[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-258":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},336595,598,"Chapter 258 258: A Quiet Night (2)","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-258",258,"\u003Cp>-Frey starlight POV-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is stupid, guys. No matter what I say, it won't mean anything ... I'm not in love with any of them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop dodging and spit it out already,\" Danzo pushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of thought, I finally gave them what they wanted. Whatever happens, happens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If we're talking about personality, the princess is the one I feel most comfortable with. But if we're talking about my personal preferences in terms of looks and body... then I'd choose Uriel Platini.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first had the personality most compatible with mine. The second had the mature, full figure that topped them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A very detailed answer...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Older women, huh? Frey, you really are something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uriel was five years older than us, so their reactions were only natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're the ones who wanted an answer. Deal with it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very on-brand, Frey. Nothing about you is ever normal. But Uriel? You've got good taste. That chest of hers is a dangerous weapon, hehehe...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some more shameless banter, everyone eventually passed out. By the time it hit five in the morning, they were all asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lying awake, I was the only one left sitting at the top of the tower, watching the sunrise in the distance, completely unable to sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This damn insomnia…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My thoughts wandered back to everything that had happened... and what awaited me once I returned to the temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was still trying to adapt to this new life. I'd already taken some major steps forward…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I couldn't help wondering ... where would it all lead?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The overthinking kept me up. Insomnia gnawed at me as I sat alone, welcoming the first rays of the morning sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's got you up this late?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently, I wasn't the only one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow appeared behind me, hands in his pockets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You couldn't sleep either?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah… Sleeping's become a real challenge lately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We both sat in silence, gazing at the horizon. The height of the tower offered us a breathtaking view of the vast capital, Belgrade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, what's on your mind?\" I asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A lot of things... mostly the weight of the responsibility that's been put on me lately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be the hero of the empire ... placed on the same level as the first Emperor, Kazis Valerion... It was a burden only a few could understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I responded with a light smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My problems seem small compared to yours… Let's just say I'm trying to find a reason to keep living.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He chuckled too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Never figured you were the type to have an existential crisis.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm only eighteen ... just a kid, really. But I've lived a bad life,\" I replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We all make mistakes, but you're a good guy, Frey.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh… I'm not sure you really know me, then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think I do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned toward Snow after hearing those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It might sound strange, but I feel like I understand you. I've felt that way ever since our figth at the Victoriad finals.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was honestly surprised to hear him say that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't think he'd sensed it too ...even if vaguely .. the fact that we were two sides of the same coin… except he was the superior version.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We both gave it everything we had in that battle…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our swords had spoken more truth than anything else. After mimicking Snow through Shadow Adaptation, I saw the world through his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And somehow, he saw it through mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled wider and lowered my head, gazing at the vast space below us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was a good fight… except you didn't go all out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I said it calmly, and Snow's golden eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No point in denying it. You said it yourself ... we already know plenty about each other.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He went quiet for a moment, his gaze shifting before he nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's not like I held back on purpose…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I still can't control that power.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You will. Eventually.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're way too understanding.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow laughed, and I joined him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I already knew about his true form .. his King of war state. His strongest form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the peak of Snow's power, and he didn't use it against me in the finals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had, I wouldn't have been able to defeat him… but it seems he had his reasons for holding back. So i didn't judge him .\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like how he didn't judge me for the innocent blood I spilled that day…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I doubt we're falling asleep anytime soon. What do you say? Want to fight until we both pass out?\" he suggested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's a masochistic way to knock yourself out, man… but sure, I'm in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow leapt back, and with a wave of his hand, summoned Vermithor, the sacred sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Balerion extended from my hand as if responding to the call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This whole place is basically a training ground, so we can cut loose a little. Just don't go overboard,\" Snow said as he stretched his limbs to warm up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Relax. I'm not the type to destroy other people's property.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A violet aura surged around me as I raised my blade and pointed it at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But make no mistake, Snow…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even with that hidden power of yours ... you won't beat me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow chuckled as he heard that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I guess I'm not the only one keeping secrets.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, neither of us said another word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only sound echoing from the top of the Silver Dragon Guild Tower that morning… was the clash of swords, steel, and surging auras.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, we both collapsed on the cold floor and fell asleep ...right there, side by side ... after hours of sparring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun had risen high, and the clock struck eight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Off to the side, a towering man—well over two meters tall—watched in silence. He had been the first to sleep and the first to rise: Adam Smasher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave a nod of approval after witnessing the intensity of the duel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader of the Silver Dragon Guild had never imagined he'd live to see teenagers, barely eighteen, fighting on par with his own level at that age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The son of Abraham… and the hero of this era.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those words, Adam Smasher turned and vanished, leaving us passed out on the floor of his home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My son still has a long road ahead of him… if he ever wants to stand among them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This generation… might just be the strongest in the last three centuries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time slipped by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Snow and I returned to the Temple draped in lingering shadows, having barely caught two hours of sleep before the others shook us awake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell were you two doing? You look like the walking dead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sleepover had ended as quickly as it began .. and just like that, we were back at the temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All I wanted was to collapse into bed and finally sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even that… had become a luxury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the first thing that greeted me upon my return ... was the news that the princess had withdrawn from the temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smacked my forehead and swore under my breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was gone for one day… and this is what I come back to?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The target of my mission had vanished ... slipped right through my fingers while I wasn't even around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another curse escaped me. I had seriously underestimated things this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now I had to reach the princess ...under Maekar's nose himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Spare me this nonsense…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All I wanted… was just a few hours of sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>",1272,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.346Z","2026-06-01T04:30:12.387Z",1,"novelbin.me","8fccf081a8fa32e56c222833def9bfcc8f7abea1235d6345ca1505b112060369","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-259","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-257",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]