Reincarnated as the Last Villain

The night air turned cold.

Too cold for summer.

In the distance — before even the sentries could see — the ground began to tremble.

Kael stood on the eastern wall, wind slicing through his cloak. His hand rested on the hilt of his blade, but it wasn't instinct this time.

It was memory.

Behind him, Nilo climbed the stairs two at a time, breath sharp.

"They're coming," he said. "No sigils. No flags. Just iron and silence."

Kael nodded.

He already knew.

[Enemy Incoming: The Oathless]Elite knight unit. Immune to pain. Trained to sever emotion.Their vow: No names. No mercy. No retreat.Led by: The Pale Blade – once called Ardyn Valen, Kael's sworn brother in arms.

The riders appeared over the horizon — black cloaks, no horses, just walking… like the dead.

At the front: a man in white steel, his face hidden behind a mask that resembled bone. His sword, long and curved, had no sheath. It was always drawn.

Kael's eyes narrowed.

He had buried Ardyn Valen himself. Or so he thought.

Serana joined him.

"What are they?"

Kael's voice was quiet.

"Zerath's answer to loyalty."

The First Clash

The Oathless didn't charge.

They marched.

Until the outer scouts of Ravengarde opened fire — and arrows struck nothing but armor.

Then came the retaliation.

Bladestorms — enchanted by pain-magic, spinning toward the walls like dying stars.

Screams erupted.

Walls cracked.

Kael gave the order: "Open the eastern gate. Bring them in."

Serana stared at him. "You want them inside?"

Kael's jaw was tight. "They don't know this fortress. But we do."

Inside the tight stone corridors of Ravengarde, the rebellion fought like wolves — narrow halls, no room for the Oathless to swing their giant blades.

But they kept coming.

Even when burned.

Even when blinded.

Even when dismembered.

They kept moving.

Duel in the Dark

In the lower courtyard, Kael finally met the one he once called brother.

The Pale Blade.

Ardyn.

"Kael Valen," said the mask. The voice… familiar but distant. "You remember my name. I surrendered it to become what you could not."

Kael drew his sword.

"You were a leader."

"I became a weapon."

Their blades met — not with sound, but with silence.

The duel was not like the others Kael had fought. Ardyn didn't hesitate. Didn't speak. Didn't bleed.

Kael bled instead.

And when he fell to one knee — Ardyn raised his sword for the final blow—

—when a dagger pierced the knight's shoulder from behind.

Vaenira.

No words.

Just action.

Kael used the moment — drove his sword into Ardyn's exposed chest.

But there was no scream.

Just the sound of breath.

"I died long ago," said Ardyn, collapsing.

"You should've stayed dead," Kael whispered.

[Boss Defeated: The Pale Blade]Remaining Oathless retreat — slowly, without emotion.Ravengarde sustained heavy damage, but held.Kael's Bond: +5 with Vaenira. +3 with Serana (for tactical success).

Aftermath

The bodies of the Oathless were buried deep — not burned. Burning them made the smoke scream.

Later that night, Kael sat alone in the ruined chapel, bandaging his wounds.

Vaenira entered.

She placed something beside him.

Ardyn's mask.

"Keep it," she said. "As a reminder."

Kael looked down at the mask.

Cold. Pale. Empty.

And in it… he saw a glimpse of himself, if he had chosen differently.