[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-27":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},336814,598,"Chapter 27 27: A Good Show","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-27",27,"\u003Cp>This is impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with his mask concealing his face, anyone could tell the expression Khalifa wore at that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A year ago, Leonidas had entrusted him with a secret mission—to kill Frey. Back then, he hadn't even needed to dirty his hands with blood; the boy had walked himself to his death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he saw Frey step into the Fog Zone, he was certain. There was no surviving that place—not even for someone like him, an S-rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, against all odds, that very boy now stood before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Leonidas remained expressionless. But Khalifa knew—the man at his side was a volcano, ready to erupt at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Leonidas, I—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Silence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Khalifa tried to speak, but the elder's voice cut through the air like a blade, ringing sharply in his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body stiffened as Leonidas slowly turned to face him. Those silver eyes gleamed with an eerie, otherworldly light, sending an involuntary shiver down the masked man's spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We will discuss this later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Understood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Khalifa lowered his head, his gaze fixed on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no room for argument.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Frey starlight POV -\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ada, can you let go of me now? I can't breathe…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mmm…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hesitantly, she loosened her grip around my neck, as if afraid I would vanish the moment she let go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Relax, I'm not going anywhere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least, not for now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She finally released me, and I turned my attention to the crowd surrounding us. Most of them were unfamiliar faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You look surprised by the number of people here… but you should know, they're all from the Starlight family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All of them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carmen nodded, stepping closer to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The real show begins once you leave Starlight territory. This place is a military base, so reporters aren't allowed inside. But the moment you step out, you'll be swarmed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She chuckled, amused by my predicament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'd rather fight inside the Nightmare Lands than deal with this nonsense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bold words. But don't worry—your story will fade soon enough. You'll only have to endure this for a little while.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Carmen is right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada, who had finally wiped away her tears and regained her usual composure, joined in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They're looking for a story, and the tale of a boy surviving a year in the Nightmare Lands was too tempting to resist. Though, most of them don't even believe it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As long as it doesn't get out of hand…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, I noticed Leonidas approaching, accompanied by several individuals radiating immense power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'So, you've decided to make your move, you old bastard.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Carmen, is it alright if I handle this however I see fit?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do as you please. He won't lay a hand on you—not yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A grin spread across my face as I stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's all I needed to hear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, I found myself standing before Leonidas Starlight—the Immortal Lion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, the gap between us remained immeasurable. But at least… I could finally see him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before, I couldn't even grasp the extent of his strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a carefully crafted smile, he greeted me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You've returned… son of Abraham.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I returned the expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed. What's wrong, Lord Leonidas? You look like you've seen a ghost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha, of course I'm surprised. After all, we believed you had perished there…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, you're going to play dumb, huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perished? I wonder who started that ridiculous rumor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carmen, as if to reinforce my words, chimed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The boy raises a valid point.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused for a brief moment before continuing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A year ago, you reported that a Nightmare Creature had killed him—that his body was unrecoverable. So tell me, Leonidas, what exactly is happening here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well done, Carmen. Corner the old fox.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, Leonidas remained unfazed. He merely closed his eyes and responded with unnerving composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was an error in judgment—one made by my subordinate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Khalifa's shoulders slumped further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I take full responsibility. I underestimated the situation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada scoffed beside me, clearly unimpressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your excuses didn't save his life. Keep them to yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leonidas raised an eyebrow at her audacity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada looked like she was about to argue further, but I stopped her before she could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's fine. I'm here now, and that's what matters, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed my influence over Ada had grown significantly—she simply nodded, her gaze subdued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed. I'm glad you're not the narrow-minded type, son of Abraham.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leonidas smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come. The Starlight Palace will welcome you in the grandest way today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was trying to appear generous, but the last thing I wanted was to spend a single night under the same roof as him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I appreciate the offer, but since my sister is here, I'd rather leave with her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grabbing Ada's hand, I gently pulled her forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shall we?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was surprisingly obedient. Maybe the shock of my return would make her listen to me for the next few weeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Carmen, is that alright?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go ahead. If anything happens, I'll find my way to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I passed Leonidas, he chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you sure you want to leave, boy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stopped in my tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And why wouldn't I?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that same amused smile, he turned to face me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It might be dangerous… after all, you never know what could happen outside.