[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-149":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","THE VILLAIN'S POV",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},336786,598,"Chapter 149 149: The next stage","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-149",149,"\u003Cp>-Frey Starlight's Pov-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single day in this world ends in a normal way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Obstacles and unknowns keep appearing, one after another, without fail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point... what's the use of being the author?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aren't I the one who created this world?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn't Agaroth say it himself? That I was the one who made him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then why…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why do these strange things keep surfacing, one after another?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if this isn't my story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone who knows the future…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps they are connected to what's happening to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a possibility—one among many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, I was lost in thought while Carmen bombarded Ada with all sorts of questions about that mysterious intruder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada, however, chose not to reveal the strange artifact that man had given her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if the time to speak of it had yet to come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After much back and forth, silence fell over the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially from my side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew that from this point onward, much of what would happen would be beyond my control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only those around me could see the hollow expression I wore now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My sister's voice rang in my ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your hair… we need to do something about it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada was trying to lighten the mood. I replied with a small smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why? Doesn't it make me look more like a true Starlight now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, I had rid myself of the black hair that always reminded people I was the son of a man from a branch family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that I had ever cared much about that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No… You just look kind of scary.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>White hair, sunken black eyes, skin so pale it resembled that of a corpse…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's fine. That's exactly what I want.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From now on, I would truly be the villain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I left the room, heading off to finish my preparations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carmen watched me until the very end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After I was gone, she scratched her head in frustration—only to wince in pain, as she had touched the very spot of her injury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it… he reminds me of him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, memories surfaced in Carmen's mind—memories of a certain young man who shared her blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It only took me two days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you really have to leave now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing at the gates of Starlight Castle, facing both Ada and Carmen, I was ready to depart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a faint smile, I bid farewell to my sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry, but I've already been absent for too long. If I stay any longer, I might find myself expelled from the temple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada didn't say anything more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She simply pulled me into a tight hug. I returned it, feeling the contrast between my cold body—still suffering from the lingering effects of the curse—and her warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll come watch you. You know, at the Victoriod.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll be looking forward to it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Ada stepped back, Carmen stepped forward and gave me a light punch to the chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't let us down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the same smile, I nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll win.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something in my voice made Carmen pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unwavering determination unlike before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned and began walking away, waving to them as I left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't hesitate to call me if anything happens.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carmen chuckled upon hearing those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would have thought that the boy who once fought alone, the one she had to rescue time and time again…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would become their trump card… their guardian angel…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their guardian demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry, kid… just focus on what's ahead. You'll always find us behind you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She walked away with the same smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm sure of that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the next month, I would forget about Starlight entirely and focus on what lay ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had no doubt—Carmen and Ada would crush Leonidas and his men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was certain of it. After all, that old man had fallen so far after failing to assassinate me inside Moonlight that I no longer considered him a threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Up ahead, Vulcan, the old servant, stood waiting beside a carriage, ready to take me to the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a short nod, I stepped inside, and our journey began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wore a long black coat, leather gloves, and tall winter boots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to the dimensional ring on my finger, I no longer worried about luggage—everything was stored inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, I had been granted the privilege of using the gate to travel directly to the capital, Belgrade, and enter the temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A remarkable shortcut, saving me an arduous journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the grand gate built by the ancients, I stepped forward, classified as a VIP.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others would wait months for a chance to enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good luck, Lord Frey.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I waved at the servant and continued without looking back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take care of my sister.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With my life.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I said nothing more and stepped toward the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a middle-aged man approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Frey Starlight, correct?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This way, please.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I followed the guard, stopping in front of a glowing portal, preparing to step through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You may feel a slight dizziness, but it will be momentary… Enter whenever you're ready.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, I stepped inside—immediately, my world flipped as I was swallowed by a blinding white light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seconds later, the roar of a massive crowd crashed into my ears, a sharp echo ringing in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The capital, Belgrade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a moment to shake off the dizziness and process my surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These gates are worse than I thought…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As my senses returned, the deafening noise became clearer—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shouts. Cheers. Whistles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A festival?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I moved forward, I realized the situation was far bigger than I'd assumed. The crowd grew denser with every step, to the point where I could barely move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Has the Victoriad already begun?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was madness. It felt like the entire capital was gathered here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then I noticed them—the massive screens looming above, dominating the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were broadcasting something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked like a film. The crowd reacted to every moment, erupting in cheers and chants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell is going on?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My voice was lost in the chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Long live the Empire!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Long live the Emperor!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noise was deafening—my eardrums were on the verge of bursting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hawk Eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I activated my Hawk Eyes, sharpening my vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at that moment, I understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The screens were showing a live broadcast…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massacre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To confirm my suspicions, I turned to someone nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh? What, are you from the countryside or something? We're retaliating! The Empire's forces are paying back those filthy Ultras!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words confirmed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, the time had come, huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empire's first response after the Ultras stormed the temple and destroyed the Moonlight family's palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On-screen, a squad of just six individuals was tearing through one of the Ultras' cities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scene of fire and blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far from the chaos of the Empire, within a secluded corner of the Starlight family's palace…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An old man sat alone, clutching his head, his bloodshot eyes filled with fury as he bit his lips hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That man was none other than Leonidas, the Immortal Lion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Life had shown him no mercy—he had fallen hard, losing everything overnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His alliance with the Moonlight family had led to his downfall. Worse yet, his plan had failed. He hadn't been able to kill Frey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why? Why does he refuse to die?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leonidas roared, slamming his fist into the wall beside him, shattering it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That boy…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There isn't much time left…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A violent shudder ran through Leonidas as his mind drifted back to that fateful day—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The day he appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A masked man with piercing blue eyes had shown him a glimpse of the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A grim, harrowing vision—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Himself, drowning in his own blood, his body broken. And looming above him, a young man, gripping a terrifying black sword, gazing down with sheer contempt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leonidas had seen his death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the one who stood over his corpse… was Frey Starlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the man with the blue eyes showed him that future, Leonidas lost his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had become obsessed with Frey, doing everything in his power to kill him, desperate to escape that inevitable fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his actions, his madness…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had been nothing more than a game orchestrated by that man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mysterious figure, pulling the strings from the shadows…\u003C\u002Fp>",1395,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.346Z","2026-06-01T04:30:13.202Z",1,"novelbin.me","c2adfd13de82177784326abcbab277d0b0d8c39d2657f60c36e98ded14f0d2be","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-150","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-148",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]