[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-153":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},336840,598,"Chapter 153 153: Demon and King","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-153",153,"\u003Cp>Far beyond the crater, shadows stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emerging from the darkness, Gavardiol let out a breathless chuckle, his lips curling into a grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We really were about to die back there, huh? Haha...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From within the void, another figure stepped forward—V.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for Gavardiol's shadowmelding ability, both of them would have perished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So this... is the power of the Hollows. It rivals that of the Lords.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A storm of emotions brewed within the tyrant's gaze, an undeniable thirst for battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, he knew the gap in power was insurmountable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And V, the weakest among them, remained silent, fingers tightening around the hilt of his Moonlight Blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, Gavid Lindman emerged, his once-elegant coat now tattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his disheveled appearance, he was unharmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his expression twisted into one of barely contained fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Glad to see you all made it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mergo also reappeared, completely unscathed, carrying Laurence over his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Encased in a slicing field of energy, he had remained untouched by Jacob's Ladder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the opposite side of the crater, the Empire's forces regrouped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most had escaped the brunt of the attack, with Ramiel already tending to their wounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Adam Smasher lay on the ground, his massive frame separated from his armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, you alright?\" Callistes asked, glancing over, certain he had already healed him moments ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adam only clenched his fist, slamming it into the dirt, his expression twisted in frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm fine... I just hit my limit earlier. I would've died if not for the Silver Dragon Armor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ramiel's gaze shifted to the now-dormant armor, which had shrunk into a mere insignia resembling a dragon's head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A terrifying artifact—its true potential hindered only by Adam's lack of strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, it had tanked a direct hit from an SS-ranked Awakened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both sides were on the verge of making their next move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the sky ignited once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of them cursed as the circular blades covered the entire sky...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ludwig was about to rain down even more devastating attacks upon them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, the Ultras launched another assault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This will never end...\" Ramiel muttered grimly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take him down, Claymore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone's eyes widened as Melina's golden sword extended at an astonishing speed, transforming into a massive metallic beam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tip of the Claymore pierced Ludwig's chest as he grabbed its edge. Yet, the weapon continued expanding, smashing him through one of the nearby mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the—?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melina's sword had now extended beyond a thousand meters, creating a breathtaking sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the blink of an eye, it retracted at the same terrifying speed, while Melina leaped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the mountain that had buried Ludwig exploded as he shot back toward them at breakneck speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll clear a path! Everyone, retreat!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group was stunned by Melina's declaration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle was reaching a stalemate, and soon, they would all be annihilated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melina had decided to fight with everything she had, holding off the enemies to give her team a chance to escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why she was finally revealing her true power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mergo, isn't she your opponent?!\" Lindman shouted as he clashed with Mist Umbra.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah... Is she?\" The old man chuckled, clearly toying with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Melina's Claymore extended toward him at a terrifying speed, forcing him to react. He barely managed to block with his Uchigatana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Melina retracted her sword and clashed directly with Ludwig up close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you planning to fight both of us at once?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melina was prepared to unleash everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But from behind her, Mist Umbra's eyes glowed green beneath his mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We can't afford to lose you here... Bearer of the Claymore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mist's body radiated power as Lindman instinctively backed away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forgive me, everyone... Endure it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would have thought that the one to unleash his full power first would be the most rational among them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you doing?!\" Callistes shouted, sensing the incoming danger. But Mist did not stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Supreme Art: Zero Wave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of unseen power erupted—a devastating sonic attack spreading across a thousand-meter radius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the attack was too fast for anyone to react. Everyone was caught in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A destructive sound wave struck their minds directly, rupturing their ears and causing blood to flow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, everyone was disoriented—including Ludwig—his aura, which had been disrupting Luc Valerion, suddenly weakened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luc tried to steady himself, seizing this brief window to teleport them all, despite also being hit by Mist's attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assassin had targeted all the Ultras before they could recover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was their last chance...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their closest opportunity...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mergo was about to take things seriously when he saw their desperate attempt. But he didn't need to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because, in the very next second, everything changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air itself shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if the sky had grown darker...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The expressions of the imperial side began to sink as an overwhelming pressure bore down upon them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sinister presence... a terrifying entity...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone froze in place, paralyzed by an indescribable fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above them, floating with the moon at his back...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Such a desperate struggle...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was venomous and grating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group, their ears shattered, could not hear him. But they saw him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange figure, with dead, grayish skin and eyes with pitch-black pupils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pair of fearsome horns adorned his head, while long, thick white hair cascaded down, tinged with gray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His arms were elongated, ending in black, razor-sharp claws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wore only a black robe, and from his back, a pair of dark wings stretched wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps this was the first time they had ever seen one...