Reincarnated as the Last Villain

The journey back from Blackgarde was silent.

Kael rode ahead, the Flame of Reclamation pulsing softly beneath his cloak.

Behind him, Vaenira's eyes never left the horizon.

Nilo had gone quiet — something in the forge had changed him. The weight of souls redeemed and lost sat heavy in his bones.

By the fifth night, the winds turned warm again.

By the sixth, they saw the torches of Ravengarde in the distance.

And on the seventh...

they returned home.

But something was wrong.

Arrival at Dusk

The banners had changed.

Ravengarde's usual sentries didn't greet them at the gate —instead, they were halted by armored guards bearing the sigil of Mirandel.

A gold-crowned stag.A royal house thought broken.

Kael dismounted slowly.

"I wasn't told we had guests," he muttered.

The guard gave no response — only opened the gate with cold efficiency.

Inside, the fortress felt tighter. Watched. Less like a rebellion… more like a court.

The Audience

In the war hall sat Lady Elira of Mirandel, last living princess of her bloodline — young, poised, and flanked by advisors.

Serana stood beside her, arms crossed. Not hostile — but unreadable.

Lady Elira rose.

"Kael Valen," she said, smiling slightly. "Hero of Ravengarde. Soul-breaker of Blackgarde. You return to find your house… changed."

Kael's voice was low.

"Changed how?"

She gestured to the banners.

"We came not to take power, but to protect it. The rebellion needs legitimacy. And I offer it. In exchange… for unity."

[Faction Update: Mirandel Royalty Presence]Lady Elira has entered Ravengarde's inner court.She offers royal protection, noble funding, and troops… in exchange for influence.Her advisors are split: some loyal, some spies.Public Reaction: Mixed — some welcome nobility, others distrust it deeply.

Private Council

Later that night, Kael met privately with Serana and Nilo.

"She came five days ago," Serana explained. "With two hundred troops. Helped rebuild the gates. Fed the hungry. Promised peace."

"She also requested your seat," Nilo added quietly.

Kael raised an eyebrow.

"As what? Queen?"

Serana shook her head. "As High Chancellor of Ravengarde. Equal vote. Equal command."

Kael's grip tightened.

Vaenira entered late.

"She's dangerous," she said, no pretense. "Not because of what she'll do… but because of what others will let her do."

The Flame's Whisper

That night, Kael lit the Flame of Reclamation for the first time inside Ravengarde.

It didn't burn wood.

It burned memory.

And it showed him visions:

Elira, kneeling before a blood-drenched throne.

Serana, arguing with Kael in a chamber of fire.

Vaenira, alone… crying over a blade she couldn't drop.

Zerath — watching it all from a throne made of names.

And behind him…

a shadow in Kael's shape.