Immortal Ice Empress: Path to Vengeance

"..."

Maria paused for a moment, her expression softening as she processed Mira's words. The apology hung in the air between them. It was a rare moment of vulnerability for Mira, who had always been stoic and indifferent to everything.

The last time Maria heard those words from Mira was right after her parents had died. That was the first time Mira had ever apologized. However, rather than saying it because she had truly done something wrong, Maria saw it more as a way to feel better after losing her parents.

Now, although the words were the same, the meaning behind them was different.

In a sense, this was the first time she had ever seen Mira look guilty over something she had done. She could torture, kill, plunder, and commit every other atrocity known to man, yet not a speck of emotion would reflect on her face.

Now, however, Maria could see the slight quiver in her eyes, the genuine expression of guilt, her cheeks twitching on reflex, along with her slightly downturned ears.

Her face remained almost as impassive as ever, but Maria could tell the subtle differences in her expression.

'She seems confused, maybe a bit worried, but most of all… her feelings are sincere.' Maria smiled slightly and nodded.

"It's... okay," Maria finally responded with a gentle voice, only for Mira to interrupt.

"No. It's not okay." She stated, looking directly into Maria's eyes. "You're my fiancee, the one I allowed… no, that's not right. The one I will spend the rest of my life with. Even if it was required of me, and I knew you'd be alright, I shouldn't have 'killed' you."

Maria's heart skipped a beat at Mira's words, and her eyes widened slightly. She had never heard Mira speak so candidly about her feelings and their relationship. The weight of Mira's confession, her admission of guilt, and her acknowledgment of their bond resonated deeply within Maria.

However, she didn't miss the complicated glint in her eyes.

For a long moment, they simply looked at each other. Then, Maria reached out, placing her hand over Mira's. "Thank you for your words, Mira. Really."

Pausing for a few seconds to allow everything to sink in, she continued. "We've been through a lot together. From when we were kids all the way to now, as some of the strongest people in the world. We've fought together…"

Memories of their time together, fighting against weak little beasts, flashed through their minds.

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"...We've fought against each other."

All the times they spared and trained flowed through their minds, continuing until their most recent battle.

"We've gone on numerous adventures–learning and growing together."

The various Trials and Secret Realms they entered came to mind.

"You… introduced me to the horrors of the world."

Maria trembled slightly, remembering the first time she had to kill someone. She'd never forget that day until the day she died. To this day, she still dislikes the feeling of killing other humans, though she has gotten used to it.

It was the way of the world–the way of cultivators–and she had to accept that.

Then, taking their hands and placing them over Mira's heart, she muttered, "And I like to think that maybe, I've shown you the good sides of the world."

Mira subtly nodded, causing a smile to bloom on Maria's face.

"I trust you with my life, and I hope you trust me with yours."

Mira made a complicated face, but she once again nodded, albeit much slower.

Maria chuckled, not offended. A mountain wasn't moved in a day, after all.

"What I'm trying to get at by saying all this is that, out of all the people in this world, I know you better than anyone. I know you care for me. I know you don't want me to die. Everything you force upon me, you believe, is for my own benefit. That's why I know you would never raise your scythe against me for no reason. So, please, trust me.

Tell me what that place was and why you believed that was the only way out."

"..."

Mira's complicated expression gradually grew serious as she began to ponder.

What should she say? Where should she start?

'She deserves to know, but…' She bit the inside of her cheek. Even she was disgusted by the shit she went through inside the FLDIL. Just thinking about some of that stuff sent every atom in her body into a state of shock.

She didn't want to talk about those things. She didn't want to put that burden on Maria.

She didn't want to have her lover look at her with eyes of pity and longing whenever she had to enter the Firmament.

However, things wouldn't make sense if she just said, 'It's a torturous staircase that leads to hell.'

'I know I've been keeping Maria at arm's length, trying not to get too close, but… it seems like I can't do that anymore.'

She had a choice to make here: Either she kept her secrets and lost Maria's trust, or she spilled everything and fully committed to the relationship.

The safe option, the one that prevented the most pain, was undoubtedly the former. She's lost too much in her life; if she cut things off now, at least it would be her own doing and not someone else's.

If it were back when she had just reincarnated, she would've chosen that one without hesitation. Who needs something like love when there's strength to gain?

However, having spent more time with the young blonde, she felt herself growing attached to her.

Whether or not that was love, she didn't know, but what she did know was that Maria would be her only chance at anything romantic.

She was already nearing the peak of this world. Within the next few hundred years or so, she guessed that she would have already ascended to the Immortal Realm.

She didn't know what awaited her there, but it certainly wouldn't be a warm welcome.

Once Rhydian and Elenei became known… she'd be facing a near-endless stream of enemies.

War and bloodshed… her future prospects looked bleak. And that's not even taking into account the 'god' and her own bloodline.

Were ten-tailed foxes common up there? She doubted it.

This all led to one thing: she didn't have the time to cultivate a romantic relationship. Hell, she barely had time to cultivate regularly!

Finding someone willing to be with a psycho like her was a rarity. She and Maria had already formed a close bond over many years, so she didn't need to worry about getting to know someone.

'I've been half-assing it for a while now, putting this decision off.' Messing with the ring on her finger, her eyes firmed. 'But I guess it's time to fully commit.'

Taking a deep breath, she finally came to a conclusion and opened her mouth, "...So, remember that treasure I obtained in that poison fog right before we went our separate ways to break through to the Core Formation Realm? Well…"

From then on, Mira told her everything. From the bloody meatball she turned into during the Firmament's trial to the soul rippings to the samsara experiences. She described the Firmament and how it was the reason for her abysmal luck, the Guardian, and the general theme of the treasure.

Then, she went on to talk about the various benefits, such as techniques, rare items, the Infinity Garden, Storage Space, the battle ladder, and finally… the Abyssal Torment Steps.

"To put it simply, it's a staircase that puts my mental fortitude to the test and is necessary for breaking through each major Realm. Every step is meant to break one's mind. Unless you beg for death, you can't die. The Firmament makes sure of it. You could turn into a puddle of blood, yet your consciousness and pain receptors will remain. It's a place that embodies the word 'torment'.

And there is no leaving until you finish a section. You can't just go in there and do a few minutes at a time, then put it on pause."

"...So, that's where I was," Maria muttered, turning away from Mira so she couldn't see her expression. What she had just heard was a bit… much. "And so… were you hoping that I was either an illusion or that, even if I died, this treasure of yours would bring me back to life?"

Mira slowly nodded. "...A bit of both."

"I see…" Maria fell into thought. "...And, to your knowledge, there really isn't another way out?"

Mira shook her head. "I either willfully accept death or complete the challenges. Those are the only two ways. The walls are indestructible, and there's no climbing back up, so anything else is impossible."

'What the hell kind of terrifying place is that?!' Maria wanted to shout but forcefully kept her cool.

If what she was saying was true, then when she was teleported into that place–the Abyssal Torment Steps–someone had to die. It was either her or Mira. And if Mira died, she was gone for good.

'What a truly shitty situation. For everyone.'

Taking a deep breath to calm her unsettled emotions, she let out a deep sigh. "...At least I was able to beat you."

Mira's expression morphed into a scowl, but she remained silent.

Seeing that, Maria smirked and looked up at her. "And I'll beat you at something else, too!"

She immediately pounced on Mira. "Enough of this sad stuff! You can tell me the rest later. Right now, we have another 'war' to start!"

Before Mira could even say anything, Maria took her lips.

Meanwhile, shaking his head at the two of them, Vulcan led Hana away from the room.