The guide walked with confidence as if this place was his backyard. From time to time, he also introduced them to the type of trees, plants and flowers that grew here.

Prince Shak recognizes a few of these. But most of them were unknown to him. So, it was informational. Normally, Prince Shak would've been happy to get more knowledge.

But not now. Because

"and this little pink flower is called Invincible Cutey." Varian pointed with his thumb, "It reminds me of the day when I sneaked into the highest camp of my enemy, and killed their geniuses. That day, blood flowed like river and corpses piled to a mountain."

Prince Shak opened his mouth to say something but in the end, he simply sighed. Glancing to the side, he looked at the other princes. Their faces were also tired and their eyes were bloodshot.

Even though they're also frustrated, there was more fear and awe in their eyes. The same went for the Sovereigns.

Why?

Because Emerald Prince's ring showed that he was speaking the truth. Then that means this guy was really a big shot and pissing him off might make him slap them to death.

Or Emerald Prince's ring isn't working on that guywhich was still a bad news. Since even a Sovereign couldn't overcome that ring, then it means this guy can still casually slap them to death.

But come on, they're Princes of Duchies and a galactic Kingdom! They had seen many experts!

They weren't really interested in learning about this guy. At least, not as much as they're interested in clearing the trial.

But what could they do?

Prince Shak looked at the sky like an abandoned kitten.

"And this tree is named as No problem Sweety." Varian showed a nostaglic smile. "I rescued a planet by myself, and to do that, I had to destroy tens of cities. Millions died in a single day. This tree is a remembrance of that event. Everyone on that planet were scared, but I told them 'No problem sweety' and saved them all."

"Guide, we need to hone our minds for the trial. Can you please stop talking?" Sapphire Prince said with a disgruntled expression.

His guard Sovereign nodded meekly while wiping the sweat off his forehead.

"Young people, if you can't even stand this, what will you achieve in the future? Patience, a man needs patience." Varian smiled like an old fella. "Learn from me, I'm a man with a lot of patience."

"But sir"

"Shut up! Don't interrupt when elders are talking,"

Sapphire Prince stiffened and stopped speaking. He looked at Varian with aggrieved eyes.

'Patience? What patience do you have? You cursed me just because I interrupted.'

"And this plant is" Varian didn't care about the strange gazes and continued his narration.

He spoke like an old politician that could brag about the non-work he did during his term. Like that old principal who gave an hour long speech with absolutely no content in it.

The more he talked, the more he bragged.

The Princes had long given up trying to escape this insanity and slowly got used to it.

From time to time, they cast sympathetic glances to the two women beside this man.

'I finally know the reason why that girl in white looks so cold. This bastard must've driven her to crazy.'

'And her. She's mad to the point she has to wear a mask to prevent herself from swearing at him. Yet, that must be it.'

Feeling the sympathetic gazes, Sarah and Enigma didn't know what to do. But they didn't have to think much as Varian started his next tale.

'Urgh,'

'Really now'

Sarah and Enigma took a deep breath and controlled themselves. With a single glance, they understood what the other person was thinking.

Varian's narcissism hasn't disappeared. He just didn't have the time to come out. And it went from bad to worse.

It wasn't just them that were frustrated.

[Host, if you say another word, System swears it'll self-destruct.]

'Yo! Aren't you overreacing? Oh, I get it. You're jealous. Fine, I'll name a yellow flower after you' Varian asked inside his mind while he continued his speech.

[System wishes it had a body to beat you up. Particularly your mouth, it has to be sealed for the good of the Universe.]

'Hmph! If you silence a man, it doesn't show you're right. It shows you're afraid of the truth he speaks.' Varian raised his chin proudly.

[That's totally out of context.]

'Excuses.' Varian snickered. 'Excuses!'

Of course, Varian knew his words were annoying. But that's exactly what he intended as well.