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"An Upper Demon...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ultras side hastily retreated as Mergo sheathed his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon had descended to end it himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rank 19... Astaroth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empire's forces gathered together, with Mist standing at the front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current situation was entirely unpredictable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astaroth gazed at them before unleashing the full pressure of his SS+ peak-tier power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A force that pressed them deep into the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So these are the insects you've failed to kill thus far?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astaroth spoke in a dreary voice, reprimanding Mergo and his comrades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His pressure struck them as well, and it could be said that Mergo was the only one who withstood it decently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, he said nothing... merely smiled in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did you expect when you sent insects to deal with insects...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astaroth pointed his finger at Mist and his group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How unfortunate... Perhaps you could have been good specimens for the path to Sovereignty. But now, you're nothing more than insects on a chopping board.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stronger and more vibrant than the other pathetic ones... yet still, nothing more than inferior existences.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the tip of Astaroth's finger, a bizarre dark attack was unleashed, like black ink staining the very void itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A black pillar descended upon them, far more powerful than Ludwig's previous strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was still too shocked at the sight of a demon, too overwhelmed by a pressure they were unaccustomed to, delaying their reaction—except for one person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mist Umbra stepped forward, unleashing his full power against the devastating strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Storm Shield!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dense wind barrier formed around everyone as Mist poured everything he had into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astaroth's power violently clashed against the shield, engulfing the ground in darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mist strained to hold back the attack, blood seeping from the gaps in his mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astaroth's strike continued to pound against the barrier, moments away from shattering it completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Run!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mist shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luc Valerion moved immediately to save whoever he could—but Astaroth had already seen it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A futile effort...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was about to stop the young mage and end them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the surprises were far from over, as the demon himself shuddered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky above him split open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A spear... a lightning bolt...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was it exactly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn't matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What mattered was that the colossal lightning spear obliterated the area, illuminating the bleak sky once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was unimaginably fast—even Astaroth noticed it too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunderous vibrations spread as lightning coursed through everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, they heard the voice clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why don't you face someone your own size?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few minutes earlier, at the moment Astaroth appeared—far away from the Ultras continent, across the Demon Ocean, within the Empire...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lone man stood atop his massive castle, ruling over everything from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was overwhelming... his sheer presence alone was oppressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Electric sparks erupted continuously around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His golden eyes gleamed with power as his blonde hair surged upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oliver Khan stood nearby, watching what the Emperor, Maekar Valerion, was about to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightning condensed as the pressure intensified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maekar's words echoed slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A spear mightier than mountain peaks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In mere moments, Maekar formed a spear that dwarfed the entire palace and rivaled the mountains themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The amount of compressed lightning aura within it was beyond comprehension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, grasping the spear with one hand...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strongest spear-wielder in this world unleashed a devastating attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hand was like a rocket launcher, hurling the spear at an unimaginable speed that shook the earth and split the sky in two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a continent-crossing spear... eradicating everything in its path before crashing down upon Astaroth's head, Who was far away from the Emperor's location...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a single strike, Maekar erased the distance between two continents and struck Astaroth ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BZZZT\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BZZZT\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seizing the opportunity created by Maekar's terrifying strike, Luc Valerion coordinated with the Imperial Palace's mages and teleported everyone away—putting an end to their nightmare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Maekar's voice echoed in everyone's ears, despite the vast distance between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why don't you face someone your own size?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha... Ha...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response, the demon's laughter echoed from within the thunderclouds, unscathed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What words... This is the descendant of that wretched one who once clashed with the high ranks, isn't it? Valerion?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Likewise, Astaroth's words reached Maekar...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, a strange conversation unfolded between a human and a demon—both standing continents apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet they gazed at each other clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reaching one another was nothing but a trivial matter for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go back to where you came from, vile being... This land is not for your kind to tread upon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astaroth's laughter grew wilder at the human's defiance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A pathetic insect... with but a single life... More powerful and vibrant than the rest, yes... But still, a mere insignificant existence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astaroth continued laughing, having finally found a human worthy of facing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let the days count down... for your death shall be the final act of this miserable play... Valerion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That confirmed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>War was inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>",1762,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.346Z","2026-06-01T04:30:13.202Z",1,"novelbin.me","7073d53b05cec407794c740d4a36e03b4b30b208ec4b5c6667aded0e5c05a322","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-154","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-152",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]