THE VILLAIN'S POV

Chapter 423: A Dark Fate (1)

- Frey Starlight’s POV -

Barely two days had passed since we escaped that cursed land of the Ultras, yet I already found myself at a dead end when it came to saving Danzo.

Sitting on one of the temple’s benches, staring at the small indoor pond before me, my thoughts wandered far away.

Apparently, my brooding expression bothered Uriel, who sat beside me. She eventually broke the silence.

”Frey, forgive my question, but how can you be so sure that your friend has a demonic power inside him?”

Hearing that, I stared at her for several long seconds before sighing heavily and turning my gaze away once more.

There was no way I could explain the system to her .. not even to Uriel, who had helped me time and time again without asking for anything in return.

”Let’s just say I have my ways...”

I gave her a vague answer. Uriel didn’t seem too satisfied with it, but she chose not to call me out on it.

She was always considerate like that.

”Should we try again later? Maybe my holy power will work next time.”

I shook my head in response.

”There’s no need. You’ve already done enough, Uriel.”

If someone as pure as her couldn’t detect the seed, then no one else in the church could either. That alone ruled out the entire holy faction.

”So what do you plan to do now?”

”I don’t know.”

I was completely in the dark this time, unable to find a way forward no matter how hard I tried.

Uriel wanted to help. I appreciated that.

She was one of the main heroines of my old novel. I knew well that everything she did came from her kindness. If she saw someone in need, she would never hesitate to help. Even her earlier words about me owing her something... they were just her way of making me feel less guilty for receiving her help. She was always considerate like that.

Without realizing it, a faint smile crept onto my face.

The saintess, Uriel...

The cold princess of the Moonlight family, Seris...

The mysterious witch, Selina...

The Empyrean Maria...

And finally, the miracle... Audrey.

Each of the five main heroines had something unique that set them apart from the others. Their abilities made them destined to become great powers in the future.

Especially the last one.

”...Audrey.”

Thinking of her, I wondered if she had been here, would she have found a way to save Danzo with her special powers?

But she wouldn’t be appearing anytime soon. I had no way of reaching her. After all, she wasn’t even on this planet.

Knowing that only deepened my despair.

Noticing the darkness surrounding me like a suffocating aura, Uriel tried to shift the subject.

”So, what will you do now?”

She was referring to the ongoing war between us and the Ultras, subtly reminding me of the looming future.

”I heard the current emperor is working tirelessly to rescue the missing soldiers from the bay. Once he succeeds... the war is expected to erupt again, fiercer than ever.”

Sir Alon Valerion.

A veteran warrior, terrifyingly strong, with vast experience and abilities that put him on par with Dragoth.

Uriel was asking me indirectly if I planned to participate in the war.

My answer was simple.

”I don’t know.”

I had no problem returning to that continent and fighting until my body gave out. Maybe I’d find some kind of release if I did. Maybe I’d find that bastard who did this to Danzo.

But right now, I felt no desire to do so. All I wanted was to save my friend lying in the Silver Dragon Guild’s infirmary.

Without realizing it, I trembled every time the thought crossed my mind.

’What if the thirty days run out... and I still can’t save him?’

Then, I’d be forced to kill him... with my own hands.

Staring at those hands, I couldn’t accept that outcome no matter how hard I tried.

The system was pushing me toward that moment .. the very thing I was desperately trying to avoid.

And so, I spent most of my time lost in that dark mental space, sitting quietly beside Uriel, unable to utter a single word.

But everything changed a few minutes later.

When I received an unexpected message from Ghost.

The moment I read it, I shot up from my seat.

”What happened?” Uriel asked, startled.

”Danzo... he woke up.”

It was an ironic twist.

We’d been at his side less than an hour ago.

Looking at him in that state, unconscious and broken, I thought he’d remain like that for a long time.

But he shattered that expectation immediately, waking up on the second day.

I was surprised, but Uriel seemed as though she had expected it all along.

”I healed most of his internal injuries with my holy power. Once his condition stabilized, it wasn’t surprising that he woke up sooner than expected.”

Still, she hadn’t been able to cure his paralysis or restore his ability to use aura.

Even so, I was grateful to her.

And so, I found myself rushing back to the Silver Dragon Guild without delay.

When we arrived, I found several familiar faces waiting.

”Frey... you’re finally here.”

It was Snow.

Standing with him were Ghost and Dawn.

This was the first time I had seen them since we parted ways at the teleportation gate.

”Why haven’t you gone in yet?” I asked, a bit rushed, seeing them all gathered at the entrance.

”Well... it seems the guild master is causing a bit of a scene right now,” Snow said with a faint smile.

It looked like Adam Smasher hadn’t been able to control himself after his only son regained consciousness.

The others seemed relieved too, thinking Danzo had already overcome the worst.

I was the last to arrive, along with Uriel, who had come of her own will, wanting to check on Danzo one last time.

But we didn’t have to wait long. As soon as Adam Smasher heard we were there, he personally came out to greet us.

When that massive man appeared, grabbing my hand with his enormous grip, tears welled in the corners of his sharp eyes as he thanked me.

”Thank you... thank you so much... thank you.”

His gratitude was directed at both me and Uriel, standing beside me.

To him, we were the ones who saved his son.

But in the face of his gratitude, I could only offer a hollow nod.

Adam didn’t dwell on it and quickly allowed us inside to see Danzo.

And then, the long-awaited moment finally arrived.

The moment we stepped into his room, that sharp scent of medicine filled my nose once again.

But whether it was me or the others, we all froze at the doorway, staring at the figure lying on the bed .. leaving an awkward silence between us.