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clenched my fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, you're threatening me now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I refused to waver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I appreciate the Grand Elder's concern, but don't worry—the place I'm going to is far safer than the mighty Starlight Palace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? Is there such a place?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. I'm going to the temple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leonidas' eyes widened slightly, but he quickly masked his reaction with a smirk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forgive my bluntness, but… are you even qualified to enter that place?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sinister smile—one eerily reminiscent of Smiley's—spread across my lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was waiting for you to ask that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, trust me… I'm more than qualified.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, Leonidas' expression faltered as black energy surged around me, releasing a suffocating pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada flinched beside me, and the expressions of those around us darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elders at Leonidas' side tensed, ready to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How dare you unleash your aura before the Grand Elder?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many of them gathered their power, prepared to strike. But before they could move, an overwhelming force crashed down upon them, stopping them in their tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes turned toward the source—Carmen, radiating waves of scorching, oppressive energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a voice as cold as ice, she declared,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No one interferes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one dared to speak at that moment…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Leonidas paid no attention to those around him—his eyes remained locked onto the boy standing before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That aura… it barely qualifies as D-rank.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was his immediate thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A power of this level was nothing but child's play to him. Sure, reaching such a rank at this age was an achievement, but in his eyes, it was insignificant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leonidas struggled to maintain his composure, but he couldn't shake the feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why…? Why do I sense danger from this arrogant brat despite the overwhelming gap between us?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Leonidas didn't realize was that the threat he felt wasn't coming from me—it came from the Great Sword slumbering in my grasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that didn't matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching his expression crumble was worth every bit of effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I withdrew my aura, raising my hands in mock surrender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why so tense, everyone? Let's all just calm down, shall we?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I savored their enraged expressions before turning to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That concludes our meeting. Thank you for everything, oh great Elder Leonidas.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking a few steps, I found myself standing amidst a massive crowd—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Starlight Family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same people who had stood by in silence a year ago while I was moments away from execution in the Senate Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sinister grin, I infused my voice with aura and spread my arms in a welcoming gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? My dearest family!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swayed theatrically as I addressed the audience surrounding me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've returned! Did you miss me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I cupped a hand behind my ear, pretending to listen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As always.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's wrong? Aren't you happy to see your beloved relative? You're hurting my feelings, you know…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was when I spotted a familiar figure in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through my exhausted memory, I somehow managed to recognize him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ooooh, isn't that my dear cousin?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the confused gazes of the crowd, I dashed toward the white-haired youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I saw the disgust on his face as he shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stay away from me, you damned bastard!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emond stood in front of a woman who appeared to be in her forties, her long black hair flowing behind her. His mother, presumably, who wore the same expression as him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside them stood his twin sister, her face utterly indifferent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But where was his father—the man who had once tried to kill me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I laughed at the scene before me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's the matter, cousin? Aren't we close?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Emond held himself back from lunging at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the one standing before him was the very reason his father had suffered permanent injuries and was now imprisoned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that he knew his father had merely been a pawn in Leonidas' schemes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the hatred burning in Emond's eyes, I decided to toy with him a little more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I remember you challenging me to a duel before… How about it? Want to try again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, white flames flared up around Emond's body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The signature ability of the family's strongest warriors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his flames were so weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He growled at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I could crush you anytime, you arrogant brat!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I laughed at his confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, yeah. But let's leave it at that for now. We'll both be entering the temple soon… Let's settle this there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph, as if a lowly rat like you could even step foot inside the temple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, yes, you're amazing, dear cousin. See you there ~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a dramatic flourish, I stepped toward the edge of the crowd and took a deep bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ladies and gentlemen, the show you all came for is now over. See you later ~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I barely contained my laughter when I saw their expressions—as if they were looking at a lunatic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ada, walking beside me, seemed to share their sentiment as we boarded a carriage and finally left the place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, I'll crush Emond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, I'll deal with his father when the time is right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I never forget.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I always repay my debts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially to that bastard Leonidas…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My instincts told me that my story with that old man was far from over.\u003C\u002Fp>",1767,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.067Z","2026-06-01T04:30:13.202Z",1,"novelbin.me","93e3859d31d1b7cbc416faa196e042f4dc2967b19020ffefae678130abc77ad4","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-28","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-26",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]