THE VILLAIN'S POV

"I understand there's a lot of tension between the four provinces, so I get why you wouldn't want to go with Lord Godfrey and his entourage," Draxler said, continuing his attempt to win Frey's favor.

"You're one of the empyreans' candidates, aren't you? I used to be one myself… but I lost miserably. Let me help you this time. Maybe at least one of us can make it out alive."

He offered his deal with the same laid-back smile.

The Ultras were deeply divided—despite all being part of the same faction, especially when it came to the Highbloods.

There were four main territories controlled by the four Lords:

— Shizclar in the east, ruled by Madam A.

— Cailed, the central and official capital of the Ultras, ruled by Lord Gavid Lindman.

— Aeonia in the west, under Lord Godfrey.

— And Nokron, the Eternal City in the south, under Lord Mirgo.

Though they were technically part of the same force—the Ultras—each lord ruled their region independently, in a structure worse than that of the Great Houses.

So Frey refusing to follow Godfrey was perfectly reasonable.

"Frey... this guy's suspicious. I have a really bad feeling about him," Clana whispered through a thin aura barrier.

"I know," Frey replied, nodding, "but we don't have a choice. We'll deal with him—for now. At least until we know where the keys are."

Though uneasy, Clana gave in to Frey's logic. He was the one in control. Always a step ahead, shielding her from danger. That made it hard for her to argue—especially when she was treated like this.

And yet, she didn't mind it at all. In fact, she appreciated every moment in her own quiet way.

"Alright, Draxler. Tell me how we get the keys," Frey asked, his focus unshaken.

Draxler nodded, still smiling. "There's only one way to get the teleportation pass. You'll have to go to the man who runs this place. They call him Father knoth."

"And where do we find him?"

Draxler pointed forward. "He works out of a massive tent not far from here. We'll find it if we keep going this way. Just so you know—this is the only way through. Even Lord Godfrey had to pass by him."

"Then lead the way."

"With pleasure."

With Draxler leading and Frey and Clana behind him, the three made their way toward the place that supposedly held the keys.

As they walked, Frey kept asking questions, trying to gather as much intel as possible.

"Why would someone like Godfrey need to go through knoth? Is he really that important?"

Draxler shook his head. "knoth is a Lowblood, but he's incredibly lucky. The teleportation magic here was cast a long time ago by a very powerful sorcerer. That sorcerer left the method of creating teleportation keys hidden away somewhere—and knoth was the only one who ever found it and figured it out."

"There's that kind of luck in this world?" Frey muttered, still finding it hard to believe.

"It's true. This place isn't just using teleportation magic .. it's also protected by a barrier that keeps Nightmare Beasts out of the mountain range. And the teleportation doesn't lead to one fixed destination. It has three different possible paths."

Draxler laughed out loud. "Since knoth is the only one who can ensure the right path and maintain the barrier, he ended up with some authority here. Now he basically does whatever he wants."

"I see…"

Frey nodded, mentally noting all the key information. He was already planning a way to get those keys as quickly as possible.

But Draxler didn't let the silence linger.

"Let's get back to you, Supreme Sovereign. Do you mind telling me your name?"

"You don't need to know it."

Frey kept his face hidden, just like his identity. He had no intention of giving Draxler even the smallest piece of information—especially with how closely the man was watching him.

"My apologies, my apologies. Then what about your cute little servant? She seems awfully weak. Did you bring her along for entertainment? I hear this land is pretty barren, after all. Kikiki..."

Draxler laughed mockingly, only to shut up when Frey's threatening presence spiked—intentionally so.

Clana didn't say a word the entire time. Everything going on was already overwhelming enough.

The rest of their walk continued in silence until they finally arrived.

"There it is."

Before them stood a massive tent—large enough to cover an entire skyscraper.

Frey was stunned at the sheer size of it. Even more so when he heard what was coming from inside.

Thundering music echoed through the ground, causing the very earth beneath them to shake.

"Didn't you say they call him Father Knoth? What the hell is this place?" Frey asked, eyeing the insane crowd lined up to enter the enormous tent.

"Ah… the title Father is just mockery," Draxler said with a chuckle. "Knoth is just a lecherous degenerate obsessed with sex and parties."

"I'm really expected to attend his party just to get the keys?" Frey asked suspiciously.

Draxler snapped his fingers.

"Exactly!!"

Frey and Clana exchanged glances before heading toward the massive entrance.

Once they arrived—surrounded by a huge crowd made up of both Lowblood and Highblood Ultras—they found a bizarre woman standing at the gate. Her head was completely shaved, she wore heavy makeup, and was nearly naked. Behind her stood four hulking guards.

As soon as she saw them, the woman smiled wide.

"Well, well… what do we have here? You folks here to party too?"

"Yes, please," Draxler replied with his usual smile. The pounding music grew louder with every step closer.

The woman nodded cheerfully, then snapped her fingers at one of the guards, who handed over a jar filled with a thick red liquid.

"Alright, gentlemen and ladies… you wanna party, right? Then drink."

She shoved the strange drink toward Frey's face, causing his expression to darken.

"What is this?"

She smiled wider, clearly amused.

"Something really good. Tastes great too."

Frey's suspicion only grew. He looked toward Draxler, but the latter simply shrugged.

"It's the only way in."

At that moment, several other Ultras approached, happily drinking the same red liquid before entering.

Still, Frey felt uneasy. Deeply so.

And just as he hesitated further—Clana stepped forward, grabbed the jar, and poured the drink down her throat without a second thought.

"You—!"

Frey shouted, shocked, while the strange woman clapped her hands with joy.

"Well done! You're officially ready to party!"

After downing the drink, Clana turned to Frey, pulling her mask back over her mouth.

"It's the only way in."

Hearing that, Frey sighed and reluctantly reached for the jar.

As he drank, a burning, vile sensation crawled down his throat. He tried to stop, but the woman lifted the jar again, forcing him to drink it all.

As soon as he finished, Draxler burst out laughing and wrapped his arms around them both.

"Remember… find Knoth, get the key. Now go! Enjoy the party!!"

With a loud shout, he shoved them both inside.

The moment they crossed the threshold, the deafening, demonic music exploded all around them. Lights flashed wildly overhead, changing color with every pulse.

All around them, people danced in madness, headbutting one another in sync with the beat, laughing and drinking like lunatics.

The place was massive—easily large enough to cover three football stadiums.

Frey found himself completely disoriented as a monstrous headache crashed down on him, growing worse with each flashing light and booming beat.

The pain was so intense, he felt like the world was about to flip upside down.