I Have 10,000 SSS Rank Villains In My System Space

Chapter 156: Yes or No

At the system’s sudden reminder, Razeal froze mid-step. His eyes narrowed as the memory hit him, and he turned his head toward the spectator stands, gaze locking on the one person he had almost forgotten.

Maria.

She sat there, biting her fingernails, her posture tense, eyes wide and restless. The moment their gazes collided, her entire body went stiff. She flinched, her hand freezing mid-bite, and her head turned slightly as if trying to break eye contact. But it was already too late.

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck, shit! Maria cursed inwardly, panic crashing through her. He remembers... and he saw me!

Her heart hammered against her ribs, and she shook her head in disbelief, as if denial could undo what had already happened.

Razeal’s lips curled upward into a sharp, mocking smile. The kind of smile that promised nothing good.

And before anyone could even process what he was about to do, his voice rang out across the arena, loud and clear. ”Maria Grave come down to the arena. I believe we have a Duel of Honour to settle.”

The entire arena fell silent. Heads turned, one after another, until every eye fixed on the girl trembling in the stands.

Maria’s mother closed her eyes briefly and exhaled, weary resignation softening her face. She had known this day might come, but she had prayed it wouldn’t. She knew her daughter’s capabilities and she knew Razeal’s. The difference between them was a chasm. The boy had stood toe-to-toe with the heir of a ducal house and survived. Maria, for all her noble pride, was no match. She wasn’t on that level. Not even close.

And Maria knew it too.

Her hand went to her forehead as a wave of regret crashed over her. Why... why in all the hells did I ever make that bet with him? She groaned inwardly, every nerve screaming in frustration. That annoying bastard! Arghhh... She visibly sighed, her fingers twitching as though she wanted to rip her own hair out.

Her chest tightened. Defeat wasn’t just likely it was inevitable. And it wouldn’t be a private humiliation either. It would be in front of the entire empire, with every noble and commoner’s eyes fixed on her. The thought made her heart race wildly.

She was overwhelmed by a tangle of emotions. Yes, she had been impulsive back then, but she’s just an sixteen-year-old girl. For someone from a noble family, carrying a little extra pride and attitude was hardly unusual. And in truth, she hadn’t even done anything so terrible to deserve all this.

Maria let out a slow, shaky breath, forcing herself to look at Razeal rather than hide. She wanted to appear unafraid. But the moment she raised her head, she realized her mistake.

Because the moment her eyes lifted, she saw it wasn’t just Razeal staring her down. Half the empire’s most powerful figures had turned their gazes toward her as well, their expressions unreadable, weighing, judging.

”Duel of Honour?” Arabella’s amused voice broke the silence, her eyes locking onto the blue-haired girl in the stands.

”Grave family, huh?” she muttered, rubbing her chin. Her gaze slid from Maria to Razeal.. Looking almost unstable and weak.. not to say half-naked, covered in blood and dirt, his hair ragged, one arm severed too yet still standing with an aura that was anything but weak. Dangerous. Unyielding.

Arabella let out a quiet scoff. ”No way she can take this bad boy. What kind of misconception led them to think they could fuck with him?” She tilted her head, smirking to herself. Even if she refused to openly admit Razeal’s strength, inwardly she conceded if Areon himself had stood in Sylva place today, he would have lost. And Maria? A pillar house heir? She didn’t stand a chance.

Seraphina’s gaze lingered on Maria and her mother. Her face betrayed nothing, though her brow arched ever so slightly, the smallest flicker of interest.

Selphira and Nancy exchanged a look, both blinking as though trying to process what was unfolding. What in the world is happening? their expressions seemed to ask.

”...Umm, well...” Sylva, still kept upright only by Silly’s wind, tried to speak, but her voice caught. She hesitated, then let her lips press shut again, leaving the thought unfinished. Her silence said enough she was speechless.

And two spirits perched on Sylva’s shoulders, with Silly hovering at her side, turned their gazes toward Maria as well. None of them spoke, but the judgement on their faces was clear.

Nova, Marcella, Merisa, and even Celestia stood silently, their face expressionless. They, unlike the crowd, were already well aware of this pending duel.

But Maria feeling the collective weight of half the empire’s most powerful figures staring down at herbfroze where she sat. Her throat tightened, a hard swallow forcing its way past as her body stiffened under the invisible judgment pressing in from every angle.

Sensing her daughter’s distress, Her mother stepped forward, her hand brushing against Maria’s arm. ”Don’t stress, girl. It’s all fine,” she murmured gently, her tone meant to soothe.

”I know, I know, don’t worry. I’m alright... fhew...” Maria muttered, running her trembling fingers through her hair and forcing the ugliest excuse for a smile onto her lips. It was shaky, hollow, but all she could manage.

”Come on down here! I can still take you!” Razeal’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. He stood below in the arena, his sharp gaze locked on her, daring her to face him.

