[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-219":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},336656,598,"Chapter 219: When Death Becomes a Mercy (2)","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-219",219,"\u003Cp>The director returned to the woman who had remained monitoring the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You didn't get anything out of him either, huh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivar, clearly irritated, stood in front of the screens monitoring Frey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What information do we have so far?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman beside him adjusted her glasses, then calmly began summarizing the conclusions they had reached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First, it's not a demonic contract. Saintess Yorasha was present that day due to her duty of accompanying the hero, and she detected no trace of demonic aura.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only logical explanation had already been ruled out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Second, we still don't know the actual amount of aura the boy released. But there is no doubt that his attack reached SS rank.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An attack only a handful of individuals across the Empire could ever replicate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a mere C+ rank boy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Third, based on some of the footage captured from the incident, a black sword could be seen attached to his hand. After cross-referencing it with our archives, we found something similar recorded over 300 years ago...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman paused, clearly aware of how insane it all sounded, but continued anyway:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That sword is suspected to be the SS rank weapon, Black Dread : Balerion, once wielded by one of the strongest humans in history. It had gone missing... until it appeared in that boy's hand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivar's eyes widened at what he was hearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One of the legendary swords.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And one of the most enigmatic ones too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps this was the only piece that made even a little bit of sense in the chaos that happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even with Balerion...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is still impossible. Even aided by a blazing weapon like that, how could someone with mere A-rank talent unleash such an overwhelming aura?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivar ruffled his hair in frustration, feeling a headache pounding at his temples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the woman beside him stared at him for a moment longer before speaking up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sir... there's something else you should know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What now?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivar braced himself, expecting even more madness, but the revelations weren't over yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After repeated examinations, the result regarding his talent turned out to be completely different from what we were initially told.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's S.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She took a deep breath and repeated more clearly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"His talent is S.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivar was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did he tamper with the talent test?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like the most reasonable explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the woman shook her head firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought so at first too... but take a look at this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She placed a black crystal orb beside them and connected several wires to it, projecting a wealth of data onto the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the same orb Frey Starlight used when he first took his talent evaluation upon entering the Temple. Fortunately, it still retains a trace of his aura.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon analyzing the residual aura, the results were undeniable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No matter how many times I tested it... the result was A.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But now, it has become S.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman turned toward the frozen Ivar, frowning deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sir, unless there's something crucial we missed, we may be facing an unprecedented situation in the Empire's history.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivar, completely stunned, muttered under his breath:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"An Awakened... capable of raising his own talent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew how crazy the words sounded, but what if it was true?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A being capable of breaking through his innate limits ... able to keep growing endlessly stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The very thought sent chills down Ivar's spine, forcing him to lean against the wall for support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wouldn't that mean Frey Starlight... was a monster whose growth had no limits?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The possibilities were terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How were they supposed to handle someone like him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey's recent behavior had already proven he was a danger to them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, should that monster be killed now, before he could grow any stronger?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Starlight family was putting immense pressure in his favor... if Ivar killed him, one of the Great Houses would turn against them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At a time when they were on the verge of war against the Ultras.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Ivar grasped the true weight of the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"His life... or his death.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ivar Valerion closed his eyes heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Which one is the right choice?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That dilemma... was escalated to Emperor Maekar Valerion himself on that very day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heads of the noble houses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leaders of the Church.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The great figures of the Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each had their own opinion on this unprecedented matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Ivar asked his elder brother Maekar for his view, the Emperor, leaning casually on his throne, answered simply, making the matter seem almost trivial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"His value... will determine his fate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether he would become a blessing to the Empire ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or its greatest curse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maekar showed no intention of intervening directly in the matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he left the decision entirely in the hands of the Empire's major powers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The odds were not in Frey's favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After grasping the situation, the Church was the first to call for his execution... mourning the innocent dead and fearing the catastrophes Frey Starlight might unleash in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Moonlight Family initially refrained from giving a clear stance, but they leaned toward opposing Frey as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The major guilds and most of the influential forces within the Empire voted overwhelmingly for his execution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only ones supporting him were his family ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Starlights alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For days, Ada Starlight fought to protect her brother, standing firmly against the tidal wave demanding his death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She used everything at her disposal as the Lord of a Great House.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But fear ruled the hearts of many ... fear of what they had witnessed that day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some saw this as an opportunity to eliminate him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some simply wanted to destroy him before he grew even stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless powers banded together, aiming to bring his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And behind the scenes, hidden hands moved ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guided by none other than Prince Aegon Valerion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He masterfully orchestrated everything from the shadows, and Ada found herself completely cornered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, she resisted well, but as soon as she clashed with the Prince's hidden forces, she realized just how outmatched she was ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Terrified, unable even to grasp who her true enemy was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this stage, inside the Starlight Family's main estate, Ada clutched her head in despair, desperately searching for a way out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this rate... she would be forced to watch her brother's head fall before her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just imagining it made her feel as if her entire world was collapsing around her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do I do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could she save him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could she pull him out of this catastrophe?