[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-villain-s-pov":3,"chapter-the-villain-s-pov-the-villain-s-pov-chapter-494":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},336581,598,"Chapter 494: This Is Not the Boy You Once Knew (2)","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-494",494,"\u003Cp>The clock now read 4:00 AM.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been four hours since the first \"friendly\" duel began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for the first time,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey felt a faint burn in the muscles of his arms .. just a touch of strain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’It seems I’m starting to grow weary.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed, turning toward the crowd that still surrounded him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite all the time that had passed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the number of spectators hadn’t decreased in the slightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were over seventy thousand soldiers stationed at the camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Frey saw no point in continuing this any further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s enough for today, everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next one will be the last.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He announced with finality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd instantly erupted into protest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh? Why?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait! My turn’s still far off! I’ve been waiting forever!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please, Lord Starlight .. we need your insight!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One after another, they pleaded,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and Frey frowned reflexively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Are these really the Empire’s strongest soldiers?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it feels like I’m surrounded by a bunch of kids.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t understand it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what Frey didn’t realize was that he had already earned their admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t seen himself fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know how mesmerizing his combat style looked to others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to Shadow Adaptation, Frey had become immune to most combat styles in the world ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>especially now that he had nearly mastered the first phase of the ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might still struggle against truly complex techniques, but the soldiers before him were far too basic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dealing with them had been effortless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite their insistence, Frey had already made up his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One last duel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One more match, then this was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because if he gave in to their demands now, he’d be here until sunrise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with his firm stance, the soldiers could only accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One duel remained ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and the lucky challenger was just about to step into the ring...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the last moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>someone unexpected stepped forward,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>his voice ringing out loud and clear:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Would you allow me the honor, Lord Starlight?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a voice most had never heard before .. but to Frey... it felt familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding soldiers turned in frustration, wondering who this arrogant newcomer was that dared to cut in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then they saw him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His presence alone ..along with the escorts that flanked him ..caused the air around them to grow colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stunning young man stood there ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>with long, sky-blue hair, a light beard that hinted at maturity, and a body that radiated crushing pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many recognized him instantly ..he was one of the commanders selected to lead the Empire’s massive army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes were now fixed on him ..and on the entourage that followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t come alone. Dozens of beautiful women accompanied him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey showed little reaction, but it was clear from the look in his eyes—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t pleased to see this man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Frost Moonlight...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current Lord of House Moonlight, accompanied by several sons and daughters of his bloodline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him walked Seris Moonlight as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed the Church had restored her severed arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Frost ..who had refused such intervention and continued to live with one arm since the tragedy that struck House Moonlight two years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seris looked far more stunning than she once had ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>maturity now graced her features.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s been a while, Frey... I see you’re still as radiant as ever.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She initiated the conversation herself ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>something highly uncharacteristic of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey responded with a calm smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m nothing compared to you. Your beauty alone has stolen the spotlight from me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He motioned toward the soldiers whose jaws had collectively dropped at the sight of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized he was no longer the star of the show.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldiers instantly caught on that he was referring to them, and many of them straightened up awkwardly ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>prompting a round of unexpected laughter from both Frost and Seris.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>House Moonlight, once known for its icy detachment, suddenly seemed... warmer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That surprised Frey more than anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning his attention back to Frost—who had been staring at him since the beginning—Frey finally gave his answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t mind dueling you, Lord Frost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the decision isn’t mine to make ..it belongs to the soldier whose turn you’re trying to steal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey gestured toward a middle-aged man standing in line ..a commoner with no known background ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a man who had been waiting patiently for his long-awaited chance to face him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Frost wanted to fight Frey,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he would have to ask that man for permission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey had no intention of yielding ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>even to the lord of a great noble house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It might have seemed disrespectful,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but Frey didn’t care much for titles or noble lineage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprisingly, his words didn’t provoke any offense from Lord Frost Moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, the man nodded with a faint smile and walked straight up to the waiting soldier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, without hesitation, he bowed his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forgive me, brave warrior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would you allow me to take this duel in your place?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do me this favor, and I will never forget your kindness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frost’s words ..his tone ..his humility in addressing a mere foot soldier...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>left the crowd stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Frey’s expression shifted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arrogant lord of noble blood ..Frost Moonlight ..bowing to a nameless commoner?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey never imagined he’d witness such a thing in his lifetime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only ones who didn’t look surprised were Frost’s family members.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had known for a long time that something inside him had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her eyes closed, Seris nodded softly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a satisfied smile on her face at her cousin’s gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the soldier, he could only nod repeatedly in flustered agreement,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>still overwhelmed by the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frost expressed his gratitude before turning back to face Frey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Will this do, Frey Starlight?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked, meeting his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey nodded and gestured for him to step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then let’s begin, Lord Frost Moonlight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frost returned the gesture with solemn weight ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then took his first step into the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You won’t be able to beat him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those were the words Seris spoke as he passed by her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frost didn’t deny it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply kept walking... with a soft smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew very well ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Frey standing before him now...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>was nothing like the reckless boy he had once faced two years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, Frey had been immature. Powerless. Insignificant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now... when he looked into those black eyes, deep and hollow like an abyss ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frost realized he was facing a monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A beast powerful enough to shake the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come to me... Spear of Ice—Reimshard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Summoning his radiant weapon, Frost’s body erupted with a terrifying aura of frozen power ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>so cold that the air around them began to freeze over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current Lord of House Moonlight had become far stronger than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey could sense it clearly ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>his opponent’s strength had reached the peak of S+ class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had climbed two full ranks since their last encounter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing an opponent unleashing his full might, Frey raised his hand as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come to me... Demon-Slayer—Dark Sister.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gripping the black katana in his right hand,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frey responded to Frost’s freezing aura with one of his own ..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then pointed the blade toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s begin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1214,"2026-05-30T03:41:22.347Z","2026-06-01T04:30:12.387Z",1,"novelbin.me","7b2cc6f17ec344f6c4af25d05b11f0468aaac6192ea243d500d785815dfbb24c","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-495","the-villain-s-pov-chapter-493",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-villain-s-pov-cover.jpg"]