Villain Retirement

"You have the social skills of a cardboard for someone who has lived for almost a thousand years."

"I really hate that that statement is coming from you, someone who is supposed to be socially impaired."

"Oh, I have actually quite mastered my social skills, Aerith."

"...I hate that I think you might actually be right."

"I also happen to overhear back on Theran that you didn't have any friends growing up."

"Just shut up. You don't have friends either."

"By choice."

"Shut up."

It is true—Aerith did not have any friends growing up. She was surrounded by people, true—but none really understood her. Even at the earliest of her age, she knew she was different from the other themarians.

Her older brother was the same; which was quite awkward for the Royal family who were, for lack of a better word, extreme with their beliefs that themarians belong only to Theran. They have this weird antipathy for the outside because they think the rest of the Universe is just one big pile of junk.

And because Aerith and her brother thought otherwise, they were considered a disgrace by their own parents… so much so that to prevent any gossips and rumors to spread, they opted to marry the two of them to each other.

Aerith and her brother didn't really care, however, as they just laughed and continued on with their lives. They weren't going to get married, and they will continue to want to venture out into the outside world.

Her brother, however, did not get that chance. He did, however, manage to get a glimpse of it when an outsider was able to enter Theran—Xra.

He fell in love with her, but Xra wasn't going to stay on Theran—and very soon, her brother's love became an obsession. Xra was never going to be hers in the first place, she never returned his feelings…

…and very slowly, Aerith watched as her brother lost his mind. He challenged Xra into a duel, with the condition that she would stay if she loses—Xra killed him without any hesitation.

Since then, Aerith promised herself that she wouldn't be stuck on Theran, she wouldn't become like her brother—she would go outside.

Aerith envied Caitlain'Ur, in a way. Aside from the fact that she was destroying alien civilizations from the inside and committing genocide, at least she was free. Perhaps that was also a reason why themarians shouldn't be free—but Aerith has always thought that if she was given a chance to be out there, she wouldn't be like her.

Aerith envied Caitlain'Ur…but at the same time, she abhorred her. And so, she dedicated her life to getting stronger to hunt for her. And one day, she was able to break free from the chains of Theran and she did what she set out to do—hunt down Caitlain'Ur.

It would be killing two birds with one stone; she will catch the themarian criminal that has sullied the themarian name, and she will also be free to venture outside.

But alas, Caitlain proved to be too strong for her. Aerith couldn't go home—how could she? She left, only to return with nothing. And nothing else would make her parents even smugger to see their daughter come back with nothing from the outside world… that would just prove them right.

And so, Aerith continued to venture out alone. Until eventually, she was led to Earth… where she eventually managed to get Caitlain back to Theran, although not in the way she imagined.

But even then, all her people saw was that she left.

And that is it—that is her life. She was more welcomed on another planet, whether it be Megawoman, or a random woman walking down the streets. But in both, however, she never truly had any friends…

…because she never truly belonged to either. Even her husband whom she thought would be with her until the day he died...they ended up falling out of love with each other. Even her own son felt estranged from her…

…because she just doesn't know how to connect to people.

And now she was being asked to socialize?

"Princess Aerith."

"Yes?"

Aerith instinctively responded as another person approached her; her mind, still completely in another place.

"This is the first time I am ever seeing a themarian, and to think it would be a themarian royalty. How lucky I have heard of this."

"...Yes, I'm lucky too."

"...Right."

"..."

"..."

"I apologize, pink-skinned woman."

And almost as if to save her from this weird situation, Riley pulled her hand and wrapped it around his arm even tighter,

"Princess Aerith is still a bit tired from her trip all the way from Theran. She escaped from there, you see."

"Riley?" Aerith's eyes widened, "What are you—"

"...Escaped?" The pink-skinned woman was slightly taken aback at first by Riley suddenly addressing her instead. It didn't last long, however, because her curiosity won over everything else. It wasn't only her, the people that have been wanting to approach Aerith ever since they saw her also started subtly moving closer and closer.

"Theran is actually in a very delicate situation right now," Riley smiled, "They are on the brink of a war."

"A war?" Not only the pink-skinned woman but also those that were eavesdropping near them gasped; almost dropping whatever it is they were holding. A war between themarians? Wasn't that… dangerous for the entire universe?

"Yes, that is why Princess Aerith is here," Riley nodded before stepping away, "Now if you'll excuse us, I need to serve Aerith some refreshments."

"Wait… you look familiar," the pink-skinned woman squinted her eyes as she looked at Riley.

"I get that a lot, pink-skinned madam," Riley once again nodded, before gently dragging Aerith away. And as they walked through the curious crowd, all of them made way for them. There are those that wanted to talk, but Riley looked at them; subtly gesturing they will have a chance to talk later.

"We should eat first, Aerith."

And as soon as they reached the table with all the food, Riley raised his hand—making some of the cuisine float,

"These dishes are completely unfamiliar to me, Aerith. Do you know any of them?"

"What the hell was that, Riley?" And while Riley was seriously trying to identify the dishes with his hand on his chin, Aerith… violently whispered into his ear, "Why are you telling everyone the situation on Theran!?"

"Isn't that why you are here, Aerith?"

"I'm here to make sure that when the New Theran makes its appearance, no one will be afraid! Telling them that a warrior species is warring is not really the best way to start that!"

"They will always be afraid of you, Aerith," Riley casually answered as he started floating all sorts of dishes toward his plate, causing some of the people to watch in awe,

"You are a species that could snap an entire planet in half with ease."

"I know that, but don't add even more reason for them to fear us!"

"I am not, Aerith—I am trying to make them sympathize with you," Riley let out a small sigh, as he placed his plate down on the table,

"People can fear and hate you, but as soon as they see you vulnerable, they will start relating to you."

"Isn't that…" Aerith looked Riley straight in the eyes.

"Me—that is my life, Aerith," Riley smiled,

"That is how I manipulate people like Katherine, Silvie, the others, and...

...You."