THE VILLAIN'S POV

Chapter 108: Schemes in the Shadows

- Frey Starlightʼs Pov -

”Seriously?”

It was gone…

The massive door, large enough to accommodate ten people at once, had vanished completely.

”Should I ask someone about it?”

No… No one here would give me an answer.

I had wanted to explore that library further, but that was no longer an option.

With a reluctant sigh, I turned away and walked down the corridor, oblivious to the pair of eyes that had been watching me all along.

Now that I had time before my training with Carmen, I decided to put it to use—finding the one who cursed me.

Someone of high status. Someone stronger than the original Frey.

My expression turned blank at that last thought.

Everyone in this castle was stronger than the original Frey.

The SSS-rank aura had only appeared after I arrived in this world. At best, Freyʼs aura had been a mere D-rank.

First, I needed to rule out those who wanted me dead. If one of them was responsible, I wouldnʼt be standing here.

No, it had to be someone hidden in the shadows—someone who had yet to reveal themselves.

I needed to draw them out.

Lost in thought, I eventually found myself back in the grand hall of Moonlight Castle.

The place was lined with portraits of dozens of individuals—each one a figure who had carved their name into history.

Among them was the father of this body… Abraham Starlight.

One by one, I observed the different historical figures.

Some I recognized, others I didnʼt.

Then, I reached a frame much larger than the rest.

Standing before it was a familiar figure, gazing at it with a vacant expression.

Seris.

Of course, she had already noticed me.

How ironic. In a place this vast, the two people who shouldnʼt have met were the ones who did.

But this time, I didnʼt ignore her.

Freyʼs body was no longer beyond my control, and there was a chance I could get some information from her.

So,I approached her.

”Our paths cross again, Seris.”

As always, she masked her emotions perfectly, her face unreadable.

”What do you want?”

”Unlike before… nothing.”

I turned to the portrait she had been staring at.

A man in his forties. White hair, a strong physique, a light beard, and sharp features.

”Lord Drogo Moonlight, huh?”

Just saying his name was enough to make her expression waver, if only for a moment.

A name she didnʼt like hearing.

I knew I wouldnʼt get a normal conversation out of her, so I decided to push a little further.

”Still thinking about your late father, are you?”

”Stop. Donʼt talk about him. Just leave—I donʼt want any of this.”

So she couldnʼt stand my presence, huh?

I smirked and asked, ”Tell me… do you wish for my death?”

”…”

She didnʼt answer. She just stared at me with those crystal-like eyes.

But I caught her off guard when I pulled a slender sword from my ring and tossed it at her feet.

”If you want to kill me, then do it. Unlike everyone else in this castle, youʼre the only one with the right to.”

Seris glanced at the sword, then back at me.

”What game are you playing?”

I frowned.

”No game. Iʼm just tired of watching your family try to kill me while you sit there like it has nothing to do with you.”

I took a step closer.

”Pick it up and do it.”

Despite my provocation, she didnʼt move.

She was good at hiding her emotions… but not from me.

”Rose would be proud to see you standing your ground like this.”

Like a storm tearing through everything in its path, the calm shattered.

Any trace of composure vanished, replaced by pure hatred.

”Hah… that expression suits your face better.”

”Where did you hear that name?!”

Her cold aura surged, swirling around her in waves, but I paid it no mind.

”Where? Come closer, and youʼll get your answer.”

She was seriously considering attacking me now… but what truly surprised me was the fact that she held herself back.

Just how much self-control did she have?

”Show your true colors. Come at me—like you did with the Mad Lord.”

Ugh—!

The moment I said those words, I collapsed to one knee, clutching my chest.

Thump

Thump

Thump

”Hah…”

A cold breath escaped my lips as my vision blurred.

An unbearable chill coiled around my heart, tightening like a noose.

”The curse… activated?”

I struggled to focus, searching for anyone—

Anyone who might be nearby.

But the only one standing before me was Seris, now holding the sword I had tossed her.

Frozen in place, wracked with pain, I could do nothing but stare.

”Does it hurt?”

She asked, her voice calm, almost mocking.

I couldnʼt answer.

Only wisps of cold air escaped my lips.

With a swift motion, she drove the sword into the ground before me.

Returning it.

”You will die, Frey Starlight. But not today.”

The icy grip around my heart tightened, rendering me completely immobile.

It wasnʼt just the pain—it was the sheer, crushing effect of the curse.

I was utterly powerless.

”Thatʼs enough.”

A slender hand rested on Serisʼs shoulder, gently pulling her back.

”Ada…”

My sister.

Ada exchanged a glance with Seris before offering her a small smile.

”Forgive my brotherʼs rudeness, Seris. But let me handle him from here.”

