now, so there's only Gluttony and Sloth left," Violet commented. "And me, of course."

"Yes, but you'll be the last one to go, Violet," Neraxis replied. "So where's Sloth? I doubt I should go for Gluttony right away since you mentioned he's the strongest, right?"

"Sloth is a little difficult to find," Violet said plainly. "He lives in a dream world, and the only way you can access it is through another realm."

"What a coincidence," Evangeline remarked with a giggle, turning to Neraxis. "Isn't that exactly what you have now?"

Neraxis let out a sigh and slashed the air gently, revealing a golden pocket of space ahead.

"Follow me."