Villain Retirement

"Did… Thousandblade say what he wanted from you?"

"Megawoman."

"...Of course."

It had been a while since Empress was on the other side of the desk ever since she took the seat as World Leader, but to think it would be with someone she should consider her junior. She was currently in Paragon's office, and she initially thought they would just be talking in the office's lounge, but then Paragon suddenly sat at his desk.

Just… where did Aerith pick this guy up? She actually ordered a background check on both Paige and Paragon– and she knows that Paige was from an orphanage and had quite a bit of a record. As for Paragon, or full name, Adam Dagher, he seemed to have lived a sheltered and somewhat luxurious life under the radar.

Born to a reclusive, wealthy, and ancient family on the outskirts of Egypt– with an American mother and Egyptian father, both died in an accident just a year ago. Adam then went missing afterward. Other than that, there was nothing on him.

Empress already asked Aerith about him, and said that she owed the family something when their ancestors helped her a century ago– and when she came back to Earth, she heard of the news and searched for Adam in a place that only her and the family knows.

Aerith, however, still has not told her why she returned to Earth in the first place. At first, she suspected that Darkday might be alive; and even suspected that Adam might be Riley, but his story completely checks out.

She even went to the address, only to find an abandoned mansion with photos of Adam and his family. Now, if he could only take off his mask– then any suspicion that Empress had would be gone. Still… for there to be no record of someone like Adam other than that?

Impossible.

But for now, however, it didn't matter.

"Did Thousandblade say anything else?"

"No," Paragon sighed, "I killed him before he could ask his 3rd question. I didn't like how he thought he could just march in here and kill my people."

"...You do know you're a superhero, right?"

"Not officially. The Hero Association took away my license."

"...I'll ask them to give it back," Empress slightly furrowed her eyebrows, "But if you're going to stay under Megawoman herself, then you shouldn't just go and kill people– that's not what she stood for."

"With all due respects, Madam Adaeze," Paragon leaned back on his seat as he looked Empress in the eyes, "But I think I know Aerith more than you do."

"Then did she tell you why she came back to Earth?"

"Yes," Paragon nodded.

"...And?"

"I hope none of you find out," Paragon then stood up as he slightly opened the curtains of his office; letting a little light in, "Because then all of you will perish in the ashes of the war that is about to come."

"...A war?" Empress's eyebrows furrowed even further, "Is that why Aerith came back? Is an army of alien invaders coming to Earth!?"

"Maybe. She did mention that more will come for Earth, maybe even one of the Higher Races."

"Higher… Races?" Although Empress was completely clueless as to what that was, the name itself sounded intimidating enough.

"Like the Themarians and other species as powerful as them."

"...What?" And just like that, any problems that Empress thought Earth had become insignificant. Super Terrorists? Old friends becoming villains? Darkday being alive? They suddenly became yesterday's problems.

If it was true that an army of people like Megawoman would soon someday arrive on Earth– then what could they even do? She knows Aerith was way more powerful than the vast majority of her kind because– and would even put them below Empress's raw strength.

But even then, Empress could probably count the people that would be capable of defending Earth once they come in one hand.

Bulwark, Hera, Silvie Savelievna, Hannah Ross, Golden Fox, V, Tempo, Tsula if she's still alive, Butcher… and a few more.

In this regard… Empress was slowly understanding why the previous government was trying its hardest to clone Megawoman. In case a day like that comes, they would be–

"I heard there was even a species that is half the size of Earth."

"What!?" Empress then quickly grabbed her personal phone from her pocket– dialing Aerith's number at almost blinding speed.

"Hm," Paragon nodded, "But no, that's not why she returned."

"..." Empress then quickly dropped her arms as she stared at Paragon with her eyes looking like they were about done about everything.

"She returned because the threat might already still be here."

"Who, Darkday?"

Paragon shook his head, "I'm afraid that's all I want– I mean that's all I am allowed to say. If you want to know more, then ask mother."

"And where is she?" Empress sighed, "She suddenly left after it's confirmed that Thousandblade was the one who orchestrated the bombing."

"I have no idea, Empress. But she's out there somewhere, she likes to stalk and listen to people's conversations."

"I… see," Empress then let out a small sigh as she finally turned around, "I'll try to find her, in the meantime, you should be careful. We think Thousandblade is working with some, we have yet to determine why but I think they will come back for you until they get to Aerith."

"I appreciate the warning, senior," Paragon said as he sat back on his fancy chair. Empress was about to step out of the office, but before she did so, a small explosion suddenly erupted in the air as she disappeared from her spot– the furniture around the room, violently pushed to the side as a crevice suddenly formed on the floor.

Paragon's desk was completely shattered in smithereens; anything light that could flutter in the air fluttered. The curtains, now flowing outside with the wind as the windows also shattered.

Paragon, however, was still seated.

As for Empress's fist, it was only inches away from Paragon's face. It would have probably reached it, if not for the hand that blocked it.

"Now, that wasn't too nice," Paragon slightly tilted his head to the side to look at Empress's face.

"I knew something didn't add up," Empress's hand trembled as she tried to push further, but was unable to, "Your background was perfect, too perfect to exist."

"Maybe because I am perfect?"

"Don't kid yourself," Empress scoffed, "You know things about Aerith, you know things about the universe, you even managed to block my fist… you think I wouldn't guess who you are? There's no use in hiding it."

"Well," Paragon then shrugged his shoulders before gently swatting away Empress's fist, "Aerith was the one who decided to hide my identity. If you want to complain, complain to her. But as expected of you, Empress– for you to be one of the first to know who I am."

"You didn't even put effort into hiding it unlike Aerith," Empress took a few steps back as she brushed her clothes,

"...Themarian."

"..."

"It makes sense, you didn't even flinch when I mentioned Darkday's name… that's because you don't even know who that is in the first place…

…you're a Themarian."

"..."

"..."

"...Yes."