Villain Retirement

"Wow… it's suddenly so empty. To realize they were growing old again already — I forgot how fast most species age."

Riley, Miss Pepondosovich, and Esme were inside the restaurant. It had been a day since the news of what was happening traveled across the entire planet, and right now, everyone was busy doing whatever it was they were doing. But of course, as beings who have lived for 600 years, the people have learned to be patient…

…most of them were now just at home waiting for what the World Government's next announcement would be — and they were also busy thinking of what to do next, especially the short-lived species like humans.

Of course, the humans and the other short-lived species have actually readied and prepared themselves if something like this were to happen; after all, if humans knew one thing, it's that nothing is permanent.

And right now, they are getting ready to adjust.

"Oh, fuck…"

…And Liza was one of them.

"Ah, Miss Liza!"

Miss Pepondosovich and Esme quickly welcomed Liza back as soon as she stepped inside the restaurant. There was, however, a certain tremble in Liza's steps; only glancing and nodding at the two before letting herself fall onto the nearest table.

"So…" Miss Pepondosovich let out a very long and deep sigh as she joined Liza at the table,

"...I take it that you are with child?"

"...Yes," Liza rested and buried her head on the table; her muffled voice, quietly whispering through the entire restaurant surprisingly clearly. She then subtly glanced at Riley, and even though Riley was minute in his expressions, she could still clearly see he was slightly conflicted,

"Zero… I am going to keep the baby."

"Ho…" Miss Pepondosovich held her breath as she grabbed Esme by the leg. She then beckoned to Esme to sit down and lower her head so she could whisper in her ear,

"Not even a moment back from the Domain of the Gods… and our boy gets someone pregnant, that has to be a record."

"Hm," Esme nodded.

"Shh! They're about to talk." And although all that Esme did was breathe out and nod, Miss Pepondosovich shushed her as she saw Riley approaching their table.

"Are… you not going to say anything?" Liza said as she looked at Riley, "You… don't really have to step up, Zero. Six… 600 years, and I would be one of the very first who would give birth to the next generation after almost an eternity. This is… this is special for me."

"You are free to do whatever you want with the embryo, Miss Liza," Riley then stood at the side of the table with his hands behind his back, "But I wish to not be a part of the baby's life once it is here."

"Riri!" Miss Pepondosovich's eyebrows instantly lowered as soon as she heard Riley's words.

"No…" Liza grabbed Miss Pepondosovich's arm to stop her from doing what she was about to do to Riley, "...It's fine. I… Zero basically already gave me everything I would ever need to raise the child already, and more than."

"I do not think this is acceptable," Miss Pepondosovich shook her head as she looked Riley in the eyes, "This is your child, Riri. You should be a part of its life."

"But that would mean that it would suffer, Miss Pepondosovich," Riley closed his eyes and shook his head, "I have already let one to bear the burden of being my biological child, I will not submit another to that sort of fate."

"You… have another child," Liza blinked a couple of times as her voice weakened, "What… happened?"

"She is not living a normal life," Riley breathed out, "The same will happen to our child, Miss Liza."

"Do… you think they are still alive?"

"Most probably, Miss Liza," Riley nodded, "Her mother, grandmother, and aunt are some of the most resilient people I have ever met. Her mother, although weaker, will sacrifice her life before anything happens to Karina."

"Karina…" Liza breathed out as she touched her belly, "How… would you like to meet your big sister one day?"

"Why are you talking to it already, Miss Liza?" Esme could not help but tilt her head to the side, "Are you able to already telepathically communicate with it?"

"No…" Liza could not help but let out a small chuckle as the mood around the restaurant began to lighten, "And Zero… as long as you're here, I would like you to meet your child."

"Are you sure, Miss Liza?" Riley looked at Liza's hand which was holding her belly, "The things that I have done are—"

"I don't care," Liza smiled and laughed, "We've learned to put the past behind us — whatever you did before, it doesn't matter now that time is moving forward again. Everyone's out there searching for themselves, who they will be a few years from now, and although this is a little sad…

…but I'm sort of happy we don't have enough time to worry about the little things anymore."

"If that is your decision then, Miss Liza," Riley let out a small breath as he finally sat down and joined the three at the table, "Then the least I could do is promise you that if anyone wishes to harm our child, they won't for long."

"Great!" Miss Pepondosovich then clapped her hands before leaping straight toward the bar and almost instantly coming back with several bottles of wine, "This calls for a celebration then, except for you, soon-to-be mother — no more alcohol for you for 3 months."

"9…" Liza took in a small but very deep breath as she looked at the bottles Miss Pepondosovich placed on the table, "Female humans usually carry their child for 9 months."

"...That long?" Miss Pepondosovich's eyes widened, "Do they come out able to walk and talk, then?"

"No…" Liza could really only put up an awkward smile as she glanced at Riley.

"Wait, wait… come to think of it," Miss Pepondosovich then pointed at Liza, "How long did your species live before all this immortality thing happened?"

"Average was 70, I suppose? I might be wrong since it's been a long time — I suppose we'll find out in a few years," Liza chuckled.

"Huh… 70, that's… really short," Miss Pepondosovich crossed her arms, "And I know your species live for like forever, right?"

"For a very long time, yes," Esme nodded her head as Miss Pepondosovich looked at her.

"Then… how long do you carry your children inside you?" Miss Pepondosovich squinted her eyes, "Like years?"

"The same as the female humans, Miss Pepondosovich."

"What—and all of you are strong…?" Miss Pepondosovich could not help but smile as she pointed at Esme, "It's a good thing you guys are only able to give birth like once in a thousand years. But then…

…what about your lover, Riri? Are you sure she might also be pregnant?"

"Wait… wait," Liza could not help but just stand up from her seat as she heard Miss Pepondosovich's words, "...Are you saying there's another pregnant woman out there? Like… a themarian?"

"Perhaps, Miss Liza," Riley nodded, "The only thing I could truly be sure of is that my adopted daughter is alive."

"You also have an adopted daughter!?"