The two locked eyes for a brief moment before Seris finally stepped back.

”Do as you wish.”

With that, she turned away, her icy expression returning to normal, leaving me alone with Ada.

Even after Seris left, the curse continued to gnaw at my heart, keeping me completely frozen.

Had I unknowingly violated one of the Casterʼs commands? Or had they activated it deliberately?

But Seris… she seemed to know about the curse tormenting me.

Could she be the one who cast it?

Urgh…

I couldnʼt think clearly, not with the waves of unbearable cold wracking my body.

As I shivered, Ada placed her hand over my frozen heart.

”Itʼs okay, Frey…”

”A… Ada?”

She pulled me into a firm embrace, allowing the frigid chill to seep into her as well.

”You donʼt have to do anything… just keep going as you have until now.”

I tried to push her away, but my body was too weak, utterly drained of strength.

Even my jet-black hair had begun to fade, streaked with hints of white.

I knew this damn curse was devastating—that was exactly why I didnʼt want Ada to bear its burden.

Yet she held on tightly.

”Your sister will handle everything… It will be okay, Frey.”

”What…?”

I wanted to ask what she meant, but my mind couldnʼt hold out any longer.

The last thing I felt was the overwhelming force of the curse tightening its grip on me—stronger than ever before.

Then, darkness swallowed me whole.

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I awoke on a familiar bed, with the same woman seated beside me.

”Carmen…”

”Here we go again, kid.”

It was the same room, the same bed as last time—when Frost had knocked me unconscious.

”Iʼve been blacking out too often lately…”

Instinctively, my hand went to my chest. The pain was gone, but a lingering cold still coiled within me.

Then, a sudden memory resurfaced—the last thing before I lost consciousness.

”Ada…”

What was she planning?

Her words still echoed in my mind—”Iʼll handle it.”

Handle what? Did she already know what I was suffering from?

I needed answers.

And the person who could give them to me was sitting right in front of me.

”Carmen… what the hell is going on here?”

”Whatʼs going on? Iʼm about to have a smoke.”

She lit a cigarette, using it as an excuse to sidestep my question.

”Ada… sheʼs up to something.”

Carmen exhaled a slow stream of smoke, gazing at the ceiling before looking back at me.

”That girl would do anything for her family. And right now, you are her family. So understand that well, and donʼt make things any harder for her from now on.”

I met her gaze.

”You still havenʼt answered my question.”

Carmen shook her head.

”Ask her yourself. Iʼm not the one you should be looking to for answers.”

I let out a frustrated sigh.

”Answers… Thatʼs the one thing I havenʼt gotten at all.”

Pushing myself up, I steadied my senses.

Carmen smirked the moment she saw what I was doing.

”Already thinking about training?”

”Letʼs go.”

I needed to move—to wield my sword and silence the chaos in my mind.

And in part… it was because I had realized who the Caster of my curse was.

It was just a hunch.

But it was the worst possible one.

Out of the thousands of people in this damned castle…

I had the worst of them all.

I truly was cursed.

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- Meanwhile -

While Frey chose to silence his thoughts and immerse himself in training with Carmen, another of the same bloodline wandered through the castle corridors, following the signs leading her to a certain hidden place.

After an hour of relentless searching, Ada finally came to a halt before a massive gate.

An eerie structure, standing in the heart of a vast hall.

The door was there, yet beyond it—nothingness.

But what was hidden was far greater than what was seen.

Of course, the time for this gate to open had not yet come.

So, just as Frey had done before, Ada entered through the smaller door at the side.

The moment she stepped inside, she found herself in a colossal library.

At its center sat a blind girl in a wheelchair.

The girl smiled at Ada, but Ada did not return the gesture.

”What brings you here, Lord Starlight?”

”I came seeking the truth.”

Ada strode forward, unfazed by the pressure Rem exuded.

The blind girl had been moments away from expelling her—after all, Ada was an uninvited guest.

But Ada had already anticipated her intent.

Before Rem could act, Ada raised the back of her hand.

A strange symbol flared to life—blood-red, as if painted with fresh blood.

The instant it glowed, Rem recognized it instantly.

”Your Lady will not be pleased if you turn me away… Iceflower.”

Remʼs expression darkened before she let out another smile.

”Ada Starlight... Just like the Starlight Lords before you, you are anything but easy to deal with.”

”Not at all. Iʼm a terrible Lady to this family. Everything I do now is for just one person.”

Rem already knew who she was talking about.

Her brother—Frey Starlight.

”I donʼt know how you uncovered my Ladyʼs secrets, but very well. You shall have what you seek.”

Remʼs aura flared, sending waves of immense energy rippling through the air.

”The time has come to unveil the secrets of this family.”