The Return Of The Exiled Villain

"Sooo... what exactly happened to the world when I was gone?"

As Gray walked through the forest, Jasmine curiously asked him. 

"...Like I know what the world was like when you were active," Gray scoffed slighly, before settling down in a rock.

"Stingy..."

Gray rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"Sure, sure... let me give you the basics of this world then."

He shifted on the rock, stretching his limbs as he leaned slightly back, his voice low and thoughtful, almost like a teacher giving a lesson.

"There are four great continents that form this world."

He raised a finger.

"Althuras. The heart of civilization. The continent of empires, magic, and divine temples. This is where the central kingdoms rose, where nobles rot in golden palaces, and where old monsters wear crowns. The 'civilized' world, as they call it."

Then he raised another.

"Zephyros. The wind-shredded continent. A place of sandstorms, floating isles, and beasts made of lightning. The land shifts every season. Tribes and warbands fight to survive, and no single kingdom has ever lasted more than a hundred years there. But even still, I'd say it's more honest than Althuras."

Third finger.

"Xerathum. The continent of ice and flame. No one sane lives there by choice. The weather changes like rage itself. Volcanoes sleep beside frozen tundra. Demons are rumored to be born there. The few human cities are bastions of war magic and blood pacts."

Finally, he raised his pinky.

"Eliora. The continent of eternal bloom, also called the Divine Land. A land twisted by divine blood, where ruins are older than time itself, and half of the races there don't even have names in our tongue... those races are called... the Heirs of God, as they are the so-called descendants of the main god, Elohim."

He curled his hand back into a fist.

"I was born in Althuras, the most 'perfect' of them all."

His lips curled into a crooked smile, but it didn't touch his eyes.

Behind him, Jasmine floated gently in the air, her pale glow like a dying moon suspended in mist.

She hadn't spoken in a while… just quietly listened to his bitter words.

But now, her eyes narrowed slightly.

"What's that look for...?" Gray asked, glancing back.

"...Elohim," Jasmine whispered.

Her voice sounded strange, uncertain, almost like saying the name brought a strange taste to her mouth.

"Back during my age, he was one of the weakest gods… barely acknowledged by the divine courts. And now he has an entire continent of loyal descendants?"

"Wait… what?" Gray blinked in surprise.

Jasmine gave a tiny nod, her silver-white hair swaying.

"You heard me. He was extremely weak; he even tried to master purity but couldn't even cleanse his own temples without help. And now… he's the main god of this era?"

The moment the words left her mouth...

"Pfttt…!"

Gray couldn't hold it in. He burst into laughter, his shoulders shaking as he tried to compose himself, but it was no use.

After a few moments, he finally managed to catch his breath. Wiping the corners of his eyes, still grinning, he leaned forward and said:

"That senile fucker is worshiped by nearly every kingdom. The church calls him the Supreme One. The god above gods. Most people on this cursed planet would throw themselves into a pit for him."

Jasmine tilted her head, her lips curling slightly.

"Yeah? He was also one of my suitors back then."

Gray stared at her.

"…You're joking."

"I wish I was," she sighed. "He sent me flowers. Can you believe that? Flowers. From the lower realms, no less. The man had no taste."

Gray was still staring, trying to process it.

"You dated Elohim?"

"I didn't say we dated," Jasmine said with a shrug. "I said he tried. Very… clumsily, might I add. The man couldn't string two romantic words together without quoting scripture."

"…That's fucking weird," Gray muttered, shaking his head. "So the main god of the church is just some desperate priest with a throne fetish?"

"Essentially," Jasmine said smoothly.

And just as she said those words, a silence stretched between both of them. So, Jasmine decided to break the silence again.

"…Where are we going now?" she asked, her voice softening.

Gray turned toward the dark road ahead, his eyes narrowing toward the barely visible mountains beyond the trees.

"The City of Knights," he said calmly.

"It's still five hundred kilometers away from Gloria Academy."

"Why not head straight for the Academy?" Jasmine tilted her head again.

"Because only registered knights or nobles can use teleportation gates in that region. Everyone else has to pay ridiculous taxes or take the foot route through three separate border inspections."

He cracked his neck.

"I don't have a family name anymore. But if I become an official knight under one of the outer city orders… I'll gain a public rank, travel permits, and free access to gates."

He smirked faintly.

"Once that's done… then I'll start heading towards Gloria."

"Mhm..."

Jasmine nodded slighly before dissipating into wisps, entering Gray's body.

.

.

.

.

.

By dusk, the massive gates of the City of Knights came into view.

Built from layers of reinforced stone and enchanted metal, the outer walls stood towering above the plains like a fortress left behind by titans.

Steel banners hung from massive spires, embroidered with the twin swords of valor, the emblem of the city's martial order.

Gray slowed his steps slightly as he reached the gate checkpoint.

The entrance was crowded. Merchants, adventurers, travelers, and even a few nobles lined up in their carriages.

Everyone was waiting and grumbling.

The sharp clang of guards inspecting bags and papers echoed across the cobblestone road.

