THE VILLAIN'S POV Chapter 777 Execution in Silence (1)

Caelid, the grand Capital... the sole surviving piece of the Ultras' civilization following the devastating recent war.

The storied city once ruled by Demon Worshipers lay in complete ruin from the fierce conflict that swept over its frontiers and scarred its lands.

Nevertheless, the Ultras were gradually restoring it, holding onto the desperate wish to rescue any fragments left of their broken society.

In the midst of rebuilding work and the somber mood lingering from the savage warfare, elite troops assembled today in an uncommon gathering, all focusing near the tower the demons had utilized as their central base for ages.

There, amidst a thick cluster of warriors and guards, Mergo showed up... his aged, inebriated form pushing through the throng to pave the way for a key figure.

Mergo appeared utterly drunk as usual, submerged in a haze from excessive drinking... his face glowing crimson, his garments ripped, and his feet bare without any footwear. Numerous people questioned his leadership and merit due to his disheveled look... yet his immense strength quelled every such notion.

Following Gavid Lindman's capture by the Empire's army, Mergo rose to the position of supreme leader for the Ultras...

at least outwardly, as the real control lay with the demons, especially Amon.

On this day, Mergo positioned himself with his followers, and next to him stood Maria, who had pledged her complete allegiance to him a while back.

The pair lingered in front of a designated portal, anticipating the arrival of a certain person.

While they stood there, Mergo started to hum merrily, crooning tunes without a thought for his surroundings or his expected role— an action that annoyed Maria greatly.

With a sidelong look, she eyed him, her face as icy as always.

"Keep it together, old man. Or do you intend to wreck it all?"

Her sharp words left Mergo entirely unaffected.

"Don't fret, my sweet Maria. Booze hones my thoughts better than sobriety ever has."

"Hmph... I highly question that," Maria shot back, then abruptly lashed out with a kick to Mergo's leg, sending him sprawling onto the ground effortlessly.

"I'm genuinely amazed at your sharp senses and vigilance, Lord Mergo."

Sarcasm dripped evenly from her tone, her face unmoving, while Mergo rose again, rubbing his sore bottom.

"You cheeky lass... when did you start pulling off quips like that?"

He muttered while getting to his feet.

Maria displaying wit?

It scared him much more than it entertained him.

A brief quiet settled over them as they continued waiting... until Maria broke the hush once more.

"Hey... share something with me."

Mergo faced her.

"What's on your mind?" he inquired gravely, picking up on the strain in her words.

After a short pause, she voiced her thought.

"Have we actually... chosen wisely this round?"

A subtle grin crossed Mergo's lips as he shook his head.

"I can't provide an answer to that, dear Maria. It could be the wise path guiding us to victory... or it might unleash an even deeper abyss. Time alone will reveal the truth."

Maria let out a weary breath at his elusive response.

"I'd prefer if you claimed it was the smart move—even if it was a fib."

"Hehehe... Deceiving you is impossible, my dear Maria."

His eyelids shut, and his demeanor grew stern.

"The moment has come."

Right then, the portal swung open, with troops forming lines to open the route.

An graceful lady in a stunning violet dress stepped out from inside.

Though her frosty visage hid under her broad hat, her violet gaze gleamed as she regarded them.

The sorceress...

Beatrice, holding Rank 17 in the High Demons.

All present knelt in respect save for Mergo.

"Lady Beatrice, the portal awaits. Feel free to enter it at your convenience," Maria announced, pointing to the warp gate set up just for her.

Beatrice offered no reply. Uncharacteristically, she appeared scattered... struggling to regain her poise.

The Earth conflict had escalated to an unprecedented scale.

Wesker, her lord, perished in the final clash, striking her with a crushing, permanent loss.

Her abilities held no value anymore.

Thus, the Golden Witch opted to depart, safeguarding her existence.

This warp portal connected to Helmond—the very one a Duke of Hell named Vex had used to enter merely a day prior.

"Are you absolutely certain of this, Lady Beatrice? Your abilities would prove invaluable in the upcoming conflict," Mergo remarked with a slight grin.

Without so much as a glance his way, Beatrice advanced.

"Commence immediately," she commanded.

Mergo let out a quiet laugh.

"Such harshness."

Gradually, Mergo and Maria trailed after Beatrice to the warp portal.

"Curious... does High Amon truly sanction this? He doesn't seem like one to relinquish a potent asset without resistance," Mergo commented, veiling his mockery.

Beatrice pivoted to face him.

"Half-demon or not, mind your station. One who rejects their infernal side can't grasp the ambitions of a High Demon such as Lord Amon."

Mergo lifted his hands placatingly.

"Forgive me... I spoke out of turn."

He grinned... though the keen glint in his gaze betrayed deeper intentions than his apology.

Through that short interaction, Mergo had verified the fact.

Amon remained clueless about Beatrice's scheme.

Had he known, her departure would never have been permitted so smoothly.

The Golden Witch positioned herself at the warp portal to Helmond, gazing at it briefly before shutting her eyes and projecting her aura within, meticulously probing its depths.

Beatrice had never, even in her boldest fantasies or bleakest visions, foreseen that vulnerable Earth could transform so dramatically.

Humans... those once straightforward beings ripe for control—now served merely as pieces moved by the Shadow Sect's directives.

Against such horrors... her schemes concluded before they could fully unfold.

Plus, this peculiar sensation lingered...

"A feeling... like doom itself pursues me from all sides..."

Since that climactic fight, Beatrice bore this foreboding aura inside. Undoubtedly, it signaled a foreboding vision.

Forewarnings seldom proved false.

Precisely that fear drove her to escape so resolutely... despite the inevitable fury from Amon ahead.

"Lord Wesker... why abandon me in this manner..."

Wesker's demise etched a dark emptiness in her soul... ignorant that Wesker actually survived... just transformed.

Beatrice gradually pulled back her aura, concluding her check of the portal.

With completion, she moved ahead, crossing the warp portal and forsaking Earth... the realm that held countless experiences for her...

Instants of excitement.

Instants of delight.

And instants of terror and shadow.

In essence, Earth morphed into a horror—a warzone so unforgiving that no demon, however mighty, escaped downfall.

"This serves us best," Beatrice whispered as the portal's scarlet radiance engulfed her entirely.

Trusting her gut, she forsook all in her wake.

Merely moments later, the transfer ceased, and Beatrice set foot on the far side.

Her form fully exited the crimson shimmer as she gradually lifted her lids to survey the vista ahead.

And right away... dread hit her.

A deep scowl formed on Beatrice's face upon discovering an unfamiliar location.

The crimson heavens and barren air of Helmond were absent.

Rather, she found herself amid a shadowy woodland under a lifeless nocturnal canopy...

with stars strewn overhead, and a moon reduced to broken shards.

At that realization dawned on Beatrice.

Earth still held her.

An icy wave of peril surged through her, prompting an instant bid to retreat via the portal—

—yet she halted as Mergo appeared at her back, his Uchigatana at her throat, cutting her flesh and spilling blood.

Maria followed him through, her grip on her blade, fixing Beatrice with a frigid, lethal glare.