Villain MMORPG: Almighty Devil Emperor and His Seven Demonic Wives-Chapter 1129: The Beginning of The Darkness [Part 1]

Villain Ch 1129. The Beginning of The Darkness [Part 1]

The next thing they saw was darkness—an all-encompassing blackness that made the winners feel as if they were floating in a void. Before their sight returned, they heard it—faint at first, almost like a distant echo. Cheers, followed by the sound of faint singing and the murmur of chatter.

It was the noise of celebration, and it grew louder and clearer, until the voices surrounded them, filling their ears.

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Suddenly, their vision snapped back to life. It felt like they were waking from a deep sleep, their senses disoriented for a split second before they saw the scene in front of them.

The throne room was magnificent, bathed in warm light, with long tables stretching across the space, laden with food and drinks. Laughter filled the air as NPCs moved about, their faces alive with joy, their bodies swaying to the music and the hum of the celebration. It was a scene of revelry, a moment of peace. But there was something distinctly strange about the sight.

The throne—the centerpiece of the room—was still empty.

The group of winners found themselves not in positions of power or grandeur, but instead slouched over the table as if they had just woken up from a long night of drinking. It was disorienting, and they blinked rapidly, trying to shake the feeling.

Before they could fully take in the scene, a voice spoke from nearby.

"You all look very tired," the voice said, soft but commanding. "Would you like to go back to your rooms first?"

The voice—calm, deep, and full of authority—should have sent a chill down their spines. Normally, a voice like that, in a setting like this, would have been a herald of something ominous. But instead of fear, what they felt was something stranger. The voice was kind, patient, and almost... gentle. It was enough to make them all flinch and turn sharply toward the source.

Standing near them was not the Devil Emperor they had expected, not the dark, fearsome figure they were prepared to meet. Instead, they found themselves looking at a man in radiant, golden armor. His presence was overwhelming in its purity—his armor gleaming like the sun, a golden sword hanging from his waist. His smile was warm, sincere, completely disarming.

For a moment, they thought they were looking at Elio's paladin avatar—it was the same noble, righteous look. But the face was different. There was a name floating above his head.

Zael <The Holy Prince>

This was the Devil Emperor before he fell into darkness. This was the man who had once been a prince before everything changed.

Mila, her eyes wide with shock, straightened up from where she had been leaning on the table. She wiped her mouth nervously, trying to piece together what was happening. "H-Holy prince?" she muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible.

Elio gave a small cough and straightened his posture, brushing off his clothes as if nothing had happened. "This is... not what I expected." He glanced at the others, then back at Zael, his paladin instincts kicking in as he tried to read the situation. The prince looked like him. It was the one that made him uneasy.

Zael smiled warmly at him, clearly noticing the confused looks on their faces. "It's a celebration, my friends," he said softly, gesturing toward the long tables filled with food and drink. "You've done well to arrive at such an important time. The kingdom rejoices today, and I wanted to make sure you were comfortable."

Father^Alex, who had been sitting quietly, finally found his voice, though it was tinged with nervousness. "Thank you, Your Highness," he stammered, bowing his head slightly. The title felt strange on his tongue, considering they knew where Zael's story was going. It felt almost wrong to address him as anything but the Devil Emperor.

Azura narrowed her eyes slightly as she glanced at the empty throne, then back to Zael. "We're honored, but..." She hesitated, trying to find the right words. "Should we not be addressing you as something... else?"

Zael's frown deepened as he studied her, confusion flickering across his face. He tilted his head, as though trying to figure out why she was acting so strange. "Yes. You should call me Zael," he said firmly, though a hint of concern bled into his voice. "What's with the sudden formality? Did the last lich army we fought manage to suck your intelligence?"

The group fell silent, exchanging glances.

Zael sighed, his shoulders dropping slightly, and he moved to sit between them at the long table, scanning each of their faces. His eyes, full of warmth and concern, flicked between them. "Are you guys okay?" he asked, his voice softening. "Didn't you enjoy the party? Was the reward not enough?" His eyes twinkled with genuine care as he leaned in closer. "If something's wrong, just tell me.

I'll speak to the king myself. He'll listen."

Before any of them could respond, an NPC dressed as a high official approached the table, his steps deliberate, his expression laced with arrogance. He scoffed as he glanced at Zael, and his tone was dripping with contempt. "As if the king would grant your request," the official sneered. "He sent you to the battlefield to die, you fool."

Zael turned sharply, his once kind expression hardening in an instant. His hand moved instinctively to the hilt of his sword, his fingers gripping the handle with a controlled intensity. His voice, though still calm, was laced with warning. "Say that again, and I will cut your tongue out where you stand."

The official's sneer faded, replaced by a momentary flash of fear. Without another word, he turned on his heel and quickly left the table.

Zael's smile dimmed, the brightness that had filled his face now shadowed with the exchange. For a brief moment, his gaze lingered on the path the NPC had taken, his expression thoughtful, almost resigned. It was clear he understood more than he was letting on, but for some reason, he chose to ignore it. Or perhaps, he was simply too hopeful to acknowledge the truth.