"It's a quality game. Even if we sacrifice everyone on Hortus, they'll only buy you ten years. And since it's a heavy ritual, we can only spare a few."

"Killing everyone for a ten years…" Varian looked at them in disbelief.

Isadora snorted, disliking his softness toward humans despite their rebellion.

Varian could be very ruthless when needed. But he couldn't fathom sacrificing an entire world for his sake.

But the princess didn't care. She only grew fond of the empire due to the time spent here. The moment they rebelled, whatever the reason, all their lives turned worthless in her eyes.

She couldn't care less if they all died tomorrow. If their lives would mean she could protect Varian for ten years? That's the best thing they could ever do!

"Isadora, I'm also not pleased with how things turned out. But to sacrifice everyone is jus—"

"They'll be the first sacrifice." Isadora said in an uncomprising tone and looked at him with glowing red eyes. "And then, the second sacrifice will be me."

Varian stopped breathing for a moment. "What are you eve—"

"I'm a divine ranker and so are my sisters. We'll give you at least thirty years."

"No, no. I don't need thirty years. And why are you even thinking about sacrificing yourself?" Varian grew agitated, clenching his fists in anger.

"And if that time too passes, then I'll sacrifice myself. I too should be able to give you thirty years of absolute stealth." Sarah stated as a matter of fact.

"Stop it!" Varian rose to his feet. "You are crazy! Even for my life, I don't want you to sacrifice yourself."

"…After those 70 years of practice, even if you don't reach high rank 2, the estimate is you would at least reach rank 2."

Aurora looked at him with a bright smile and said.

"I'll call my mother and you can hold her hostage. She's very important for Genesis. With the backing of Nexus who will take charge of the negotiation, you can gain 10 more years at least."

"What the hell is wrong with you guys?" Varian looked at the four who seemed perfectly casual while speaking of their own death with a sad gaze.

Holding his head, he said in a weak voice. "I had enough of deaths. I don't want you to die. Please don't even think about these things. Please."

Sarah shook her head, her determination impossible to challenge. "I too had enough of worrying about you dying everytime you do something. Those 1,000 years made me think through a lot of things.

If we must go, then I'll go before you. I don't have it in me to see you die. It'll be worse than death. Isa agrees."

Isadora shrugged, a proud smile on her face. "I really want us to live through this. But even if I have to die to protect you, I don't mind it. We lived so many years together. If I die, I'll be etched in your heart forever. So, Sarah won't ever be able to win against me."

"…Your views on death really changed after Sonya passed away." Sia, who remained silent for the whole time, commented with a pout.

Isadora pursed her lips and looked at her palms with a sad and nostalgic smile.

"She lived a happy life here. Unlike in Pala, she didn't have to deal with the political intrigue. When she passed away, there was a smile on her face.

I was a bit envious to see that peaceful smile. If I have to die, I don't want to die being killed by a rank 2. I want to die in my husband's arms with a peaceful smile."

The princess' voice was slow and light, like the gentle breeze at night.

"Our husband." Enigma quietly interjected. "And I called dibs on dying in his hands first. You can be number 2."

"Hey!" Sia groaned in protest. "Technically speaking, I'm the first. Of course, I will be given the privilege. Who knows if we'll all die once one of us dies? I don't want to spend my last moments seeing Varian crying over you! I'll die from jealousy!"

"But you're dying anyway." Enigma shrugged.

"Enigma, you changed! It's always the quiet ones!"

Varian would've enjoyed their banter in normal times, but now their casual words only served as a cruel reminder to what they planned.

Looking at his disturbed face, the princess gave a soothing smile and tried to comfort his scarred heart.

"This is our strategy. We'll grant you a guarenteed 70 years with a possible extension of 10 years to progress enough to defeat any enemies.

Since we're divine ranks, I think we're qualified to say this, divine rank will take way longer than celestial ranks to advance."

Varian had a rough idea. He already enquired them about their situation early on.

They spent 1,000 years and reached the peak of mid rank 1 so far.

To advance to high rank 1, they estimated 100 years.

Peak of rank 1? 1,000 years.

Breaking into rank 2? 5,000.

To go from a newbie divine ranker to rank 2 would take even them 7,000 years. And they're giving him 70 years to do the same.

Their consensus was 'Advancing any further in rank 2 might be impossible but reaching rank 2 should be possible for him.'

It was absurd from any metric. A full 100x times faster than perhaps the most talented awakeners of the universe.

Varian was confident he could do it. What he was not confident was his ability to go that far after he lost them.

"It'd be nice if we were strong enough or at least give you more time, but this is the best we could do. On behalf of everyone, we're sorry." Sarah said with a sad smile.

Varian closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

He really wanted to call them stupid and force them to abandon these foolish plans. But from how determined they seemed, they wouldn't back down even an inch.

'I have to find another way.'

"Actually, they're underestimating themselves…" Miss Calamity muttered. "They didn't really practice much in your absence. One was busy taking care of her sisters and the other was taking care of Hortus. If they really focused, they'll only need 5000 years to hit rank 2. I'm so, so envious."

Enigma and Sia who were having a small clash sighed together.

They barely had any time. 5,000 years might be short for others, but it was eons for them.

"What's the second strategy?" Varian asked with a hopeful expression.

Sarah explained. "Well, it's not something we really knew for sure. As you know, we can't change timeflow on ourselves if we maintain our divine powers."

Varian nodded.

Hortus couldn't manipulate timeflow of a rank 9 like it could for a rank 6. The stronger one was, the more difficult it was to change their timeflow.

To feel the 20x timeflow and spend the past 60 days with him, his wives almost always kept their powers sealed.

Enigma spoke in a calm and rational voice. "We can give you 70 years to hone your divine paths. But won't be able do much in the timeflow. It's only going to be 70 years, give or take a couple. That got us thinking, the goal had always been to win Immortal, not winning Yami or Keman.

That' the basis for the second strategy."