A Regressed Villain: Heroines, Villainesses and Me?

Chapter 27: 29- Arrival at the Palace (1)

In front of Princess Katheria Arinphiam's palace, a line of luxury cars had just pulled up, their tires leaving a streak of rubber on the meticulously maintained asphalt.

The grounds surrounding the palace were well-kept, with lush grass and blooming flowers adding to the pristine atmosphere.

Nearby, a massive metal gate stood tall, while a line of servants awaited, with two figures at the forefront dressed in contrasting white and black assassin robes.

The atmosphere was thick with tension as all the servants kept their heads bowed, maintaining a professional stance.

Dozens of maids in formal attire stood with expressionless faces, while the two individuals at the front exuded a chaotic energy, their presence seemingly expanding and distorting the air around them, creating a hazy aura that hinted at their formidable strength.

Although the energy felt neither dangerous nor disturbing, anyone watching could instantly tell that these two people were a recipe for disaster. Their pupils were hardly noticeable as they mirrored the opulent Rolls-Royce limousine that had just swung its door open. A boot appeared first, signaling the arrival of a man from the vehicle.

"Isn't it charming how the people who were 'protecting' me just yesterday are now welcoming me?," a firm voice erupted from the man who had just exited the car, adjusting his suit before buttoning it.

As he casually tucked one hand into his pant pocket, he cast a glance at the two of them standing just a few steps ahead, his deep blue eyes momentarily obscured by the fluttering strands of his silver hair.

'....' The two Empyreals quickly understood that Marquess' comment was laced with sarcasm, highlighting that even their status as Empyreals did not ensure his safety last night.

"I apologize for the inconvenience, Marquess," One of the robed men stepped forward, approaching Avendial with an air of calm confidence. Despite having heard the Marquess's comment, he maintained his cool demeanor until he caught sight of a figure getting out of the car.

'...Rivia Dominic Aurelia' His gaze shifted to a woman emerging from behind Avendial, his eyes narrowing as he recognized her as the sword master.

In contrast to Empyreals, who awakened as a result of Synergy, Evolvers had the ability to harness and shape that energy according to their desires.

In simple terms, Empyreals were people who activated a medium known as their ability, which allowed them to synthesize Synergy into a specific class, either offensive or defensive. Although there were several known classes, only the attack and defense ones were recognized at this time.

In contrast, Evolvers do not rely on an ability as a medium to utilize or synthesize Synergy in their respective domains; instead, their bodies serve as a direct medium for synthesizing it.

Empyreals were confined to a predetermined realm of abilities—either offensive or defensive—demonstrating their limitations. In contrast, Evolvers could utilize Synergy in a versatile manner, applying it offensively, defensively, or in a hybrid approach.

On the other hand, it is also accurate to say that the awakened individuals had the capacity to fully utilize their abilities to its maximum strength from the moment they awakened them. Each ability granted something truly otherworldly—capabilities that no ordinary Evolver could achieve without the expertise to master Synergy.

For instance, powers such as resurrection, regeneration, necromancy, and space manipulation could be effortlessly wielded by an Empyreal. In contrast, for an Evolver, a deep understanding of how to attain such output was essential.

Each of them possesses distinct advantages and drawbacks, but it is evident that both Empyreals and Evolvers surpass ordinary humans in power.

Although they differ in many ways, an unspoken tension and a touch of hostility lingered between them, highlighted by the penetrating gaze the robed man cast upon the purple-haired woman standing behind Marquess Avendial Croceus.

Both experienced jealousy toward each other, but the Empyreals from the royal family of the Arinphiam Empire harbored a profound hatred. This stemmed from the fact that they had to endure rigorous trials to awaken their abilities, unlike Evolvers such as the sword master Rivia, who was naturally endowed with a body blessed by Synergy, allowing her unprecedented growth.

In the end, leveling up one's abilities is virtually unattainable for an Empyreal, which keeps them stuck at the beginning phase of their awakened talent with no possibility of a second awakening.

However, an Evolver can engage in training, learning, and self-improvement to surpass them, just like the Evolver in front of them.

"I regret telling Rivia to rest and putting my faith in someone else's failed expertise." As Avendial passed by the Empyreals, he noticed their stolen glances at Rivia, their faces betraying a tumult of emotions hidden beneath their assassin robes, as contracting pupils showed their animosity. He couldn't resist the temptation to gaslight them.

Avendial advanced with Rivia trailing closely as the Empyreals shifted their focus to pursue them while keeping an impassive demeanor.

'Mentally stronger ones', As Avendial's gaze stayed locked on the path before him, his mind registered the remarkable mental fortitude of both individuals, who remained unprovoked and gave no telltale signs, clearly indicating their potential.

But in the end, neither of them was a threat at this moment, especially since they were bound to their Master. Furthermore, Rivia had enough strength to take on Sebastian, who was, in fact, the second most powerful Empyreal within the royal family—a secret known to no one.

Since there wasn't any leakage of information about any Empyreals, no one was aware of the rankings.

But for Avendial, who hailed from the future, his knowledge was keeping him ahead and making it easier for him to read things, such as how these Empyreals were showing hatred toward Rivia, not just glancing at her out of suspicion or something.

"This way, Marquess," stepping forward, one of the Empyreals approached, offering a greeting and a hand gesture to indicate that others should follow him into the hallway that led through a path Avendial found distinctly familiar.

'Not unexpected, Princess,' as Avendial walked down the hallway, he realized that he was headed towards the room that Rivia had destroyed the previous night.

Considering that the room had been set up for this meeting, it suggested that efforts had been made to restore it in order to maintain the Princess's reputation, something that wasn't unexpected from her.

While walking down the hallway, Avendial encountered several maids who greeted him, mostly those stationed at the corners of his route, while the remaining ones stayed at a far corner near the room he was heading towards.

"Princess, Sir Marquess has arrived," as Avendial accompanied by Rivia arrived outside the room, a few maids informed the woman as Avendial came forward before looking inside the room as the door slowly swung open.

The scene that greeted Avendial resembled his recollections of the previous night; the room looked much like it had before. The only notable difference was a set of two chairs and a table positioned by the window, with a figure occupying one of those chairs.

"Greetings, Princess," Avendial, with a gentle bow, acknowledged the woman occupying the chair. She was clad in a gown adorned with yellowish details, crafted from a delicate thin fabric that exuded a regal essence befitting a royal heir, while still offering an air of comfort.

The morning sun gently caressed Princess Katheria's face, illuminating her features and reflecting in her eyes like the golden rays above. With a look that revealed little, she turned her gaze towards Avendial, her fingers gracefully tracing the curve of a delicate teacup. The princess calmly spoke, "Good morning, Marquess. I hope you are feeling better after the poison's aftermath."