In their eyes, he was a strange guide who appeared out of nowhere. He's strong, mysterious and represented a dangerous variable. They'd still have their guard up against him.

But after all the bragging, their vigilance towards him considerably dropped. People's opinions of others change and the way of talking played a significant role in that. Varian knew it and exploited that psychology.

A few minutes later, Varian finally stopped in front of the giant palace. It was so vast that it's impossible to see its end in a single glance.

The palace had three spires that penetrated the clouds and were shining down from above.

With each second, the palace shone with a different color.

Blue. Green. Red. Yellow. Purple. White

Varian checked the information he got when he was partially recognized by the World Will and nodded to the Princes.

"The time has come," He pointed to the giant silver door between two pillars and said. "Prove yourself worthy. Win the trial, win Hortus."

Prince Shak looked at him for a moment and walked to the silver door. The Sovereigns looked back at Varian with a serious gaze. A lot of thoughts went through their mind.

'Should we try to control this variable?'

'Maybe his strength is all a bluff? He never fought since he appeared.'

But the conclusion remained the same.

'But he seemed like a frustrated, narcissist and locked up expert bound to this place. If my young master clears the trial, this guy might feel indebted and we'll have a new slave for free.'

Thinking of the guide's behavior so far, he didn't seem like a violent or unreasonable guy. Moreover, he was also hiding a deep past. All in all, it wasn't better to provoke him. The Sovereigns gave up any thoughts of aggression and turned to the door.

"Open," Instead of taking the risk himself, Prince Shak asked the Hybrid to open the door. The other two princes did the same.

With a heavy, lazy creak, the giant door opened and a bright light engulfed the teams.

"Haa~" Varian finally sighed after seeing them disappear. "Fuck, that was dangerous."

"Is it?" Enigma rolled her eyes. "Didn't those turtles follow your command? You can just bring them in and kill them, can't you?"

Varian slapped his thigh and said. "Kill my ass. I was just bluffing. I'd need at least a few minutes to summon those turtles. By then, we'd have been killed a hundred times."

Sarah patted Varian's shoulder gently. "Huh?"

And bit down.

"Ouch! Oi puppy, go back and give me my Sarah back. I didn't sign up for this."

Sarah's eyebrows twitched and she stopped biting. "Listening to your bragging, I wanted to dig a hole and bury myself. I am dying of shame, but how can you say all that with a straight face?"

"Why not?" Varian shrugged like it wasn't a big deal. "Be honest, did I lie about any of my achiement?"

"No." Sarah bit her lip and nodded.

"Then what's the problem with bragging? If I am humble and stay silent, I am doing this universe a disservice." Varian said.

"What?"

"Think about it, such a handsome, righteous young man overcomes so many hardships and trials. He's a living legend. If the younger generation don't hear my tales, they'll miss out on an important icon. It's my responsibility to inspire them."

Sarah lowered her head and muttered under her breath. "I'm afraid about our children's future."

"Cough Cough." Varian nearly choked on his saliva and glared at Sarah. She was looking back at him with a smirk.

She did it on purpose! She definitely did it on purpose!

"Anyway," Varian decided to be a big man and forgive the little girl. He glanced at the palace with a serious gaze and said. "We have to prepare ourselves too."

"For the trial?" Enigma asked with a puzzled expression.

"Hm,"

"Didn't they just go? Those Sovereigns are very strong, maybe they can"

"They have no chances of winning." Varian said with confidence. "The trial makers were either crazy or sadistic or both. Millions of geniuses took the trial, none of them won."

Saying so, he pointed to the flowers, trees and plants he previously showed to the princes and said. "These things were born from the souls of those geniuses."

"Whaaat?!" Sarah's eyes widened as she looked at the plants, trees and flowers that filled her sight.

"If we don't want to get a ridiculous name after our death, we have to do our best." The space behind Varian cracked and he started summoning all the turtles of the Mad Zone.

"Even with all these turtles, this trial won't be easy to pass."