The Villain's Side of the Novel

Fray leaned forward, his eyes fixed on the map spread out before them. "Then we shall commence exporting the fertilizer. Let us begin by addressing the city plagued by food shortages," he declared with a determined tone.

Anas nodded, acknowledging the completion of the previous topic. "Very well, shall we proceed to the next subject?" he inquired.

"Yes, Idar, what progress have you made on the plans for the mine?" Fray inquired, his gaze shifting to the steadfast figure of Idar.

Idar stood tall, radiating confidence. "The mine is now fully occupied and heavily guarded by my most capable men. Furthermore, we have ample storage space to meet the demands of the market," he replied assuredly.

"Excellent," Fray acknowledged, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "Now, regarding the expansion of trade halls in various cities..."

"Yes," interrupted Idar, his voice filled with curiosity. "You have instructed us to establish additional branches in smaller cities and to cease dealing with the Niam Empire and the territories under the Ayrum Family's rule. While I understand the rationale behind withdrawing from Ayrum, why should we sever ties with the formidable Niram Empire, which currently holds the greatest power on the continent?"

Fray's eyes gleamed with a mixture of knowledge and certainty. "Niram Empire may appear strong, but it is merely an illusion. It will crumble soon," he declared confidently.

The room fell silent as Fray's words hung in the air. Elisa, Giam, Anas, and Idar exchanged puzzled glances, their eyes wide with disbelief. It was an unexpected revelation, and the implications of Fray's statement left them all in a state of shock.

"Who will destroy it?" Elisa finally managed to break the silence, her voice filled with a mix of concern and curiosity.

"That family will start moving soon, and they will need to establish their power," Fray responded cryptically, his gaze fixed on a distant point.

The room was filled with confusion, the weight of the revelation sinking in. The Niram Empire had long been considered the dominant force in the continent, their influence reaching far and wide. The idea of its destruction seemed unfathomable to those gathered in the room.

"But the international court is under Niram Empire's protection. If the empire falls..." Anas trailed off, his voice laced with uncertainty.

Fray nodded solemnly, acknowledging the valid concern. "Yes, then the real war will start," he confirmed, his tone betraying a deep understanding of the situation.

Giam couldn't help but interject, his voice tinged with disbelief. "But it doesn't make sense. The ancient families have always strived to protect the international court and the Shield Team. Especially that family, they were the ones behind the idea of the Shield Union and the court. Why would they destroy all of that?"

A contemplative look crossed Fray's face as he offered his explanation. "The Niram Empire will be the cause. They are beginning to fly too close to the sun, still believing that the continent belongs solely to them."

Amidst the confusion and uncertainty, Elisa brought up another pressing concern. "Speaking of which, I heard rumors about troops from the Niram Empire closing in on Iskar City. Do you think they will try to stir up trouble?"

Fray's expression remained stoic, and his reply exuded an air of confidence. "I'm not sure, but it doesn't matter. The Niram Empire is not a threat to us."

Idar, having listened intently, spoke up with conviction. "Alright, sir. I understand. I won't deal with the Niram Empire anymore."

Fray's gaze shifted to Idar, a subtle nod of approval accompanying his words. "Good. Let us move on to the third subject," he said, his tone commanding. "I will be leaving Iskar City for some time."

"You're leaving? Is it another mission, sir?" Elisa

"It's a personal matter, and I will leave alone this time," Fray replied, his voice tinged with determination.

"What!? This is very dangerous, sir. You can't leave alone, especially at such a time," Idar interjected, his voice laced with urgency.

"I have to go, and don't worry, I will be fine," Fray assured them, his words calm and steady.

Anas, couldn't help but voice his concern. "But sir, leaving alone, especially now, seems too risky. There's a lot of eyes on us."

Fray offered a faint smile, appreciating the group's loyalty. "I understand your worries, but this is something I must do alone."

Looking at Fray's smile the group opened their eyes in shock, Elisa looked at Fray's face a small smile has drawn on Elisa's dead expression as spoke up. "Alright, can you at least tell us where you're going? "

Fray paused for a moment "I will go to Enshrouded Hollow Forest," he revealed, his voice carrying a sense of solemnity.

The room fell into an uneasy silence as Fray's words sank in. The Enshrouded Hollow Forest was renowned for its treacherous reputation—a place of mystery and danger. Its dense foliage, eerie atmosphere, and whispered tales of ancient beings made it a place to be feared.

"What!?" The group's voices echoed in disbelief, their expressions a mixture of shock and concern.

Fray's footsteps echoed through the empty halls as he made his way back to his office. The weight of the upcoming journey hunged heavy on his mind. The room felt somber as he stepped inside, the faint glow of the magic lambs casting dancing shadows on the walls.

As he closed the door behind him, Fray's eyes fell upon an opened letter lying on his desk. The familiar handwriting caught his attention, and he couldn't help but feel a mix of anger and regret welling up within him as he remembered the past. He reached for the letter, his fingers tracing the words as he began to read.

The contents of the letter painted a vivid picture—a tale of past alliances, betrayals, and a web of deceit that had woven itself around him and his trusted comrades. With each word, Fray's jaw clenched, his heart bounded heavily.

"It's time to end this," he murmured, his voice filled with a quiet intensity. He crumpled the letter in his hand, the sound echoing through the room as he tossed it aside.

A young woman with fiery red hair sat by the window, the soft glow of morning sunlight illuminating her features. She clutched the letter in her delicate hands, her eyes scanning each word with a mix of curiosity and trepidation. As she read, her brows furrowed, and a flicker of coldness crossed her face. With a complicated expression, she rose from her seat and made her way out of the room

In another corner of the realm, a man with tousled blond hair leaned against a sturdy oak tree, his keen eyes flickering over the words before him. The letter's contents seemed to strike a chord within him, resonating with his sense of justice. His grip tightened around the hilt of his sword as a fire ignited in his gaze.

In a dimly lit room, a man with sleek, black hair sat at a worn wooden desk. The flickering candlelight cast shadows across his face as his eyes skimmed the words upon the letter. His expression transformed from one of calm composure to a storm of conflicting emotions. His jaw clenched as he wrestled with his inner turmoil, his hands trembling slightly. With a deep breath, he folded the letter and slid it into his pocket, his decision made.