Reincarnated as the Last Villain

The wind howled louder than usual that morning.

Ravengarde had always been quiet — too quiet. Birds didn't nest there. Wolves avoided the ravines. Even the sky seemed to forget it existed. But today, there was something new in the air.

Smoke.

Kael stood at the top of the eastern tower, watching the horizon.

Black clouds.

Not storm clouds.

Fires.

"Get the others," he said.

Duran ran.

Below, in the main hall, Serana sharpened her blade. Nilo was inscribing defensive wards in the courtyard stones.

The silence shattered as a flaming arrow pierced the sky and landed just beyond the gate.

Then came another.

And another.

A dozen.

A hundred.

[Event Triggered: Ravengarde Under Siege]Enemy Faction: Shadowbound Mercenaries – Affiliated with the Black AccordObjective: Survive. Hold the fortress until reinforcements arrive (if any).

Duran slammed the gate shut, locking the rusted bolts. "They're here."

"How many?" Serana asked.

He looked at her grimly. "Enough to turn this place into ash."

Kael strapped on his armor.

"We're not defending Ravengarde because it's strong," he said.

"We're defending it because it's ours."

The First Flames

The mercenaries came like phantoms — dressed in charcoal armor, eyes glowing with blood-sealed runes. They wielded sickle-swords and firebombs made from alchemical nightmares.

The first wave hit the gate.Then the walls.Then the sky.

Nilo's wards held for ten minutes.

Then the south wall exploded.

Kael led the charge. No divine spear. No miracles.

Just steel and fury.

He fought like a man possessed — not to kill, but to protect. Every life inside Ravengarde mattered more than the gods ever did.

[Kael Skill Unlock: Leadership Tier I – Heart of Resistance]Nearby allies gain +10% defense when fighting near Kael.Unique Effect: Morale cannot be broken while Kael is conscious.

But even heroes bleed.

Kael took a blade to the side, then an arrow through his thigh.

He kept fighting.

And then, from the trees—a shriek.

Something inhuman.

The second wave wasn't just mercenaries.

It was wraithbound.

Dead men reanimated with shadow magic — their memories erased, but their hatred… sharpened.

Nilo paled. "This isn't just an attack," he whispered.

Serana slashed one down. "It's a message."

Kael gritted his teeth.

"Then let's send one back."

The Turning Point

Just as the wall gave way completely and the inner courtyard was overrun, a horn sounded from the cliffs above.

Everyone froze.

And from the misted peaks came a volley of arrows, then ropes, then figures in cloaks leaping into battle with silent precision.

Reinforcements?

Kael didn't recognize them.

Until he saw the one leading them.

A woman with silver hair. A familiar sword.

Vaenira.

[Ally Joined: Vaenira (Alignment Unknown)]Temporary Command: Shadowcounter UnitStatus: Independent. May betray or remain.

She fought like a storm. Not for Zerath. Not for Kael.

For herself.

When the last of the mercenaries fell and the smoke began to lift, Kael limped toward her.

"You picked a strange time to help."

Vaenira didn't smile.

"I didn't come to help you," she said. "I came to stop him from turning the world into something worse than what we already had."

"And after this?"

She looked at the fortress.

"Depends if you make it worth saving."