Limitless The Strongest Revenant

"Look, Zanele, I'm…"

"Thank you, Successor," Zanele abruptly interjected.

"…"

Taken aback by the matriarch's gratitude, I drew a blank. No matter how angry Juno became, she had no right to rashly chastise someone of a higher stature. As her superior, my apology got cut short, but we were definitely in the wrong.

"You seemed confused, Successor?"

"I am. I would like to express my apologies for my subordinate. She was…"

"There is no need. Juno had every right to do so. She advised me not as your subordinate but as a clan leader, like my position as the matriarch of the Soldats."

"…"

"Successor, did Amari tell you what my {fate} is?"

"No, he did not."

"It is {Attune}. It manifests as a tattoo on my skin so you cannot see it. What it does is allow me to know the emotions of those around me. I evolved it to detect the killing intent over time. Not the Death resonance kind, but that of malice."

"I see," I replied as I adjusted my seat.

"Haha, your confusion is understandable. They often said that men are stoic. But in truth, they are not. They just do not say much. I created {Attune} because I regret failing to understand that. Successor, this entire time I have experienced every emotion you have felt."

What should I even reply to that? Looking back, I don't believe I did anything to be ashamed of. But it would be bad if I ended up disrespecting Zanele out of ignorance.

"Do not worry, Successor. I did not share all this because of what you have done. It was to make you understand my next point. Many lie with good words. Yet, their emotions still reveal their true intentions. During our entire meeting, I have been observing you.

"Thus, I know full well that you meant every single word you have said. Not once have you lied to me about anything. And although you got annoyed, you have never considered me as your enemy. But that was not the case for Juno," the matriarch elaborated with a serious tone.

"What do you mean?"

Juno's nature was hard to put into words. Curious, mischievous, and responsible, I made the best choice when I appointed her. What could Zanele have detected from her to make such a face?

"When she and the Sins were bantering, she was joyful and full of life. But I sense that her intentions hid something within them."

'Ah crap, Zanele caught on to the play…'

"However, my question caused her entire demeanor to change. The rage she felt then terrified me. Like a dark cloud, it suffocated me. In that moment, I was convinced she would kill me. Her emotions were anger mixed with disappointment and dismay."

"Zanele. You do not see us as allies but as tools to exploit. For this reason, no matter our abilities, you seek only profit. I have read up on Reapers. Your way of life is self-destructive. The exact opposite of what I expected. The reason I follow my lord is because he reached out to us first."

"For this reason, even if we gained all the Malice of your continent, it would never be enough! Your shortsightedness weighs what you can gain when you had nothing to lose! If not for my lord, I would not even help you even if you begged me!"

I then decided to try looking at it from Juno's point of view. The Awakened devoted herself to studying and training, only to encounter someone who never saw her as anything more than a tool. Although I might have had the same thought at first, but the Awakened were useless so I stopped.

'I mean, I treat everyone as a tool. Even people,' I inwardly rationalized.

'Honey, while I do that too, it's not something to be proud of. Juno felt disappointment because not everyone behaved like you, Mr. Code. Few are as altruistic in Hellsgate. Although you were kinda an ass in the beginning.'

'Eh? Darling is not wrong. The main difference is strength. Darling is stronger than Zanele.'

'I agree with Jo. Juno-san lacked the power to resist Shujin, so she appreciated that Shujin did not abuse her. In contrast, from her point of view now, Zanele is too weak, yet wishes to exploit her. Her rage is understandable.'

'Most wankers would feel the same way. Combat Joeys are often treated like shit, so I would know. If this cunt wants to play ball, she should at least have the strength to do so.'

My discussion with the girls ended abruptly as Zanele continued.

"I have made a grave mistake. Her words were correct. I did not try to see it from her point of view. Although what I did took into consideration what she could do for my people. You do not speak that way to someone who never tried to deceive you.

"Juno presented her best, and not only did I disregard her goodwill, but I even acted like I was superior to her. Of course, she would be insulted. She is right; while it was correct if all I wanted was to survive, I should not forge alliances in that manner."

Hearing her chastising herself, it seemed like this woman, like my girls, had low self-esteem. Amari and Mia squirmed in their seats but did not join the conversation. Which I found surprising.

"Then why did you?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Excuse me?"

"Why did you act in that manner when Juno showed you nothing but goodwill?"

Zanele touched her arm as if to shield her body. The gesture seemed to be one of vulnerability and trauma.

"I-I thought it was too good to be true. I come from a humble background, Limitless. One of the many women who died of mundane causes. When I became the woman of a Revenant, my status experienced an abrupt elevation to that of a queen. And many approached me with bad intentions.

"I used to drive myself insane with pressure at the beginning. What did I know? And now I suddenly am responsible for the entire Soldat clan. But I was pregnant with Amari, so I had to be strong. It led me to develop the persona you see before you."

I nodded in understanding. Her story was not that hard to imagine. An uneducated girl struggling to survive suddenly gained influence and wealth. It would be fun at first. But, when people began to die, it would have gotten real, very quick.

"I lacked power. The Soldats are only a small tribe. I am not even among the {Kindred} of my husband. I am at most a concubine. If Amari does not come out on top in the battle for the throne, death is all that awaits my tribe. Only I will survive."

Her story was sad and all, but it didn't really interest me at this point. The sudden rise to matriarch had its perks. They were not just for show. What she lacked at the moment was support. Much like European families, her origins worked against her.

"I see. That might seem sad, and all it does not concern me, Zanele," I bluntly replied.

"This arrogant prick!" "How dare you?!" "Do you have no heart?!" "Monster!"

"If you bastards interrupt me again, I will turn you into soulgear."

"W-What?"

At my threat, the elders all turned pale. In my point of view, the main problem here was that Zanele was stupid. If you put any of the Sirens in her position, they would have done way more.