[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-396":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},336972,598,"Chapter 396: Maria (2)","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-396",396,"\u003Cp>She actually laughed—at Daemon’s reasoning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With blood-soaked strikes launched at terrifying speed, she overwhelmed him with ruthless precision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was born and orphaned in the war against the Empire seventeen years ago. Demon’s blood was injected into my body at age six. And by ten, I had already become a contracted Highblood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The humans of the Ultras Continent were nothing more than test subjects to the demons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every single one of them had been forcibly injected with demonic blood—no exceptions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of those who underwent the procedure turned into mindless beasts, living like animals. They were known as the Lesser Blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But those who survived the injection and adapted to the demonic blood...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were the Greater Blood ... humans who lived their lives like anyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contract and the blood bound them eternally, making any act of rebellion against their demon master nearly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What choice are you even talking about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maria unleashed an even more explosive surge of power .. Her blade faster, sharper, deadlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From the very beginning, it took the Empire only minutes to declare us guilty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tainted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doomed to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They cast us aside and branded us monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even human anymore—just the same as the demons.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between humans born in the Empire and others born among the Ultras ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The difference wasn’t in species, but in blood...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that made all the difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I told you to stop spouting that nonsense!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daemon roared, pressing forward with full force, Ignoring the cracks spreading across his golden armor ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trying to breach Maria’s unrelenting defense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You had your chances! And you threw them all away!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gates were sealed years ago! No demons can reach this place anymore ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why do you keep raising your swords against us?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re nothing but lying degenerates!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the face of that outburst...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maria laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the second time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The gates were sealed...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is that what you really believe, Empire warrior?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOOM!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her aura exploded like never before as she stabbed her own elbow ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unleashing a greater torrent of blood than ever before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her power surged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You fool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you think for even a moment that a flimsy human seal could keep demons away forever...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then you’ve truly been living in a dream.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world was vast .. far beyond what Daemon could imagine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Maria made that clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wake up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s no such thing as safety.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She declared it outright ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gates were already open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daemon’s eyes narrowed in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Maria didn’t care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t misunderstand, Empire warrior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We don’t need your pity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We don’t want your help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We chose to fight this war on our own terms a long time ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her attacks accelerated—again—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strike after strike crashing into the Golden Dragon Armor, piling up visible damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But don’t think for a second that you and your kind have any right to judge us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our fate is our own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We lived in blood—and we’ll continue to live that way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those words, Maria unleashed a crimson cocoon that completely surrounded Daemon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he managed to block it using his explosive lightning aura,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her strikes were too fast—too precise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had him cornered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daemon fought back for as long as he could ... But eventually, he reached his limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized it the moment a sharp pain ripped through him ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His right leg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a blood-soaked slash, Maria severed Daemon’s leg .. Her relentless strikes having focused with cunning precision on one single point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The loss threw him off balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He crashed to the ground—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And before he could react, Maria stood over him, her blade against his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the end.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said it plainly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daemon stared up at the sword looming above him, Its edge growing before his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, for the first time ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood he might actually die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I WON’T LOSE!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a monstrous scream, Daemon’s lightning aura burst violently outward, flinging Maria away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rose—on one leg—and with a desperate swing, unleashed a devastating punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dragon Gate: Lightning Phantom!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blazing beam of destruction shot forth from his fist, Crashing into Maria and launching her through a wall, While his lightning roared behind, trying to incinerate her completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maria endured the suicidal attack with difficulty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the dust settled, she stood again, staring at the blood-drenched man before her .. Still upright, still defiant, still bleeding from his severed leg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"HAAAAAAAAAAAH!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With another thunderous scream,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daemon funneled every ounce of strength into his armor—responding to his will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The armor pulsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A golden prosthetic leg formed over his missing limb, shaped entirely from the Fume Knight armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daemon stood tall again—on two legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t care about your damned logic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or your hollow words.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Panting heavily, He forced the lightning from his body again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All I know is this—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I will kill you here, no matter the cost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His resolve was terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even half-dead, Daemon Valerion stood ready to fight again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Maria wasn’t moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because she too had something unshakable within her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The same goes for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I told you from the beginning—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have to kill you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that’s exactly what I’ll do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raising her right palm,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She aimed it straight at Daemon—ready for the next round.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Daemon was about to strike ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t move anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the—?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He screamed in shock as his body seized up. His legs gave in. His arms stopped responding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, slowly...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His entire body began to float—suspended in the air, completely paralyzed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Maria raised her hand toward Dawn ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he, too, was ensnared by the same mysterious force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell is going on?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daemon struggled violently, but it was no use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s useless,\" Maria said coldly. \"I’ve already seen your blood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her crimson eyes glowing like rubies,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maria advanced—blood still pouring freely from her wounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood Bind ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A terrifying ability that allowed her to control the blood of her enemies,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>once she had laid eyes on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The technique had strict conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in Daemon’s case—he had already lost too much blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He no longer had the strength to resist her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the end.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using their own blood against them, Maria immobilized both Daemon and Dawn,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intending to finish them off swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daemon cursed furiously, trying to summon more power ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But nothing worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could do nothing but watch as the woman who had defeated both him and Dawn prepared to deliver the final blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as she was about to sever their necks ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new voice echoed across the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, well... what do we have here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young man appeared above the ruined arena, Looking down at them with his usual lazy grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You seem to be struggling, cousin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aegon!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daemon shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maria frowned, narrowing her eyes at the approaching duo ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aegon Valerion and Selena Hemsworth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right on time, the unexpected reinforcements arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selena fired her magic without hesitation, forcing Maria to retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her spell shattered the Blood Bind, freeing both Daemon and Dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\" Empyrean Maria, is it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve heard plenty about you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drawing his sword, Aegon stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s see what you’re really made of.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle flipped in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a one-sided slaughter ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To four against one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By sheer \"coincidence,\" Selena’s witch mark had led them straight here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maria blinked slowly, taking in her surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this just bad luck... Or something else entirely?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It started with Daemon arriving the moment she’d defeated Dawn ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Aegon right after she beat Daemon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was being pulled to this exact spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only this one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other elite students had witch marks too—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could have gone anywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they all came to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s when Maria glanced at Dawn, lying behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bitter smile crept onto her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So that’s it...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would’ve thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d end up against a boy with unnatural luck, Luck that defied the laws of life itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Last Survivor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what happens—he always survives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if others needed help more...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything had been drawn to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, surrounded by enemies—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Aegon, whose presence she couldn’t even read ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maria realized her odds were nonexistent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clutching her sword ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She drove the blade straight into her own chest, Right in front of everyone’s horrified eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was a good fight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She yanked the blade out, blood gleaming ominously on the edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then raised it skyward...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a crimson glow exploded from her entire body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"RUN!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aegon shouted the order just in time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone turned and bolted ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice slicing through the chaos like lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the moment he screamed ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bloody explosion erupted from within Maria, Unleashing a tidal wave of gore in all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cataclysmic surge that devoured everything in its path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle had ended in a way no one could have predicted ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a crimson explosion that painted the field in blood.\u003C\u002Fp>",1502,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.347Z","2026-06-01T04:30:13.202Z",1,"novelbin.me","72b786292424cdeea2ca5a45fb1e3500bb574ee0f9bf5dc563d76e415e3e1c12","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-90","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-89",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]