THE VILLAIN'S POV Chapter 695: The Empire’s Final Light

The Shadow Sect, located within the Eastern Nightmare Lands, had been transformed into a sanctuary for the scattered and lost remnants of the Empire’s forces.

Although Frey Starlight had intervened to save them from certain slaughter, the spirit of the survivors was utterly crushed.

The surviving soldiers numbered only a few thousand, and the majority were psychologically devastated, their minds consumed by the horrors they had witnessed.

This despair was evident in the hollow expressions of those slumped against the sect’s freezing stone walls, silent and unresponsive.

Not only had they suffered the loss of countless brothers-in-arms, but they had also been forced to endure the terrifying presence of a Rank Four High Demon.

The mere sight of Wesker had shattered their resolve and completely shifted their perception of what true power meant.

His strength was so incomprehensibly vast that simply looking at him was enough to drain a man of his will to resist.

A realization had taken root: they were powerless to affect him. In his presence, their very lives felt devoid of meaning.

To Wesker, even SS+ powerhouses were nothing more than insignificant insects.

With this knowledge, the soldiers abandoned any hope of standing their ground.

While many surrendered to hopelessness, others made desperate attempts to flee the sect, driven by a frantic need to protect their families back in the Empire...

however, every path out was obstructed by black statues.

Regardless of their desires, they were effectively prisoners within the Shadow Sect.

Snow Lionheart moved through the sect's streets with a heavy gait, taking in the grim surroundings.

The White Knight of the Earth—the Pure Vessel—had stood alongside Frey Starlight against Wesker. Despite the severe injuries sustained in that brutal conflict, he remained upright, a testament to his growth.

He had truly proven himself worthy of being called the Pure Vessel.

With Frey currently unconscious, Snow had stepped up as the de facto leader and representative of humanity.

After inspecting the traumatized imperial troops, Snow headed toward the sect's perimeter where the statues stood guard.

He saw the laughing statue and the weeping statue.

Then there was the familiar third one: the angry statue... Angry.

That specific statue occupied the front line, sealing the exit.

As Snow drew near, the statues shifted in unison to face him, led by Angry, as if bracing for a confrontation.

Snow halted, and a tense silence fell between them.

His gaze shimmered with a brilliant, holy light as he scrutinized Angry’s state, allowing him to sense the full depth of the statue's Cultivation.

A genuine SSS-rank aura was pulsing from the figure.

"...So you were concealing your true strength back then."

Snow whispered to himself, realizing how reckless he had been during their first encounter in Londor.

At that time, Snow couldn't even fathom Angry’s actual power; he had simply charged forward in a blind rage, convinced he could win.

But now, the dynamic had shifted entirely.

Snow remained composed before the statues. Both he and the guardians understood the consequences should he choose to exert his full might.

If he were to fight with everything he had, they would be unable to contain him.

Essentially, the restriction imposed by the statues applied to everyone except Snow.

Nevertheless, he refrained from violence for two specific reasons:

First, he intended to wait for Frey’s recovery, and second, he recognized that these statues were Frey’s allies rather than foes.

Adyr’s current state served as sufficient evidence.

Adyr was present among them, having survived only because Frey intervened at the last possible second. His physical condition was gruesome; anyone looking at him would marvel that he remained alive at all.

The nature of the Shadow Sect remained a mystery. Even with his memories as the Pure Vessel, Snow knew little of it, as the sect had emerged after his era.

Consequently, he stayed alert, moving through the gloomy corridors with caution.

"Your motives and the reasons you fight are unknown to me. However, I ask this: protect the humans within these walls. At least until we have recovered enough to return to the battle."

Snow spoke with total sincerity, devoid of any aggression.

Though Angry was incapable of speech, the statue gave a slow nod.

It was a silent pact.

"...My thanks."

Snow offered a short bow and turned away, making his way toward the central temple of the Shadow Sect, where Adyr had directed them to place the unconscious Frey.

Inside the temple, familiar figures were gathered—the elite class, and Phoenix, who was the only high-ranking officer present.

Others, including Iris Sunlight and the survivors of House Valerion, had been denied entry.

It appeared that only those with a specific connection to Frey were allowed in his proximity.

The temple was vast, and even with the group assembled, they occupied only a small corner of the space.

Frey was positioned on a stone altar at the far end of the hall, resting under Adyr’s supervision.

Adyr was there as well, seemingly having just finished a conversation with Ghost.

Upon Snow’s arrival, Adyr shifted his attention.

While Adyr had previously been too broken to communicate, he could now sit up despite his horrific injuries, sustained by a sheer, indomitable will.

"Warrior of the Shadow Sect... I trust you are now prepared to speak," Snow stated, his patience finally exhausted.

Adyr hesitated for a moment before nodding.

He hadn't expected to live through the ordeal. Since Frey had preserved his life, and since Gehrman had issued no contrary instructions, Adyr concluded the Engineer did not mind him aiding the humans.

He would provide whatever assistance he could.

"I am aware you seek answers," Adyr said in a low voice.

"However, it would be prudent to wait for Frey Starlight to wake. He should be present to hear this as well."

"No."

Snow interrupted him firmly.

"You will tell us now."

A heavy silence filled the room.

The elite class grew tense and anxious.

Adyr was an intimidating figure.

Yet, Snow did not flinch.

Adyr let out a slow breath.

He couldn't refuse. His body was a wreck, with only half a face and a single arm remaining.

"...Very well."

Adyr had managed some self-repair, but he would never regain his full strength unless his creator restored him—meaning Nameless himself.

"What is it you want to know?" Adyr inquired.

Snow responded instantly:

"Who are you? What connects you to Frey? And what, exactly, is this place?"

These were the mysteries that troubled Snow the most.

Adyr answered without pausing.

"We are the warriors of the Shadow Sect. We serve only one King, one Master. He is nameless, and his true identity is a secret. The ancients referred to him as Nameless. And Frey Starlight, resting there... is his chosen vessel and incarnation."

"To put it simply, we are Frey Starlight’s allies. This means we are indirectly on your side as well... so there is no need for concern, Lightbearer."

As he spoke, Adyr slowly stood up.

His height was so immense that Snow had to tilt his head back to maintain eye contact.

"My Lord Nameless was the sole being capable of opposing the Demon King in the past... and he remains humanity’s only hope. The strength Frey Starlight has shown thus far is but a meager shadow of my King’s true potential. Once he reaches his peak... he will stand against the Demon King once more."

Adyr stepped closer to where Frey lay.

"In the ancient past, we allied with the human heroes to consolidate our strength for the inevitable war against the demons... a time when Frey Starlight would emerge and the King’s return would be prepared. That time has arrived."

"Even now, the Great Houses and the most powerful warriors of the previous era are fighting within the Empire to safeguard humanity. The war continues, and victory is possible."

These words sent a shockwave through almost everyone present.

Who could have guessed that the leaders of the Starlight, Moonlight, and Sunlight families were still alive and fighting?

Snow, however, remained calm. He had known this all along.