Maria’s mother leaned closer, whispering firmly. ”Girl... just Forefeit. There’s no need. I’ve watched him fight ..he’s a total psychopath. Who knows, he might even try to kill you. And look around him.. his mother, his sister, even the Princess herself are all standing at his side. Even if you were strong, I would give you the same advice: don’t do it. Just forfeit, and this ends here.” Her voice dropped, steel beneath the softness. ”Live to breathe another day.”

But Maria only shook her head, her voice trembling, ”No... I can’t. That’s not an option. The bet.. if he wins.. it’s too big. I won’t be able to take it...”

Her mother’s eyes narrowed, her voice insistent. ”Hey. Don’t worry, girl. How bad can it be? If it’s just an apology, then give it. If it’s money, we’ll pay. It doesn’t matter. Your life is more precious than whatever childish bet you made.” She knew her daughter well.. knew that Maria’s arrogant streak had likely landed her in this mess. She’s childish how worse could it be buy anyways no matter what, survival came first.

Maria bit down on her lip, hesitation and fear warring in her eyes.

”Just say you forfeit. Or do you honestly think you can win?” her mother pressed.

Maria’s shoulders trembled as she gave a tiny shake of her head.

”Then do it. There’s no shame in admitting you’re not strong enough. Look.. either way, you’ll have to pay the price of your bet. But if you fight him, the whole empire will see you humiliated, beaten, and still forced to fulfill your word. And afterwards? His sister might come for you too. This is the least damaging option, Maria. Take it.”

Her mother’s logic cut deep. Maria drew a shaky breath, her fists tightening in her lap. Inside, she hated every fiber of this decision, hated herself for being cornered like this. But she couldn’t deny her mother’s words.

Finally, she shut her eyes tight, refusing to meet Razeal’s gaze, and shouted, voice breaking, ”I... I forfeit!”

The arena went utterly silent.

Arabella tilted her head, whistling under her breath. ”Well, that was fast,” she murmured, though she hardly looked surprised. She understood Maria’s situation well enough.. logic demanded surrender.

Still, the rest of the spectators could barely contain their disgust. Heads shook across the stands. To admit defeat without even stepping into the arena? To turn a sacred Duel of Honour into this kind of farce?

It was shameful. Embarrassing. A stain on the Grave family’s name. For forever.

Only Nova and Merisa remained silent, their eyes locked on Maria like blades pressed against her throat. Unlike the rest of the empire, they knew the truth of the wager. And now, with Razeal’s victory, it meant only one thing Maria would become his..

Neither spoke, but both turned their gazes toward Razeal, who was standing in the arena with that insufferable grin on his face. His eyes burned into Maria’s with mocking triumph, his smirk practically saying, See? I told you. I’d win without even fighting.

”I wonder what the bet was?” Arabella mused, her voice low but carrying easily across the hushed arena. ”What exactly is the Grave family going to pay for losing this fight?”

Her words rippled through the crowd like a spark in dry grass. Curious eyes turned instantly toward Maria and her mother. Whispers spread fast, questions forming on every lip.

The Grave heiress lost? What could she have wagered? Money? Land? A holy relic?

Surely it can’t be that much, if she admitted defeat so easily...

Maria’s mother swallowed her shame and forced herself to speak, though her expression was tight. ”Alright. Tell me what the bet was. We’ll settle it here and now, and leave. This... this is already disgraceful enough.” Her tone cracked slightly, the weight of humiliation pressing on her shoulders.

Maria’s lips trembled. She opened her mouth to answer, but no words came. The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating. Her hands clenched into fists, her body trembling. She didn’t want to say it. Couldn’t.

”Say it,” her mother demanded, her voice sharp, her patience gone.

Maria drew in a shuddering breath, her face pale as chalk. Finally, the words spilled out in a broken whisper.

”I... I said... if I lost... I would be his bitch.”

Her mother froze, her beautiful blue eyes widening in disbelief. ”Wait.. what? WHAT THE FUCKKK”

The stands erupted. Confusion, shock, laughter, outrage chaos rippled through the crowd. Question marks seemed to hang in the air above their heads.

”What did she say?!”

”She can’t be serious.”

”The heiress of a Pillar House... And that?!”

Maria’s mother turned to her daughter, eyes blazing. ”Say that you’re lying or maybe tell me this is some kind of sick joke.”

Maria couldn’t even meet her gaze. Her eyes shut tight, her face twisted away in shame.

”You...” Her mother’s voice trembled with fury as her nails dug into her own palms. ”You absolute idiot!” The curse tore from her lips, her entire body shaking with the urge to strike her daughter then and there.