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey had crossed a forbidden line this time...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His situation was catastrophic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada's mind went blank as despair overtook her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this pace, he would really die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she finally lost all hope, the door suddenly swung open, and a powerful voice echoed through the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you doing, Lord Starlight? Is this really the time to crumble when we've only just begun?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning her head ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada found an old man with a fiery beard standing there with a confident smile, wearing a luxurious suit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him stood Phoenix, radiating his usual brilliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When had they arrived?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada's mind raced to remember...she had tried to seek their help multiple times, inviting them to side with her, but the Sunlight Family had remained neutral until now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had they appeared now, of all times?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stand up, Ada Starlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Lord does not fall so easily.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why... why have you come?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada asked with a blank face, her heart no longer daring to hope for anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old Sunlight elder clasped his hands together, giving a brief glance first at Phoenix, then back at Ada.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard everything... about your brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How he had become a monster whose limits no one could predict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And how the world now wanted him dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone treats Frey Starlight as a monster destined to bring destruction.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that idea was entirely reasonable...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>after all, he had already proven it once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old Iris Sunlight stared at the girl before him, memories surfacing of a man who once stood tall before him...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"People fear the monsters they don't understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They despise them... they wish for their death, simply because they cannot comprehend them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There had once been a monster like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A monster called Abraham Starlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iris Sunlight ...acknowledged as the strongest among the Great Houses...had once fought alongside that man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not the Emperor who led the final war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor any of the other great leaders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Abraham.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man who once fought the Four Lords of the Ultras alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man who defeated Emperor Maekar Valerion in a one-on-one duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man who slew the human demon, Dragoth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abraham Starlight had been the monster that no one could understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Frey Starlight is still a boy, not even eighteen yet...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>merely a budding seed showing terrifying potential...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>potential that will one day cast a shadow over everyone around him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iris closed his eyes for a moment before continuing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's still just a child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it's our duty, as the older generation, to support and guide him...not destroy him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such talents were meant to lead the Empire into the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like Abraham Starlight once had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey Starlight would one day rise to that same level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And with the Empire on the verge of an all-out war...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>on what grounds could we afford to cast aside a talent that might determine the very fate of the future?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada listened silently to Iris's words, unable to fully grasp the gravity of what he was saying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Phoenix nodded in satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You've said it so perfectly, Uncle... there's nothing I could add.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phoenix then declared proudly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Sunlight Family will stand with the Starlight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those words were what Ada had been desperate to hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Words that finally rekindled hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phoenix then turned to the doors behind him, where more guests had just arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And we're not alone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sunlight Family had remained silent until now because they had been preparing for this very moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phoenix, in particular, had worked tirelessly to bring it together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the doorway, two figures entered ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both were of the same age as Frey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was a boy with white hair and golden eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other was a girl with radiant golden hair and eyes now darkened with an intense black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada recognized them instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both were already famous names.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Hero, Snow Lionheart ... And Princess Sansa Valerion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phoenix gestured toward them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These two will help us...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and they might just be the deciding factor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow Lionheart ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Church's Hero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll do everything I can.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wielder of Vermithor's Sword, bearer of the Will of the Lord of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow's influence over the Church was immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he stood by Frey's side, the Church would be forced to follow ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>for opposing him would mean defying the Will of their god.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the deadly battle they shared during the finals of the Victoriad, Snow had glimpsed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Frey had seen a reflection of himself in Snow ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow, too, had seen a reflection of his own desperate struggle in Frey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could feel it ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood, even if just a little, the immense suffering that boy carried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone like Frey...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow wanted to grow alongside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to fight him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to fight beside him ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A warrior worthy of his respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Sansa took a brief glance at Iris Sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their relationship wasn't exactly amicable, especially since the Sunlight Family had once backed her brother in the battle for the throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iris was the type to follow the path he believed to be right, no matter who stood in his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, he showed no sign of stepping back today either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But today's gathering was for a different cause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey Starlight...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was someone precious to her ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>someone who had already lost everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only one who had ever treated her like a real human being ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when everything inside her screamed otherwise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone like him...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would never allow him to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll do whatever I can to help.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone nodded at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phoenix turned back toward Ada.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on... let's save Frey.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada couldn't find the words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She barely managed to hold back her tears ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>because at last, something she had lost during these agonizing days had finally returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hope.\u003C\u002Fp>",2065,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.346Z","2026-06-01T04:30:12.387Z",1,"novelbin.me","357c01ba678b31ea25abd34a36b26188274499defcaa80200f8658ba8cbc60a3","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-220","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-218",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]