[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-462":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},336549,598,"Chapter 462: Glory to the Empire (1)","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-462",462,"\u003Cp>– Frey Starlight’s Pov –\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the snow continued to fall endlessly over the western edge of the Empire...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Winterfell stood shrouded in white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, the ships were prepared, battered constantly by the freezing sea waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empire’s fleet was moments away from launching its most decisive raid yet against the Ultras.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among all the ships, there was one that stood out ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A black vessel bearing the banners of the major noble families and ruling powers of the human side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the ship leading the vanguard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I was on board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the other ships, which were packed with soldiers, this one held only the members of our special squad ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the exception of the ship’s captain, who handled the helm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That man was an old sailor with rough features and a missing eye, giving him the look of a pirate in my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spent most of his time chatting with Bloodmader, the two of them speaking endlessly about life, past wars, and stories they both lived through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man wasn’t exactly normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could even be called insane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, only a madman would willingly board the vessel destined to be the very first to encounter the Ultras’ retaliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when I really thought about it, maybe that old man was wiser than the rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the sheer amount of power packed onto this ship, our odds of being completely wiped out were very, very low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing on the starboard side, I gazed out into the void ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Toward the frozen sea we were about to cross.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’ll take us two full days to reach the Bay of Shezclar... the same place where the last battle took place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I stared into the waves, a voice joined me ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My friend, and partner-in-crime: Ghost Umbra.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wore a full black outfit that resembled the assassins from games like Assassin’s Creed, complete with a hood and lightweight gear that made movement easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What I wore wasn’t all that different... except mine was much heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not much left then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I commented indifferently, standing shoulder to shoulder as we both stared out at the sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come to think of it... it was snowing hard that night too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah. Red and white go well together, don’t they?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This pure snow is far too easy to dye red.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ghost said that with a strange calm ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And we both remembered that night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The night we killed someone we once called a brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking back, I remembered something Ghost said that night ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something about consequences. About paying the price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That we had become sinners now... and would be punished for what we’d done sooner or later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe the price will be paid soon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It will be.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ghost’s reply confirmed we were thinking the same thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We both smiled grimly, leaning against the railing of the ship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just make sure we kill the bastards who caused all this before our turn comes. Let’s make them pay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He voiced what was already obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t even need to say it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, don’t worry. I’ll make sure they do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could barely restrain my killing intent in this moment ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blades inside me trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ultras, Gvardiol, and perhaps even Beatrice, since she was the one behind that cursed game...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d all get their fair share.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you two doing, off on your own in a place like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wearing his gleaming armor, our third companion approached ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Unlike you and your shining presence, we prefer the shadows.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We looked dull compared to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow sighed in frustration, clearly feeling left out again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s not like I chose to be in the spotlight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that doesn’t change the fact that you’re the star tonight, does it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No comment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow scratched his head, visibly annoyed by the responsibility that had been suddenly dumped on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the crowned hero and wielder of Vermithor, he’d been chosen to give the speech before the raid began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words would be heard by the entire ten-thousand-strong fleet,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As well as the entire force stationed at Winterfell’s military harbor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I found the whole situation amusing ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because with my face, I was never going to be picked for that job anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s with that look? All you have to do is go up there and say a few flowery words. That’s it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Easier said than done.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow continued grumbling, leaning on the railing beside us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked more nervous about giving that speech than about the war itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me give you a little tip. It might help make your big moment better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? I’m listening.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he showed interest, I gave him my advice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s simpler than you think.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humans are easy to lead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All you need is something flashy ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a bright explosion, or fireworks right as you finish your speech.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was completely serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Snow didn’t seem to believe me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And here I thought you were going to give me some real advice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am serious so you know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That just makes it worse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Ghost agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t think something like that would work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To him, it sounded just as ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Neither of you understand the art of presentation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn’t much I could say if they refused to believe me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We kept talking about it for a while longer, sharing moments that felt like echoes from the past...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until silence finally settled between us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s our first time again since Londor, isn’t it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow brought it up—our old adventure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The time we traveled to another planet in search of the unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, it wasn’t a different world...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a different continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah. This time, it’ll be even harder.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this was war.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s give it everything we’ve got...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For those still alive ahead of us ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the dead we left behind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow clenched his fist, golden eyes glowing with determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for me and Ghost, our expressions darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We both fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow was probably thinking about him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Danzo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pang of guilt struck me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the only one we had left in the dark...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only one who didn’t know what really happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow was the very definition of a hero—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something far too bright when compared to someone like me... or an assassin like Ghost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would’ve never agreed to what we did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would never have killed Danzo ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even in the final moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe he would’ve let him fully turn into a demon first, Then fought him afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because... that’s just the kind of person he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why we had to keep him out of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We both carried the weight of that choice—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And neither of us dared to imagine how he’d react .. If he ever found out that I was the one who killed Danzo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And no one else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I often wondered how he’d take it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe he’d resent me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe he’d hate me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What I did know... was that my friendship with the Empire’s shining hero was starting to buckle under the weight of secrets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I didn’t know what the future held for us.\u003C\u002Fp>",1204,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.347Z","2026-06-01T04:30:12.387Z",1,"novelbin.me","64a843f202b3239825463d74c2ac070d036c42bc939be40ba9980d2a68555d9d","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-463","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-461",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]