Across the arena, Arabella threw her head back and laughed loudly, the sound echoing like a whip crack. ”Damn! Grave family kids are wilder than I thought. And here I believed the Virelans were the crazy ones... Oh wait now there’s even a chance the two families might end up having kids together. Hah! I wonder what kind of ridiculous creature that be!”

Her amusement cut short the instant Merisa’s gaze snapped toward her. Cold. Piercing. Deadly.

Arabella immediately raised her hands, palms open, her grin faltering. ”I didn’t say anything,” she muttered quickly, retreating with feigned innocence.

Maria stood frozen, her entire body heavy with shame. She couldn’t meet her mother’s eyes, couldn’t even meet anyone’s eyes. A sigh slipped from her lips, bitter and broken. She knew what she was what kind of child she had always been. Reckless, arrogant, a problem. And now, because of her, the Grave family’s honor teetered on the edge of ruin.

Rejecting the bet outright was impossible. To break a sacred wager of honour would destroy her family’s prestige, painting a permanent stain across their name.

And so, no matter how humiliating, Maria could only lower her head and accept the weight of her own mistake.

Maria’s chest rose and fell as though a weight pressed against it. She really didn’t want to drag her mother into this mess. Her mother had always been there, always defended her, even when she didn’t deserve it. If Maria refused to honor her words now, she knew exactly what would happen.. her mother would fight for her, bargain for her, even humiliate herself in front of the empire just to shield her daughter from consequence.

And Maria couldn’t allow that. Not this time.

”Don’t worry about it, Mother,” she said at last, her tone stripped of fear, her expression hardening into something steady. ”I made the bet. I’ll fulfill it myself. There’s no need to think any further.”

The cowardice and trembling that had plagued her vanished in that moment. For once, her eyes carried no wavering. ”I’ll look for another way to undo it later. But right now, I won’t put the family in trouble because of me.”

Her mother’s lips parted, desperate to speak, but no words came. She simply froze.. dazed, stunned, overwhelmed her thoughts scattering like broken glass.

Maria stepped forward, past her. Her gaze locked on Razeal. Every step felt like dragging her soul into fire, but still she moved, standing at last before him.

Her lips opened. Her voice trembled but still she forced it out.

”I’ll be your bi..”

The words never finished.

”No need.”

Razeal’s voice cut across the coliseum like a whip, cold, sharp, merciless.

”I told you that day you’re not even deserving of being my bitch. So no need not interested” His eyes gleamed with mockery as his lips curled into a cruel grin. ”Also don’t look at me like that it was you who started thus.. you were the one crying for attention. And now? Congratulations. You’re the empire’s newest celebrity.”

He let the silence stretch before adding one final dagger.

”Thank me later.”

With a rustle like tearing shadows, wings of darkness burst from his back. And then without another glance.. he soared into the sky, leaving the coliseum behind. His silhouette disappeared into the horizon, and no one stop him.

His body was weak, drained of strength, And also he had no time to waste. There were greater concerns than this childish bet. And even if he cared why would he bother? Claiming her would be nothing but trouble. The Grave family would resist, the empire would stir, and what benefit would he gain? None. Useless attachments only dragged one down.

Razeal didn’t need things that offered no advantage.

His rejection, cold and absolute, settled like a storm over the arena. The silence that followed was suffocating.

Arabella’s jaw dropped. The ever-cheerful, mocking duchess forgot to laugh. Her voice stuck in her throat.

Damn... just damn. Even she, who had seen betrayals, humiliations, and cruel games of nobility, had never witnessed something like this. Winning a bet, then refusing the prize not with grace, but with scorn. It wasn’t just rejection. It was obliteration.

”What a cruel man,” she thought, her lips parting in disbelief. ”And what a poor, poor girl.”

Maria stood frozen, staring at the empty space where Razeal had disappeared. Her eyes were wide, her lips trembling, her face flushing red as humiliation consumed her.

Then came the whispers. The murmurs. The laughter.

The crowd turned its collective gaze on her, some in shock, others smirking, some outright laughing. Noble sons whispered gleefully. Ladies covered their mouths, eyes glinting with cruel amusement. To them, it was spectacle entertainment.

Maria’s lips twitched. Her whole body began to tremble. Her heart pounded like a war drum, her breath caught in her throat.

”That bastard...” she whispered hoarsely, her teeth grinding. ”I’ll... I’ll never forgive you. Never.”

But her defiance couldn’t hold back the flood. Tears burst from her eyes, streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks, hot and bitter, dripping onto her trembling hands. Her vision blurred, her voice broke, her chest ached.

The humiliation was too much.

Her knees weakened. Her body swayed.

And then.. her eyes rolled back, her body collapsing limply.

”Maria!”

Her mother rushed forward, catching her before she struck the ground. She held her daughter close, her face tight with worry and rage, her eyes filled with raw, maternal fear.

Without another word, without sparing a glance for the mocking crowd, she vanished fleeing the coliseum with her unconscious child in her arms.

