Reincarnated as the Last Villain

Ravengarde stood still.

Word had spread faster than fire: the saboteur was caught.

They dragged him into the Great Hall at dawn — bruised, bound, and silent.A familiar face.

Thalen Arvoss.

Once Kael's closest friend. A tactician during the holy crusade. Thought dead during the ambush at Hallowmere. But now…

He knelt before the rebellion's makeshift council — torches lighting his torn cloak, once bearing the crest of Astrael.

Kael stared at him in disbelief.

"You died."

Thalen smirked, blood on his lip. "I did."

[Reveal: The Saboteur was a Former Ally]Faction Loyalty: ShockedRavengarde Stability: -15% until sentence is passed

Vaenira leaned against a column, eyes sharp.

Nilo stood silent, his spells ready in case of an escape.

Serana gripped her sword.

"This traitor set fire to our council," she said. "Endangered everything we've built."

"He had help," said Duran. "We still don't know who."

Kael said nothing.

He walked slowly toward Thalen.

"You fought beside me," Kael whispered. "You saved my life more times than I can count. And now you… burn my home?"

Thalen looked up, no remorse.

"You left me," he said. "You walked away from the gods. From the cause. I was captured, tortured, rebuilt by those you call monsters. And they made more sense than you ever did."

The Accusation

Thalen lifted his head, voice rising.

"You think this rebellion will save the world? It'll fracture it. You're not building hope, Kael. You're building another war."

Kael felt the words land deep.

He looked to the council.

"What say you?"

Nilo: "Exile him. Let him rot somewhere far."

Serana: "Execute. No mercy."

Duran: "Let me do it."

All eyes turned to Vaenira.

She met Kael's gaze and said, "What you choose now… will define you more than any battle ever could."

[Judgment Required: Player Choice Moment]Choose one:

⚔️ Execution – Remove threat. Increase morale short-term. Risk martyrdom.

🌑 Exile – Show restraint. Morale split. Chance of return.

🕊️ Forgiveness – Attempt redemption. Trust penalty. Chance of betrayal.

Kael turned to Thalen.

They had once fought side by side, bled together under banners they no longer believed in.

And now… only ash remained.

Kael drew his sword.

But did not raise it.

"You betrayed us," he said quietly. "But maybe you're not beyond return."

He nodded to Serana.

"Exile him. Alone. Without weapons. If he survives the wilds — let that be the gods' justice."

The hall erupted in shouts. Some in support. Some in outrage.

But Kael stood firm.

[Choice Made: Exile]Ravengarde Stability: -5% (split opinion)Kael's Trait Gained: Reluctant JudgeThalen's Fate: Unknown — but the shadows will remember him.

As Thalen was dragged out of Ravengarde, he said one last thing:

"This mercy will cost you.I'll be the first.But not the last."

Kael watched him go, then whispered,

"I know."