The villain's side of the novel

Chapter 197  The Aftermath

As the Boss fell lifeless and the immense energy that once radiated from its massive form dissipated into the air, a solemn silence settled upon the battlefield. The hordes of monsters let out feeble final roars before collapsing to the ground, following their leader.

The knights, their bodies battered and exhausted, stood amidst the wreckage, surveying the aftermath of the battle. Their breaths were heavy with a mixture of relief and weariness as they gathered with Fray and the others.

"Let's wait for the dungeon to crumble," Fray ordered, prompting the knights to let their exhausted bodies fall to the ground with tired sighs escaping their mouths.

"Is your injury okay, Sina?" Isha asked with concern as she looked at Sina's bloody shoulder.

"Yes, I'm fine. And what about you? Did you suffer any injuries?" Sina replied.

"No, I didn't sustain any serious injuries."

As the two girls ensured each other's safety, they turned to Rin, who was gazing away with a distant expression. "Rin, what are you looking at?"

"The master," Rin replied, and the two girls followed his gaze to Fray, who stood with his hands hanging limply and his body covered in wounds. Elisa was exploring the fallen knights nearby. "He's gathering their bodies."

Silent moments turned into hours, and the battlefield began to transform. The once-frozen wasteland started to crack and crumble, and the fabric of space seemed to shatter.

"The dungeon is collapsing. Get ready!" Adam shouted.

Thus, the dungeon that had been the source of their arduous journey began to fade away, disappearing into the void from which it came.

With a sudden shift, the group found themselves no longer standing on solid ground. Instead, they were surrounded by an expanse of open water, with the vast sea stretching out in all directions. It was a stark contrast to the desolate frozen landscape they had grown accustomed to.

Fray, floating in the water, looked ahead and saw two large wooden ships, their sails billowing in the wind, floating gracefully on the gentle waves.

In response to their need, the water beneath them began to stir. It rose in gentle waves, forming a pathway that led directly to the deck of one of the ships. The group, astonished, followed the path and climbed aboard, finding solace for their exhausted bodies on the ship's deck.

As they stepped onto the ship, they were greeted by a familiar face. Giam, merged with his spirit, stood waiting. He was accompanied by a group of healing mages, their hands aglow with restorative magic.

"Welcome back, sir," Giam greeted them with a big smile.

The weary warriors stepped onto the ship and allowed their bodies to once again rest on its surface. The healing mages attended to their injuries with skilled hands, channeling their magic to soothe pain, mend broken bones, and heal torn flesh. The gentle glow of healing energy enveloped their bodies, bringing relief and rejuvenation.

Fray, his exhausted form slumped against the ship's railing, felt a surge of relief for the healers' assistance. He watched as Elisa, Adam, Montaser, and all the others received the care they needed, their expressions easing with every passing moment.

Unbeknownst to the group, a small blue orb hovered above them as they received healing on the ship. This orb, unknown to them, had been observing their every move and recording their journey. It pulsed with a faint glow as it transmitted their experiences to a certain individual in a hotel room in Iskar City Port.

Inside the hotel room, a figure sat in a plush chair, their attention fixed on a holographic display that projected the events unfolding on the ship. It was a man of mysterious demeanor, his eyes sharp and calculating, as he watched the warriors being tended to by the healing mages.

The holographic display showed every detail—the fading of the dungeon's portal, the weary expressions on their faces, the skilled movements of the healing mages, and the glow of restorative magic enveloping their bodies. The man leaned forward, his gaze unwavering, as he absorbed every nuance of the scene.

As the healing mages tended to the warriors' injuries, the small blue orb floated beside the mysterious figure in the hotel room. The orb emitted a soft glow, its energy pulsating with an otherworldly presence. It seemed to communicate with the figure, transmitting messages through a series of dialogues that played out in the room.

"They managed to conquer it. This exceeded my expectations," a voice echoed from the orb.

The figure in the chair nodded. "Indeed, they emerged victorious."

"But look at them now," another voice chimed in. "They spent over a month in a mere four-star dungeon, relying on their strongest warriors and even seeking help from the Arezo family. It's rather pathetic."

The figure's gaze turned to the holographic display, taking note of the warriors' worn-out appearances. "True, their condition is less than ideal. It seems they have pushed themselves to their limits."

"And did you notice? The head of the Arezo family did not return," a voice pointed out.

"Perhaps the Parada family has betrayed him," another voice suggested.

"Ah, it seems our suspicions were correct. The members of the Parada family cannot be trusted," a deep voice exclaimed.

"So, it is clear that the Parada family is not a threat," a voice concluded.

The figure leaned back in the chair, and a sense of relief washed over him. "Indeed, they are weak. The Parada family's influence and power will dwindle in the future, for sure."

With that, the dialogues ceased, leaving the figure to ponder the next steps in their intricate plan. As the holographic display continued to project the scene on the ship, the figure's eyes gleamed with anticipation, aware that this was just one piece of a much larger puzzle.

-----

Far away, inside the vast throne room, darkness enveloped the space, broken only by the faint glow of torches lining the walls. The air was heavy with an aura of power and malevolence, and a sense of anticipation hung in the stillness.

Seated upon the imposing throne, a figure of immense stature observed the holographic projection unfolding before them. Their dark skin contrasted sharply against the luminous glow emanating from the projection, their eyes reflecting a mix of boredom and disdain.

The figure had a cold and bored look on their face, exuding a unique and mysterious presence that commanded attention. They wore an intricately designed cloak adorned with symbols of ancient power and authority. As they watched the battle between the group of warriors and the boss unfold, a deep sigh escaped their lips.

"They are even weaker now," the figure muttered in a low, rumbling voice, the sound reverberating throughout the throne room. "This is boring."

With a flick of their hand, the holographic projection vanished, leaving the room once again in darkness. The figure reclined further into the throne, their thoughts consumed by a mixture of apathy and frustration.

"They are all but insignificant ants scurrying in the shadows," the figure mused, their voice filled with a sense of disdain. "It seems that the prophecy was wrong after all."

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