[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-154":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},336841,598,"Chapter 154 154: Beyond the Veil (1)","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-154",154,"\u003Cp>After the brief clash between the strongest forces of the Ultras Continent and the Empire, the monumental event finally came to an end as both Maekar and Astaroth exchanged a few words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, war became inevitable. Both sides were now slowly mobilizing their forces—whether it was the Empire or the Ultras, they were both entangled in the intricate calculations of large-scale warfare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one thing was certain—whoever struck first would officially ignite the war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only question was... who would make the first move?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time alone would provide the answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Maekar and Astaroth had already withdrawn their auras. The demon was about to leave... until he suddenly stopped, his gaze locking onto the lunatic soaring toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mergo and the other Ultras watched the scene unfold, their mouths agape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, would you look at that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ludwig the Cursed was every bit as insane as the rumors suggested—unshackled by contracts, untethered to the demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He actually dared to point his weapon at Astaroth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, how adorable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Slash!-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ludwig swung his scythe at Astaroth's head, but the latter caught the terrifying weapon with a single hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Ludwig poured all his strength into his assault, unleashing hundreds of devastating strikes that shook the very fabric of space itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, Astaroth blocked them all with one hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pathetic mutt... I despise rabid dogs like you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astaroth scoffed, raising his palm toward Ludwig's face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perish.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A jet-black beam shot forth, crushing Ludwig and driving him into the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The latter barely managed to withstand the attack, his scythe acting as his only defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astaroth observed him for a moment before the darkness in his arms began to surge violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Blut Release.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the darkness twisted into something entirely different as black lightning crackled through Astaroth's arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spectators' eyes widened at the sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Black lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without mercy, Astaroth unleashed a relentless barrage upon Ludwig, who barely had time to comprehend what was happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You must've gotten ahead of yourself just because you're a mere Hollow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black lightning rained down mercilessly, again and again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ludwig didn't block a single strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The power gap between the upper ranks was truly insurmountable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Death was imminent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing the approaching end...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ludwig let out a sound for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A howl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was deep, guttural—like a wounded beast in agony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cry was so loud that everyone was momentarily taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is he doing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all assumed it was the wailing of a dying tyrant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astaroth furrowed his brows, sensing something resisting him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's going on?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It should've been impossible for Ludwig to resist someone at the peak of SS+ rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But within seconds, Astaroth realized something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who had stopped him...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn't Ludwig.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What in the abyss is this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above Ludwig...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A specter... A monster?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What exactly was it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sight left everyone horrified—it was more grotesque than even Astaroth himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A ghostly entity with a nightmarish, horse-like maw. Its grotesquely elongated arms stretched down to the ground as it enveloped Ludwig in an eerie embrace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, the creature roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its scream sent a shockwave barreling toward Astaroth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon raised his arm to block the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, dozens of mountains crumbled instantly, while the clouds in the distance dispersed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astaroth glanced over his shoulder in shock before looking down at his arm—it was partially numb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, a slow, sinister grin spread across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You've really done it now !!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among all those present, only Mergo and Gavid Lindman recognized that entity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mergo nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Cosmos… One of the Three Lords of the Nightmare.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A monster that ruled the southern Nightmare Lands—a being of SS+ rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A terrifying existence. A filthy abomination that no one dared to approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And apparently… it was the entity Ludwig had made a contract with—the source of his strange aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astaroth conjured a massive wave of black lightning, aiming to obliterate the abomination. But the Cosmos withdrew into itself, shielding both Ludwig and itself as its body flared with an intense glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the Cosmos let out a thunderous roar as Astaroth's strike crashed down upon it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, within mere moments, it vanished—Ludwig along with it—as if neither had ever existed, leaving everyone bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, only Astaroth and Mergo managed to trace the aura's path as the Cosmos fled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astaroth scowled, tightening his grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems the number of bothersome pests is growing lately…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps this land held more than he had initially accounted for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sinister smile, the demon folded into himself and disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe I didn't come here in vain after all…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps this was his chance…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To seize even greater power. To ascend beyond his current rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, my lord Agaroth… Witness my fate and guide me on the path…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To bury all these wretched creatures.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Astaroth vanished, and so did the rest of his followers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, the curtain fell on this brutal battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pieces clashed against one another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were too many of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maekar, and his son Aegon, watching from afar with a faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Church and the Lord of Light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ultras and the demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noble families, and Frey, lost within the temple's depths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too many pieces scattered across this vast chessboard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would remain standing in the end?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all lived by their overwhelming power and their own ambitions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, from the very beginning, they were nothing but pieces—moved by unseen hands across the board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reflected within his glassy blue eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep within the Ultras' domain…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither the Empire's elite nor the Ultras themselves…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even Astaroth…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of them noticed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange figure, clad in black from head to toe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only thing visible was his glassy blue eyes and his complete absence of presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mere specter, drifting from one place to another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, he had arrived at the heart of Old Yharnam, a city completely wiped from existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chronicler of history walked forward slowly, observing the aftermath of the terrifying battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He verified everything. Ensured every piece was in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The board was set.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he had to continue his work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to cast more…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More sparks to bring forth the final picture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man with the blue eyes stood still for a while, his gaze flickering with chaotic movement before suddenly coming to a halt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deep voice escaped his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So… you've come.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, another figure was already standing—dressed in black as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The latter slowly lifted his head, revealing his face as he pulled back his hood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An old man. Ancient, his face marred with deep scratches and horrifying scars across his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was blind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if one looked closely, they would recognize him—he was none other than the old man who had visited Bloodmader not long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man scowled deeply as he took slow steps toward the blue-eyed figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You have no idea… how long I've been searching for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere began to shift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For so many years… ever since you showed me that damned future… those deceitful visions…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man seethed with rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here and now, you will reveal everything, you wretched fraud.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1206,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.346Z","2026-06-01T04:30:13.202Z",1,"novelbin.me","25862410cc36bae98b85effcb5246e6ec2fa00ecf0a410593d616a29dbd2ee88","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-155","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-153",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]