Gray’s experience was indeed pitiful.
He was once a favored child of heaven, a legend who achieved the impossible, possessing talent and potential even greater than Aldia’s, outstanding enough to become a prince despite being from a collateral branch. He must have been incredibly proud and complacent, full of youthful spirit.
If he had continued on that path, he might have even surpassed Ancil in the competition for the throne and become the King of the Mitra Kingdom.
His future and status would have been envied by many.
Unfortunately, he met Shafney and was captivated by the Succubus, completely enthralled, willing to abandon everything for her and settle in the Demon Realm.
Even so, if the outcome had been good, it wouldn’t have been a tragedy.
At that time, Gray must have been full of confidence, believing that as the top genius of the Human Race, a true child of heaven, he could successfully pursue this most beautiful woman in the three realms.
Moreover, Gray was incredibly handsome, even more so than Prince Charming, the perfect dream lover for women.
Therefore, Gray, whose life had been smooth sailing, believed he could surpass his predecessors and succeed, making the indifferent Succubus choose him.
However, reality was cruel. The Succubus didn’t even spare him a second glance.
That once proud and spirited prince stayed in Succubus City for over twenty years, yet couldn’t even get the attention of his beloved. It was a nightmare that shattered his world.
“All these years, I’ve often wondered if that decision was right,” Gray muttered.
“But I realized that although I reminisce, hesitate, and sigh, I don’t regret it.”
This told Gray that even if given another chance, he would still make the same choice.
“The only ones I’ve wronged are those who had expectations of me, hoping I could make the Mitra Kingdom stronger and better,” Gray said sadly.
Shien didn’t know what to say.
Comfort him?
That wasn’t his place. Since Gray himself didn’t regret it, he had to accept the consequences. It wasn’t for others to worry about.
Moreover, although Shien sympathized with him, he didn’t feel obligated to do anything for this former prince. After all, he abandoned his country, his family, and even his race for a woman. Even if he was punished, it was his own fault.
If he were in a similar situation, Shien wouldn’t want others to preach to him, telling him whether his choice was right or wrong.
That was life.
The only emotion Shien felt was relief.
“Fortunately, I didn’t fall for that Succubus’s terrifying charm.”
Shien sincerely felt that his previous struggles were worth it. If he hadn’t held on, he might have ended up like Gray.
He also realized that Shafney wasn’t interested in those who easily fell for her charm.
A goddess wouldn’t like a simp, only those who could conquer her.
And the man who could conquer Shafney hadn’t appeared yet.
Therefore, she disdained everyone.
If Shien, like others, had been captivated by her charm, then regardless of whether he was the Hero, the Succubus wouldn’t have spared him a second glance, and might have even hindered his engagement to Airi.
Fortunately, Shien resisted, piquing her interest, and didn’t end up like Gray, a pathetic loser.
Of course, Gray didn’t think so.
“Really?” he asked, narrowing his eyes and looking at Shien as if trying to see through him, “You really think you weren’t captivated?”
Gray still couldn’t believe anyone could resist Shafney’s charm.
But how could he understand?
“Trust me, the daughter of your half-brother, the King, is even more beautiful and outstanding than you imagine, not much inferior to that Succubus,” Shien said firmly, “Also, although I’m easily impulsive, I’m also realistic. I won’t pursue things I can’t have, losing more than I gain.”
As an ambitious young man from the 21st century, Shien knew very well that goddesses were meant to be admired, not pursued. One had to know their place and not chase after things too far out of reach. Otherwise, utter defeat was the only outcome.
Some might have grand dreams and ambitions, even as commoners, striving to achieve them.
But they weren’t the only ones on that path.
How many would fall along the way, becoming stepping stones for others? How many would be defeated by reality, becoming mere sacrifices?
Shien, with his unusual adaptability, understood this from the beginning and thus never had unrealistic expectations.
Some might say he lacked ambition, content with mediocrity.
Some might say he was self-indulgent and lacked vision.
But Shien wanted to say…
“What you like isn’t necessarily what I like. Don’t judge my actions based on your own thoughts.”
So what if he was content with mediocrity?
Was living a carefree life inferior to dedicating one’s entire life to struggle and hard work?
Therefore, after reincarnating into this world, Shien immediately accepted his situation, never seeing himself as a savior or wanting to achieve anything great. Even now, having become one of the strongest in Omnipotence, possessing power envied by all, he never became arrogant or thought of himself as special.
For such a Shien, being able to have Lucy, Diere, Melika, and those beauties he wouldn’t have even dared to dream of in his previous life, was already an unexpected joy.
Therefore…
“I’m content with my current situation. I never ask for more.”