"……."

A thick, oppressive silence fell over the room, accompanied by a chilling, cold atmosphere. Most of this tension was generated by four people—Priscilla Agnes, Rosaria Leone de Michaela, Laura Ercarenciana Crescenne von Yuperantis Bellium, and Elissier.

This was natural. For Erestica and Nika, Aria was merely a dangerous enemy who sought to destroy this world and create a new one to her liking. They had no centuries-old grudges or complex backstories intertwined with Aria.

But for these four, it was different.

Laura had suffered endlessly because of Aria, eventually giving up her memories and living as Laura, not a host, for centuries. Priscilla was half-broken, and Elissier had gone through similar hardships. Rosaria, though she had fewer absolute cycles of regression, had seen enough horrors in the Starlight Order to make her just as vengeful. It was only natural that all four of them exuded a palpable aura of hostility.

"You’ve got some nerve, greeting us so casually like that," Elissier hissed, her voice sharp.

"Ugh…" Aria shrank back, her reaction a stark contrast to the old Aria. The former Aria would never have shown such vulnerability, but this new Aria was clearly different. Latina's persuasion had helped her let go of her obsession with being special and her rigid self-image. Now, facing the sins of her past, she couldn’t help but cower.

"So, what is it that you want from us?" Laura asked coldly, her tone cutting. Aria hesitated, glancing around nervously before finally managing to speak.

"I… I came to apologize…"@@novelbin@@

"Apologize? You’ve got some nerve, saying that so boldly. Let me make it clear: the only reason you’re still standing on two legs is because you came to apologize, not to ask for forgiveness. Keep that in mind."

Apologizing and asking for forgiveness might sound similar, but there was a fundamental difference. The former focuses on the wronged party, while the latter centers on the speaker. If Aria had shown even a hint of self-interest, they would have thrown her out without another word.

"Go on, then. Say what you want. We’ll listen, but don’t think for a second it’s because we’re inclined to forgive you. It’s only because Mira sent you," Laura added, crossing her legs. The other three had similar reactions. Priscilla, though slightly less harsh, was still cold. The atmosphere remained frosty.

You didn't buy this chapter

Buy Now (3 coupons)