After all, Maria was only a sixteen-year-old girl still of tender heart despite her arrogance. The weight of the rejection, the suffocating judgment of thousands of eyes across the empire, and the humiliation of her dignity being trampled underfoot... it was too much for someone so young to bear. She had steeled herself, made the painful choice to sacrifice her pride, and yet what did she receive? Nothing but merciless cruelty.

Razeal’s rejection was absolute. And in its harshness, it was almost monstrous.

Down in the center of the arena, where nobles and powerhouses alike whispered and exchanged their varied reactions, Merisa stood motionless. Unlike the others, she betrayed no expression. But the silence around her was heavy, almost suffocating.

At last, she spoke. Her voice was calm, steady, yet it carried an edge sharp enough to draw blood.

”Nova... I need whoever dared touch Raze’s body in front of me by tomorrow. Trace them through foreverine metal. You have one day.”

”Yes, Mother.”

Nova’s voice was clipped, serious. Finally Freed from Marcella’s restraining grip, her expression was cold steel. Yet inside, a dangerous satisfaction stirred. Good. He rejected her. If he hadn’t, I was already planning how to break that water-haired girl myself. Her thoughts hissed like venom. No woman will touch him. No one... except me.

Outwardly, she remained composed. Inwardly, her possessiveness coiled tighter, feeding her determination.

Merisa’s eyes narrowed, a deadly flash rippling through them. ”And while you do that...” she continued, her tone sinking to something darker, ”let me look at Ghost Clan. As also i am quite curious who dared commission them to put a contract on my son’s life.”

The promise of slaughter dripped from every syllable.

Nova’s lips pressed into a thin line, but her bloodlust surged violently within. She too remembered the blade that had sought Razeal’s life only moments before, the torment he had endured. Her anger roared for vengeance, but she said nothing. Instead, her figure blurred and vanished, already carrying out her orders.

Marcella stepped forward quietly, standing behind Merisa like a loyal shadow.

Merisa didn’t said more. As she just turned to leave, but paused mid-step. Slowly, she turned her head back, her gaze settling on Celestia as if recalling something

”Oh, Princess...”

Celestia, who until then had been staring at the space where Maria had disappeared with a faint frown creasing her brows, blinked at the call. She turned her platinum eyes towards Merisa.

”Yes?”

”I am satisfied,” Merisa said smoothly, her voice calm yet cutting, ”with the way you stood by your words and shielded Razeal. That sort of protectiveness... admirable.” Her lips curled faintly, but her eyes were cold

”So allow me to leave you with a suggestion. Remind your mother... the imperial castle is quite old. Perhaps she should consider building anew. After all...” Her gaze sharpened, and a thin, bloodthirsty smile flickered across her lips, ”castles do fall. And wouldn’t it be a shame, if safety could not be guaranteed?”

Celestia’s lips pressed into a thin line. Her face remained calm, but her eyes narrowed, the faintest gleam of platinum fire flickering within. She understood exactly what Merisa was saying.. but the rules of politics left her no opening to respond.

”...I will remind her,” Celestia said softly, her voice measured, though tension curled beneath her calm.

Merisa offered no more. Her smile faded, her expression smoothing back to cold indifference. Turning away, she strode out of the arena. Marcella followed close behind, silent and composed, leaving the silence of their presence behind them.

The arena itself remained hushed, thousands of people heavy with unease at the veiled daggers exchanged everything that happened tday.

The man who was supposed to die today the condemned, the one for whom this duel was meant to serve as execution.. walked out of the arena with his head still on his shoulders. Not just alive, but victorious.

And worse, he walked out with using Holy Promise? Declaring himself innocent? What a sin.

One of the empire’s greatest sinners, freed in broad daylight. A black spot that could not be erased.

For his own family, he was already a stain discarded as son who ruined name of family, now returning as a shame that could not be silenced. For the Luminus and the Holy Church, he was a wound that would never heal, the man who dared put his hands on the Saintess. For the Dragonwevrs, he was humiliation incarnate, the one who defeated their heir. For the Faereliths, he was the hand that scarred Sylva.

And for the empire itself? He was the darkest mark of all.. proof that the law, the church, the nobility, and even the throne had failed to bind one man.

The boy who should have been executed instead walked away... carrying their shame with every step.

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3.5k Words ch

End of This Arc finally 😩✨

Special shout-out to Yuri_IsNTR for dropping four dragons worth 8,000 coins. Really appreciate it, mate always grateful for the support.

Also, we hit 1,000 golden tickets 💀✨. Thank you, everyone, for always showing love and backing me up.

And well... 😂🤣 a specific thanks to Yuri_IsNTR again the sole contributor of 315 golden tickets. That’s just mind-blowing, even for me.

Special top three contributors be announced at end of the month ofc.

Thanks fkr reading ya all

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