[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-342":6,"glossary-terms-598":24},{"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},336529,598,"Chapter 342: The Devil’s Bargain (1)","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-342",342,"\u003Cp>Time usually passed quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not in the barren lands of the Ultras.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially for the Elite Class students, who had been scattered chaotically across the dark continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each one of them was forced into their own journey, far from home... on the other side of the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ultras\" — a term used to describe the fanatical, demon-worshiping traitors who had once turned their backs on humanity and sold their souls to the devils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, most of the low-blood humans lived in misery, stripped of all dignity and civilization, left to roam like rabid dogs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, the Elite students had finally come into contact with the eternal enemies who had long hunted them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who survived this pit of death would undoubtedly emerge stronger — assuming they survived at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, who could predict what fate the Witch’s Game — which had finally begun to unfold — would bring?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them... on a night when the moon finally pierced the clouds...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an isolated patch of this death-ridden land, sitting atop a heap of mutilated, bloody corpses ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rogue prince calmly wiped his blade clean of both black and red blood, wearing his usual faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aegon, who had been randomly teleported during the initial transfer, had found himself surrounded by a squad of mutated humans trying to rip him apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He killed them all with ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t left the area since. Instead, he remained seated for hours, as if he were waiting for something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after yet another hour, something changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aegon raised his head and smiled, his eyes fixed on a shadowed corner of the ruins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have to admit... no one’s ever made me wait this long before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words were directed at the old man who stepped out of the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dressed in tattered black rags .. a weathered kimono and faded pants tied around the waist with a sheathed katana .. barefoot, with messy long black hair, the man emerged into the moonlight and faced the prince.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry. I don’t really care for important folks’ special appointments.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man chuckled, pulling out a familiar flask from his waistband.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I eat when I’m hungry. I drink when I’m thirsty. I sleep when I’m tired... and I fight when I have to. But I’ll admit—I might’ve shown up earlier if you were a pretty princess instead of a rogue prince.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The drunken old man let out a hearty laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aegon, still crouched atop the mountain of corpses, smiled as he looked down at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s certainly a unique way to live—doing whatever you want, whenever you want... especially when you’ve got the power to back it up. Lord Mergo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m just a speck in this vast universe. My strength is insignificant. Hardly worth talking about.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mergo, the Lord of the Dark Hive, seemed as carefree as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Aegon’s eyes stayed locked on him .. curious, as if he were seeing something different... something that didn’t match the image of a drunken old fool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I must say, I admire your outlook, Lord Mergo. But I wonder... is that really all there is to you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you getting at?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can’t fool my eyes so easily. I know you’re more than what you pretend to be... You’re special.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re giving me too much credit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mergo shook his head with the same clumsy attitude, but his sharp eyes observed Aegon with equal interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The description Aegon used for Mergo could just as easily apply to himself. Behind that royal face, the prince hid more than most could imagine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s get to the point,\" Mergo said. \"I trust you brought something worth our time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aegon nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course. It would’ve gone faster if Beatrice hadn’t taken her sweet time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That crazy woman?\" Mergo sighed. \"Unfortunately, she’s the one handling your little group now. You’re already pieces in her game.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beatrice—neither a Lord nor a Hollow—seemed to have amassed considerable influence among the Ultras.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I suppose the Empire and my idiot father have finally made their move? Otherwise, why take this long just to deal with a bunch of kids from the Elite Class?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mergo chuckled at how Aegon referred to his classmates—despite being one of them himself—but he confirmed the prince’s guess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re exactly right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a heavier tone, Mergo declared:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The war has already begun on the eastern front. The Empire launched a full-scale assault to retrieve their young talents.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time in ages, the Empire had become the aggressor—baited into enemy territory by the Ultras.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then should you really be wasting time here with me, if what you say is true?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need to worry. We unleashed a starving beast that won’t rest until it’s devoured every last one of them... A beast named Pontiff Sulyvahn. Alongside two other Hollows and Madam A, who has joined them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The war is already burning that hot?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aegon scratched his head, feigning nonchalance, though clearly intrigued by what was unfolding across the continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wouldn’t call it a war. It’s more of a game.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, everything that had happened so far...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had been planned and staged in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I agree with you on that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aegon’s gaze drifted past Mergo, landing on something—or someone—lurking behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now that everyone’s here, we can finally begin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right as he said that, a tall man emerged from the darkness, dressed in a fine suit and long coat, followed by a group of men who remained behind him. Mergo was the first to greet his fellow lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Lindman. Welcome to this filthy swamp.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mergo...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a scowl, Gavid Lindman walked past his peer and locked eyes with Aegon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s get this over with. Do you have the keys?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aegon nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s no need to rush. Everything is prepared... though I can only guarantee two of the keys.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’ve already secured the others,\" Gavid replied as he pulled a strange metallic bracelet from inside his cloak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Madam A recovered the Moonlight key. And a certain guest delivered the Starlight key to us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the mention of that second key, an old man stepped forward from among Gavid’s followers and bowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I offer my service to the Higher Blood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elderly man, with long white hair and a pristine beard, was no stranger to Aegon—who couldn’t help but let out a mocking laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, well... look who we have here. Isn’t that the Immortal Lion of House Starlight? Hehehe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man was none other than Leonides Starlight, the former patriarch who abandoned everything the moment he lost to Ada.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Leonides Starlight has pledged his allegiance to the Higher Blood and proven his worth. He shall have what he desires,\" Gavid declared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My gratitude, my lord,\" Leonidas said, still bowing—never once showing his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Immortal Lion? They should’ve called you the Immortal Cat,\" Aegon snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leonides pursed his lips, humiliated by the prince’s ridicule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me, Leonides... how does it feel to have your face in the dirt after turning your back on your family? Do you feel proud?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said nothing. But Aegon could easily read everything through his body language.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A pathetic, filthy coward. Immortality is the only part of your title you managed to live up to, you damn cat who’s lived 150 years yet failed to beat a little girl—Pfftt hahahaa!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aegon burst into laughter, and Leonides began to tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trying to retort, the former head of House Starlight reached for his blade—only to be pinned to the ground by a crushing wave of pressure from Gavid Lindman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What were you about to do, Leonides?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With crimson eyes filled with killing intent, Gavid froze him in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My deepest apologies...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On his knees, Leonides bit his lip in frustration, unable to escape the miserable state he’d fallen into.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, that’s it! Stay down. Groveling suits you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impatient, Gavid raised the second key beside the first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’ve recovered the bracelets of House Starlight and House Moonlight. This had better not be a waste of time, Aegon Valerion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aegon gave a slight nod, unfazed by Gavid’s thinly veiled threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are four keys—each entrusted to the three great houses, and the royal family, just as I told you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aegon then revealed two more identical bracelets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I acquired the key of House Valerion, and the one belonging to my vassals in House Sunlight. That makes all four pieces complete.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gavid couldn’t hide his hunger as he stared at the remaining keys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these bracelets... they could finally release him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling, Aegon affirmed it once more.\u003C\u002Fp>",1422,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.346Z","2026-06-01T04:30:12.387Z",1,"novelbin.me","8499bfe8044dec9a738385d38f085cd6dc2f94dfaeae36827332ccfffcba93f7","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-343","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-341",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg",{"terms":25},[]]