"Next!" a guard barked, armored head turning toward Gray.

He stepped forward.

Two knights stood beside the inspection table, both wearing red-plated armor marked with gold trims.

They looked him over with half-interest, then noticed the blood stains on his boots and the faint tear on his cloak.

One of them spoke, clearly annoyed by his presence alone.

"Entry fee. Fifteen bronze coins."

Gray didn't answer at first; he simply reached into his inner coat pocket, eyes never leaving the two men.

Clink—

A single silver coin gleamed in his palm.

And then, without a word, he tossed it onto the table with a flick of his thumb.

TINK!

The silver piece spun for a second before settling with a soft ring.

Both guards looked at it.

Then at him.

He didn't stop walking and just stepped through the gate, right past them, shoulders straight and expression cold.

"H-Hey—!" one of the guards called after him.

But the other nudged his partner hard.

"Idiot. That's a silver. That's worth more than we make in a week."

"…Still, who just throws one like that?"

"That guy," the other muttered under his breath, watching Gray's figure disappear into the streets.

"That guy just did."

As soon as Gray entered the city, he was quite surprised.

The City of Knights wasn't like the other cities of Althuras. There were no cathedrals or temples towering over everything else.

Not even marble statues of saints or prophets.

Training grounds lined the eastern district.

You could already hear the shouting of young recruits drilling in formation, the clang of weapons echoing in rhythm.

Tall buildings with red-and-black insignias stood behind high walls, like the Knight Guild branches, Blacksmith Halls, and several regional Orders competing for dominance.

Jasmine's voice echoed softly in his mind.

[Mm… I forgot how grimy knight cities were.]

Gray smirked.

"After all, they are here to get stronger."

He glanced to the side as a group of heavily armed mercenaries marched down a side street, probably heading for the bounty board.

A tattered banner above them showed the emblem of the Wailing Fang, a mid-tier knight group known for border skirmishes.

Gray's eyes narrowed.

'…Alright. First, I need to find a place to register. A solo knight title won't do.... I need an official badge, something clean enough to let me pass through all the bullshit between here and Gloria…'

He rubbed his jaw, thinking.

'And preferably, one that won't ask too many questions about my background.'

With that in mind, Gray started wandering through the stone-paved central street, his eyes scanning each crest and banner for a Knight Registration Hall.

But just as he walked through the streets...

Clank—!

A group of young men rounded the corner up ahead, five in total.

All wore the gray-padded training uniform of Trainee Knights, each bearing the insignia of the Virelian Third Order.

Their chests were puffed out, blades sheathed in polished scabbards, and grins sharp with arrogance.

And of course...

One of them slammed his shoulder straight into Gray as they passed.

THUD!

Gray stopped and slowly looked to his side.

The tallest among them scoffed.

"Oi… you blind or something?"

Gray blinked once and then tilted his head.

The others began laughing.

"Look at his coat. Torn to hell. Smells like a damn sewer rat."

"Probably some street cleaner trying to sneak in for a handout."

"Or a failed recruit who crawled back after getting kicked out. Look at that cheap weapon—"

"Hey," the first one sneered.

"I asked you a question. Are you deaf and blind?"

For a few seconds, Gray just stood there silently.

And then…

[Mmm~ getting bullied by boys your age~ how nostalgic]

Jasmine's voice practically purred in his mind.

[Wanna cry and run away again, Gray~? Or are you going to beat them up?]

His eyebrow twitched.

"Fucking annoying woman..." he muttered under his breath.

One of the trainees stepped forward.

"What did you just say?"

Gray's lips curled into a grin.

"Nothing." He tilted his head mockingly. "Just talking to someone smarter than all five of you combined."

"Oohhh—"

"Big mouth for a bum."

"Must be compensating for something."

Gray's smile widened just slightly. It was that slow, venomous expression he wore when about to do something violent.

"You're trainee knights, huh?"

They blinked at the sudden shift in tone.

"Same rank as me," he said casually, resting a hand on the hilt of his rapier.

"But definitely not the same level."

The tallest one's jaw tightened.

"You wanna find out?"

"Oh, I do."

Gray leaned in a little, having the same smirk.

"But I'd hate to stain the streets."

The five of them grew quiet for a beat, but then the one in front nodded toward an alley up ahead.

It was narrow, dusty, and mostly out of sight.

"You want to throw hands? Fine," the leader snapped, nodding toward the same alley. "Back there, no rules and don't you fucking dare scream for help."

"Unless you're scared."

Gray's grin deepened.

"Scared?" he repeated.

Then he stepped forward, his eyes locking onto the leader's.

"I've buried better men than you without blinking."

He started walking straight toward the alley with no hesitation at all, and behind him, the group of five followed, laughing to themselves.

"Cocky bastard."

"What an idiot."

"Think he's crazy or something?"

"Bet he starts crying when we put a knife to his ribs—"

But Jasmine… Jasmine was giggling.

[Ooooh~ this is going to be fun. Break their arms. Slowly.]